Free Flight trainer Chris Biro Shaking his tail feathers for donations…I’m helping.
No, the Houston Parrot Festival isn’t all serious lectures and training sessions. Actually, we have a blast. I recommend attending the Festival if you have the time. There are vendors with all of the latest products and there are a few highly-esteemed Vets attending that do give lectures and answer questions you might have. Here are two of the most dignified and respected Avian Vets in the business available to answer your most pressing issues:
Esteemed Avian Veterinarians: Dr. Lorenzo Crosta and Dr. Brian Speer.
So you see? We have lots of fun. Lorenzo and Brian were just pitching getting donations for their sublime hula dancing and getting tips for NPRPF. Seriously these guys are amazing Avian Vets. Their Hula Dancing wasn’t too bad either…
Lots of Vendors were around that had the latest avian products; toys, food, cages, artwork jewelry and perches are just a few of the examples of the types of products available at terrific prices. Here at the Festival, you get to meet the people that actually work at the company who manufactures the product. Sometimes you get to have fun with them:
Melanie Allen of Hagen Bird Food Products, Me and “Lead Leather Elf” Robin Shewokis
Melanie Allen, Avian Product Specialist for Hagen Foods, Robin Shewokis of Leather Elves and I were doing a Vanna White modeling shot of the “Major Award” I won at the Festival for best “Chicken Dance”. Oh, we were also having a beer after a long, hard party. You’d be tired too if you’d just watched a bunch of guys shaking it for charity in coconut bras and grass skirts.
Of course the lectures and presentations were wonderful. Some of the speakers were Dr. Patricia Macwhirter of Melbourne, Australia; Mark Hagen of Hagen Foods, Sid Price of Avian Ambassadors and Steve Martin of Natural Encounters Inc. And of course my favorite “Hula Boys”, Dr. Crosta and Dr. Speer.
I do this thing every year: I make a scarf from molted feathers and it goes to auction. I finally got a pretty good photo of it from Laney Rickman of the Bird Endowment:
I’m wearing the Scarf that went to auction. Rick Jordan’s just dancin’!
Here I was leading a reluctant Chris Biro around so that he would have some moral support while soliciting donations for NPRPF. Rick Jordan was behind me shaking his “boa”, so to speak. I didn’t mind dancing as long as I didn’t have to wear a hula skirt. Yes, we are all such a dignified bunch! So yes the Festival is a blast and yes, you get to learn all kinds of things while having all of that fun. The next Houston Parrot Festival is January 29, 30, and 31, 2010. I’ll see you there!
As a tip of the hat to all of our lovely male “Hula Dudes” Here is a video I unearthed of Male “Pro-Hula Dudes” Shake on Boys!
Patricia Sund
Parrot Nation 
January 30, 2009 at 10:54 pm
I should go. Now that I see how much fun…REALLY should go. Maybe next year. 🙂
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February 1, 2009 at 5:08 pm
Oh You must go Rebecca! Everyone would love to see you; including me!
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January 31, 2009 at 9:38 am
Dear Patricia
I have just literally stumbled upon Parrot Nation and think it is F A B. I wish I would have known about the Parrot Festival as I would have liked to contribute.
I know have four Fids – Sammi, a 24 year old Special Needs Congo AGP as he only has one eye, mind you, Sammi sees what he wants to see and is so cheeky, CHARLIE TOO, a 3 year old Sulphur Crested and Joey and Jessieka Cockatiels.
Charlie Too is my latest addition. I got him about a week before Christmnas 2008 and we are beginning to love one another.
Although I was away last weekend, and when i returned 3 days later, he bit me so hard, it made me cry. I think it must of been his way of saying, “How dare you go away without me, Mommy”. Sorry, Charlie Too, but it was my birthday!!!!
Dennis said you met him and said you knew me, well how nice. I hope you are well, you look great in the pictures.
I am looking to do something with birds now, so if you hear of any organisation or whatever that need people, do let me know.
Love Corinne xxxxxx
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January 31, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Hi Corinne!
The Festival was definitely hi-octane fun. The problem is the fatigue factor when you get home. It definitely takes it out of you!
If you’d like to help out Phoenix Landing, I’m sure they would be glad to use any assistance you can provide. Simply google “www.phoenixlanding.org” and you can contact them from their website. Ann Brooks is the Founder, just tell her I suggested you email her. I’m sure she’d be glad for any help you can give them! Thanks so much for finding “Parrot Nation”. I hope you found it interesting. There’s a lot of stuff on there about my 3 weeks at the Cincinnati Zoo. So nice to hear from you again and thank you!
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