July 2008 WVBS Newsletter - West Valley Bird Society

A Bird’s Eye View
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A N e w s l e t t e r o f t h e W e s t V a l l e y Bi r d S o c i e ty
July 2008
Volume 26
Issue 7
Established 1976
www.thewestvalleybirdsociety.com
GOOD NEWS - the HOTSPOTS Committee decided not to raise the
price for HOTSPOTS tickets. They will remain at $25 per person. I
hope that everyone in the club will consider making the trip down to
Hermosa Beach to see this film! You will NOT be sorry that you did.
The benefits are many. You will be helping to raise funds for three
very worthy conservation organizations. We just had Bonnie
Zimmermann speak to us about all the good work her organization,
Indonesian Parrot Project, is doing. She was here two months ago.
You met Mark Stafford from Parrots International at our 30th
Anniversary Party two years ago, and you saw pictures of all the
birds he is helping. We all know about the plight of the California
Condor and the third organization, Ventana Wildlife Society is
instrumental in helping save the Condors. Another benefit will be to
educate yourself about what is going on globally in our very delicate
world. Come to the film and learn about many things being done to
save some of these endangered species of birds and other animals.
We have all read about “global warming.” There are many reasons
why so many species are on the verge of going extinct - the film will
explain these things and will demonstrate how various people are
trying to save the birds and animals.
Please, gather a few of your friends and carpool down to Hermosa
Beach. Come early and enjoy temperatures cooler than the Valley.
There is a super beach, great restaurants, and lots of shopping. Come
early and enjoy the South Bay. Last month’s newsletter had a list of
restaurants. Do come and enjoy a fabulous film. You can mail in the
bottom of the flyer which is in this newsletter or order online at
www.sobaybirdsoc.com. Hope to see you there! Ruth Kain, Editor
LAST CHANCE TO BUY A TICKET TO
WIN THE BEAUTIFUL FAN PICTURED
ABOVE. We will be drawing the winner of
the fabulous fan made by Andrew Pacheco at
the July 18 meeting. All the feathers on this
very special fan are from members’ birds
from various bird clubs. There is still time to
purchase tickets. They are available for $5
each and you can purchase them at the Raffle
Table. We thank Andrew for this donation
and the beautiful things he has been donating
for the Raffle Table! Andrew’s creations are
always some of the first things picked.
Again - THANK YOU Andrew. Your work
is exquisite.
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A Bird’s Eye View
Rebecca O’Conner has me fired up to
get back to work with Gus, my Bareeyed Cockatoo. He is the only bird in
my flock that doesn’t like my husband.
I dragged out all of the videos that I
have purchased, (Tani Robar, Chet
Womach, and Barbara Heidenreich)
reread all the trick teaching articles in
my magazines (Good Bird and Bird
Talk), and even got on the web for
new ideas (Writings of Susan
Friedman). Most trainers use the same
methods, praise & reward, but in all of
the research, I didn’t find anyone to
help me with Gus’s biggest problem:
he steps up whenever he gets close to
me. I can’t cue him to turn around
unless I keep my hand far enough
away that he can’t reach it, then it’s
too far to keep his attention. I try to
treat him for doing the correct move
and he’s on my hand (of course maybe
that IS the treat). I will continue my
search for the method that will work he’s just too smart not to train. I
believe that trick training will allow
my husband to interact with him
without aggression.
The pictures that are with this message
are part of another rehab story. Brenda
(of Valley Wildlife) received 3 eggs
from animal control. Edison workers
had taken them down before doing
some repair work. The eggs were
rushed to Pete, a rehabber with Ojai
Raptor Center and placed in an
incubator. The 3 fuzzy heads are Great
Horned Owl babies. The babies were
transferred to Kim at the Raptor
Center. She had a surrogate mother for
the trio. A couple months later, the
second picture is the trio who are now
eating on their own being readied for
release.
This month Sandee Molenda will be
here to talk about Parrotlets. Sandee is
also very active in keeping up with
legislation involving our birds. Hope
to see all of you at the meeting.
Bell Plastics of the Sierras
Bell plastic toys can be found at your local
bird store, bird marts, and can be ordered
from the company.
18649 Pine Avenue
Tuolumne, CA 95379
Phone: 209-928-5676
DOUBLE R VETERINARY CENTER
DR. ATTILA MOLNAR
Diplomate, American Board of Veterinary
Practitioners, Certified in Avian Practice
23815 Ventura Blvd.
Calabasas, CA 91302-1443
Telephone: (818) 591-2773
www.AllAnimalsVets.com
FAX: (818) 591-2815
FAX: 209-928-5903
Caps
Jackets
Aprons & Bags
Patches
Personalized Gifts
Custom Logos
Team Uniforms
Tackle Twill
Shirts
FOR THAT ONE OF A KIND GIFT
OR YOUR CORPORATE NEEDS
N O M I NIM UM O R DER S
661-297-5074
fax: 661-297-8141
Bob & Linda Buesching
23023 Ash Glen Circle
Valencia, California 91354
A Bird’s Eye View
Page 3
Friday, July 18, 2008 y 7:30 p.m.
Sandee Molenda
“Parrotlets in Aviculture ”
Sandee has an outstanding presentation
showing many species, sub-species, and
color mutations of Parrotlets. She will
cover nutrition, housing, training, behavior,
disease prevention, breeding, etc. Sandee
also has lots of observations and stories
about these comical little parrots. There
will be a short Q&A at the end of her talk.
Granada Pavilion, Auxiliary Hall
11128 Balboa Boulevard
Granada Hills, CA 91344
For more information, call 661-803-1416
www.thewestvalleybirdsociety.com
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A Bird’s Eye View
A Bird’s Eye View
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RAISE FUNDS FOR:
Parrots International
Indonesian Parrot Project
Ventana Wildlife Society
Register For Free Stuff!
www.mangopet.com
Phone 401-232-2290
Fax 401-232-2291
Email: Info@mangopet.com
Attend the Private Screening of
the Film HOTSPOTS
Sunday, July 13, 2008
6:30 p.m.
Hermosa Beach Playhouse
Pier Avenue at PCh
Hermosa Beach
$25
Order tickets at
www.sobaybirdsoc.com
Page 6
A Bird’s Eye View
Phone: 818-883-3007
FAX: 818-883-4177
21731 Sherman Way
Canoga Park, CA 91303
Handfed Babies y Cages y Toys y Food y Boarding y Grooming
EVERYTHING YOUR BIRD COULD WANT!
Time to Switch
Newsletters to E-mail!
Remember—please send
photos of your bird to the
editor at voltrot@aol.com.
Do you have a nice story
about your bird? Please send
those in also.
The cost of everything is going up. Postage has been
raised again. WVBS is requesting that all members
please take the newsletter via e-mail. Actually, it is
now up on our website on a “Members Only” page. If
you would like a printed copy, you can get one at the
meetings. Please help us save money and help out in
this way. You will get it much sooner and might even
have extra items with it.
Please help out and send your e-mail address to me at
voltrot@aol.com so I can put you on the e-mail list.
Thank you.
The club collects old
magazines which we sell at
the Bird Mart. Please bring
anything you are done with to
the next meeting. Just give them to a Board Member.
This is your newsletter. If you have any articles to
share, please send them to me at voltrot@aol.com.
Why not just write a little something about one of
your birds - something cute it does, etc.
Ruth
A Bird’s Eye View
Page 7
Shown as a Benefit for:
Parrots International
Indonesian Parrot Project
Ventana Wildlife Society
Sunday, July 13, 2008
6:30 p.m.
Hermosa Beach Playhouse
Pier Avenue at Pacific Coast Highway
Hermosa Beach, CA
Meet & Greet Filmmakers &
Leaders From the Organizations
at Coffee & Cake After Show!
Refreshments y Door Prizes
Tickets Nonrefundable
Cost: $25
Valet Parking Available
For more information:
1-800-516-9307, www.sobaybirdsoc.com,
or www.thewestvalleybirdsociety.com.
Ticket purchase available at
www.sobaybirdsoc.com.
Hosted by South Bay Bird Society and West Valley Bird Society
Pick up tickets at event.
__ Tickets @ $25 $ ______
(
I cannot attend. Please accept
my donation of $ ______
Total Enclosed $ ______
Make check payable to SBBS Events and mail to South Bay Bird
Name: ___________________________________________________
Address: _________________________________________________
City, State, Zip: ____________________________________________
Phone:_____________________ E-mail:________________________
Page 8
A Bird’s Eye View
A Bird’s Eye View
Page 9
ON THE WINGS OF THE GREAT WHITE BIRD
I HATE MY WATER BOWL
I am sure all of you that have human children can tell many
great stories about tantrums, even when they grow up I bet.
Well, birds often have tantrums as well for many reasons. I
cannot put my finger on why I am presently having one that
has lasted a week so far, but I am. I HATE MY WATER
BOWL, THAT'S IT, THE TRUTH IN A NUTSHELL, I
JUST HATE IT.
My human does as she always does, puts that there great
food in, no problem. Then she goes for the water bowl, and
my crest goes up, I start expressing, myself and grab that
water bowl, throw the water, then the cup. Don't even think
of suggesting the kind of bowls that birds can't get out of
the holders, I got all those out long ago, they have locks on
those doors. Nope, this here water cup has been fine in my
cage till this week.
Today I thought she might be a little frustrated with me because I kept grabbing it and throwing the water and the cup,
actually I drenched her and my cage, I was just spring
cleaning ya know. So, it looked funny to me, and I yelled,
BOB IS A GOOD BOY, knowing that wasn't true, at least
not by the look on her face with water streaming down it.
She just walked out of the room without a word.
So now she leaves our room, and I start picking up the
empty bowl and banging it everywhere, on the bottom, the
sides, well, you get the picture, it was sooooo loud, it hurt
my ears, but I didn't stop. After an hour or so, I stopped. I
have no idea why my temper has been this bad toward this
cup, but I know in an hour or so she will try it again, and I
might take a quick sip, but I still hate that cup, and until that
changes I guess I will still be throwing that there cup and
banging it all over the place. A GUY HAS TO HAVE
SOME FUN ONCE IN A WHILE, YEP, HE SURE DOES.
Honestly, I thought it was all over when finally my human
took the bowl and hardware out and placed a new, even
sturdier one in. It stopped for two days, and she kept saying, "OH BOB, THIS IS MY BOY, I LOVE YOU."
Of course I love hearing that, but this bowl thing was still
on my mind, and so I started watching her every move with
the new bowl. In a few days I DID FIGURE OUT JUST
HOW TO DISMANTLE IT, AND HERE IS WHAT HAPPENED THAT PARTICULAR DAY THAT I WILL
NEVER FORGET.
I would only work on this when she isn't in the room, or
this would upset her, and then I can't concentrate, and we
cockatoos have a one track mind, if we want it broke, out of
the cage, or just gone we will work our hardest and longest
to do just that.
So, the story goes pretty much like this. Our human was
downstairs with the younger birds. I managed to dismantle
the bowl, and I picked
it up and started throwing it hard which must
have sounded like a
large toy banging
against a cage. I kept
doing it waiting for her
reaction. She held out
as long as she could I
am sure, and all of a
sudden
I
hear,
FRANK, STOP BANGING THE TOYS ON THE CAGE---HAHAHAHAHAHA, I THOUGHT, OH BOY, THIS IS
TOO FUNNY. FRANK, OUR HYACINTH WAS JUST
SITTING ON HIS PERCH LOOKING BEWILDERED
THAT SHE WAS SAYING THAT AND HE WASN'T
DOING ANYTHING WRONG.
I stopped for a few minutes, and then with more power and
strength I started banging hard enough so that it hurt my
ears. Again, I hear: FRANK, I TOLD YOU TO STOP
BANGING THE TOYS, THAT'S BAD FRANK.
YEP, THAT’S BAD FRANK, HAHAHAHAHAHA.
Well, those that don't know, Frank lives in the next room
with Angela, our SCARLET MACAW, who actually talks
so well it is unbelievable, and I like her because she always
says she loves me, and often says, "BOB IS THE KING,” I
ESPECIALLY LOVE THAT.
Knowing she loved me so well the next thing that happened
devastated me, and I don't think I will ever get over it.
I know Angela is very close with Frank, but I think she may
have temporarily had a severe case of amnesia. As our human was determined to get Frank to stop banging toys, she
yelled one more time, STOP FRANK, OR I AM COMING
UPSTAIRS. AT THAT VERY MOMENT IN A LOUD
FEMALE VOICE I HEARD ANGELA, OUR SCARLET
SAY, "MAMA, IT'S BOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
BETRAYAL, TOTAL BETRAYAL BY A FLOCK MEMBER, I HAVE NOT SPOKEN TO OUR SCARLET FOR
ALMOST THREE WEEKS NOW.
Our human comes upstairs and is apologizing to Frank over
and over, giving me the evil eye, but saying nothing. I
heard her say, "Angela, thanks for telling me who was doing
that". She should have said, OH THANKS ANGELA FOR
SQUEALING YOUR HEAD OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just
can't tell you how I feel, that has never happened before,
and I am not a happy cockatoo here.
Our human is now buying these bowls by the box, and I am
not kidding, because now I am even more upset and want to
destroy my bowls and our scarlet's, but our human says she
did the right thing because Frank was getting blamed for
(Continued on page 21)
Page 10
A Bird’s Eye View
The following businesses or people have
already supported the Conservation
Benefit, HOTSPOTS, being hosted by
South Bay Bird Society and West Valley
Bird Society. They have either made a
donation or placed an advertisement in the
program. We thank them. Please add
your name to the list. Make a donation
or place an ad. You can also underwrite
an aspect of the Event. For more
information, contact Janet at 310-3765954.
Your generosity will go to benefit all
of the following organizations:
Parrots International, Indonesian
Parrot Project, and Ventana Wildlife
A and L Painting (Armando Leon)
Society. Show your support to these
groups. Make a donation to make
this Event a huge success. The
smallest donations are welcome. If
many of the members of both clubs
would just donate $10 each, it would
really make it possible for us to
make even more money for the three
organizations who will benefit.
All donations will be acknowledged
by being listed in the program, on
two websites, and in two newsletters
every month for the coming year.
There is an added bonus to anyone
who donates $150 (advertisements
NOT included) or more – that person
and a guest will be invited to a
special reception to meet the
dignitaries to be held prior to the
event from 4:00-5:00. An invitation
will be sent with all the details.
If you send us a check, please make
it out to SBBS Events and mail it to:
SBBS, P.O. Box 3863, Redondo
Beach, CA 92077-3863.
The HOTSPOTS film will be shown
on July 13 at Hermosa Beach
Playhouse, Hermosa Beach. You can
buy your tickets or make a donation
t o d a y
o n l i n e
a t
www.sobaybirdsoc.com.
The Pet Care Company
Animal Lovers Pet Shop
Giardino Della Vita “Garden of Life”
(Lisa Fimiani)
Jenny C Au, DDS & D. Jack Hsieh, DDS
Go Earth (Paula Kassouf)
Pawspice (Dr. Alive Villalobos)
Avian & Exotic Animal Hospita (Walter
J. Rosskopf, Jr. DVM. Dipl., AVPAvian)
Here, There and Everywhere (Mira
Tweti)
Planet Earth Eco Café
Herk Edwards Inc.
Premium Pine Cones Ltd. (Madeleine
Franco)
Bay Cities National Bank
Innisfree Irish Band (Terry Fleming)
Dr. Leon & Janet Ragonesi
Billy’s Catering & Café
Ruth & Jennifer Kain
Shirley’s Grooming
Birds & More – (Karen Allen)
Jungle Toys (Mike Keens)
Diane Sivas
Birds of a Feather (Paul Flores)
Tom Kessler & Family
Mike & Kathy Spencer
Dj Blanchette (Stumbaugh &
Associates, Inc.)
Kitschy Katz
Ted Lafeber & Chris Davis
Dunham Stewart & Family
(Shorewood Realtors)
Paul & Tammy Carreiro
Leach Grain & Milling Co.
Susan Sullivan
Celestron LLC
Little Luxuries (Christine Widman)
3 Phases Renewables
Chopper’s Toys
Mango Pet Products Inc.
Title Wright (Diane Wright)
DiHom (Sally Kneifel)
Manhattan Beach Toyota
VCA Wilshire Animal Hospital
Pets of Wilshire
Direct TV
Lisa Matyas
Verna’s Toys
Divat Salon (Arlene Hershey)
Lorrie Mitchell
Voice 4 Hire (Chas Dowell)
DT Entertainment (Debbie Treadway)
Dr. & Mrs. Attila Molnar
Discount Birds and Supplies
My Embroidery Service (Linda
Buesching)
Whole Foods Market – Redondo
Beach
Double R. Veterinary Center (Attila
Molnar, DVM, Dipl. AVPB-Avian)
Nails Etc. (Laurie Myhre)
Whole Life Times
Farmers Insurance (Terry Fleming)
Omar’s Exotic Birds
Wildbirds Unlimited (Mr. & Mrs. Bob
Shanman)
Ed & Claudia Fitzgerald
J.P. Patalano (Scott Robinson Honda)
John Wilson (Realtor/Ecobroker)
Frey Vineyards
Steve Wright (Digital FX)
Fran’s Hallmark Shop
A Parrot for Life (Rebecca K.
O’Connor)
Geoffrey Yarmea & Family
The G2 Gallery
Parrots Naturally
ZuPreem
A Bird’s Eye View
Page 11
July 13 - “Hot Spots” Benefit
July 18 - Club Meeting - Sandee Molenda
July 30-August 2 - AFA Convention, St. Louis
August 15 - Club Meeting - Social and Picnic at
Granada Pavilion
September 14 - Tri-Valley Bird-A-Thon, Granada
Pavillion
September 19 - Club Meeting - Adrianne Mock
October 17 – Club Meeting - Madeleine Franco
November 21 – Club Meeting - Bonnie Kenk
December 19 – Club Meeting - Christmas Potluck
Bring “poop paper” for your bird’s use.
Clean up after your parrot (poop and
food).
Do not allow your bird to roam around
at will (on chairs, etc.) or get close to
other birds.
Clip those wings! Meeting hall doors
may be open.
Bio-security may be in place at the
meeting entrance.
Use antiseptic hand wipes before
touching other birds—respect other
parrots’ health.
Birds brought to meeting must be healthy
and not have been treated for illness for
30 days.
Page 12
A Bird’s Eye View
High quality natural
& organic bird pellets
Relax!
When you go on
vacation, have no
worries! Your
companion parrot will
love our boarding
accommodations.
Books & training aids for all
birds
Cages & play gyms
Foraging Toys
Temecula, CA
Extra Savings on Parrot Supplies!
Receive 15% off all items (except cages)
ordered on-line
Coupon Co.7322
Shop on-line 24/7!
Phone Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
www.wingsandbeaks.com
(951) 302-2859
A Bird’s Eye View
Page 13
From http://news.bbc.co.uk. A pair of swans keep a close
eye on their brood of eight cygnets as the family takes a
leisurely morning stroll around the town of Perranporth
in Cornwall. Picture: Dave Quinnell
PICK YOUR OWN BLUEBERRIES
Underwood Family Farm
5696 Los Angeles Avenue
Somis
Available Through Mid-July
9 am - 2 pm
Page 14
A Bird’s Eye View
Top left: People enjoying just a small
section of the aviaries. Middle: Native
American Entertainment. Top right: Checkin table as you enter event. Photos by Pablo
Anshante.
Above: Lorin Lindner, Ph.D., MPH, Founder, Serenity Park, and Mathew
Simmons, Park Manager, Desert Storm and Desert Shield U.S. Navy
Veteran. We hear congratulations are in order! To the right one of the
happy residents. Photos by André Dardashti.
A Bird’s Eye View
Height dominance: Dominance biting
is very common in parrots, [because
they are] flock animals with an inborn
genetic understanding of flock
hierarchy and its meaning for their
survival, [they] are programmed to
attempt dominance in any situation.
Perches must be repositioned so that
the parrot looks up at humans. Its
wings must be clipped. One of the
reasons young children are at risk of
being bitten is that, no matter what, the
perch is positioned above the child’s
head.
A lot of people think that the dominant
bird in the flock will always sit on top,
to be higher than the rest of the pack.
These are all examples of behavior
that are taken from the canine world
and extrapolated to the psittacine way
of living.
It is a waste of energy in the wild to
On Saturday June 14, Lorin Lindner
had an open house to dedicate the
many new aviaries that have been
built at the very beautiful and magical
Serenity Park Sanctuary. The
festivities opened with a group of
Native American Veterans honoring
Al Jacobson in song. Our very own
Andrew was a part of this group. They
were followed by the New Directions
Choir. Lorin Lindner sent me the
following story of the leader of this
choir:
George Hill is the choir director and
lead singer. He was homeless in
MacArthur Park, downtown LA for 12
years before coming to New
Directions in 1998, a drug and
alcohol rehabilitation program that I
was the Clinical Director of for about
10 years – located on the grounds of
the West LA VA Hospital. It is a oneyear residential program and George
completely turned his life around.
Once addicted to crack cocaine, he
Page 15
pick a fight or chase away the bird
that’s sitting on the branch above you,
just because you have to be dominant.
Macaws are not predators that have to
eat the best part of the prey before
letting the subordinates eat. The fruits
in the tree are abundant and are
available throughout the whole tree. If
not, there is no need to waste their
time and even visit that tree.
Why does a bird in a high position
refuse to come down? It has learned
that there are greater benefits to
staying up high. The owner plays an
important role in learning such
behavior. Involuntarily, the owners
have taught the bird that coming down
means trouble.
Perches should be placed high so that
the macaw has the best lookout. A
macaw that is forced to sit on a
lowered perch will not be comfortable.
now devotes his life to doing good
works. He started the New Directions
Choir back in 1999 which has sung on
the Donny and Marie Show, at the
Democratic National Convention, and
at numerous other events. They also
won the greatest achievement award
at the National Veterans Competition
in Washington, DC, in 2002. George
also won an award as a solo
performer. He has gone back to school
studying computer science and is a
genius on the computer. He took one
of my psychology classes while
attending Santa Monica College
where I teach part-time. He has been
employed at the VA Hospital for the
past 5 years and now cares for elderly
veterans in the VA Nursing Home –
his heart is so large it can
accommodate anyone. He always has
good things to say and lives his life
full of gratitude for finding a new
direction!
As I mentioned last month. This
The author does not prefer to clip
wings. With the proper training,
macaws can be kept free flighted. The
larger macaws are big enough to
escape or confront a domestic cat, but
smaller macaw species could get hurt.
If one chooses to clip wings, the
author believes that this should only be
done to ensure the macaw’s safety. For
example, if the macaw has not been
trained to be free flighted, it may go
into a fright/flight response when
startled, resulting in it getting lost in
an unfamiliar location.
Odette Doest, DVM
Netherlands Antilles
This article is for the use of member clubs only and is protected by U.S.
copyright laws. Use by any group or organization not currently enrolled
in the AAV Client Education Program is strictly prohibited. The
Association of Avian Veterinarians welcomes membership from
veterinarians with an interest in avian medicine. Annual meetings and a
quarterly journal provide a format for the latest in avian medical
information. Is your veterinarian a member? Individuals wishing to
subscribe to the Journal of Avian Veterinarians may write to AAV, P.O.
Box 811720, Boca Raton, Florida 33481. Send your check for $110 for
one year.
wonderful place helps both people and
birds and the birds and people also
help each other.
There were over 150 people at this
event and a delicious vegan lunch was
served. There was a huge raffle and
silent auction as well. It was good to
see so many people from the bird
clubs at this very moving event.
Hopefully YOU will go to the next
event at Serenity Park and support the
Veterans of our country! Read more
about it at www.parrotcare.org.
Page 16
The speaker for our July 18 meeting is Sandee Molenda.
She will be talking about “Parrotlets in Aviculture.” I
have heard that Sandee gives a fabulous talk, and that she
is a very engaging speaker. This will be a great
opportunity for West Valley members to come and hear a
great speaker as well as learn about the smallest parrots.
They may be small in stature, but we all know that no
one told them that! In their minds, they are the size of a
Macaw! They are also some of the most beautiful birds
which come in a wide array of colors and mutations.
Sandee has a nice slide presentation, and we all love to
see photos of the birds! See you in July!
A Bird’s Eye View
rewrite and update its version of The Parrotlet
Handbook. In addition, they have contributed to other
author's works including Guide to Companion Parrot
Behavior by Mattie Sue Athan, The Parrotlet Handbook
by Matthew Vriends and Generic Genetics by Pilo
Suarez.
Sandee is also the editor for the Journals of the Society of
Parrot Breeders & Exhibitors and International Parrotlet
Society. In addition, Sandee has written many articles on
Parrotlets and other avian subjects which have been
featured in national and international magazines,
newspapers and other publications.
Sandee and Robert Molenda have been breeding birds
since 1983 and Parrotlets exclusively since 1986. They
own The Parrotlet Ranch in Santa Cruz, California. Both
have also been certified by the Pet Industry Joint
Advisory Council under the Avian Specialist program.
Sandee and Robert have over one hundred breeding pairs
of Parrotlets which include six of the seven dominate
species as well as many subspecies of the Forpus genus.
They also have many beautiful color mutations of the
Pacifics Parrotlets. They specialize in breeding rare
species of Parrotlets and hold several First Breeding and
Difficult Breeding Awards. They have also been very
successful in breeding a difficult species, Mexican
Parrotlets; are one of the first breeders of Spectacled
Parrotlets; and one of a handful of breeders working with
Yellow Face Parrotlets in the United States.
Co-founders of the International Parrotlet Society, Robert
is the Society's treasurer and Sandee the secretary,
journal editor and American Federation of Aviculture
club delegate. In addition to the International Parrotlet
Society, Sandee is also a Board member of African Love
Bird Society, Great American Bird Show and National
Cage Bird Show and is an Associate Director for the
Society of Parrot Breeders & Exhibitors. Sandee is also a
former Board member of the American Federation of
Aviculture and International Aviculturists Society.
Robert and Sandee are professional writers and the
authors of the first booklet written on Parrotlets, The
Parrotlet Handbook which is considered an excellent
basic book for people just learning about Parrotlets. They
have also written All About Parrotlets which has all the
information in the first but includes much more on
behavior, color mutations, breeding and showing
Parrotlets. Currently, they are working on an expanded
book exclusively for pet owners complete with full color
photographs as well as an updated version of All About
Parrotlets. Sandee also has been retained by Barron's to
The rarest and largest species of Parrotlet is the Yellow
Face weighing 50 grams and almost six inches in length.
The males have deep violet blue primaries and
secondaries similar to male Pacifics including the blue
eye streak. Females also have blue rumps which are
lighter than the males. As the name implies, both males
and females have bright yellow faces, foreheads, cheeks,
chins, chests and bellies. They also have horn-colored
legs and beaks with a dark stripe running down the front
of the upper beak. There are only nine verified pair of
Yellow Face in the United States although they are
readily bred in Europe.
A Bird’s Eye View
Page 17
door. Before you do, check that the
screens are in place and in good
condition. You don't want your bird
flying out an open window or hurting
himself on a torn screen. The best
approach is to clip your birds wings.
Summer brings heat, vacations, and
the desire to spend more time
outdoors. It is also the time for
vacations. These seasonal changes in
our lifestyles also affect our birds.
Take a few moments to review some
of the hazards which you should
remember to watch out for.
Clip those wings - The best advice
anyone can give you is to CLIP your
bird's wings. It will keep him from
harm when indoors, prevent his
escaping through open windows or
doors and keep him from flying away
if outside of your home.
Indoor sunlight - Our birds like
seeing the activity outside and enjoy
the sunlight. If you have a cage in
front of a window, be sure that there is
a place in the cage with shade for your
bird to go to. Beware of overheating
either the cage area or the room from
direct sunlight. And make sure there is
water available.
Doors - In summer many of us go in
and out of the house more often,
increasing the chances of a bird flying
out a door. Be sure that doors you
open also have screen doors and that
these automatically shut. Check the
latches and closing mechanisms to be
sure. And clip your birds wings.
Fans and ceiling fans - It only takes a
moment for a curious bird to
investigate a fan. And a ceiling fan is
an accident waiting to happen for an
unclipped bird. Purchase fans with a
guard around the fan blades. When
unprotected fans are in operation, keep
your birds in their cages or in other
rooms. And remember, a bird with
properly clipped wings cannot reach a
ceiling fan.
Food and Water - Food spoils more
quickly and water grows bacteria more
quickly in the heat. Remove soft foods
from cages after a few hours and
change the water more frequently.
Dishes should be thoroughly washed.
Bedding, another source of bacteria
and mold growth, should also be
changed once a day.
Air Conditioners, Coolers - Air
conditioning is safe for birds. In very
hot and humid climates, air
conditioning or other methods such as
swamp coolers are a necessity. Just be
sure that your birds are not directly in
front of the air conditioning outlets
where they may get a chill. If you use
swamp coolers, they must also be
cleaned periodically to prevent
bacteria growth.
Insects and Pests - Ants, bugs,
rodents and other small pests seem to
be part of the summer landscape.
Check and double check any products
you use to get rid of them. Read the
labels as most are toxic to birds. For
ants, try coating an area with lemon
juice. Use fly paper for insects. Or a
5% Sevin solution. I have even heard
of placing each leg of a cage in a
shallow dish of water. If in doubt
about a product, check with your vet
or someone who knows.
Windows and Screens - When it's hot
we all tend to open a window or a
Pesticides and Herbicides - These
can be toxic to birds. Ask your service
provider what products are being used,
what the ingredients are and how long
they remain toxic. If you apply these
products yourself, read the labels. If
you have your lawn or trees sprayed,
prevent exposure to your birds. Keep
the windows shut and check any units
which can draw outside unfiltered air
into the indoor air circulation systems.
Many products sprayed on your
gardens specify that the plants
shouldn't be eaten for a number of
days. If a product is toxic to you then
it is probably even more toxic to your
birds. Be sure to wait at least the
amount of time the manufacturer
specifies before eating the plants in
your garden or giving them to your
birds. And be sure to thoroughly wash
them first.
Porches and the Backyard - Your
bird
will
enjoy a visit
outside. But
be sure it is a
pleasant
experience
for
him. Set his cage
where there is
shade so the bird doesn't become
overheated. Even with partial shade,
don't leave him in the sun too long.
And be sure that water is available.
You might even spray him with water
periodically to keep him cool. A dish
of water with a little crushed ice in it
can be placed on the bottom of the
cage to provide a cool bath. Try a few
short periods outside rather than a long
one. If you see your bird fluffing his
feathers (to cool off) or having any
difficulty in breathing, take him inside
immediately.
Be sure that the cage is placed where
dogs, cats and rodents can't get to it.
And be wary of the wild birds. They
may attack the cage or just frighten
your bird as they fly by. Also be sure
not to put the cage near grass or plants
which have recently been sprayed with
pesticides. It is best to stay outside
(Continued on page 21)
Page 18
A Bird’s Eye View
by Susan Kesler, Safety Committee Chairwoman Parrot Toy Angels
Parrots love to chew on anything and
everything, including things that are
hazardous to their health. Our
responsibility, as parrot owners, is to
do what we can to make sure what
they are chewing on is safe.
A commonly overlooked item is the
metal our birds come in contact with
every day. The very best metal to use
for bells, chain, and hardware (to hang
those bells and other toys) is stainless
steel. A good device for determining if
a metal is indeed stainless steel is a
magnet. True stainless steel will have
little or no magnetic attraction. The
next best, and more affordable choice,
is nickel plated steel. Both nickel plate
and stainless steel are non toxic and
safe for our birds to chew on. If you
make your own toys, finding safe
chain is especially important for the
bigger birds because it is practically
the only way to keep a toy hanging in
a cage for more than a minute.
Zinc coating on any metal is highly
toxic to our feathered friends and
should be avoided in any form, at all
cost. This fact cannot be emphasized
too strongly. Zinc coating is
commonly found in quick links, nuts,
bolts, large washers, chain, and the
clappers in some bells. Zinc has even
been found in some bird cages. If you
even suspect that any part of a toy
your bird has is zinc coated, take it
down immediately and replace any
suspected parts with stainless steel or
nickel plated parts.
Chrome plating can be used over zinc
or nickel and since there is no way for
the lay person to tell the difference, I
advise against using any chrome
items, especially dog collars,
commonly called "choke chains."
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc,
so any brass bells, chains or cages
should be avoided. Copper toxicity is
less common in birds, but still should
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be a real concern.
Lead is also a major health hazard,
and can be commonly found in the
welds and paint of some cages,
especially older ones, and in the paint
on some wood, plastic, and soft PVC
toys, and the clappers of some bells. If
you suspect lead paint or zinc in your
birds' cage, or toys, you can send a
sample to the Louisiana Animal
Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and,
for a fee, they can test it for you.
Please go to http://laddl.lsu.edu for
more information. There are also
home test kits available for testing the
lead content in the paint on toys and
toy parts such as the paint on some
wooden blocks. These kits are fairly
inexpensive and can usually be
purchased at any hardware store.
A Bird’s Eye View
Page 19
EB Cravens
Birdkeeping Naturally
not the only outcomes to the process of
breeding psittacines for the pet trade;
but they are unquestionably one of the
results of some of the avicultural
practices that have been going on for
decades and continue as we speak.
April and I took another trip to our
local adoption refuge this past
weekend, this time to drop off two
pairs of Conures no longer wanted by
their retiring aviculturists. It was the
second such journey in two weeks—
the first had been to deliver a twenty
four year old male Moluccan
Cockatoo and two unhappy Amazon
parrots of different species, all three of
which the owner could no longer care
for because of cancer.
While there we took the regular tour
around the premises to see the latest
placements in the cages and flights up
and down the hill. I will not say it was
depressing because there were about
as many happy birds and positive
stories as there were sad ones and
negatives. What it was, was a healthy
dose of realism. One thing stands out
in my mind as I write this BN, though:
“Every single bird breeder, hand
feeder, pet store worker, and
aviculturist of any type should be
persuaded to make a similar excursion
to the parrot sanctuary nearest to
them to see firsthand what is
happening at such places…”
The inhabitants of all those wire
enclosures in the shelter on our island
and in hundreds more sites like it
around the U.S and the world, and the
lamentable accounts of many of these
parrots’ lives in captivity are certainly
Now I am not so naïve as to presume
to tell aviculturists that they should not
be reproducing psittacines in captivity.
Others have done that. And scores of
hobbyists have curtailed their breeding
in recent years. What is more
important, however, is that perhaps if
some of those parrot breeders who
earn their living selling baby birds
would venture to explore personally
the avian occupants in refuges, they
would take more seriously the
responsibilities they have assumed.
Beyond the wild caught birds we saw
there, including a pair of Senegal
Parrots who were obviously alarmed
of all humans, it was the former
handfed pets that most evoked sadness
from me. For example, Wasu, the
Cockatoo we dropped off, was one of
the most incredible male pet
Cockatoos I have ever known. But to
see his life fractured by being loaded
in a carrier and taken to a strange place
seemed like such a letdown. We
expected him to get all excited about
all the other squawking white
Cockatoos living there. But, Wasu
reacted not at all to the noisemaking of
his white relatives. He made no effort
to communicate with the female
Cockatoos we showed him. In fact, he
was altogether a bit startled by their
active demeanors. All he wanted to do
was court humans and beg for
attention from keepers. His total lack
of social habits towards others of his
kind is a stark void—a failure of
sorts—for aviculture and the way it
chooses to produce some pets. The
very same behavior attitudes could be
seen in some of the Sun Conures, a
Patagonian Conure, large Macaws and
Eclectus Parrots at this facility. They
begged to humans, even though it was
humans who abandoned them in the
first place. Perhaps it is precisely the
fact that humans have forsaken them
that makes these psittacines so needy.
Yet after years of raising a number of
self-reliant, well-behaved baby parrots
that know they are parrots and can
entertain themselves without constant
human input, I can’t help but believe
that many bird breeders are
inadvertently doing the chicks they
profess to love a major disservice by
fawning over them and cuddling them
and taking them from their parents and
siblings so hastily that the future pet
has no family life, no personal identity.
We all know the importance of proper
teaching for the character development
of human children. Well, where are the
teachers for our baby hookbills?
Obviously in a great deal of pet bird
cases, humans are the teachers. But,
what are we teaching these birds?
Don’t bite. Don’t scream. Step up.
Step down. Scratch your head. Most of
the parrots April and I saw in that
adoption center have those things
down pat! Are they happy because of
it? Do such rudimentary skills prevent
them from being discarded by their
original owners? Wouldn’t our
psittacine chicks be better served
learning intricate lessons from their
own parents and species, so that they
might comprehend a smidgeon of
healthy birdlike behavior in a world
dominated by people?
Of course. But such teaching takes a
special setup and quite a bit of time.
And time is money, is it not….?
I have always believed firmly in
keeping mature parrots in twos
whenever it is plausible. That is
certainly the best way to “retire” older
parrots for the last phase of their
captive lives. The problem with this
conviction, as revealed at our rescue
sanctuary, are that so many pet parrots
are dysfunctional to the point that they
(Continued on page 21)
Page 20
A Bird’s Eye View
A Bird’s Eye View
Page 21
(Continued from page 9)
doing something he wasn't doing. Oh well, excuse me, so
he has taken his stainless steel cage and killed it numerous
times, so I get squealed on by what I thought was a devoted flock member. I have to keep my eyes open, if our
scarlet even attempts something bad, I am yelling my head
off and telling on her, she won't like it, but, I must show
her how betrayal feels, so she knows never to do it again.
Don't you agree, fellow feathered friends?
Till next time,
Big Bob, Real Macaw member Angela Cupo, and the Flock
(Thank you for this article from “The Real Macaw” the newsletter from the Real Macaw Parrot Club in New Jersey.)
(Continued from page 17)
with your bird at all times unless he is in something safe
like an enclosed porch.
Going out - Many of us like to take our birds with us
when we visit or run errands. The birds enjoy the outing
and the variety and we enjoy their companionship. Just
remember to CLIP those wings. You might also use a
harness. Most birds will wear them if you take the time to
get them used to these devices. There are even companies
now making bird diapers. These will help keep you clean
when your bird needs to poop.
Automobiles - If you take your bird in a vehicle, never
leave him alone with the windows closed. The temperature
in the vehicle will quickly become hot enough to kill your
pet. It is a good idea to bring some food, water and a first
aid kit, even for short trips to the store.
Vacations - Summer is also the time when we take
vacations. What do you do about your pets? Take them
with you, board them with a friend or commercial facility,
have a friend or pet sitter come to your home to feed and
care for them? There are pros and cons to each approach.
Read up on each option and make your decision wisely.
Camping - There are many things to beware of if you take
your bird camping. You have no control of what animals
may visit your site. Prepare for adverse weather conditions
- storms or very hot days. Plan how you will keep your
pets warm or cool or dry. Bring extra food and a first aid
kit for emergencies.
Summer can be a fun time for all of us if we just take a
few simple precautions and prepare for emergencies.
From www.birdsnways.com/wisdom, written by Carol
Highfill.
(Continued from page 19)
cannot accept what would be the best thing for them--a
birdie friend or companion. Many have absolutely no idea
that another psittacine of their same genus or species is
something they should relate to.
Often the only preening any of these birds has ever
experienced has been done by human fingers—not a very
efficient mechanism for grooming and comforting single
feather shafts, I can assure you! If you are taken from the
nest or incubator weeks before your plumage is fully
grown, the chances that you will have experienced the
joys of being preened by another bird are oftentimes nil.
Sometimes, birds spend a relatively short time in clutches
with brothers and sisters, yes, but more often pets are sold
off early (even unweaned!) or clutches are split up and go
to different destinations, etc. Certainly, few chicks have
the opportunity to fledge and wean with members of their
family and their own kind. Is it any wonder that their
species identity is lost to the degree that they will never
be able to look upon another parrot as something to
provide reassurance and camaraderie?
Put such birds into a human environment as a single pet
for a decade or more and the situation ofttimes becomes
worse. In the past I have written about baby parrot
loneliness; I have written of chicks being raised as
orphans, but truly, as evidenced at our local rehab center,
if there is one rather convoluted rationale of pet
birdkeeping in the world these days it is the phobic
concept that, “My parrot does not think he is a bird.”
“My bird thinks he is human.” What a totally mixed up
insult to both the pet parrot and to the humans that raised
and are presently keeping him. If you have a psittacine
such as this currently living in your home, may god bless
you both; and hopefully the beloved pet will never have to
attempt to cope with a crowded rescue/rehab facility. I
honor those who run these sanctuaries, but I am aghast at
the lack of training that went into producing so many of
the birds that occupy them.
With aloha, EB
(Next month: So What Do We Do About It?”)
Page 22
A Bird’s Eye View
Amy B. Worell, D.V.M.
Diplomate, American Board of Veterinary Practioners
Certified in Avian Practice
818-883-2600
Mon. 7-8
Tue.-Fri 7-6
Sat. 7-2
7606 Fallbrook Avenue
West Hills, CA 91304
www.yourpets.com
Magnolia Bird Farm
We Buy Birds We Sell Birds
Complete Bird Supplies
www.magnoliabirdfarms.com
Frank Miser, Sr.
8990 Cerritos Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92804
Phone: 714-527-3387
Fax: 714-527-7636
Frank Miser, Jr.
12200 Magnolia Ave.
Riverside, CA 92503
Phone: 951-278-0878
Bird Trees
and More
Bird Toys
Perches
(Closed first 2 weeks in August)
(Closed first 2 weeks in July)
Open 9-5 Tues.-Sat. - Closed Sunday, Monday, and Holidays
Available at:
Omar’s Exotic Birds
Parrots Naturally
Discount Birds & Supplies
Feathered Follies
Animal Lovers
818-993-9777
E-mail: mkeens@sbcglobal.net
A Bird’s Eye View
Page 23
Caged birds share some of the same
behavioral characteristics as their wild
cousins, but their environments are hugely
different. Our birds have every meal
available for them. Although a controlled
environment may seem ideal, providing
food, safety from predators, and from inclement weather, in this type of
environment, your bird may be denied the one thing he enjoys the most in the
wild - hunting for and pecking his food, known as foraging.
Foraging provides the environmental enrichment caged birds require.
Environmental enrichment creates a more natural environment and, in return,
stimulates natural behaviors in your bird. It also keeps your bird's environment a
challenge, so that your bird stays busy and active like he would in nature.
Wild birds spend up to 6 hours foraging for food and additional time
manipulating the food with their beaks and feet. Denial of environmental
enrichment through foraging may cause boredom-related problems, such as
feather picking, sleeping too much, screaming or squawking. It is easy to give
your bird foraging opportunities. Start with foraging treats and progress up to
using your bird's favorite foods. You can do this by incorporating foraging
opportunities in his everyday life. If foraging is new to your bird, you may have
to start slowly, making the food items easier to access at first, and then work
towards more complicated and challenging methods that will keep him
stimulated. In the beginning, let your bird see you hide his food or treats; he'll be
curious as to what you're doing and will want to investigate.
1
Integrate foraging activities into
familiar items, such as your bird's
food dish or crock. Place a small
amount of food in the bird's food dish
and bury it with polished stones,
wood, beads, or shredded paper.
Make sure items you are using to
bury the food are too large for your
bird to eat
2
Next, cover or wrap the dish with
something light and easily
shreddable – like a coffee filter, a
paper towel, or even a lettuce leaf.
Don't forget to let your bird see
you hide the delicacies initially, to
tempt him to investigate. Once
your bird understands the foraging
game, you can go on to more
interesting challenges.
3
For a more interesting challenge,
use the NEW Foraging System
and NEW Foraging Treat Box.
These multi-compartmental food
and treat dispensers make eating
a long-lasting event. Fill some or
all of the compartments with food
or treats, so your bird has to chew
his way through one compartment
to the next, hunting for his food. At
such an economical price, you can
afford to use these boxes daily.
Place multiple boxes throughout
the cage and change their location
often for even more of a challenge.
4
Initially, have your bird forage for
partial meals. Depending on how
much fun he is having, you can
gradually move to feeding most of
his food through this method.
Check the foraging items daily to
make sure your bird is getting the
nutrition he needs.
5
Another step up might include a
refillable treat toy that contains some of
his favorite food. Perhaps puzzle toys
to make his playtime educational and
enjoyable. Puzzle toys are usually
made of acrylic and have openings that
you can fill with your bird's favorite
foods. Some of these toys have
openings that your bird needs to reach
into to get the food out. Others require
your bird to move panels or manipulate
the toy in certain ways before the food
is made available to them.
Some favorite toys to include in your bird's foraging adventures:
Piñatas: You can fill these with your bird's favorite foods,
hang it from your bird's cage, and let your bird tear and
peck at the outside of the piñata until she reaches the treats
inside.
Puzzle Boxes: These toys are usually made of acrylic and
have openings that you can fill with your bird's favorite
foods. Some of these toys have openings that your bird
needs to reach into to get the food out. Other puzzle boxes
will require your bird to move panels or manipulate the toy
in certain ways before the food is made available to them.
Foraging System: Bird product creators are realizing the
importance of foraging for birds. Whole systems with
replaceable parts are available for birds from finches to
Amazons and at every level from beginning forager to
master. These can be filled again and again with your
bird's favorite foods and will offer a daily challenge.
As you can see there are a lot of different ways to encourage
foraging with your bird and it does not have to cost you a lot of
money. "Finding" his own food makes the search for
sustenance personal and challenging. Have fun thinking of new
ways for your bird to forage and be creative.
©2007 Foster & Smith, Inc. Reprinted as a courtesy and with permission from
PetEducation.com (http://www.PetEducation.com) On-line store at http://
www.DrsFosterSmith.com. Free Pet Supply Catalog: 1-800-323-4208.
Page 24
A Bird’s Eye View
Lorrie’s Pete enjoying a summer day!
Mogli, Patricia’s Senegal.
A Bird’s Eye View
Page 25
Large Lots are for Dogs, Cats and Birds too!
M ONIQUE B RYHER
L.A.’s Pet-Friendly Realtor
RA-1, Large Lots and Commercial
(818) 430-6705 (Direct)
Monique.Bryher@gmail.com
www.MoniqueBryher.com
Tarzana (Melody Acres) y Agoura y Chatsworth y Calabasas
Woodland Hills y Lakeview Terrace y Shadow Hills y Tujunga
Page 26
A Bird’s Eye View
7990 Santa Monica Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90046
323 · 848 · 8361
MON - SAT 9 am - 7 pm
SUN 11 am – 6 pm
PROVIDING THE BEST PRICES ON
Handfed Baby & Adult Birds
From Finches to Macaws
Custom-Blend Gourmet Bird
Foods
100% HEALTH GUARANTEED
Accessories, Toys & Cages
Expert Grooming Daily
IN-HOME GROOMING AVAILABLE
Rescue & Placement for
Unwanted Birds
Immaculate In-store Boarding
Bird Gender Determination
BUY · SELL · TRADE · LAY-AWAY · CONSIGNMENT
Mealworms & Crickets
A Bird’s Eye View
Page 27
Did you ever want to go birding? Do you want
information on the 101/405 interchange proposals? The
San Fernando Audubon Society offers guided walks
throughout the valley. Visit sfvaudubon.org The
upcoming events are listed on the left side of the home
page. SFVAS also has information relating to the
CalTrans Connector and how the Sepulveda Basin
Wildlife reserve will be affected. This group has
information on habitat backyards, local licensed wildlife
rehabilitators and education for students. Visit them, it's a
trip you'll enjoy.
Linda
When the ladies are in the “kitchen” preparing snacks,
etc. for the meeting, they request that you please not ask
for things like water for your bird, paper towels, etc. It is
a very small area and if you need something, you can
easily get it in the public restrooms. We thank Dawn
Camacho and Linda Lindsay for always making the
display look so nice. Let’s make it easy for them!
Please be sure and check the back of the newsletter to see
if it is your time to bring snacks. We have some people
that bring every month regardless of who is supposed to,
and we have others who seem to think it is not necessary.
Please do your part! You can also check the last names
asked to bring goodies on the website homepage at
www.thewestvalleybirdsociety.com. A special THANK
YOU to Dj for always making sure we have a nice
sandwich to go along with all the other treats.
Do not forget to put a little donation in the clean-up
bucket by the Check-in Table. No one wanted to clean up,
so we are now paying the meeting hall to do it for us, but
we need everyone to contribute towards this service.
We want to give a special THANK YOU to Jennifer
Kain, Dale Gilkinson, Vaughn Rider, and Andrew
Pacheco for helping set up the room. They all do it almost
every month. Thanks everyone!
Now, I wish I could thank everyone for offering to take
the newsletter via e-mail, but only one response came!
With the cost of everything going up, you can do your
part by taking the newsletter via e-mail. You can pick up
a hard copy at the meeting, but PLEASE take it via e-mail
so we can cut down on the mailing costs. It now costs
$1.34 to mail the newsletter. That comes to $16.08 per
person a year just for postage, and we also have to buy
the paper! We pay for rental of the Granada Pavilion, and
we also usually pay for speakers! Your dues are $25 and
that will not cover all of those things! YOU CAN HELP
tremendously by taking the newsletter via e-mail. It is
now available right off the website. Nothing could be
easier.
Patricia’s Kailua
You can also help by buying lots of Raffle Tickets and
taking part in that activity. Many of the toy prices are
going up with everything else. If you want to keep having
that fabulous selection of items, please buy tickets! Your
birds will be so happy to have new toys all the time. We
have lots of seed out for them also. Thanks to Andrew for
the beautiful donations he made last month! Thank you
also to Rebecca O’Connor, Hazel Lampe, and Jan Gordon
for their donations to the Raffle. See you on July 18!
Ruth Kain, Editor
Page 28
A Bird’s Eye View
July
Membership Talk
“Attending Members Only”
Drawing Winners
Shirley Broeger, Debby Goetz, Diane Linger
Welcome New Members
Diane Linger
Kerri Strober
Cindy Thompson
Membership up for Renewal?
Check date on mailing label!
Membership questions, changes, corrections?
Contact Fred Lucas via e-mail at lucast@socal.com.
By sponsoring a NEW MEMBER, you
get a chance to draw a Prize Card
from our WVBS Glitter Board.
A Bird’s Eye View
Page 29
Meeting:
Sunday - 2 p.m.
July 20, 2008
No charge
for guests.
Please join us!
Meeting location:
159 N. Cullen Avenue
(Between Foothill & Bennett)
July Meeting
Glendora, CA
Sandee Molenda
“Breeding & Showing
Parrotlets”
Information: 818-244-2230 or 626-335-2964
Meets Fourth Tuesday
of each month
7 p.m.
American Legion Hall
5938 Parkcrest Street
(South of Carson & East of Woodruff Ave.)
Long Beach
For Information call: 562-881-9847
PEAC is not taking in any parrots right now, but they do
have a lot of nice birds ready to be adopted. There are
classes going throughout the month. The San Diego
location has classes the last weekend of the month.
Classes in Orange County are on the third Saturday of
the month. There is a new class now being offered in
Hemet on the first Sunday of the month. Please check
the website for topics, times, and directions.
Please contact PEAC at parroted@cox.net or go to the
website www.peac.org for more information.
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A Bird’s Eye View
Do you have something you would like to sell? Why not
place an ad? See page 27 for information on placing your
own ad. Ads are free to WVBS members.
Breeding cages for canaries. 15 compartments. Handmade.
Good price. Have Yorkshire and special canaries for sale.
Call 818-606-8985.
James Chase
Layne Dicker
Jan Gordon
Carol Haley
Jay Harland
Hazel Lampe
There are so many birds needing homes out there. If
you are considering another bird, please think about
adopting one. Call one of these rescue/adoption groups.
They all have many wonderful birds just waiting for
someone to come and take them home. Many of these
groups have websites - take a look!
Tom Lucas
Tom Rabener
Gail Ransdell
Steve Silon
Richard Stokotelny
Donna Svetich
Wishing you happiness and good health
on your Birthday and all the days after.
Fine Feathered Friends Foundation - 310-541-2468 Myrna, Parrots First - 866-248-7670, ext. 5937 www.parrotsfirst.org, The Lily Sanctuary -714-4429474 - www.lilysanctuary.org, Friends of Parrots
Rescue & Adoption - 310-459-0166, PEAC www.peac.org, Parrot Rehabilitation Society - 619224-6712 - www.parrotsociety.org, and Southern
Nevada Parrot Education, Rescue & Rehoming
Society - www.southernnevadaparrotrescue.org.
SHOP at these stores, PRESENT your current MEMBERSHIP CARD,
and receive a DISCOUNT!
Birds & More
Hand-fed baby birds y Bird supplies & accessories
Grooming Day Care
Karen Lee Allen
NEW LOCATION!
1637 Cabrillo Ave.
Torrance
(310) 320-9495
E-mail: birdsnmor@aol.com
Website: birdsandmore.com
Disclaimer: Discounts vary from store to store. Some products may not qualify for this discount program. Stores above not honoring
current Membership Cards need to be reported to a board Member immediately. WVBS has no control over the percentage of
discount or product exclusions. No discounts on live animals!
A Bird’s Eye View
Page 31
The West Valley Bird Society Inc. is a qualified tax-exempt corporation under IRS Code Section 501(c)(3).
MISSION STATEMENT
West Valley Bird Society offers education about birds and bird related topics and provides a forum for networking with
people having similar avian interests.
2008 Officers and Directors
Linda Buesching
President
Dawn Camacho
Treasurer
Debbie Treadway
Secretary
Linda Lindsay
Director
Hazel Lampe
Director
Dorothy Blanchette
Director/
Parliamentarian
Appointed Positions & Committee Heads
Webmistress
Ruth Kain
AFA Rep
Linda Buesching/Ruth Kain
Hospitality
Hazel Lampe
Membership
Fred Lucas
Refreshments
Linda Lindsay
Outreach
Linda Buesching
Bulletin Editor
Ruth Kain
Raffle Chick
Jennifer Kain
Raffle Chairman Club Effort
Advertising
Susan Dobrowolsky
Newsletter Proofers Mary Crocker, Lorrie
Mitchell, Sylvia Skidmore
PAID ADVERTISING SIZES AND RATES
661-803-1416
818-676-1333
818-988-5879
818-992-1811
818-761-9025
818-993-9420
310-377-0393
661-803-1416
818-761-9025
818-887-6416
818-992-1811
661-803-1416
310-377-0393
818-486-5959
Honorary Lifetime Members
Carol Haley
Dale Thompson
Charlotte Nierenberg
Nancy Vigran
Platinum Lifetime Members
Diane Bock
Laureen Mitchell
Rose Blume
Audra & Steve Silon
Linda Buesching
Kristin & Mark Moon
Delora & Eugene
Stalnaker
Patricia & Karl Volger
Dj & Bert Blanchette
General Meetings
7:30 p.m., 3rd Friday of each month at Granada Pavilion,
Auxiliary Hall, 11128 Balboa Boulevard, Granada Hills, CA
91344. See map to the right. www.granadapavilion.com
Board Meetings
7:00 p.m. on the Thursday following the general meeting of
the month. Meeting location is Denny’s Restaurant, 16575
Sherman Way, (just West of Hayvenhurst), Van Nuys. All
members are welcome. Please confirm with Linda at 661803-1416 or via e-mail at lbuesching@thevine.net since
meeting dates and times are occasionally changed.
DISCLAIMER and EDITORIAL POLICY
The West Valley Bird Society and its Editor assume no responsibility for
omission of advertising or article material. Letters, articles, and editorials
do not necessarily represent the official views of the club. They are
presented for your information. We believe a wide variety of viewpoints
are thought provoking and educational. WVBS assumes no responsibility
with respect to quality or health of advertisers claims, birds, merchandise,
or services whether sold, raffled, traded, or auctioned by this club or its
members. With the exception of All Rights Reserved, copyrighted, and/or
Reprinted with Permission articles, permission is given to avian
organizations in our Exchange Program to reprint articles for non-profit
use. Reprinted articles must state “Reprinted with permission of the West
Valley Bird Society.”
Business Card
$5/month or $25/year
1/4 Page
$20/month or $200/year
1/2 Page
$35/month or $300/year
Set-up charges for NON-COPY READY ads: $30
Rates are subject to change without notice.
Ads must be camera ready
or .pdf, .psd, .jpeg, or .tiff format.
Contact the Editor at 310-377-0393
or e-mail to voltrot@aol.com
Classified ads are free to WVBS members. The fee to
non-members is $5.00 per issue. Bulletins are mailed
to all WVBS members and various clubs and
businesses. Ads run for one month only and need to
be resubmitted each month.
How to contact the editor:
Phone: 310-377-0393 • E-mail: voltrot@aol.com
WVBS membership runs for a period of 12 months
starting from the month that you join. The date listed
above your name on the mailing label is the month
and year your membership expires.
If your name starts with
A-H
please bring something for
the refreshment table.
Friday, July 18 at 7:30 p.m.
Sandee Molenda
“Parrotlets in Avoculture”
www.thewestvalleybirdsociety.com
West Valley Bird Society
P.O. Box 8221
Northridge, CA 91327-8221
First Class Mail to:
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A Bird’s Eye View