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Companion Parrot Online Newsletters
The purpose of this Companion Parrot Online Newsletter is to acquaint parrot lovers with
the CPO Website (over 500 pages) and the Companion Parrot Online Magazine, to get
interesting parrot facts out to readers, to announce publications and artwork from Sally
Blanchard, and to let readers know about quality parrot-related products. Each newsletter
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excerpts from Sally’s publications. I only accept advertising for approved products that
Spike and I have tested. Please go to the website - thanks!
ÂiNEW ON THE WEBSITE: Parrot Species Profiles
ORDER NOW FOR CHRISTMAS!
Sally Blanchard’s Tongue-in-Beak Clayworks
Priced from $60 and up depending on size and difficulty.
For a complete catalog of parrot caricatures that I have completed:
https://companionparrotonline.com/tib_catalog.html
(Sally also does commissions for color pencil parrot portraits)
The sculptures shown are recent pieces. These are all one of a
kind, hand-painted collectible works of art. I can do just about
any species of parrot and have done quite a few wild birds also.
I have done over 60 species. If you look up the ones that I have
done, you will see that I also do more complex fun pieces and
funs “puns.” If you are interested in a T.I.B. Clayworks piece as
a Holiday gift, you will need to order as soon as possible for
me to be able to get it to you in time!
Next
Issue
CPOM
#80
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THE NEUTRAL ROOM AND WHY IT WORKS
by Sally Blanchard
A Distraction-free Comfortable Place
NOW AVAILABLE:
The articles in CPOM Issue #79 are:
-WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE
BIRD BIZ? By Sally Blanchard
-WHEN IS AVICULTURE REALLY
CONSERVATION? By Nancy Speed
-INPUT ABOUT THE BIRD BIZ
FROM PARROT OWNERS Various
authors
-PARROTS 30 YEARS AGO OR SO
... By Sally Blanchard
-WELCOME TO THE BIRD
HOUSE By Laura Ainsworth
-A FEW ENDANGERED AND
EXTINCT PARROTS By Sally
Blanchard
-MY GREYS AND THE GREY
FLOCK AT THE OASIS By Jean
Gauthier
-COMPANION PARROT ADVERTISING
-GREEN CLEANING TIPS By
Megan Smith
Many companion parrots
become territorial around
their cages. This means that
they may defend the area
from perceived intruders. It
also means that many parrots are generally more
threatened by new situations
or objects in their cage or in
the area around their cage but may react totally differently to a new
situation away from their cages. This is often shown in the fact that
many companion parrots show better behavior when they go to the vet
or go with their caregivers to visit friends. Because of this people who
have had little or no success working with their aggressive parrots
around their cages, often find it much easier to work with their birds in
a neutral room. This usually is the best place to interact with any biting
or territorially aggressive parrot.
It is an area that is not familiar to the parrot and therefore, he has not
established any territorial imperatives. The parrot’s cage or playgym
should not be visible from the neutral room. There should be no
distractions, such as the television, other people, or pets in the room. If
the bird is strongly bonded to one person and a less favored person is
trying to work with him, only that person should be in the room. Even
the sound of the preferred person’s voice should be excluded from the
scenario. In this area, the bird has no agenda to defend anyone or
anything. Consequently, the person in the room with the parrot becomes the most familiar person/thing in an unfamiliar area.
The purpose of the neutral room is NOT based on creating a rescue
scenario where the parrot becomes afraid and the person rescues the
parrot from a negative situation. However, the less favored person may
also provide a sense of security for the parrot in an unfamiliar place.
Your presence may provide the parrot with a familiar face and added
security but the parrot shouldn’t feel as if he needs to be rescued.
Most importantly, it is critical that the neutral room should be a mutually comfortable place and not a place where the parrot feels intimidated or threatened. Working with a parrot who is in, on, or near his
cage often results in aggression; however the same bird can become
quite docile with being in an unfamiliar area. It is important for people
who have been apprehensive about handling their parrot to trust the
fact that their bird will be far less likely to be aggressive in the neutral
room. If people can’t relax enough to present a fearless and non-aggressive
confidence with their parrots, the same patterns established in the cage
territory can become established in the neutral room. It is also important
that the person works with the parrot in a focused, confidant and calm
manner. Just as human beings are, parrots are creatures of habit. Behaviors
that are slowly and calmly repeated over and over become patterned and
once they become a pattern, these behaviors are repeated in an automatic
manner without much thought directing them. A neutral room with minimal
distractions is an excellent place to start patterning positive behaviors.
Repeating positive and rewardable behavioral patterns is not only good
patterning for the parrot, it also develops consistency in the person. When
people are consistent in the way they approach and handle their parrots, the
birds know what is expected of them and are much less likely to become
confused. Mixed messages and/or inconsistent interaction can create
enough confusion in parrots that they may use aggression to get the inconsistent person to go away.
The neutral room should be a place where both the person and the parrot will be comfortable and relaxed. I
recommend a bedroom or den with a couch rather than the cold floor of a bathroom or hall. Years ago a lot of
people advised using the bathroom floor for training or taming mostly because the bird could be 'trapped' in the
area ... not a good idea for building trust. Plan ahead and set up the “tools” you need before your bring your
parrot into the neutral room. These include a T-stand, special behavioral reward treats, a few favorite toys, a big
fluffy light-colored towel, a dowel or stick for stick training. Prepare the room by setting the T-stand near where
you can sit, spreading the towel on the bed or couch and placing the items on the towel.
Approaching the bird with decisive confidence is essential for the neutral room to work. Smile, talk softly and
make friendly eye contact. Parrots generally do not bite if you are looking at them, but this doesn't man that you
The FREE Information-packed COMPANION PARROT ONLINE WEBSITE
http://companionparrotonline.com
y More extensive information on companion
parrots than any other site on the Internet!
y An extensive SITE MAP makes it easy to find
what you are looking for on the CPO website.
y Be sure and check out the illustrated GLOSSARY
with alphabetically arranged sections. It has
extensive information about all aspects involving
companion parrots including behavior, nutrition and
the nutritional content of various healthy foods, lots
of care tips, species profiles, parrot anatomy, health,
and much more. If you don’t find information on
what you are looking for, let me know and I will add
it! I often add new information tot he Glossary.
y There are also over 150 PARROT RELATED
ARTICLES about important topics involving
companion parrots.
y NEW! PARROT SPECIES PROFILES
y ENTERTAINING PARROT STORIES
y PARROT HISTORY The natural history of
parrots and attitudes about them over the years.
y PARROT AND BIRD ART
y PARROT AND BIRD COLLECTIBLES
y NUTRITION INFORMATION
y WILD BIRD PAGES and Stories
y SPIKEY’S PAGE
y Sally’s BIOGRAPHY
y Information on SALLY’S PARROTS & PETS
y Sales of SALLY’S PUBLICATIONS
y Sally’s TONGUE-IN-BEAK CLAYWORKS
y Sally’s Color Pencil PARROT PORTRAITS
y QUALITY PARROT PRODUCTS REVIEWS
AND MORE ...
Please visit the Companion Parrot Online Website
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look at the parrot with a direct or intense glare. Your eyes should be gentle and soft. Smile and exude a friendly
demeanor. Place the bird on the back of a chair or a T-stand at just below eye level and start by placing your
fingers close to his lower belly and say “UP.” If he doesn’t step on your finger, gently pick up his toes one at a
time until he is sitting on your hand. Slowly transfer him to the other hand saying a friendly “UP” again. Do this 3
or 4 times and then say a friendly “down” and put him back on the stand. Smile and praise him — “What a good
bird!” Repeat the process several times until he accepts and obeys the command. Stay friendly and if he starts to
become antsy after a few short sessions, put him back on the stand with the “Down” command, praise him and
give him a treat before he gets too grouchy.
Once he is patterned to step on your hand, you can try to start
handling him in the same decisive manner out of the neutral
room. Once two people are comfortable handling their parrot
separately in the neutral room, they can work together there to
accustom the parrot to being handled by both of them together.
Playing the game of “warm potato” by slowly passing their bird
from person to person will pattern him to go from one to the
other. Each person should have the parrot on his or her hand for
a minute or so and provide the parrot with a positive experience: praise him, skritch him, sing to him, give him a treat, or whatever helps him be comfortable and then the
other person can reach for him using the “UP” command and share a few enjoyable minutes with him. If the
parrot become aggressive with one of the people, that person should put him down rather than have the other
person become a 'rescuer.' This could end up teaching the bird to bite one person to get to go to the other.
The neutral room is also a very helpful place to introduce your parrot to new people in his life. Some parrots can
be threatened by strangers approaching them too close to their cage. Most parrots are far more threatened by an
unfamiliar situation, person, or thing being too close to their cage. The same situation, person, or thing can be
successfully introduced in a neutral room without trauma. With neo-phobic parrots (those that are fearful with
new things) who are wary of new toys in their cage, if those toys are introduced first in the neutral room, once the
bird accepts them, they can be put in the cage.
It is also important to remember that if your normally well-behaved parrot begins to forget his good manners and
patterning, the neutral room can always be used for friendly re-patterning him to behave in a more positive manner. Often a parrot loses tameness when he or she is not handled for a period of time and focused attention in the
neutral room often restores trust again.y
Another Excerpt from PARROTS MADE E-Z:
Stuff You Need to Know About Sexual Behavior in Companion Parrots
What does a sexually aroused parrot look/act like? It depends somewhat on the species and
gender but intense is the first word that comes to my mind. In some parrots, increased territorial aggression is one sign of sexual behavior. Head bobbing to bring up food, eye pinning,
panting, wing fluttering with the wings held low (almost like training wheels), wings flicking up and down, repetitive beak nipping that is not usually as hard as biting, horizontal body
position, and feet moving up and down as if they are doing a little dance are the most obvious
signs of sexual arousal. Watch for these changes in your parrot’s body language when the
bird is with you to know if your behavior is sexually stimulating her or him. ...
24 pages $9.00 - to order go to www.paypal.com and pay $9.00 to
sales@companionparrot.com or send a check to: Sally Blanchard, PO Box 812, Loveland. CO 80539 Please be sure
and mention that you are buying the E-Z Sexual Behavior .pdf
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Teaching Your Parrot Self-soothing Behaviors
By Sally Blanchard
A very important key to understanding companion parrot behavior is that they are highly empathic and will
usually match our energy.
Staying Calm
When I lived in California, one night at about 1:30 am (my normal
bedtime), I was just about to leave my computer when I felt a “boom”
— the jolt of an earthquake that centered about ninety miles away. We
hear so much about the “big one” that any little shake scares many of
us Bay Area folks. It is obviously particularly unnerving for parrots to
suddenly have their whole world shake with no means to escape from
the turbulence. My grey, Whodee, and my Slender-billed Conure,
Twiggy, both thrashed in their cages. I am pretty sure it was the first
earthquake for both of them. The biggest mistake I could have made
would have been to run up to their cages and rip off the covers to see if they were okay. The kitchen light illuminated my path into the dining room as I slowly walked in and calmly sat down on the floor between their cages
and started humming. Whodee stopped thrashing immediately. Twiggy took a little longer, but after about a
minute or so she also calmed down. How about Spike? I checked him and he looked at me with that “what are
you doing?” look. He was fine — most of the things that would upset the other parrots seem to be his own
private amusement park ride.
Moving slowly, I turned on another light and then sat down again. Looking up from the floor, I slowly moved
each cage cover so that I could look in and check for any injuries. I was very concerned about them, but if I had
rushed in and pulled off the cage cover, it would have traumatized them even more. I continued to hum. Both
birds had lost a few tail and wing feathers and Whodee had a red area on his cheek, but there was nothing
serious.
One of the reasons that Whodee calmed down so quickly is because of one of our nighttime rituals. I work best
late at night because there are no interruptions. I usually play with the birds in the evening and then put them to
bed around 8:30 pm, before I come out into the office for my evening shift. One of the reasons Whodee stays so
tame with me is because we have a very relaxed pre-bedtime cuddle session. I skritch the feathers around his
beak and on the back of his head and hold him cuddled up against my neck and chin. During this time, I talk to
him quietly and hum. He has learned to associate relaxation with my gentle words and humming. This association has been purposefully patterned into his brain so that he relaxes anytime I quiet myself and hum to him. The
more we repeat a positive behavior with our parrots that is associated with a particular situation or mood, the
more likely they are to form a strong association with it, I can now use this humming to my advantage anytime I
think Whodee is upset about something.
Learning from Wild-caught Parrots
As most readers know, I tamed many wild-caught parrots. It did not take me long at all to realize that they were
far less frightened of me if I calmed myself down before I started working with them. I found that I could use
certain sounds to help parrots relax as I worked with them.
Shortly after I moved to the San Francisco Bay area, I was anxious to meet other parrot people. I thought one of
the best ways to do this was to work at a bird shop over the Christmas season. There were several long-term
residents in the shop, parrots that had been wild-caught and imported. One was an unsold Mealy Amazon who
seemed terribly afraid when anyone came near him. I got into the habit of humming to him as I approached him
to clean his cage. I would also avert my gaze
and lower my head. After a few days of this, it became obvious that he was much more comfortable with me.
Within about a week, he would allow me to skritch his head through the cage bars.
Even though I never was able to take him out of the cage to work with him because that was not my job, I
became his special friend. As soon as I started humming to him, he would walk across his perch to me and put
his fluffed bowed head against the cage bars for me to pet. He clearly trusted me and looked forward to my
visits.
Overload Behavior
Like many caiques, Spikey Le Bec is often a high-strung little dynamo. This energy
can lead to aggressive behavior, especially if he gets too wound up. I am an enthusiastic speaker. I project my voice to the back of the room and usually wave my arms
around while giving a presentation. I have many parrot stories that I tell with great
energy. Since parrots are so good at mimicking our energy, Spike can get pretty
wound up when he accompanies me to my seminars. He can certainly project his
voice to the back of the room. His favorite call sounds like the first few notes from
the Psycho shower scene. He can also get bitey and may absolutely refuse to do any
of the tricks he usually loves to do.
Most of the time, I can calm him down fairly quickly or at least get his attention by
Another Excerpt from COMPANION AMAZONS:
The What You See is What You Get Parrots
A great deal of the parrot literature that I found from the 1800s and early 1900s
is quite fascinating from an anecdotal perspective even if it did not always apply
to my life with companion parrots. Since most of the literature was published in
Europe, Amazons were often compared to the more common African Grey
(often referred to as Jaco or Jacquot - French for parrot). Amazons were both of
higher value and less common because of the long and often deadly ocean
voyage they had to endure from their native lands to Europe. Because there
were both so many species of Amazons and so many color variations among
species, early aviculturists were often confused as to their classification. In fact
in an early volume, The Natural History of Parrots (by Francois LeVaillant,
1809) the author writes about Amazons, “There is no other Parrot, the species
and variety of which would have given us as much difficulty in identifying and
differentiating. I even confess that, despite my research on the subject, I am still
far from thinking that I have absolutely resolved the question of whether to
156 pages $26.00 - to order go to
consider a great many of the Parrots we show under the name of Amazon
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and pay $26.00 to:
Parrots as so many different species or as being only simple accidental varieties
sales@companionparrot.com
or send a
of the same species which, this propagating would form as many separate races.
check
to:
Sally
Blanchard,
PO
Box
Only an experienced ornithologist, gathering information himself in the native
812, Loveland. CO 80539
habitats of these birds, could ever remove all doubts. We can be certain that,
please be sure and mention that
amongst the numerous specimens of those Parrots we know as Amazons which
you are buying the Amazon .pdf
live in captivity, it is impossible to find two identical specimens.”
holding him in my hand against my cheek and quietly whispering the word “Ba-bee” in his ear. If everyone else in
the room stays quiet for a while, so does Spikey. This is the best time to get him to do his tricks but since he
easily absorbs the energy of his adoring fans, the applause quickly gets him revved up again.
Reassuring Words
For many years it has been my habit to tell my parrots “That’s okay” whenever
anything is happening that might cause them to be afraid. When my African Grey,
Bongo Marie, first came to live with me, she was very afraid of just about everything. She had a right to be afraid. She was a wild- caught bird who had a serious
chronic upper respiratory infection. I found myself saying “That’s okay; I won’t let
anything bad happen to you.” She had lived with me for close to two months
before she uttered her first plaintive “Hewwo” but shortly after, her next words
were “That’s okay.”
Over the next twenty-four years, if I was carrying something large by her cage or if
something seemed to threaten her, I would always lower my energy and softly
reassure her with these words. She would always respond by saying “that’s okay”
and calm herself down. Over the rest of her life, there were so many times that I can’t remember, any time anything happened that caused her the least bit of insecurity, she would stretch her neck out and say “that’s okay,”
reassuring and soothing herself.
Towards the end of her long life, she seemed to be in a lot of pain and reassured herself many times over and over
by saying “that’s okay” in her own special way. One afternoon not too long ago, I was in the supermarket and a
Another Excerpt from GREY MATTER: The World According to Bongo Marie .pdf
SHARING YOUR SECRETS: HUMOROUS, HEARTWARMING AND SAD
People who take life a bit too seriously or are not comfortable with the
truth about themselves are unlikely to enjoy living with an African grey. It is
almost impossible to keep family secrets from household greys. Once they know
your secrets, they are likely to share them with anyone that they meet. One
piece of solid advice I have always given couples who have greys, “Don’t keep
the cage in your bedroom.” I have learned a great deal about the people who
have had me bird sit their greys. I know of companion greys who have exposed
such things as extramarital affairs, family feuds, and even tattled on closet smokers. Why would a grey continue coughing and hacking like a chain smoker if
the people he lived with had actually stopped smoking? One bird who was
staying with me did both of the the voices of the couple he lieved with. He
didn’t always provied the words, but it was clear that they had a very ‘dynamic’
relationship. I felt sorry for the son in another family with a grey. I don’t know
if his parents were always on his case, but the grey certainly had a lot to say
about the boy’s behavior. While I was bird sitting this grey, I wondered why the
bird focused so much on the son. After hearing that the bird and the boy were 56 pages $18.00 - to order go to
great friends, I decided that it must be because the grey missed his young friend. www.paypal.com and pay $18.00
to:
Sometimes the secrets shared are not that heartwarming or that funny. People
sales@companionparrot.com
or
with substance abuse can be so inconsistent with their sensitive African greys
send
a
check
to:
Sally
Blanchard,
that the bird will develop all sorts of behavioral problems. While adherence to
PO Box 812, Loveland. CO 80539
a rigid routine can be a problem with greys, dependability is crucial to having a please be sure and mention that
positive relationship with a grey.
you are buying the Grey .pdf
man smashed his shopping cart into me. He apologized profusely and without thinking, I responded “that’s
okay” in the silly little voice that Bongo Marie always used. He gave me a strange look and went about his
shopping. I stood for a moment missing Bongo terribly and marveling at the extent to which parrots become a
part of our lives.
Using Words to Set Moods
Parrots clearly learn to associate specific words and expressions with
certain situations, moods, and events. While parrots learn one-word commands such as “Up” and “Down” very quickly, they can also understand
expressions that set the mood for the verbal requests. For example, if I
need to take Whodee out of his cage and he is not in the mood, I can say to
him “Do you want to come out of your cage?” and he usually will stop
what he is doing and move towards me to step on my hand. We can also
use this to our advantage in helping to set the mood for our parrots in
situations that could threaten them or cause them to become too excited.
The key is to plan ahead and consistently use particular words and expressions in the same situations. This way the association between the words
and the situation become clearly patterned. Then when you need to calm
your parrot down or make him feel safe in a threatening situation, you can
use these words to make that change in his energy or sense of security ... or
most of all, he can use them to soothe himself.y
Another Excerpt from WINNING THE TRUST OF
SECOND-HAND, RESCUE & REHOMED PARROTS
Years ago I worked with a cage bound Blue-front Amazon. Before finding out
.
about
me, his family hired a bird trainer to "tame" him. The woman told me that
the trainer grabbed the bird out of his cage, put him on a stand, and started poking
a stick at him. The technique mostly consisted of hitting his feet and legs with the
stick so he would have to step on a person’s hand. This aggression made the parrot
even more fearful. When the trainer insisted that she handle her parrot, her bird
gave her a serious bite. At this point, she insisted that the man leave her house.
This "macho" training method says, "just take the bites and he will learn it doesn’t
do him any good." This is nonsense because first of all, it patterns the bird to bite,
and secondly, when most people are bitten they can’t help from being dramatic
about it, which can reward the biting behavior. A person can also become afraid of
the parrot who bit them and the next time he or she approaches that bird, the parrot knows that the person is not
comfortable with him. Most of all, this type of aggressive approach is totally trust-destroying and the best way to
establish a positive bond with a parrot is to win their trust. Of course, the aggressive approach of this particular bird
trainer set the Blue-front back a great deal in the woman’s attempt to win his trust. This type of situation created by
others is often difficult for any behavioral consultant who believes in trust-building behaviors. Unfortunately many
people have no patience for anything but quick-fixes that seem to make an immediate difference but rarely, if ever,
work in the long run. Luckily the Blue-front’s caregiver was not looking for a quick-fix. She wanted to do whatever
it took to win her parrot’s trust and was willing to take the time it took to win his trust ...
60 pages $24.00 - to order go to www.paypal.com and pay $24.00 to:
sales@companionparrot.com or send a check to: Sally Blanchard, PO Box 812, Loveland.
CO 80539 Please be sure and mention that you are buying Winning the Trust .pdf
SALLY’S COMPANION PARROT ONLINE GLOSSARY
https://companionparrotonline.com/GLOSSARY_A.html
The Companion Parrot Online Illustrated Glossary has
a tremendous amount of information about many
aspects of parrots and wild birds, including diet,
behavior, cage, household dangers, health considerations and much more. I often add or edit information.
If you are looking for information, look it up!
Under ‘S’
SENTINEL BIRDS
These are birds within a flock who
stand guard while other birds forage.
Sentinel parrots sound an alarm if there
is a perceived threat to the flock. Some
parrot species (such as sulfur-crested
cockatoos) seem to have specific birds
who stand guard. In others, such as
African greys, part of the flock feeds
while the others stay in the trees watching for danger.
In nature, there are particular species of that birds act
as sentinels in a location who are on the lookout for
predators and give warnings. In Costa Rica, I was told
that all birds, including parrots, feeding in an area
carefully watch and listen for the alarm calls of the
Scarlet-rumped Cacique (a bird in the oriole family) as
the sentinel bird.
Under ‘W’
WALNUT SHELL (As a substrata in cage bottom)
DANGEROUS PRODUCT! Thankfully walnut
shell is not as available as it once was for the bottom
of bird cages. I recommend butcher paper or newspaper if there is a grate in the bottom of the cage. Walnut
shell, corn cob, and other similiar sub-stratas that give
people the illusion that the cage is clean, can actually
develop high levels of mold and fungus in a short time
and are therefore, not recommended. This is particularly true if people don't clean the droppings, food
waste, and water spills on a daily basis. There are also
numerous situations where parrots have ingested these
materials.
Under ‘C’
CAGE: GETTING AN AGGRESSIVE OR CAGE
BOUND PARROT OUT OF ITS CAGE
A T-stand with a food bowl and
food bribes can be very helpful.
The first step is to figure out what
is the parrot’s absolute favorite
food treat. Even if it is sunflower
seed or nuts that may not be that healthy, these foods
can be used. Stop feeding these treats in the food bowl
Excerpt from PARROTS MADE E-Z: Stuff You
Need to Know about Screaming Behavior
Accepting a certain amount of noise from a healthy, active parrot and not encouraging it with drama rewards will generally result in an acceptable amount of screaming. On the other hand, rewarding a parrot with drama every time he screams will
result in a bird that screams more and more because he wants the attention he receives. Most of the calls I receive from people who are having trouble with bird
noise is because the bird is screaming for attention. Many people do not realize that
if every time their parrot screams and they appear, yell at their birds or run over to
cover the cages, they are actually guaranteeing that their birds will learn to scream
more for the attention that it brings them. No matter how we look at it “logically,” the
basic understanding that the parrot has is that nothing was happening for him until he
screamed and then there was lots of stimulating action. I know of many parrots who
delight in screaming and then yelling, “Shut up,” Stop that” and other phrases deal24 pages $8.50 - to order go to
ing with what will happen if the “guilty” bird isn’t quiet. When I hear this, I know www.paypal.com and pay $8.50 to:
that it isn’t the parrot’s fault that he has become a screamer. This is what I call the sales@companionparrot.com or send
“drama reward” and the more drama the parrot receives for yelling, the more likely a check to: Sally Blanchard, PO Box
he is to develop excessive screaming as a behavioral problem. People who become
812, Loveland. CO 80539
please
be sure and mention that
very angry when their parrot screams most often have parrots who have sound very
you
are
buying E-Z Screaming
angry when they scream.
in the cage and only feed them if the parrot will accept
them during this training protocol or from your hand.
Gradually move a T-stand closer to the cage until the
parrot is used to its presence. Once the parrot accepts the
T-stand comfortably, then open the cage door and move
the perch of the T-stand right into the door opening. Show
him the favored treats and then start placing one or two in
the food bowl on the stand. Then go away — as long as
you stand over him watching, it is unlikely he will come
out on the stand to get the treat. It may take awhile but let
him get used to sneaking out on the stand to get the
treats. Once he is used to being on the stand, place only
one small treat item in the bowl. Gradually and calmly
move closer to him without making direct eye contact
and offer him more treats from your hand. Once he
becomes used to this, start picking up the stand and
moving it a little bit at a time until you can actually move
it into a neutral room where it will be easier to handle the
parrot.
Under ‘C’
CHIA SEED (CHIA OIL)
Not just for Chia pets, this small seed (and the oil from
it) is a good source for Essential Fatty Acids. Who
knew?? (see Essential Fatty Acids) Can be purchased in
health food stores.
Under ‘L’
LESS FAVORED PERSON
(TOLERATED PERSON)
Often parrots will form a strong
physical bond with one person in
the household. However, the same
parrots will also have a strong
bond with another person but they
don't want that person to handle
them. This is particularly true of African greys who will
love a head skritch through the cage bars from their least
favored person and will often talk in that person's voice.
Under ‘H’
HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS (signs of illness)
Some of the basic signs of illness in a parrot are fluffed
up feathers, lumpy posture, half-mast eyes, nasal drainage, puffy eyes, and wide postural stance. If a bird exhibits any of these symptoms for a day, you need to consult
with your avian veterinarian. For a more extensive list of
the signs of illness or disease in a parrot, go to Signs of a
Sick Parrot. Sally now has a Parrots Made E-Z publication about Parrot Health. y
Companion Parrot Online Magazine
6 issues for $28.00 - Individual back issues can be
purchased for $6.00
https://companionparrotonline.com/CPOM_ISSUES.html
The Companion Parrot Online Magazine
continues in the tradition of the Pet Bird
Report and the Companion Parrot
Quarterly with quality in-depth information. Issue #79 will contain articles on
Aviculture and Conservation, Parrot
Behavioral Issus, and much more.
Issue #78:
Features Body Language
and Parrot Communication
Issue # 77:
Features Nutrition, Ingredients
of Manufactured Parrot Diets
Issue # 76:
Features Aging and
Elderly Parrots
Issue # 75:
Features Parrot Diversity
and Classification
Issue # 74:
Features Behavioral Problems and
Their Solutions, Parrot Hoarding
Issue #73:
Features Parrot Species Profiles
Issue # 72:
Features The Importance of
Play, Toy Safety, Parrot Games,
and Instructional Interaction
SALLY BLANCHARD RECOMMENDS
SPIKEY LIKES IT!
TELL THEM THAT SPIKEY SENT YOU!!!
DOESN’T THIS SOUND TASTY?
Juicy apple, tangy cranberry and sweet blueberries are blended with decadent coconut and
crunchy almonds in this deliciously spiced,
aromatic blend! All in three minutes!!
Bird Street Bistro has a new flavor and it is
one that my parrots really like! It is also one of
their Feast on the Fly mixes, which means it
only takes 3 minutes to cook and once it cools it
is ready for your lucky parrots. It smells really
good when it is cooking! It comes in 4 sizes, 11
oz., 18 oz., 3.5 lb., and 9 lb. for those people
with multiple hungry birds. The ingredients in
this new product contain healthy, natural, or
organic ingredients: Pre-cooked brown rice,
organic couscous, organic triticale, organic
hulled millet, organic grain blend (whole
grain wheat, whole grain rye, corn, whole
grain oats, whole grain spelt, whole grain
kamut, flaxseed) organic rolled barley,
organic quinoa, organic dried apple, organic
dried cranberries, organic dried blueberries,
dried carrot, almond pieces, dried corn,
organic coconut, organic cinnamon, anise
seed, nutmeg.
Other 3 minute Bird Street Bistro mixes are
their Feast on the Fly mixes are Fiesta, Tropical, and Cajun Bean. The
company also makes two 15 minute cooking mixes: Viva La Veggies, and
CinnaSpice Delight. This is a company whose products you can trust!
When Does A Parrot Love a Ceiling Fan?
When it is actually a toy from 8 Beaks. This company has some of the best toys I have seen, especially
shreddables. The Ceiling Fan Comes in 2 chewable
sizes. This toy is made up of all soft
5" shredable paddle fans...8 Beaks
is the master of creating toys that are beakable.
Lisa uses all manner of materials that parrots
love to shred. These include natural sunflower
shredders (no seed), paper tags, balsa wafers,
fiber ribbons, natural corks, bark, loofa, grapevine, rattan, tokoriki rope, pressed paper rings,
www.8beaks.com
516.284.6094
1768 Broadway
Hewlett, NY 11557
paper rolls, corrugated cardboard, cactus
wood, and all sorts of other natural fibers
and materials. The fun part is the way
Lisa combines these shreddable materials
to make toys that are great fun for our
parrots. She sent a few shredable toys for
my parrots and they are a great hit. My
caique, Spike loves corrugated cardboard and went for the
Rainbow Cookies Swing immediately. Whoodee, my grey is totally enjoying
the Lasagna toy. He is a grey who loves his toys but is very delicate with
them, Instead of ripping this toy apart, he has removed one layer at a time.
Brain Stimulation
You can always find healthy food and safe, fun toys at
Parrot Island in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. One of the toys
on their website is a Foraging Dispenser made from extremely durable polycarbonate. It comes in 2 sizes. You buy
the toy once and then there are multipack refill kits with all
sorts of goodies that can be pulled out of the toy. Terry
wrote this about the toy, “One of the things we all know we
need to do is keep our companion parrots happy. One part
of this responsibility is keeping them busy and their intelligent brains stimulated. Many of us who have worked longterm with companion birds have come to the realization
that we may be handing them too much too easily - they
have an unending supply of food available right in front of
them, their toys hang there ready to be destroyed and their owners are many
times too willing to spend extensive time simply cuddling their bird without
really teaching or challenging that intelligence. This is most likely how much
of the boredom or over-dependence on the owner to occupy the birds time
may occur. In the wild - virtually nothing is handed easily to these animals.
They work for food (forage) much of the day and even their play and interaction involves problem solving and thought.”
The BEST Manufactured Parrot Diet!
OK, I have said this over and over and
maybe you believe me but maybe I haven’t
convinced you yet. If we love our parrots,
we want to feed them the best diet possible.
I believe in a varied diet of fresh foods such
as veggies, fruits, whole grains, and a good
source of quality protein. I will never support any product that pushes people into feeding it as a total
diet. I also will never recommend any food that has the
chemical menadione in it because it is banned in human
food. Totally Organics is ALL organic, contains no menadione and the company doesn’t push it as a total diet! Wow!
Do you know about a high quality parrot product that people
should know about? E-mail me: staff@companionparrot.com
Parrot Island's
Own Organic
Bird Healthy
Treats & Foods
Hemp & Greens
A Full-line of Quality
Foods, Toys and
Accessories for
Soft-shelled Almonds
952-928-9985
7404 Washington
Ave.So.
www.parrotislandinc.com
A Parrot Island Exclusive
952-928-9985
7404 Washington Ave.So.
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
www.parrotislandinc.com
NEW COMPANION PARROT ONLINE WEBSITE SECTION:
PARROT SPECIES PROFILES
This are just two of the many Parrot
Species Profiles on the CPO Website
DUCORP’S COCKATOO
Cacatua ducorpsii
» Also knows as Ducorp's Corellas and
Soloman's Cockatoo
» Endemic to the Soloman Islands
» One of the smaller cockatoos at 12"
» At this time the population is considered
to be stable
By the mid 1990s, I had only met one or
two wild-caught Ducorp's cockatoos but
didn’t know any that were companions so I
couldn't say much of anything about their
potential as companions. Since then I have
met quite a few of these personable little
charmers and find them to be quite
delightful. Like most Corellas, Ducorps
like to be busy. If they are not showing off,
then they like to have a wide variety of
toys and activities. One of the most
common statements that I hear about them
is that they aren’t as needy. as the rest of
the cockatoos. Of course, this would
depend on how they are raised. Perhaps
this is partly to do with
their basic personality but
from my experience I
think it is also because the
ones I have met have been
raised by people who
believe in socialization.
My experience with
these cockatoos is limited
as they are still fairly rare
as human companions. I
did see my first Ducorp’s
at a breeder’s home close
to twenty years ago but
they were pretty much nonexistent as
companions then. I have talked with
several people who live with these birds
and they report that the birds are active,
playful, and learn to talk fairly readily.
One woman remarked to me that her
Ducorp’s was the greatest discovery she
had ever made. The Ducorps also enjoys a
reputation for being calmer and quieter
than the other smaller cockatoos. Calmer
may not be the right word as the ones I
have met seem to have boundless energy
for play but they did not seem to get
overexcited like some
of the other cockatoos
do. I have been told
that Ducorp’s babies
evidently cry or whine
quite a bit when they
are young even if they
are being abundantly
fed, but these vocalizations end as they
mature.
The few that I have
met have been quite
charming. One time
when I was in Tucson, I enjoyed a picnic
lunch with several TARA (Tucson Avian
Rescue) volunteers, and one of the women
had a re-homed Ducorp’s who was very
curious about everyone at the table. She
liked to turn her head upside down to give
herself a special view of everything. I met
an energetic little Ducorp’s at a bird show
in Denver. I was told that she was over
twenty years old but I would have bet that
she was a youngster. I spent quite a bit of
time playing with her and found her to be
absolutely delightful. y
Another Excerpt from COMPANION MACAWS:
The Big Ones and the Little Ones .pdf
Macaws have very obvious body language but, most of all, they are easy to read
because their faces are quite expressive. I watched a military macaw show off
by hanging from his playgym by one toe. He was swinging back and forth quite
impressed with himself but he slipped and fell to the floor. His face blushed red
and it was very difficult not to laugh and embarrass him even more than he
already was. Macaws show unabashed pleasure with a big head fluff. Their
enthusiastic vocal greeting makes you feel welcome when you come home. When
they are frightened, excited, or angry, macaws not only pin their eyes but their
lower eyelid also comes up and causes a squint that can be very telling.
When a macaw wants you to come and get him, he will flatten his body,
lean forward and flutter his wings. Since Macaws are very social, this is common behavior. They prefer to be in close contact with their human flock. They
like to know where you are and have you keep them company. Too much time
alone can be very detrimental to their sense of security. It is difficult for a macaw
to be in a bird room when his people are home. Contact calls back and forth are 30 pages $16.00 - to order go to
really important when you are not in the same room with them. Be sure and say www.paypal.com and pay $16.00 to:
hello to them when you come home and tell them some variation of goodbye sales@companionparrot.com or
send a check to: Sally Blanchard,
when you are leaving the house. No parrot demonstrates pleasure as profusely
PO Box 812, Loveland. CO 80539
as a macaw. When they are getting a good head and face skritch, they fluff up, please be sure and mention that
become ‘semi-boneless,’ and purr with delight. They seem truly mesmerized.
you are buying the Macaw .pdf
PEACH-FACED LOVEBIRD
Agapornis roseicollis
» Also known as Rose-faced Lovebird
» About 6” in length and about 55 grams in
weight
» Endemic to Namibia, South Africa, Angola,
Botswana
» Common in aviculture and as companions with
many mutations available
» Considered stable in its range in the wild
The hen is known for its
unique habit of tucking nesting
material into its tail feathers to
carry it to her nest.
While these lovebirds are
very social birds, the myth that you have to have
a pair for them to be happy is not true. Single
lovebirds can make excellent companions if they
are given lots of attention and nurturing guidance. They are chatty little birds who love to use
their human companions as playgyms.
In the late 1970s, I had a very sweet little
Peach-faced lovebird named Charley who said
his name and several other words quite clearly.
At that time, without the knowledge available
today, I placed him in a decorative wrought-iron
Mexican cage. Unfortunately, the cage had lead
in the paint and it took me a few years to realize
that it was his cage that caused his death at such
a young age.
AN ADROIT GAUCHE ‘TOO: While many of us have observed that our parrots
are primarily left-footed, a study was done by biologist John W. Pepper that showed
that the Australian Glossy Black Cockatoo appears to be 100% left-footed. Up until
this study, it was presumed that only humans have a pronounced preference for one
side of the other in that about 90% are right-handed. This may be related to our
brain’s specialization for either speech or fine motor ability. It is interesting to note
that many Cockatoos are also skilled vocal mimics.
“I got it for Xmas but I
don’t know what the
heck to do with it?”
“Gee, I think you’re just
supposed to destroy it!”
SMB
Another Excerpt from COMPANION COCKATOOS: Behavior and Care .pdf
Recent scientific writing has suggested that intelligence in animals is
not developed out of necessity but as a result of social relationships.
Cockatoos are extremely social animals and this is a critical part of
their care as human companions. Cockatoos need a great deal of social
interaction … they need to be a part of the life of others, whether
fellow cockatoos or the humans who care for them. Loneliness has to
be one of the major reasons for cockatoo unhappiness as human
companions.Yet, as human companions, we can’t spend 24 hours day
and night being the flock to a cockatoo. Does this mean that we should
never keep cockatoos as pets? I think it means that we need to be aware
of their social needs and do everything practical that we can to meet
them. Social interaction is extremely significant … not just for the
companionship but also for emotional, physical, and intellectual
stimulation. Over the years, I have seen Cockatoos do an amazing
number of things to get attention from the other living beings in their
lives. Sometimes these attempts cause serious problems. For example,
screaming bloody murder gets attention but it is not positive attention.
It is usually negative attention but in the short run it doesn’t really
matter to the cockatoo; it is still attention ...
114 pages $26.00 - to order go to www.paypal.com and pay $26.00 to:
sales@companionparrot.com or send a check to: Sally Blanchard, PO Box 812, Loveland. CO
80539 Please be sure and mention that you are buying the Cockatoo .pdf
Another Excerpt from COMPANION CAIQUES:
The Bird Who Would Be King .pdf
The positive aspects of Caiques are marvelous. Most are natural acrobats who play for hours and are incredibly entertaining to watch. With
well-socialized Caiques, the world seems to be their very own amusement
park. Most are very hands-on birds who love to be handled — even to the
point of being gently mauled in a very friendly way. Spike loves to do
somersaults in my hand and invents his own tricks on a daily basis. Caique
curiosity is almost unquenchable and they usually want to be the center of
attention so much so that they will work (or play) diligently to earn that
attention. While these traits have their positive side, they can also create
problems. Leaving a Caique out of his cage without supervision is asking
for problems. Because of their boundless energy, Caiques need a cage far
larger than their size would dictate. They also need a large assortment of
toys — Spike has dozens and plays with each one daily in his hourly excursions around his cage. They love to climb, hang upside down, hop and roll
around on the cage bottom (I recommend a flat surface rather than a grate.)
and play Tarzan leaping from one “vine” to another. They need lots of
activity and stimulation — a bored Caique is not a pretty sight or sound ...
44 pages $18.00 - to order go to www.paypal.com and pay $18.00 to:
sales@companionparrot.com or send a check to: Sally Blanchard, PO Box 812, Loveland.
CO 80539 Please be sure and mention that you are buying the Caique .pdf
PARROT AND WILD BIRD COLLETIBLES FOR SALE
plus many more at the Companion Parrot Online Website
NEW: Sally Blanchard’s COMPANION PARROTS MADE E-Z
A Series of Inexpensive .pdf Publications Packed with Important Information About Companion Care & Behavior
Each one is under $10.00 and from 14 to 31 pages. Available at https://companionparrotonline.com/Parrots_made_EZ.htm
More to come - Planned titles will include information about Establising a Positive Bond, Early Socialization, Body
Language and Communication and information about various parrot species/families...
These publications haver original material from Sally on the topic, updated information from the PBR/CPQ/
CPOM and updated information from the Companion Parrot Handbook
Aging & Elderly Parrots
$6.49
Anatomy & Grooming
$8.49
Behavior $8.49
Emotional Health $8.49
Nutrition & A Healthy Diet
$9.49
Play I: Intelligence & Toys
$9.49
Play II: Instructional Play
$7.69
Sexual Behavior $8.49
Parrot Care, Habitat, and
the Environment $9.29
Keeping Your Parrot
Healthy $8.29
Screaming Behavior $8.50
Feather Destructive
Behavior $9.29