WPT Flock Talk eNewsletter: Issue 26

See Issue Online Archive October 2009 Issue 26 Forward to a Friend Subscribe My silly little Galah Tristan has all the makings of a comedian - hiding his head in his little metal cup which he hauls around his flight and talking in it because he seems to like the acoustics in there; Frodo the White-bellied Parrot giving herself a good belly-rub on a well-worn pine cone - our pet parrots leave us full of joy and wonder. Once again it is time for us to show you more of the wonders of the parrot world. We'll have a look at our new and inspiring parrot video produced by Odysee TV, talk about positive reinforcement in parrot training and read some moving notes from people who are caring for parrots, wild and captive. Read on, dear reader! Desi Milpacher, Flock Talk editor In This Issue > Species Profile: Pesquet's Parrot > Protectors of the Parrots > Empowering Parrots by Susan Friedman> Compassionate People: Their Stories > Golden Cockatoo's True Early Bird Dinner > See what's new at www.parrots.org > Test Your Parrot IQ > Events, Donations and Other Good Things Species Profile: Pesquet's Parrot Genus: Psittrichas Species: fulgidus Where found: mainland New Guinea Ecology: Found at 600-1500m (1968-4920ft); occasionally spotted in lowlands but mainly restricted to lower montane forest and secondary growth forest. Feeds mainly on soft pulp of Ficus figs, mangoes and large flowers. Seen in pairs or groups of up to 20 birds. Population: 42,000 IUCN Status: Vulnerable, App. II Threats: Hunted for feathers, used in ceremonial dress, and also for meat and the wild bird trade. More information about Pesquet's Parrot » Protectors of the Parrots New World Parrot Trust Video from Odysee TV If you love parrots, you'll want to see this. Featuring captivating and startling footage, our new video produced by wildlife documentarians at Odysee TV. It covers everything parrot from charismatic macaws soaring in the wild, to people with their beloved pets, to the harsh realities of the wild bird trade. In equal parts hopeful and heartbreaking, Protectors of the Parrots will inspire you. Please check it out, send it to your friends, embed it on your website and rate it so that more people see it. You'll be glad you did. Watch the video » Watch the video » Empowering Parrots By S.G. Friedman, Ph.D. Too often a heavy-handed approach is used to make captive parrots learn new tasks or 'mind their manners'. Parrot behaviour expert Dr. Susan Friedman discusses how the positive reinforcement utilized by experts in parrot training produces the best results, and boosts confidence for both bird and trainer. Read the article (PDF) » Compassionate People Stories about their parrots Mary Kukura has taken abandoned parrots into her home for 25 years. Suzi Phillips let us know about the KakaWatchnz Network...last issue we asked you for some positive and/or funny stories about parrots, and you gave us some great ones! Thanks to all who wrote in with their tales: some of accomplishment and some of great mirth. We appreciate it, and most of all, so do our feathered friends. Now we'll share some of their stories, in this and upcoming issues. Read their stories » Golden Cockatoo's True Early Bird Dinner Helping to Save Africa's Cape Parrot An annual event, proceeds from this year's event on November 15th will be donated to the Cape Parrot Endangered Species Project, an important conservation project led by Dr. Steve Boyes in South Africa. The African Cape Parrot populations are dwindling due to disease, poaching, and deforestation. Proceeds from this event will be MATCHED by other major donors, so efforts will be doubled. Presentation Speaker is Jean Pattison, "the African Queen." The World Parrot Trust is the charity sponsoring this work. Register for the event » Learn more about the project » See what's new at www.parrots.org The Species Profiles in the learning centre have new photos, video and audio clips featuring some of the rarest parrots. New videos include: Ceylon Hanging-Parrot, Elegant Parrot, Olive-headed Parakeet, Papuan Lorikeet, Pesquet's Parrot, Puerto Rican Amazon, Red-vented Cockatoo, Spix's Macaw and White-necked Conure. Nearly 50 new audio clips include: Black-winged Lory, Blue-crowned Lory, Flores Hanging Parrot, Moluccan Cockatoo, Olive-shouldered Parrot, Brehm's Tiger Parrot, Ringneck Parakeet, Pygmy Parrot and Yellow-crested Cockatoo. And last, but not least, there are also over two hundred new photos in our gallery. Check it out » Parrot Experts E.B. Cravens: How can I reduce the tension between my birds? » James Gilardi, Ph.D.: Parrots in urban areas » Parrot Bloggers Ria Winters: More Echo Parakeets » Parrot Headlines Wildlife trade in Java is still high » Sirocco the Kakapo an online phenomenon » Plan to legalise parakeet shoots opposed by wildlife experts » Ire over proposed 'eco-barriers' in Rio de Janeiro » What are the common names of the following? 1. Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha 2. Aratinga acuticaudata 3. Amazona leucocephala 4. Platycercus caledonicus 5. Micropsitta bruijnii 6. Loriculus pusillus 7. Cacatua leadbeateri Check your answers here » Answers to last month's Parrot IQ » Events, Donations and Other Good Things Creative people supporting World Parrot Trust projects Recently a Facebook member named Jade Lau used the Birthday Wishes application on that website to ask his friends to support our cause. Since September 21st, this request has raised about $663 in new donations for the Trust. Thanks to everyone involved and keep up the good work! 2nd Annual Florida West Coast Avian Society (FWCAS) Parrot Symposium November 7-8, 2009 Featuring Sally Blanchard, Susan Clubb, DVM, Robin Shewokis, Cassie Malina and Glenn Reynolds (WPT-USA). Phone: 941-379-8334 http://parrots.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=556a9b6d7c878bb1ffe245847&id=e79ca923f9&e=70e1b6746d You and Your Parrot November 7, 2009 A one-day course dedicated to the education of parrot behaviour and care. Contact: Wesley Flower Phone: 01495 792823 Email wes-parrots@hotmail.co.uk Golden Cockatoo's True Early Bird Dinner November 15, 2009 Hosted by the Golden Cockatoo Exotic Bird Boutique, this exciting fundraising event will see proceeds going towards the Cape Parrot Endangered Species Project (CAPES). Contact: Jean Horvitz Phone: 954-725-0088 Email j_piazza@bellsouth.net http://parrots.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=556a9b6d7c878bb1ffe245847&id=7fcc19b74b&e=70e1b6746d Canadian Parrot Conference 2009 November 13-15, 2009 This conference offers a unique opportunity for avian enthusiasts to gather under one roof to enhance their knowledge about the care, behaviour and husbandry of parrots. Phone: 519-745-4865 http://parrots.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=556a9b6d7c878bb1ffe245847&id=6b1f227a57&e=70e1b6746d 2010 International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators (IAATE) Annual Conference March 3-6, 2010 Phone: 901-685-9122 Email secretary@iaate.org http://parrots.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=556a9b6d7c878bb1ffe245847&id=2c6d4285b8&e=70e1b6746d For more event listings, visit the WPT website at: http://parrots.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=556a9b6d7c878bb1ffe245847&id=5384afb64e&e=70e1b6746d Want to submit a story? We welcome contributed articles. For more information, please see our writer guidelines or contact us at flocktalk@worldparrottrust.org. Want to reprint a story? No material in this publication may be reproduced without permission from the World Parrot Trust. To request permission contact us at flocktalk@worldparrottrust.org. Comments? Please contact us at flocktalk@worldparrottrust.org. 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