October is National Pasta Month

October is National Pasta Month so why not cook up some colorful yummy pasta for your bird.  Most parrots, and even little finches and canaries, usually love pasta. 

Pictured is Crazy Corn's Polly Pasta which is an easy pre-mixed pasta bag with lots of nutritious birdie goodies for any size bird.

Or, if you have a little extra time, put together your own special pasta mix for your favorite bird and share your recipe with all bird lovers.  Mix in some vegetables and other goodies, to make a very special pasta treat.

We would love to hear what pasta meal you come up with to please your bird!

October is National Pet Wellness Month

October is National Pet Wellness month and that should include bird wellness as well as dogs and cats. Most Avian Veterinarians recommend twice yearly bird checkups to help you keep your bird as healthy as can be.

As birds can be the focus of predatory animals in the wild, it's just natural that birds hide any illness as hard as they can. Sometimes an owner may not see a health issue until the problem is severe. Healthy bird checkups can help prevent sick bird emergency visits in many cases. These well bird visits also give you and your Avian Veterinarian a chance to discuss diet, weight, and behavioral aspects of your pet bird.

So before all the seasonal holiday festivities begin, why not make your bird a visit with your veternairan and make sure all is well within your flock.

If you need to locate an Avian Veterinarian visit here.

World's Smallest Parrot Filmed

For the first time ever the world's smallest parrot has been filed. What a wonderful event!

Smaller than a person's thumb, this little parrot is amazing. Watch the video and discover this wonderful little parrot in it's native habitat.

Read full article and view video here.

Thick Billed Parrot in New Mexico

"THICK- BILLED PARROT BRINGS BIRDERS TO ENGLE

ENGLE, N.M. -- Wildlife watchers continue to flock to the Armendaris Ranch headquarters to view a mysterious bird temporarily living in a sparse patch of pine trees shading the sun-baked Chihuahuan desert east of Truth or Consequences.

A thick-billed parrot, Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha, residing on one of Ted Turner's New Mexico ranches has brought in viewers from both North American coasts and Canada. In all, the parrot watchers hailed from 24 states and four countries. This species, you see, is considered endangered in Mexico and has not been seen in the wild in Arizona since 1938. It was previously reported in the Animas Mountains of New Mexico in 1917 and 1919.

"Nobody knows how this bird got here," said Tom Waddell, property manager at the Armendaris. He first observed the parrot in a windbreak of Mondell pines in his yard on May 7. Theories explaining the bird's occurrence range from its being blown off course by the tornado-spawning storms that raged through Texas and Oklahoma the weekend of May 3-4, to it being an escapee from the illegal parrot trade.

Waddell believes it's a wild bird. "There's no evidence of it having been in a cage or anything," he said. "All its daily behaviors, when it eats and rests, when it goes to water, are exactly like a wild bird. And it doesn't touch commercial parrot foods, either."

Read entire article here

A million acres of Amazon rainforest

"Vast new reserve declared in Peru - Courtesy of the World Land Trust

September 2009. World Land Trust (US) and their partner CEDIA (Center for the Development of the Indigenous Amazonians) are proud to announce that the Matsés National Reserve has been approved by the Peruvian national government. This will help ensure the protection of 1,039,390 acres of pristine Amazonian rainforest as well as the Matsés indigenous Amazon tribe.

Culmination of 13 year project
This long awaited triumph for the Amazonian rainforests has been worked for for 13 years by CEDIA, working with the Matsés peoples and providing technical assistance to the government Park Service (SEMARNAP). During much of this time, World Land Trust has been the principal financing source for CEDIAs efforts with the Matsés, supporting community work and provision of technical assistance to the government in an effort to save this precious area of the Amazon. During those 13 years, we have overcome numerous challenges from oil companies and illegal commercial logging operations that delayed the creation of Matsés national Reserve."

Read full article here

AFA Legislative Alert

Please feel free to cross-post the following information:

Common Birds in Aviculture to be Placed Under Endangered Species Act?

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is considering the possible listing of up to 14 additional parrots as "Endangered" under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA).

If adopted, the proposal would list the following species as "Endangered" under the ESA: umbrella cockatoos, moluccan cockatoos, lesser sulphur-crested cockatoos, red-vented cockatoos, blue-headed macaws, blue-throated macaws, buffon's macaws, hyacinth macaws, scarlet macaws, military macaws, shining parrots, grey-cheeked parakeets, yellow billed amazon parrots and green-cheeked amazon parrots.

Many of these species are being successfully bred in large numbers by U.S. aviculturists and are owned by many thousands of U.S. citizens as pets.

Once listed, a species could not be sold across state lines without the appropriate federal permit, a permit that does not recognize "pet purposes" as a valid permitting basis.

AFA believes that this proposal is not supported by reliable scientific or commercial data, will discourage captive breeding of these species in the U.S. and will have a detrimental effect on U.S. interstate commerce, without any corresponding benefit to the species purported to be protected. Since none of these species has been imported into the United States since the Wild Bird Conservation Act (1992) went into effect, AFA sees no material scientific or commercial justification for the uplisting, but does see a huge detriment to aviculture and to the future of these species themselves in the U.S.

The USFWS has initiated a call for information on scientific and commercial data with regard to whether these species should be proposed for Endangered status, with comments due by September 14, 2009. They are not looking for general public comment on uplisting at this time, but are looking for input on whether there is a scientific and/or commercial basis for these species to be proposed for uplisting. If the FWS actually proposes these species for uplisting, that proposal should be open to general public comment. AFA will advise all of its members if this occurs.

AFA is developing a position paper on the scientific and commercial aspects of this call for information and will submit it by the deadline.

People concerned about the scientific and commercial pros and cons of this proposal may make their thoughts known to FWS by September 14, 2009.

Contact information for the Service and this important proposal can be found at fws.gov or by contacting the AFA Business Office at afaoffice@earthlink.net.

You can make a formal comment to FWS online by September 14, 2009 at: Regulations.gov

Or you can mail your comments to:
Public Comments Processing
Attn: FWS-R9-IA-2009-0016
Division of Policy and Directives Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 222
Arlington, VA 22203

In either case, refer to FWS-R9-IA-2009-0016.

A Fighting Chance for the Puerto Rican Amazon

The parrot has been called one of the ten most endangered birds in the world. “Don’t ask me what the other nine are,” said White, as if to emphasize the futility of comparing endangerment when so many birds, including several parrot species, are on the verge of disappearing in the wild. The Puerto Rican is certainly the rarest of the 30-plus Amazona parrot species. Despite fierce efforts to protect a wild flock and reintroduce captive parrots, the El Yunque population has hovered below 50 for decades.

The birds battle their twin nemeses: red-tailed hawks and (even in the tropics) hypothermia. “This is not the area that they chose as a refuge; this is what they were left with,” White said of their high-altitude redoubt. “This is the rainiest, most humid part of Puerto Rico. Chicks that fledge either during or before a major rainfall event have a much higher mortality rate than chicks that fledge during drier periods. If we stopped management efforts with this particular population, in a matter of years it would probably be gone, because there are so many environmental factors working against it. That’s why it’s imperative to establish additional populations in Puerto Rico.”

Read the complete article here

Learn more about the Puerto Rican Amazon at 10,000 Birds

A Cockatoo Friend of 49 Years

"MICHAEL wants toast and a cuppa, pretty please. And there is nothing 86-year-old Doreen Trainor won't do for her fabulous, feathered friend of 49 years.

She rises early when her best mate calls for his breakfast, spreading his toast with his favourite fig jam.

The cockatoo helps out when he can, pulling teabags out of the canister as the kettle boils and tossing pill bottles across the table."

Click here to read entire article.

Today is National Watermelon Day!

Today is national watermelon day and our birds love watermelon. Yummy, messy, cool and refreshing for them.

Share some today with your bird and have a slice or two for yourself.

Land for Bird once thought Extinct

"The purchase of a 479-acre property in eastern Brazil has almost doubled the size of the Stresemann’s Bristlefront Reserve established in 2007 by American Bird Conservancy and in-country partner Fundação Biodiversitas. The new acquisition, which abuts the existing reserve, includes untouched, humid Atlantic forest, one of Brazil’s most rapidly disappearing habitats, and will boost protection of the critically endangered Stresemann’s Bristlefront and other endangered birds, such as the Red-browed Parrot, Hook-billed Hermit, Banded Cotinga, and Bahia Tyrannulet.

'The bristlefront was thought to be extinct, disappearing for more than 50 years before being rediscovered in 1995 near Una, in Bahia province,' said David Wiedenfeld, American Bird Conservancy’s Assistant Director of International Programs."

Read complete story here.

Do you know where Cuttlebone comes from?

If you do, then you know cuttlebone, a white usually oval shaped bird product, many people give to their birds as a source of calcium, actually comes from the cuttlefish.

This is a pretty cool cuttlefish we thought.
Flamboyant Cuttlefish

Bald Bird Newly Discovered in Laos

Scientists have confirmed the discovery of a rare bald songbird has been hiding out in the rocky limestone cliffs of central Laos.

The new species is the only example of a bald songbird in Asia and the first new type of bulbul reported in the last hundred years.

Read more about it at:

New Bald Songbird Discovery

The "NEW" Avian Network

Want to save some money on your bird supplies? Who doesn't these days. Check out the all new Avian Network for a great source of some marvelous bird speciality stores. For a very small lifetime membership fee of only $10, you can join a community where shopping for your bird is a whole lot more personal than shopping with the large chains or very impersonal large corporation owned stores.

The Avian Network community offers species information, lots of tips and helpful suggestions for you and your bird. Not only will you shop smartly and safely because you and your bird are important customers to each and every vendor who participates in the Avian Network, the best part is every vendor at Avian Network also offers a special discount, free shipping, or other special goodie, that only Avian Network members are eligible for.

Start saving with your very first purchase, and feel good about shopping where you and your bird are special customers, and not just another number in line at the checkout.

My Cockatiel is Flying Across the County

Question: I am taking my cockatiel on a trip with me and we will be flying across the country. I have ordered the solid top carrier and wanted to know if I should put a perch inside and if so, what kind of perch would be best? Should I put something in the bottom of the carrier too?

Answer: Putting just a small hand towel in the bottom of the carrier so your bird will have better footing on the bottom of the carrier should be sufficient for the trip. If you choose to put a perch inside the carrier, be sure the perch is only an inch or two above the bottom. That way, if the carrier is tilted and your bird tumbles off the perch, the fall will not be enough to cause any injuries.

The bolt on Sandy Perches or the Safety Perches can be easily used inside this carrier as the carrier has vent holes that the attaching hardware of the perches will fit through.



You can also cut a wooden dowel the width of the carrier if you prefer and drill small holes in each end, and then attach washers and screws to the ends of the dowel through the carrier holes to hold it safely in place during the trip.

Big New Cage!

Tori and Ronnie Yellow Nape Amazons got a brand new big cage this weekend! Bigger than their old one and new toys too. They also liked the willow branches very much.

Weaning can be Fun!

Baby Dusky Conure's first day in a weaning cage. Sure are lots of things to check out in this new house.

Rare Parrot Seen

Thought to be possibly extent, birdwatchers in south-east New South Wales are getting a rare glimpse of this very rare species. Hundreds have been sighted.

"The Swift Parrot usually migrates between Tasmania and the west of the Great Dividing Range but the drought has brought them to the far south coast and Monaro in search of food.

National Parks and Wildlife Service Ranger Robyn Kesby says there are only about a thousand breeding pairs left in Australia.

She says this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the birds."

Sampling Saturday July 11

There is a reason why they call it "Beak" Appetit!

Today's Sampling Saturday free sample at the Nature Chest Bird Shop was Calypso Spice

Birdie Pizza

Can your bird say "Yum Yum"? Whether he or she can actually say it, or just think it, it's sure to be the topic for this delicious birdie pizza.

This pizza calls for a bean mix such as Volkman's Soak and Simmer and other great fresh ingredients.

This pizza looks so good, you may be tempted to try a taste yourself.

For Birdie Pizza Recipe click here

Hawk tries to grab Scooter

What an amazing video of how a free flying hawk that is part of a bird show, escapes and goes after the show's Cockatoo Scooter. We often hear people talk about taking their birds outside to play, or even to free fly them. This video brings home the danger lurking everywhere.

See video here

Baby Dusky Conure

Baby Dusky Conure learning how yummy apples can be.

Fresh Corn on the Cob

Just sharing some fresh corn from the farmers market with all the birdies this 4th of July holiday and wanted to share how simple it is to fix for your birds.

12 Fresh ears of corn
big pot
lots of water



Husk corn ears and clean silks off. Break off ends that may have worm damage. Place ears in very big pot of water. Bring water to a boil and cook approximately 10 minutes. Remove from stove. Cool ears and then cut into 1-2 inch size slices and place in freezer bags. We fill sandwich size bags and then place these bags into a larger freezer bag. Makes it very easy to just grab a small baggie a day for the birds.

How to feed: Thaw corn circles out by placing in hot water for about 10 minutes. Feed as soon as corn is cool.

Great Fun!

Parrot=1 Mini Blind=0

This is what happens when my human does not open my mini blinds like she is supposed to so I can see out.

Do you think I look like I'm sorry?

Not a chance!

Parrot Enrichment

Found this site to have some really good information for all you parrot lovers out there. Check out Parrot Enrichment

Parrots of the Caribbean

Parrots of the Caribbean
If you have heard of Bonaire at all, you may think of it as a haven for scuba divers or, maybe, loggerhead turtles. But this tiny island might also offer the best chance of survival or the yellow-shouldered Amazon parrot.
By Ted O’Callahan/Photography by Kim Hubbard

Wow, what a wonderful article on how they are trying to save these parrots.

Calling all Photo Buffs

Think you take spectacular pictures? Well, if you do, or if you just enjoy taking pictures for the fun of it, why not enter the Nature Conservancy's 2009 Photo Contest. And even if you don't want to enter your own picture, be sure to check out the fabulous photos from last year. They will make your day!
Nature Conservancy 2009 Photo Contest.<

Pet of the Day

We found this really cool site called "Pet of the Day". Today's special pet is Kippie a 6 year old Gold Cap Conure parrot. What a sweetie!
Read about Kippie here at:
Kippe The Gold Cap Conure

Friendly Kitty Cities

Although our passion is parrots, we love all creatures. We thought this was interesting info for all the cat lovers out there. According to CATalyst Council located in Kansas City, MO, the top cat cities in the United States are:

Tampa, Phoenix, San Francisco, Portland, Denver, Boston, Seattle, San Diego, Atlanta, and Minneapolis.

Honorable mention went to Ithaco, NY.

Earth Day 2009

Celebrate Earth Day 2009 on Saturday, April 18th, with the Nature Chest Bird Shop in Decatur, Alabama., at 826 McGlathery Lane SE, from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Fun activities for the kids. Drawing for a free eco-friendly parrot bag to be given away as well as an eco-friendly bird toy package.

A percentage of all sales between Saturday April 18 and Wednesday April 22, will be donated to the Nature Conservancy.

Order online at:

http://www.naturechest.com/

ttp://www.CalypsoParrot.com

http://www.GourmetParrot.com/

Come join the party and "Go Green for Parrots"!

2009 AFA Convention

The American Federation of Aviculture Convention 2009 ~ Houston TX August 5-8, Wednesday-SaturdayTheme: "Aviculture: Branching Out"Art work: The Blue-headed Pionus

The 2009 convention will be in Houston, Texas August 5-8, 2009 at the Hilton Houston North on Greenspoint Drive. The day trip will be to the Houston Zoo on Wednesday afternoon after the House of Delegates meeting. Below is a preliminary list of speakers. Others will be confirmed later this week.* * CEU credits for those desiring the same will be through RACE (Registry ofApproved Continuing Education www.aavsb.org/ .) * *For more information or to Register go to www.afabirds / http://www.afabirds.org

SUPER 8 raffle prizes, winning ticket drawn at banquet Saturday night:· $1,000 cash donated by Dr. Christopher Chinnici and Charlie the African Grey· Belize Retreat donated by Carolyn and John Carr· Blue-cheeked Amazon print donated by Gamini Ratnavira· San Francisco Getaway donated by Mary Ellen LePage· Parrot Bed Quilt donated by Ardith Raine, sewn and quilted by Sharon Garsee· Opal and Diamond Ring donated by Pat Chinnici· Nursery Hospital 2A Solid State Brooder donated by Joe Freed· Bow Front Cage donated by Super Pet* 1 lucky person will WIN A LAPTOP just for registering and attending! *Please read all details and rules at www.afabirdsClick on "2009 Convention" and see drop down menu for printable raffle tickets and speaker topics. Winner need not be present to win Super 8 items. Keynote Address: Ian Tizard, BVMS, Ph.D., ACVM

Speakers: · Sharman Hoppes, DVM, Ph.D.Sponsored by Texas A & M University Schubot Exotic Bird Health CenterUpdate on Proventricular Dilatation Disease Allergic Alveolitis

Darrel Styles, DVM, Ph.D.Socialization of the Parrot from Hatch Through Maturity The Physics of Feather Color Generation in Parrots and Basic Avian Genetics of Psittacine Color Mutations

Mark SargentPionus Parrots · Matt Baird The Galah in Aviculture Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos

Kshmir Csaky Easing the Transitions in Life of Captive Birds A Comparative Observation of Hyacinth Macaws in Captivity and in the Wild

Roger G. Sweeney Considering Avian Social Systems in Aviculture Behavioral Solutions in Aviculture Management

Jason Crean Whitebacked MousebirdsLineolated Parakeets

Rick Jordan Sponsored by International Conure Association Conures: World's Greatest Pet Bird and Breeder Bird

Dick Schroeder The Hornbills

Bonnie Zimmerman Sponsored by Indonesian Parrot Project Project Abbotti - Conserving the World's Rarest Cockatoo

Chris Biro Sponsored by International Conure Association Importance of Flight and the Freeflying Lifestyle

Marshall Liger Practicing Safe Avian Restraint and Proper Grooming

Donald Brightsmith, Ph.D.Sponsored by Texas A & M University Schubot Exotic Bird Health CenterPsittacine Nutrition Research: Tambopata to Texas and Beyond Macaw and Parrot Ecology and Conservation Research in South America

Caroline Efstathion Structure and Function of the Avian Respiratory System

Tony PittmanThe Slender-billed Conure in the Wild and in the Aviary

Robert R. GabelU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Juan Cornejo Sponsored by Texas A & M University Schubot Exotic Bird Health Center Captive Breeding and Husbandry of the Horned Guan

Michael Dalton Passive Speech Research, Language and the Animal Mind

Ron Mazzoni A Practical Guide to Feeding Softbills

Bill Van Patten On Walkabout With Mike Fidler - the Gouldian Finch

Robin Shewokis Sponsored by The Bird Endowment Do Breeder Birds Benefit from Enrichment?

Jean Dubach, Ph.D. Sponsored by The Avicultural Society of Chicagoland Who's My Daddy? How Genetic Analysis Can Answer Basic Questions

Adrianne Mock Branching Out--Birds in the Classroom, at the Fair and at the Park

Greg E. Poulain Adoption Protocol for the Rehoming of Companion Birds

Laurie Baker No Bad Birds: Birds Instincts vs. Human Interpretation

Cheryl BurnsBird Folk Basics--Websites

Fly like an Eagle

Get a real bird's eye view of birds with this live cam of an eagle nest.

We view eagles as magnificent birds and as our nation's symbol of freedom, we admire their great strength and power. Most of us however will never get close to an eagle's nest, but thanks to technologoy you can now safely see inside an eagle's nest.

As of this writing this particular pair of eagles has three eggs in its nest. The size of the nest is huge and watching the parents take care of their babies is awesome. It has probably taken them several years to get their nest this size.

What a great site to share with your children too. They will love watching the eagles and reading some of the information on the site to learn more about eagles.

The Webcam is only available during daylight and it can take several minutes to load on your computer depending on your Internet connection. Be patient. Also, don't be suprised if you get several popups as the site loads.

http://www.turtlebay.org

Wild Bird Seed Recall

Recall -- Firm Press Release

FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

Ongoing Issues Regarding Peanut Corporation of America Result in Scotts Voluntarily Recalling Five Wild Bird Food Suet Products That May Contain PCA Peanut Meal
Contact:Jim KingSenior Vice President, Corporate Affairs(937) 578-5622

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Marysville, Ohio -- February 16, 2009 -- The Scotts Company LLC announced today that it is voluntarily recalling specific lots of five varieties of suet wild bird food products after learning those products may contain peanut meal purchased from the Peanut Corporation of America's (PCA) plant in Blakely, Georgia, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

Salmonella can affect animals and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated bird seed and/or pet food products. People handling wild bird food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the product or any surfaces exposed to these products. Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Scotts ("the Company") has requested that its retailers, distributors and sub-distributors recall the affected products, using proper recall notifications, and remove these products from retail shelves or warehouses, and return them to the Company. In addition, the Company also is requesting that those parties that sell the affected products to consumers not only advise those consumers of the recall, but also tell them to throw the product away, avoid touching unsealed product with bare hands, and wash their hands thoroughly after touching unsealed product.
Scotts has not received any reports of illness involving its products that may contain the PCA peanut meal, and it is no longer using any products from the Blakely facility. Nonetheless, as a precautionary measure, Scotts is recalling the following five products with the specific manufacturing date codes below that were manufactured between December 27, 2008 and January 17, 2009:

For full release and additional information visit http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/scotts02_09.html

How Smart they are

Anyone who knows a Quaker Parrot already knows just how smart and sassy they can be. We thought this was a very interesting article about these lovely green parrots. We are also know some of the participants (humans and birds alike) and wanted to share their story as well.

http://www.birdchannel.com/bird-behavior-and-training/bird-medium-bird-behavior/quaker-intelligence.aspx

What's a Quaker to Do?

With many of us enduring snow, ice, and lots of cold weather, this little Quaker is enjoying his snowy day with gusto. Chanceman Quaker believes in living life to the fullest.

Maybe he will even share his sled with his brother and sisters.

The Kea Parrot

The following is reprinted with permission by the author Jan Santor.

THE KIA PARROT (ICE PARROT) IS OUR BIRD OF THE MONTH: If you are day sleeper or night “owl”, this bird may be the perfect companion for you as they are semi-nocturnal. In captivity they are known to be most active during dark or stormy weather in addition to nighttime hours. The entertaining Kea is a parrot that is loved by most and disliked by some. These lovely birds have entertaining habits, though they have known to be destructive as a result of their inquisitive and playful natures. They require many chew toys and puzzle toys to keep them out of mischief, they are curious and can be destructive if not properly supervised and occupied. They are hardy little fellows hailing from the New Zealand Alps. While drafts are still a bane as with any other caged bird, lower temperatures do not faze them in the least.

They grow to about 19 inches in length and are chattery noisy but; not raucous. The cry of the Kea, as generally heard in the early morning, has been aptly compared to the mewing of a cat; but it likewise utters a whistle, a chuckle, and a suppressed scream. The Kea does not walk like other parrots, it hops and usually in a sideways fashion to the delight of their admirers. Their adult plumage is acquired at about 18 months of age, and females can be distinguished from males by their beaks, which are often less sharply curved and shorter than those of males. The beaks are brownish gray. The Kea's plumage is an olive green shade, and each feather has a black edging. Over the yellowish green colored crown and nape, the feathers have dark striping. The cage should about 3 feet high, 2 feet across, and 18 inches deep, with 5mm bars and no more than 1” bar spacing so that they have lots of room to move about in. Usually an earth or sand covered floor is appropriate. Plenty of hiding places should be provided. A supply of fresh branches should also be present for chewing.

In captivity, a Kea's diet can usually be made up of fruits and vegetables with carbohydrate and protein supplements. Keas are known for their ready acceptance of most foods. Often maize and brown rice can be cooked and offered as a meal. Soaked pigeon feed, peanuts, hemp, and sunflower seeds have also been offered with good results. Vegetables, a large portion of the diet, can be offered in the form of carrots, potatoes, cabbages, greens, and beets. A variety of fruits are accepted: oranges, berries, and passion fruits to name a few. In the wild, they are omnivorous and relish lamb and mutton. Offering them cooked pieces of meat of all types will provide them with needed protein. While they dine on fresh meat in the wild, it should be cooked for caged birds to prevent parasites and any infection.