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As many of us bird people will know, the word "obsession" is an interesting word and often applied to animal and parrot loving people.  Whether it is a true or false accusation, it is often well known by many of us.   We are known as the bird lady, the cat lady, the dog lady, the hamster lady, and so on and so on. I confess that I must own up to this parrot obsession on occasion.  I have been known to be obsessed with parrot things quite a few times in my life.  I am not limited to only the living feathery creatures, who chatter away in my birdroom, I truly love everything parrot.  I have parrot t-shirts, framed parrot art, figurines and statues, parrot pillows, salt and pepper shakers, and many other parrot things.  There seems to be this invisible magnet which draws me to anything parrot everywhere I go. When remodeling and redecorating our home a while back, I brought home wallpaper border samples to share with my understanding husband who simply...

Nuts for Knots Bird Toy Review Who would have thought that by taking some multi-colored cotton rope and mechanically weaving it into a super tight knotted ball of colors, adding a chain and quick link, my Amazons and Cockatoos would have the most exciting toy challenge ever. Simplicity at it's finest.  My Amazons and Cockatoos attack with gusto, my Greys are a little more delicate in their determination to unweave.  I was very surprised to see how much even my Sun and Jenday Conures also enjoy working on the rope knot.  Takes the smaller birds much longer, but the fact that it keeps their attention so long, makes it a winner in my book. Selling for under $5, I would give the Nuts for Knots bird toy 5 stars and a big birdie foot up.

I really enjoy rainy mornings when I don't have to get out and go to work. Hearing the gentle rain falling must also lull my birds and furry ones into a relaxed let's sleep in mood. It's so calming for me and rare indeed, to be snuggled in the warm bed with the furry ones, and wake slowly to the gentle songs of the Tiels singing and whistling, and the much more quiet than usual chattering of the conures. The larger parrots obviously enjoy sleeping in too.  No loud squawks from anyone this morning. Well, that was until they heard me up and moving.  Then suddenly "silence was golden".

With all the severe cold this week, and record breaking temperatures in my own southern area, evaluating all emergency rations and supplies are so very important. For me Basic must haves for winter time emergency preparation: 1.  Flashlight and fresh batteries 2.  Sufficient number of carriers or small travel cages 3.  Water 4.  Extra food & treats for birds, cats, dog, and human 5.  Extra blankets in case of power outage 6.  Hand towel for catching bitey bird in possible panic mode 7.  Paper Towels 8.  First Aid Kit 9.  Emergency vet numbers I actually have several flashlights placed throughout my home for emergency situations for any time of year.  I make sure one is always located just inside the door to the bird room. I have multiple small carriers, and a few small sleep or travel cages stored.  I allot 2 small crocks per carrier or cage and either store the dishes with the carrier, or have a bag containing ...

My "birdroom" is a sunroom addition that was added many years ago.  In the spring and summer, and even the fall, the birds can enjoy the plentiful sunshine with two walls of windows, and a third wall of ceiling to floor glass.  They enjoy watching the outside wildlife, and screaming their parrot warning when a wild flock flies by.  They enjoy the fresh air as well (even though I doubt the neighbors within hearing distance enjoy them enjoying). Unfortunately, in the winter, the room can be not quite so enjoyable.  On colder than normal freezing days and nights the room is quite chilly.  Although all glass windows have mini-blinds to help keep the cold out, as well as a sheet of winterizing plastic on the outside, the room is still colder than the rest of the house.  So to prepare for our 5 degree  temps expected tonight which really are unheard of in the south, I have placed an extra layer of blankets on the backside of all cages near windows...

My bird room this time of year is a hot bed of parrot hormones in chaotic overdrive. Uncovering the cockatoo cage can uncover more than just a couple of white birds during the winter months. Today's find was an almost perfect cockatoo egg sitting among the leftover bird pellets in the food dish.  Almost perfect I say as of course there was a slight chunk missing or how else would one of them picked it up and deposited it in the food bowl. The cockatoos are both female and I have suspected for years they not only share the brooding of their egg, but also take turns on who is the one delivering the egg during the breeding cycle.  They are careful never to have more than a single egg to care for.  If one breaks and falls through the grate, a new one may show up a few days later, but never two.  Although they take turns rolling their egg around, they also sit side by side with it at times.  However the gentle care of the egg occurs only when there is not yumm...

Today's Saturday Fruit Salad includes some banana, apple, and orange chunks. I always peel my apples to be sure no wax, or pesticides are any longer present. Apples are a great help with my older birds who may have a little trouble digesting all aspects of their food. Apples are high in fiber and are a natural laxative and digestive aid for all parrots, but especially older birds.  They have many other nutritional stars and almost all of my birds just love them.  Doesn't matter if they are red or green, apples are a favorite always.  Even my finches and canaries from days long ago, enjoyed a bit of apple so don't think fruit is only for the larger birds.. Bananas are also a fav of almost all of my birds, especially the larger parrots.  I think they enjoy the mushiness of the ripe bananas.  Most of mine do not like the firmer bananas as much as the softer well ripened ones.  Which works out well because I don't particularly care for the over-ripened o...