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A Bird’s Eye View
Page 1
January, 2014
Volume 32
Issue 1
Editors Note: It’s Sunday evening, you’re at home relaxing, watching 60 Minutes, your parrot,
Max, is sitting nearby on his favorite perch when a loud noise outside startles him, he jumps off
and flies into a lamp that topples and breaks. Then you notice Max is bleeding and in pain. What
do you do? Your vet is closed and the nearest emergency clinic is 20 miles away and very
expensive. Uh oh! Did you ever take the time to assemble or buy an AVIAN FIRST AID KIT?
This is not the time to scramble for one—that’s why I posted this article.
- Carl.
How to Make a Basic Bird First Aid Kit
Assemble Your Own Bird First
Aid Kit at Home
By Alyson Kalhagen
If your bird were to suddenly become ill or injured, would you
be prepared to help? For many bird owners, the answer is
"no." Because birds are so physically fragile, it's very important
to be able to provide emergency care to them in the event of
an accident -- otherwise, relatively minor issues can quickly
worsen and even become fatal. Protect your feathered friend
by following the simple steps outlined below to build your own
basic bird first aid kit. Having a bird first aid kit on hand can
make all the difference if your bird should suffer some unfortunate accident, and will help give you peace of mind knowing
that you are prepared in case you do need to spring to action.
FIND A CONTAINER.
Finding a container to use for your bird first aid kit is easy -- it
can be something as simple as a shoe box or a large zipper storage bag. However, most bird owners prefer
to use more durable packaging for their first aid kits. If you shop around, it should be easy to come across a
relatively inexpensive alternative, like a plastic box with a lid, or even the box from an old, empty human
first aid kit. Whatever you choose for your container, just make sure that it is big enough and solid enough
to hold all the supplies that you will need securely in one place.
(Continued on page 4)
Page 2
A Bird’s Eye View
January 17th - Club Meeting — Our
special guest speaker is Dr. Kerry
Milliken! DON’T MISS THIS MEETING—
Dr. Milliken is one of our club’s favorite
speakers! This promises to be a fun and
educational meeting, for sure.
Birds are welcome at all our meetings!
Join the fun.
*Remember to bring a dish to share

Animals and nature have always had a special
place in Dr. Milliken’s heart: At twelve years
old, she began volunteering at the local SPCA,
helping to wash pets to increase their chances
of adoption. Later, she worked for a local
animal hospital as a kennel cleaner, eventually
becoming a veterinary assistant.Dr. Milliken
was accepted to University of California,
Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and
earned her doctorate in veterinary medicine in
1995; ever since, she has strived to expand her
knowledge. In her early years, Dr. Milliken
worked with exotic animals in the motion
picture industry and served as the staff
veterinarian for the Santa Barbara Zoological
Gardens. Through the years, Dr. Milliken has
also gained a tremendous amount of
experience in avian medicine. Whether caring
for a cat, bird, binturong, or buffalo, Dr.
Milliken puts her heart into pet medicine.
Please take an active role with the club. It's
YOUR CLUB! If you would like to help at any of
the events, contact Linda at 661-803-1416,
lbuesching@thevine.com
Extra: Write an original article and have it
published and receive $5 in free raffle
tickets OR something out-of-this-world!
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.

A Bird’s Eye View
Page 3
Sunday, February 2nd, 2014
Page 4
A Bird’s Eye View
(Continued from page 1)
Gather your tools.
You'll need several tools that you can keep in your bird first aid kit. Take a shopping trip at your local
pharmacy and pick up a small pair of sharp scissors, some tweezers, some disposable gloves, some
syringes and eyedroppers, some nail clippers, a pair of hemostats or needle-nose pliers, a small flashlight,
and a compact heating pad. You can pick up extra tools if you'd like, but these can make up the
components of a good basic first aid kit. Bring your tools home and wash them thoroughly with antibacterial
soap, then wrap them in clean washcloths before placing them into your first aid kit. Allowing bacteria to
remain on tools such as these can cause zoonotic diseases in your pet.
Gather general medications and disinfectants to have on hand.
While it's important to have a veterinary diagnosis before giving your bird any medication, there are a few
things that you should keep on hand to administer in the event of an emergency. The first are some small
bottles of disinfectants, such as hydrogen peroxide or iodine. These can be used to cleanse away bacteria
and debris from flesh wounds. Another good idea is to purchase a sterile saline eye wash. This can be used
to flush eye wounds or deep cuts anywhere on a bird's body. Again, hygiene is imperative when dealing
with open wounds. Finally, pick up a tube of triple antibiotic ointment and a small package of cornstarch.
The ointment can be applied to small abrasions that may occur on a bird's feet and legs, and cornstarch can
be used to help control any bleeding.
Collect bandaging supplies.
You will need to have several types of bandaging supplies on hand to complete your first aid kit. Try to steer
clear of sticky bandages -- they only stick to a bird's feathers and cause more problems. Instead, purchase
a roll of self-adhesive wrapping and some sterile gauze pads. This way, you can customize a bandage to
your bird's individual needs, no matter what part of the anatomy requires a bandage. You should also
purchase some sterile cotton swabs for cleansing wounds and applyin g medication, and some toothpicks and
popsicle sticks in case you need to fashion a splint for your feathered friend.
Include a list of important phone numbers.
Last but not least, the most important thing you can include in your basic bird first aid kit is a list of
important phone numbers that you can reference for easy access. On
this list, include the number for your bird's avian vet, the number to
your local emergency vet clinic in case you need help after-hours, and
the number to an animal poison control hotline. Having all this
information gathered in one place will help you streamline the process
of getting help for your bird in case he or she begins showing
symptoms of illness or injury.
NOTE: If you prefer, there are a number of kits you can
purchase online. Doctors Foster and Smith sells the
following for $21.90
* Be prepared in the event of an emergency
* Everything you need to provide basic first aid for your injured bird
Every bird owner needs this valuable first aid kit. Its clear instructions
help you remedy common injuries quickly, and plastic case keeps
supplies easily accessible.
Contains: 1 - bottle of styptic powder
1 - pair of latex gloves
1 - bottle of eye & skin wash (20 ml)
1 - 1" x 6 yard sterile gauze bandage
1 - pair of scissors
1 - pair of 5" locking forceps
2 - PVP iodine antiseptic swabs
2 - antiseptic towelettes
2 - 2" x 2" gauze pads
5 - cotton swabs
1 - roll of 1/2" x 1/2" adhesive tape
1 - hand wipe for personal cleanup
1 - bird emergency information card to record veterinarian information
1 - bird kit direction card
A Bird’s Eye View
Training Wild Pigeons
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=t5gGBI6OhkY&feature=youtu.be&inf_contact_key=76c5b1a5c
95c7936455e72948c39738896bda9742267b1aa5b01b9c38b6152d2
You’ll love this one!
Squackomo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=hBWlHwysy5U&feature=youtu.be&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%
3Fv%3DhBWlHwysy5U%26feature%3Dyoutu.be&app=desktop
A Robotic Parrot!
Raven Rescue
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlwxLtFQcrY&desktop_uri=%
2Fwatch%3Fv%3DhlwxLtFQcrY&app=desktop
A wild raven that needed some help!
Page 5
Page 6
A Bird’s Eye View
Bird Brains: Why Birds Talk
Drs. Foster & Smith Educational Staff
Our feathered friends are among the most intelligent of creatures. Aviculturists see evidence that companion birds, especially psittacines
(like parrots), even have the ability to engage in complex communication. Birds are social creatures in the wild, and when brought into our
homes, they naturally view us as part of their social group, wanting to
interact, communicate, entertain, and be entertained.
All wild birds learn to mimic their parents and adults of their species
early in life. Some can even mimic the sounds of other wild birds. Most
known for this behavior are myna birds, the Australian Lyrebird, and
the mockingbird. A bird's ability to understand or speak another bird's
language can be very valuable in the wild. But what about those birds
who learn to mimic human speech? Although mimicry may have survival benefits in the wild, in the safety and shelter of our homes, a pet
bird learns to mimic our voice primarily because the sound is interesting to him - and it gets attention.
This is why yelling at a screaming parrot will do more harm than good - you are giving him exactly the attention he seeks.
Fortunately, you can direct this natural attention-seeking behavior by purposefully teaching your bird to speak.
Teaching your bird to talk
Much like a human child, a pet bird will make unintelligible noises at the beginning of his training and develop words from
there. It is important to know that the more language they are exposed to, the more language they will learn
Repeat words or phrases to ensure that your bird will mimic your voice. Be aware of what you say in front of your pet once
your bird does learn to talk. More than one owner has been embarrassed by something that has come out of their bird's
mouth when company is around. The most effective course of action you can take when your bird is repeating something
unwanted is to ignore it, and not provide reinforcement - either positive or negative.
You may also choose to use a tape recorder or a prerecorded CD. You can choose the word or prase you want your bird to
learn and simply set you CD player on repeat.
Whichever method you use, you may find that your bird will not respond during the lesson, but will remember at another
time. Some bird owners are surprised when their bird does not respond right away. Remember that a bird is most likely to
speak when he wants to get your attention.
Triggers
Companion bird speech peaks at certain times of the day, such as sunset and sunrise - think of a crowing rooster. These
times of day also coincide with the peaks that wild songbirds have in singing.
Also, a bird is likely to mimic a sound that occurs regularly - be it the sound of the microwave before dinner or your daily
greeting returning home each night. Higher frequency sounds and voices are more likely to interest birds - and to be mimicked - than low frequency sounds.
The science of avian vocalization
How birds make sounds is still the subject of many studies. We use vibrations of our vocal cords to vocalize and our tongue
and lips to form words. A human's vocal cords are located in the larynx. Birds also have a larynx, but avian speech is not
made in the same way. Birds also have a structure in their throats called a syrinx, which is thought to be the source of the
sounds they make. The syrinx has a pair of structures called medial tympaniform membranes, which produce a flow of air in
the throat that results in sounds. It is also thought that a bird's unique respiratory structure, including multiple air sacs, has a
(Continued on page 8)
A Bird’s Eye View
Page 7
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Reptiles, Rabbits & Rodents
Yoko Tamura, DVM • Mary Jo Howe,
DVM • Natasha Wood, DVM
(818) 881-6344 in Tarzana, CA
Dr Tamura, member of The Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV) since 1996
Has your pet been "off" lately?
Is your pet itching excessively?
Is your pet gaining or losing a lot of weight?
Has it been over a year since your pet has been examined by a veterinarian?
Your pet’s health depends on you.
We want to help.
We are here to help you. From the moment you enter the Capri Plaza Pet Clinic, you and your pet will receive the best possible care in
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that is genuinely committed to helping them live a long and healthy life.
Physical Exams
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Clinic Hours:
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Page 8
A Bird’s Eye View
(Continued from page 6)
function in causing the vibrations of the tympaniform membranes and thus, sound and
speech.
Why won't my bird talk?
Not all birds that can speak, will. Your best bet, if you are determined to have a talking
bird, is to adopt an older bird that talks already. Also, a fearful bird will not be likely to
speak. Speaking, like singing, is the sign of a healthy, happy, contented bird. Birds can
learn to talk from other birds, but sometimes if a bird has another bird companion, he
will be less likely to talk, since he is probably already getting the attention he craves.
African Greys are probably best known for their amazing ability to mimic not only the
human voice but also an impressive array of environmental sounds.
Cockatiels can talk with training at 8-10 months.
Hyacinth Macaws are extremely intelligent, good talkers, but may only speak for the
person with whom they bond.
Moluccan Cockatoos can be taught to talk with positive training.
© 2012 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
NEW! START THE NEW YEAR BY STATION TRAINING YOUR PETS
NEW! "SET OF 3 STATIONS" Stationing is a great foundation
behavior. When we ask an animal to station, we’re usually asking
them to orient their feet towards a target or station, like these shown
here. These different colored foam circles can be used to train your
parrots and small mammals to do a variety of behaviors.
Once your animal understands going to the station results in desired
goodies, you can use the station to train your pet to enter a crate, or
go on a scale. The stations are especially helpful if you are training
multiple animals at the same time. Each animal can be trained to go to
a specific color. Some animals prefer to be with their buddy. The station is
a great way to keep one animal out of the way, while you focus on training
the other one.
To really challenge yourself as a trainer, you can also use the stations to
train color identification. You can teach your pet to go to only a specific
color, or you can teach him to go the correct color when cued.
Watch a demo of how to use stations here http://youtu.be/j5stm5K72QI
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A Bird’s Eye View
Page 9
By Kashmir Csaky
I have been asked to comment on how to
get birds that do not fly to fly again or
birds that were not properly fledged to fly
again. Please share with anyone who
wants to teach their birds to fly. This is
just the start, not the whole book.
Various situations may result in a pet bird
refusing to fly when they are fully capable
of flight. They may have had their wings
clipped and grew fearful of flying or they
may have been ill and avoided flying for a
long period of time. No matter the
situation, birds do not fly for three reasons.
1. They are afraid. 2. They are out of
shape. 3 There eye sight is poor.
Before beginning your bird on a path back to being flighted, take your bird to your veterinarian for a physical to determine
if it is advisable to start your bird on an exercise program and if your bird has good eye sight.
Fear of flying is really a fear of landing. Often times a bird that cannot fly temporarily may have made an attempt to fly and
went crashing to the ground. The result may have been so adverse that the bird never tried again.
(Continued on page 10)
Page 10
A Bird’s Eye View
(Continued from page 9)
To train your bird to fly, start by training your bird to come to you when called. Place your bird on a flat surface and using a
lure call your bird to you. The lure can be a favorite treat, a toy and sometimes just your presences is a lure. Then look for
the closest approximation to the desired behavior. It may be that your bird will just look at you when you call him. If that is
the case then reinforce looking at you by marking the behavior (you can use a clicker or simply say “Good!”) and then give
him the lure. In a short period of time he will either begin leaning towards you or take a step towards you. When this happens stop reinforcing looking at you and only mark and reinforce the new approximation. You may be lucky and your bird
may come running to you. Make certain that you always praise lavishly when your bird comes to you. Reinforce coming to
you 100% of the time.
While you can and should work with your bird on various surfaces, be certain to work with your bird on a very soft surface like your bed. This is
very important! Once your bird is coming every time you call, place a pillow on your bed. Then place your bird on the pillow. Go to the other side
of your bed and call your bird. Your bird will have to climb down the pillow to come to you. Once your bird gets skilled at this, replace the pillow
with a fluffier pillow and then try two pillows. Eventually your bird will
have to jump down off the pillows. He will land on a soft surface and discover that there is no pain and that this is something that his body is designed to do. It is vital that he discovers this on his own and that he moves
at this own speed, not one that is predetermined for him. This will teach
him confidence in his own decisions. In time you can place a T stand at the
edge of the bed, so that the jump down will be a long one. However, you
may also discover that he will fly to you before you need to take that step.
Make certain that when he flies to you that you are ready with you hand
out and steady for him to land on.
A Bird’s Eye View
Page 11
This guy appeared on my front walkway a few days ago. He is a
Roadrunner, also known as a chaparral bird and a chaparral
cock, and is a fast-running ground cuckoo that has a long tail and
a crest. Some have been clocked at 20 miles per hour (32 km/h).
They generally prefer sprinting to flying, though it will fly to
escape predators. During flight, the wings are short and rounded,
and reveal a white crescent in the primary feathers. The roadrunner is an opportunistic omnivore. Its diet normally consists of
insects (such as grasshoppers, crickets, caterpillars, and beetles),
small reptiles (such as lizards and snakes, including rattlesnakes),
rodents and small mammals, spiders (including tarantulas),
scorpions, centipedes, snails, small birds.
- Carl Arrechea
Photo by my neighbors, Dara & Dana Blumfield
Dr. Attila Molnar
Diplomate ABVP
Certified in Avian Medicine
6166 1/4 Sepulveda Blvd.
Van Nuys, CA 91411
Tel: 818-781-7280, Fax: 818-781-7299
E-mail: info@crazycorn.com
ALL ANIMALS Veterinary Hospital
23815 Ventura Blvd.
Calabasas, CA 91302
AllAnimals-Veterinary.com
(818) 600-1VET
DrMolnarDVM@gmail.com
Page 12
A Bird’s Eye View
Most Common Bird Behavior Problems
By Alyson Kalhagen
If you're like most bird owners, then chances are
that you have run into at least a time or two where
you were baffled by your bird's unruly behavior, and
unsure of what you should do to correct it. Don't
fret -- it happens to all of us at some point! One
good thing about unwanted behavior in pet birds is
that it often falls into one of five categories that
seem to be common issues that bird owners face
across the board. If you're wondering where to
begin with your bird and his or her behavior, this
article is a good place to start. Read on to find out
about the most common bird behavior problems,
and what you can do to help shape more desirable
behavior in your feathered friend.
SCREAMING
Of all the complaints that bird owners lodge about
their feathered friends, screaming reliably shows up
in the top three every time. The thing is, screaming
(Continued on page 14)
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A Bird’s Eye View
Page 13
Jennifer Portillo
Lauren Cheney
Www.ReptacularAnimals.Com
CLICK HERE
Page 14
A Bird’s Eye View
(Continued from page 12)
is a perfectly normal and natural behavior for a bird. In the wild, they are sometimes miles apart
and have to use their loud voices to communicate with each other across vast distances. Thus, our
job is to make it seem less necessary to them when they are pets inside the home. Screaming can
result from many issues including boredom and stress, so make sure that your bird is getting
plenty of attention, interaction, and playtime. That is the best way to curb excessive screaming
and keep the contact calls to a minimum.
BITING
Another very common complaint from bird owners is that their bird bites. Again, this is not an
issue of a bird that is necessarily behaving badly -- sometimes bird just need to use their beak to
grasp things, and this is misinterpreted as aggressive behavior. However, aggression is also not
uncommon in birds, so owners have to be able to tell the difference. If you need help, consult
your bird's vet or an avian behavior consultant.
TERRITORIAL BEHAVIOR
Most problems with territorial behavior in birds, believe it or not, are linked to hormonal issues.
Birds are seasonal breeders and will go through a period of extreme hormonal behavior once per
year. During this time they can become extremely disagreeable, aggressive, and hard to manage.
Does your bird's territorial behavior seem to come and go? If so, then it's a safe bet that it's just
your feathered friend's hormones in play, and that the behavior will pass. If the territoriality is
constant and consistent, however, then you may have a genuine problem on your hands. Try
spending more time with your bird, handling it and trying some bonding techniques. With
patience, this often teaches birds that they have no reason to be so possessive of their
belongings.
PLUCKING FEATHERS
Feather picking or plucking is often the outward manifestation of an internal emotional problem.
However, the very first thing that you should do if you notice your bird plucking his or her
feathers is schedule an appointment with an avian vet to rule out any medical concerns. If your
bird is physically healthy, then your next step would be to take a look at your pet's daily routine.
Are you spending enough time interacting with your bird? Does he or she get enough time outside
of the cage to play? Are there plenty of toys available for your pet? Taking time to assess your
bird's environment often brings issues to light that could stress your bird or cause depression -both of which can lead to feather plucking and other undesirable behaviors.
BEING DESTRUCTIVE
A bird that is destructive is usually a bird that is bored, feels neglected, or is experiencing intense
depression. All the same, it can be a good idea to schedule a vet appointment just to be safe -sometimes medical issues can cause destructive behavior as well. Once your bird gets a clean bill
of health, assess his or her environment for issues that could be causing stress. Did you recently
move your bird's cage? Did you redecorate the room your bird spends time in? Even subtle
changes can trigger stress and behavioral issues in these sensitive creatures.
Fenix Crocks and Feeders, Inc.
Crocks, Cages & Birds
Ron & Cyndie Norcutt
Representatives
Corporate Office and
Warehouse
32685 Briggs Road
Menifee, CA 92584
(800) 99-FENIX
Tel: (951) 679-8412
Fax: (951) 679-7972
Cell: (951) 453-5193
E-mail: fenixcrocks@aol.com
Worldwide Website: http://fenixresearch.com
A Bird’s Eye View
Page 15
Page 16
A Bird’s Eye View
Fat and Magical Bird Toys in a Lean Economy
by Madeleine Franco
Probably the most money I ever spent on a toy for one of my parrots
was approximately 10 years ago. It was the most fabulous “gorilla” toy
one could imagine. It easily weighed 15 pounds and was multi-colored
wood blocks and beads everywhere. The cost was $58.00, and it
lasted approximately the same number of minutes, most of which time
Tommy, my Eleanora cockatoo, spent chewing its rather large cardboard tag into little bits. Crunch, crunch, crunch; snap, snap, snap;
crash! It was over in short order for that toy. The big bonus was that
somewhere in all that crunching and snapping, Tommy must have
gotten thirsty and stopped to take a drink. I further conclude that he
dripped some water on his erstwhile snow white feathers and leaned
into one of the bright green pieces of wood. Despite many baths,
Tommy spent the better part of the ensuing several months wearing a
hint of pastel green on his chest, a constant reminder of the frivolity of
my spending.
We’ve all been there. But, that was then and this is now. In an
economy that is lackluster at best, few have $58 to plunk down for less
than an hour of self-indulgence, even if it’s our own. So, adjust we
must. But, birds gotta play, and it is up to us to provide them with
interesting, challenging and now perhaps “cheap” toys.
With a flock the size of mine, even a $1,000 toy budget wouldn’t go
very far, so improvisation is the name of the game. Lucky for us, our birds don’t care what we paid for a windowsill or even
for a couch, let alone what we pay for their toys. And, if the major purpose of a toy is to destroy it (“a toy destroyed is a toy
enjoyed”), then the color or style is not terribly important to them either. This leaves open an entire world of improvisation
(Continued on page 18)
A Bird’s Eye View
Page 17
WHAT'S ALL THE EXCITEMENT?
AT YOUR REQUEST WE'VE EXTENDED
OUR HOURS.
NOW OPEN TUESDAY AND FRIDAYS 'TIL 7PM.
Be Sure to check out our Deli!
after 5 PM Tuesdays and Fridays.
Includes Layered Salads, Fresh Sprouts and 6 pack of
Frozen Birdie Muffins from Betty Squawker's Kitchen.
(Pictured Left).
Remember—please send photos of your
bird to the editor at acarl99@gmail.com. Do
you have a nice story about your bird?
Please send those in also.
Parrots Naturally
19224 Ventura Blvd.
Tarzana, Ca. 91356
1 block East of Tampa
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
acarl99@gmail.com. Why not just write a
little something about one of your birds something cute it does, etc.
Carl
Page 18
A Bird’s Eye View
(Continued from page 16)
possibilities and a myriad of materials that meet the destructible criteria.
Ah, but our birds do seem to demand interesting, and they are often
interested in everyday things that we ourselves use or discard. Many
years ago—when I didn’t have nearly as many of them—my birds were all
housed in my home office. I began to notice that when I’d crumple up a
piece of paper, I would get nearly everyone’s attention. So, I crumpled up
a clean sheet of paper and gave it to my rose-breasted cockatoo, who
seemed the most interested of all. That piece of paper kept Floyd busy for
nearly an hour, and a ball of paper is still one of his favorites, albeit one of
his messiest toys for all the confetti he is able to make of it. He also likes
rolled magazines and just about anything made of cardboard, though I
avoid putting large boxes in his cage so as not to stimulate hormonal
behavior.
Among the various types of cardboard available, corrugated cardboard—
and the thicker the better—is an all-time hit; and the simplest though
highly entertaining, of toys can be made by stringing cardboard pieces (approximately 3” x 5”) on a strand of bird-safe cord
(cotton or sisal) or vegetable-tanned leather. Tie a knot at the bottom and between each piece of cardboard, and hang the
toy in the middle of the cage. The knots prolong the life of the toy by acting as stops, so that if your bird removes one piece
of the cardboard, all the others won’t fall to the floor. Additionally, a knotted length of cord is less likely to form a loop that
could prove hazardous. Even among birds like SC2 Tommy and palm cockatoos, who will destroy a wood toy within minutes, corrugated cardboard is good for hours of fun, as it cannot be snapped but must be “worked.”
Foraging is all the rage among bird owners these days, but foraging has always been the rage among birds. Numerous
everyday items can be turned into foraging toys, including small milk and half and half containers, larger milk containers cut
in half and reassembled, and clear water bottles. The latter have the additional advantage of revealing a glimpse of the
prizes inside, and if the cap is a sport-cap, that provides a bonus foot toy that my female Moluccan can’t resist. Any of these
containers can be filled with edible treats wrapped in paper, foot toys and other miscellany that parrots just can’t resist. Additionally, the plastic caps of fruit juice, water bottles and laundry detergent bottles may be used as foot toys as is,
or may be drilled and strung with leather and beads or strung several on a strand of leather and made into a hanging toy. I
run all caps through the dishwasher before using them in toy-making projects
While your own everyday items represent a bounty toward improvised toy-making, if you’re going to take your improvisation
seriously to provide an endless variety of toys for your birds, then you must become familiar with “dollar stores” and thrift
stores. Both provide virtually unlimited treasure, much of which can be used “as is,” following a cycle through the dishwasher, or with the simple addition of an eye screw and quick link for hanging in a cage. I continue to be absolutely amazed
at the preponderance of monkey pod wood that ends up in thrift stores. Monkey pod is a hard, tight-grained tropical wood
most often used to make those wonderful 70s salad sets, nut bowls and whatever other whatnots no one any longer seems
to use or never used in the first place. The thrift stores I frequent are full of monkey pod items of all sizes and descriptions.
Because this wood was intended to contain food and snacks, the oil used to finish it is food-safe, and hence bird-safe.
Attributable to its hardness and its tight and irregular grain, monkey pod cannot be destroyed in long splinters like pine and
some of the other woods often used for bird toys. While monkey pod can be sliced, drilled and strung into toys, such slicing
and drilling should be done only with the proper equipment and with the full knowledge that a chop saw or drill press can
easily turn such hard wood into a dangerous projectile if not handled correctly. That said, items made of monkey pod are
unsurpassed for keeping even my Major Mitchell’s cockatoos destructively entertained.
Dante, my male MM2, can’t seem to decide whether he prefers monkey pod or the knife blocks I also buy for him from the
thrift stores. Knife blocks are another “as is” item that are a major hit among my wood-loving cockatoos, and all those slots
and openings are perfect for stuffing with edible treasure like nuts and sunflower seeds. Every time I go to a thrift store I
can’t help but wonder if anyone actually uses knife blocks anymore for the purpose intended and why they might, as the fun
derived from them by my birds seems to indicate a knife block’s highest and best use. Some have said that I shouldn’t
educate my competition like this. I warn you, however; if we both happen to be in the same thrift store at the same time, and
it’s between you and me who gets the knife block, I win!
In addition to monkey pod items and knife blocks, thrift stores yield a variety of bird safe baby toys, rattles, baskets,
unfinished wood craft projects and the like that my birds find highly entertaining. Mostly what you need to add is just a little
imagination to turn these items into hours of fun. Experiment to discover your birds’ preferences, and you’ll become a
specialist shopper. A friend of mine buys all the straw purses and hats she can find—many of which are overstock items—
and makes them into foraging toys. Another purchases baby denim overalls, removes all the metal findings, sews various
large buttons all over them, fills the pockets with nuts, and hangs them in her birds’ cages. The large buttons are another
(Continued on page 19)
A Bird’s Eye View
Page 19
Avian Portraits/
Paintings
by Barbara Woolston
(818)634-5850
(Continued from page 18)
thrift-store find. Yet another friend found that her cockatoos went nuts for Barbie dolls, which are in no short supply in thrift
stores these days, and she regularly make clean sweeps through all the thrift stores in town. I find that to be a bit raw and
on the edge, and some have even told her that’s just wrong, but she claims it keeps her from going broke trying to keep her
cockatoos entertained. I have never asked her how she discovered her birds were enamored of Barbies, but somehow I
always imagine a rather puzzled bird on time out and a little girl sobbing uncontrollably. Incidentally, I’ve been told by
another friend that Barbies are okay, but My Little Pony is strictly off limits. I’m guessing that the definition of sacred is
somewhat generational, and my own birds will never even know about my collection of Madame Alexander dolls,
notwithstanding they’ve all been in a box somewhere for dozens of years.
In addition to my prowling the thrift stores, my visits to various “dollar stores” are the source of numerous items that easily
can be made into toys. I always check the baby and toy aisles, and the children’s games and toys. I almost always purchase
a couple of decks of cards, which can’t be beat for making toys for some of my smaller birds, who seem to like especially
the miniature playing cards. Using the same principle as with the corrugated cardboard toy, I use a paper punch to make
holes in the cards, and I string the cards, alternating with wooden or plastic beads or even snips of drinking straws, onto
several strands of leather, or clean shoelaces, again using knots as stops. Otherwise useless keys, of which I never have
fewer than several dozen on hand for some reason, serve as bottom weights. I knot the strands together at one end, fit with
a quick link, and voila . . . another hanging toy for next to nothing.
Combining corrugated cardboard, drinking straws, beads, leather, and strips of fabric, one can make an absolutely nifty toy I
call the “Straw Boss.” Begin by placing a weight—either a bell or a key—at one end, knotting the weight in place. Follow
with a large pony bead. Then string a single piece of cardboard, a small piece of vegetable tanned leather scrap, and
several clean drinking straws (cut or folded in half with a hole punched in the middle), followed by a strip of fabric, knotting
the leather strand after the fabric strip. I usually use five folded straws. Repeat that process five or six times. Put a final
bead at the top, making a final knot with a small loop for hanging. Thick, bird-safe wire may be substituted for the leather
strand, using small loops or bends as stops. The biggest expense in this toy are the drinking straws; the leather scraps,
available from any leather craft store usually for a pittance; and a leather punch, which can be used in subsequent projects.
The magic of the Straw Boss is that it is full of different textures, which provide great therapy for pluckers.
In making bird toys, don’t overlook Nature’s bounty. Clean, bird-safe branches, with leaves intact, are always a favorite.
Canaries, finches and small parrots such as caiques, can spend hours running through wet, leafy branches or mint
(Continued on page 20)
Page 20
A Bird’s Eye View
(Continued from page 19)
bouquets placed in their cages. If you live in a tropical or sub-tropical region, fresh palm fronds and eucalyptus hung or
woven through cage bars are always favorites to provide hours of threading and shredding fun; wet adds a new dimension.
Pine cones of various sizes and textures, either stuffed with treats or served a la carte, make wonderful foraging and
preening toys. Be sure the pine cones are clean, pest-free and pesticide free. Several pine cones, crumpled paper, a scrap
of vegetable-tanned leather or two and some nuts stuffed into a metal treat cage or “Iron Maiden,” can provide hours of fun.
And, if a branch heavily laden with fruit breaks off one of your fruit trees, consider that an opportunity to provide an edible
toy for your birds.
Now, it is said that when the going gets tough, the tough get going. So, if the economy’s got you down, get tough and get
going--to the yard, to the attic, and to the thrift and dollar stores in search of great treasure and faded glory that can shine
once again as a great bird toy. You don’t need a lot of dollars, just mostly your imagination, and that’s free. I don’t know
about you, but whenever I make something for my birds out of nothing, it always puts a smile on my face.
Copyright © 2010 Madeleine Franco, all rights reserved. Madeleine Franco is an award-winning business writer/presenter
and founding president of the Southern Nevada Parrot Education, Rescue & Rehoming Society (SNPERRS). She is an
avicultural hobbyist who tends a flock of approximately 30 non-breeding, highly platonic and interactive pet parrots.
Madeleine is also the owner/operator of Premium Pine Cones, LTD. (www.nattynewfeathers.com), specializing in remedies,
toys and diversions for parrots that pluck but would like to kick the habit. This article was originally published in the AFA
Watchbird: Journal of the American Federation of Aviculture, Volume XXXVII, No. 2, Summer-2010. Those wanting to
reprint this article must also obtain the permission of the AFA; contact birdwire@earthlink.net
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818-521-8583
Frank Miser, Sr.
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Phone: 714-5273387
Open 9-5 Tues.-Sat.
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Business and Commercial Insurance Specialist
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Phone: 951-278-0878
(Closed first 2 weeks in August)
Closed Sunday, Monday
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A Bird’s Eye View
Page 21
25 July 2012 - INTERPOL Environmental Crime Programme:
Thousands arrested in INTERPOL operation
targeting illegal trade in birds
LYON, France – More than 8,700 birds and animals, including reptiles, mammals and insects have been seized
and nearly 4,000 people arrested in an operation across 32 countries coordinated by INTERPOL against the
illegal trade and exploitation of birds and their products.
Operation Cage, which included national wildlife enforcement authorities, police, customs and specialized units,
also saw the seizure of trapping equipment, guns and ammunition during a series of interventions and raids
conducted at sites including ports, airports, postal services, markets, pet stores and taxidermists in South and
Central America and Europe.
While the operation focused on the illegal trade of birds, a number of other fauna and flora were found, including
elephant ivory, turtles, fish and other live wildlife which were rehabilitated where possible. Operation Cage was
launched in response to the growing illegal transborder trade of captive-bred and wild birds and eggs, and the
increasing involvement of organized crime networks in their transit from Latin America to Europe.
“Operation Cage once again clearly demonstrates the global scale of the problem of the illegal trade in birds and
other wildlife, which is not just an organized crime issue, but also represents a biosecurity risk,” said David
Higgins, manager of INTERPOL’s Environmental Crime Programme.
“The criminals involved in this illicit trade have no concern for the welfare of these birds and animals and that
many of the species being trafficked are endangered, the only concern they have is about the profits they can
make.
“Operation Cage provides an opportunity for law enforcement agencies to work together to identify and arrest the
criminals involved, disrupt the networks, stop the cash flow, and use the intelligence gathered to continue their
investigations. INTERPOL’s Environmental Crime Programme will continue to provide every support to each of
our member countries in tackling this crime which affects every region of the world,” concluded Mr Higgins.
Supported by the UK Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs and Environment Canada, Operation
Cage which ran from April to June 2012 was coordinated by INTERPOL’s Environmental Crime Programme unit
at the General Secretariat headquarters in Lyon, with information relayed via the National Central Bureaus
(NCBs) in participating member countries.
Results are still being gathered and will be used to collate and analyse intelligence for future interventions.
Birds recovered by Colombian National Police as part of INTERPOL'S
Operation Cage. (INTERPOL)
(Continued on page 23)
Page 22
A Bird’s Eye View
Mealworms & Crickets
Since 1975
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A Bird’s Eye View
(Continued from page 21)
Madagascar lovebirds in a holding cage at a local market where they are sold to traders. (Mark Brown)
Page 23
Page 24
A Bird’s Eye View
2014
December new members
Barbara Woolston
Cecile White
Membership up for Renewal?
Check date on mailing label!
Membership questions, changes, corrections?
Contact Rick McCarter at
wvbsmembership@att.net.
By sponsoring a NEW MEMBER, you get
a chance
to draw from our Raffle Table.
WVBS Membership / Renewal Application
Please print clearly
Memberships run for 12 consecutive months.
Today’s Date: _______________________
 New Member
 Renewal
I am applying for the following Membership (check one).  Individual – annual dues $ 35
 Senior Individual (65 +) – annual dues $25
 Family – annual dues $ 40
 Senior Family (65+) – annual dues $30
Receive the Newsletter by E-mail or add $20 to receive it by mail.
Free Copies of “A Birds Eye View” Newsletter are available at monthly meetings!
Or, please consider one of the following if you would like to do a little more for West Valley Bird Society:
 Platinum – Lifetime Membership -- $ 350
 Silver Supporter – annual dues $ 125
 Gold Supporter – annual dues $ 250
 Bronze Supporter – annual dues $ 75
ALL MEMBERSHIP DUES AND DONATIONS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE!
Last Name: ________________________________________________ First Name: __________________________ Birth Month: _____________
Complete this section only if you have checked “Family,” “Senior Family,” “Gold,” “Silver” or “Bronze” Membership:
Spouse’s/Significant Other’s Name: ______________________________________________________________ Birth Month: ______________
Children’s Name(s): ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
City: ___________________________________________________ State: _______ Zip: _____________
Home Phone: ( _____ ) __________________ Work / Other Phone: ( ______ ) _____________________
Bird Interests:
Email:________________________________________________________________________________
 Companions / Pets
 Rescue / Adoption
 Collector
 Breeder
 Wild Birds
 Avian Medicine
 Other: _________________
(Optional) Sponsored by: _________________________________________________________________
Would you like to participate in WVBS volunteer activities?  Yes
 No
 Possibly
Note: the success of the Club depends on the volunteer efforts of members/bird lovers!
(Check all that apply)
I am enclosing a check in the amount of $ __________________ for the Membership selected at the top.
Please make check payable to:
Mail to:
West Valley Bird Society
P.O. Box 8221
Northridge, CA 91327-8221
Members are asked to donate to our
refreshment table each month.
We greatly appreciate your interest in the West Valley Bird Society, and hope to see you at the meetings!
A Bird’s Eye View
Page 25
Third Sunday of the
Month—2PM
No charge
for guests.
Please join us!
Meeting at the Bahooka Restaurant at 4501 N. Rosemead Blvd,
Rosemead CA 91770 on the third Sunday of this month at 2pm.
Visitors welcome - come early for lunch.
Contact
President: Diane Racey
818-244-2230
For more information
About upcoming speakers
Wednesday
January 8th,
2014
7:30 PM
Information: 818-244-2230 or 626-335-2964
My prints are 11" x 17" mounted and signed at
$30.00. Note cards are 5" x 7" blank inside at $5.00
each. - Marie Sansone www.mariesansone.com
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 has several wonderful parrots in need of loving,
permanent homes, and has a short waiting list for entry
in their parrot foster program. Check out
www.petfinder.com for details. Monthly seminars are
in San Diego and Wildomar (near Temecula); seminar
details and on-line registration at www.peac.org.
Please check the website for topics, times, and directions.
Please contact PEAC at barb_peac@verizon.net or go to
the website www.peac.org for more information.
Page 26
A Bird’s Eye View
Do you have something you would like to buy, sell, trade or
are looking for a wish list? Contact Carl at
acarl99@gmail.com. Ads are free to WVBS members.
Memberships Expiring in January:
Sue Hillesland
Sigrid & Aspen Pittman
Memberships Expiring in February:
Phyllis Levine, Diane & Alexander Linger,
Gigi & Charlie Slezak, Sharrell Treat,
Stephanie & Chad Wallace, Scott Young
Rich Frost
Connie Carlos
Karima Diaz
Lynn Ruger
Christina Porter
Stan Levine
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!
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, PEAC - www.peac.org 619-287-8200, Parrot Rehabilitation Society - 619-2246712 - www.parrotsociety.org, and Southern Nevada
Parrot Education, Rescue & Rehoming Society www.southernnevadaparrotrescue.org, Santa Barbara Bird
Sanctuary - 805-565-1807 or 805-969-1944,
www.sbbird.org.
Wishing you happiness and good health
on your Birthday and all the days after.
A Bird’s Eye View
Page 27
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.
2013 Officers and Directors -Click on name to e-mail
PAID ADVERTISING SIZES AND RATES
President
Lauren Cheney
818-727-1594
V. President
Cheryl Bean
Secretary
Linda Anderson
Treasurer
Stephanie Wallace
Membership Rick McCarter
Hospitality
Hazel Lampe
Parliamentarian Dj Blanchette
Advertising
Grace Elliot
AFA Rep
Linda Buesching
Refreshments Linda Buesching
Past President Patricia Volger
News/Web
Carl Arrechea
818-716-5065
805-577-7525
661-210-9429
818-842-0788
818-299-7980
818-262-4517
661-263-9727
661-803-1416
661-803-1416
310-980-3635
818-667-6342
Honorary Lifetime Members
Carol Haley, Dale Thompson, Charlotte Nierenberg,
Nancy Vigran, Linda Lindsey, Ruth Kain, Jennifer Kain
Platinum Lifetime Members
Diane Bock
Laureen Mitchell
Rose Blume
Audra & Steve Silon
Linda Buesching
Jack & Grace Elliott
Kristin & Mark Moon
Delora & Eugene Stalnaker
Patricia & Karl Volger
Dj & Bert Blanchette
Dianna & Richard Stokotelny
Gold Supporter Members
Sigrid & Aspen Pittman
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 Wednesday, 1 week preceding the General
Meeting. Location: CoCo’s Restaurant, 18505 Devonshire
St, Northridge, CA (near Reseda & Devonshire). All
members are welcome. Please confirm with Lauren at 818727-1594 or via e-mail thewestvalleybirdsociety@gmail.com
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 $35/Year
1/4 Page
$20/Month or $200/Year
1/2 Page
$35/Month or $300/Year
Full Page
$60/Month or $500/Year
Set-up charges for NON-COPY READY ad $30
Rates are subject to change without notice.
Ads must be camera ready
or .pdf, .psd, .jpeg, or .tiff format.
Contact the Editor at 818-667-6342
or e-mail to acarl99@gmail.com
Buy, Sell, Trade 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: acarl99@gmail.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.
EVERYONE BRING A DISH!
Join us for the fun!
Friday January 17th, 2014, 7:30 p.m.
www.thewestvalleybirdsociety.com
West Valley Bird Society
P.O. Box 8221
Northridge, CA 91327-8221
First Class Mail to:
Page 28
A Bird’s Eye View