Bill Size and Shape

One of my favorite things to do, during migration season is to identify birds.  Many aspects of bird watching combine to make this the world’s number one hobby; the hunt through the binoculars for that wind-blown leaf you thought was a bird;  the sudden realization that you’re facing the wrong direction in a valley; following a song for an entire afternoon just to get a glimpse of that fellow who sings his heart out. 

When I do finally see that special bird, I have to take quick mental notes on size, color, foot type (if I see a bird feeding), bill type, and behaviors.  Although behavior is a really big part of identification, I enjoy using bill type as a guide for those really tough ones.  This is especially true when you consider that many species depend mostly on a specific food for survival.  Whether it feeds on seeds, insects, nectar, or other animals, its bill will be specially adapted for feeding.

Members of the parrot family have beaks that are designed for gripping and cracking seeds and nuts.  (photo: Leigh French)

Seedeaters need to have a bill that is strong enough to crack through the thick hard hulls to get to the meaty fruit inside.  Their bills are often thick and arrow shaped having hard ridges to aide in grip, like a wrench.  Parrots are a great example of this.  Their bills are very thick and their upper mandible has serrations on its underside, out near the tip, so that they can grip nuts and crack them.  Also, cardinals have a thick, strong bill for smaller seeds.

Shorebirds are a wonderful example of diversity within a habitat.  Gulls and terns have bills adapted for fishing.  They dive into the water from the air or from floating on the water. 

Roseate Spoonbills have a bill shaped for shoveling around in the lake bottom debris for their food. (photo: Gay Schroer)

Some Ducks and wading birds have a specialized bill for shoveling around in the water for invertebrates. 

This Scarlet Ibis has a very specialized beak for probing for food in soft mud and under plants (photo: Gay Schroer)

Birds like the sandpipers, oystercatchers, godwits, turnstones, and plovers have bills that are shaped for finding invertebrates that have tunneled into the sand or mud.  Their bill is sort of shaped like the prey for which they forage. 

Herons and egrets use their bill as a spear.

This Great Blue Heron uses his bill as a spear and then swallows the fish whole (photo: Gay Schroer

…whereas this Yellow-crowned Night Heron snatches his preferred diet of crayfish with his long pointed bill

…and then turns it, pinchers side out, and crushes it with the powerful upper portion of his bill before swallowing it

Moving away from the shore, there are other smaller birds that flit about after tiny gnats and flies.  These birds have small bills and are a bit more difficult to identify because they are usually small and fast.  These are typically gnatcatchers and flycatchers. 

Prothonotary Warblers have small thin bills for catching insects and snails which they pry out of their hiding places

Ruby-crowned Kinglets are such tiny little birds and they are the most difficult for me to see clearly.  That’s when I listen to any calls or songs they may be making.  Woodpeckers have a bill that is like a chisel.  They bang away at trees looking for insects crawling under the bark and inside the wood.

Finally, I think crows and ravens are a good transition into birds of prey.  They are very adept and intelligent.  They hammer and poke and tear and pull their food.

Meat eaters are probably more diverse because they may feed on certain animals based on their habitat.  Owls, hawks, and eagles have bills that are great for tearing meat.

The Eurasian Eagle Owl has a beak that is supremely well adapted for tearing meat (photo: Gay Schroer)

So, when you are having trouble narrowing down that bird species, perhaps you can get a good look at the bill to figure out a bit about it.

The next time you visit the World Bird Sanctuary, pay particular attention to the different beak shapes that you will see on our display birds and the birds that visit our bird feeders.  Try to guess what each bird’s preferred food would be.

Submitted by W. Leigh French, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist

Parrots Galore: Part 5

Welcome back to the final issue of the Parrots Galore series.  Today’s subject is Jazz, my Green-cheeked Conure.  If you would like to read about my other birds, which are budgerigars, I encourage you to explore the rest of this site. 

 Jazz--my Green-cheeked Conure

I found Jazz at a pet store five years ago.  I visited him once a week for six weeks before I finally decided to bring him home with me.  His “personality” was amazing!  He would step up to my finger with ease and then travel up my arm onto my shoulder and into my hair.  The price I paid for him was the most I had ever spent on an animal, but he was well worth it.  His big personality makes up for his small size.  He is about 10 inches long and weighs in at about 75 grams (about 2.5 ozs.).  I have owned budgies for over 16 years and when I brought Jazz into the flock he was at least twice as large as my other birds.  Budgies are about seven inches long and weigh between 30-40 grams so I really had to get used to his size difference.

I give Jazz a variety of foods, which consist of pellets, seeds, some fruits and vegetables.  Pellets are a scientifically made food product that consists of all the nutrients to fulfill the needs of animals.  Dry dog or cat food is very similar to bird food in pelleted form.  You may have to go to a pet store to find pelleted bird food, as it is not commonly found in most grocery stores.  Jazz’s favorite seed is the safflower seed.  Usually most parrots that I’ve encountered favor sunflower seeds above all others, but not Jazz.

In the wild Green-cheeked conures are found in South America, more specifically Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil.  Their lifespan ranges from 20 to 25 years.  Their diet in the wild includes various seeds, fruits and nuts. 

There are many different species of Conures. Green-cheeked Conures are one of the smaller species.  Conures range from 9 inches to 19 inches in length and weigh from 60 grams to over 300 grams.  There are over 40 different species and over 100 subspecies of Conures in the world today. 

Green-cheeked Conures have five different color mutations that include cinnamon, yellow-sided, pineapple, turquoise and green/red/blue mutations.  The last mutation is the rarest mutation of them all. 

 Jazz is very affectionate

Jazz is the most interactive parrot I have ever owned.  He absolutely loves attention, is very social and has many toys he likes to play with during the day.  His favorite toys are bells and balls with bells inside them.  In addition, Jazz also loves to preen my hair, especially when it’s wet.  Whenever he is in his cage or on the platform of his door, he can be seen hanging upside down swinging from side to side.  He has a lot of energy to expend every day and does a great job doing it! 

Green-cheeked Conures are not great at mimicking sounds, but can learn to mimic a few words and phrases.  Jazz’s vocabulary includes such phrases as “Jazzy bird”, “cutie”, “huh?”, “What are you doing?”, and “look at you!”.  Out of all of the phrases that he can say, I did not teach them to him purposefully (this is something all potential parrot owners must remember, for parrots will pick up bad words and phrases).  I was quite astounded when I first heard him repeat my words to me.  His first words were, “What are you doing?”  I couldn’t believe it, but it was true.  I’d had him for about six to seven months before he repeated words and phrases.

A very funny example of how endearing his behavior can be is this: One evening I went into the bathroom and shut the door.  Jazz was in the other room free flighted (not in his cage).  Moments later, he flew down to the bathroom door, put his head towards the bottom of the door and said “What are you doing?”.  That was so hysterical! He does not put his phrases or words into context very often, but when he does I enjoy it very much.  When I leave him and the other birds in the morning to go to work, I say “good bye” and “I love you” and Jazz in turn says “Look at you!”  This seems to have become our morning ritual.  I have been trying to teach him to repeat, “I love you,” for well over two years now, but he still has not said it.  I am determined that he will learn it so I am not giving up. .  I have the feeling that he will say it one day out of the blue when I am least expecting it.

At night when he goes to sleep, he climbs into a fuzzy blue tent that hangs at the top of his cage.  Once he is in it, all you can see is his tale sticking out.  He has slept in that tent for over four years now.  I would think he would get tired of it, but he must love the feeling of his “little nest”. 

Jazz is the happiest bird I have ever known and I love him very much.  I'm sure all of you bird owners out there can understand that!  Enjoy your time exploring the rest of this site when reading about other bird encounters and stories! 

Submitted by Lisbeth Hodges, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist

The Rookie Files: Hey Buddy, Buddy, Buddy

When I first arrived four years ago at the World Bird Sanctuary in the cold, wintery month of February I was but an intern.  I had a healthy respect and certain degree of caution towards the birds of prey that I was working with, and was ready to learn ways to handle them safely.  What I wasn't prepared for was the parrots.

Roxanne, a Blue and Gold Macaw, shows off her intimidating beak 

During my time as an intern I was always more afraid of working with the parrots than with the birds of prey.  Razor sharp talons and feet that could bruise or break bones did not scare me as much as beaks that could break my fingers.  Parrot beaks have, on average, over one thousand pounds per square inch of pressure.  This comes in handy when cracking open nuts for food in the wild.  It only takes seven pounds to break a human finger. 

Being quite fond of my fingers (and eardrums--a macaw scream can be heard for two city blocks!), I avoided working with the parrots whenever possible. All around me I saw staff members interacting with parrots, cueing for kisses and waves, sometimes being preened by the birds, and quite frankly thought that all of them were crazy.  I could understand that after a parrot gets to know a person, being a social animal they want attention and are even able to show some affection, but the thought of putting a parrot beak (1,000 pounds psi!) near my face seemed like the most insane idea on the planet.  I was content to let everyone else be crazy with the parrots and I would remain safely out of biting range--thank-you very much!

Buddy, assuming his typical "leave me alone" warning stance 

That all changed with Buddy.  Buddy is a Double Yellow-headed Amazon Parrot, and due to circumstances that occurred before we rescued him, not terribly fond of people.  He had a select few humans that he would work for, and one that he loved.  I was not even really on his radar, nor did I want to be as he had quite the reputation.  Little by little though he began whistling to me.   Sometimes I would hear him coo or honk when I left the room.  I noticed that his tail stopped flaring and his head feathers no longer resembled the head of a triceratops when I was nearby. 

Buddy's "happy tail" 

I found all this odd and asked his primary trainer (who he loved) what the heck was going on.  That is when I learned that I had been chosen by Buddy--given my sentiment towards parrots, this did not thrill me!  Buddy, however, is like a fungus and he grows on you.  After a while I would coo back or ask him to do some of his simpler behaviors.  To protect my wrist and lower arm I donned three sweatshirts in mid-June, so that I could learn how to pick him up properly.  Before I knew it I was his new favorite--a position that required me to adopt a new outlook on parrots or let Buddy become bored. 

 Buddy shows off his "cuteness" factor

Now I am one of those crazy parrot interacters.  I use the high voice, ask for kisses, and spend extra time with them.  At our behind the scenes area I am the go-to person for parrot questions from the volunteers and interns on behaviors, cueing, learning how to read their body language, etc.  It is quite the switch from where I started out four years ago.

Buddy has taught me many things over the years.  I learned how to read and interpret parrot body language from watching him, how parrots display affection and how they gain confidence in trying something new.  We’ve had a few bumps along the way--Buddy is not a big fan of being left without one of his favorite trainers for a long time--but I love this little bird. 

 I can't believe I am now the person teaching interns and volunteers how to read Parrot body language

Perhaps the most important thing Buddy has taught me is that sometimes you don’t choose the birds--they choose you.

Submitted by Leah Tyndall, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist/Trainer

Parrots Galore

I have loved birds ever since I was young. 

 Calla-one of my Budgerigars (more commonly called Parakeets)

For 15 years now I have had birds of my own.  I currently have five Budgerigars (commonly called parakeets in the pet trade) and one Green-cheeked Conure (pronounced con-yur).  Conures are also members of the Parakeet family.   Both Budgerigars (commonly called “Budgies” for short), and Conures, are native to Australia.  For purposes of this blog article I will refer to them by the commonly held pet trade name—Parakeet.

All of my Parakeets are female and my Conure is male.  The sex of a Budgie can usually be determined by the age of six months by the color of their cere (the fleshy looking growth containing the nostrils).  In a juvenile bird the cere will be pink to purplish pink.   Once they attain maturity at about six months the male’s cere will be a bright blue, and the female’s cere will become a light to pale beige, or darken to a brown during breeding season.  

My Parakeets’ names are Parker (9 yrs. old), Avery (8 yrs. old), Myra (7 yrs. old), Perri (7 yrs. old), and Calla (5 yrs. old).  Jazz is my Conure and he is 4 years old.  Their behavior is so fascinating!  I could watch them all day.  Bird behavior is one of the things about them that I love.  The way they interact with each other is very entertaining.  They all have their own personalities too, especially Calla. 

Calla is an albino, identified by the lack of color pigment in her feathers, along with the trademark pink eyes of the albino 

Calla has the strangest personality of all my Parakeets.  I named her after the Calla lily, which is an all-white flower because she is an albino Parakeet.  Albinism is a rare condition that alters the pigment of the body to a white color.  In this case, feathers and not skin, scales, or fur.  She has all white feathers and pink feet and eyes.  Because of the albinism, if she were a male her cere would not turn the typical blue color.  It would remain the pinkish purple of the juveniles.  Wild Parakeets are green with yellow heads.  However breeders, pairing males with subtle color differences with females with color differences, have created a large diversity of colors for the pet trade —albinos being one of these.

Calla hangs upside down—a lot.  She will even try to take her daily naps like this.  In the evening when all the birds are finding their spot to roost for the night, she will be the only one hanging upside down.  Every night I have to check on her and put her back on a perch.  I probably will never understand why Calla does this.  She is also a very frantic flyer.  Sometimes she will just fly until she runs out of energy and does an emergency landing on the floor.  More than once she has flown right into the side of my face.  If you let your parrots fly around your house or a room it is important to have curtains over windows and to have all doors locked.  Parrots could fly into windows and hurt or kill themselves, and if someone walked into a room unexpectedly, they could release a parrot into the wild, which could mean death to that parrot.

Being too forward is another one of her quirks. If she wants a certain perch or food dish, she will push the others right off!  Females are typically more dominant and socially intolerant and this seems to be a trait she is displaying here.  Calla also acts extra friendly to the other girls.  She will often chatter right in their faces.  (This is most likely a form of dominance.)   Calla loves when I talk to her through the cage too.  She gets excited and puffs up her head feathers and then her pupils get very tiny!  Because almost all parrots are very social in the wild, in captivity humans often become part of a budgie’s “flock,” and parrots will show these behaviors to humans.  She will always step on to my finger, but doesn’t stay there for very long because she seems to want to explore and interact with the other birds.  She takes frequent baths in her bathing dish, but again she will nudge others off if they are in her way. 

Calla’s diet, and that of my other birds, consists of mostly pellets.  Pellets, manufactured by humans, are a very nutritious form of food that has a very scientific balance of nutrients.  They do get vegetables and fruits from time to time and seed on occasion.  I use one style of cup for the seed.  Whenever she sees it, she knows what to expect.  Sometimes something else will be in the bowl and when she takes a look, she will do a double take.  It is funny and interesting because I can generally guess what her next behavior will be if I give her a form of enrichment that I have given her in the past.  I have studied her behavior for five years now, so it’s fun to try to predict what she will do next.

Calla is definitely one of a kind, and always keeps me on my toes.  A short while ago she was in the habit of kicking her pellets out of her food dish.  I’m not sure why she does this.  These behaviors may be similar to what some Parakeets do in the wild.  I hope you enjoyed getting to know Calla and will look for future blogs about my other birds!

Submitted by Lisbeth Hodges, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist/Trainer

The Rookie Files: Pondering Parrots as Presents and Pets

It’s that time of year again!  The time when many of us run out to the stores to buy presents for our loved ones, scouring high and low for that perfect present.  

A Red-lored Amazon Parrot - one of the smaller parrots--possible lifespan 100 years

Sometimes that one of a kind present is an animal, a special pet, and many people get excited over the idea of a talking bird.  After shows or visits to our nature center many people, especially children, start thinking about getting a parrot as a pet. 

  A Red & Green Macaw--one of the larger species of parrots--may outlive you

Before you go rushing off to the pet shop or call a breeder to get that special someone a feathery holiday surprise, we ask that you keep a few things in mind.  Parrots are a lifetime commitment.  Depending on the species, they can range from fifteen to up to a hundred years old.  Many of them outlive their human owners and they have to be provided for in their wills. 

 A Parrot cage of an ample size to house your new pet could prove to be quite pricey 

This also means a lifetime of veterinary charges, food and toys.  They are very intelligent animals, often compared to three year old children.  Many parrot owners describe life with their companions as having a perpetual three-year old.

  Because of their high intelligence Parrots need to be kept busy by providing a variety of toys for them to explore

Due to their intelligence they need many different toys, usually three at a time to help keep them entertained. They love to chew, and much like children, they explore everything with their mouth--or in their case their beak.  That beak is capable of biting down with up to one thousand pounds per square inch of pressure.  This can cause damage to furniture, people and anything else they can get their beaks on. 

  Parrots use their beaks for many of the tasks we do with our fingers.  They may damage our belongings in the process of exploring

Like the three-year olds they are compared to, parrots need a lot of attention.  They are social by nature, often living in large flocks.  Flockmates will talk to, preen and protect one another.  Your parrot may call loudly in the house if it is upset, either to get your attention or to warn you of some perceived danger.  These calls can be very loud; macaws can be heard for three city blocks and all throughout the rainforest.  In close proximity humans need hearing protection from macaw screams!

It may also try to protect you or itself from what it perceives as a threat to its territory; and sometimes those threats can be other pets or even people.  Remember that beak I talked about?  Not only is it useful for chewing and cracking open hard nuts but it makes a great defensive weapon…ouch!  Parrots that don’t get enough attention can become destructive to themselves and their caretakers.

 Beak of a Blue & Gold Macaw.  Their strong beaks can be quite destructive 

We don’t want to turn people off from the idea of parrots because they do make great companions.  There are also many people who are fantastic parrot parents.  Their birds are happy, healthy, and could not ask for a better life.  We just ask that you do the research before you commit to anything because that’s what a parrot is--a lifelong commitment. 

 Cockatiels are very popular because of their small size and easygoing personalities--average lifespan 15 years

Parrot species run the gamut in terms of size and intelligence, so be sure you know which species you will be able to care for the best, given your lifestyle.  If your loved one loves parrots but is not ready to own one, consider sponsoring one of ours.  And if you or a loved one is ready for a parrot then we wish the both of you the best of luck and hope you keep one another company for years to come.

Submitted by Leah Tyndall, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist

Steps to becoming a responsible parrot owner

Parrots can make great pets, but owners have responsibilities towards them and the rest of the family.  A parrot lives a long time (some macaws can live up to 80 years), so you need to be able to provide a good home for the life of your parrot, and includes planning for who should look after your parrot if anything should happen to you.

Living with a parrot is like having a perpetual two-year-old child in the house – it a lot of attention, and will resort to behavior that will try your patience if it doesn’t get the attention it’s looking for.  The first responsibility is to give it the right size housing – so that it is comfortable, without feeling confined.  Most good books about parrots will give you the minimum size cage for your species of bird.  A reputable parrot store will also be able to assist you with this.  The biggest factor to consider when looking at a cage for your bird is to make sure that the width between the bars is appropriate – so that your bird does not get its head stuck between the bars.

Parrots also need different materials to perch on.  There are a variety of different perches you can purchase for your bird.  I suggest having a minimum of two different perching surfaces for your parrot, including one with a rough surface to assist with keeping your birds nails trimmed.

Parrots need a healthy diet.  There are many debates over what exactly is the best diet for parrots – seeds or pellets.  Personally, I believe in providing as much variety as possible, with a mixture of produce, pellets, some seeds and a few nuts.  Weighing your bird will help you keep a record of your bird’s health and keep it at a healthy weight.  You also need to be aware that there are some foods that are dangerous to parrots – again, your handbook will tell you what is safe to feed your parrots.

Responsible parrot owners need to provide your bird with sources of enrichment.  This is very important to keeping a happy, well-adjusted parrot, and will minimize destructive behaviors.  Enrichment comes in the following forms: social, dietary, auditory, visual, olfactory, and tactile.  Now you are probably thinking, “How can I do all this” or “I am on a limited budget.”  Well, enrichment can range from very simple to very complicated.

Here are some simple easy things you can do that meet many of the different forms of enrichment: First, provide toys that vary in color, texture, and even potential noise.  Remember to make sure that your toys are safe for your parrot – they can be very dexterous and get caught up in long ropes and cords.

Second, when you leave for the day, leave the radio or TV on.  The radio provides auditory enrichment and the TV provides both audio and visual enrichment.  I find Nogin TV to be great – I never have to worry about the content since the station is geared towards preschoolers.

Another very simple thing you can do for your bird is provide different types of produce, rather than the same thing all the time.  Take advantage of seasonal produce.  Move the food dishes around, put some food on the floor of the cage, feed whole fruit or veggies, put a piece of paper over the bowl, etc.  Enrichment is a simple thing to do to provide variety in your bird’s life, but always remember: BE SAFE!

Lastly, be aware that the odors and fumes of different household cleaners and cooking surfaces can suffocate your parrots – so make sure that it is kept in a well-ventilated area when cooking and cleaning.  Refer to your parrot handbook to find out what poses a threat to your bird.

Finally, if you have questions or concerns about your bird speak with your bird’s veterinarian.  Veterinarians should be able to assist with diet and overall health questions.

Submitted by Cathy Spahn – Field Studies Coordinator, parrot owner and bird trainer.

Some things to think about before you get a Parrot as a Pet

 

Rio - Red & Green Macaw enjoys some time outside his cage at World Bird Sanctuary.

 

At World Bird Sanctuary we got a lot of visitors who see our parrots perform trained behaviors.  Many of them enjoy what they see and have a lot of questions about getting a parrot as a pet.  As a parrot owner and bird trainer I have a few suggestions for people to consider before getting a parrot for a pet.

My first suggestion, when I hear that people are thinking about getting a parrot, or any exotic animal, as a pet, is to do research.  The first thing you need to do is buy a book about keeping a parrot as a pet, and read about your potential animal’s needs.  There are many good books available from reputable pet stores.  These books will tell you what diet is required; contain care suggestions and minimum space requirements for each species.  I always say it is better to invest the $15-$20 in a book than several hundred dollars into an animal that does not fit your lifestyle.

One of the biggest factors to consider before getting a parrot as a pet is that parrots live a long time.  For example, my African Grey Parrot will live about 40 years, so you need to be aware that you will have that bird for a long time.

One of the main reasons people enjoy parrots is because of their ability to mimic human speech. This means both the good and the bad!  Not only that, but remember that in the wild, parrots must communicate with family members over large dense forest areas, so parrots can be very noisy.  Make sure that you’re going to be able to tolerate this!

The last thing to take into consideration is that anything that has a mouth has the ability to bite.  A parrot can exert about a thousand pounds of pressure per square inch, and it only takes seven pounds of pressure per square inch to break your finger.  Make sure that you have the information that you need to train your parrot to behave appropriately.

I don’t wish to discourage any parrot-lover or potential parrot-owner from benefiting from the joy of owning a parrot, but please take the time to make sure that you are able to commit the time and effort needed to maintain a happy, healthy parrot.   You really need to know what you are getting into if you are both going to be happy and enjoy each other’s company.

Submitted by Cathy Spahn – Field Studies Coordinator, and happy owner of Simon, the happy African Grey Parrot.

Rodney - Good-by Old Friend

It is with a sad heart that I post the news that our Red Lored Amazon Parrot, Rodney, passed away today.

He began exhibiting signs of weakness and lack of appetite earlier this week.  He was immediately seen by our vet, and two different kinds of medication were prescribed.  When he showed no improvement he was taken to the vet's office to have blood drawn and to be x-rayed.  It was found that he had a cancerous tumor that was inhibiting his ability to swallow his food, that there was already internal damage to his other organs, and that there were no other treatment options.  With great reluctance the decision was made to humanely euthanize him.

Rodney was brought to the Milwaukee County Zoo's bird show in 1985 by a family that could no longer care for him.  We are not quite sure how old he was at that time, since it is believed he was a wild caught bird.  

Rodney quickly adjusted to life as an education bird, and has helped to entertain millions of people during his lifetime.  He was a real favorite with staff and visitors.  He would entertain visitors to our Nature Center by greeting them with a cheery "Hi", "Hello", or "Hello Cookie".   He could also squeal like a guinea pig, and meow like a cat.  Occasionally, he might be heard to say "I want my ball back".  He will be sorely missed by one and all.

We call it practice for a reason!

Cayenne and Linus, our green winged Macaws, are always spot on when they perform in shows, thanks to Susan our patient and talented training specialist.

Good-bye Old Friend

Some of you may know by now that we have recently lost our dear little Thick Billed Parrot, Quasi.  He will be missed by staff and visitors alike, especially the children.  His happy go lucky personality seemed to draw the children like a magnet, and they loved the fact that they could usually get him to talk to them.

Following is the email notice sent to staff, volunteers and interns by our Director of Education, Teri Schroer:

"It is with a sad heart that I am writing today to let you know that Quasi, our Thick Billed Parrot, passed away overnight Saturday night.  As many of you know, Quasi has always been a special needs parrot due to bone abnormalities he was hatched with.  Over the years he has battled sinus issues every winter, but this year they never seemed to go away.  Late this summer we realized that his sinuses were no longer draining and that they were clogged with granuloma.  With the help of Dr. Stacey Scheaffer we tried many different things to clear Quasi's sinuses to give him relief.  Throughout all of his many breathing treatments, nose drops, oral meds, x-rays, etc., Quasi was his typical sweet easy going self.  Unfortunately, last week his breathing became labored and over the course of the week he progressively became worse.  Dr. Stacey did an amazing job of researching what we could do for this little guy, but in the end it was to no avail.

"Quasi was an asset to our education programs, and will be sorely missed by everyone here at WBS."

Even though the above may sound like extreme and heroic measures for one small parrot, it is the type of care rendered to all of the animals at WBS when they are in distress.  If you would like to make a donation toward the medical care of our animals, just click on the donate button.

It's Rodney!

Rodney the amazon shows off his talents with the help of his trainer, Susan:

Our baby thickbill has fledged!

Look what we have! A new baby Thickbill Parrot! He (or she) was hatched in one of the nestboxes in the Thickbill free flight enclosure on our upper trail--right in full view of the public. We are especially excited about this new addition to our flock because of this species' endangered status.

Thickbill parrots are the only remaining parrot indigenous to the United States and are considered Rare and Endangered. It is estimated that there now remains only 1000-4000 Thick-billed parrots in the wild, mostly found only in the Sierra Madre mountains of Mexico. Status is ENDANGERED. Attempts to reestablish a population in Arizona during the 1980s was unsuccessful due to the birds’ inability to elude a well established population of predator species.

The World Bird Sanctuary is fortunate to have a well established flock of these rare birds, who reside in a free flight enclosure where they are able to live in a flock as they would in the wild. It is hoped that someday our flock, as well as those from other zoos, will be the nucleus of a reestablished wild population.

Our new baby last week, trying to decide if he really wants to venture out into this scary new world.


Our youngster has fledged and is flying with the rest of the flock. Note his white beak as opposed to the black beak of the adults.


Our new baby is flying independently the full length of the enclosure, along with the rest of the flock

The next time you visit WBS, be sure to walk down the upper trail to the Thickbill enclosure and see if you can spot our new addition. Look for his white beak!

Today's post was written and photographed by Gay Schroer.

You're a superstar!

Nemo (the African grey parrot) and Susan (the human) go through a practice routine before breakfast:



Nemo spent his summer performing at the Milwaukee County Zoo this year and I know he wowed a lot of people.

Who is Buddy's hero?

Susan. Without a doubt.



Buddy the amazon parrot is one of the best talkers at WBS. He's no slouch as a singer, either.

Adopt a Bird Spotlight: Nemo (Congo African Grey Parrot)

Nemo's Story

Species: African Grey Parrot
Hatched: 11/2/2003

Nemo was hatched by a local breeder and aquired by World Bird Sanctuary in May 2004 to become a member of our Care For Critters program. From May until September 2005, he was a part of the Milwaukee County Zoo Bird Fair where he returned for a repeat performance this year.

Nemo has a very sweet, happy-go-lucky personality and is a favorite of all who work with him. True to the African grey's reputation of being one of the most intelligent of the psitticines, Nemo learns very quickly. He has a vocabulary that increases almost daily and learns new behaviors in an incredibly short period of time. He learned to wave in less than week!

Nemo loves unusual sounds and whistles, and his favorite foods are grapes, bananas, and peanuts (treats).

To adopt Nemo, simply click our donation button, make a donation of $100, and specify in your payment notes: Adopt-a-bird: NEMO. Also include your name, phone number, and mailing address so that we can send you your adoption materials!

Every donation helps to feed, house, and provide medical care for the bird of your choice! Adopt-A-Bird Parents Receive:

• *A personal visit with the bird you adopt!!!!! Call 636-861-3225 to set up a time for
• your personal visit.
• * Certificate of Adoption
• * Color photo of the bird you've adopted
• * Sponsorship Card
• * One year's subscription to Mews News (our quarterly newsletter)
• * Life History and Natural History of the bird
• * 10% Discount off WBS merchandise
• * Invitation to Sponsors-only events like Camera Day
• * Discounts on WBS Special Events
• * WBS Decal

Natural History

Congo African grey parrot
Psittacus erithacus erithacus

Description medium sized parrot; dark grey wings; pale grey rump; featherless rim of skin around the eyes is whitish to light grey; head and neck feathers have paler margins giving a scalloped appearance; short red tail feathers; black beak

Sex: reliable only via endoscopy or DNA sexing

Age: 50-70+ years

Length: 12-14”

Wingspan: approximately 28”

Weight: 14-23 oz.

Habitat: rainforests, cultivated land, mangroves, wooded savannas, and gardens

Status: listed as “NT” (near threatened) in large part due to trapping for the pet trade; in the U.S. importation is prohibited under the U.S. Wild Bird Conservation Act of 1992

Range: lowland forests of central Africa, Guinea Island, Kenya & Tanzania

Behavior: form lifelong monogamous bonds; nests in tree hollows and cavities; during breeding season the male feeds his mate and both sing soft monotonous notes; the female will sleep in the nest cavity while the male guards it; female lays 3-5 eggs at intervals of 2-5 days; female incubates the eggs; male feeds the incubating female; incubation lasts 30 days; males feeds both the female and young; young fledge at 12 weeks after which both parents feed young;

Diet: in the wild, a variety of fruits & vegetables; in captivity quality pelleted diet, a variety of vegetables, fruits, and occasionally nuts

Vocalization: screams less than most parrots; considered the best mimic of all parrots;

√ Considered by many to be the most intelligent of all birds. Some individuals have been documented as having a 500-800 word vocabulary, and amazing cognitive abilities.

√ Like most parrots, African Greys are high maintenance pets, requiring a great deal of personal attention if they are to remain happy and healthy. When not given enough attention, they develop a host of health and personality problems.

Adopt A Bird spotlights are written and photographed by Gay Schroer.

Just when you thought there were no more...

babies! Here's a video of our newest arrival. Our flock of thick-billed parrots is thriving. This little one is being raised in the nestbox by his parents.



A little information on the thick billed parrot:

Status: once inhabited the mountains of southern Arizona and south through the Sierra Madre mountains in western Mexico; extirpated from the U.S. by about 1920 through hunting activity; logging of large stands of old-growth forests in Mexico has taken a further toll on the remaining Mexican population; it is estimated that there now remains only 1000-4000 Thick-billed parrots in the wild; status is ENDANGERED; attempts to reestablish a population in Arizona during the 1980s was unsuccessful due to the birds’ inability to elude a well established population of predator species

Behavior: social birds that live in large flocks; an adult pair may stay together for life; nesting pairs have been known to share trees with up to three nests in one tree; breeding occurs in mid-summer to mid-fall to coincide with the peak of pine seed production; one clutch of 1-4 eggs is laid in a cavity next in a large conifer (old woodpecker holes are preferred); incubation is 28 days; hatchlings attempt their first flights at approximately 2 months, but remain dependent on parents until about 7 months

The Thick-billed parrot is one of only two parrots formerly native to the U.S. The other (the Carolina Parakeet) is extinct

Just because...

this is the cutest video in the world, I had to post it. Here you see Cathy's African grey parrot, Simon, on vacation. Yes, he is on the beach digging in the sand. Every time I watch this video, I laugh until I cry. Simon is awesome!

Some other psittacines...

While we are on a parrot kick, take a look at these beautiful ring necked parakeets on display at our public sight, courtesy of Daniel:

Adopt a Bird Spotlight: Arizona (Thick-billed parrot)

Arizona's Story

Species: Thick-billed Parrot
Hatched: 8/8/96

Arizona was the third thick-billed parrot hatched and raised successfully by the World Bird Sanctuary. Thick-bills are the last remaining parrot species indigenous to North America. Once found in the high elevation pine forests of Arizona and New Mexico, they are now found only in the highland pine forests of northern and central Mexico. Attempts to reestablish a wild population in Arizona have so far been unsuccessful due to logging of the old growth pine forests necessary for their success, and the breeding success of various predators.

Arizona spends his time traveling the country to bring the message of the consequences of habitat destruction to thousands of audience memebers each year. Perhaps, with his help, conservationists will someday be successful in reestablishing a wild thick-bill parrot population in its native Arizona and New Mexico territory. Until then, this little ambassador for his species will continue to educate and entertain audiences with his message about the plight of endangered species.

To see more of these beautiful little birds, take a walk along the upper nature trail at the World Bird Sanctuary where visitors can view our resident flock.

To adopt Arizona, simply click our donation button, make a donation of $150, and specify in your payment notes: Adopt-a-bird: ARIZONA. Also include your name, phone number, and mailing address so that we can send you your adoption materials!

Every donation helps to feed, house, and provide medical care for the bird of your choice! Adopt-A-Bird Parents Receive:

• *A personal visit with the bird you adopt!!!!! Call 636-861-3225 to set up a time for
• your personal visit.
• * Certificate of Adoption
• * Color photo of the bird you've adopted
• * Sponsorship Card
• * One year's subscription to Mews News (our quarterly newsletter)
• * Life History and Natural History of the bird
• * 10% Discount off WBS merchandise
• * Invitation to Sponsors-only events like Camera Day
• * Discounts on WBS Special Events
• * WBS Decal

Natural History

Thick-billed parrot
Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha

Description: pigeon sized; bright green overall; red forehead, eye stripe, and bend of wing, with red splotching on the thighs; a small patch of yellow on under wing coverts seen when in flight; adults have amber eyes surrounded by a yellow eye ring and black beak with dark grey legs and feet; wings and long green tail are both pointed

Sex: so similar as to be virtually indistinguishable

Age: juveniles have brown eyes and a flesh colored bill which turns black by the end of the first year; individuals may live 35-40 years

Length: 15-17”

Weight: 11-13 oz.

Habitat: high country pine and conifer forests;

Status: once inhabited the mountains of southern Arizona and south through the Sierra Madre mountains in western Mexico; extirpated from the U.S. by about 1920 through hunting activity; logging of large stands of old-growth forests in Mexico has taken a further toll on the remaining Mexican population; it is estimated that there now remains only 1000-4000 Thick-billed parrots in the wild; status is ENDANGERED; attempts to reestablish a population in Arizona during the 1980s was unsuccessful due to the birds’ inability to elude a well established population of predator species

Range: high mountains of the Sierra Madre Occidental in western Mexico, migrating to their winter breeding range south of Durango to Colima and Michoacan, Mexico

Behavior: social birds that live in large flocks; an adult pair may stay together for life; nesting pairs have been known to share trees with up to three nests in one tree; breeding occurs in mid-summer to mid-fall to coincide with the peak of pine seed production; one clutch of 1-4 eggs is laid in a cavity next in a large conifer (old woodpecker holes are preferred); incubation is 28 days; hatchlings attempt their first flights at approximately 2 months, but remain dependent on parents until about 7 months

Diet: primarily pine seeds from various pine species are the preferred food; will also eat acorns, conifer buds and other food

Vocalization: large repertoire of calls; screech that can be heard up to 2 miles

√ The Thick-billed parrot is one of only two parrots formerly native to the U.S. The other (the Carolina Parakeet) is extinct

Our flock of sun conures

If you come to our visitor's site, be sure to check out the sun conures! As Daniel's pictures show, they are beautiful birds: