January 2008

Dear Feathered and Furred Creatures,

If I wanted to quote Herman Melville I would say, "Call me Ishmael," actually I want to say, "Call me Aristophanes." I If I wrote from this bird's point of view I would ask, "What is so terrible if I take a chunk of flesh out of everyone I come in contact with, except of course, my friend and object of my affections, Mugsy the great Dane. Why can't Mugsy and I set up house together? A dog can live with a bird; who says no? I can supply Mugsy with meat, all kinds of meat, especially the kind that tastes the best, the kind that comes from humans."

I, however, do not have a penchant for savoring human flesh and I am not Aristophanes. That big, beautiful, red macaw has been quite a good boy for some time now. I am just careful to have him out of the cage when Mugsy is out of the house. He is sweet and loving and affectionate until that dog walks into the room. Then his whole demeanor changes and everyone but Mugsy has to watch out. One has to be careful in order to live with a picky scarlet macaw.

My other birds are fine. Emma and Zeke have become good friends. They hang out together and enjoy each other's company and I like that. Emma, who is much bigger than Zeke, being a yellow naped Amazon parrot and Zeke a cockatiel, can become somewhat obstreperous when he is high up on top of something and I want to get him on my hand. Usually, Emma is a very good bird with a tremendous personality, bright and friendly. Zeke is always a doll. I still love the way he finds me, flying all around and navigating his flight from one room to another to land on my shoulder.

I did a nice adoption this week. I adopted out a very sweet gold capped conure. I have strong hopes that this is going to be a permanent home and that the human- bird connection here will work. Sometimes adoptions work out so well that the bird gets a new and happier lease on life and the humans benefit just as much, adding a new and beloved member to their family. I don't usually ask this question of the group, but if anyone in the club knows of a wonderful home for a parrot, with someone who has experience, no fear, time to give and not too many other birds, please let me know. I have a great one for adoption, but he needs someone who really knows what they are doing and lots of time to make his life full and happy. I'm sorry I am being cryptic, but I try to be very selective with the adoptions we do.

We have some really good programs coming up. Tonight we are hosting Carol Cipriano. She is the president of the Companion Bird Club of Delaware Valley. Carol will tell us about all the work her club does and the programs they have had. Next month our own Laurie Rothberg will be presenting a workshop on making toys for birds. Make sure not to miss that as you can make some really nice things to take home for your own bird. Dr. Laurie Hess is our speaker in March. Dr. Hess is a board certified Avian veterinarian and did a very interesting talk for us last year. Juan Romero, from the Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx Zoo is coming back in April or May to do a bird training demonstration and you can bring your own bird to work with if you so choose. .

We always seek to have good attendance at our meetings because our speakers deserve a good and warm reception. Many come from far away.

Our holiday party was fun. There was lots of good food and many prizes that were won at the penny social. Please give me ideas for more meetings and programs, trips etc. Your input is very important. Your articles are important too, so please write about your birds and your opinions for our newsletter.

At this time I would like to wish all humans, birds and elephants a happy and healthy new year.

With love,

Richie