Educating About Parrots and Other Pet Birds
What’s the difference between Positive and Negative Reinforcement? Is negative reinforcement bad? This is, I think, my number one pet peeve in the animal training communities. I've actually seen folks absolutely jump on others who proclaim to use negative reinforcement, equating it to punishment - when, in fact, that is not the case at all.... Continue Reading →
So we all know the three birds of the flock: Ptak, Mavi, and Tayir. Troublemakers, I tell you. But who is the cloud? Meet baby Atlas, who will be coming home very soon! He's a Samoyed - an ancient breed of sled dog that originates in Russia. They're fluffy and friendly... and aptly referred to... Continue Reading →
Students with Birds blog began on a whim in late 2012 and has grown to be something I'm quite proud of. While I love that name and what it represented, it is true no longer! I've graduated, no longer a student, of course, and have been left ruminating over ideas for longer than I'd like... Continue Reading →
Saving wild scarlet macaws through conservation research.
Say hello to little Tayir (tai-year). This 25 gram parrotlet joined our flock in late 2015, and has been fitting in ever since. He loves food, bath time, and (to Ptak's dismay) his big brother. I just realised that while I introduced him on the SwB Facebook page, I forgot to do so here! ... Continue Reading →
We're back! I don't know for how long, but I hope to post a bit more frequently than, you know, not at all. Long story made very short, I've been working long hours to keep the flock supplied with toys, and focussing on them when I'm home, rather than posting. Ptak loathes any device that... Continue Reading →
Parrots may not make good pets, but I was thinking about this: There are endless reasons why I love them anyway. I'd never give my birds up if I had any kind of a choice! It takes a saint-like amount of patience to live with one...as well as an immunity to mess, noise, and waste...yet... Continue Reading →
Parrotlets can actually mimic and talk incredibly well, which people tend not to expect out of small birds. This is just a quick post today, but I wanted to share Ptak's adorable 'trickling faucet' noise. It does sound rather like a running tap. He has recently applied this noise to any water, including rain, whether that... Continue Reading →
Had a friendly little visitor to my garden yesterday morning. This homing pigeon got a little lost on his journey from Ohio to New Jersey. They apparently will often stop to rest for up to two or three days in a row, but this one picked a bad spot. Our property is up against wilderness... Continue Reading →
Three Birds and a Cloud 