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 →
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 →
I had a slightly alarming moment a few nights ago. Ptak, my parrotlet, was contentedly sitting on my shoulder as I wrote. I use a ballpoint pen (that fact is important) in a journal to make notes and jot down the things I need to do. As I began to write, I heard Ptak make a repetitive clicking noise... Continue Reading →
My Senegal parrot has always had anger problems. If something is wrong in his life, he takes that out on me, and if I'm not around, it's the nearest person or toy. Recently, my poor boy is feeling very... ahem... unstable about the move overseas, quarantine, and probably the time when I left him alone with O. beforehand.... Continue Reading →
Quaker Parrots, also known as Monk Parakeets, are said to be vivacious and noisy 'big' birds tucked into 90-140 gram bodies. For guest blogger Joanna Grinberg-Ayala, founder of Diary of a Kooky Parrot blog, this definitely holds true. She explores what life with quirky quaker parrot 'Basil' is really like - the good, the bad, and the ugly. This is one... Continue Reading →
A collection of tips ('life hacks') for people with parrots in their lives, making those days just a little easier. Parrot life hack #1: The office mat Parrot life hack #2 Drop cloths out of old flat sheets Parrot life hack #3 The only cleaning agents you'll ever need: White distilled vinegar, steam, mild dishwashing... Continue Reading →
Three Birds and a Cloud 