Here come the judge – at the Mass. Cage Bird Association Bird Show. – Photo by George Sommers
Sign of the times. – Photo by George Sommers
ANTI-BREEDER PROTEST AT BIRD EVENT FIZZLES (MOSTLY): An implied threat to take names and video of bird breeders by a self-described motorcycle gang member never panned out. After a few years of near dormancy, Mass. Cage Bird Association held its 94th annual Bird Show and Mart today (Saturday, 5/25). Last minute changes were made due to the following Facebook post, (with expletive deleted): “I belong to a motorcycle club and we are vehemently against breeding birds for sale and trapping them in a confined existence diametrically opposed to how they should live. So, we’ll see you there when we come to peacefully protest, shoot some video and take names of breeders!” from Weymouth, MA based musician Paul Santo. “We have to cancel the bird sale part of the mart due to a threat of domestic terrorism,” says MCBA president Denise Cabral. “We expect there may be some sort of protest planned, and we would rather birds and owners were not subjected to this mistreatment.” Paul Santo has a history of protesting live animal sales at some of the “big box” pet stores. A video on his FB page shows some half dozen sign holding protesters in front of a Petco. Santo, ironically; is the owner of a parrot and a small dog, and has posted a video of the dog within reach of the parrot, generally considered a bad idea due to dogs’ predatory instincts. The MCBA show did go on, along with sales of toys and supplies but without live bird sales and by invitation only. Nary a protester was to be seen and the closest thing to a motorcycle was a guy mowing his lawn with a ride on.
THE CURIOUS CASE OF THE KILLER COCKATOO: It was a case worthy of Sherlock Holmes. In 1899, a judge’s daughter was found dead from gas asphyxiation in her late parents’ home turned boarding house in Washington D.C. There was no evidence of an intruder and no indication the victim was suicide prone. Sisters Mary and Alice Knott shared the home with tenants plus one more – a parrot; apparently a cockatoo. The bird and the younger Alice. were deeply bonded, but according to neighbors the bird had a nasty streak. “He was generally regarded as a devil by the negroes and a bird of ill omen by the whites.” reads a newspaper account. The parrot had a dangerous talent for pulling open gas burners. On that September night, Alice Knott was not feeling well and decided to retire. As usual, the parrot accompanied her and – according to others in the house – was probably taken to his “accustomed place on the gas jet” Why it didn’t occur to anyone that this might not be a good idea is unknown. Later, a thudding noise was heard from the bedroom and when others went to investigate, they found the unconscious Knott on the floor. She had apparently tried to get up and shut off the opened valve. There was also the parrot; half-conscious, near the door trying to escape the toxic environment he had created. Despite the valiant efforts of a doctor, Knott succumbed. There remain a few ends to untangle in this Knott “whodunnit”; such as the fate of the parrot (probably a fatality given birds’ delicate lungs). And….was this the revenge of a cockatoo after years of humiliation, being made to wear silly hats and suits? – From https://trendingamerican.com/parrot-gas-addiction-killed…/·
NO FLINGING, launching or throwing of birds in the air, says Angela Rosaria Cancilla of Natural Encounters, Inc.; referring to a technique used by some “free fliers” of parrots. ” ….it is poor training & unnecessary force, when a simple cue and giving a bird a choice, instead of taking that choice away, is all that’s needed Unfortunately leg leashes, & casting, is still common in parts of the world…but more & more are learning to stop doing it”.
NON PROFIT PROJECT FOR ECLECTUS PARROTS: They plan to preserve the pure bloodlines of eclectus subspecies and they used their retirement savings to purchase property, build buildings, purchase tiny houses for workers, provide caging and flights and food and veterinary services for their dream. Lisa Woodworth and Laurella Desborough are now awaiting 501 c (3) IRS status for the Eclectus Ark. Parrots at the Ark include babies, retired birds and breeding pairs of aruensis, polycholoros, solomonensis and vosmaeri. They also care for birds that are re-homed by ill or deceased owners. Mailing address for donations is Eclectus Ark, P O Box 1606, Claremore, OK 74018-1606. Donations can be sent via PayPal, marked gift, to eclectusark@gmail.com. Donors are given a letter so they can include the donation in their IRS tax filing, and if they agree, their name published in Benefactors of the Ark on the Facebook page, Eclectus Ark.. Email for further information: Lisa alannacdp@aol.com and Laurella birdregs@gmail.com. If you missed the eclectus presentation on the Leather Elves FB page last week, you an view it here: https://www.facebook.com/theleatherelves501 c (3) IRS status.
HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!
ONE DOWN: Effective May 31, Carolina avian research and education will be closing. This wonderful property includes custom built home, spacious aviaries, lavish gardens, fruit orchard, wildflower meadow and numerous water features. (Any takers?) Most of the birds will be coming with owner Leeann Shearouse but some will be going to well respected facilities.
NOW PLAYING: The ‘Parrot Release Network Lightning Talks’ presentations are now live on The Macaw Society website. Learn from experts across the Americas about their work with parrot releases. Each talk is 15 minutes long and absolutely free. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from the best in the field. Visit today to access these invaluable resources! https://vetmed.tamu.edu/themacawsociety/prn-lighting-talks/
MIRROR, MIRROR ON THE WALL: Is your bird the fairest of all? Submit a photo or video of your bird to mybird.com. The top ten entries as determined by popular vote will then be reviewed by a committee of judges. The top three entries selected by the judges will be eligible to receive cash prizes as well as bragging rights. Sponsors include World Pet Association, Higgins Premium Pet Foods and Vitakraft Sunseed. Enter Here
FEELING HOT, HOT, HOT: The last 4 Boston winters have been milder with less snow and serious blizzards then in previous years, as this Boston based writer can attest. Is climate change for real? Is it caused by humans? And what are the likely effects of climate cage on birds? David Weeshoff of the International Bird Rescue will be addressing these issues at the next South Bay Bird Society meeting. See HOT DATES.
HOT DATES: 5/24-26: Cen-Tex Bird Exhibitors – Quad NCS Shows Waco, TX — 5/25-26: Houston Budgerigar Society Show Terrell, TX — 5/28: Animal Training Academy. Calling all animal trainers. If you’re feeling a bit stuck or hitting rough patches in your animal training journey, check out this FREE live webinar. You’ll learn five techniques to help grow your training skills, and confidence not only when training animals, but also in mastering your development as a trainer and effectively collaborating with other human learners [including your clients]. 1:00 PT. Claim your spot for the free webinar here: https://bit.ly/unstuckATA — 5/31: World Parrot Day — 6/1: Sequoia Budgerigar Society Spring Show Fresno, CA — 6/3: The Effects of Climate Change on Birds with Dave Weeshoff from International Bird Rescue 10 p.m. EDT Hermosa Beach, CA South Bay Bird Society Zoom webinar and live in Hermosa Beach
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