For Public Education and Understanding of All Parrots April/May 2003

Agenda

Recap on May’s Meeting: Superpets brought for us to meet a very special guest Grover the Hyacinth Macaw and talked about their experience looking after this gentle giant. Grover showed us his acrobatic moves and then spent the rest of his time roaming the crowd for cuddles. Kari W presented an interesting and informative talk about the Sexual behaviors of Parrots.

Upcoming: June 29^th 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm is our Annual Picnic Potluck for Members at Dawson Park. (A map of the location is attached to end of the newsletter and can also be found on the club website). In the event of rain, the Rain out day will be scheduled for July 6^th. The Phone Committee will call everyone to remind them about the BBQ. Please feel free to bring any item you like to add to the Potluck. The Club will be supplying the Hotdogs and Hamburgers! As discussed at May’s meeting you are welcome to bring your feathered friends. Please be advised the location is near the river and the chance of mosquitos may be increased. Due to recent concerns over the West Nile virus please bring your birds at your own discretion.

Upcoming: The next meeting for August will be a General Meeting Announcement where we will be holding Elections for the Following Positions: Vice President, Promotions Chair Committee Members. We also have plans in motion to have a Veterinarian visit as our Guest Speaker.

Letter from the President

Hello Everyone;

Just some quick announcements to make. Wonderful turnout to the "Parrots of the World" show held at the Mutart on May 25^th. We had fantastic positive feedback from the Muttart who were thrilled this event was once again a tremendous success! A special thank-you to all of you who brought your feathered friends out and participated in this special event.

On a sad note, Nancy C. has resigned from her position as Vice President. Nancy has plans to sell her home and travel the continent in her new motor home. Nancy C. has been a valuable member of our club since joining. She has worked hard with the Phone Committee and has done several appearances during our advertising campaigns as well as showing up for all of our Mall Promotions and Shows. We will all miss you while you are away! Best of Luck to you Nancy in your travels!

A special thank-you to Superpets/PJ’s, Hagen, High Mountain Feed, Nancy S, and Kari W for their contributions to our raffles at the "Parrots of the World" show. In total, we raised $589.00 in Raffle Tickets and Sales for our Club Merchandise! The winners of our Raffles include the following: Aaron R, Lisa T, Nancy C, Nancy S, and Sara R. Thanks to everyone for supporting our fundraiser.

The next show is scheduled for October 5^th at the Sands Hotel. This is the first time the EPPA has hosted an event such as this and we are hoping for strong participation by everyone.

As this season wraps up for the summer I would like to wish you all a happy summer holiday and look forward to seeing you all the last Wednesday of August! A very special thank-you also to Monique for agreeing to help out with the Phone Committee!

Bird Buddies

Thank you to the following businesses that help support the EPPA. We encourage our members to visit our sponsors.

7326-82 Ave (Edmonton) Dr. Pam Gordey

Veterinary & Pet Supplies & Prescriptions 5611- Riverbend Road

Manager: Erwin Fech (Riverbend Mall, Edmonton)

(780)-469-7667 (780)-437-0039

Dr. Ken Keeler Dr. Carol Kujala

8203- 127 Ave (Edmonton) 1502 Lakewood Rd W (Edmonton)

(780)-475-9225 (780)- 469-9065

Web site update

Recipe of the Month

Cut several types of fresh fruits, any combination, diced into pieces. 
Puree fruits in blender or food processor until smooth and mixed. 
Pour into ice cube trays, and freeze until solid. 
Keep frozen, stored in freezer containers or plastic bags. 

Website of the Month

Just for Laughs

A man brought his parrot to the office of a late-night talk show.

Knowing that the show was always looking for offbeat guests.

The man told the talent co-coordinator, "If you pull his left leg, he'll sing THE CAMPTOWN RACES.  Pull his right leg, he'll sing SWANEE RIVER.

Club classified Ads

Pet of the month

For More information about Eclectus please visit the following sites:

For more information about the color mutations of Cockatiels please visit the following sites:

The following vendors are pleased to offer EPPA Members discounts on some merchandise for their birds.

NOTE: The vendors, products and services posted in the EPPA newsletters are posted as a resource for members. The EPPA does not endorse, promote or represent any products or companies.

1. Baker’s Aviaries Feed and Seed: 6106 Davies Road, (780)-490-4434. Discount is 10% generally (can be more depending on amount of purchase)
2. PJ’s Pet Centre Southside: #337, 3414 Gateway Blvd, (780)-436-7387. Discount is 15% on dry goods and bird related items, not on livestock.
3. PJ’s Pet Centre West Edmonton Mall: Phase III 1498 WEM, (780)-444-7387. Discount is 15% on dry goods and bird related items, not livestock.
4. SuperPets Mayfield Common: 160 Mayfield Common, (780)-481-8000 Discount is 15% on dry goods and bird related items, not livestock.

Discount is 10%

Book Review

A delightful read, even if starlings aren’t parrots. This book was recommended to my husband Mike and me by a gentleman we met at the most recent Canadian Parrot Symposium – West. I don’t usually get a chance to read very often, so when I do it takes me a while to finish a book. This 231-page book took me only a week to finish – those of you who are speed-readers out there could polish it off in far less time.

Arnie was discovered by the author, Margarete, in her garden in Texas one hot summer morning. He had fallen (or had he been pushed?) from his nest in the attic of her house, not once, but three times the day she discovered him. He was so young he didn’t have any down or feathers yet. Margarete took him in with the intent of releasing him back to the wild when he was strong enough. Needless to say, that never happened and the trials, tribulations and numerous adventures abound with the captivating little Arnie. Margarete’s friend Dee suggested the name Arnold, like Arnold Schwarzenegger. Why? You’ll have to read the book to find out.

The book spans two years of Arnie’s adventures with his owner Margarete and the numerous people who flitted in and out of their lives. Arnie learned to speak quite well and the interaction between the two (bird and human) is interesting, especially to us as bird/parrot owners who experience the joys and challenges that brings.

For those of you not sure whether to go out and buy the book or not, try the no-hassle loan of the Edmonton Public Library (that’s where I got it from). (Submitted by Lea M.)

Lories can collect nectar and pollen from flowers with a brushlike tongue that has hundreds of little bristles.

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Quote of the month

"Many have forgotten this truth, but you must not forget it. You remain responsible, forever, for what you have tamed." Antoine De Saint-Exupery.

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Interesting Trivia

This is a picture of Eli Yale a Macaw owned by Quentin the son of Theodore Roosevelt. Quentin and his bird Eli Yale lived in the White House over 100 years ago (1901 to 1909). This picture is the property of the Library of Congress.

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