Edmonton Pet Parrot Association
For the Birds
For Public Education and Understanding of All Parrots June/Aug 2003
Agenda
Recap on June’s BBQ: June’s BBQ was a wonderful success. We had lovely sunny weather and enjoyed the pleasant outdoors at Dawson Park. This year’s recipient of the Fischer award was Lisa T. Also Nancy S, Linda L and Lea M also received awards from the Executive for their outstanding contributions to the club.
Recap on August’s Meeting: Jason Comartin of Hagen Canada, Calgary came out to see us and entertained us with his amusing stories of his personal experiences as both a pet owner as well as a breeder of parrots. He talked about the nutritional value of Hagen’s varied line of products for parrots. It was a most entertaining and informative presentation. We welcomed our new Vice President Terry A. Also a motion was made and carried for a change to our Policy and Procedures Manual to introduce a committee to answer the EPPA phone line.
Upcoming: Oct 5th 11:00 am to 4:00 pm is our EPPA Parrot Show to be held at the Sands Hotel located at 12340 – Fort Road from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. We need everyone to come out to make this event a success!
Upcoming: The next meeting for September we will be looking for someone to volunteer to be our club Librarian.
Letter from the President
Hello Everyone;
Welcome back after the summer break. Just a quick note to Welcome our New Vice-President Terry A to the executive!!! We now have a full team of 5 Members, which makes the job so much easier for everyone. As always with any club it is difficult to get Volunteers. We are currently looking for people to help with the upcoming show at the Sands Hotel on October 5th. We need people that are willing to come early to help set up tables and to stay after the show to help clean up. We also need someone who would be willing to work at the door to collect entrance fees and people to man the raffle table.
The show will be from the hours of 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. It was decided at the last meeting that the entrance fees will be as follows:
Children under 6- Free of charge
Children 6-12 -$2.00
Adults over 12 -$3.00
Seniors -$2.00
Family pass $7.00
We really need everyone to come out and support this event to make it a success! Could everyone call Louise at 466-7273 to confirm your attendance and the number of birds you are bringing with you. It is suggested that you put together some basic information about the species of bird you own and how they have enriched your life as the main focus of this event is to educate the public about keeping parrots as pets. If anyone is available to help make phone calls for the show please call Lisa at 454-1821.
Lisa Thompson-Dobo
Bird Buddies
Thank you to the following businesses that help support the EPPA. We encourage our members to visit our sponsors.
G & E Pharmacy Riverbend Veterinary Clinic
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
Delton Veterinary Hospital Towne Center Veterinary Hospital
Dr. Ken Keeler Dr. Carol Kujala
8203- 127 Ave (Edmonton) 1502 Lakewood Rd W (Edmonton)
(780)-475-9225 (780)- 469-9065
Recipe of the Month
LINDA V’s HOMEMADE AVICAKES
Mix even amounts like the following:
2 cups crushed cereal like cheerios or shredded wheat
2 cups crushed pellets or instant oatmeal cereal
2 cups assorted seeds
Add about 1 to 1 1/4 cups of honey
Stir till mixture is wet but not dripping
You may need to adjust the honey. You can also use corn syrup if you don’t like the honey. Pour it onto a cookie sheet and spread it out. Bake at very low... like 200 to 225 for about 40 to 45 minutes. Half way through cooking I usually score them; it makes it easier to cut them when done. You can also shape these around Popsicle sticks with a hole drilled at one end for a hanging treat in the cage.
Website of the Month
http://www.birdsnways.com/ This site is a site all about Exotic birds, parrots classifieds, bird magazine, breeders, chats, birds supplies, shows, bird care information. Complete guide to pet parrots & exotic birds!
Just for Laughs
Polygram Records, Warner Brothers and Keebler: New company will be called Poly-Warner-Cracker.
Club classified Ads
Pet of the month
The "Pet of the Month" for August was Cheekie the African Grey. Cheekie lives with Marj and Al and shares her home with 4 other parrots. Cheekie is an avid talker when she is in the mood and although she suffers from Thyroid Disease she still leaves a happy life. Marj lovingly gives her medication each day mixed with a teaspoon of instant mashed potatoes!
For more information about African Grey Parrots visit the following websites:
http://www.geocities.com/fire_and_ocean/african_greys.html
EPPA Member Discount Listing
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.
5. Tiffany’s Décor on Whyte: 10135 Whyte Avenue, (780)-434-2414
Discount is 10%
Book Review
The Pleasure of Their Company: An Owner's Guide to Parrot Training
Written by Bonnie Doane.
This is a highly recommended book to anyone and everyone who has a parrot. Ways to train your parrot to do tricks, and how to teach them on a few particular ones, speech training, and even toilet training, plus so much more.
Interesting parrot FACTS
All Parrots live in warm tropical Climates? True or False. False the Kea of New Zealand rolls around in the snow because it likes it.
Quote of the month
Men! The only animal in the world to fear.
Lawrence, DH
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Contributions
Any contributions, ideas and/or suggestions to the newsletter from the membership would be greatly appreciated. We are looking for anything from favorite recipes, quotes, articles, or parrot-related jokes. Please send any submissions to: Jessica @ (780)- 454-5188 or info@eppa.ca
Trip of a lifetime
Another incredible eco-tour is in the making for this coming November! We will be birding at the fabulous Rancho Los Ebanos, as we have on past trips. The 5000 acre Los Ebanos is located on the Gulf Coast of Mexico, just a few hours south of the Texas border. Arturo Caso, the ranch owner, is a biologist and environmentalist who shares his knowledge and love of the abundant wildlife and spectacular habitat... Los Ebanos birding is truly awesome! Last trip, our heads were spinning on some of our jaunts into the field, viewing many of the spectacular species!
The November tour will also feature an exciting two day side trip to the cloud forest bio-preserve, El Cielo (The Heavens), formerly accessible only to research scientists and locals, the site recently opened to small groups of eco-tourists. El Cielo is known for its exceptional biodiversity, featuring mountains and caverns, and seven types of forest. (43 species of orchids!) For parrot lovers joining our tour, this side trip promises views of Military Macaws and Maroon-fronted Parrots, which are endemic to this area. Sightings of Yellow-heads, Red-loreds, and Green-cheeked Amazons a.k.a. Mexican Red-headeds (also endemic) are a thrilling daily experience at Los Ebanos. Observing them in the wild is an unforgettable treat. This is fantastic bird viewing!
Another new feature for this tour is a more accommodating means of travel. We will begin the trip in Harlingen, Texas on the morning of November 11th. (You may choose to stay in Harlingen the night before, at Veih's B&B or any of several hotels in the area.) Charlie Veih of Veih's Custom Outings will drive us to El Cielo for the 11th and 12th, then to Los Ebanos for the 13th, 14th, 15th 16th and back to the Harlingen airport late afternoon on November 17th.
At $1189, including two or three excellent tours daily, meals (fabulous!) and board (from the 11th through the afternoon of the 17th) this tour is a great value. Our past tours have been exceptional and we've had several repeat visitors, so if you have the opportunity to join us, don't pass it up. Trips are limited to a maximum of six for the greatest convenience, comfort and viewing. Make a difference in your travel choices! Your enthusiasm and dollars help locals appreciate the value of native flora and fauna and help preserve rapidly diminishing critical habitat. Join us for a trip that you'll never forget!
Your deposit of $200 by September 15 will discount your trip by $50. Please contact me for further information.
Marie Digatono
Vista de Pajaro Eco-tours (Bird's Eye View)
oratrix6@aol.com
(763)315-1749
Membership Dues
Membership dues time is here once again. Your Membership expires the last Wednesday of September. The fees are remaining the same $27.00 for a family membership and $22.00 for a single membership. See Pete at the next meeting or you can mail it to:
Lisa Thompson-Dobo, 12524 -129 Ave, Edmonton, AB, T5L 3J5
Look who’s talking
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One of the first things people ask when they hear you have a parrot is: "Does he talk?" I like to quote Liz Wilson, a certified veterinary technician and regular contributor to BirdTalk magazine. In a 2002 article, she wrote her favorite response to that question is, "Yes, he talks perfect parrot!" Why is it so important to people that your bird have human speech capabilities? I guess I have been lucky in this department as both of my parrots speak human quite well. However once that is said I have known other people’s birds for example George, Kari W’s elderly Umbrella Cockatoo was 35 years old when he passed away and never spoke one word of Human. Although George never spoke he sure had a way of cooing and showing body language that certainly made you understand exactly want he wanted. The big question that concerns me is when people are thinking about getting a parrot for the first time and one of their criteria is "I want a parrot that talks". My suggestion is one that Kari W. said to me a while back. Well if they want a parrot that is guaranteed to talk then they better adopt a parrot that has already developed human speech. I have only one guess as to why I think my birds have picked up speech. I think it is because is I live in a crazy busy house with tons of kids and lots of noise and I think they picked it up because it is part of their survival instinct. They saw that it works to yell "MOM" at the top of their lungs by example. To maximize your bird’s potential for talking human you have to talk to him all the time just like he is a human. Not only does this make your bird feel truly a member of the flock but it also includes them in your daily routine like any other member of the family. Let go of any expectations and you’ll be amazed at how wonderful these creatures can be to live with. Remember, if your bird never learns one word of Human he is no less as special as the ones that do talk. J Lisa |