If you are considering volunteering to help animals overseas, during the last year Parrots Magazine has published details of some projects that have been undertaken:

Jul 2013: Dept of Environment & Conservation, Australia; www.dec.wa.gov.au

Dec 2013: ECHO, Bonaire, Caribbean; www.echobonaire.org

Jan 2014: La Senda Verde, North Yungas, Bolivia; www.sendaverde.com/volunteer-program.html

Feb 2014: Fundacion Pro-Bosque, Cerro Blanco Protected Forest, Ecuador; www.bosquecerroblanco.org

Mar 2014: Merazonia Animal Refuge, Ecuador; www.merazonia.org

Apr 2014: Belize Bird Rescue, Cayo District, Belize; www.belizebirdrescue.com/volunteer.html

May 2014: Utila Iguana Conservation Project, Utila Island, one of the Bay Islands, off Honduras; www.utila-iguana.de

Jun 2014: ARA Project, Costa Rica; www.thearaproject.org

Jul 2014: Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project, Sri Lanka; www.kosgodaseaturtle.org

Aug 2014: Esperanza Verde, Peru; www.esperanzaverdeperu.com

Not all the projects are to help with parrots, but nevertheless, they may be of interest.  Please note that since publication, the projects may vary or have stopped, so please check on the websites for current volunteering opportunities.

Nutrition for your parrot’s health is obviously of great importance.  In the July 2014 issue of Parrots Magazine, Leslie Moran’s series about ‘The Holistic Parrot’ continues with an article entitled ‘Is “birdie bread” a good way to provide nutrition?’  Leslie investigates the ingredients available for making “birdie bread” and offers great advice about what to avoid, the nutritional values involved and how cooking destroys nutrients.  Leslie concludes ‘having reviewed the nutritional data we can see that “birdie bread” is not really very healthful or nutritious’ and that ‘in the overall food plan “birdie bread” should make up less than 5% of the total foods fed, as it is really only a comfort food.  Leslie shares her recipe for Banana-nut Bread, which proves very popular with her flock and also talks about the most valuable reason for sharing this comfort food with your parrot. http://www.parrotmag.com/buy-the-latest-issue

When you go to bed, do you turn off the lights and plunge your bird into sudden darkness?  Why not use a light dimmer.  There are a number of light dimmers on the market that will gradually dim a lamp over a period of about 20 minutes.  This will allow your bird to become acclimatised to the fading light and not be frightened by a sudden change.

12 visible signs that show your bird is unwell:

1. Ruffled or fluffed-up plumage.
2. Listlessness or dozing more than usual.
3.  Dropped wings.
4. Extreme mood changes.
5. Losing their appetite or eating continuously.
6. Bulges in their plumage.
7. Partially closed or weeping eyes.
8. Rasping or difficulty breathing.
9. Excessive saliva.
10. Dirty vent.
11. Any change in their dropping, that is not obviously diet related.
12. Parrot reluctant to perch and found on the floor.