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Time Change & Your Bird

Time change can throw anyone for a loop, and this month we are skipping forward an hour for extended daylight. While this seems to benefit most of us, you may see your birds slower to adapt as they don’t rely on clocks like we do. They rely on the sun rise and set, and our personal schedules for food, sleep, and activity. Don’t be surprised if your birds become your new alarm clock. Now that it is bright out when you wake up, they are most likely already up and active.

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Bird’s Eye View

Parrots are a rainbow of colors. Take the Scarlet Macaw for example, with its combination of red, yellow, blue, and a hint of green! Color and vision are important to birds- it can help in mate selection, finding food, and even assessing ripeness of fruits. It is no wonder that bird toys, and even foods and pelleted diets are offered with so many bright colors.

While a human can see the visible spectrum that ranges from about 390 to 700 nm, a parrot can see those colors plus the ultraviolet light range below 400 nm.

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Yogurt-Covered Strawberries

Indulge your parrot in an easy Valentine’s Day themed treat!

Ingredients:

  • Strawberries
  • Greek Yogurt – Plain, vanilla, or fruit flavored
  • Toppings – Chopped nuts, seeds, etc. (Just remember, no candy or chocolate!)
  • Directions:

    1. Select your strawberries and wash them gently, but thoroughly. Pat them dry with a paper towel.
    2. Prepare your toppings on a plate or in a shallow bowl.
    3. Stir the Greek yogurt into a creamy consistency, then dip your strawberries in.
    4. Roll the yogurt-covered berries in the toppings, then place them on a piece of wax paper on a plate, or cookie sheet.
    5. Place in the freezer for at least 2 hours.
    6. Let the berries thaw for 5-10 minutes to be able to cut the green tops off, or before cutting them in half / pieces. You can also feed them whole, or hanging on a parrot fruit skewer!

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    Bird Affection

    Birds can show affection to other birds, and even to their owners. Here are a few common signs to look for:

    Imitation
    Many birds imitate each others’ activities and behaviors. You may see pairs of birds eating at the same time, playing together, resting together, or stretching their wings out at the same time. This mimicry also functions as a method to learn important social behaviors.

    Allopreening
    Allopreening is one way that birds bond with each other. Unlike preening when a bird grooms itself- this is when one bird preens another. It can help with hygiene, opening up new, itchy pin feathers, and sometimes just feels good. You may find your bird is participating in this when it preens your hair!

    Regurgitation
    The regurgitation of food can occur from one mate to another, from a parent to an offspring, or from one sibling to another sibling. Don’t be grossed out if your parrot tries to bring up food for you, it is their way of saying “I love you!”