Two years… 730 Days… 17,520 hours… Countless Miles… No matter how you look at it, two years on the road is a long time!  Especially when you travel the country by truck and RV… correction; make that two trucks, and two RV’s, a flock of birds, magic props, motorcycle, and a house cat.  Driving separately from Jamie can be painstaking, but it does give me some time to reflect.  Not only on shows and future plans, but on training, and what I can do to become a better trainer.

Image Copyright Feld Entertainment 2010

I’m one of those people who is constantly in the pursuit of perfection.  Always trying to learn more, and always trying to become a better person and professional.  At many times, it’s to a fault.  These past two years have really given me the chance to realize how important it is to live in the moment.  It has also given me phycological insight on how to get my birds to reach perfection on and off stage.  After all, I’m hired to perform a 1st-class production with professionally trained parrots – and likewise, my birds are expected to be “1st Class Performers” as well. It would be hard to be “the best” if my birds would land in the rafters, or fly out the backdoor and disappear into the Vegas desert, only to be found a week later by strangers.  In my industry, there’s no room for errors.  Sometimes that can translate to a lot of pressure for my birds, after all they didn’t sign the contract, I did.  So I always do my best to reward their every moment.

October 30, 2011 finally arrived, and we performed our last show in Wilkes Barre, PA.  I had performed for five different Ringling Shows over that two year tour, and it was all coming to an end.  Aside from a huge sense of accomplishment, there was a strange calmness that suddenly overwhelmed me backstage shortly after performing Catapoultry with Bondi.  I looked around and realized… 5,000 people in an arena, sold out shows, TV, Radio, Print… it was all coming to an end in 73 minutes from that exact moment.  Surrounded by black curtains and 7-sets of birdie eyes staring at me through the dimly lit backstage, as if they could tell I was finally processing it all; I took each bird out, kissed them on the head, held them for a moment and thanked them out-loud for being there for me for the entire tour. The ups and downs, the tornados and snow storms, 20 degrees to 120 degrees – it didn’t matter, they had achieved perfection in nearly every show, night after night, mile after mile, audience after audience.

Fiji’s Last Show – Photo Mishelle Statford

It was when I picked up Bondi, who had been looking at me concerned the whole time, that a single tear made it’s way past my right eye, and was now slowly passing my lips.   I kissed her on the head, thanked her for giving her all, even on days that she wasn’t feeling well.  It was as if she and I connected more than ever.  She mirrored my mood through every phase of the tour, from being a rock star on stage, to the tender moments offstage that an audience and cameras never see.  When we lost Fiji, she completely shut down with me, as if she was mourning her loss through me.  And on October 30, 2011 she once again  understood my feelings and that this was her last show, and we could both go home and relax until our next journey begins.

Bondi Performing Catapoultry

I learned many things on this tour about life & training.  From the highest highs to the lowest lows, and yet one lesson stands out miles ahead of anything else I could ever possibly write.  A lesson that we should all live by, a lesson that keeps you moving when your down and constantly elevates you while you’re up.

“Always love your birds like it’s the last day you’ll see them, for they provide more to us than could ever be transcribed into any human language.”

I’m so grateful for everything they’ve given me.  Those of you who can truly relate know the exact feeling I’m conjuring when I say these words.  And those of you who are just now paving that path with your birds will soon understand the feelings that are impossible to put onto paper.

Photo provided by Mirror Lake Exotics
Location: Florida
Shown: 3 camelot macaws related “Tusa”, Unknown, “Comet”

Someone asked me recently how to tell the difference visually between our two camelot macaw brothers; Comet and Tusa.

When camelot macaws are bred, they come out in 3 color variations (shown above), either yellow-dominant, red-dominant or a blue/green-dominant. Our boys are the yellow-dominant (Comet) and the blue/green-dominant (Tusa). They are only days apart, and Comet is surprisingly the elder.

Photo by Jamieleigh
Location: Ft Myers, FL
Eatin’ peas: Camelot macaws “Tusa” & “Comet”

Both Comet and Tusa have bright orange chests, so from the front view the only way to tell is the tops of their heads and slight coloration you get from their wings.

Comet has a light green color on the head followed by his bright yellow color and eventually blue wing tips. While Tusa’s head is primarily a green/blue color. Even their eye color varies a bit. Comet’s is a yellow color while Tusa’s is a super light blue. So light it almost is white with a bare tint of blue.

Photo by Jamieleigh
Location: Moab, UT
Pictured: Camelot macaws “Tusa” and “Comet”

Once you know what to look for, they are pretty easy to tell apart! We named Tusa after the dive gear (so think… blue as in ocean dive gear!) and Comet after his fire-y look of orange and yellow. Comet reminds us of a really big sun conure.

The easiest way to tell their differences is definitely by their backs, especially in flight or just hanging out as this picture shows…

Photo by Dave
Location: Orlando, FL
Shown: Camelot macaws “Tusa” and “Comet” (and the beak of blue throated macaw “Jinx”)

The hardest view to tell the two apart is definitely from the front. The only good picture I could find is one from Christmas years ago when they were still messy and hand feeding… but it definitely shows how alike they look from the front!

Photo by Jamieleigh
Location: Sagle, ID
Shown: Camelot macaws “Tusa” and “Comet”

From the front all you have going for you are the slight color variations on their heads and wings, along with their slight eye color difference as well.

Hopefully that helps most of you be able to tell them apart in pictures and video! Happy flying!

Check out more pictures of our parrots.

As a professional performer who happens to work with parrots, I meet thousands of people each week and I get invited to a lot of parrot rescues because of this.  Now I know that most of the rescues I’ve been to sure meant well, but the fact remains that only a few are making a difference like Christy is at Zazu’s House Parrot Sanctuary just north of Seattle.

I was in the middle of loading my illusions into the arena in Everett, when I received a picture message from one of our tour managers.  She had taken a picture of a Hyacinth in a pet shop across the street from us, and told me it was “the most amazing shop and birds are out everywhere!”  She was right about it being an amazing shop.  I walked into Apollo’s Bird Store and struck up a conversation with the owner, Bunni.  You could tell instantly that she was a fan of birds and was willing to do anything to make sure they go to good homes.

Photo by Jamieleigh
Location: Bothell, WA
Pictured: Blue and Gold Macaw

It was then, that I first heard about Zazu’s House.  It was this mysterious rescue that I needed to know more about.  Bunni mentioned how the rescue lives off of donations and that once a year the pet shop holds a silent auction to raise money for Zazu’s House.  Last year they raised almost $10,000 which went towards the construction of a new building.  It was this drive that made me realize I needed to see this amazing place.

Within a couple days we had an appointment with the rescue, and we followed Bunni out while trying to make sure we got back to Everett in time for shows that evening.  When the gates opened up and we drove up to the estate, I was blown away.  This wasn’t just any old rescue, this was a heaven! 

Photo by Dave
Location: Bothell, WA
Macaw Haven Aviary in Zazu’s House

There were two sections.  One was for “special needs” and the other was for macaws only.

Since I choose editing video over writing to relay my message, I scheduled another visit so that I could film this incredible place, and share it with you.  I felt inclined to donate, and hope that if you’re in a position to do the same that you do so without hesitation.  Just watch the video above and you’ll soon know why.

pacific parrotlets

A questions that we often hear at Birdtricks is: “what is a good first bird to get?”. It’s a difficult question and one that I answer reluctantly. I will try to offer my opinion…

First, I want to say that I don’t really believe in “starter” birds. It is often said that a smaller bird is more suitable for the first time owner. I don’t entirely agree.

All birds are created equally. There is no one species of parrot that requires less care or commitment than the others. Every single species needs the same considerations to health and diet, enrichment and attention. In this regard, there is no diffference between a budgie or a hyacinth macaw. Basic care requirements are not minimized because a parrot is smaller.

Hyacinth macaw

You might ask yourself why a larger bird is more appealing to you. Believe me when I tell you that a smaller bird is every bit the parrot that a larger bird is.They are as intelligent, interactive and demanding  – they just come in a smaller, less intrusive package. A larger parrot is not a better parrot.

There are, however, significant logistical differences in the ownership of larger vs smaller birds to consider. Size is very relevant in the following areas:

Vocalization: It only makes sense that the larger the bird, the louder the voice. If your hearing is sensitive, or if you have nearby neighbors that own shotguns, you might reconsider getting a larger parrot (check THIS out).

Biting: As a new owner, you will find yourself at a disadvantage when it comes to adeptly reading your bird’s body language. If you harbor a fear of being bitten, and chances are you will be at some point, a smaller bird might be right for you. Birds can sense apprehension and some will use it to intimidate and manipulate you.

Housing: Do you have the space in your living room for a cage that is 3 or 4 times the size of your refrigerator? Don’t forget about the play stand.

Damage: The bigger the bird, the bigger the beak, the bigger the holes in your shirts/furniture/carpeting/doorways…

Sulphur crested cockatoo, blue and gold macaw

Certainly, there are species that are correctly defined as high maintenance, either behaviorally or in their special needs. For instance:

• The lory owner needs to be well educated about their unique diet and will need to find creative solutions to the “messes” they make because of their nectar-based diet. They don’t so much poop as squirt and the wall behind the cage will not fare well. Nor will closely placed furniture, or the floor, for that matter.
• The african grey can be overly sensitive to its environment, can be phobic, and will mimic every sound emitted in your household. This can be endearing, annoying and/or embarrassing. Dad will have to stop swearing like a sailor and couples will not want to keep their african grey’s cage in their bedroom. (A discovery some friends made when their bird replayed the audio portion of the night before in the presence of their dinner guests.)
• Then there’s the cockatoo who might be best served by an owner that has some serious experience in parenting, as they require someone who is adept at dispensing tough love to keep them from developing bad habits. Cockatoos always seem to be wanting things that are not good for them.They are constantly seeking attention. Sometimes you must deny them and it is difficult not to give in at times. It’s easy to make mistakes with them and many should have the number of a local rescue tattooed under their wing.(Some will simply come with the number 666.) Cockatoos are my favorite species, but this is a bird that I really think belongs in the hands of an experienced bird person.

Umbrella cockatoo

In the end, the answer to the question of which bird to get is more related to the person considering parrot ownership than it is to any parrot species. It boils down to what kind of potential bird owner you are, what your circumstances allow for and how tolerant you are to the behaviors that certain species are famous for. There is no patented “right” first bird.

I have watched people who wanted a macaw as a first bird do the “responsible” thing and start with small birds, eventually graduate to a medium sized birds, and finally get their macaw. The result is a house full of birds, all needing attention, when all they wanted originally was a single macaw to dote on. I think that people should get the bird they want, but ONLY when certain, beyond a doubt, that they are up to the challenge. Many new owners do very well with a large first bird. I have also seen people fail miserably with cockatiels, who are known for their friendly and compliant natures.

budgies

Know what you are getting into. Exhaustively research any species you are considering. Understand that ANY bird will be a huge, long-term commitment. Most importantly, be brutally honest about your limitations as a potential bird owner and don’t go for a bird that you aren’t able to give 100% to.

Photo by rio.movie-trailer,com

I don’t go out to movies often. I usually wait for them to come out on Netflix, but I have been anticipating the release of RIO for months now, for all the obvious reasons. I had read that the director and animators had studied wild, captive and companion birds in depth to make the stars of this film as true to life as possible without alienating the non-bird people (like we really care). I already have 4 of the 8 available Happy Meal toys from McDonald’s.
I bought my ticket outside the theater and the girl in the box office looked around me to see how many kids I was escorting. I grinned and said: “Just one, please.” I walked into the lobby determined not to indulge in anything from the concession counter on principal because I so object to the prices. I caved 10 feet inside the door. What is it about the smell of popcorn?
I opted to see a matinee on this first Sunday of the movie’s opening. I wouldn’t normally, intentionally, put myself in a closed room with a horde of over-excited and sugar-deluged kids (as much as I do love children), but as this is a movie that targets children and was said to carry strong messages about the wild bird trade and conservation, I wanted to see how this message was received.

photo by latino.foxnews.com

The story centers around about “Blu”, a wild caught macaw, who comes into the care of Linda who lives in Minnesota. One day, the two are visited by a South American Ornithologist, Tulio, who informs Linda that Blu is the last remaining male macaw of his species in existence (his species is referred to simply as the “blue macaw”). He has in captivity, in Rio De Janeiro, the last remaining female (Jewel), and encourages Linda to bring Blu to Rio to participate in a breeding program. Linda is overwhelmed with a sense of responsibility, and finally agrees. A group of illegal smugglers catches wind of the pair of birds, and knowing they are worth a lot of money, breaks into the facility where they are being housed. The efforts of the smugglers are assisted by a filthy, desperately ill looking cockatoo with a big chip on his shoulder.
The story continues as flightless Blu, who has only lived in a human environment, co-mingles with the native species and learns what it means to be a bird. During his adventures, he falls in love with Jewel. Rio concludes where Linda and Blu have one final exchange before she allows him, with a mixture of joy and sadness, to make the decision to return to the wild and raise a family with Jewel.
I got very choked up during this scene as it called to mind a story I had read about a woman who made the agonizing choice to relinquish her Spix macaw, the most direly endangered of all parrots and the species that Blu and Jewel are patterned after, and who had been her long-time companion, to a breeding program because it was the right thing to do.

photo by slashfilm.com

While keeping in mind that this movie was not intended solely for we bird aficionados, there were some flaws. Early in the movie, Blu was served hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies as a snack. I suspect that this was intended to drive home the idea of his very “human” existence which sharply contrasted to the life of the wild birds he encountered in Brazil. Most bird people also likely noticed that there were only three toes on each foot. This was probably done intentionally. Since birds do so much with their feet, that fourth toe might have complicated the imagery when a foot was being featured.
I have to say that they did a great job of making clear the horrors of the wild bird trade, but I wish they would have touched more upon conservational issues. There were some moments that were clearly intended for people who own birds, such as the mention of “positive reinforcement” in the scene where Blu is studying how to fly and the wild bird’s amazement at his adeptness at picking locks and breaking out of cages, as well as his ability to mimic a dog to frighten off a cat.

There was a scene where one of the fledglings of Raphael, the toucan featured in the film, exhibited the bad habit of pulling out everyone’s feathers. When questioned about this behavior, Raphael said:  “Yeah, we’re having him tested”.  Everyone in the theater laughed. I was expecting the humor of that line to be missed. Apparently, more people are aware of plucking problems than I had imagined.

photo by slashfilm.com

I enjoyed the movie and enjoyed watching the children around me giggling throughout. My one concern, which others have expressed, is that the movie might inspire an increased interest in pet birds. I’m afraid some might see only the cute and clownish personalities of the birds in the film and be touched by the close bond between Linda and Blu. It made bird ownership look blissful and effortless. I would have loved to have seen Blu dismantling the computer keyboard and wiping his beak off on Linda’s shirt. Many will miss the important message about freedom, which is what Blu ultimately chose, at the end.
Of course, this movie is a must see for parrot owners, if only because it’s ALL about parrots and their welfare. It wasn’t all I’d hoped it would be, but I did enjoy it a great deal, and I do recommend it to everyone reading.  For those of you interested, I found this cute Rio drawing tutorial which teaches you how to draw the birds from the movie.

Umbrella cockatoos

My birds don’t talk a lot, with the exception of Libby, my quaker, who won’t shut up. The problem is, she only has one thing to say, and says it over and over until I finally have to leave the room having run out of ways to respond to “How ya doin’?”.  Still, every once in a while, one of them will come with a doozie.

I used to come home from work everyday to a familiar: “Hi. How doin’?” from Linus, my umbrella cockatoo. Now it has become: “Hi birrrrd!”, sometimes stretching the “R’s” out for several seconds. I don’t have any idea where this came from.  I have never called him “bird”. I imagine I should be flattered and feel like a real, card carrying member of the flock. The good news is that this phrase doesn’t get Libby off and running with hers.

Linus is a good bird, but we have experienced a couple of rough patches. He is a bit edgy at times, and I am careful to approach him appropriately in certain situations. He has always been a little nesty, so when he found his way into the corner or his paper bag I would reach carefully for him and say “Be a good boy. Don’t bite me.” During one period, when he was being down right testy, I found myself saying: “Be a good boy. Don’t you bite me.” more often. One night I reached for him and said: “Be a good boy.” and he said “Bite me.”  You have to love a bird that issues his warnings verbally.

quaker parrot

I had been working with Libby on animal sounds some time ago.  I would say: “What’s a kitty say?”, and she would respond with an ear piercing “meow”.  She made the cutest croaking sound when asked: “What’s a froggie say?”. We were currently working on ‘rooster’ when I decided to see how Linus would do with the same training.

It was cage cleaning day and I stuck him in a carrier while I cleaned and I worked with him on animal sounds. He loved it when I shouted ‘cock-a-doodle-doo’. The carrier would shake from him bouncing up and down, but he wouldn’t repeat anything back. When I had put him back in his cage and was working on Theo’s, he shouted ‘cock-a-too-doo” and I almost fell over. Of course, he didn’t say it again and probably never will, but boy was it funny!

Blue and gold macaws

I think my favorite ever story comes compliments of two blue and gold macaws owned by a young married couple I knew in Austin. I was visiting with them in their kitchen and the birds were on a huge playstand that occupied, well, most of the room.  The house rules were that while the birds were in the kitchen, the dogs weren’t allowed in, and vice versa.The dogs were napping on the sofa in the living room. Birds being birds, however, the macaws were not to fond of following rules. They had devised their own little game.

One bird would, in the wife’s voice, call the dogs to the kitchen by name: “Here Trixie! Here Dingo!” The other bird, in the husband’s voice would yell at them to get out: “BAD DOGS!”. They had the dogs running back and forth for about 30 minutes. The owners just shook their heads while I laughed uncontrollably. Apparently, this goes on frequently.
What are some of your favorite stories?