Dear Parrots magazine,

Toning down

I have recently taken over an Orange-winged Amazon from an elderly couple who can no longer look after it as one of them will be going into a care home. Although I have not had a parrot before, I am aware that they are known for their talking ability, but in this particular case, this bird called Elmo comes out with expletives! This has caused a bit of a problem for us as we have an elderly neighbour that often pops in for a coffee and a bit embarrassing when I see the look of horror on her face when Elmo starts up.

Read more: Letters: Toning down

Dear Parrots magazine,

Conservation at its best

I have to say I was delighted to see the front cover from the last issue (December 2018) depicting the Blue-throated Macaw.

Read more: Letters: Conservation at its best

Dear Parrots magazine,

Appeal

I read Parrots magazine cover to cover, but can we please have some more breeding articles?!

David Ridley, Norfolk

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Dear Parrots magazine,

No metal please

I bought a pair of African Greys just over a year ago and was told they were a male and female which I think was right as they appeared to want to nest. As a result, I bought a nest box from a chap that makes them not far away from me, but the box had protective metal trim around the nest hole. This did strike me as a bit odd when I first saw the box, as I think birds like to chew their way in. But to confirm my suspicions they seemed very agitated about this metal around the entrance hole, so much so that I removed it and replaced it with some odd softwood strips I had, which I fixed across the hole that left a bit of a gap. I was so pleased to see that they chewed away at this timber and finally entered the nest box, which is what I thought they would do in the wild. They do seem a lot happier now although haven’t produced any eggs yet, so I am waiting with great anticipation.

Read more: Letters: No metal trims please

Dear Parrots magazine,

Happy days

I was delighted to read in previous issues that the RSPCA had decided to contribute to Parrots magazine, and hope this continues. I am also aware that the RSPCA does come under criticism from time to time, but I suppose that is par for the course in the work that they do. However, I happen to be a great supporter and not only pleased to see the birds they include in their page, but also the wonderful story about Tulio, Tim and Polly. What a fantastic result this was as through this magazine, that little bird has now found what appears to be a loving ‘forever’ home.

Read more: Letters: Happy days

Dear Parrots magazine,

Captive bred releases

I do thank Rosemary Low for her 'Letters' input into my article about Tiara bird and her Amazon instincts for survival. When I mentioned in one sentence that captive bred parrots have been successfully released, I was internally thinking about several. The Kakapo comes to mind, though I perhaps was amiss in writing 'Asia" when I should have said Australasia.

Also the wonderful release project for the Echo Parakeet on Mauritius in the Indian Ocean, although Mauritius could arguably be considered either a part of the African continent geographically or part of Asia as it lies at the intersection of the two continental plates.

Read more: Letters: Captive bred releases