Dear Parrots magazine,
‘Natural’ entrance holes
I recently visited a bird show and was looking to buy new nest boxes. There were several traders selling wooden boxes, but I was very surprised to see some that had metal rims around the entrance holes, presumably to stop the birds from chewing away at them. But surely, to chew their way into a nest hole, as in the wild, is a natural process, for Mother Nature doesn’t necessarily produce nest holes in trees to the exact dimensions a particular species may want.
Read more: Letters: ‘Natural’ entrance holes
Dear Parrots magazine,
Protozoal problem
I am seeking any information on a parasite called Protozoal Megaloshizonts. This parasite is carried by midges and is transferred to aviary birds when bitten by an infected midge, it is not transferred from bird to bird. Protozoal Magaloshizonts has been found in the heart and/or the liver of several of my parakeets resulting in death.
Read more: Letters: Protozoal problem
Dear Parrots magazine,
CITES-listed parrots
The Green-cheeked Conure has become one of the most popular species in aviculture so it was good to see an article devoted to Pyrrhuras in the November issue. However, Pauline James seems to be unclear about CITES-listed species. She mentions two species, the Green-cheeked and the Red-bellied (Maroon-bellied) in relation to their CITES Appendix Iisting and correctly states that they are on Appendix II, but also states that both species are listed because they are endangered. This is incorrect. They are two of the most common and widespread members of the genus.
Read more: Letters: CITES-listed parrots
Dear Parrots magazine,
Need my cockatiel back
Complacency and freaky circumstances led to one of my cockatiels escaping from my bird room, a ‘panic shout’ went up from my Yellow-collared macaws, and all my birds joined in. One cockatiel flew around the dividing curtain, across the kitchen, out into the conservatory, and over 30 feet to the window I’d opened to let in some fresh air.
Read more: Letters: Need my cockatiel back
Dear Parrots magazine,
Another horror story
I read about the karabiner with horror in last month’s issue and have witnessed similar problems with other items. We need to be so careful as to what we put in our parrots’ cages and flights.
Read more: Letters: Another horror story
Dear Parrots magazine,
Cold weather
In the north of England, we have been experiencing very cold snaps recently, which had made me conscious about my birds getting too cold. I have four pairs of cockatiels and two pairs of Bourkes in outside aviaries and, although, in a fairly sheltered position, they can become extremely cold.
Read more: Letters: Cold weather