In this issue:

• Creating a mobile bird playground

• Bonding tips and general info from my parrotlet expert friend

• Summer heat concerns 

• Available baby

• Link to previous newsletters 

Making a mobile bird playstand...

Not long ago I found myself searching for a birthday idea

for a fellow parrotlet lover. I came upon the idea of making

a mobile bird stand that she could wheel to any room in

her house. Since her parrotlet's name was Ziggy, I dubbed

it the "Ziggy Mobile".

If you find yourself in need of such a mobile chariot, here

are the instructions with the links to the items that I used.

Directions:

*First purchase a rolling clothing rack like the one linked

below. It does not have to be expensive since a parrotlet

and his toys have such minimal weight. The one shown

is from Amazon for $17.99.

https://www.amazon.com/Honey-Can-Do-Adjustable-

Rolling-Clothes-GAR-09375/dp/B0924VHXN5/ref=sr_1_17?crid=3DY4NALEGJ03L&keywords=rolling+clothing+rack&

qid=1684081832&sprefix=rolling+clothing+rack%2Caps%

2C93&sr=8-17

*Next, devise some type of a catchment for debris and

droppings to affix to the bottom of your stand. I found a

plastic tray on Amazon. The one I purchased measured about 29" long x 18" wide and it fit perfectly. You could use anything that would keep any falling debris contained.

*Third, since the bars of the clothing rack are metal, I wrapped jute rope, purchased from the Dollar Tree around the horizontal bars to provide a more secure footing. You could actually use about any kind of rope or fabric to provide the same footing aid. Just be sure to use material that is non-toxic since your birds will at some point decide to chew on it!

*Lastly, hang whatever toys, swings, ropes, etc., to provide an active playground to keep your pet healthy and happy. One additional plus with using a clothing rack, like this one, is the ability to raise or lower the bars. This allows for a wide variation in the different configurations that you can create for your pet!

Here is a pic of my Ziggy Mobile creation.

Advice from my parrotlet expert buddy...

One thing that I highly value is the expertise that I garner from a very dear parrotlet friend, Laurel Manley. As a matter of fact, she is the person who introduced me to the little beauties over 14 years ago!

I often tap her for advice since she has been working with birds for many years and I have found her to always provide sound and well thought out information. I contacted her recently for a few tips, and here is what she provided regarding bonding with a new baby, but the truth is, this advice applies to interactions with parrotlets at any stage of a relationship.

When bonding with a baby:

• Pick the right time for engagement. Times when your baby is eating, bathing, preening, or playing with a toy may not be a good time.

• Keep your energy low when bonding with your baby. If you are calm they will feed off your energy and be calm also.

• Don't overstimulate your baby with lots of new things and multiple people. They are sensitive to new things and people so large throngs of people meeting the new baby at the same time is not a good thing.

• Baby talk seems to be a good tool when communicating with your baby. Birds respond well to melodic voices and repeated phrases. Voicing words or phrases in a sing song type of method seems to be helpful when teaching your baby.

• Routines are beneficial. Same wake up time, bed time, supplemental food time. A minimum of 10 hours of undisturbed, quiet, covered time is needed every night.

• Wear a t-shirt material for your bird to hang out on your shoulder. Let them get used to you and become comfortable with your look, height, movements, hair, voice, etc.

   

  Things to NEVER do:

• Hit or punish your bird. They do NOT understand this and will retaliate and not trust you. A time out, without losing your temper is acceptable.

• Do not spray or use your hands when disciplining a bird.

   

Bottom line - Trust, patience, and love are the best tools for bonding with your new baby to create a life long relationship.

Laurel Manley - Thunderbirds USA

Summer heat concerns...

Link to previous newsletters:

This link will take you to previous newsletters that offer a variety of topics and information.

As always, I appreciate your thoughts, comments, and observations!

Wishing you the very best,

Carla