Ask Rio, Parrot tips, Tricks and training. This is my articles page. I stand on my soapbox and HOWL!

This page is dedicated to Rio, my Severe Macaw, and all the other companion parrots who share our lives. I hope to help each and every parrot lover to better understand these incredible birds and improve the relationships we have our parrots.

Parrot Tips will cover general care, feeding, handling, caging and all the stuff to help make our parrot's lives better.

Parrot Tricks will cover such topics as teaching your parrot to play dead, show me, and general FUN stuff for you and your parrot.

Parrot Training will cover topics such as Beak Training, behavior modifications and altering negative behavior.

Ever wonder why you're parrot doesn't talk when your in the room? Ever wonder why your parrot screams or bites? What's the best thing to feed my parrot? Are you a new parrot owner and have lots of questions. These and more will be the topics discussed on this page.

This page will not be Politically Correct. By that, I mean that If I disagree with current popular thinking, I will say so.

These are my opinions. I'm not a parrot expert, I don't profess to being one. I'm not a veterinarian. I'm just a guy who has enjoyed parrots since the age of 14. If you find that what I say makes sense to you, accept and use the information. If it doesn't make sense to you, don't use my suggestions. I don't profess to being a so-called parrot expert. There are enough of those around.

Recently, I had a consultant recommend that I remove all my opinion pages from my site. His reasoning was sound, when you're reading my articles, you're not looking at my stuff, and I make a living by selling my Bottlebrush stuff. Plus, if you disagree with my opinions, that's a reason not to buy my stuff. It actually makes sense.

Let me know what you think of this page, and if you like it, pass it on to a friend.

One last thing. I'm not a sexist, however, for ease of writing, I will refer to all parrots as HE. Hope the ladies out there don't take offense.

Let's set the mood here. Parrots are funny critters. From their wild color schemes, to their hysterical antics, lets face it, we enjoy them because they are wild and crazy. Throw out you inhibitions. If you want to get the most from your parrot, act crazy around them. When you walk over to visit, develop your own funny routine that you and your parrot share. Watch what your parrot does naturally, and incorporate that into your relationship with your parrot.

Chat rooms, blogs, lists, whatever! Many of you enjoy these, but understand this, they aren't your friend. Many seem to foster fear and prey on your desire to do what's right for your bird. Use caution and have an open mind.

Water Bottles. If you have a Hamster, these are great. Life threatening for birds though.

Is your Avian Vet a parrot expert? Some Vets are bird experts, most aren't. Most know how birds work, but not how they think or how to deal with them.

Better safe then sorry, and Agendas. There are a whole group of parrot owners who are afraid of everything, trust nothing, and this fear is preyed upon by people with agendas.

Teflon!! Another of those stupid, hysterical internet rumors that everyone was freaking out about.

The good mom and pop pet/bird shops I've dealt with over last 16 years have been excellent. These people are in business because they love animals and want to make animals their lives work. In my opinion for what that's worth, your complaint shouldn't be with stores that sell birds like the Golden Cockatoo, it should be with the big chain pet/bird stores and the parrot industry in general.

Your local independent bird/pet store is a valuable asset every parrot owner should take full advantage of. These people are a wealth of experience and in most cases, very willing to share and help. The good ones are dedicated to helping their clients get the right bird, and get off on the right track. And their there if you need them and that's something every parrot owners needs.

And you as a parrot owner need to do business with them and NOT the big chain pet stores. These people are under assault by the big chains, and if they have their way, there won't be any more independent pet/bird stores. Over the last 10 years, more then 50% of my dealers have been put out of business by these giants.

In my opinion, Rachel's complaint shouldn't be with the Golden Cockatoo and independent stores like theirs, it should be with the big chains and the parrot industry in general.

Again, in my opinion, the big chain pet stores are the biggest threat to Rachel's bird and every other parrot out there, and here's why.

In 1992, I built 6 prototype gyms and took them to a local pet store. They bought all 6 on a Friday, and called me on Monday and ordered more, they sold all six that first weekend. Slowly, I began to add dealers and develop my gyms, and in 8 years, had 150 dealers and sold about 6000 gyms. Contrast this to an experience I had a year ago.

I visited a local big chain pet store, one of the big ones, and spoke with the manager. We went out to my van and I showed him what I did. He was very interested and gave me the number to their corporate office. I called and spoke with them and here were their requirements.

First, I had to give them an exclusive. I couldn't sell on my web site, or to my South Florida dealers.
Next, I had to provide financial information that I was a solid capable company because...
I had to provide gyms for 8800 stores.

There were more requirements, but that's as far as it went. My question to him was simple, you didn't start with 8800 stores, so why do I have to. Why can't I add stores like they did as I expand my business. No was their answer, either all or none.

The parrot industry has always been a cottage industry. Moms and pops loving parrots and needing something they couldn't find, so they made it themselves. Then, they made some extra and sold them to friends, then stores. And the stores were local stores who embraced new stuff.

Now, that avenue is gone for the little guy and every parrot owner loses. Sure, you can build a web site and compete for positioning on one the search engines, but again, the big guys hire pros and who can compete with them.

And, unfortunately, the parrot industry itself is going corporate. When you walk in those big stores, I don't know where they get their birds, but it isn't likely their buying from local breeders. We've all heard of Puppy Mills, but never hear about the Parrot Mills, yes, they exist.

Rachel, your problem isn't with the Golden Cockatoo, it's with the parrot industry and the big chains. That's where they sell birds to anyone with the money, and the people working there are there as a job. Even the managers are business people, and selling birds or dog food is nothing more then a way to make money.

I was in a big chain store a couple of years ago and they had a Double Yellow head Amazon in a cage. I got to talking to one of the employees who told me he had worked there for 3 years and that bird was there when he started. This bird has spent his whole life locked in an 18"x18"X18" cage with one Manzanita perch and no toys, nothing. And. they never took him out, never. I went back to my shop and made a couple of Bottlebrush perches and a couple of toys. I went back and spoke with the store manager and asked him if I could give these to the DYH. He told me absolutely not, and I had to leave immediately. I asked him to sell me the bird, and he said sure, $1599.00. Basically we had a confrontation right there in the store and he threatened to call the police on me if I didn't leave. I did leave but told him I would be back. When I went back, the bird was gone. This is the problem, not stores like The Golden Cockatoo. To lump them in with the big chains isn't fair and is only making the big chains more powerful but putting the little guys out of business.

We have to support the independent stores or there won't be any. Rachel, I understand your frustration. For almost 10 years I've been trying to make people realize that the parrot industry is bad for birds. Cages are terrible for birds and no longer necessary. Pellets are terrible for birds but I'm the only one saying it. So, I'm teaming up with the Golden Cockatoo to see if I can reach more people with my stuff. But if you don't buy from us, we wont be here. You said your bird loves his Bottlebrush gym, yet might not buy another one because TGC sells birds. Sad, but everyone loses here except the big chain stores because if we're gone, they'll have less competition.
Wayne

In 1999, when I first built this site, one thing became apparent immediately. It seemed like most of the parrot owners I dealt with and heard from we're extremely nervous about their birds. Many had fallen into the BETTER SAFE THEN SORRY mindset, and lived their lives in fear for the safety of their birds. Unfortunately, these fears we're fostered by people and businesses with agendas, and those agendas we're good for business. As I got more involved with my clients, I came to the realization that stuff they SHOULD worry about they didn't even know about, and that's the purpose of this article. Note. If you look at the other articles on this page, you'll realize I'm not a SKY IS FALLING person. However, these are things you should know about. So, here goes.

Virtually every parrot, right now, has Wing Nuts in his cage. These are used to attach in-cage perches, toys, almost anything to your birds cage. They are easy to install, so you as a parrot owner like them. However, they are dangerous for your bird, here's why.

Being able to easily install them makes them also possible for your bird to remove them, especially medium and large birds. The way there made also makes them interesting for your bird, so they do try to remove them, it's in their nature. Here's the problem with them.

I had a client who found their Yellow on the floor of his cage, deceased, with his swing on top of him. He was playing on top of his cage and loosened the wing nut holding the swing. Apparently, he tried to climb on his swing, and it fell with him underneath it. I also had a client who's bird loosened the wing nut holding an in-cage perch, and lost a toe when it got caught between the perch and cage. These are only 2 examples, I have more, but here's the problem. The solution here is simple, yet the parrot industry refuses to address this issue.

Instead of using Wing Nuts, I use Lock Nuts. Here's how they work. If you look at the pic on the left, you'll notice the nylon ring inside the top of the nut. When tightened with a wrench, that nylon ring grips the stud and your bird can't remove it. It's just that simple. They are more difficult to install for us, but safe for your bird. You can change Wing Nuts to Lock Nuts in a snap. They're available is standard sizes, 3/8", 5/16" and 1/4" are the sizes I use, costs pennies, and are available at most home and hardware store.

You know what these are, you might have your keys on one of these. They're great for Keys, however, here's the problem using these around your bird.

Parrots love to pry open things. So, they pry these open with their beaks, and investigate with their tongues. If it snaps shut with their tongue in it, it could cause serious injury or worse. These and other types of snap rings, key rings, belt hooks, etc, should not be used around parrots. Anything that snaps shut can be dangerous for birds. Use Quik Links, not any kind of snap rings.

Manzanita can cause a serious foot problem called Slippery Foot. It's extremely hard, but isn't actually smooth, it's more like a fine sandpaper. Over time, it actually removes and smoothes the bottom of your birds feet, and they end up like bald tires on your car. Once that happens, perching becomes extremely difficult and uncomfortable. Birds regularly fall off Manzanita perches, especially when sleeping. Sandblasting doesn't matter, this stuff is just too hard, harder then your birds feet. Manzanita should not be used for birds, period.

This stuff is fairly new, and is being distributed by a large cage manufacturer. Java wood is really smooth and slippery. In order for your parrot to perch, the branches need to be fairly thin so your parrot can wrap his feet around it and hold on. That Holding On isn't natural, and causes foot problems, cramping, etc. Climbing and playing isn't comfortable, so birds generally find a spot and sit there, the equivalent to your kids playing video games.

Plastic is plastic, no matter what you do to it, and your bird isn't going to like it because it's slippery and hard to stand on. It'll be attractive to you, easy to clean, cheap, indestructible, but a total waste of money, and bad for your bird.

Pellets are great for the manufacturer, distributor, retailer and owner, bad for your parrot. Here's why.

Today's birds are different then birds 20+ years ago, yet most of you are treating them exactly like we did wild caught parrots in the past. NOTHING is more detrimental to their long term physical and mental health, and your relationship with your parrot then caging them for long periods of time. I know your told it's for THEIR SAFETY but that's garbage. It's for the cage companies benefit, not yours or your birds. Since 1992, I've been building play gyms that your bird would love so much, they stay there because they want to. Most of you will never try them, and that really frustrates me. Getting your bird out of their cage can really improve their lives, but it can't happen if you don't make it happen. All those people telling you it can't work aren't my clients, and people shouldn't talk about things they know nothing about. For more info about cages, read THE TRUTH ABOUT CAGES on this page.

These are slightly better, but in your birds mind, he's in the tree above his nest, guarding his nest. Most are totally boring and not comfortable at all.

Leg Bands. These are used to identify specific birds, hatch dates and other info. However, here's the problem with them.

My recommendation. Find out the local requirements and if possible, remove these leg bands and store them in a safe place. Put it in a plastic bag, date it and include the bird type.

Some people will sell anything to make a buck. Here's the problem with these. Birds are like all other animals. As the weather changes, bodies change to acclimate to the changes in temperature. Dogs put on a winter coat, and birds put on a winter down coat. Heated perches prevent your bird from sensing the upcoming cold weather, and therefore, they don't develop a winter down coat. I live in South Florida. The COLDEST it gets here is the 40s. If I went up north in the winter, it's likely I would get sick because my body isn't adapted to cold weather. If I lived up north, and had time to adapt, it would be much easier. Your bird NEEDS to be allowed to adapt to cold weather, and heated perches prevent that. Consider this, Quaker Parrots live and thrive all over the country because they adapt to cold weather.

If your bird is PROPERLY clipped, they should flutter to the floor. They shouldn't drop like a rock, or glide across the room. Both of these conditions are a result of poor clippings. Clip 8-11 flight feathers, (those are the feathers at the ends of out stretched wings) to the next row of feathers. A properly clipped bird makes harnesses unnecessary. The first "T" stands I bought used to have Leg Chains. I consider Harnesses the 21st century version of leg chains. Most of the Harness talk on the net is coming from the manufacturers by the way.

More to come...This article will always be a work in progress. As new topics come up. I'll address them here.

Hi Wayne,

My 3.5 year old flighted YNA (Yellow Nape Amazon) LOVES your hanging gyms!! I have them in several rooms and she spends many hours/day following me from room to room and playing on them (I work from home). Everything you say about them is true and your bottlebrush products are the best things on the market for parrots. Believe me, I have been ripped off by so much stuff that my parrot does not use or turns out to be cheap and/or dangerous. One great thing about the gyms that is NOT true for any other similar product is that my parrot uses all areas of the gym regularly, including the very bottom branches. Something special about your design encourages the bird to climb all around the gym all the time! Even though LuLu can fly, she still loves exploring all over each gym every day for any new toys I have replaced or a different spot on the gym to nibble on the bark. Her complete contentment on the gyms means she leaves my furniture alone and I can get work done for hours on end!

Attached are some photos of LuLu hanging out on the bottom levels of the gym – you can see how much she loves it!

Trish K in NC

P.S. Will be ordering some stuff from your website soon! BTW I love you new website – for a while I couldn’t find you and had a minor panic attack about where I would get future stands, gyms, and toys, especially since I want to add a bird to my flock one of these days.

There are times when it takes a client to say it all. This letter and pics SAYS IT ALL. First, take a look at how stunningly gorgeous this Yellow Nape is. Perhaps that's the most beautiful Amazon I've ever seen, and I've seen hundreds and had dozens. The sheen to her feathers, and symmetrical body are examples of what Amazons would look like in the wild.

Every day of my life, I'm in the parrot business because I love parrots. And because of my affection for parrots, I have a hard time dealing with what's happening to most of them. There's a saying, you can lead a horse to water but can't make them drink.

Most of you have never tried my stuff. Why, I don't know. Maybe you don't believe me! Maybe you like thinking your bird needs you to give them a life. Maybe you NEVER try new things, and consider my stuff and concepts new ideas. But, after 16 years, 9000+ Play Gyms and Hanging Gyms, and thousands of parrot owners whose birds live like this one, it's no longer new.

Think of the life this bird has! He's a free bird, and lives a life of a free bird. Have you ever seen a more beautiful bird? Not sure I have!

The stuff I build is designed to allow your bird to live like this one. I'm not saying your bird should be free flighted, what I am saying is that your bird doesn't need to be caged all the time. Whether its a Hanging Gym or Stationary Gym, this is what I want for your bird. If you don't, that's your choice. But, ask yourself this, If your bird had a choice, what would he choose?

Recently, I was making a delivery to one of my dealers. Sitting by the front door was a lady and an Umbrella Cockatoo. It was obvious to me that this was a new bird mommy and her new, baby Cockatoo. As I was rolling my gyms in, her Cockatoo was showing distress at the sight of these large, rolling monsters coming towards her. As her owner, there we're a couple of ways to handle this.

This bird mommy held her to her bosom and told her it was ok, I'll protect you. She actually put her arms around her new Cockatoo and whispered words of support. I brought in 8 gyms, and this process was repeated every time. So, what's wrong with this, her bird was scared.

Here's what's wrong with this scenario. At a time when her bird was scared and unsure, the worse thing to do is to foster that insecurity. To protect her from these alleged monsters, is to teach her to be insecure.

This is a baby bird, and as with most babies, they are relatively fearless. They're interested in their new world, and natural instinct would be to investigate.

Here's a better way of handling this situation. When I rolled in the first gym, this bird mommy should have acknowledged the gym, and went to investigate. Instead of cradling and coddling, and fostering insecurity, she could have helped her bird get over her natural fear of new things and help her realize that new things aren't dangerous. And, with this kind of handling, new toys, gyms, food, etc, won't be a source of insecurity, but a source of interest. I hear every day, I have to let her LOOK at the item for a while before I introduce it.

However, this kind of behavior also represents insecurity in the parrot owner.

How many of you are insecure about your bird? You're afraid of new toys, new wood, basically, almost anything new. You actually think it's possible to make a mistake and kill your bird. And, in the same way the bird mommy above fostered insecurity in her bird, the parrot industry fosters this kind of insecurity in you. After all, that's good for business. This is how they get you to buy Pellets, bigger cages, Harnesses and all the other stuff you're told you NEED.

As you look at the articles on this page, you'll see that I have numerous articles related to this topic. This is the biggest issue you as a parrot owner need to realize. Birds are among the hardiest animals in the world bar none. Yet, you're told they're china dolls, and YOU need to protect them from everything. And, detailed in the article below, the most insecure are the most vocal, and insist that everyone follow their rules, and accept their insecurity as fact. These people follow the BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY mindset, and once someone buys into that, it's all a downward spiral. And, birds are the losers.

Actually, this article is related to the article Dirty Laundry, but I want to address the whole chat room issue. Before I start my article, let me clearly state that I've never visited a chat, or posted anything, ever. I have no interest in them, and my past experience has been entirely negative. So, If I don't use the correct terminology or lingo, sorry. I'm going to call all of them CHATS just to keep things simple.

Considering that I've built well over 9100 of my Bottlebrush Play Gyms, and thousands and thousands of Bottlebrush in-cage perches and toys, one might expect a question like the post in the previous article to receive a flood of e-mails from my clients defending me and my company. Well, there's a reason they don't.

People fall into two basic categories, leaders and followers. That applies on the chats as well. The leaders determine the course of the discussion, and the followers make sure they're PC and go along with what the leaders are saying.

On most of the chats that I'm aware of, the general tone is that birds are delicate creatures, and everything possible must be done to protect them from everything. No scented candles, no cleaning supplies of any kind, Pellets only, big cages with birds securely locked up for their safety, etc etc etc. These people live their lives in fear, and look to the leaders and chats to keep their birds safe. The leader says jump, and the followers ask how high, or just start jumping.

Keeping these followers scared is good for business. After all, suppose you miss a day, and the discussion you miss causes you to hurt your bird. So, these people follow the chats as much as possible, it's what they live for and the life of their bird is at stake. By the way, this also applies to parrot magazines as well.

So, along comes someone like me and I say, Parrots aren't delicate creatures. In fact, I say parrots are among the hardiest animals in the world, and relax, your birds are going to be fine. I ask questions like WHY ARE YOU STILL CAGING YOUR BIRD? WHY DO YOU USE PELLETS? And, I offer stuff that's new, and different, and not what parrot owners are used to seeing. I use a different type of wood maybe they haven't ever heard of, or seen, or tried. What I'm offering is different, and many people don't want things to change, they like it the way it is.

My clients are FREETHINKERS. They didn't close their minds to something different, they embraced my ideas, and their common sense told them it felt right and they tried my stuff. And guess what, they found out that it worked. And, as I like to do, as I chatted with my clients, I debunked much of what they heard in the chats, they realized they didn't need the chats, and stopped visiting them.

And, if a client asks my opinion about the chats, I tell them flat out that in my opinion, most are worthless. And, the post above is the reason why. Anyone can post virtually anything. Rumors, untruths, false opinions, it's all fair.

And, here's the real damage. Most of these chats are all about keeping your bird safe. The basic concept is BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY and WHY TAKE A CHANCE. Once someone falls under the spell of this kind of thinking, it's all down hill from there. After all, is anything 100% SAFE. And, if something isn't 100% safe, why take a chance. This kind of thinking is a disease, and once infected with this disease, your birds suffer.

Aside from the issue about, my most recent experience was regarding my use of Copper in my toys. See my article Is copper wire safe? The woman who sent me the e-mail said and I quote, Copper can and will cause a problem for parrots if they nibble on it. I e-mailed her and asked her where she heard that and she didn't know. She just heard it somewhere. So, she goes on a chat, and passes off this info as fact, even though she doesn't know where it came from.

So, now the talk turns to copper being dangerous even though I can find NO source for that opinion. Most people don't say, gee, he's done the research, and put his company and reputation on the line so he could offer my birds some really cool toys and chew stuff, let me give it a try. A few do, my clients, the Freethinkers, but most don't.

And, where did this copper rumor start? I have no idea but I will say this. I have an article on this page called An internet incident, and why it's important to you. In that article, I discuss an acquaintance who used to do what he called ADVERTISING. Here's what he used to do. He had numerous screen names, and would visit a chat and post a question, has anyone ever heard of _________ (his company name). Then, he would post an answer using another screen name, and pose as a happy client, and highly recommend the company in question. People on the chat didn't know he was advertising like this. They thought these we're actual posts from real people, not a company advertising. It gets worse.

A couple of years ago, I saw a segment on MSNBC, I think. It was about a company doing internet advertising. Basically, they had a room full of computers, and they had been hired to promote a movie for kids. So, this company had employees posing as 12, 13 year old kids, chatting about how good this movie was. The kids on the chat rooms didn't know they we're being advertised to, they just HEARD the movie was good and wanted to see it.

And, in the parrot world, how much have you heard about harnesses for birds? Stupid, useless, yes. But, with online chat advertising by the harness makers, and scare tactics about lost birds, well, all of a sudden, we're seeing them in use.

When someone posts, do you really know who they are, and what their agenda is. After all, once a statement is made, and the followers pick it up and run with it, it suddenly becomes fact, or what the followers think is fact.

In my case, all someone has to do is mention hearing something about Bottlebrush being dangerous, Copper being dangerous, Formica being dangerous, Aluminum being dangerous, everything being dangerous, and the followers will never try any of it.

So, this is why my clients don't defend me on the chats because most of my clients don't waste there time on them. And, I'm going to take some credit here.

If you speak with most of my clients, they will tell you that when I accepted their order, I did it over the phone in person. And, they will also tell you that we chatted about lots of parrot related topics. I tell them I know whet they're being told and hearing, and here's another way of having parrots. Here are some of what I tell clients.

When have you heard any of this in the chats? most likely, you haven't. So, when I done chatting with my clients, I've helped them become FREETHINKERS. Don't get me wrong, most we're almost there or they wouldn't have called me. I just give them a little more ammunition so they can go the rest of the way.

So, forget the chats, they aren't worth your time and will do nothing for you or your bird. Relax, let your bird be a bird and enjoy.

Water Bottles.

Again, an E-mail I just received.

Wayne,

I have a sad story to tell. I came home today and found my beloved Col.

Mustard, a yellow-sided conure, dead. After trying to figure out why? My husband determined that apparently something had clogged his water bottle and it was not working properly.

My question is: how long can a conure survive without water?

In my opinion, nothing is more dangerous for birds then Water Bottles. The idea that companies will market these for birds, and so called experts, Veterinarians included, would recommend them to you is just another example of the serious threat the Parrot Industry is to your bird. If I seem pissed here, I am. This was a senseless, needless death, and I hold the water bottle company responsible.

Water Bottles are great for rodents, Hamsters, Mice, Rats, etc, but not birds. Here's why.

First, water is critical for all animals, and especially birds. Birds drink all day. If they are given lots of fruit and vegetables, there is moisture in those so their need for water will diminish. However, if you feed Pellets, as most of the so-called EXPERTS recommend you do, a water bottle is LIFE THREATENING for your bird.

Birds have no Saliva. The only way they can eat dry Pellets is to dunk them in water to moisten them. With a water Bottle, they can't dunk them, so they can't moisten them, and all they can do is grind them up. Try this. Stuff some paper towels in your mouth to absorb all your saliva. Remove the paper towels, and try to eat a cracker. Pretty uncomfortable and almost impossible. That's what your bird experiences with a water bottle.

My birds dunk most everything in their water bowl. It's a learned behavior, and it makes eating much easier. So your asking yourself, why are water bottles recommended?

Simple. Your told your bird needs FRESH, CLEAN water. However, let's look at that.

If your eating, don't read any further until your done. I'll wait for you to finish.

In the wild, your bird is standing on a tree branch, and when he poops, it hits the lower branches or the ground. Plus, the birds standing above him are pooping, plus all the insects climbing all over the tree are pooping all over everything as well. To add more, all the other birds, insects, and animals in the jungle are also pooping all over everything. Now, when it rains, all that poop is washed to the ground where it mixes with all the other poop, and settles in rivers, puddles and streams, and makes what I call POOP SOUP.

Now, in the wild, where does your bird get his water from? That's right, they drink POOP SOUP. Take a look around your home, and ask yourself where those birds flying around your home get THEIR water, that's right, they also drink POOP SOUP. These local birds are also exposed to acid rain, pollution, etc. How do they survive you ask?

Again, Birds are among the hardiest animals on the planet. In the same way that you and I build up natural immunities to things we're exposed to, your bird does the same. Now, this brings me to another issue that relates here too.

How many times have you heard that you have to keep your birds cage clean and disinfected, and again, the parrot industry provides lots of expensive products to do just that. Again though, and I realize this will be controversial, if your bird is in an unnaturally clean and disinfected environment, how is your bird going to build up immunities to things they are exposed to every day. In my experience, the cleaner you keep your birds cage, the sicker your bird will be.

So, am I saying not to clean your bird, NO. What I am saying though is again, your bird is an incredibly hardy, adaptable animal. If allowed, he will build up natural immunities, and won't have problems if he is exposed to an "UNCLEAN ENVIRONMENT."

So, use a water bowl and change the water every morning. If it gets especially yucky, change it. But most of the time, even if there is stuff in the water, it's OK.

In my opinion, this Water Bottle company knew all about what I'm saying, and didn't care. They we're looking to expand market share at the expense of this persons bird. How many other birds are in the same situation, and could end up the same way. These Bottles SHOULD NOT be used for birds.

For those of you who chat, post, whatever. If you want to talk about a real issue that IS a threat to birds, here you go. The bird you save might be yours.

Wayne

Hanging Gym verses Stationary Gym.

As I do with lots of these articles, I use an e-mail as the basis and answer that e-mail for everyone to read. Here's the e-mail.

A member posted a link to your site on quakerparrot.com. I'm so glad they did. We've had our orange winged amazon about 6 months now (we also have a re-homed qp but he's not the one I have concerns about). Buddy's our first larger bird and has been quite an experience! He's about 14 and was, according to his type of band, a wild-caught import. Basically, we bought him from a guy who does rescues. He'd been there about one year. Before that, he spent much of his life in a cage. His owner passed away and he was shuffled between people who didn't want him or know quite what to do with him.

At any rate, I want to get him a play gym and am leaning towards buying the hanging one first (basically due to price as we have a large family and budget carefully). Here's my concern. Maybe because he wasn't allowed to get out and experience much or maybe it's just him but he has TERRIBLE balance. He hates swings and I got him a wacky wood perch which I arranged so it would only move a tiny bit and he refused to step on it after the first little jiggle. So, here's my dilemma. He was very sedentary when we got him. I know the increased exercise involved in the hanging gym would be good for him and he is much more active since we've had him. On the other hand, I don't want to purchase something that will go unused because of his fear. Do you think there's a way to get him used to a hanging gym or should I just wait a bit longer until I have saved enough for the standing gym?

Either way, I have to save the money up but I need your input as you've more experience than I. Thanks in advance for your advice. Sincerely, Chelle
Congrats on your new bird. Orange Wings are very nice birds. Now to answer your second paragraph.

There are two main reason I use Bottlebrush, one is because it's the best wood I've ever used for chewing and gnawing. Gnawing is critical for birds and is how they keep their beaks properly conditioned. Most wood is too hard or two soft. The second reason is what's important to your Orange Wing.
Bottlebrush doesn't require Holding On. Here's what I mean. Most wood used for parrots is extremely hard. Your told this is good so it doesn't get chewed up. However, for your bird, being hard means their feet hurt, the same way our feet hurt if we stand on a hard concrete floor all day and night. However, we can buy and wear high quality shoes, your bird can't. That's bad enough, but it gets worse. Being slippery means your bird has to GRIP his perches. Consider this. In the wild, your bird would be able to choose the trees and perches he spends time in. They would choose those with natural bark, here's why. Your birds feet are designed to grip natural bark perches without holding on. Look at the bottom of your birds feet. Those little bumps are designed to mesh into natural bark. Manzanita, wooden dowels, PVC require Holding On. If your bird has to hold on all the time, their feet take a beating, and hurt. When your feet hurt, you don't feel much like dancing do you?

So, Hanging Gym verses stationary gym.

Hanging Gyms.

For your bird, the freedom of a hanging gym is the closest they will ever get to being a free bird, in a tree. Initially, the movement of a Hanging Gym can be a little scary. So, as with standing Play Gyms, do some training. Initially, hang it next to his cage, and attach the bottom perch to his cage. That will make the HG more stationary. Now, I call these GYMS for a reason. As your bird GETS IN SHAPE, he will begin to climb all over his gym, and perch without gripping. His feet will feel better, he will feel better, and become more and more active. In a week, or two, remove the attachment to his cage. Again, initially, he will be a little nervous, but quickly get the hang of the movement and learn to love the movement.

Once he feels comfortable with the movement of his Hanging gym, your good to go. At this point, you have complete freedom and can move the gym anywhere there is a hook.

Hanging gyms have no tray. That means you need to control the mess. If you visit my Hanging Gyms page, I recommend using a Hot Water Heater Pan. These costs less then $10.00, and available at Home Depot, or better yet, your local Plumbing Supply distributor. Go where the professional plumbers go. These pans go on the floor, and work great. However, if you have dogs or cats, they can be messy for them. I also have clients who hang them above house plants, great fertilizer.

Stationary Gyms.

Stationary gyms are on casters and can also be moved as needed. They don't get the kind of movement a Hanging Gym gets, however, my stationary gyms have some advantages.

First, they are a nice piece of Parrot Furniture that will look nice in your home. Your parrot will have a blast on his gym, and the tray in the middle means he can't climb down. With some Play Gym training, your bird will learn to STAY THERE, and allow you to leave him there for extended periods of time.

The tray will catch about 90% of the mess. I say 90% because a bird on a gym is going to be messy. I could add a foot to the tray size, and your bird can still stand on the Aluminum border and poop on the floor.

So, Hanging verses Stationary gyms? Lets cut to the chase. If your most concerned with mess and appearance, go with a stationary gym. However, if you leave it up to your bird, they will choose a Hanging Gym almost every time. In fact, most of the clients who have both tell me their birds prefer the Hanging Gyms. Amazons, Cockatoos and Macaws go NUTS on Hanging gyms. I have Cockatoo clients tell me their birds get them swinging so high, they almost hit the ceiling. Amazons, by nature think nothing of hanging by one toe nail, upside down, and totally acting crazy. And, we're you to ask my opinion, I would tell you I prefer Hanging Gyms too. And, for the price of a stationary gym, you can buy 2 or even 3 Hanging Gyms, place them around your home, and you'll have one HAPPY bird. That's the idea.

Wayne

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Answer to a recent e-mail about Parrot Handling and behavior.

As I often do, I recently got this letter with a request for help from a family in South Africa. Perhaps my opinions might be useful to other parrot owners, so I will answer them here.

Wayne ,

First off, let me tell you that I have found your article/forum a great source of help! You make sense and have helped me with regards to my Amazon that I have just bought.

I do however need some help on the following-

She is 10 months old and has been in a pet shop that specializes in Parrots and we were told that she prefers males to females, as told by the lady who owns the shop. Anne ( bird ) really took a liking to her son that works in the store who�s name is Steven, the same as me! Now my problem is my wife is struggling with the Anne and Anne is struggling with my wife. Do parrots bond with different sexes? How can I fix this, without upsetting the TWO women in my life?
She is a very tame bird and will go to anybody but she tends to scream when she doesn't get any attention, should I give in all the time and go to her?
I'm in Cape Town , South Africa , how do I go about getting one of your gyms? I have made a gym and Anne sits all day on this, but I think I need something that she will be able to climb up & down on. I realize that I have not made it very well!!
Thank You.

Steve J

Question one. In my experience, parrots can and do prefer one sex over the other. However, I think it has more to do with the way a certain sex handles and relates with the bird then anything else. For example, I have a tendency to handle birds in a somewhat confident manner. If I want to pick up the bird, I do. If I want to scratch his head, I do. Generally, they quickly understand and usually like the way I handle them. So, if a bird is used to being handled like I do, and you attempt to handle him in a less confident manner, the bird will sense this, will sense your lack of confidence, and perhaps exhibit some aggressive behavior towards you. When you respond with even less confidence, in your birds mind, he is winning, and finds it great fun. Let me explain a game I believe parrots play. It's called Lets Scare The Humans.

A couple of years ago, I had a local parrot lover order one of my gyms. I offered to deliver and set it up. When I got there, I asked him to take the bird out of the cage. When he approached his bird, the bird lunged and hissed at him. He told me the bird was REALLY MEAN, and hadn't been out of his cage for 6 months. I spent five minutes or so talking and interacting with his bird. Then, opened the door, took the bird out, and in 10 minutes had him playing dead in my lap. Here's what was happening. This bird learned that if he lunged and hissed, he could scare the human, and the human would go away. That put HIM in charge, which he thought was fun. Now, once he realized that I wasn't buying it, he knew the game was up, and had great fun playing with me. Once his owner realized this was a Hand Fed, hand raised parrot, and wasn't mean or nasty, both of them we're better off.

One more important thing to understand about parrots, especially for the new parrot owners reading this. Try this. The next time to go to step onto an escalator, do so without holding on to the handrail. If you've never done this, take my word for it, it's scary. Now, your bird uses his beak the same way you and I use our hands. When your bird goes to STEP UP, it's common for them to first beak your hand, then step up.

So, lets apply this to Steve's situation. It's highly likely that Steve's wife is somewhat insecure handling their bird. The bird senses this, and lacks confidence in this handling. Basically, the bird is afraid of falling, or being dropped. So, when Steve's wife approaches, the bird acts aggressive, basically saying, leave me alone, you don't know how to handle me properly. I like being handled like Steve does, not the way you do.

I've found this to be a very common problem, and one of the main reasons parrots like one person, or sex over the other. In fact, Rio was owned by a lady for almost 10 years, yet he and I get along great. Here are a couple more considerations.

Glasses, hats, short or long hair are a few of the variables that can cause parrots to prefer one sex, or person over others. Look at all the variables, not just sex.

Question 2. You and I call it screaming, your parrot is actually calling you, using a parrot call. Lets examine what's up here.

Right now, your parrots is confused. He thinks of you and your family as his flock. He's trying to figure out where he fits in the flock. He might think of Steve as the Alpha, and his wife as subservient to his standing in the flock, so he bullies her. His natural instinct is to call his flock, IE scream.

If you respond to his screams or calls, then you've taught him that screaming works, and he will do it to get what he wants. Let me give you an example how how to teach your bird not to scream, but to TALK to you.

When your cooking dinner, your bird smells food, and wants some. If he screams, and you bring him food, you have taught him to scream for food. If, on the other hand, when your cooking, you repeat IS THAT GOOD, or CAN I HAVE A BITE, or whatever you want him to learn to associate with food, you are teaching him how to ask for food in our language. Parrots are very smart. They quickly learn what works, and what doesn't. He will quickly realize that screaming doesn't get him food, and that asking for food, IS THAT GOOD, does. When you bring him food, repeat your phrase, then, when you give him some, teach him to say, UMMM GOOD, or whatever.

Here's what you've done. Your bird is now communication with you in YOUR language, not his. After all, his can be very annoying for US, and it's much more pleasant to hear your bird TALK, then scream.

So Steve, if you respond this his screams, he will scream more. The more you respond, the more he will scream. He doesn't have any other way of communicating with you, so he screams.

So, apply this concept to everything. I have an article further down on this page called ACTION SPECIFIC words. Basically, use ACTION SPECIFIC words for everything, good morning, good night etc.

Unfortunately, shipping my gyms outside the continental US is very expensive, more then the price of the gym. Sorry.

Wayne

You don't know what you don't know.

I tell my kids this every day. So, what's this got to do with you and your birds?

You've all heard this. A bird is a lifetime commitment. Don't buy a bird if you can't give it 3-6 hours of attention a day. Deal with your birds problems, after all, you made a lifetime commitment. I have one thing to say to these statements, BULL.

That's right, I'm saying your not making a lifetime commitment, your buying a pet! OH MY GOD, YOU CAN'T SAY THAT!!!!! Wait till this hits the chats and posts, or whatever people use to discuss stuff on the internet. Well, I'm a big boy, and can take the flak. But this topic needs to be discussed.

Let me be clear, I love parrots. I find them interesting and fascinating and beautiful and fun and I've spent most of my adult life enjoying them. And, since 1992, I've made my living trying to improve their lives. Unfortunately though, you and your parrots are under assault by a parrot industry more interested in your money then your bird. Of course, not all, but most. Sad but true.

So, when you buy a bird, how can you predict the future? How can you predict your life in one year, five years, 10 years, 20 years, etc. Lets face it, you can't.

So, you buy a bird, do the research, read the books, talk to friends, all the things your supposed to do. Things are fine for a while. Your bird is everything you hoped for. Then, things begin to change.

Lets face it, over time, your life changes. Maybe you change jobs, change your marital status, move, have a child, or your children leave home. Suppose you begin to have health problems and don't feel well. There are lots of reasons things can change in your life. Maybe you just lose interest in your bird. After all, birds can be a lot of work, especially if you do all the stuff your told you MUST do if you have a bird.

Your bird is also changing. Remember, when you buy a baby bird, your buying an infant. The bird you have today will be different a year from now. As your bird matures, he changes just like we all do.

So, over time, you and your bird's relationship change. Maybe you don't have as much time for him anymore. Maybe he is becoming aggressive, unruly, noisy, and just isn't that much fun anymore. Unfortunately, it's a downward spiral.

Understand this, the reason I'm in business is to help prevent this from happening, and if it is happening, to try to fix it. But, sometimes, it's too late.

6 months or a year ago, I got an e-mail from a lady with an Umbrella Cockatoo. Her Cockatoo was exhibiting most of the negative behavior all to common with Cockatoos. She loved her bird, and was willing to try anything to help her bird. We discussed her situation, and she stated she was afraid she might need to rehome him. However, my gyms we're designed to help fix these kinds of problems, so she wanted to give it a try. For a while, things we're a little better, but quickly reverted to the negative behavior, the worse being non stop screaming.

So, she called me and told me she was still having problems, and asked for my opinion. As she described what her bird was doing, I commented that this kind of behavior is not only disruptive to your home, but can also be harmful to YOUR health. She FREAKED. It seems that SHE was having health problems. In fact, the week before, she had been at her doctors office, exhibiting symptoms of stress. Her doctor even put a Heart Monitor on her to try to figure out what was happening. Now, I'm embarrassed to say, I told her I wanted to write this article, and she sent me an e-mail describing her symptoms in detail, and I DELETED it by mistake, UUGGHH.

Here's what was happening. Her home life, her sanctuary, the place that's supposed to provide her a respite from the everyday stresses we all deal with was now the MOST stressful place in her life. It was obvious her bird was unhappy, and she could do nothing to rectify the situation. However, it gets worse.

Your average Umbrella Scream is so loud, you really don't hear it, you FEEL it. It penetrates your body, not only your ears. Most of you with parrots have experienced the sudden scream that causes you to cringe. They hit you like a hammer. Once in a while, no problem, but over and over and over can really become a problem to you physically.

As we discussed her situation, it became clear to both of us that her Cockatoo was causing likely her health problems. There was no question in my mind, she needed to find a home for her bird.

I got an updated e-mail several weeks after she rehomed her bird. She was much better. And, her Cockatoo was also doing much better in her new home.

Now to something most of you don't realize or think about. At some point in the future, your bird will sexually mature. Suppose your bird feels the need to breed, and wants to live with other birds. This is more common then you think. So, ask yourself this question. If your bird wants to be with his own, isn't it selfish of YOU to prevent this, or is the best thing you could do for your bird is to allow him to live with his own kind.

One of the best parrots I ever had was a Severe Macaw before Rio. He was fantastic, great talker, and I loved him dearly. An acquaintance also had a Severe, a female. On a fluke, I invited him to bring her over. Immediately, my Severe inflated his crop, and started strutting back and forth on his Play Gym. We brought the female over, and he invited her on his Play Gym. Within 5 minutes, they we're preening each other, it was love at first sight. After a couple of hours, we removed her and they went home. My Severe began to call in a way I had never heard. It was more of a wail, I knew we had a problem. I called my friend, and the first thing he said was that his Severe had ALSO been calling all the way home. Needless to say, these two deserved to be together. My friend lived on an acre, and I gave my Severe to him. He set up an Aviary, and they are a very happy, breeding pair. As of 6 months ago, they we're doing great. It was heartbreaking for me, but the right thing for my bird.

The idea that your going to have your bird for the rest of your life is unrealistic. Enjoy your bird, but realize that things change in your life, and your birds. Contrary to what you hear, these aren't children. We are actually more like a caretaker. We have them for a part of their lives. Regardless of who changes, there comes a point in many relationships, birds and people, where it just isn't working anymore. Maybe it's not working for you, or your bird. But once it isn't working, and you've done your best, you owe it to your self and your bird to do what's necessary to improve the situation.

The secret here is to prevent things from getting to this point. On this page, you will see lots of articles designed to do one thing, help you understand what's up with your bird, and improve his life so you all get along. That's why I'm in business, and do what I do.

So, here's the bottom line. Enjoy your bird, love your bird, and let him be a part of your life. If the relationship works for both of you, enjoy. On the other hand, if your relationship isn't working, and you've done what you can to try to make it work, accept that as a part of life.

I realize some of you are going to find this article beyond belief, but get a life. My experience has been that the most extreme, intolerant people who wake up one morning, and just can't deal with it any more.

Remember, you don't know what you don't know, and that especially applies to parrots.

A letter from a past client.

Hello,
I don't know if you would remember, but I ordered a stand from you 8 years ago for my amazon Girlie (aka GiGi) and it still looks like it did when I unwrapped it. ALL of my bird use it and love it. I have other stands that came with some of the birds I bought (I have 23 birds and only 3 started their lives with me), and those stands are trash compared to yours. I have the PVC stand with the lifetime guarantee to replace perches (my Greenwing chews the perches and spits the pieces out), and I have Manzanita stands with melamine bases. The Manzanita is so slippery that the birds won't use it. If you ever need to refer someone with questions about your stands, I would gladly endorse your product! It is so wonderful that you sign the underside of the tray with your name/date/phone as well. Mine is dated and signed 5/17/98. As soon as I get some $, I will be purchasing more of your stands. Between bird food/toys/care and four dogs, money flows like water!! Michele

Is your Avian Vet a parrot expert?

As I do with many of my articles, the basic concept comes from an e-mail. Same with this one.

The basic gist of the question was about Bottlebrush, and in particular, knots. As with many of you, this person was considering one of my Play Gyms, and thought it necessary to research Bottlebrush. 13 years, 8400+ gyms, tens or hundreds of thousands of in-cage perches and toys later, some people still think Bottlebrush might not be safe, and that some article on the internet will provide more info then my personal experience. Anyway, the last question in this e-mail was this one, Have you discussed this with an avian vet?

Here's my question to you. What makes this person, and maybe you, think your vet knows anything at all about Bottlebrush? Lets go a step further, what makes you think your avian vet knows about most of the parrot issues most of us deal with every day. Lets discuss.

Your avian vet is an expert on how birds work. They are schooled in parrot physiology and disease and can treat parrot health issues. That's what they are experts in. Most however, are NOT experts on parrot behavior issues, training and handling. Now, lets look at where your vet gets their information.

In most cases, if you discuss nutrition with your Avian Vet, they will recommend Pellets. Ever wonder why? 10 years ago, when Pellets we're first introduced to the market, people like me wouldn't buy them. Too expensive, our birds like seed, and we've never had a problem, so why should we spend 5 times more for parrot food. So, here's what happened. An Avain Vet wrote an article about the dangers of seed, fatty liver disease, etc. This article was published in Vet Journals that your Vet read. In your vets mind, this person is an expert, and this is current expert opinion, and wow, I better start telling people to use Pellets. Then, the pellet companies show up at your vets office, and now, your vet is not only recommending them, but has a financial interest in them as well.

Now, unless you've read my article about Pellets, I'm gonna really step on some toes here!! Pellets. you assume your vet knows best. but, does he really. Here's a true life incident I had with a client.

A couple of years ago, I had a client call and order a Play Gym for her Citron Cockatoo. As we chatted, as I love to do, she asked my opinion about Pellets. She told me that her vet had insisted she change her bird over to Pellets. That was 3 days ago, and her bird was just grinding them up, not eating them. I explained that birds have no saliva, and can't eat dry food unless it's moistened, and her bird hasn't discovered how to dip them in her water dish so she could eat them. She then told me her vet had also convinced her to change to a water bottle. So, lets recap.

This Certified Avian Vet convinced my client to not only convert to pellets, but a water bottle as well. So, her bird not only couldn't eat the pellets, but couldn't get water either. I told her to hang up with me, and give her bird food and water immediately. She called me back an hour or so later. First, her bird drank like she had never seen before. Then was working on her second bowl of food.

So, she did exactly what her Avian Vet told her to do, and almost lost her bird. Again, this Vet read an article in a journal about Pellets, and likely water bottles, and recommended THE LATEST INFO. Now, I'm sure this vet realized birds have no saliva, but you and I realize birds dunk most everything in their water, and put two and two together and understand that a birds water is used for more then just drinking. Again, this avian vet is an expert of how birds work, but likely very little experience on practical bird care.

You take your bird to your Avian Vet for Clipping. Again, your vet gets info on clipping from journals written by other vets. If I told you haw many of my clients have had their birds clipped incorrectly, you wouldn't believe it. I had one clients bird clipped so bad, she cracked her beak on the floor when she fell like a rock. A properly clipped bird should flutter to0 the floor. Not drop like a rock, or glide across the room.

Now to the Bottlebrush issue. What makes you think your Vet would know anything about Bottlebrush? Now, I do have lots of Vet clients who use my gyms and Bottlebrush. But most wouldn't know anything about Bottlebrush. The good ones will tell you they know nothing, but many won't. And, many vets are guilty of what I call Better Safe Than Sorry.

I wrote an article on this page called, Better safe then sorry, and Agendas. It's good for your vets business to keep you scared, and concerned. When you take your bird to the vet, and they run $300 or $500 in tests, that's called business. The days of Vets being in the business for their love of animals are gone in most cases.

One last case. In 1999, when I built this site, the hot issue on the internet was the Zinc issue. I was constantly pointed to two articles that stated that only stainless was safe for birds. One was written by an Avian Vet, so that article must be right. I wrote the article, The Zinc Boogie Man. It seems that the two articles we're wrong. They didn't understand hardware like I do.

This Vet wrote an article about something she knew nothing about. She didn't understand the difference between Electroplated and Galvanized, lumped them both together, and wrote an article your vet might have read. So, your vet falls for the whole stainless only thing and that's what you hear. If your vet believes this, give him a copy of The Zinc Boogie Man.

Let your vet do what they know how to do, treat your birds physical problems. Don't expect your vet to help you with behavior, caging, Play Gyms, toys and most of the day to day stuff you and I deal with. Just because your vet knows how birds work doesn't mean they know how birds think. That's where people like me come in. Try this.

Ask your vet what kind of birds they have. If they have lots of birds, you have a good Avian Vet. If your Avian Vet has no birds... Look at it this was.

Suppose I told you I was an expert in childbirth. I read all the books, and studied all about having a baby. Could I REALLY understand childbirth and be an expert if I've never had a baby? Can your vet really give advise about parrot care and training if they've never had birds?

Wayne

The title was I'M A BELIEVER.

Hi Wayne,

Last week, I received the shipment of the perches and toys that I had ordered. Prior to ordering, I had read your site many times. It took me a while to order as I had my doubts if my Greenwing Macaw would even give these toys or perches a try.

He is a rehome, 15 years old. His pictures say he's a Greenwing, but I am positive he's all chicken! I have repeatedly tried to put all kinds of toys and perches in his cage, with the same outcome everytime. He will refuse to go back in his cage until the offensive item is removed. If it's a new perch, he will avoid it at every turn. He will not play or chew on any wood toy or perch that I have given him.

When my order arrived I put the new perches up and a few of the toys in his cage. I sat down to await the protest march to begin. To my surprise and disbelief he jumped up on the perch and made himself quite comfy! OK, I thought, what's this all about, who are you and what did you do with my bird!!! As the days went by he proceeded to chew on the toys, wipe his beak up and down the perches and start chewing them. To say I am amazed, would be an understatement!

I plan to order the branch replacement soon, so we can build him a nice play gym. Thank you so much! If my bird is happy, I'm happy!

Best Regards,
Karen
This is quite an e-mail, but not uncommon. If you visit my Bottlebrush Parrot Play Gym Happy Letters. page, you will literally see hundreds of similar letters.

I also recently wrote an article about a Grey who was a plucker. Plucking, Shredding and self mutilating.

Yet, after all these letters, and articles, most of you have never tried Bottlebrush. Why, I really don't know, but the reasons vary and fall into several categories.

From a business standpoint, having you sitting here reading this page isn't good for business. I realize that if you're like me, you only have so much free time. It would be better for my business if you we're shopping rather then reading. However, I have opinions that you won't read most other places, and you have a right to hear alternative opinions. I also realize some of you don't buy BECAUSE of my opinions. Why do you punish your bird because you disagree with my opinions? I thought alternative opinions we're important to the free exchange of ideas.

Better safe then sorry. This is the most common reason, and in my opinion, the dumbest. I actually wrote an article about this one, Better safe then sorry, and Agendas. Where does it end with this kind of thinking. A friend of a friend heard from someone who had a friend that heard Bottlebrush was something, they couldn't remember what, but... better not try it, just in case. Now, I can't deal with this kind of thinking, there isn't anything I can do to convince these kinds of people. The losers here are their birds.

Your gyms are too expensive. Ever heard of Penny Wise and Dollar Foolish? Here are a couple of sayings I live by.
Good things are rarely cheap, and cheap things are rarely good.
You get what you pay for.
The Bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price.
I build quality in my stuff. My Play Gyms are the best I can make, and will last for years and years. To make things better, the branches are replaceable. So, those of you who buy one of my gyms, first, your getting a piece of parrot furniture that will last. Second, you won't need to buy any more chew toys, period. Consider the branch assembly one big chew toy. After a year, or two, or more of serious chewing and gnawing, you can replace them. Pretty good deal.

You can't leave your bird out, unattended, on a Play Gym! First, you don't have to. Just look at my gyms for the quality, workmanship, and the advantages of Bottlebrush. If that's all you ever use it for, what's wrong with that? However, here's what's going to happen. You get your gym, and introduce it to your bird. Once he is comfortable there, and he likes it there, and it's his favorite place to be, and it doesn't hurt his feet, and isn't boring, he will LIKE it there, and want to be there. Why would he want to be over there, if he likes it here. So, over time, YOU realize and become comfortable with him being out, and YOU realize that being in a tree during the day is what's natural for your bird, not being caged. The reason your bird is caged is not because HE wants to be caged, it's because YOU want him to be caged. If you don't, try one of my gyms, and change all your lives. If you would like more info about Play Gym Training, here's a page to take a look at. Got my Bottlebrush parrot gym.

Your toys are too expensive. I build all this stuff myself. You are buying them from the manufacturer. They are the best toy and in-cage perch value on the market, bar none. To top that, your bird will love them, and be much happier. You will save a small fortune because my toys last. And consider this, how much is it worth to have a happy parrot.

My toys are different, like nothing you've ever seem before. Flexi Toys, Chew Stations, Spinners are just a few of my unique and original design toys. But, many of you don't like new things, and want the same old thing. I do offer traditional toys, but...

Most of you just don't believe what I say. You think I'm overselling, and just don't believe it. You read letters like the one above, and the hundreds on my Happy Letters page, and just don't believe them. I don't know if you think I wrote them myself, or what. However, just suppose I'm on to something with Bottlebrush. Suppose I did invent the better mousetrap, so to speak. Isn't it a least worth a try?

I could go on and on, but here's the bottom line. Right now, If I started using Manzanita, or PVC, or wooden dowels or some other commercially available wood, I could open a factory, and produce 50 or 100 gyms a week. I would then SELL my stuff, and most of you would buy, because you wouldn't know any better. I could retire in 5 years. But, I would know the difference, and your birds would know the difference. Using Bottlebrush is a financial disaster, but so be it.

Bottlebrush is the best wood there is for your bird, bar none. I don't say that because I use it, that's why I use it. It can and will improve your birds life. If it wasn't exceptional, and special, I wouldn't use it.

Most of you talk yourselves OUT of buying my stuff. Unfortunately, your bird doesn't know about Bottlebrush, and has to deal with the same hard, slippery perches, and boring toys he's been dealing with for most of his life. Sure he's unhappy, and his feet are killing him, but...

Parrots and parrot owners fall into two categories. Those that have never tried Bottlebrush, and those lucky ones who won't use anything else.

Wayne

Plucking, Shredding and self mutilating.

In my opinion, about 90% of all parrot behavior problems are directly cage related. If you haven't read my article on this page, The truth about cages, you might want to read that article, then return here. Plucking, shredding and self mutilating can also be cage related. Now, let me be clear here. There are also physical reasons for plucking, and that's where your Avian Vet can help. However, after the tests are done, and nothing is found, in my opinion, it's possibly a cage related problem.

The following is a letter from one of my Play Gym clients. It says it all. 9/29/05.

I just posted 6 pics of Robbie. The first 3 are his old branches, the last three are his new branches. When you look at the old set of branches, I thought some of you say Greys aren't chewers?? I NEVER said that, and my experience has been that they are major chewers if the LIKE what they have to chew.

About four months ago, Robbi came to live with us.

Robbi is a six-year-old female Congo African Grey and

we are her fourth home. I suspect she kept getting

passed along because she is a plucker. Not only is

she a feather plucker, she�s a shredder too.

When I went to meet Robbi, I was immediately struck by

how dark the room was where she was living. And to

add to the darkness, there was a towel draped over her

cage so that only the front was uncovered. The cage

was a good size for a cockatiel, but completely

inadequate for Robbi. In the cage, she had two

macaw-sized wooden dowel perches and two acrylic toys

that were dusty from disuse. Robbi wasn't sure about

stepping up out of her cage for me, but with some

coaxing, she did. Once I had her out, I saw how badly

plucked and dusty she was. The man who had her,

didn't know that parrots need to bathe and she hadn't

even been misted in almost two years. Despite her

living conditions, Robbi was friendly, and seemed glad

to be out of her cage (a rare occurrence for her).

She was very quiet, though, and I was told she wasnt

a good talker and only said a few words.

Before I brought Robbi home, I took her to an avian

vet. All of the tests were run, and while Robbi was

pronounced healthy, she looked anything but. Her feet

were a mess from standing for years on those

over-sized perches. Her chest, legs, back, and the

area beneath her wings were all practically bare, with

just a few down feathers. Her tail was gone

completely. The vet warned us that it was almost

certain that Robbi would always be a plucker, that we

should not expect her feathers to return, and that she

would never fly. Despite the grim prognosis, we

welcomed her anyway and figured we�d do what we could

and hope for the best.

One of the first things we did was order Robbi a

bottlebrush play gym from Waynes Parrot Stuff, as

well as bottlebrush perches for her cage. Our other

birds (an Alexandrine, a lovebird, and a conure) all

have bottlebrush gyms and spend their days on them,

returning to their cages only at night, where they all

have bottlebrush perches. We thought we'd see how

Robbi would adjust to the play gym lifestyle.

While we were waiting for our bottlebrush gym to

arrive, we got out an old wooden dowel gym that was

stored in our garage just in case. We put it next to

Robbi�s cage, and left the door open so that she could

freely travel between the gym and the cage. It took

about a day for her to warm up to the idea and another

day to decide she didn't want to be in her cage much

at all. The gym was too small for her, but we put vet

wrap around the wood to make the perches a little more

comfortable. We also gave her some toys, which she

completely ignored. On day three, we gave her a

shower. And she's had a soaking shower almost every

day since.

About two weeks later, her gym arrived. We set it up

and put her on it. She was cautious at first but

within a few hours, she was picking at the bark.

Within two weeks, the bark was gone and she was

gnawing the wood. She also started playing with her

toys. And she started talking. Although her former

owner told us she didn't talk much, I think she just

didn't want to talk to him. She has learned new words

and phrases very quickly. She knows all of our names,

and mimics any directive aimed at our two children:

�Go brush your teeth. Go wash your hands. Be a good

boy. Be nice.� And on and on. She�s even started

mimicking Spanish too and has a vocabulary of about

100 words and phrases.

But the most remarkable change is in her feathers.

Robbi�s chest and legs are almost fully feathered.

Her back is now covered in pin feathers, and her

beautiful red tail is coming in. Her flight feathers

are also coming in and she flaps her wings a few times

a day to show them off. We credit the bottlebrush gym

with a large part of the change. Now Robbi has

something pick at besides her feather and her urge to

chew and gnaw is satisfied. She chews branches for at

least an hour straight every night. Also, she is no

longer bored, locked away in a cage, and is instead

right in the middle of the action. Robbi practically

jumps out of her cage every morning at 8 a.m. and

returns to it around 11 p.m. every night. Robbi is

also much more agile now. When she first got the gym,

she was a very clumsy climber, now she hangs upside

down and scuttles around it with complete confidence.

Robbi was outside with me yesterday, and we ran into a

neighbor who hadn�t seen her in months. Our neighbor

didn�t think Robbi was the same bird and didn�t

believe me until Robbi said �What are you doing?� in

that unmistakable voice of hers.

I know there are lots of theories about feather

picking and lots of potential solutions. And there are

those birds whose picking has a medical cause. But

there are also those birds whose plucking is caused by

emotional and behavioral issues. For those birds, a

bottlebrush gym can make all the difference in the

world.

It has for Robbi. And I think Robbi sums it up best

with the word she says every morning when I put her on

her gym: �Whoopdeedo!�

Buffy.

First a comment. It's really sad how many people treat their birds exactly like this. Sad but true.

Here's how I found out about this. Buffy called to order a set of replacement branches for her gym. I realized this was a fairly new gym, so I asked why the replacements. That's when I found out about this Grey. This bird was severely Chewing Deficited, to the point of plucking and self mutilating. Once he was away from his cage, found something he loved to chew and gnaw on, he had something to keep him busy and occupied, other then his own feathers.

I actually have lots of these types of stories. Once your bird is away from his cage, and has a great fun place to hang out, and has his own LIFE, you can get yours back, and enjoy the bird you wanted.

Am I saying that one of my Play Gyms, or Bottlebrush toys or In-cage perches will miraculously cure your bird, or fix negative behavior? No, of course not. In most cases, your bird didn't get where he is overnight, and you won't fix him overnight. What I am saying is that the bird you have today is a direct result of his environment. If he is unhappy, and exhibiting that unhappiness by plucking, screaming, or aggressive behavior, in order to fix that, you have to change and improve his environment. If the problems are minor, subtle changes can help. If the problems are serious, you need to make serious changes to fix the problems. This is exactly why I designed my gyms the way I did, and why I use and recommend Bottlebrush.

Suppose, just suppose it really worked. What a difference in your lives.

Wayne

Your bird needs 12 hours of sleep, according to the EXPERTS.

This is a true story. I've changed things slightly to protect this persons confidentiality.

I got a call, and the person said they wanted to order a Play Gym. As we began to chat about how my Play Gyms worked and Play Gym training, this person told me I didn't need to explain because he was a Parrot Expert, and had a book due to be published shortly. The conversation went something like this. My comments are in green, his are in brown.

I congratulated him, and asked what kind of bird he had.
He told me he had a B&G Macaw, and had had him for about 10 months.
So, I asked what other birds he had had, and he said none, this was his first bird. Saying what I think, I asked the pressing question, If you've had one bird, for less than a year, what makes you an expert?
Well, I bought and read every parrot book on the market. I highlighted the important information, and compiled all that information into my book. This was, someone can buy my book, and get all the current, expert opinions.
Needless to say, I was stunned. I sat there for several seconds, and asked him a question, So, How much sleep does a bird need?
12 hours a day, very important.
Let me explain where 12 hours of sleep comes from, in case you don't know. Here's the theory. Most parrots come from tropical or semi tropical environments. Being near the equator, there are an equal number of day, and night hours. Therefore, in order to duplicate the natural sleep patterns of our birds in the wild, we need to assure 12 hours of sleep in our homes. That's the theory. Back to my discussion.
So, I asked him if I could provide an alternative opinion.
In the wild, your bird wakes at sunup, 7AM for example. He unites his flock, and they GO TO WORK, which for them, consists of flying all over the jungle, looking for food, dodging predators, taking a mid morning to mid afternoon siesta, hanging out some more with his flock mates, looking for more food, etc etc etc. They return to the vicinity of the roost, and at sun down, return to roost. They've had a busy, active day, and are tired, and ready to roost. In an hour or two, or more, they fall asleep. Now, I asked him what time he wakes up.
7 AM.
And your bird?
I let him play on top of his cage until about 8.30, when I go to work.
And your bird?
I put him in his cage when I go to work.
What time do you get home?
About 5.30.
And your bird?
I let him out as soon as I get home, and play with him as much as I can.
And what time do you put him to roost?
7PM. We cover him, and go to the other end of the house, because he screams if he hears us.
I sat there, stunned. This was the state of the parrot industry, and this was a so called parrot expert.
So, in the wild, your bird has a busy, interesting and exciting day, with lots of exercise and companionship with his flock mates. Your bird on the other hand is out of his cage for a total of 3 hours in a 24 hour day cycle. To his credit, he was quiet for several seconds, and then said.
Oh my gosh, your right!
By the end of our conversation, I was giving him advise about how to get his bird off the top of his cage.

Let me clearly state my opinion here. In my opinion, NOTHING is more destructive than this stupid, ridiculous 12 hours a night sleep thing. Here's why.

If you work, as most people do, your gone for most of the day. If you do what the parrot industry says you must do, cage your bird, he has no freedom. He can't fly, has no companionship or exercise, nothing. Just sitting there, waiting for you to come home. Sure, they will play during the day, but without freedom, he isn't free.

Making your bird roost for 12 hours a day is BIRD ABUSE. Your bird needs your companionship and attention. For most of us, the evening is when we have free time. That's the time to spend with your bird. That's the best time for us, and them.

So, would you qualify this person as a parrot expert? Does this person know what he's talking about? Or, is this person doing what most people do, and simply repeat what they hear and read other places. Now, here's the problem with that kind of expertise.

Some brain surgeon came up with this ridiculous 12 hours of sleep thing. Other people read it, and repeat it because they don't have enough common sense or practical experience to make their own judgment. Before you know it, it's considered EXPERT OPINION, and if you don't follow this EXPERT OPINION, YOUR the one who can come under attack. Plus, unfortunately, there's a bigger problem here.

As fantastic as the Internet is, there is a major downside. Anyone can say anything, and it spreads like the plague. You as a novice parrot owner, wanting to do what's safe, are kept in a constant state of anxiety. As I've said in my other articles, these people do this for a variety of reasons, and your the loser in most cases.

Enjoy your bird, and relax. Use your common sense and you'll be fine.

Better safe then sorry, and Agendas.

Better safe then sorry. You wake up in the morning, and need a shower. However, you also realize that the bathroom, and especially the shower is one of the most dangerous places in your home. So, just to be safe, you skip your shower, after all, better safe then sorry right. You need to go to the supermarket, but you realize that driving your car is also very dangerous, and again, better safe then sorry, you skip the store today. Going to work requires you to walk to the train station, again, better safe then sorry, you skip work today. Etc Etc Etc. Stupid, unrealistic, unnecessary, absolutely. That's my point.

Every day, we do things that are dangerous and not good for us. Whether it's eating fast food, having a drink, or several, driving, flying, jogging, working, again, etc etc etc. We do this stuff because it's a part of our day to day lives, necessary in today's society, and a part of what we call Quality of Life. It would be safer if we didn't get out of bed, Better safe then sorry right.

You DON'T do this for yourself. So, why do you do this to your bird?

In my opinion, the most destructive epidemic facing YOUR birds is what I call the BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY flu. I say YOUR birds because I don't buy into it. Let me give you a couple of great examples.

A couple of days ago, I got an e-mail from one of my Toy clients. She had just received her box of goodies, and had a question about several of my toys. Let me explain how and why I designed these toys.

As you look for parrot chew toys, most are nothing more then chunks of wood on a chain. There are thousands of these toys, they are cheap to make and require no imagination or expertise. Either your bird will destroy them in no time, or ignore them. I wanted to develop toys your parrot would love, and that would last.

Flexi Toy. The genesis of my Flexi Toy is a swing. I wanted a swing specifically designed for long tail birds. When your long tail bird gets in and out of a swing, it can damage their tail. So, I wanted my swing to be "J" shaped. The core of this toy needed to be a stiff, but bendable wire of some kind. Stainless is to stiff, plain wire will rust, etc.

One of the first cages I actually bought was a cage made out of copper wire. It was spectacular, easy to clean, and I had it for almost 10 years, and when I sold it, it looked like new. I had birds in it for 10 years, and they chewed on the bars, climbed on the bars, and I NEVER had a problem, ever. Look at parrot toys, how many use copper bells. Right now, in your home, the water you drink, bath in, cook with all runs thru copper pipes.

So, when I set out to develop my Flexi Toy, I used copper wire. The ends are soldered, just like your homes plumbing. Also, just like your homes plumbing, I use Lead Free Silver Solder. Copper is 100% safe for you and your birds, period.

I've been building this toy for about 10 years. I've done thousands of them. My own birds use them, and love them. It's a great chew toy, with colored cotton rope, chunks of Bottlebrush and a copper bell. It's also fun, and interesting, and exciting and your bird will love it.

Play Gym Toy. In the wild, your bird would never take a nap in the top of a tree. If he did, he would end up as a snack for some predator bird. So, again, I wanted a flexible toy that arched over the top of my gym so your bird felt like he was in the tree, not on the tree. One of the reasons birds love my gyms so much is this toy, they feel safe and secure there. The basic construction is copper, lead free solder, chunks of Bottlebrush, colored cotton and a large copper bell. Another Great, Fun Toy your bird will LOVE.

It seems that there is a lot of discussion about my using copper wire. And, apparently, there are a lot of people who are infected with the BETTER SAFE THEN SORRY epidemic. Fine, you don't want to TAKE A CHANCE on my toys, that's your option. But consider this before you do that.

I've dedicated the last 13 years of my life to trying to develop Bottlebrush parrot stuff your bird will LOVE, and will save you a ton of money. All the stuff I offer are my own, unique designs. Parrot chew toys are a monthly expense parrot owners must pay. Do you really think, for a minute, I would do ANYTHING to jeopardize your parrots health and well being. And, If I did build stuff that hurt birds, I would have been out of business years ago. Instead, I have thousands and thousands of loyal clients who tell me Bottlebrush and my Bottlebrush stuff has changed their lives. Where does Better Safe then Sorry end.

When you go to the supermarket, (I'm assuming your NOT better safe then sorry about leaving your home) do you REALLY know the fruit and veggies they sell are safe for your bird. HMMMM, better not buy it there, after all, we need to be BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY. I know, I'll buy it at a natural food store. But REALLY, do you know their produce is really NATURAL and safe? Again, BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY, I better not TAKE A CHANCE. I know, I'll grow my own. Gee, I wonder if the soil in my yard is safe. AGAIN, HMMM, BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY. I'll bring in new safe soil.

Do you get my point? This kind of thinking is a disease, and once your infected, it will affect every part of your day to day life with your bird. And lets face it, how can I ever PROVE my stuff is safe. The bottom line is, I can't.

But, how can you PROVE anything is safe. Your bird needs to have a great, fun quality of life. Your bird isn't a delicate creature. Contrary to what you hear, birds are among the hardiest animals on the planet.

Agendas. The fact that your sitting here reading this article should tell you a lot about me and my site. If your like me, your time is limited, and the time you spend on line is valuable. The .Com on the end on my web site address means it's a commercial site. So, if this is a commercial site, and I make my living selling my stuff, why do I have you spending your time here reading these articles. Simple, my Agenda is to help you with your birds.

I can do that by building great Bottlebrush stuff, but also by providing alternative views to the stuff your hearing and reading.

As you look thru my site, you will see no advertising. I want to have the freedom to say what I want to, and not be afraid of offending an advertiser. When you look at a site, or read a Magazine, are those ads affecting content and opinions? Of course they are.

When your on a Chat Room, or Blog, or message board, what's the agenda. Do you really know who your chatting with, or who's posting. Are those people just concerned parrot owners, or maybe someone with an agenda. I wrote another article about this subject, An internet incident, and why it's important to you.

So, where do you stand? If your infected with the BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY epidemic, your going to make you and your bird CRAZY. Your going to worry yourself crazy about all the stuff your TOLD you need to worry about. You can't wait till the latest bird magazines, because after all, they WANT TO HELP YOU KEEP YOUR BIRD SAFE. Do they really, or are they just scaring you so you keep coming back.

Is your favorite chat or message board filled with other concerned parrot owners, or PLANTS, trying to scare you into buying what they sell. Or, are they scaring you into NOT buying my stuff to remove competition. Don't think this happens.

Recently on one of the cable news stations, they did a segment on what they called INTERNET ADVERTISING. Basically, it was a room full on computers manned by techs, They had been hired to publicize a new kids movie. These people we're on the internet, posing as 12 - 14 year old teens. They we're telling the other kids on the chat rooms how great the movie was, and that they had to see it. Those kids thought they we're talking to other kids. Again, who is posting, and what's their agenda.

You bird needs new and innovative toys to help them pass their days. After all, we can only spend so much time with them.

So here's the bottom line. I've been taking flak from day one on the internet about my stuff because it's different. That's the point. I found most parrot stuff boring, and of more interest to the owner then the bird. When I did my Play Gyms, I heard all kinds of reasons people WOULDN'T buy them. Is Bottlebrush safe, I use Plywood, Formica, Aluminum edge, electroplated hardware, etc etc etc. These people we're infected with the BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY flu, and their birds suffered. The people who weren't infected, or we're cured, ( the reason for this and other pages on my site) found that my Bottlebrush stuff could and did literally change their lives. Take a look at my Bottlebrush Happy Letters page to see what my clients and their birds think.

If people like me are silenced, you and your bird lose. Innovation is the cornerstone of our world, and we need to embrace it. You have to put your faith in people and companies who have earned it, and deserve it. If the innovators are silenced, well, you finish the thought.

Wayne

Lets find SAFE parrot stuff.

OK, it doesn't matter what I said in the previous article, you still feel Better Safe Than Sorry. Lets figure out what's SAFE for your birds.

Cages. You can't use Powder Coated or Electroplated cages. Powder Coating has been linked to Zinc Toxicity so you certainly can't take a chance on that. (This was a problem about 10 years ago, and isn't a problem with current cages. However, Better safe then sorry right). Electroplated cages are electroplated with Zinc. I'll talk about Electroplating shortly. So, the only kind of cage that's SAFE is Stainless Steel. Your going to spend thousands of dollars here, but, isn't it worth it to be Better Safe Than Sorry.

Stainless Steel. Here's the story. I'm not a Veterinarian, and I don't give advise about your birds physical health. So, why are Veterinarians giving advise about Hardware. In 1999, when I built this site, The Zinc issue was the hot issue on the web. There we're 2 main articles written about the subject, one written by a Vet. This person didn't know anything about hardware, and lumped Electroplated and Galvanized together. I wrote a whole page on this subject called The Zinc Boogieman. This page debunked this whole Zinc issue, and pointed out that there is nothing wrong with electroplated hardware.

I went to the Internet, and found the following.

Let's start with what you probably shouldn't use. The better types of welded, galvanized wire may be suitable for some flights. The galvanizing process coats the iron wire and prevents rusting. Properly done, the coating does not chip or peel off. However, zinc is in the coating. If your bird is a big chewer and ingests any coating, zinc poisoning is possible.

This was written by a Veterinarian who gives parrot advise. Again, he doesn't understand the difference between Galvanized and Electroplated. Galvanized wire is dipped in Zinc like dipping an ice cream cone in chocolate. Look at a chain link fence, most are Galvanized. Galvanized metal is easily flaked of, and pieces of Zinc can be ingested. Galvanized should NOT be used for birds, period. I have NEVER seen any parrot toys, etc, that use Galvanized Hardware. Electroplating uses an electric charge and the amount of Zinc present is microscopic. This is like Gold Plating something. In order for your bird to have a problem with Zinc, it requires ingesting pieces of metal. They can't get that from Electroplated Hardware, period.

So, just so your Better Safe Than Sorry, you must use only Stainless Steel hardware. Right off the bat, your eliminating about 97% of all the parrot toys on the market. To believe Stainless is the only SAFE way to go requires that you believe that about 97% of all parrot toy makers don't care about your bird, or the Stainless users are using it to SCARE you into buying their toys. So, to be better safe then sorry, you need to use only Stainless Steel.

Cotton Rope. Dangerous for birds. They can get tangled in it, so Better Safe Than Sorry, let not take a chance. Even though bird love it, and it can be kept short, I guess you better not take a chance.

Rawhide. MUST be Free Range. Seeing that you really DON'T know whether it's REALLY free range, better not take a chance.

Leather. Must be naturally tanned. How can you tell, I don't have a clue. Better be safe though, and not use it.

Toy wood. How do you know the wood used is bird safe, especially if it's colored. Better Safe Than Sorry and not use it.

Copper Wire. Again, from the same site as the above quote.

Never use soldered wire because solder contains lead, which is extremely toxic. This includes copper, which is usually soldered together.

Again, This Vet doesn't know what he's talking about. Ask any plumber, and they will tell you all you need to do is use Lead Free Silver Solder. The solution is simple.

This is the problem and the reason for this article. There are lots of people out there who think they know what they're talking about. They read little snippets, perhaps written by well meaning people like this Vet, and pass on this info just like the Flu. As it's passed, the facts are lost, and the epidemic flourishes.

There is NOTHING wrong with Powder coated cages, Electroplated Hardware, Cotton Rope, Rawhide, and yes, COPPER WIRE.

I've used copper wire for my toys since 1992. I've built tens of thousands of Copper Wire toys, and they're a parrot favorite. Not only great chunks of Bottlebrush, colored rawhide and cotton rope to chew on, but great fun to play on, hang on, attack, and all the other things your bird needs and wants to do. Your bird NEEDS fun toys to make their days enjoyable. They need to be stimulated, challenged, entertained, etc.

Virtually every one of my Play Gyms had a Play Gym toy. I never heard a word about the copper used in these toys, yet, all of a sudden, it seems to have become a topic of concern. Where is this coming from, and why all of a sudden.

Do you really think I would jeopardize your bird by using something unsafe? Do I sound upset? I am. There is an effort to scare people into not buying my stuff because SOMEONE says Copper isn't safe. I don't know where it's coming from, and how to defend myself from it. It doesn't seem to matter that there is NO proof that copper is unsafe, your just not supposed to use it. I guess the tens of thousands of copper toys I've built over the last 13 years don't mean anything. If that's the state of OUR parrot industry, we're in worse shape then ever.

If I we're in the Parrot Toy business, I would be concerned. They can't get Bottlebrush. They know from looking at my Happy Letters page that parrots Love Bottlebrush, and once their exposed to it, they don't want to use anything else. Plus, you won't be buying parrot toys over and over because Bottlebrush Toys last, so that's also going to affect their sales. Can I prove this is where this stuff is coming from? No. But why, all of a sudden, after I've discontinued my Play Gyms and am going into the toy and in-cage perch end of the business, is this suddenly an issue.

I've dedicated the last 13 years of my life to YOUR birds. My birds are fine, I don't buy all this garbage. It's YOUR birds I worry about. I realize your trying to protect your birds, but your not. In fact, your making things worse.

The most dangerous thing for your bird, and most destructive, is BOREDOM. I understand you love your bird, but PLEASE, you have to give your bird a life. You can't Better Safe Than Sorry your bird so much that he becomes bored to death. That's where the danger is, and what you NEED to worry about.

The truth about cages.

March 23, 2005. I'm sitting here writing this article on my computer. This one has a 2.3Gig processor, 528 Megs of Ram, 60 Gig hard drive, and a ton of fancy programs to run everything. I'm listening to Sirius Satellite radio, and while working in my shop, wear wireless headphones. As a family, we own 4 cell phones, 3 cars, 4 TVs all with digital cable, VCRs, DVDs and Sony Play stations. I guess you could say, we have most of the modern day conveniences available in the 21st century. It's likely, so do you. So, here's my question. Isn't it time we bring our birds into the 21st century as well.

Nov 23, 2005. I have to update this article. Today, I got an order from Gary. As we chatted, he was in his big rig truck, on a cell phone, and placed his order on his wireless computer. He was sitting at a rest stop, getting ready to head into the Mohave desert. Again, where in the 21st century, why are you treating your bird the same way we did in the last century.

When I first got involved with parrots, most we're imported. I did a lot of work hand taming these birds. In most cases, they we're wild caught, and afraid of humans. Most we're able to be tamed, and would learn to tolerate and even like humans. But basically, they we're wild birds. They had to be caged, and I've actually had birds hurt themselves fleeing from humans who approached them. Now, to today's birds.

The bird you are buying today is nothing like those birds. These are domestically hand raised birds, and are imprinted on Human being. As far as they know, they are human, not birds. They have never been wild, and many have never even flown. These birds are nothing like those birds.

So, why do they need to be caged? That's my question to you. You don't live like you did 20+ years ago, so why do you make your bird. The answer is simple really, business.

The big money people in the parrot industry today are the cage manufacturers. Look at the bird magazines. Who has the biggest ads, the cage companies. Visit on-line sales sites, and again, the largest ads are from cage companies. When you visit a bird or pet store, look at all those cages lined up. Those cages represent lots of profit for the cage manufacturer, distributor and retailer.

When you buy a bird, your told to buy the biggest, fanciest cage you can afford. Room size is best. Lots of features to be attractive to you and make more money for everyone involved. However, there are 2 losers in this scenario. You and your bird.

You lose because your spending a lot of money on this big, fancy cage. Birds are expensive, but cages are usually as expensive. This means the initial investment can be substantial, and out of the reach of many people. Usually, bringing this big cage into your home requires rearranging furniture at the least. Plus, birds are messy, and that's another consideration. From an esthetic standpoint, most cages aren't that attractive. Lets face it, I've never heard of someone buying a modern day cage as a decorative item. Antique yes, modern though. I hope you get the point here.

Your bird loses big time. In my opinion, about 90% of all parrot related problems are cage related. It is unnatural for your bird to spend the day where he roosts. In the wild, the only time they would do this is when nesting. Locking your bird in his cage causes all kinds of emotional problems. I actually have a page I wrote that describes this in detail. Want to change your parrot's life?

To make matters worse, when people begin to experience parrot behavior issues, excessive screaming, aggressive behavior, plucking, self mutilation and numerous other problems, the parrot industries solution is a bigger cage. That's right, your told your bird needs a bigger cage. Think about it this way. Would a bigger cell make staying in prison better? Of course the answer is no. In prison, you have no freedom.

With a cage, your bird has no Freedom. That's what's missing. I don't care how big the cage is, how fancy it is, what color it is, it doesn't matter. Your bird sees his world thru the bars of his prison.

So, the parrot industry knows this is a serious problem, but, lets face it, their in the cage business. So, they began to offer cage top gyms. Here's the problem with those.

Remember, the only time your bird would spend their days where they roost is when they are nesting. During nesting, they will come out of their nest and sit in the tree guarding their nest. When your bird is allowed to play on top of his cage/nest, in his mind, he is guarding his nest. Watch out when approaching a bird in or on his cage, especially if you aren't considered a flock mate by the bird. This is why your loving, wonderful bird bites your friend when approaching your bird on his cage. He is defending his nest.

What's the problem, in your birds mind? Your bird understands that roosting is the time he is most vulnerable to predators. Lets face it, if a predator knows where he sleeps, that predator might be able to ambush your bird for a mid night meal. Tonight, at sundown, look at power lines in your neighborhood. Notice all those birds. They are waiting for sundown. All of a sudden, at dusk, those birds will disappear. Only at that time will they go to roost.

One of the reason Breeding is so stressful for your bird is the need to be on guard 24 hours a day. Lucking, breeding usually only lasts for several months, and once the babies are fledged, the parents are free to return to their natural roosting behavior.

When your bird is caged during the day, it's like he is nesting all year. This is extremely stressful, and in my opinion, why cages are the source of about 90% of parrot related problems. Suppose you required a person who is obsessed with cleaning to spend 24 hours a day in their house.

20+ years ago, when I was doing all my rescues, I found out the hard way, ouch, that most of the parrots I rescued we're very protective and aggressive about their cages. Yet, as soon as I got them away from their cage, they we're much easier to handle and work with.. I realized a properly designed Play Gym was the answer, and bought every type. I also made my own out of PVC, Manzanita, wooden dowels and other materials I found. In most cases, my birds wouldn't stay on them for more then short periods of time. After watching my birds on their gyms, I began to see why they wouldn't stay on them. They we're poorly designed, plain and simple.

Your bird needs 2 things. A place to roost, and a place to spend the day, just like they do in the wild.

In 1992, I began to develop my gyms to help fix this problem. My gyms are designed and intended to be where your bird spends his days. Basically, like they do in the wild, spend their days in a tree. Now, what they need is someplace to roost.

So, the roosting cage you buy for your bird doesn't need to be big, or fancy. But, it does need to be someplace different then where they spend their days. That's the secret, and what's natural.

Just so you don't think the only solution to this problem is one of my gyms, check out this page. Play Cage concept.

Please understand this. I'm not saying you have to buy one of my gyms. I'm able to produce about 10 gyms a week. If I get 300 - 800 visitors to my site a day, and 1% ordered my gyms, I would be in trouble. I can't get enough Bottlebrush, plain and simple. What I am saying is don't fall for the cage hype, and think about your bird as he is in 2005, and like like they we're in the last century.

From a business standpoint, I could make good money by selling cages thru my site. Cage companies PAY for banner ads, and if you click a banner ad on my site, and buy a cage, I would make money. You don't see any of those kinds of ads on my site at all.

Plus, from a business standpoint, having you reading this page is costing me money. If all I cared about was selling you my stuff, having these info pages is a bad idea. I should be selling you, not informing you.

The only link you will see on my site is to CageFreeParrots. Several years ago, some clients bought my gyms. They read what I said about my gyms, but like most people, we're skeptical. Once they got my gyms, and saw the way their birds loved them, they came up with a very logical question. Why do we need cages? I told them they didn't, and the reason I tell people to use them is because most already have them. Well, these people went to other chats and posts, and we're flamed for asking the cage free question. So, they decided to start their own list. I highly recommend this list, but I'm not a member. See my article below, an Internet Incident, to see why I don't do chats. Please, don't fall for the whole cage sell job.

It's time we stop thinking about our birds the way our parents thought about birds. The birds today aren't the same as those birds, and neither are we. I doubt that many of you still listen to 8 track tapes and drive VW buses.

Wayne

Your Bottlebrush Parrot gym was too expensive!

This is an article I have to write. A couple of days ago, I got a phone call from a lady with a new Timneh Grey. She was looking for a gym for her bird, and had a few questions about mine. I enjoy chatting with clients, and we chatted for about 20 minutes. After we hung up, I remember thinking that she wasn't listening to me or my answers. Anyway, a couple of days later, I got this e-mail.

Wayne, I spoke with you on the phone yesterday, but I'm not able to purchase that expensive of a gym at this time. I , did, however purchase a Manzanita one for much cheaper. I know its not the best , but it's all I can do right now, and something is better than nothing for her. I was wondering if I might be able to purchase one of those curved diddys that make the bird feel like it's in a tree and not on top of the tree. I think I could add it to the structure. Here is a pic of the one I purchased:

The link she sent me was for a gym listed on Ebay.

Thanks, any other suggestions would be appreciated , too Peggy m.

Here's that gym.

She paid $140.00 for the gym, and $37.00 for shipping, total $177.00.

When we chatted, I recommended my Medium Gym for her Timneh. Here's an example of that gym.

This gym sells for $239.95, + $35.00 US shipping. The optional toy, called a Play Gym Perch Toy is $14.00. Total gym as pictured is $288.95.

So, in her mind, here was her decision. Buy the gym she bought for $177.00, or mine for $288.95. As far as she is concerned, she saved $111.95. Good decision, or is it?

I have a page on my site called Let's Compare Parrot Play Gyms. I discuss this issue in detail.

First, this gym is done in Manzanita. Manzanita is extremely hard and very slippery. In order for her bird to stand on a Manzanita branch, he will need to be ably to hold on by wrapping his feet around the branches. . This gym was sold for and designed for Macaws and Cockatoos. The diameter of the branches are too thick for a Timneh. Her bird will be very uncomfortable on this gym, and will spend most of the time standing still. Like you and I standing on a sheet of ice. Over time, her feet will get tired, and she will seek relief.

She will either fall, or figure out how to climb down to the tray. When she finds the tray, she will also discover the pine border is nice and soft and will find it great for chewing. In no time, that border will be destroyed, and the tray will look terrible. However, it gets worse. The legs are also pine, and nice and soft, making them also great for chewing. Hopefully, her owner will discover this chewing and prevent her from chewing thru the pine leg, before the entire gym collapses.

The legs are also great for allowing her bird to climb down. That means, when she puts her bird on her gym, he is going to climb down the branches, slide down the legs and be on the floor. That really doesn't matter though, because this gym isn't designed to be used for more than short periods of time, here's why.

The tray itself is made of Malemine. Malemine is basically particle board with a white, formica looking covering. It's cheap to buy, but don't get it wet. That's why this gym has no food and water cups. It does have a snack cup, but it's screwed into the branch of the gym. No idea how your supposed to clean it. Speaking of cleaning, cleaning the tray present problems. The Malemine manufacturer recommends it not be exposed to water.

A tray like this would take about 20 minutes to construct, and be cheap to build. A 4' X 8' foot sheet of Malemine costs about $15.00, and is already finished. Great for the Play Gym builder. For you, it will last a couple of months, period.

My trays are made of 3/4", furniture grade Plywood. You have your choice of 4 Formica colors for inside the top and bottom tray. Instead of a Pine border, I use 2" X 1/8" Aluminum. Basically, I spend most of my time, and great expense building my trays to be furniture grade and attractive for you, and indestructible for your bird. These trays will literally last forever, and in fact, are guaranteed for life. Over time, when they get dirty, roll the gym outside, hose it off and scrub it down. It will dry, and no damage was done.

Having the tray in the middle and a matching one on the floor requires I build two trays for every gym. Expensive and time consuming to say the least, but a critical factor in what my gyms are designed to do. Basically, the tray in the middle means her bird can't climb down. And, when we teach her bird not to jump down, which I explain how to do, and, if your bird LOVES her gym, you can leave her there for long periods of time. This is what my gyms we're designed for, and why cups are standard. Casters are standard, and allow the gym to be moved as needed.

The branch assembly would be Bottlebrush, custom configured and specifically sized for her Timneh. Bottlebrush is easy to stand on, and doesn't require holding on like Manzanita does. The spiral staircase would be configured for her Grey, and encourage and allow climbing. In the long run, her gym would pay for itself. Bottlebrush is the BEST wood there is for not only chewing, but Gnawing. Once she got her gym, she wouldn't need to buy any more chew toys. Consider the branch assembly one big chew toy. After several years of happy chewing and gnawing, she can order a replacement branch assembly, remove the original set and install the new set. Then, the original set can be cut up and used for toys and in-cage perches. Again, the trays are virtually indestructible.

So, here's the bottom line. In her mind, she saved $111.95. In reality, she wasted $177.00. The gym she ordered is unsuitable for her bird, and he will hate it. What he will like is the tray, and that won't last very long. Her bird will have to be locked in his cage whenever she leaves the room, and in my opinion, is the cause of about 90% of parrot related problems.

I'm not picking on her, or want to seem like I'm making fun of her. She didn't listen when we chatted, and will never read this. She also didn't read much of the info on my site, so didn't understand the difference between my gym and the one she bought. I feel sorry for her bird, who is the real loser here.

This article in intended for those of you looking for a gym for their bird. By comparing this gym to mine, hopefully, you will realize what I learned a long time ago, and is the reason I build what I build. It's simple.

The Bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price.

Wayne

An internet incident, and why it's important to you.

I recently received the following e-mail from one of the Grey chat rooms.

----- Original Message -----
> From: "Len " <L*hare>
> To: <GREYS@PARROTTALK.COM>
> Sent: Friday, May 30, 2003 1:14 PM
> Subject: Re: [GREYS] bottle brush stand tray
> > In a message dated 5/30/03 2:11:13 PM Eastern
> Daylight Time,
> > kkoughan2 writes:
> > Hi ~ I'm wondering, who is this "Wayne" who makes
> these bottlebrush
> > Wayne use to work for Perma-Pla* they were the
> ones making them, Wayne
> > left and took the plans with him and is making
> them now.
> > Len

Now, let me set the record straight. This person has the story completely backwards. I've been making these gyms since 1992, and this company was MY distributor.

Thinking this person was simply someone who was misinformed, I sent him the following e-mail.

Subj: Bottlebrush Play Gyms
Date: 5/30/03 2:30:13 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: PHearts44
To: L*hare3208

Hi

My name is Wayne. I invented my Play Gyms about 11 years ago. In 97, Perma Pla* became my distributor. Whatever they are doing now are knockoffs.

Wayne

I received this response.

Well that is not what there telling me

My response,

They were my distributor. I've done over 7000 of these gyms in 11 years. No idea why they are saying that, it isn't true. If you have any back issues of bird talk, 1997, look them up, and look my old company up, Wayne's Pet Products. I don't really care what they say. I have plenty of business, and my stuff is talked about all over the net.

Wayne

His response.

Well, that not my problem I know I have done business with them way before 1997. When sherry owned the business.

My response,

If you bought a gym from them back then, from Sherrie, I built it. Here's my ad from bird talk, July 1997. All I care about is that you are aware of the facts. Here are 4 pics.

Wayne

This was the last response I received from him. I sent one more e-mail.

Subj: Re: Bottlebrush Play Gyms
Date: 5/30/03 3:18:07 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: PHearts44
To: LC

Those ads are from the July 1997 issue of Bird Talk. In the Dec 1997 issue of Bird talk, there is article about all the Play Gym manufacturers. My company, Wayne's Pet Products, Inc, is listed, with my gyms pictured. They are not listed, they were a toy manufacturer at that time. They saw my gyms, Sherrie ordered one, and they fell in love with them. At that point, they became my distributor. Just so you know the facts. Tom knows the truth.

Wayne

I received no more responses. At this point, I assumed this was simply someone who was surfing the chat rooms, and had some incorrect information. I soon found out the truth.

I have thousands of avid followers. Check out my Happy Letters page and see how many of my clients have thought enough of my stuff to take the time and effort to write me a letter. Several of those clients sent me e-mails regarding this person.

It turns out, this guy has a website, is a parrot breeder, and sells parrot supplies, and guess what, sells knockoffs of my gyms. He is selling the ones made by the company he says I stole the plans from. So, here's my question to you.

Doesn't this guy have a conflict of interest, being on a chat room, and talking about my company? I have no way of knowing if he was representing himself as a dealer, or just a regular chat room visitor. Was he there being unbiased and honest or was he there to direct people to buy his products? When he misstated who I am, and misrepresented my gyms, who stood to benefit. He did. Now for the bigger picture.

Recently, a couple of my clients started a Yahoo Group called Cagefreeparrots. Considering that this is the reason I manufacture the gyms the way I do, and this is the reason for my gyms, I was all for this new group. I have offered my support, and am 100% behind this group. However, I AM not a member.

As a manufacturer, and someone who would directly benefit from this kind of group, for me to participate directly would be, in my opinion, dishonest and unethical. How can I offer UNBIASED information when I have a direct stake in the outcome.

When you are on a chat or participating in a group, who are you really talking to. Is this person someone else like you, a dedicated parrot owner looking to do the best for your parrot, or is the person someone with a agenda or a product to sell. When you ask the question, can my bird really be cage free for example, and you are blasted for even thinking such a stupid, irresponsible idea, is this a dealer, selling PVC, or Manzanita, etc. knowing that if you believe this idea, your WON'T buy their product, or just another person expressing their current mindset.

This is a serious problem on the web. Pellets, Large Cages, special lighting, all kinds of specific diets are among a few of the items you are told you MUST have for your bird. There are discussions about Harnesses, (Horrible, and completely unnecessary in my opinion), and about how these are necessary and a good idea. You think these are regular people like you, honestly discussing the issue. In many cases, they are dealers and sellers, using the chats and groups to push their products.

I have an acquaintance who is also in the business I am in. He told me he has at least 15 chat room IDs, and spends several hours a day ADVERTISING, as he calls it. He goes to the chats, and under one ID, asks a specific product related question. He then answers the question, and directs people to his site. He has told me I should also do this, and if I don't, I'm going to be left behind, because, according to him, this is a common practice, being done by lots of companies.

Further down this page, you will see an article I wrote called "Your not a good bird mommy unless". This article addresses alot of the kinds of things people are told the MUST have. If they don't have this stuff, their told their NOT A GOOD BIRD MOMMY. How many of the people expressing these ideas are dealers and manufacturers, using the chats to advertise?

I have NEVER visited a chat, NEVER posted anything on a message board. For me to do so would be dishonest and unethical. The only way these forums work is because you think you are getting honest responses from honest people like you to your questions. When these forums are taken over by business, they will cease to work. If you like these forums, it is your responsibility to keep them unbiased and honest. If you recognize a dealer, or seller on the chats, it is your responsibility to identify this person, and not allow this kind of advertising. If you don't, kiss the rooms good by, because this could be the beginning of the end, unless you take steps to prevent it.

Wayne

Teflon!!

For once, I agree with the hysteria I am hearing. Here's the story.

If a Teflon pan is superheated, empty, and reaches temperatures of between 350 and 800 degrees F, the Teflon can melt, emitting toxic fumes that can KILL your birds. So, You MUST throw away any and all items you have with a Teflon coating. So, let me help you do this properly.

You will need the following items. You must IMMEDIATELY, Frantically go to Home Depot and purchase the following. Go quickly, and get back as soon as possible.

1) Hand truck or Dolly.
2) Roll of CAUTION tape.
3) 4 Pack of pad locks.
4) A pair of Sawhorses.
5) Someone with a strong back.

YOU must follow these instructions to the letter. Very important, your birds life is at stake.

1) Carefully lock your bird in his cage.
2) Open the package of Padlocks, and use them to Padlock every opening to the cage, Door, Food Cup doors, tray, everything. Your birds LIFE depends on this being done properly.
3) Position the Sawhorses on each side of the cage, 5 feet from the cage. (It isn't necessary to use a Tape Measure to get the distance exact. Simple lay on the floor, your head touching the cage, and position the sawhorses at your feet). As long as your CLOSE, it's safe for your bird.
4) Using the CAUTION tape, wrap the tape back and forth between the sawhorses, up and down, etc. You must use the whole roll to keep your bird safe.
5) Now that your bird is safe, set the timer on your stove for 10 minutes.
6) Now you are ready to make your home Teflon safe.
7) Open the door to your stove. Carefully collect all the Teflon coated items you can find. Check every cupboard, drawer, shelf, under things, on top of things, in things, etc. Remember, your birds life hangs in the balance.
8) As you find Teflon coated items, place them in the stove. The Stove door IS open, right!
9) Each time the stove timer goes off, quickly check your bird. Make sure the padlocks and tape are still in place, and your bird is still safe. Set the stove timer for another 10 minutes. Each time the timer goes off, check your bird and reset the timer.
10) OK, You have VERY carefully collected all your Teflon items and placed them in the stove. Check everywhere again, just to be safe.
11) Now for the Most Dangerous part of this process. Follow these directions to the letter.
12) Position the person with a strong back in front of your birds cage. You must instruct this person that he is NOT to take his eyes off your bird. Your birds life is at stake.
13) When you are CERTAIN your bird is safe, close the Stove Door. Check to make sure your bird is still in his cage, and not in the stove.
14) Position the Dolly or Hand Truck in front of the stove, lift the stove, and slide the Hand Truck or Dolly under your stove.
15) CAREFULLY lift the stove using the Dolly or Hand Truck. Make sure your bird is still in his cage.
16) Maneuver the stove, with the deadly Teflon stuff, thru your front door, and set it beside the street in front of your house.
17) Now, carefully, remove the tape, fold down the sawhorses and put them outside, by your stove. Throw the CAUTION tape in your garbage.
18) Unlock and remove the padlocks, and your done. Thank your STRONG BACK for helping you save your birds life.
19) Congratulations, you now have a TEFLON safe home. By using the procedure above, you safeguarded your bird from having a Teflon pan dropped on him, or being mistakenly locked in your old stove. You did good.

Ridiculous, stupid, crazy? I agree. Here's my point.

If you put empty pans, Teflon or otherwise, on your stove, turn your stove on HIGH, and forget about it, Not only your Birds life, but your families lives are in jeopardy. You are as likely to burn down your house as poison your bird. The best solution is to either remove the stove, or DON'T PUT EMPTY PANS ON THE STOVE, TURN IT ON HIGH AND LEAVE IT UNATTENDED. Don't get me wrong. Melted Teflon is hazardous for our birds, and likely, us too. But...

I live in the REAL world, as do my birds. Our Homes aren't natural for them. There is a philosophy many bird owner have which is this, BETTER SAFE THEN SORRY. Where does it end. After we remove our stove, are we then supposed to remove the refrigerator. After all, the door could get left open, and he could catch a cold, or climb inside and freeze to death. Are we supposed to leave the windows open year round, after all, if the windows are closed, there could be a buildup of Carbon Monoxide, which is deadly for everyone. Must we remove Light Bulbs, after all, there could be a power surge, and the bulbs could explode, etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc. Where does this kind of thinking end.

It is our responsibilities as parrot owners to be rational, and use COMMON sense. As I continue to say, Parrots are NOT delicate creatures. They are among the hardiest, most adaptable animals on the planet. They are smart, and have an intuitive sense of what is good for them and what isn't. We can't protect them from everything, the same way we can't protect ourselves and our families from every potential hazard. If you are totally neurotic about your bird, and your birds safety, health, welfare, diet, and environment, you will produce a neurotic bird.

You MUST let your bird have a life, his own life. If he doesn't have a life, you won't have a life. Sad but true.

Wayne.

Hi there, your site was a breath of fresh air!

I was just in the midst of searching for parrot toys (I want a basketball
hoop in particular) and my searching returned your site. I actually have
already purchase a gym, cage, and many toys... My Congo African Grey
arrives in a couple weeks.

I wanted to write a quick note, and let you know how FANTASTIC your web site
is! (I'm sure you know, but hey - we can all use reminding!) I have been
doing a ton of research and it is such a relief to read your site and
realize that some of these strict rules are bogus...

I have had smaller birds and I was unaware that allowing a bird to sit on
your shoulder was wrong, and I have also come across numerous warnings about
biting. I also own a Pomeranian and was a little worried about
introductions as I keep reading that parrots dislike fast movement and I
have a Pomeranian - he's a little hyper at times...

I feel so much better reading your site. I volunteer at our local humane
society and have worked with many animals in my day, and I was starting to
really get concerned about things that would cause bad behaviors - afraid of
doing something wrong...

Your site has left me assured that my instinctive thoughts on all these
experts were correct, and I am confident now that these rules are a bunch of
bullsh*t. I am so relieved and I wanted to let you know that you are doing
parrot owners everywhere a great justice with your web site. As a
professional web site developer, I am well versed in great internet content
and I had to stop for a minute and compliment you on your web site!

I will be sending links to everyone who asks me for bird advice!

Dana Grove
Webworks Creations

I thought it was a fitting addition to this page because this IS the reason for this page. This page, as well as others, is intended to try to counter much of the info currently considered necessary to own and enjoy parrots. Although most of these people are well intentioned, the result of their misinformation can be devastating to our birds. Here are a couple of examples.

I personally speak with each and every one of my clients. The reason I do this are numerous. The design and purpose of my gyms are unique. I want to make sure my clients know how to use, and train their birds so my gyms can do what they are designed to do. The other reason relates to this letter.

I spoke with a client who ordered a gym for her Sun Conure. As we chatted, she commented that she felt bad for her bird, because she was only able to spend 20 - 30 minutes a day with her Sun. Her reason was simple. She gets up at 6.30 AM. She gets her Sun up, but isn't able to spend any time with him, she had a family to wake, feed and send to work/school. She didn't get home till about 6PM. So, in order for her bird to get the REQUIRED 12 hours worth of sleep, he had to be put to bed at 6.30PM. So, she had to rush home from work, so she could spend 20-30 minutes with her bird, then put him to bed. Her bird spent his entire day, locked in his cage, waiting for her to come home. Then, she's here, YEAAA. He is so excited to come out of his cage, after all, he's been waiting for this moment all day. Then, just as he is beginning to enjoy his freedom, and companionship, he is returned to his Jail, sorry, cage, locked in and covered up. All alone, can't see anything, just locked up again. This is his life, because this is what the so called experts say is necessary. Great life.

Now, here is an example where stupid, inaccurate information is destroying this birds life, as well as causing her owner to feel guilty about working and NEGLECTING her bird. Everyone involved here was being affected by the wrong information. Your bird sleeps on and off all day. In fact, usually mid morning, your bird goes into what I call a SIESTA mode. Not sure I spelled that right, but here's what I mean. Usually mid morning, your bird will quiet down, and simply chill, nap, and be relatively inactive for several hours, usually till mid afternoon. At that point they will perk up and be active till bedtime. Parrots also do this in the wild.

In the wild, do you actually think your bird goes to bed at 6.30 PM, even though it doesn't get dark till 8.30 or 9 PM in the summertime. The sun comes up at 6.30 in the summer, and sets at 9.00PM. So therefore, your parrot, living in the wild, wouldn't get the required 12 hours worth of sleep. Going to Roost early, would be life threatening, because predators would learn where this parrot was roosting, and could ambush and have a nice meal. Of course not, crazy right.

Utterly stupid idea. Your parrot isn't this delicate creature. They are among the hardiest animals there are. They need to live in our world, and fit into our schedules. If you go to bed at 11PM, put your bird to bed at 11PM. Get him up when you get up, and let him adjust to your schedule. If he is tired, he will nap, on and off all day as needed. What your bird needs, more then 12 hours worth of sleep, is YOU. Your companionship, attention and affection is what your parrot needs, not 12 hours worth of sleep. Here's another one.

I had a client order a Play Gym for a pair of Eclectus she was getting. As we spoke, I became more and more aware of almost a foreboding regarding these new Fids. I asked her what was up, here was her reply.

She told me she had a husband and three school age kids. She spent a couple of hours every morning getting her family fed, dressed and off to school. By 8.30AM, when she left for work, she had already been up for a couple of hours, then had a 30 minute commute, and a 9 hour day. She didn't know where she was going to find all the time necessary to PROPERLY take care of these new Fids.

It would take an extra 30 - 45 minutes in the morning to prepare her new birds a Hot Breakfast. She barely made her kids a hot breakfast. When she got home from work, how was she going to be able to spend the extra 2-3 hours a night playing with her birds. She was overwhelmed with just the thoughts of the upcoming Fids.

In the wild, do your birds have breakfast at a local restaurant. Do they use the drive thru, or go inside. I agree, this is a stupid question. So, why does your bird need a hot breakfast? The answer, they don't. Once again, they need what we can give them. If you are having a hot breakfast, give them some. If you have cereal, give them some. When you get home from work, give them the time you have available. Your bird will be fine, and adapt to you and your schedule.

The people who are spouting all this garbage are usually well intentioned, however, as with most other things, the extremists are the loudest, and usually the most intolerant of opposing views. These people are usually parroting what they have read, and aren't capable of formulating their own opinions. As stated in the letter above, use your own common sense. This is your bird, and your life. Do what works for you, in your situation. If you attempt to change your life for your new Fid, there will come a point, 6 mos or 6 years from now, where it isn't FUN anymore. Once your new bird becomes a hassle, that's the beginning of the end of your relationship with your bird. It doesn't have to end this way.

The big day is finally here. You wake up early, you can't wait. As you drink your morning coffee, you gaze at your new Fids, (feathered Kid) cage. For weeks, maybe months, you've been searching for just the right cage, toys, perches, etc. etc. etc. You have assembled, and disassembled, the cage over and over until you get it just right.

As much as possible, or allowed, you have visited your new Fid. Played with him, hugged him, fed him, talked and coooooded him, hoping to begin forming the kind of bonded relationship you have always dreamed of. After all, this is why you are bringing this new member into your family, forever. Sounds great, wonderful, today is the big day.

So, you go and pick up your new family member. Everyone is excited. Family members of course. But also friends, neighbors, the mail man, etc. etc. etc. After all this time, and expense, and study, and interest, you finally bring him home. (I use Him for my convenience, and ease of writing, not sexism).

Now, your bird is smothered with love and affection. Can I hold him? Now it's my turn! Can I take him outside, to the neighbors, etc etc etc. Your new bird is never alone, this is great, he has a great life. He loves this.

Then things change. Your kids play with him less and less. After all, they are doing other things, maybe a new sports team, or back to school, or a new friend, or bicycle, etc etc etc. You and your spouse also seem to find less and less time to spend with your new Fid. This is normal, to be expected. Your bird however, doesn't understand.

He liked all the attention. He liked being played with nonstop. He liked the physical attention, the scratches, hugs, kisses. He liked going places, seeing new things, meeting new people. He liked being the center of everyone's attention, he liked it, he liked it.

New Bird Syndrome takes over. Your new Fid is now left alone for longer periods of time. He doesn't understand. Don't you love him anymore, like you used to? He sees you and wants to play with you. You walk by, ignoring him. What can he do?

Maybe, if I call you, you will play with me, he thinks. So he calls, and calls, and calls. However, what he considers as his call, we consider a scream. So, we walk by, he calls, screams, and what do we do, what are we told to do, ignore him. So again, he calls, wanting our attention, what he used to get, and love, and again, we ignore him. He gets more and more frustrated, and lonely, and miserable, and doesn't understand why we don't love him anymore. We used to love him, didn't we.

In my experience, once this starts, it can be the beginning of the end of your relationship with your bird. After all, a screaming, screeching parrot isn't what we wanted on that exciting day when you brought your new Fid home.

So, what's the solution. Simple, your bird needs a life. You MUST teach your bird to entertain himself. You, and your family members must make this honest assessment.

Be honest, and look ahead 6 months, or better yet, a year from now. How much time will you realistically spend with your bird. 30 minutes a day, an hour max. Be honest here. I understand that at first, you expect to spend all your free time with your new Fid, but take it from me, it won't happen. Our lives are to busy, to hectic. Things change rapidly, and often.

If you are honest at the beginning, and your parrot is allowed, and encouraged, to get his own life, he will. If you leave him alone, and allow him to entertain himself, he will. He won't look to you for entertainment, he will entertainment himself. When you play with him, that will be a plus. Then, when you put him back, he will know how to play by himself. Simple, he will have his own life, just like you do, which is a good thing.

I get this all the time. I get an e-mail from a perspective client. They tell me they have heard lots of great stuff about my gyms, and have read through my site, and like what they've read. I think I've found the gym I've been looking for, they say, yours look great. Then the question.

Can you make the gym tray bigger to prevent any mess? Or, can you do a different design because your design doesn't match my decor, or can you do a different pedestal, or can you make me one that looks like a real tree, that would look great in the corner of my living room, etc etc etc. Sound like logical questions, of course. So what's the problem?

My gyms aren't designed for YOU. That's right. My gyms are designed for your BIRD.

Don't get me wrong. I spend most of my time and expense making the trays. My gyms are a beautiful piece of parrot furniture. You will love the look, quality, fit and finish of my gyms. Your friends will say COOL when they see it.

However, If your bird doesn't like the gym you buy, what good is it. As you surf the net, look at how the gyms are marketed. Terms like easy to clean, indestructible, mess free, etc, are designed to be attractive to you, not your bird. Your bird could care less.

Have you ever gone to the toy store, and searched for the perfect gift for your 2 or 3 year old child or grandchild, and low and behold, found the perfect gift. You wrap it, and wait excitedly for the expected response. Your recipient opens the gift, and proceeds to play with the box.

You purchased a gift YOU liked, that YOU found interesting, exciting, that fit YOUR requirements from YOUR perspective. However, your 2-3 year old looks at things differently.

So does your bird. Your bird wants a gym that is easy to hold on to. A gym that doesn't hurt his feet, isn't slippery, or too hard. Your birds wants and needs to chew, and GNAW. Your bird wants the most possible perch and play area. Your bird wants to be able to climb, play, hang upside down, and most of all, spend all or most of his time OUT OF HIS CAGE. His cage is where he roosts, his gym is where he lives. Very few gyms are designed to do this, mine are.

So, as you cruise the net, looking for gyms, or, for that matter, any Parrot Stuff, look at who the items are designed to be attractive to, you, or your bird. If the items are designed to be attractive to you, chances are, your parrot would rather play with the box. Give it to him, and you play with the item.

I received the following E-mail regarding one of my Clients birds. The problems encountered are common and worthy of discussion. I'll address each paragraph after the paragraph.

Eddie is a rescued Cherry Head Conure who I adopted in June of this year. Since adopting him, I found out that he was wild caught, and is at least 11 years old, possibly much older. When I adopted him, I was told: 1) He is not hand tamed and can't be handled, 2) He bites, and is a "Psycho bird", 3) He does not play with or chew his toys, and 4) because of his behavior issues, he had already been adopted and returned 3 times. After adopting him, he quickly became hand tamed and the only behavior problem I really had was his attempting to bite my hand to avoid stepping up. He also did not chew or play with toys, but since the only things he really had to chew on at that time were a couple of "wooden spoon" type wooden toys, I could understand why those didn't appeal to him. I bought him some new toys made from a variety of materials, rawhide, rope, wood, etc, in the hopes that he would start to chew on at least one of them, but with no success.

The first and most common problem experienced by Julie was her birds avoidance of being handled and biting. This is the reason for the design of my Play Gyms. Let me explain. In the wild, your bird would sleep in his roost. In the morning, he would be vocal, calling the flock. They would then GO TO WORK, which for a parrot means spending most of the day, looking for food, hanging out with flock mates, etc. Late in the day, they return to the vicinity of their Roost, Call again to wish the flock good night, and as the sun is setting, return to their roost. They don't return to their roost during the day. To do so would alert predators to their roosting spot, which could be life threatening. Your bird understands this and the selection of the Roost is vital. It must be safe, with lots of leaves and branches all around, so the bird feels cocooned and protected from predators. A little birds psychology here. Boings (those flexible, bendable colored cotton ropes) are a great toy. However, when you add one to your birds cage, and he freaks, it's because in his mind, that is a snake in his roost. Snakes are predators. Over time, he will understand it's OK, but initially, very scary.

We take these birds out of the wild and into our homes. The parrot industry is fueled by the Cage Manufacturers. We are told to buy the biggest, fanciest cage we can afford. If your parrot isn't happy, it's because their cage isn't big enough. In Fact the opposite is true.

The reason your parrot isn't happy is because of their cage. Back to your bird and his natural behavior. The only time your parrot would spend his days where he roosts is when he is breeding and nesting. In this case, he will spend his days in and around his nest, and defend it to with all his ability. During the day, he will sit in the tree above, watching for predators. Watch out if you get close.

When your bird spends his days locked in his cage, over time, he begins to accept his cage, than begins to like his cage, then begins to consider his cage as a nest. I call this syndrome CAGE BIRD SYNDROME. This is a common occurrence that most parrots will experience, and is particularly common with Amazons, Greys, Conures and Quakers. When you approach him, and he is in or on his cage, you are approaching his nest. If you are a flock mate to him, he will be somewhat receptive. However, if you are a stranger to this bird, and this bird is in or around his cage, WATCH OUT.

How do you tell if my bird is exhibiting Cage Bird Syndrome?

If your bird acts aggressive when you approach their cage, lunging, biting, feathers flared, fleeing from you, etc. this is a common sign that your bird is what I call a CAGE BIRD. His cage is his nest.

If your bird tries to prevent you from changing food and water, clean the cage, and gets scared and upset when you change or add toys, etc. this is another common sign of Cage Bird Syndrome.

So what's the solution? You need to prevent your bird from living where he roosts. My Play Gyms are designed, from the ground up, to be where your bird lives through the day. This is the hypothesis I used for the design of my gyms, and everything about them is directed towards this end result. Lets face it, if your bird had a say in his life, and you asked him where he wanted to live throughout the day, in a tree or locked in a cage, is there any doubt where he would choose? People tell me that leaving their bird out, on a gym, is UNNATURAL. I tell them, leaving their bird locked in a cage is what is unnatural. As you now understand, it is also extremely detrimental to the long term relationship with your bird.

Once I received the playgym, Eddie took to it immediately, even though he is usually skittish about anything new. It took slightly longer for him to figure out he could actually chew on the bottlebrush branches, but once he did, WOW! I knew he had really discovered the joys of chewing when one day I found the bottom tray of the playgym filled with shredded bottlebrush bark! It was as if he was trying to make up for his lack of chewing all in one day! I was a little concerned that at that pace he would have the whole thing chewed to bits by the end of the week, but I soon realized that wasn't going to happen. Initially, he chewed almost nonstop, but then he leveled off and seems to have satisfied his "chewing deficiency". He chews more regularly now, and has recently discovered that big knot....he loves working on that! He also loves the spinner, which is why I'm so pleased that I have a couple of spares to replace it when it's stripped. He even chews his toys now !

Now to chewing. In order to understand your parrots chewing behavior, we must divide chewing into two categories.

Chewing. Most parrots toys are designed for chewing. You can also give your parrots anything plastic, Bic Pen tubes, plastic bottle caps, toilet paper rolls, etc etc etc.

Gnawing. This is the problem. Chewing is important, Gnawing is vital to your parrot. Gnawing is when your bird grinds and feverishly works on a toy, but can't destroy it. There is a fine line that makes wood great for gnawing. It can't be too soft, and it can't be too hard. It needs to be right in the middle.

Most parrot toys are designed to be chewed up. Ever wonder why, when you buy a toy, it is gone in no time. Guess what, they are designed for that. It costs you money, it makes your parrot frustrated.

So, over time, your parrot begins to lose interest in toys and chewing. They don't want to chew, what they really want is to GNAW. I call this condition CHEWING DEFICIT. Chewing Deficit causes frustration, aggressiveness, biting and beak problems. None of these conditions are conducive to our long term relationship with our bird.

Chewing Deficit is a condition all parrot can suffer from. Basically, parrots give up on chewing. I have many clients who tell me, My Bird Doesn't Chew. Then, guess what!. They get on of my Gyms, and WOW, their birds go nuts. Basically, their birds haven't found what they LIKE to chew. Doesn't mean they don't want to chew. Chewing is a part of life your parrot can't live without, like breathing and eating.

Chewing Deficit manifests itself in different ways, depending on the type of parrot. Most birds just give up on chewing and gnawing, and act frustrated and irritable. Screaming is a common symptom. With others, the effect can be destructive.

Cockatoos show Chewing Deficit in destructive ways. A Cockatoo's need to chew is the strongest of all the parrots. Cockatoos, by their nature, are voracious. If not provided with suitable Chewing and Gnawing material, your baseboards and furniture are at serious risk. Imagine having this marauding chewing machine wondering around your house, looking for a way to pay off a Chewing Deficit. That's scary.

The reason I use Bottlebrush, and the reason my Clients LOVE Bottlebrush, is because it allows your bird to chew, but more importantly, allows your parrot to Gnaw. Bottlebrush is perfect for GNAWING.

This morning, I got the following E-mail. It was a real coincidence, because I had decided to write this article today. This is a common question, worthy and needing discussion.

Hello, I would love to hear your thoughts on multi house pets? We
have two inside cats and a dog, but have gotten mix reactions about adding a
B&G Macaw to the family. It will have it's own room, because of the cats
when we are at work, but I would love to be able to all hang out in the
living room together peacefully. I realize I'll have to watch the cats &
dog. But any suggests on how to introduce the new member to the family?
thanks Michelle

In the real world, we all have dogs, cats, kids and spouses and birds. In the real world, we all have to get along.

In 1992, Hurricane Andrew wiped out South Florida. I spend several months shuttling supplies from Broward County to relatives and friends in Dade County. The devastation was overwhelming. During these trips, I found scores of kittens who were in need of help. I placed most, and kept three. We now have 4 Indoor-Outdoor cats.

My Cats are major hunters. On many mornings, I would get up and find all kinds of GIFTS given to us by these very thankful cats. Every morning, I have my coffee in my Guitar Corner. (I collect and Play Guitar and have a corner of our living room where my guitars are stored). One morning, I was having a major sneezing attack. I was sneezing non stop. I got up to get more tissues, and there, under my chair, was a HUGE dead rat. This was about the biggest RAT I had ever seen. A present for me!! Wow, thanks. UUGGHH. At this point, I had to make our Cat Door out only. Once outside, my cats can only come in when let in. If they have GIFTS, they aren't allowed in.

In 1996, I bought my wife and kids a Green Cheek Conure. (For those of you unfamiliar with this species, they are Cockatiel size, and fantastic. Great Birds, I recommend them highly). Anyway, I immediately built my Green Cheek a Play Gym and told my family that our new Green Cheek would live on that gym, and sleep in her cage.

My wife and Kids were mortified and insisted I not do this. My youngest cried hysterically. My Cats are major hunters and they were CONVINCED our Cats would eat our new bird at their first opportunity. I INSISTED they would not.

The first thing I did was allow the cats to investigate the new bird under supervision. I sat on the floor, and allowed the bird to play with the cats in the room. If one of my cats was sitting on the couch, I would go over and sit next to the cat with the bird. The cats would look at Pickles, My Green Cheek, and we're allowed and encouraged to investigate. I would Play with the bird, and show the cats that I loved this new bird.

After about 2 weeks, I began to notice that the cats were no longer interested. When the bird was out, I noticed my cats no longer even showed any interest. Basically, they expressed the attitude, I COULD CARE LESS.

Cats are incredibly smart and intuitive. If you have ever been in a shelter, it is obvious that these cats understand that they are in jeopardy, and it becomes obvious that they are trying to sell themselves and encourage you to PICK ME, PICK ME.

Your Cats, in a very short time,. will understand that your new bird is YOUR new pet, and if allowed to get to know your new FID, will accept and tolerate your bird.

You must teach your animals that your birds are family, not Prey. The only way to do this is to allow them to socialize.

So now, it's Sept, 2002. My Green Cheek Conure spends 16 hours a day on her Play Gym, completely unattended. My Cats are allowed free roam, and are in the house with my birds, I adopted a Severe Macaw, Rio, in March of 01. He also was introduced to my cats, using the same technique, and spends his days on one of my Deluxe Play Gyms. My birds are on their gyms all day and until bedtime. My wife works, and my kids are in school. I spend 14 hours a day running this business. I come and go as necessary, with no concern for the safety of my birds. I also have no concern about them on their gyms. They love their gyms, and want to be no-where else.

Now to Dogs. I had a client order a gym for her Umbrella Cockatoo. As were were chatting, as I always do with my clients, she mentioned that her concern was for her dog. I asked what she meant, and she told me that whenever her bird was out, her dog had to be locked in the bathroom. When I asked why, she told me that her U2 would attack her dog if given the chance. I asked her what her dog did to defend himself, and she said she didn't know, had never allowed the dog out to see what would happen. I told her, in my opinion, that her dog and bird had to be allowed to DISCUSS the issue, under her supervision. We came up with a plan of attack.

I suggested she open her Umbrella's Cage, and sit on the floor, with the dog, and allow the 2 to interact. She called me back several hours later to tell me what happened.

Her Cockatoo Came out of her cage, and climbed down as usual. She started across the floor, and then saw THE DOG. She threw up her wings and crest, and charged at the dog. The Dog, A Boxer if I remember correctly, stood up, and at the appropriate moment, barked in the Toos face. SHE FREAKED, ran into her owners lap and shook for 30 minutes. After she regained her composure, she strutted right past the dog, totally ignoring him, and climbed back on his cage. The last time I spoke with this client, the dog and bird were friends, and this Too now lives on one of my gyms. The dog gets to live in the house too, not the bathroom.

So what's the bottom line here? If you have birds, and dogs or cats, you must allow them to get to know each other. Separating your birds from your other animals is a recipe for disaster. If you keep your birds in a bird room, and an accident happens, and a bird gets out, you WILL have a disaster. At this point, your cats will consider your birds PREY, and act according. If properly socialized, your birds will become family, and every member of the family will get along.

One last thing. I don't know your birds and animals. In 99% of the cases, your bird and animals can be socialized. However, there are exceptions. If you make a good, honest effort, and after several weeks or months, you are still having problems, you might have the 1%. However, In my opinion, These cases are rare, and usually are a result of the OWNER'S conceptions, not the animals. However, consider this. Even if your bird and animals don't get along, if they at least know each other, and an accident happens, the result is likely not fatal. Not true if they are strangers, i.e. PREY.

The other night, I was about 10PM and I was answering an e-mail as usual. My 12 year old daughter and her friend told me they were going out rollerblading. Being 10 PM, and dark out side, I told her no way. Her response was typical of a 12 year old, your a mean dad, you don't want me to have fun, etc etc etc. Most of you are parents and I'm going to give you some time to think of all the reasons for NOT allowing her to go skating at 10PM.

THINKING, SHUTTERING, THINKING, SHUTTERING, UUUGGGHHH. Scary thought isn't it.

Now, try to forget about all the terrible things that could happen to my daughter skating at 10PM and lets focus on the purpose of this article, Your bird being flighted. I get this question alot so here I go again with my OPINION. Please, if you don't agree, that's fine.

As the parents of Fids, (feathered Kids), we have to look out for their best interest. That's our responsibility. They are birds and want to have fun.

So what's my opinion? Allowing your bird to fly in your home is a DISASTER waiting to happen. Here's why.

Reason 1. Your birds are designed to fly outdoors, with no overhead ceiling fans, light fixtures, door openings and all the rest. The larger ones aren't designed for quick turns etc. Flying in our homes is to confining and dangerous. A couple of weeks ago, I heard of a case where a lady was cooking. Her bird flew into the kitchen, went to land on her shoulder, missed and fell into the boiling pot, sad but true.

Reason 2. WINDOWS. Several months ago, I spoke with a client regarding this issue. I told her, in my opinion, her birds should be clipped. I built and shipped her Play Gym. About a month ago, I got an e-mail from this client. She said she wished she had heeded my advice. Her Amazon had been spooked, and flown headlong into a window and was killed. There aren't many windows in the Jungle.

Reason 4. There are all kinds of hazards around our homes that a free flying, or in this case, a free walking parrot, can find. Electrical wires, broken glass, insecticide and

Reason 5. If your home has a front door, and it opens, your bird can fly right out. I live in South Florida. There are thousands and thousands of parrots flying around down here. Most were pets at one time who simple flew away. I know, your bird knows and loves you, and would come back right. Maybe, however, your bird knows you from the perspective of looking at you in the eye, so to speak. From 10 or 20 or 30 feet in the air, is your bird going to recognize you. Likely not. When your bird does fly out the door, the initial reaction is going to be WOW, THIS IS AWESOME. He's going to fly and fly and fly. By the time he tires, he could be a long way from your home. Then all of a sudden, he is alone, scared, hungry and thirsty. He will look for the comfort and security of his cage, or, if your one of my ENLIGHTENED Clients, the safety and security of his Play Gym. No where to be found. The reality of his situation is now setting in.

Reason 6. If your bird was at one time, clipped, and has perhaps 60% of his flights, or 70%, he is further jeopardized, because in order for him to fly, He has to REALLY work hard to make up for the missing flights. He is at this point, unable to avoid predators, and in fact, would likely not even recognize them as such. Cats, Hawks, etc. He has lived a sheltered life and has never had to worry about critters who want to devour him.

Reason 7. As I stated earlier, I live in South Florida. We have a nice, semi tropical climate. If a bird should fly away, they would likely have a chance to develop a winter feather so they could survive the cold weather. The same up north. If the escape in June, or July, they will have time to recognize the onset of cold weather and develop winter feather. However, if they get out in Sept, Oct or later, they would likely not make it through the first night.

Reason 8. In many cases, when your bird does get out, he will find someone and perhaps land on their shoulder or on a car, etc. Provided they aren't preyed upon, hopefully, the person who does rescue them will recognize them as a pet. There was a case here several years ago where an African Grey tried to land on a lady's shoulder. She thought the bird was attacking her, she had never seen a Grey before, and killed the bird with a broom. We are bird people, Most people aren't and know nothing about our Fids.

Reason 9. If someone does find your bird, do you think they will return it? Some might, most won't. And if you plaster the area with signs, rewards, etc, your bird could be miles away. How well will the new owner take care of his new FREE bird? As well as you do. Do you think he will be reading this page to better understand his new pet. Or will he be the typical parrot owner, lock the bird in a cage, give him sunflower seeds and that's it. Not a pretty picture.

Reason 10. Your parrot is like a 2 - 4 year old child. As with a 2 or 3 year old child, they want to do what they want to do, when they want to do it. As in the case with my daughter above, we as parents have to discipline our children, provide boundaries. Your bird, being flighted, can do whatever he wants to, whenever he wants to. He doesn't need you for much, and can do whatever he wants to. Your parrot needs discipline. You parrots has to know the rules, and understand where he fits in your home. If you don't provide discipline, your parrot will end up the same way an undisciplined child ends up, as a BRAT. Trust me, there are TONS of birds out there that are exactly that, BRATS. I had a lady quite some time ago who ordered one of my gyms. As I do with all my clients, we talked about her bird, who was flighted. To make a long story short, her bird was running the house, and making everybody's life miserable. I told her, after hearing about this unruly, undisciplined Umbrella Cockatoo, I told her her bird was a BRAT. Click, the phone went dead, she hung up on me. About 10 minutes later, she called me back. She said her initial reaction was to be totally insulted. However, the more she thought about it, the more she came to realize I was right. She came up with a plan to remedy the situation. I spoke with her several months later. Her U2 was clipped, seemed much happier, the family was much happier and this bird was now a part of the household.

Reason 11. Bird Poop. You and I are bird lovers, and bird poop is a fact of our lives. Company visiting your home will not likely feel that way. A free flying bird is nothing short of MESSY.

I know what many of you are saying, my bird deserves the right to fly. I can't disagree with that. However, as with all aspects of life, there are tradeoffs. Your bird has a loving home, a safe secure roosting cage, and a wonderful Bottlebrush Play Gym made by this incredibly intelligent, handsome, smart, guy in Florida, (can't resist saying that about myself. Lets face it, If I don't say it, who will, LOL) that is where your bird lives. His life is easy, hopefully, satisfying and will be a long one. Not a bad tradeoff if you ask me. In the wild, his life is a daily struggle. And the bottom line is simple, If you feel strongly about that your bird needs to fly, find someone with a breeding colony of your type of parrot and donate him to that colony.

As with everything else, this is my opinion. It's not right or wrong, it's my opinion. I am providing this as food for thought. If allowing your bird to be flighted is something you want to do, at least that decision is an educated one. Your bird is supposed to be fun, so go have fun with your bird.

The internet is perhaps the most exciting, entertaining, educational tool in my lifetime. The access to information is unlimited and allows anyone and everyone access to the world. All it takes is a computer and some storage space and anybody can put up a web site and express whatever views and opinions they want to. This is the point of this article.

Every day, I speak with clients. Some of these clients are highly experienced parrot owners with years of parrot ownership. However, most are novices with little or no experience.

One of the reasons I choose to speak with ALL of my clients is so I can get to know them, their bird and their situation. However, as I speak with many of these clients, I find varying degrees of apprehension and outright concern.

Let me share one example. I recently spoke with a client who was buying a pair of Eclectus parrots. As I spoke with her, I realized she wasn't excited as I would have expected her to be. I asked her what her concerns were and this is what she told me.

She had spent hours and hours on the internet reading information about parrots, care, feeding, etc. All of these sites we're hosted by EXPERTS, and insisted their way was the only way. These were the conclusions she had reached.

Your not a good bird mommy unless: You get up every morning and cook your birds a nice hot breakfast. It had to be fresh, hot and 100% balanced. Preparation time needed to be 30 - 45 minutes. Anything less meant you weren't a good bird mommy.

Your not a good bird mommy unless: You sanitize your parrots cage at least once a day, twice a day was MUCH better. Anything less and you weren't a good bird mommy.

Your not a good bird mommy unless: You needed to buy your parrot a ROOM size cage, or if that isn't possible, the BIGGEST you can afford. However, if you were a good bird mommy, you would mortgage your house if necessary for your birds sake.

Your not a good bird mommy unless: You buy your bird new toys at LEAST twice a month. Any less than that, and your not a good bird mommy.

Your not a good bird mommy unless: You are better safe than sorry. If someone says that you need to remove anything Zinc electroplated, you immediately remove it. If someone says your cage might have Zinc in the Powdercoat, You immediately get rid of it and buy a Stainless Steel cage. If someone says water bowls are bad, you immediately change to water bottles. Etc. etc etc. Remember, Better safe than sorry, RIGHT????

Your not a good bird mommy unless: You feed your bird Pellets. Remember, these are a 100% balanced diet, and your bird needs a 100% balanced diet, RIGHT?? If you don't feed your parrot Pellets, your not a good bird mammy.

Your not a good bird mommy unless: You entertain your bird 24 hours a day. No matter where you are, your bird is with you. No matter what you are doing, your bird is with you. If you have a job, Quit. Your bird needs ALL your time and effort. Have Kids, they take a back seat to your bird, after all, your bird didn't ASK to come live with you, you picked him or her, so you owe it all your time and efforts. Any less and your not a good bird mommy.

Your not a good bird mommy unless: You take your bird to the Vet at LEAST once every 6 mos. Any less and your not a good bird mommy.

Your not a good bird mommy unless: You make sure your parrot get a full 12 hours of sleep a night. I have to comment on this one. Whoever wrote this has never had a bird in my opinion. This is plain DUMB. Birds nap throughout the day. 12 hours sleep a night is bird abuse.

Your not a good bird mommy unless: Your bird goes to bed at sundown and wakes up at sun up, after all, in the wild, this is how they live.

I could go on and on but here's my point. Sit down and take a deep breath. If your driving pull over. If your home alone and your bird is on your shoulder, put him someplace safe. If you need Nitroglycerin for a bad heart, have a pill handy cause here goes.

Your not a good bird mommy If you do all this stuff. That's right, that's what I'm saying. Let me make my point. I'm 49 years old. I have a wife and three children. If I adopt a new bird TODAY, in 10 years I'll be 59 years old, 20 years 69 years old, etc. Depending on the type of parrot, most will outlive me. If I start off by totally SPOILING a new bird, sometime in the future, someone else is going to take possession of that bird and have to deal with the results of what I did. The real loser here will be the bird.

Over the last 25+ years, I've rescued well over 30 birds. These birds were in most cases, screwed up by their well meaning owners. I have never had someone give me their bird and tell me they screwed up the bird on purpose. However, in most cases, they THANKED me for taking their birds and were relieved as I drove away.

Doing all this stuff for your new bird is fun at the beginning. You are excited about your new found friend and want to do the best by him. Kinda like buying a new car. The first weekend you wash it, and wax it, and detail it etc etc etc. What happens a year down the road. How often do you wash and wax and detail you car. What about 2 years down the road. 5 Years, 10 years, 20 years, 30 years. Suppose your car could do what your parrot can do, that being, sit in the driveway and blow his horn DEMANDING the kind of attention you gave him in the beginning. Well, this is exactly what your Bird can and will do.

They don't understand why you aren't giving them the attention you gave them at the beginning. They expect it and will DEMAND it. This is the beginning of the end for you and your bird. You are feeling guilty because you really WANT to spend more time with your bird but can't, and your bird doesn't understand and wants what he had at the beginning. So what's the solution?

SIMPLE. Keep things in perspective. This is a BIRD, not a child. This Bird is a PET, NOT a child. Allow him get get his own life. You don't need to entertain him all the time. You don't need to place him above your family members. Project a year in the future. How much time do you realistically expect to spend with your bird, and do that from the beginning. You DON'T need to do all the stuff I mentioned above, and in my opinion, you SHOULDN'T do all the stuff above. Quite frankly, you will burn yourself out and your bird will think that the only thing you do is take care of him. Taking care of a bird is allot of work, don't make it harder than it needs to be.

Have fun with your bird, enjoy your bird, Love your bird, but realize that at some point in the future, someone like me will likely have to deal with the results of your good intentions. When you are browsing the internet, and reading all this stuff your supposed to do in order to be a GOOD BIRD MOMMY, consider this article. I love birds as much as anybody, but I keep them in perspective. I hope you do also.

ACTION SPECIFIC words. For those of you who have spoken with me, you know that I am a proponent of what I call ACTION SPECIFIC words. Let me give you an example of what I mean.

I feed my birds almost everything we eat. Sometimes, I give them food that is hot. Although I give them spicy hot food, (anyone who has ever kissed your parrot after they ate hot peppers knows that many parrots love spicy foods), this hot is physically hot. Anyway, Rio LOVES chicken wings, in particular drumsticks. When I give him something physically hot, I tell him HOT, careful Rio HOT. Hot being the ACTION SPECIFIC word. The other day, I put a hot chicken drumstick in his snack dish and told him HOT, HOT. He walked over to his dish, put his beak near the chicken drumstick, threw his head from side to side as only an excited Macaw does, looked at me and said, clear as a bell, HOT, HOT. He walked away and waited patiently on his favorite spot on his gym for it to cool. After about ten minutes, he went back over, inspected the drumstick, once again gave be an excited head movement, picked up the chicken and spent the next hour devouring every drop.

ACTION SPECIFIC words are one of the most important things you can do you teach your parrot to communicate with you. These words should be unique for each behavior. Most of you already do this naturally. However, expand your list and be consistent. Your parrot will learn what these words mean, and will improve your relationship with your parrot dramatically.

Action Specific words are critical to understanding what I call BEAK TRAINING.

In the mid eighties, I had at one time 18 parrots. Living in South Florida, I was fortunate to have a local attraction call PARROT JUNGLE. This was my hangout, and I spent al lot of time there. In fact, I bought yearly passes and was on a first name basis with many of the employees and trainers, and, unofficially, my name was given for rescue birds. This was where many of the parrots I rescued came from. (Not from parrot jungle, but people would go to parrot jungle and offer the jungle their birds. Employees who knew me would give these people my name and number). I would rehabilitate them, and find them new homes.

I used to enjoy just watching parrots interact with each other, and considering that many were free flying, I was watching them is a free, natural environment. What I noticed was that parrots use their beaks for alot more than eating and climbing. A parrot's beak is the center of their being. When they greet each other, they will actually in essence shake beaks. When they play, they play BEAK, meaning they play and actually spar with their beaks. Anyone who has watched parrots climb, know that they use their beaks to climb. And of course, this can-opener can do serious harm.

Wanting to interact with my parrots in the same way other parrots did, I began to focus much of my attention on their beaks. When greeting them, I would caress and massage their beaks. I would scratch their beaks, and THEY LOVED IT. This I call Beak Training

First, choose an ACTION SPECIFIC word or words for your your beak training play. I use BEAK. When I say to Rio, my Severe, give me your BEAK, he knows what BEAK means. When I walk up to him and say GIVE ME THAT BEAK, OR I WANT SOME BEAK, BEAK being the ACTION SPECIFIC word, he runs to the top of his gym. At this point, we beak spar, I grab and shake his beak, hold his beak and kiss his face, etc. HE LOVES IT. The more I do it, the better he likes it. The more I grab his head and kiss his beak, the more excited he gets. It's his favorite thing we do and we both enjoy it.

Now the reason I think beak training is so important to you and your parrot. If you beak train your parrot, you are removing his beak as an aggressive tool. He becomes used to you handling and playing with his beak, and is less likely to bite you. You are also showing him that you are the Big Cheese, the Head Honcho and parrots need to know you are in charge. Anyone with a Macaw or Amazon knows that dominance is a constant struggle.

7/9/02 I want to provide a little clarification of how to pick your bird up using his beak. Basically, all you are doing is hooking the point or tip of his beak with your bent forefinger. That's all, just the point. As you lift, in order to teach him this natural technique, you can place your thumb on the top of his beak until he gets the hang of it. Once he is lifted, he will naturally grab your hand with his feet, and that's all there is to it. It is perfectly natural and a great way of handling your bird.

As your Beak Training progresses, it also has practical uses. Do you pick your bird up by putting your hand under his belly and say STEP UP. Clumsy, impractical and a great way to get bit by an unruly parrot. Try this. Choose an ACTION SPECIFIC word or words, I use GIVE ME YOUR BEAK. Take your forefinger, curve it like a J, and hook it under his beak and pick him up. Once your parrot realizes that when you say GIVE ME YOUR BEAK and he sees your curved finger, he will know that you are going to pick him up. He will hook his beak on your finger and you can pick him up easily and naturally for both of you. It might take a week or two, maybe longer depending on your bird, however, he will learn this, it's 100% natural for them. I wish I could say that I developed this technique but I didn't. Remember Parrot Jungle. This was how they handled their birds.

Beak training can be carried to all levels. Once you parrot accepts this from you, you will be on your way to a better, more satisfying relationship. Use your imagination, the prospects are unlimited using this technique.

Acme foods, inc. is proud to announce the first 100% balanced human diet. This diet, consisting of 5 flavored morsels has everything you are looking for. Carrot flavored, Sweet Potato, Beef, Peas and Grapes for desert. This unique diet comes in a 50 pound bag. Requires no refrigeration. Leftovers are simply returned to the bag or can be left on the plate and eaten later. Your kids will love a bagful for lunch. To top all that, throw away your dishwasher, there is no cleanup because they aren't messy. Sound good! Can't wait till your supermarket stocks this.

Ridiculous, crazy, unappetizing, boring, you wouldn't buy it! I agree with you. Is there any question in your mind that Kellogg's or General Mills couldn't make this, hasn't considered this and maybe even test marketed it. No question in my mind.

Human beings are to varying levels obsessed with food. It's a major part of all of our lives. Do you look foreword to a nice dinner, going to a fine restaurant, holiday dinners, etc. We all do.

Your parrot's life also revolves around food. In the wild, the vast amount of their days are spent looking for food. Watch you parrot when he eats. Does he search for a particular piece. Does he than examine it, play with it, and enjoy it. Absolutely.

So here's my question to you. If you wouldn't buy pelleted food, find it unappetizing and boring, why do you think your parrot would want this stuff. Guess what, they don't

Pellet's aren't made to be attractive to your parrot, they are made attractive to YOU. This is an example of what is wrong with the parrot industry in general.

Let me be clear here. If you are reading this page, you are a dedicated, conscientious parrot owner. You want to do what is right for your parrot. You are doing everything right.

In the past, Pellets were offered as a part of your parrots diet. That being said, I had no problem with them. However, I recently saw an ad for one of the major pellet brands. In the ad, it stated that nothing else need be added, it's a 100% balanced diet.

This is where I draw the line. This ad forgets one thing. The mental health and welfare of your parrot. For most parrots, their lives revolve around two things. You, their companion, and food. That's what they live for. Take food out of their lives, and it's all up to you. How much time can you spend with your parrot. 30 minutes a day, maybe an hour. That's not enough.

Pellets are great for you, and better for the manufacturer and retailer. Throughout my site, I divide parrot stuff into two categories. Stuff made for you, and stuff made for your parrot. Unfortunately, most parrot stuff is made for you, pellets being at the top of that list. Why are pellets pushed so hard, MONEY. Sad but true.

So what's my solution you ask. Here's what I do and have done for almost 30 years.

Sit down, grab a hold of something, and take a DEEP breath. What you are going to hear is parrot BLASPHEMY.

Yesterday, I bought food for my parrots. I started with a high quality seed mix, about 2 pounds. (Oh my GOD, SEED!!!!) I than added 2 pounds of a dried fruit and nut mix, and added about 1/2 pound of pellets. Now this is used as a basic diet, always available in food cups. From here, I feed my parrots EVERYTHING I EAT EXCEPT CHOCOLATE. We don't eat Avocado. I have done this for all the time I have had parrots. I have never had a parrot pluck, and rarely have screaming problems. My parrots are mentally engaged and enjoy a varied diet. They love everything. They live of my Play Gyms and have a great life. I practice what I preach and what I preach are my opinions. You are entitled to yours. If you disagree, that's fine with me. Take my opinions with a huge grain of salt. It it makes sense to you, use it. If not, file it in the round file.

Picture this. Your three year old, or maybe your three year old grand child, throws a total fit if you leave the room. He screams at the top of his lungs when he doesn't get exactly what he wants, exactly when he wants it. You sit him at the table and he flings his food on the floor. He throws your stuff off your tables, and chases anyone away he doesn't want around you. Basically, he runs your house.

What would you do? I bet you wouldn't tolerate this kind of behavior for a second. You would absolutely do whatever you had to to stop this behavior NOW.

Now suppose the EXPERTS told you that you could NOT DISCIPLINE YOUR CHILD. You couldn't scold him, tell him no, or prevent this kind of behavior in the least. This is his personality and YOU have to learn to live with it.

Be honest, you would call these EXPERTS nuts and do what you needed to to STOP this negative behavior.

Screaming and screeching to get what they want. Throwing food, chasing other family pets, and basically demanding 100% attention all the time are behaviors that those of you with Cockatoos will recognize.

The experts say that you must do nothing about this kind of behavior. They say to ignore it. You can't do anything about this, this is what Cockatoos do.

Over the last 20+ years, I've been GIVEN, FREE, two Moluccans, 3 Umbrellas, a Triton and I bought a Citron. All of the Cockatoos were given to me because of this kind of behavior. In two cases, the marriage was at an ultimatum. Either get rid of that damn bird, or I'm leaving. In these cases, the bird was given up sadly but luckily, these people considered the marriage more important than the bird. There were other cases where I spoke with people and they actually decided the bird was more important than their marriage. WOW.

So what did I do? I'm going to state this bluntly. I didn't put up with this CRAP. It's called discipline. Believe me, nothing is more important to the long term sanity of your household and marriage than for you to get control of your Cockatoo.

Now don't freak here. By discipline, I don't mean any kind of physical abuse. What I do mean though, is taking control of this negative behavior.

Each of the Cockatoos I was given were rehabilitated. They were Play Gym trained, taught what was acceptable and unacceptable behavior, and taught that they weren't the most important critter in the house. Over time, they learned to accept this new way of life and each of these Cockatoos were placed in a new home. It's not as difficult as you might think. It requires persistence and a firm hand. The same way you would handle a child.

As for these Parrot EXPERTS. Several years ago, I went to a local outdoor bird show with my Severe Macaw on my shoulder. (Oh my GOD, On your shoulder!!! You shouldn't do that. That's a NO NO. Your parrot is in a superior position, your parrot is outdoors! Sun burn, OH MY GOD!!!) I've heard it all. Anyway, this "Parrot Expert" had a booth set up and was giving parrot advice. If I remember, it was $50.00 for a 30 minute consultation. This expert saw me walking by, got up and proceeded to advise me that I shouldn't be walking around with that AMAZON on my shoulder. That's right. This EXPERT told me that my AMAZON shouldn't be on my shoulder. Amused, I asked her why I shouldn't have my AMAZON on my shoulder. I wanted to make sure she actually thought I had an Amazon. I turned so she could see my Severe fully, including the long macaw tail. However, the skin on his face should have been a dead give away that he was a Macaw and not an Amazon. She proceeded to tell me about height superiority and that CRAP. She than told me that if I tried to get him OFF my shoulder, I would likely be unable to.

I beaked him off my shoulder in a heartbeat, flipped him over and had him Playing dead in my hand. I than held him by his tail, doing my BIRD FOR SALE trick and told her to WATCH THIS. I put him on the ground, hooked his beak with my forefinger and tossed him in the air. He kept his wings tucked as he did and I caught him like a football. His eyes were pinned, he loved to do this, and he leaned over, wanting me to do it again. This EXPERT was stunned, didn't say a word and went back to finish counseling her parrot customers.

If this EXPERT didn't know the difference between a Macaw and an Amazon, how could she possibly give specific advise about different parrots.

The really sad part about this is that the Cockatoo owners I speak with are doing everything they are being told to do. These are dedicated Cockatoo owners who read all the books and are trying to do what they are told to do. However, I place the blame on these EXPERTS. Sad but true.

So what's the bottom line here?? Use your own common sense. If you read something from an EXPERT, stand back and consider whether it makes sense for you. It's your bird and your life. It has to work for YOU.

I don't want to be negative here but I want to share with you a couple of recent incidents I have experienced through my site. I hope we can learn from these unfortunate situations.

I got an E-mail from a Blue and Gold owner. She told me that she had a Blue and Gold who lived in an Acrylic cage. She wanted me to build a Cage Top Play Gym for her Blue and Gold. Where do I start here.
I HATE CAGES. That's right, I think cages are the worse thing ever invented for birds. If you have read the article below this one, you are familiar with my feeling regarding cages. However, this is a level BELOW cages, this is PARROT ABUSE. A Blue & Gold locked in a Plexiglas cage is basically in an aquarium. Regardless of the amount of ventilation, and all the stuff someone would do to make this BETTER, this makes me nauseous. Having a parrot, especially a Blue and Gold, can be messy, noisy and require alot of time and cleaning, but come on, think of the bird here. If you are so concerned with yourself, your home, your cleaning time, your peace and quite, YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE A PARROT. This is the perfect example of a parrot product designed for the parrot owner, not the parrot. Unfortunately, this isn't the first example of this I have seen. I recently purchased some shelving for my shop. I told the shop owner what I did and they showed me a display cabinet they were delivering that day. It was a Glass display case that was about 6' tall, about 21/2' wide and 18" deep. It was designed to sell collectables in a gift shop. You know the type. Four sides were glass with a particle board bottom and lighted top. They told me the person was going to put his Blue and Gold in it because the bird was too messy and screamed alot. OH MY GOD. I had a STROKE. I went into a tirade with the store owner and explained how bad an idea this was. I gave them a card to give to the owner. Never heard from him. Where do I start. No ventilation, no connection with the outside world, basically, a big aquarium. The shelving store owner didn't know any better, but the parrot owner should have. I will never understand this kind of thinking. I have had nightmares about this poor bird.

Last week, I got an E-mail from a lady wanting to order one of my Play Gyms but before she ordered, she wanted to talk to be about a special request. I speak with all my customers and each one is custom built so I don't mind special requests. I called this lady and her special request was that she wanted me to figure a way to add a parrot water bottle to the gym instead of a water bowl. Strange request so I asked her what the problem was.

She has a Moluccan Cockatoo who makes a mess in his water every day. It seems that she feeds him pellets and he puts the pellets in the water and she was upset because she felt that he was wasting alot of pellets and they were expensive. I asked her what else she fed him and she said that was all. She also said that she liked being able to quickly glance in the cage in the morning to make sure he has food. She didn't like having to change the water every day and IF she was going to buy him a gym, it would have to have a water bottle.

This was bad enough. I assume she simply didn't understand why her Cockatoo was messing up his water. I explained that her Cockatoo has no Saliva, and eating dry pellets is very difficult without softening and wetting them. I also explained that this is a common bird behavior. I watch and study birds of all kinds. I see this behavior done regularly with wild birds. Simply, They can't eat dry food without water. I explained this and was STUNNED by her response.

She told my that was her parrot's problem, she was sick of wasting time and money and if I wouldn't do it, she had someone who would. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Here we have a Cockatoo who is being fed ONLY pellets, nothing else, and now she wants to take away his water. I am concerned about this Cockatoos future health.

For those of you who have spoken with me, you know that I love to talk parrots. Over the last 25 years, I have rescued over 40 parrots, 7 Cockatoos, 5 Macaws and dozens of Amazons. At one time, I had 18 parrots in my house. Each of these were problem birds of one kind, screaming, biting etc. I have learned through experience and trial and error. I don't expect parrot owners to know and understand their bird, and am free with my opinions and advice. I'm not an Expert, don't profess to being one. But for someone to tell me it was her parrots problem is HIS PROBLEM is disgusting to me. These are the kind of people who shouldn't have a parrot and hopefully, in the near future, someone will be able to RESCUE these birds from these unsuitable owners. JUST MY OPINION!!

*******************************************************************************
For those of you who are not familiar with my site and my philosophies, let me explain my ideas regarding parrot cages and play gyms.

I was speaking with a prospective client yesterday and I told her that I believe that if your parrot has the right play gym, they can easily be trained to spend their days on that Play Gym, even if you aren't home. This is the entire concept behind the Play Gyms I build.

To my amazement, the comment by this perspective client was THAT IDEA ISN'T NATURAL FOR MY PARROT, AND I KNOW HE WOULDN'T EVER DO THAT. I must say that I was somewhat stunned. This is the state most parrot lovers find themselves in. I think it's very sad.

Is it natural for your parrot to be locked in a cage? Is it natural for ANY animal to be locked in a cage? You and I both know the answer to those questions.

The cage manufacturers are telling you that the answer to your parrot problems is a bigger CAGE. I think the answer to your parrot problems is NO CAGE. Let me explain.

In the wild, your parrot has a roost, or a sleeping perch. When they get up in the morning, after having their coffee, LOL, they spend their entire day at work. For them, work consists of searching for food, socializing, playing, taking naps and all the things parrots do. They don't return to their roosts until bedtime. Wouldn't it seem natural and very desirable for us to duplicate that kind of lives in our homes?

Consider this. Your Parrot wakes in the morning. At your convenience, you uncover him, (I believe in covering parrots at night), wish him good morning, take him from his cage and put him on his Play Gym. That's where he spends his day doing all the NATURAL things parrots do in a day, laughing, talking, playing eating, etc etc.

At the end of the day, they are removed from their Play Gym and returned to their roost. Good night, and once again, covered. What's unnatural about that? However, for this to work, you must have the right Play gym. Let me explain.

Now, I understand that most of you shudder at the thought of leaving your parrot out and unattended. I understand completely. You are reacting to your past experience and your opinions are 100% accurate. However, here is what will happen with one of my Play Gyms.

Week one. You get your new play gym and at first, your parrot is unsure to petrified, depending of the type of parrot you have. Take it slow and introduce your parrot to the Play Gym at their own pace. Once they accept it, and sink their beaks into Bottlebrush, they will be hooked. Cockatoos will jump down, most other parrots generally won't. If your parrot jumps down, give them no feedback, just pick them up, place them back on their Play gym and tell them to STAY THERE, or whatever term you use. Choose on term and use it consistantly. After several minutes, go over and give them some attention. You want them to realize that you KNOW they are there and haven't forgotten them.

Week Two. If they are still jumping down, replace them and tell them to STAY THERE. Be consistent. Their Play Gym should be comfortable for them at this point, and you will notice spots where they have been chewing and gnawing. You are talking to them during the day, when you pick them up and give them attention, you are replacing them on their Play Gym. When you are leaving the house, put them back in their cage. When you return, place them back on their play gym. Give him snacks, talk to him as you go about your daily routine. Convince him you know he is there and haven't forgotten him.

Week three. Continue placing him on his Play Gym whenever you are home. However, on Saturday morning, put him on his Play Gym and leave him there. The idea here is for YOU to begin to watch his progress. He should be jumping down less, and YOU should be developing some confidence that HE will stay there. The progress to this point will depend alot on your parrot. What we are looking for is that suddenly, your parrot has developed his own Play Gym Routine. He will have favorite spots he hangs out on. Sometimes, he is playing, hanging upside down, chewing and gnawing, talking but not trying to get down. He has began to LIKE IT HERE and doesn't want to be anywhere else.

Week four and on. Getting to this point will greatly depend on your parrot. You put your parrot on his Play Gym on a Saturday morning. You go about your daily routine and your parrot is on his Play Gym. You mow the yard, do your house cleaning, etc. You are talking to your parrot, playing with him occasionally, and always putting him on his Play Gym. However, at some point, you will suddenly realize that your parrot has been on his play gym all day. You will run to the store and have the confidence to leave him there for an hour. You will come home and he will still be there. As time goes on, you will become more and more confident that he will stay on his play gym.

Leaving your parrot out on his Play Gym will suddenly not seem unnatural. It's where he wants to be and you realize that.

Will you want to leave your parrot out when you go to work. That's up to you. However, there will come a point where it won't seem unnatural. Let me share a recent experience.

For those of you who are familiar with my site, you know I adopted Rio, my Severe Macaw in March of 01. Lisa, his old companion, gave me two Play Gyms with him and told my flat out that he would be down from them in 10 minutes. She was 100% right.

Using the method above, Rio now spends his entire days on his Play Gym. In fact, in July of 01, my wife and kids went on Vacation. I stayed here to run my business. Two of those days, I was gone all day and Rio was fine. It gets better. Pickles, my Green Cheeked Conure, has NEVER been caged. She spends her days on her Small Parrot Play Gym model 2 for the last 5 years.

Being on a tree in your home is what is natural for your Parrot. Being free is what birds are about. Being in a cage is what is UNNATURAL. I think you will agree. Don't close your mind to this concept, this is the foundation around which my business is built. IT WORKS.

Now for the $1,000,000 question. Why is this important? What's the big deal? Over the last 20 years, I have been given at least 40 parrots of all kinds. Every one of these parrots were bought by an owner with the intentions of having this great pet bird. Where did they go wrong?

Nothing is more important to your peace and sanity than for your parrot learn to play and entertain himself. As long as your parrot is locked in his cage, and looking to YOU for freedom, entertainment and companionship, your parrot will get more and more needy and frustrated. Screaming, biting and other bad behavior are the results of this frustration. The newness wears off and your parrot wants his share of attention. He is in JAIL and doesn't understand why.

The Play Gyms I build are designed to allow your parrot freedom. Your parrot will happily entertain himself. When you do spend time with him, he will enjoy it and love you for it, BUT HE DOESN'T NEED YOU FOR HIS ENTERTAINMENT.

This is why I build what I build. This is what I offer. It works and will allow you to meet the REAL parrot you share your life with. It's my obsession.

*******************************************************************************
Why does my parrot only talk when I'm out of the room? This is actually a common parrot problem and easily cured. I actually divide a parrot's ability to talk into two separate categories, Talking and Communicating.

Talking. A parrot who talks is basically mimicking. Hello, Hello Hello. Eventually, your parrot will mimic you and say hello. However, your parrot doesn't know what Hello means, he is just mimicking what he hears. If you teach your parrot to talk by simple repeating words over and over, your parrot will talk but won't communicate with you.

Communicating. Big difference between talking and communicating. Let me give you an example of what I mean here by telling a little true story. A lady bought an Amazon Parrot. Unfortunately, her Amazon had an intestinal bacteria which required medication and careful monitoring of her Amazon's dropping. Each morning, she would check her parrot's droppings and say to herself and her Amazon, DID YOU POOP? When she would get home from work, once again, DID YOU POOP? Guess what, to this day, whenever she or anyone else approaches the cage, her Amazon gets excited and says DID YOU POOP. To her Amazon, he is mimicking what she says and as far as he knows, DID YOU POOP is a greeting whenever she comes near the cage.

Communicating with your parrot is the single most important thing you can do. Does your parrot scream when your cooking dinner? Does your parrot scream for attention. The reason this is occurring is because you haven't taught your parrot how to communicate with you.

Here's another example. When your cooking dinner, or making a snack, does your parrot scream?? Try this. Whenever you are making dinner, or a snack, say to your parrot IS THAT GOOD, or whatever words you choose. Use the same sentence every time you are cooking or making food. As you are approaching your parrot with some of this food, say to him, IS THAT GOOD? When you give him some say UUM GOOD or THAT'S GOOD.

Here's what your doing. You are teaching your parrot that food means IS THAT GOOD. You are teaching your parrot how to ask you for food. In no time, when he wants some of whatever you are eating, he has learned how to ask for some. Before using this technique, all he knew how to do was scream. Now, when you give him some, you have also taught him how to express his pleasure by saying UUM GOOD OR GOOD.

So what have we accomplished. You are having company over for dinner or a party. You parrot hears food being prepared and wants some. Guess what, your parrot will say IS THAT GOOD, IS THAT GOOD? Think of the amazement your company will express over your great parrot. And when you give him some, they will laugh hysterically when he say's UMM GOOD. You have taught your parrot to communicate with you rather than just talking. You can use this technique to teach your parrot everything. Simply be consistent, use the same word or words all the time and in no time you will have one of those incredible parrots we all hear about. You know Rio, my Severe Macaw. When I am making dinner, guess what he says, IS THAT GOOD???? He's a riot.

Come Here. Here's another example. When you parrot wants attention, does he scream? Simple, you haven't taught him otherwise. Try this. Whenever you go to pick up your parrot, tell him to COME HERE. If he is at one side of the cage, walk over to the other side and tell him to come here. In no time, he will learn what COME HERE means. Guess what, he will also begin to tell you to COME HERE when he wants YOU to pick him up. Try it, it works.

YEA! Ever notice your parrot nod his head up and down? Of course, this is a common parrot behavior. Lets turn this natural behavior into a trick you can share with your parrot and amaze your friends and neighbors.

Each time you talk to your parrot, and as he gets excited, nod your head up and down and say YEA! Be crazy and excited here. When you say YEA!, end you voice with an upward inflection. Each time you ask your parrot anything, end your voice on an upward inflection and you say YEA! and YOU nod your head. When you ask him IS THAT GOOD?, end your voice on an upward inflection and you nod your head. UUMMM GOOD when you give him food and you nod your head. Here's what we are doing. We are teaching our parrot to communicate with us. After a very short time, anything you ask your parrot, as long as you end your voice on an upward inflection and you nod your head, your parrot will nod his head. This is a natural behavior and parrots like to do it. As you and your parrot share this behavior more and more, your parrot will nod his head on command, anytime you ask a question and end your voice with an upward inflection. (The secret here is the upward inflection. Your parrot won't know what you are saying, but will recognize your upward inflection and say YEA. Your friends won't realize your parrot doesn't know what you are saying, and will be amazed by how smart your bird is). Over time, not only will he nod his head, he will also say YEA! Anything you ask him, DO YOU LOVE MOM?, ending your voice with an upward inflection, your parrot will say YEA! Eventually, you can stop nodding your head once your parrot nods his. Once again, you are teaching your parrot to communicate with you and you are both having FUN, which is the reason we share our lives with these incredible birds. Rio, my Severe Macaw, does this with everything I ask him. Try it, its fun and it works.

Teaching your parrot to talk WITH you. OK, your parrot only talks when your out of the room. Try this. When your parrot is talking, and can't see you, here's what you do. This might be a typical conversation. P is your parrot Y is you.

P Hello, Hello. This can be whatever word your parrot says.
Y Hello once and be quiet. Most people make the common mistake when talking to their parrot of doing all the talking. I will have my parrot with me and people will walk up and go HELLOHELLOHELLOHELLO than say OH, HE DOESN'T TALK. My comment to them is why should he try to talk, he can't get a word in edgewise. You say Hello and be quiet.
P Your parrot at this point is waiting for you to say more. It is driving him crazy because you aren't saying anything.
P Hello
Y Hello
P Hello
Y Hello. Do this until you and he will easily say Hello ( or whatever word HE currently says) with you. Parrot's love to talk and will easily talk with you if it's fun.

P Hello
Y What. What is a fun word for parrots. It's easy to say, and you can say it with different expressions.
P Hello When you are teaching your parrot a new word, they will be confused and return to the word they know what. With Rio, my Severe Macaw, his best word was Cracker. Whenever I teach him a new word, he will pause, think about the new word, than say cracker.
Y What
P Hello after a long pause
Y What
P Hello
Y Hello This is a slow, accumulating process. Make it fun. Always end on his favorite word. Do this in little bites throughout the day. A little time here goes a long way. As time goes on, you will begin to hear the new word being PRACTICED when your parrot is talking by himself or playing.
When your parrot gets comfortable doing this, begin to do it with you in the room, when you are playing with him or when he is on his Play Gym. This is great fun for your parrot and he will love you even more for spending the time with him. Eventually, you will have a great time walking up to your parrot, and you and he having a banter session. Your parrot is getting attention and you don't even need to pick him up.

Have fun with this technique. It will lead to a great relationship between you and your parrot and depending on the species you have, can lead to you having a great talker. A personal note here. Yesterday, I was on the phone taking an order. Rio, my Severe Macaw was sitting next to me playing on his play gym. I heard him saying, CRACKER, HELLO, HI, HI RIO, WHAT, COME HERE, COME HERE RIO, WHAT R U DOING, IS THAT GOOD, HOT, UUMMM GOOD AND LAUGHING.. It was a riot hearing him go on and on with this whole string of words and sentences. I've been using the technique described above since I've had him (since March, 01) and you can see the results. You should see him go on with my kids. HE IS CRAZY ABOUT THEM. enjoy Wayne