BirdCast

Cockatoos are indelibly linked to the Australian outback, often through popular image culture, and this popular photography subject has indeed proven in recent times that cockatoos reside not only in the bush, but are also moving into many of Australia's bigger cities and towns (check out Cockatoo Wingtag - Big City Birds).
As these big white cockatoos become part of Australia's urban landscape, the average Aussie is misled into thinking that all theses big white cockatoos are all the same and belong to all the same family. 
The big white cockatoos with the yellow crest is known as the sulphur crest; scientific name Cacatua galerita galerita; and this is known as the nominate race.  The C.g.galerita lives over much of Australia. But like so many Australian parrots,  what you think you see, is not always what you think you are seeing.. in the case of the sulphur crest cockatoo, there is in fact 3 types!
Today BirdCast is chatting with Stephan Maric, who is a birdkeeper and bird lover living in Melbourne, Victoria and is one person who knows a lot about the C.galerita.galerita and C.g.fitzroyi - aka Fitzroy (or Matthews) sulphut crested cockatoo.  Stephan shares a wealth of knowledge about caring for the Australian cockatoos in your life and is a living advert for the value of bird clubs - if you know the Health Department adverts of Act, Belong, Commit - you will understand Stephan's passion for the bird club he belong to - The Avicultural Society of Australia.
The photographs Stephan mentions in the podcast will be shared on our instagram page and on the #100parrots Project page - be sure to check them out!

the #100parrots project:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/455490802208727

Birdman Dad insta page:
https://www.instagram.com/birdman_dad/?show_story_unavailable=1

Cockatoo wingtag Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/CockatooWingtags

Avicultural Society of Australia webpage:
https://asaust.com/

the bird worming solution Stephan talks about:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moxidectin

Egg binding is a problem that can be encountered with any female bird - from chickens, to budgies, to aviary finches.
There are several suggested methods on how to treat this issue and of course prevention is always better than any cure.  Birdman Dad offers up his suggestions on what to look for if you suspect one of your birds may be egg bound, and some suggestions on what you can do to help the bird.
Prevention of course is always the best and Birdman Dad also discusses what you can do to limit this from happening in the first place.
The item mentioned "quick gel" is a Dr Rob Marshall (avian vet) product.
https://www.birdhealth.com.au/quik-gel
Hope this episode helps you and your birds should you have a case of egg binding.

Finch keeping is a worldwide hobby.  Come listen to the yarns of finchkeeper Ray as he shares his finches stories, finch suggestions and hints and tips for other finch keepers.

The items Ray mentions that he uses:

Grit Ray is currently using for his finches: FitGrit
https://www.naturallyforbirds.com.au/naturally-for-birds-information-update8

Ray also uses Polly's Grit

Ray also spoke about "milk seed" - this is grass seeds that have been grown and then harvested semi-ripe and then placed in a freezer for later use.  There is a photograph of this milk seed up on our instagram page and Birdman Dad facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1892441777643619

https://www.instagram.com/birdman_dad/?show_story_unavailable=1

The finch club that Ray spoke about is the Finch Society of Australia

http://www.finchsociety.org/

Despite this being the age of Google and instant information via smart phones, bird owners are still regularly "caught out" when making purchases for their feathered friends that are quite simply " not bird safe". In fact most retail stores (both brick and mortar and online) still in 2021 sell a plethora of "bird" items that are in reality nothing more that a bird injury (or worse) waiting to happen.
So what items are not in fact "bird safe"?  Why are "unsafe" items still being sold in Australia to the uneducated bird owners and lovers? and Are there "bird safe" alternatives? And why do birds even need any of these items?
These were just a few of the questions we asked, and that other listeners asked us to find out!
Thanks to the assistance offered by Jesse from  "For the Parrots" we have found out all the answers to these particular questions, and MORE!


The pages mentioned in the discussion:
web page/online store: https://www.fortheparrots.com/

https://www.facebook.com/fortheparrots

https://www.instagram.com/fortheparrots/

Latest Birdie Blog:
https://www.fortheparrots.com/post/toy-safety-what-to-look-out-for

Apart from the usual, obvious bird accessories and utensils - like bowls, water dishes etc - Birdman Dad chats about the "other" helpful tools that, through his experience, he believes are "must haves" for any bird keeper/owner/guardian.

Hope you find something useful for your own birds in this list!

If you have any other suggestions to add onto the list please let BirdCast know!

insta:  birdman_dad

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1892441777643619/

Facebook: (Community): https://www.facebook.com/Birdman-Dad-1678314232464220/

Reddit: u/birdmandad

You tube:  https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCPY7Oh4zOdznC2SRV4esVWw

Let Birdman Dad know what things/items/gadgets you use in your aviaries or with your pet birds that make everyone lives happier and healthier!

A proverb from the Indians of North America says –

“To understand the man, you must first walk a mile in his moccasin.”.

Today’s episode invites you to walk in the moccasin of Chadi, the founder of the most embattled parrot rescue in the world.  Text can not give due justice to the depth of this challenge so will type no more and leave it to the podcast.


Parrot Rescue Lebanon details: 

You Tube movie created by a “friend” of PRL:

https://youtu.be/4o3xQExHpwg

PRL – fund donations: (listed in preference)  :       no amount is TOO small ....

Western Union – Chadi kachi    (if asked - Country is Lebanon - Street - Zalka) 
                                     - please msg Chadi the reference number of the WU transfer so he can                                                        collect safely.

Paypal:  [email protected]

Go Fund me:  https://gofund.me/fa4adc85

PRL Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/LebaneseAnimalRescueandConservation

PRL instagram

parrot_rescue_lebanon

The relationship between birds and plants can never be underestimated. The habitat created by plants for all birds provides them with valuable nutrients and minerals that can never be fully replicated in any man made foods.
For aviary kept birds planted aviaries provide valuable nutritional benefits as well as much needed enrichment and safe zone protection that every captive bird is undoubtedly going to receive benefit from, creating a happier and healthier bird.
Birdman Dad offers up various suggestions of which plants you may want to consider in "planting out" your aviary, no matter the type - to give your feathered friends some joy and much needed enrichment.

Plants suggested an used by Birdman Dad (note many are Australian/West Aussie native and indigenous plant species):
One sided bottle brush: Calothamnus quadrifidus
Mouse ears aka granite net-bush: Calothamnus rupestris
Oven's wattle: Acacia pravissima
FC Payne aka Payne's thryptomene: Thryptomene saxicola
Blue hibiscus: Alyogne huegelii
white hibiscus: Alyogne huegelii alba
Kunzea baxteri
Grevilleas - many are suitable but suggest Winpara gem
Coastal honey myrtle: Melaleuca acerosa
Honey myrtle - many are suitable

Rosemary bush: Salvia rosmarinus

Lavender 

Due to some scheduling and technical issues we sadly can not bring you a new BirdCast today.
Please go back in the library and listen to your favourites - and if you are in the southern hemisphere below the tropics - last fortnight's episode on keeping birds warm would be a good one to re-listen to!
BE back next Friday.
Thanks for listening!

In general Australia is known for it's hot and sunny weather but this week there has been snow events and very cold weather for much of the country.
Birdman Dad shares with us some of his hints and tips to warm up your aviaries in the winter months and provides some useful winter suggestions for the birds in your care.

The rodent control Birdman Dad speaks about are the first generation ones and also Racumin (which is Coumatetralyl). A new one he is also trialing is the "NATURALS: Ratsak" which is made of all natural ingredients, works on an entirely different pathway to the usual - and who Yates states has no secondary poisoning ability.  Much safer to all our natural rodent removers such as snakes, lizards, owls, eagles, kestrels etc.  We all need to consider our wildlife and the impact we have through the items we use.

Little Beaks is a rescue/rehoming bird sanctuary that focuses on small parrots/parakeets - budgies, cockatiels, doves, canaries and finches.
Sadly (like most bird rescue/rehomers) Little Beaks is in high demand  :(
Partly due to the unethical breeding behaviours of a select group of small parrot owners and partly to the continued human lack of knowledge concerning living with a small parrot - especially when it comes to caring for and sharing your life with a single budgie/cockatiel/canary living in a small cage.
It seems somewhat unbelievable that in the age of Google and internet access that people are still not knowing that birds in captivity need more than a seed diet and that a solitary life in a small cocky cage is not the best life for a bird.  But ask Little Beaks (probably any bird rescue/rehomer) and they will tell you these issues persist in a modern, pet trade focussed bird society with access to the internet.
When it come to caged bird welfare these are Little Beaks top tips:
1. Before you even step into a backyard or pet store do your research on the bird you think you want in your life.
2. Use reputable bird breeders - one who manage their breeding birds ethically and can show you clearly what they do, how they keep their birds and the care they give them.
3. If you buy a cage/patio aviary/aviary replace all the included dowel perches with real branches.
4. Use branches before bird safe rope; and if you buy a rope perch ensure it is made with bird safe fibres.
5. Never use plastic perches.
6. Provide your bird/s with a varied diet including good quality seed, sprouts, vegetables and fruit.
7. Avoid clipping any birds wings; if you must clip your bird/s wing/s consult with an avian vet and have the clipping done by an avian vet ONLY.
8. Never release your pet bird if you no longer want it or if you are having trouble caring for your bird - seek help from a vet or bird rescue service.

Little Beaks wants to clarify when talking "bird breeders" this is referring to unethical, uneducated bird welfare humans who bird farm, and is not referring to those aviculturists who care for and breed their birds ethically with great care and concern for their birds and educate themselves in bird welfare, nutrition, provide large aviaries and free flight opportunities for the birds in their care and acknowledge the need for captive breeding of birds that are endangered or threatened so as to maintain a species dna and for those who provide captive birds for re-population of restored habitat homelands.

Little Beaks FaceBook:
https://www.facebook.com/LittleBeaks

Little Beaks Instagram:
instagram.com/little_beaks