Your Screaming, Biting, Phobic Parrot & the Myth of the Hand Fed Baby

Home , Conure, Screamer

December 2018 Foster Parrots & The New England Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary P.O. Box 34 Hope Valley, RI 02832 The Official NEEWSLetter of Foster Parrots & T he New England Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary Your Screaming, Biting, Phobic Parrot

& The Myth of the Hand Fed Baby Bird By Karen Windsor The fact that parental deprivation has disruption in the infant-parent relationship a negative impact on baby parrots bred in the lives of parrots during this very for the commercial market has been sensitive period in their psychosocial well documented. The 2005 study, “The development has a measurable, physical Influence of the Breeding Method on the impact on the brain, disrupting Behavior of Adult African Grey Parrots” neuroendocrinal patterning that can have (Schmid, Doherr, Steiger) determined that a permanent effect on behavior as parrots hand-raised chicks were notably more mature. (cont’d on p. 2) aggressive as adults than parent-raised babies, and chicks pulled from their mothers earlier than 5 weeks developed more chronic, stereotypic (stress coping) behaviors than chicks who remained under the care of their natural parents for extended periods of time.

ack the caique is a plucker, a biter and a Research conducted out of UC Davis, screamer. He’s not a bad bird. He simply California (Meehan, Garner and Mench, lacks the social and psychological tools 2002) established that young Amazons YES! I want to contribute to the 2018 Year-End Mini-Match! Jhe needs to navigate the complexities of an kept isolated from conspecifics - similar to unnatural world. how baby birds are isolated and displayed in pet stores - screamed more, were more And he’s not alone. Much to the distress prone to stereotypies, and demonstrated All donations made in December will be matched up to $2500! of heartbroken guardians everywhere, increased fear-based aggression toward self-plucking amongst parrots in captivity unfamiliar handlers. Young Amazons is common. Whether it’s habitual, housed in pairs were more inquisitive, Your contribution to Foster Parrots, Ltd. helps provide care for over 400 parrots and animals indiscriminate aggression or periodic, more playful and less fearful. unpredictable biting, millions of pet It’s Time for at The New England Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary. It supports our humane education and birds attempt to control the humans in Research by Dr. Gay Bradshaw (et al) has Foster Parrots’ adoption programs, and it helps to protect the freedom of wild parrots and natural habitat. their lives with their beaks. And while established that, just like in human babies screaming is more likely to land a parrot and in other species of higher intelligence, in a basement or garage than result in Year End Yes! I want to support the work of Foster Parrots, Ltd. with a tax-deductible donation of: a positive outcome, millions of birds try to express their discontent through _____ $25 _____$50 _____$100 _____$200 _____$500 ______Other frequent, inappropriate and intolerable Mini Match! vocalizations. Behaviors like these are Please consider why parrots lose their homes. They are the Name: ______reasons why humans, filled with remorse Foster Parrots, Ltd. over having failed as guardians, seek to Address: ______rehome their birds or surrender them to in your year-end rescue organizations. Like many parrots, charitable giving! City: ______State: ______Zip: ______however, Jack’s behavioral issues are likely not rooted in the shortcomings of his last We need your support E-mail address: ______two or three homes, but rather, in the now more than ever! formative neonatal weeks he spent with his breeder. See pages 7 & 8 for details Donate on-line by visiting:

Please mail checks to: Foster Parrots, Ltd. or www.fosterparrots.com H PO Box 34 H‘Tis the season for year-end giving! The Year-End Mini-Match is a beautiful way to show Hope Valley, RI 02832 It’s safe, secure, and so easy! H your love for the birds & support the important work we do year round! 2 H 2 All donations made in December will be matched up to $2500! See pages 7 & 8 for details H H 2 NEEWSletter design courtesy of Dorian DeSimone Designs— DorianDesigns.com; Photography courtesy of Brian Jones Design— BrianJonesDesign.com Your Screaming, Biting, Phobic Parrot & It’s Time for our The Myth of the Hand Fed Baby Bird (cont’d from the cover)

An on-line ad from one Maine based standards in the breeding industry. References: breeding facility states, “We only sell Consequently, the negative behaviors 2018 Year unweaned babies to qualified wholesale we are experiencing in pet parrots Isosexual Pair Housing Improves Welfare of [establishments] that have demonstrated oftentimes cannot simply be addressed Young Amazon Parrots they know how to handfeed.” That by strategies like improving enrichment, statement gives an impression of ethics introducing avian companionship or C.L. Meehan, J.P. Garner, J.A. Mench - 2002 and responsibility. The reality is that this consulting with professional behaviorists. End Mini The Influence of the Breeding Method on breeder’s babies are separated from their Re-orienting troubled parrots can take the Behaviour of Adult African Grey Parrots mothers either as eggs or within days or a longer investment of time, a deeper weeks of hatching, are packed into boxes understanding of parrot psychology and Rachel Schmid, Marcus Georg Doherr, and shipped to various retailers or brokers a willingness on the part of guardians Andreas Steiger – 2005 Match! across the country who demonstrate to accept and work around the unique hand-feeding proficiency. In the absence of dispositions of imperfect parrots. The fact Avian Affective Dysregulation: Psychiatric a nurturing, protective, maternal anchor, that the aforementioned behavioral issues Models and Treatment for Parrots in Please consider including baby parrots like this, in their most helpless are so widespread suggests that, at the Captivity state, are adrift, connected to nothing. very least, standards in aviculture and in breeding practices need to change. At best, G.A. Bradshaw, Joseph P. Yenkosky, Eileen Despite overwhelming scientific evidence captive breeding of a flighted, wild animal McCarthy - 2009 Foster Parrots, Ltd. that parental deprivation is psychologically as psychologically dynamic and vulnerable traumatizing to mammals and birds, as a parrot should discontinue entirely. 2 in your year-end charitable giving! the standard of the handfed baby parrot persists. “Baby birds are pulled from their parents and we, in essence, become their All donations made in December new moms,” boasts a parrot breeding will be matched up to $2500! establishment based in Massachusetts. New Aviary Construction The implication is that human-imprinting to the greatest possible extent is going to Wild scarlet macaws (lapas!) enjoying their free- produce a superior avian companion. The Funded by the Albert Schweitzer dom at the MCCR compound in Costa Rica end result, however, is an animal who is oster Parrots fundamentally confused as to what species Animal Welfare Fund Foster Parrots he is, and is likely to develop a variety of Fis dedicated holds 3 behaviors that will challenge his ability to generous grant from the Albert Overlooking the NEEWS Community to the rescue and fundraiser ultimately succeed as a companion animal. ASchweitzer Animal Welfare Fund late Garden, these stunning aviaries not only events each Sooner or later, these parrots will find in 2017 enabled us to break ground this past enhance the lives of 26 of our resident birds, protection of parrots year: Our themselves in transition, struggling to cope spring on a series of 4 new, outdoor aviaries. but add to the beauty of the garden area! 2 March with new social situations their physical everywhere, and to Matching Fund brains may not be equipped to navigate. Seiko – Happily adopted in 2018 the liberation of all Drive, our us forward in our work to bring relief, The commercial industry is not welfare wild animals who ever-so-popular minded. It is a system of producing a protection and understanding to the lives Fall Fundraiser salable product for profit. Consequently, yearn to live their of parrots, both in captivity and in the Extravaganza, wild. We are a part of a dynamic team the psychological impacts of breeding lives in freedom and and our Year-End Mini Match. We hope methods on parrots as they mature of rescue organizations, educators and you will choose to support at least one into adult birds do not typically factor with dignity. conservationists who have devoted their of these annual events! The programs of into domestic breeding operations, but lives to the Foster Parrots and the lives of the hundreds socialization does. A breeder’s livelihood service of of birds and animals who live at The New hinges on his or her ability to meet birds and consumer demand for friendly, affectionate No Cage Is Big Enough! England Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary depend animals who on you! baby birds, and breeders everywhere orking tirelessly throughout the struggle to liberally handle their babies to achieve that year, we recognize every bird live their Please consider level of tameness expected by consumers. W and animal who comes into our care “Handfed and tamed babies from our natural making a tax- home to yours” are typical ads describing as an individual whose lives have been lives in a deductible babies for sale. All baby birds, lovingly profoundly impacted by their human complex and donation on-line conditioned by their breeders, are needy experience and by their own unique seemingly by visiting www. and affectionate. It’s what happens later on journey. Every bird and animal matters. heartless fosterparrots.com that that will ultimately define their lives. modern As a leader in the national avian welfare world. or send a check to: Scientific research repeatedly corroborates community, we understand it is the Foster Parrots, Ltd. • PO Box 34 the long-term psychological damage quality of our collaborations that ensure Unadoptable parrots like William are able to live their lives in peace Hope Valley, RI 03832 inflicted by current, widely accepted the success of our programs and propel and safety at The NEEWS 2 7 Foster Parrots Adoption Corner More Than Just Friends? Same-Sex Bonding in Parrots By Karen Windsor “Chuck Norris” : White-Bellied Caique huck Norris, better known to us as Chuckie, is belly scratched! She has a loud scream and will Ca loveable white-bellied caique. She was living let you know when you’ve left her alone too long. Once considered an anomaly in with another caique here at the NEEWS, but it She wants to be out of the cage all day, but she gets animals (including human animals!), turned out that she and her mate both preferred the herself into mischief and does need to be supervised. same-sex bonding is actually quite companionship of people! Chuck has her favorite Super smart and playful, as all caiques are, Chuckie common in the animal world. Same people, and will be aggressive with those she will make a delightful companion for someone who sex mating has been observed in every dislikes. With her favorite people she is extremely understands this dynamic species and has the time species of primate, with bonobos affectionate and will roll on her back to have her to meet her social expectations. regularly demonstrating the benefits of free love. Mated male black swans will form a threesome with a female, only to Sam & Floyd: Paired Amazons drive her from the nest as soon as she am and Floyd are an amazon pair. They have wanted to be held, but he does produces the coveted eggs! But what Slived together for more than 20 years, and enjoy attention and wants his head kind of evolutionary sense does same- although they do not want to share a cage, they pet by the people he is comfortable sex bonding make? Biologists Nathan do share a friendship bond and will do best with. These boys need an adopter if adopted together. They are both around 30 who will appreciate them for who Bailey and Marlene Zuk of UC River- years old. Sam is a shy orange-winged amazon. they are, has the patience to work side have studied same-sex bonding in Bonded males JubJub & Burt – Photo by Brian Jones He likes to sit on the open door of his cage and on building trust, and who can animals extensively and suggest that mumble to his favorite people. Floyd is a more respect Amazon boundaries. These this type of mating behavior may serve ith their little crests stand- sen was monitoring the progress of affectionate red lored amazon who enjoys lots of are not demanding birds! They some very important roles in reproducing proud, male cockatiels, head rubs! He used to snuggle on the couch with are a perfect pair for someone who scarlet macaws who were graduates of tion. Sometimes imbalances in male to Matthew and Miguel, scur- his former family every night. He is still coming loves to live around parrots but the breed and release program headed female ratios render same-sex pairing Wried across the floor to the corner of the by Chris Castles. It was always inspir- out of his shell in our adoption center and hasn’t doesn’t need to constantly cuddle. an important reproductive strategy, en- aviary they had claimed as their nest. ing to document captive bred birds abling male or female pairs to success- Matthew crouched in the corner as if living successfully in the wild, and fully raise young despite the absence incubating his egg, and Miguel darted Kiwii: Sun Conure several macaws from the program were of an opposite sex partner. Same-sex out aggressively, defending his mate pairing can fulfill social bonding needs iwii is a 5 year old sun conure. She desires a lot she can keep doing so! Kiwii prefers men and will and his imaginary offspring from in- while decreasing competition and ag- Kof attention from her people and will scream if do best if her primary caretaker is male. She gets vaders. Whether protecting their nest- she’s not receiving it. Kiwii was allowed to explore stressed when there is a lot of noise and will prefer a nce gression within a social group, thereby ing spot or claiming shoulder time on outside of her cage all day in her previous home and quiet home. relieving the pressure of reproductive familiar human care-givers, Matthew considered would like to find an adopter who is home all day so expectations. Very often, social harmo- and Miguel are always together. Despite an anomaly ny can be as motivating as procreation. the availability of dozens of potential O in animals (including Interested in Adopting a Parrot? female partners, their commitment to Freddy and Skye remained committed one another is unshakable. Welcoming a parrot into one’s family is a www.fosterparrots.com/adoption-rescue human animals!), to one another for 8 years until Freddy became obsessed with a very young challenging but rewarding, life-long commitment. to read about our requirements for adoption Crackers and Oliver, two wild-caught, same-sex bonding If you think you have the love, time and patience and to fill out an application. There are so many macaw named Mercury. The offspring blue & gold macaws, had arrived at the to invest, please visit our website at parrots in need of homes! is actually quite of captive raised parents, Mercury was sanctuary separately, several months common in the barely past the fledgling stage, and Ilo- apart. Both were males. Crackers had na and Chris had to wonder if Freddy’s settled in nicely and was in the pro- animal world. attraction was sexual or parental! But cess of pairing up with a lovely female Hazard Alert: Commonly Used Cooking Bags Are Toxic to Birds! it was enough to visibly upset Skye, green winged macaw named Molly We are reprinting this article because cooking and her family began were toxic. A warning should be on the labels of who finally abandoned the relationship when Oliver arrived. The moment bags are frequently used during the holidays. to grab cages, running these products. If my birds died that quickly, I now nesting and reproducing. What in 2014 and eventually paired with a Please spread the word and help prevent them outside to try to wonder how toxic cooking bags are for all of us.” the two males saw one another they Ilona had not anticipated was Freddy female partner. In fact, same-sex bonds needless tragedies! save the surviving birds. become wildly animated and began Altogether, she lost nine Our parrots, of course, are the “canaries in and Skye, DNA sexed males, forming in animals are rarely life-long bonds. to call to one another from across the usie Simpson had more than 50 parakeets precious souls. the coal mine” for environmental toxins that an exclusive pair-bond with the hope Besides humans, only one other species and parrotlets at home and was well are harmful not only to birds, but to other room. Their attraction could not be of raising a baby of their own. The is known to choose a same-sex partner aware of the toxic nature of non-stick Following this tragedy, pets, to us and to our children. It’s beyond contained; Crackers and Oliver needed Scookware, but she would never have guessed Susie’s family did a search online and discovered comprehension that industries and corporations pair were inseparable, and through the for life: domestic rams! Studies have to be together. Molly was kicked to the that cooking bags were also toxic to birds. Last that Jenny-O, Reynolds and other cooking bag can legally, knowingly sell poisonous and years to follow they could be observed shown that despite an abundance of fe- Thanksgiving, Walmart substituted her two products are indeed lethally toxic to birds. “I carcinogenic products to consumers, but this is curb. going through the motions of prepar- turkey breasts with a Jenny-O Cajun Turkey in have books on birds and read extensively online the world we live in today. It is up to each one of males, approximately 10% of domestic a bag. Within 30 minutes of the turkey cooking before getting my birds,” Susie wrote. “I never us to self-educate and to make choices to keep In 2006 at the Tiskita Research Center ing and defending a nest despite their rams will demonstrate an unshakable, in the oven, Susie’s birds started dying. She saw anything before now that said cooking bags ourselves, our families and our pets safe. 2 in Costa Rica, biologist Ilona Twewis- inability to produce an egg. life-long preference for other males. 2 6 3 FP Education & Activities Photo Spotlight Conservation Spotlights One Earth Conservation 2018 Parrot Holiday Fundraiser oin our friends at One Earth Conservation for Jtheir 2018 Parrot Holiday Party and Fundraiser featuring the Rev. Dr. LoraKim Joyner, 3 short films, light dinner and drinks! Tickets start at $100 and sponsorship opportunities are available! For more information and to register on-line visit www. oneearthconservation.org

Hopkinton Boy Scouts learn about parrots and make toys Arcus Guatemala: Guatamala’s Premier Wildlife Sanctuary Director, Danika Oriol-Morway’s TedX Talk at the Franklin Park Zoo Rescue & Rehabilitation Center n October Foster Parrots was honored of injured, orphaned and confiscated Ito host a visit from Colum Muccio, animals annually. the Development Director for Arcus Guatemala, and to help organize his Arcus’ internship and volunteer pro- presentation at Tufts University. Here grams offer a unique opportunity for Colum addressed an audience of stu- wildlife field-work experience for veteri- dents from the Masters in Animals & nary, biology and conservation students! Public Policy program, sharing details Income from the intern and volunteer of the incredible work of Arcus and the programs is an important source of challenges inherent in providing services support for the work of Arcus! for a diversity of birds, mammals and reptiles. Guatemala’s premier wildlife To learn more about the work of Arcus and for information about internship Animal Care Manager, Isaiah Duarte leads a self-defense rescue and rehabilitation center, Arcus’ workshop fundraiser team of biologists, veterinarians, interns and volunteer opportunities, visit: www.arcusguatemala.com and volunteers save the lives of hundreds

2018 Photos from Macaw Conservation Costa Rica

Artists at the Feral Arts Workshop

Enrichment project by students from Nathan Bishop Middle School

2018 Photos from Macaw Conservation Costa Rica

Artists at the Feral Arts Workshop

Enrichment project by students from Nathan Bishop Middle School

acaw Conservation Costa Rica (MCCR) Mhas added 17 new aviaries since the summer of 2017. Educational programing in the community has engaged locals not only in the lives of the birds on the farm, but also in the lives of those that fly free on the Osa Peninsula! To learn more or to help support our work, visit our beautiful new website at Staff member Dan Tacey teaching beer-making with hops grown at the sanctuary Branford Animal Camp kids create a mural www.macawconservation.org 4 5 Foster Parrots Adoption Corner More Than Just Friends? Same-Sex Bonding in Parrots By Karen Windsor “Chuck Norris” : White-Bellied Caique huck Norris, better known to us as Chuckie, is belly scratched! She has a loud scream and will Ca loveable white-bellied caique. She was living let you know when you’ve left her alone too long. Once considered an anomaly in with another caique here at the NEEWS, but it She wants to be out of the cage all day, but she gets animals (including human animals!), turned out that she and her mate both preferred the herself into mischief and does need to be supervised. same-sex bonding is actually quite companionship of people! Chuck has her favorite Super smart and playful, as all caiques are, Chuckie common in the animal world. Same people, and will be aggressive with those she will make a delightful companion for someone who sex mating has been observed in every dislikes. With her favorite people she is extremely understands this dynamic species and has the time species of primate, with bonobos affectionate and will roll on her back to have her to meet her social expectations. regularly demonstrating the benefits of free love. Mated male black swans will form a threesome with a female, only to Sam & Floyd: Paired Amazons drive her from the nest as soon as she am and Floyd are an amazon pair. They have wanted to be held, but he does produces the coveted eggs! But what Slived together for more than 20 years, and enjoy attention and wants his head kind of evolutionary sense does same- although they do not want to share a cage, they pet by the people he is comfortable sex bonding make? Biologists Nathan do share a friendship bond and will do best with. These boys need an adopter if adopted together. They are both around 30 who will appreciate them for who Bailey and Marlene Zuk of UC River- years old. Sam is a shy orange-winged amazon. they are, has the patience to work side have studied same-sex bonding in Bonded males JubJub & Burt – Photo by Brian Jones He likes to sit on the open door of his cage and on building trust, and who can animals extensively and suggest that mumble to his favorite people. Floyd is a more respect Amazon boundaries. These this type of mating behavior may serve ith their little crests stand- sen was monitoring the progress of affectionate red lored amazon who enjoys lots of are not demanding birds! They some very important roles in reproducing proud, male cockatiels, head rubs! He used to snuggle on the couch with are a perfect pair for someone who scarlet macaws who were graduates of tion. Sometimes imbalances in male to Matthew and Miguel, scur- his former family every night. He is still coming loves to live around parrots but the breed and release program headed female ratios render same-sex pairing Wried across the floor to the corner of the by Chris Castles. It was always inspir- out of his shell in our adoption center and hasn’t doesn’t need to constantly cuddle. an important reproductive strategy, en- aviary they had claimed as their nest. ing to document captive bred birds abling male or female pairs to success- Matthew crouched in the corner as if living successfully in the wild, and fully raise young despite the absence incubating his egg, and Miguel darted Kiwii: Sun Conure several macaws from the program were of an opposite sex partner. Same-sex out aggressively, defending his mate pairing can fulfill social bonding needs iwii is a 5 year old sun conure. She desires a lot she can keep doing so! Kiwii prefers men and will and his imaginary offspring from in- while decreasing competition and ag- Kof attention from her people and will scream if do best if her primary caretaker is male. She gets vaders. Whether protecting their nest- she’s not receiving it. Kiwii was allowed to explore stressed when there is a lot of noise and will prefer a nce gression within a social group, thereby ing spot or claiming shoulder time on outside of her cage all day in her previous home and quiet home. relieving the pressure of reproductive familiar human care-givers, Matthew considered would like to find an adopter who is home all day so expectations. Very often, social harmo- and Miguel are always together. Despite an anomaly ny can be as motivating as procreation. the availability of dozens of potential O in animals (including Interested in Adopting a Parrot? female partners, their commitment to Freddy and Skye remained committed one another is unshakable. Welcoming a parrot into one’s family is a www.fosterparrots.com/adoption-rescue human animals!), to one another for 8 years until Freddy became obsessed with a very young challenging but rewarding, life-long commitment. to read about our requirements for adoption Crackers and Oliver, two wild-caught, same-sex bonding If you think you have the love, time and patience and to fill out an application. There are so many macaw named Mercury. The offspring blue & gold macaws, had arrived at the to invest, please visit our website at parrots in need of homes! is actually quite of captive raised parents, Mercury was sanctuary separately, several months common in the barely past the fledgling stage, and Ilo- apart. Both were males. Crackers had na and Chris had to wonder if Freddy’s settled in nicely and was in the pro- animal world. attraction was sexual or parental! But cess of pairing up with a lovely female Hazard Alert: Commonly Used Cooking Bags Are Toxic to Birds! it was enough to visibly upset Skye, green winged macaw named Molly We are reprinting this article because cooking and her family began were toxic. A warning should be on the labels of who finally abandoned the relationship when Oliver arrived. The moment bags are frequently used during the holidays. to grab cages, running these products. If my birds died that quickly, I now nesting and reproducing. What in 2014 and eventually paired with a Please spread the word and help prevent them outside to try to wonder how toxic cooking bags are for all of us.” the two males saw one another they Ilona had not anticipated was Freddy female partner. In fact, same-sex bonds needless tragedies! save the surviving birds. become wildly animated and began Altogether, she lost nine Our parrots, of course, are the “canaries in and Skye, DNA sexed males, forming in animals are rarely life-long bonds. to call to one another from across the usie Simpson had more than 50 parakeets precious souls. the coal mine” for environmental toxins that an exclusive pair-bond with the hope Besides humans, only one other species and parrotlets at home and was well are harmful not only to birds, but to other room. Their attraction could not be of raising a baby of their own. The is known to choose a same-sex partner aware of the toxic nature of non-stick Following this tragedy, pets, to us and to our children. It’s beyond contained; Crackers and Oliver needed Scookware, but she would never have guessed Susie’s family did a search online and discovered comprehension that industries and corporations pair were inseparable, and through the for life: domestic rams! Studies have to be together. Molly was kicked to the that cooking bags were also toxic to birds. Last that Jenny-O, Reynolds and other cooking bag can legally, knowingly sell poisonous and years to follow they could be observed shown that despite an abundance of fe- Thanksgiving, Walmart substituted her two products are indeed lethally toxic to birds. “I carcinogenic products to consumers, but this is curb. going through the motions of prepar- turkey breasts with a Jenny-O Cajun Turkey in have books on birds and read extensively online the world we live in today. It is up to each one of males, approximately 10% of domestic a bag. Within 30 minutes of the turkey cooking before getting my birds,” Susie wrote. “I never us to self-educate and to make choices to keep In 2006 at the Tiskita Research Center ing and defending a nest despite their rams will demonstrate an unshakable, in the oven, Susie’s birds started dying. She saw anything before now that said cooking bags ourselves, our families and our pets safe. 2 in Costa Rica, biologist Ilona Twewis- inability to produce an egg. life-long preference for other males. 2 6 3 Your Screaming, Biting, Phobic Parrot & It’s Time for our The Myth of the Hand Fed Baby Bird (cont’d from the cover)