1. GET TO KNOW ABOUT PARROTS BEFORE YOU BRING ME HOME – I am not a domesticated pet like a dog or cat. I still have the spirit of the jungle in me. I have special needs which you may find it hard to fill. Please don’t learn these too late for my well-being. And please don’t acquire one of my cousins wild from the jungle—it will jeopardize his survival and well-being, and that won’t be a party for you either!
2. GIVE ME THE LARGEST HOME POSSIBLE – I am used to flying through rainforests or savannas. I have given up this great gift for your pleasure. At the very least, give me enough room to flap my wings and exercise. And, I need toys for my amusement and wood to chew. Otherwise, I might confuse your home with the forest and its trees.
3. GIVE ME A NUTRITIOUS DIET - I need a wide variety of fresh and nutritious foods, even if they take time to prepare. I cannot survive on seeds alone and be healthy. Take time to learn what my needs and preferences are.
4. LET ME HAVE A SOCIAL LIFE – I am a gregarious flock animal, but I am not one of you. I need lots of socialization to learn how to interact with you as well as my siblings. I also need to have adequate quality time with you every day—no matter what your schedule or other needs are. I am a living, feeling creature. Above all, I need to be able to have complete trust in you and count on your predictability in looking after me—every day.
5. LET ME BE CLEAN – I may like to drop food or even throw it, but I need meticulous cleanliness to be healthy. My skin itches without frequent showers, the barbs of my feathers won’t seal if they become oily and, worst of all, I may become ill if my food or water is not always sanitary.
6. I NEED MY OWN DOCTOR – You may not understand my physiology and therefore you may not recognize it early on when I get sick. And, it may be too late when you do, because I hide my illnesses. (Remember what I said about my being an animal of the jungle, where there are lots of predators.) And I need an avian vet—a specialist. (No HMOs for me please.) If you can’t afford one, perhaps you shouldn’t have taken me home.
7. PLEASE DON’T PUNISH ME – Just as I don’t always understand your peculiarities, you may not understand mine. I don’t TRY to get into trouble—remember, a house is not the jungle. If I do screw up, don’t yell at me and never hit me. I have sensitive ears and I may never trust you again if you strike me. Hands are sometimes scary things to us. (Why in the world would you not be zygodactylous like us?) Even more importantly, we don’t learn by punishment. We are gentle creatures who only strike back to protect ourselves; we learn through patience and love.
8. SPEAK MY “LANGUAGE” – I know you get upset with me when I knock over my water bowl, throw food, scream, or pluck my feathers. I don’t do these things to annoy you. I am probably trying to tell you something ( perhaps that I am hurting, lonely, or sad). Learn to speak MY (body) language. Remember that I, alone of all creatures on this planet, learn to speak yours!
9. SEE ME AS AN INDIVIDUAL – I am a unique and feeling being. No two of us are alike. Please don’t be disappointed in me if I don’t talk like you wanted or can’t do the tricks that your friend’s parrot can do. But if you pay close attention to me (and I always empathize with you, whether you know), I will show you a unique being who will give you so much more than talking and playing. Give me a chance to show you who I am; I think you’ll find the effort worth it. And remember, I am not an ornament. I do not enhance ANY living room decor. And I am not a status symbol—if you use me as such, I might nip at your up-turned nose!
10. SHARE YOUR LOVE WITH ME – Above all, please remember that you are my Special Person. I put all my trust and faith in you. We parrots are used to being monogamous. (No bar-hopping for us!) So please don’t go away for long periods or give me away—that would be a sadness from which I may never recover. If that seems to be asking a lot, remember, you could have learned about my needs before bringing me home. Even having a baby or taking a new job isn’t a fair reason—you made a commitment to me FIRST. And if you think that you must leave me because you might die, provide for me forever after you leave. I may live to a ripe old age, but I can’t provide for myself. Remember I’m in a small cage amongst people who are not of my blood.
11. YOUR RIGHTS – You have lots of rights, but I can only assure one. And that is, if you treat me the way I described above, I will reward you with unwavering love, humor, knowledge, beauty, dedication, and a sense of wonder and awe you haven’t felt since you were a child. When you took me home, you became my Flock Leader, indeed, my entire universe—for life. I would hang the moon and stars for you if I could. We are one in Heart and Soul.

AUTHORITIES have reportedly rescued 1500 parakeets from a two-room apartment in Berlin.

Berlin veterinarian Margit Platzer says the birds were flying freely around the apartment, which was “littered with faeces, feathers and left-over food”, Associated Press has reported.

Ms Platzer says it took her team more than seven hours to catch all the birds.

The birds have been taken to animal shelters in Berlin and elsewhere because there was not enough room for them at facilities in the capital.

The owner gradually bought and bred the birds until his apartment was full, and that neighbours had complained about the noise and smell, Associated Press has reported.

The retired man has not been identified.

Across the other side of the globe, parakeets are also making headlines with the birds brightening up Britain’s dreary winter skies, in their thousands.

But the ring-necked parakeets are proving a pest for farmers, damaging fruit crops.

Seasonal traders, farmers, and orchard and vineyard owners have been watching on with frustration as the colourful birds gorge themselves on fruit and festive berries before Christmas.

Parks and gardens in leafy London suburbs are also being adopted as a preferred habitat by the birds that are native to southern Asia.

The rate of increase, helped by mild winters, is much greater than had been expected.

So, how can you help your parrot stay sane and safe? Remember a few tips:

• Watch the scents: Candles, cleaning products, deodorizers etc. can be difficult on a parrots delicate lung system. While we’re talking about scents, make the guests smoke outside, please.
• Careful with the cords: If your parrot jumps off it’s stand and walks the floor, make sure it can’t get to electric cords. Oh, don’t forget the tinsel and wrapping paper.
• Christmas Plants: Poinsettia’s and Holly are poison to kids and parrots. Stick with plastic or silk plants!
• Watch the Ribbon: Two words. Strangution. Intestinal obstruction. Opps. Guess that’s three words.
• Watch what drinks you serve: Hot chocolate, alcohol, even egg nog are not parrot friendly drinks. Don’t tempt your parrot with sweets or fatty foods, either. Not good for the digestive system. Stick with veggies and fruit, please
• TEFLON: As always, use it with EXTREME caution and only under direct supervision.
• Clip those wings: With lots of people coming and going, make sure that your parrot can not fly out an open door or window.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good flight opps – night!