July 2009 | Issue 23

Dear Reader,

As time has once again vanished in a puff of smoke (whoops, there it goes) I sit here building a July newsletter furnished with a cornucopia of clever, creative articles...starting with some good news for the critically endangered Puerto Rican Amazon, then talking about ecotourism and parrots, on to learning new ways to delight our loved (parrot) ones with ideas from the updated Parrot Environmental Enrichment Book, and more. Fun and learning in abundance.

Parrot wishes and birdy dreams,
Desi Milpacher, Flock Talk editor

In This Issue

> World's Critically Endangered Parrots
> uPholi Wants a Forest
> Help! I Need a Vet -- Where Do I Look?
> Ecotourism: Brief Guide to Aid the Ethical Traveller
> Parrot Environmental Enrichment Book 2.0
> Parrot Headlines
> Parrot Unscrambler
> Events and Special Thanks
> Correction Notice

World's Critically Endangered Parrots

Good News for Puerto Rican Amazons

Read more at the 10,000 Birds website »

The Puerto Rican Amazon, a casualty of habitat loss, the wild bird trade, poaching and hurricanes, has been given the unfortunate label of rarest Amazon parrot on earth -- in 1975, a mere 13 adult birds were counted in the Caribbean National Forest.

That number has happily risen so that now between the captive and wild populations the total number of birds is 295. Still a low number, but even a seemingly small improvement in the population of a critically endangered parrot like the Puerto Rican is a significant one, indeed.

The Puerto Rican Amazon at Parrots.org »

uPholi Wants a Forest

Steve Boyes Talks about the Cape Parrot

Join field researcher Steve Boyes as he describes the Cape Parrot Trust's work with the endangered Cape Parrot, the threats to the survival of this species and the long and storied history of its ecology and decline.

Read Steve Boyes' blog »

Learn more about the Cape Parrot »

Help save the Cape Parrots »

Help! I Need a Vet -- Where Do I Look?

Finding an Avian Veterinarian

You pass by your pet parrot's cage and...something is not right. He's hunched up, eyes are half closed and hasn't touched his normally gobbled-up food. You think that he should see a vet but there's one small problem. You haven't yet found one. Don't despair: WPT has gathered a list of avian veterinarians, in practices big and small, from the United States to Great Britain.

WPT's Health and Veterinary Links »

The AAV (Association of Avian Veterinarians) International Listings »

Ecotourism

A Brief Guide to Websites to Aid the Ethical Traveller

For a list of travel and birding companies, visit:

WPT's Travel Page »

Tropical Nature, Inc. »

The urge for people to explore is strong -- and if we can do it ethically it's even better. Whether you're going to volunteer on a parrot project or just want to make an effort to understand sustainable travel practices, it's all here at these websites:

Partnership for Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria »

Sustainable Travel International »

The International Ecotourism Society »

Source for travel websites: Verge magazine, Vol. 7, Issue 3 Spring 2009

Parrot Environmental Enrichment Book 2.0

Fun and games and goodies galore! Bring joy and happiness (inexpensively and creatively) to the littlest (birdy) ones in your household with the newly expanded and updated Parrot Environmental Enrichment Book. Help improve your parrot's life through countless exercise and mind-expanding toys and games.

Download a PDF copy »

Parrot Headlines

Parrot status under review by U.S. Fish and Wildlife »

Carnaby's Black Cockatoo $360,000 study grant »

Feathers fly over protected
parrots »

Parrots of the Caribbean »

Massive new home for curious Kea »

Three Spix's Macaws, one of the world's rarest birds, hatched in captivity »


	Try your hand at these mixed up words: 1) daazmarss gtier roptar 2) layem aznoam 3) asmenrta creuno 4) sienphejso lekireot 5) ranboci tepkarea 6) thniayhc wamca Get the answers » Check the answers from last month's quiz »

Events and Special Thanks

Creative people supporting World Parrot Trust projects

Thanks to Harry and Phoebe Green Linden for their recent sponsorship of WPT's own Steve Milpacher, who presented at the recent Animal Education Foundation conference in Washington, DC.

Special Events

Eastern Canada Avian Association Gala
August 22, 2009
http://www.ecavianassociation.com/

Mt. Barney Lodge Birdweek
September 9, 2009
http://www.mtbarneylodge.com.au/

2009 Parrot Lover's Cruise
October 24, 2009
http://www.parrotloverscruise.com/

Correction Notice

An update to EB Craven's article Frequently Occurring Pet Bird Accidents and How to Avoid Them from last month's Flock Talk. It is not recommended to use fabric softeners in bird toys, as even small amounts of residue may be poisonous. Thanks to our readers for pointing this out for us!

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