Dear Reader,

I write this with a heavy heart this time around. Our beloved Rose-breasted Cockatoo, Pippi, is in hospital right now. The crisis brings home to me very strongly how important it is to take each day as it comes, do the best you can, and love your family -- two legged and four legged -- every single minute.

And it's also important that we continue this work, this important conservation and welfare work of the Trust. The more we talk, learn, debate, cogitate, ruminate and just plain mull over all we see and hear about parrots, the better off they will be, in the wild and in captivity.

So to that end we will see, in this issue, articles about bird care, important WPT partners, intrepid researchers helping Thick-billed Parrots and Blue-throated Macaws, events aiding the WPT's work, and more.

Enjoy. Have a think about things. And hug your birds for me.

Desi Milpacher, Flock Talk editor

In This Issue

> Saving the Thick-billed Parrot
> Species Profile: Yellow-crested Cockatoo
> Short Update on WPT's Blue-throated Macaw Project
> Toenail Tips for Parrot Keepers
> Generous Organizations Donate to the Trust
> Defenders of Wildlife
> See what's new at www.parrots.org
> Test Your Parrot IQ

Saving the Thick-billed Parrot

Enhancing Breeding Success With Simple Solutions

Since 1990 the World Parrot Trust has aided in the research of the reproductive and other ecological needs of the Thick-billed Parrot, a species recognized by the IUCN as endangered. The reasons for their decline are varied, the most prominent being the loss of the birds' food and nest trees to logging and old age. It's a combination that has proved devastating; current estimates have the population of this species down to 3500 individuals. But there is hope.

Currently researchers are implementing inventive solutions to help enhance nesting sites and chick survivability -- methods such as eliminating insect pests, supplementing underweight chicks with food and medication, providing nest boxes and materials, and protecting against predators. WPT has launched an appeal to help save the Thick-bills -- and you can help.

Read more about the Thick-billed Parrot Project »

Species Profile:
Yellow-crested Cockatoo

Genus: Cacatua Species: sulphurea Where found: Sulawesi and nearby islands, islands in the Flores Sea, Nusa Penida and Lesser Sunda Islands, Masalembu in Java Sea, all in Indonesia. Has been introduced in Hong Kong and Singapore. Status: Critically endangered, CITES Appendix I Threats: Unsustainable trapping for local and regional wild bird trades. Wild population: 2500-10,000 WPT Project: Citron-crested Cockatoo Project » More information »

Short Update on WPT's Blue-throated Macaw Project

Onwards and Upwards in 2007

Things are beginning to look better for the Blue-throated Macaw. WPT project researcher Igor Berkunsky, has seen recent work dramatically increase chick survival. These efforts include supplemental feedings, installing metal flashing around trees to prevent flooding and predators from taking the chicks, monitoring known nest sites, and more. More is still needed, of course, and the World Parrot Trust will keep everyone up to date on all happenings with this critically endangered bird. For a more in-depth article, check the May 2008 PsittaScene.

Sign up to receive PsittaScene »

Toenail Tips for Parrot Keepers

By WPT Expert EB Cravens

EB Cravens once again imparts his astute advice on parrot care and welfare, this time delving into the sometimes contentious world of the toenail clip. Read on to find out when toenail clipping is appropriate (or not), how to use different sized perches to your advantage and how to take the actual and sometimes nerve-jangling job of clipping and turn it into a manageable one.

Article:  Toenail Tips for Parrot Keepers »
(Best viewed with Adobe Reader 8.1)

Generous Organizations
Donate to the Trust

During the months of April, May and June there are parrot events, promotions and other things fun and exciting, all to benefit the World Parrot Trust. To start things off,

Theperchstore.net, an online retailer of parrot products, is kindly donating a percentage of all their sales to WPT for the months of April, May and June. Read more »

Next, the Phoenix Landing Foundation, a non-profit group which provides educational programs on proper bird care, will be hosting a full day event with Natural Encounters' Steve Martin on May 10, 2008. They will be donating the proceeds from a silent auction to the Trust. Read more »

And on May 23-25, 2008 Cockatoo Downs is having their annual FlyAbout - a flight school that was created with the belief that companion parrots be allowed the freedom of flight (with supervision, of course!) At the FlyAbout Flight School instructors provide applicants with skills needed to responsibly train pet parrots to fly, have positive relationships with their keepers, and more. Cockatoo Downs will generously make a donation to the Trust. Read more »

Thanks so much, everyone!

Learn how to launch your own WPT Fundraising Event »

Defenders of Wildlife

WPT Partner in Saving Species

Since 1947 Defenders of Wildlife has been hard at work, using science-based conservation, saving endangered species globally, and in particular advocating for the Endangered Species Act in the US. At the core of the group's philosophy and work is the preservation of native plants and animals in their natural communities, particularly predators, thereby safeguarding the earth's vital global ecosystems.

Defenders have been involved with the World Parrot Trust in a number of projects, most recently the European Union Wild Bird Trade Ban, which has successfully saved millions of birds since its completion in July 2007. Their aid has also been instrumental in achieving success with the Mexican wild parrot trade ban.

Defenders of Wildlife website »

WPT Partners »