 
Bird of the Month
by Jessika
Name: Emerson T
Is Em male or female: Male.
What breed is he: Heavy pied cockatiel
When did you buy him and where: I got him from a breeder on July 30, 2006.
What was he like when you got him: He was timid and very very shy, but he was also somewhat tame.
Has he changed at all since then? And if so, how: Everything about him changed. His mask changed from being very dirty looking to somewhat clear. His atttide also changed. He has become much more explorative and crabby.
Which one of you does he like best: I'd say myself, but I think Andres will get mad at me. We'll argue back and fourth on who Emerson prefers.
What's his favorite food: Emerson's favorite food is basically spray millet. He is in love with the stuff.
Click here to
read the entire interview.
Hot Buy
by Jessika
My hot buy this time comes from Bird Supplies. This has to be one of the best Parrot Supply sites I have ever been to. They've got EVERYTHING. But this one purchase seems very worthwhile. This is a Parrot Enrichment Pack. Which is exactly what it sounds like.
Check out the product.
XO Parrots Award
by Jessika
This months XO Parrots Award goes to Parrot Parrot. This website was handpicked by our Award Manager, a direct quote from her about the site can be found below.
"Everything you could want to know about general parrot care is here! Wonderful website for beginners."-Jessika
Check out their awesome website!
XO Parrots Book Club
by Liz
Wicked by Gregory Maguire.
From the Publisher
When Dorothy triumphed over the Wicked Witch of the West in L. Frank Baum's classic tale, we heard only her side of the story. But what about her arch-nemesis, the mysterious Witch? Where did she come from? How did she become so wicked? And what is the true nature of evil?
Gregory Maguire creates a fantasy world so rich and vivid that we will never look at Oz the same way again. Wicked is about a land where animals talk and strive to be treated like first-class citizens, Munchkinlanders seek the comfort of middle-class stability, and the Tin Man becomes the victim of domestic violence. And then there is the little green-skinned girl named Elphaba, who will grow up to become the infamous Wicked Witch of the West, a smart, prickly, and misunderstood creature who challenges all our preconceived notions about the nature of good and evil.
Buy it Today!
Recipe Highlight
by Isaac Miller
Cauliflower With Breadcrumbs posted by Bari aka bs007.
This issue's recipe is not quite a recipe but a general guideline to make a sort of something, by Bari. It entails the least amount of directions Ive ever seen to make something potentially edible even though that something that could be edible is Cauliflower. My thoughts on cauliflower are cook it, drain it, cover it with melted cheese. But This is a more heart friendly sort of thing and with carmelized onions and the nice juicy bready crumbs to go with it, its a mostly healthy, might be edible, treat. Try it if you dont like cauliflower, I think this might work for spinach and Broccoli as well. Enjoy. I give it 2 thumbs partially up because I havent tried it but its still sounds like it might be edible even when Cauliflower is involved.
Check out the recipe.
Arcade Overview
by Meghanxx4
For those who have yet to visit the arcade, I encourage you all to play some games and have some fun. You don’t even have to be great at games just have fun. The Arcade includes a selection of over 180 games, and daily tournaments and here are just a few games chosen from the arcade.
This week’s games include: A Ski, Baby Pac Man and Parallel Park.
A Ski:
In this game, ‘A Ski’, you job is to guide the skier down the hill with out bumping into the side. If you bump in to the sides at anytime you get a game over. You navigate the skier by moving your mouse from left to right. If you’re looking for fun, quick game then this is the ultimate game for you. Have fun, and don’t bump in to the sides.
Baby Pac Man:
Baby Pac Man is the off shoot of the classic game of ‘Pac Man’. The rules are pretty much the same. Collect all the yellow dots and avoid the moving characters. When ever you collect the red and white flashing dots you will then get a free pass to go any where without being tagged by the evil characters. If however you don’t have the free pass and you get tagged you lose a life. If you lose 3 lives then it’s game over.
Parallel Park:
Parallel Park, which is I think a very challenging game. However is very addicting and fun to play! The object of this game is to try and master the art of parallel parking. Try and park the car in a parallel parking space using your arrow key, in the fastest amount of time. This game may take a while to park one car but trust me, this game is so addicting and sometimes frustrating after a while. Either way you will enjoy this game. Good luck, and don’t bash the cars!
That concludes this week’s Arcade Review!
Site Updates
by M2Jackie
Jackie has prepared a thread filled with our site updates. You can check it out here.
Rainbow Bridge Obituaries
by Jessika
Violet was Yvonne's (AKA sweet_skies_aviary) one year old blue and gold macaw. She was a beautiful and playful bird. She loved to roll over on her back and get her belly scratched. She would even let Yvonne carry her like a little purse. She will be missed very much.
Sophie was Alicia's cockatiel. She was a gift from her uncle. She passed on the 30th of june, but she had months of life making Alicia happy. She will be dearly missed by her parront.
Muffin was a twelve year old Boston Terrier. She suffered from cushings disease, and was helped to the bridge by her wonderful owner Sigmund. I'm sure the 12 years they spent together will be remembered.
Alyssa (Star) lost Ecco, her fish this week. He was a prize fish at a fair, but he had a great life with Alyssa before he died. He was being treated for fin rot after being rescued, but sadly he did not make it.
Bird Profile
by Mysty
This month's Bird Profile is the Red Front Macaw. Check out this month's Bird Profile here.
New Arrival's
by JuliesGonnaDance
Finches
Scott (scottieeee) brought home four Cream Bengalese Societies. He has two males and two females, their names are Michy, Mich, Micheel and Michiel. We wish him luck when he decides to breed them.
Pearl
Cindy (LadyMacaw) brought home a Pearl Cockatiel from a bird fair on July 1st. Pearl is a stunning bird and we can’t wait to see more of her on the forums.
Milo
Alicia’s Uncle, after hearing about the passing of Sophie, bought Alicia a Lovebird. Milo is settling in great and is proving to be a very sweet fid. We hope they have a long, healthy and happy life together.
Lovebirds
Misty (The Parrot Patch) bought two new Lovebirds. They’re both adorable and Misty hopes they will breed soon. We wish them the best and hope to see some chicks soon.
Loki
Sharon (Star-24) brought home her first Tiel on July 3rd. He is a beautiful Pearl-Pied. We love seeing his pictures on the forums and can’t wait to see more of him.
Baby Lovebird
Valerie (vmorrison) helped her little baby lovebird hatch and now is hand feeding her every two hours. Between all the feedings we hope she will have enough time to post some pictures of the little baby.
Mr. Peepers
Heidy (HbsGarden) brought home a 1 ½ year old male GCC after seeing his ad on craigslist. His owners have twins and wanted to find the best home for him. Peepers is beautiful, tame and talks. We can’t wait to hear more about him and see plenty of pictures.
Mango
Amanda (ap2974) finally brought home her 15 week old Solomon Island Eclectus on July 7th. He's already settling in great in his new home and is a very sweet boy. We know he'll be spoiled rotten and can't wait to hear all about him and see more pictures.
Red Bellies
Yvonne (sweet_skies_aviary) has a new breeding pair of Red Bellies. They have gorgeous coloring and seem to be settling in well. We all hope to see babies from them this Fall.
Debate Central
by Jessika
The jackalope. Also called an antelabbit, aunt benny, Wyoming thistled hare or stagbunny.
It is said in folk-lore to be a cross between a jackrabbit and either an antelope, goat or deer. Portrayed in many cities all over the world as a rabbit with antlers it is one of the less known hybrid myths such as the griffin and the chimera.
Some believe the jackalope originated from various sightings of rabbits that had been infected with the Shope Papillomavirus, which caused the growth of tumors on the head that resembled horns.
The earliest recorded "sighting" of the jackalope in 1798, was engraved on a plate from the "Encyclopedie Methodique"
Reportedly, jackalopes are extremely shy unless approached. Legend also has it that female jackalopes can be milked as they sleep belly up and that the milk can be used for a variety of medicinal purposes
Debate it!
Short Story
by Scottieeee
Yellow;The Escape! by Scott Read it here.
Private Group Overview
by Liz
Check out our overview with full descriptions of all of our private groups and what's new with them here.
Awesome Week
by Hbsgarden
Poem by Heidy Clark May 26, 2007
Forever Home
Before I came to live here, I don't remember much.
I guess I choose to not look back on times that were so tough.
It was kind of cold there, in a room left all alone.
Hungry, bored, and nervous, in that other home.
I really do forgive them, I guess they didn't know.
exactly all my needs and wants, and love I have to show.
But they were kind to give me up, and you should see me now!
My eyes are bright, my feathers shine, a big new cage, and WOW!
The food is good, my cage is clean, and I get lots of playtime!
They talk to me, they scritch my head, and all these toys? They're all MINE!
My family now, they care enough to meet my basic needs.
But, OH, they give much more than that, and I wish they could see...
that I wish ALL my feathered friends had parronts like I own.
I'm a very lucky, happy bird, in my FOREVER home!
Heidy Clark
XO Shops!
It has been an awesome week for the shopkeepers at XO! We are proud and excited to have made some sales, and want to remind everyone that not only do we have the opportunity to help birds in need, but you get something really neat in return! We want to make sure that all our wonderful new members know that 15% of each item sold goes to benefit bird rescue! So, please check us out when you get a chance! Here's what you'll find...
At JADRIX you will find very cool and fun toys for your Fids, home made by Julie, with all bird safe parts. ( I ordered one today for my Budgies!)
At COUNTRYHEN, Sandy has lovingly hand stitched little Christmas stockings that would be beautiful hung on your tree with a little gift inside. (I know I'm getting some for my Nieces!)
At BIRDIEROAD you can get window perches for your birds that will allow them a new view of their world! as well as necklaces with bird pictures on them. You can even order a specific bird if you don't see yours there!
So, if you can, help support bird rescue by checking out the Shops of XO, and there are more exciting shops to come!
XO Parrots Shops
XO Training Group
by Liz
"Although the new thing in the bird world is to keep your birds flighted, it's not for everyone. If you have an open floor plan that will allow your bird to get into the kitchen easily, flighted birds are not for you. Your bird should never be allowed in your kitchen, no matter how protective and watchful you are. You never know what will happen. If you have small children in the home, flighted birds probably aren't for you either, what if your child opens the back door or the bathroom door and your bird flies in? Your bird can get lost or seriously injured, don't take that risk. Clipping a birds wing's shows the bird that he/she isn't better than you. Many flighted birds believe that since they can fly and you can't, they are better and therefore won't listen to you. Unless you are willing to deal with this problem and keep your birds in a certain room at all times, flighted birds are not for you and I recommend a good feather clipping every couple of months."-Liz
Get More Tips.
Health Talk
by PinkDagger
QUARANTINE: Shedding light on the Shadows of Illness
Impatience. Joy. Excitement. These are only a few of the emotions one feels when anticipating the arrival of a new pet, such as a new parrot. There are many dos and many don'ts of multiple parrot ownership, and while there is a landslide of don'ts, a tremendous do is one simple word: Quarantine.
Many, despite being well meaning, are unaware of the importance of quarantining new animals entering a household with other animals. Because avians have a natural instinct that allows them to hide any illnesses until they are desperately ill, it is very difficult to decipher a healthy bird from a sick one. Many diseases may survive in a parrot's body for 15 to 25 days, and some have also been known to live in the body for 40 to 50 days. Due to the risks associated with hidden illnesses in parrots, it is essential that entering parrots be housed separately from other parrots in the house. Since most diseases are airborne, cages should not be kept in the same room; rather, the new parrot should be kept in a room that is closed off and has as little air flow as possible travelling from one parrot's room to the other to avoid either bird causing the other's sickness. While being quarantined, the new bird is given a period of time to have the illness work through and leave the bird's system.
Change may also be an active factor in the spread or surfacing of disease. Avians are capable of carrying disease that must be triggered by an environmental factor, even something as simple as the stress of being uprooted and brought to a new home with new birds, to have any effect on the bird. Human interaction is equally important in bringing home a new bird, but as a parrot owner, one must be very careful of how they interact with both new and old parrots. The act of physically interacting with a new bird, or even being in the presence of it, and carrying on to interact with the old bird can jeopardize either bird's health. Some diseases may seem harmless, but the fact of the matter is that it can lead to serious illness, fatalities, and death - in some cases, as quickly as within the first 48 hours of bringing a bird home.
How can I avoid such devastation, you ask? Quarantine! A standard quarantine is a minimum of 30 days, though the longer the quarantine, the better. Some avian vets advise up to 90 days of quarantine to ensure parrot safety. Parrots should be kept in separate cages and separate rooms as far away from each other as possible with as little air flow between the two as possible. When interacting with either new or old birds, use proper sanitation methods such as hand washing, changing clothes, and showering before and after interaction. Never mix the foods, food and water bowls, toys, or perches of old and new birds and sanitize all parts and accessories the birds make contact with, with bird-safe disinfectants such as a very diluted bleach solution (4% bleach, 96% COLD water - hot water will cause the bleach to separate) or a 50/50 combination of white vinegar and water. During the quarantine period, the new bird should be seen by a certified avian vet (Don't have one? Find your nearest avian vet here: http://aav.org/vet-lookup) for a well bird check, often times running around $75.
Hey Everyone,
It's July and it's Cockatoo month! Feel free to snag the two blinkies above and use them wherever you want! Just remember not to hotlink. We have had some big changes with the XO Parrots Shops! Check them out by clicking the Shops link above. We have a few new private forums and now we have an XO Parrots instant messenger! Any user with 50 posts or over is able to use the XO Parrots Instant Messenger. We also have themed banners now based on your bird, all pictures used are our members birds. If you aren't registered, you should sign up! You will love XO Parrots, we have a lot of great members and good information on the board. We want to share it with you. Summer is going to be so much fun, so be here and share it with us!
Liz
Administrator
XO Parrots
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