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Well after having our first chick of 2010 hatch it was followed 2 days later by a 2nd chick for Ant and Makosi, mum and chicks are doing really well and Dad is popping in to help feed them too and looking after mum.
We have also had Nelson and Winnie’s first chick of 2010 hatch on Thursday and baby is doing really well, so looks like this year has just got off to a good start even though we are half way through the year!!
I will update with some photos soon 
Bulgarian customs agents at Sofia airport have netted an apparent illegal entry into the country: some 107 parrots in four cages that arrived from Lebanon.
But these were no ordinary birds.
They are African Grey Parrots from Gabon, a threatened species, which can fetch between 1,000 and 1,800 euros (1,335 to 2,400 dollars) on the black market in the European Union, the customs agency said in a statement.
The talkative birds sought after as pets were brought into the country by a Bulgarian of Lebanese origin who did not have the necessary papers for transporting the parrots, the agency said.
The African Grey Parrot is on a CITES list which restricts trade of wild caught species.
The 107 parrots have found at least a temporary home, in the Sofia zoo.
10/04/10
We woke up to a lovely sunny morning so decided to go on one of our favourite day trips to Barmouth in Wales. We got the kids strapped in the car then put Tweak in her Pak-O-Bird and strapped that in the car. After alot of whistling and ‘giss a kiss’ from Tweak we arrived .
On the way there Owen had started being sick, we thought he just had travel sickness but it turned out to be a tummy bug.
We went on the beach where the kids were happily building sand castles
I was enjoying wathing and Tweak was all fluffed up on my knee
This was the first time Tweak had been to the sea side so the first time she had seen the sand. It was funny watching her walk on it at first, her feet would lift really high with each step but she soon ruffled up and started chirping and snuggling her beak into the sand.
Owen was seeming pretty Ill so we decided to make a move from our spot on the beach. Megan wanted to go on a donkey ride so we headed in that direction. We drew quite a crowd round the donkeys with more people interested in Tweak than the donkeys! The ‘donkey lady’ also had a hold of her so if your ever in Barmouth ask her if she remembers the day she had an African Grey Parrot visit her.
Whilst Megan was on the donkey Owen was ill again so we went for a sit on a bench and an ice cream to cheer him up a bit. I know ice cream wasnt really ideal with him being ill but I couldnt leave him out! When we were sat on the bench I sat Tweak by a tree and she got alot of people pointing in amazement.
When I had finished my ice cream I gave Tweak the cone which she really enjoyed shredding! Then we went home and put a poorly Owen to bed.
Well today i was reading the news and i came across this story below -
Haribo sweets were used as part of a mission to rescue a missing parrot after he was found up a tree.
Cookie, an African grey parrot, was enticed down from a silver birch tree in Lillibrooke Crescent, Cox Green, when he was offered his favourite snack on Friday morning.
The bird had been missing since Wednesday afternoon after it flew out of an open window at its home in Cox Green.
The pet’s happy owner, who did not want to be named, said: “He climbed down the tree using his beak and got to the end of the lowest branch before jumping on to my husband’s arm.”
She added: “He must have got caught in the rain overnight because he looked really clean and fluffy.”
African greys can live to more than 60-years-old and are considered to be one of the most accomplished mimics.
Well no wonder the owner wanted to be un-named giving him his favourite snack ”Haribo sweets” do they not know that JUNK FOOD has a high fat content and can lead to things like FATTY-LIVER disease in a parrot! Yes they Can live to the age of 60 plus but they wont do being fed treats like Haribo or any fatty junk food for that matter.
Whats your thoughts on this people??
A US bank has apologised after one of its contractors allegedly trashed a women’s house and took her parrot while wrongly repossessing her home.
Angela Iannelli, 46, of Pittsburgh, sued Bank of America on Monday claiming her mortgage was up to date when one of the banking giant’s contractors damaged furniture, took her pet parrot Luke and padlocked her door.
In a statement, the bank said it “sincerely apologises” and has tried for months to resolve the issue.
We say shame on them!!
Well I thought fro those of you who may be interested in purchasing a Pak-O-Bird carrier at some point I thought I would write a review of how I find it as its a little pricey at £130 (from Parrot Comforts http://www.parrotcomforts.co.uk/) So best having some idea why its so expensive.
The Pak-O-Bird arrived in a flat box and was very easy to assemble! The main body of the carrier is in one piece that just needs 2 roof supports added that press stud into place and a roof bar for extra sturdiness that also press studs on. Then all you do is zip up the sides, velcro along the front bottom and add the carry straps! There are two ways of carrying the Pak-O-Bird, on your back or on your shoulder. The back straps also have a strap that can be clicked together to join them so that its more secure when carrying. The sides of the carrier are made from a very fine stainless steel mesh so that fresh air can get into your feathered friend but insects cant! There are also flaps that cover the mesh if your bird gets a little spooked.
On the back of the carrier are two loops that enable your carrier to be fastened into a car by a seatbelt. Inside the carrier the bottom is lined with a thin vinyl sheet thats easily wiped clean and on the roof of the carrier are two D rings for hanging toys. The perch provided is a dragon wood perch which tightly secures to the sides of the carrier and can be set at 3 heights. Two food bowls also secure to the sides.
Over all Id say this product is of excellent quality and you can see its been very well thought out. No stitching is visible, so your bird wont easily be able to chew and destroy the carrier, its very light in weight making it comfortable to carry and there is plenty of room inside for your bird to sit comfortably on its journey. The whole thing can fold flat for storage and is easily wiped clean. So if your the adventurous type Id say the Pak-O-Bird is a must!!! Id give it a 9/10 only on the basis that its a little expensive for everyone, but well worth it if you want to let your grey explore the world with you.
Introducing Your Bird to Pak-O-Bird
After setting up the carrier I brought Tweak over to it. At first she flapped like crazy so in a calm yet excited voice I showed her her new ‘toy’. First of all I sat her on it for 5min or so to let her explore herself and see it wasnt scary or going to hurt her. Then in the feeding bowls I put some sunflower seeds and got her to go inside and quickly pulled over the closing flap securing her inside. Once zipped up she sat there gringing her beak and falling asleep!! I was quite amazed how well she took to it but I think the design of it makes them feel its a safe place to be. I think if Id have fastened up the side panels to cover the mesh she would have fell asleep and stayed in there So after say 20min of her inside looking rather relaxed I picked the carrier up and put it on my back, had a little walk round then placed it down. She was fine! Then I opened it up and let her come out in her own time.
Im not saying everyones birds will be as comfortable as Tweak was with it but with a little patients and a few treats you can get there
I hope this has helped anyone thinking of buying this.
Toria.
A REWARD is being offered for the safe return of a parrot that has been stolen from a Wirral pet shop.
Jasper, an African Grey parrot, was taken from his cage by a gang which smashed its way through the front door of Irby Pet Shop in Thingwall Road, Irby, in the early hours of Friday, February 26.
It is believed the four men arrived at the shop in a silver Astra before using half a paving slab to smash their way through the front door.
Apart from Jasper, nothing of any value was taken. Police are investigating the break-in and Jasper’s disappearance.
His Wallasey-based owner Jayne Smith, who works at the pet shop owned by her mother, is devastated that 10-year-old Jasper has gone and fears she may never see him again.
He has lived in the shop for the last six months and moved in when Jayne was moving house.
She told the Globe: “He’s not a particularly friendly bird and once people realise how bad he can be they will probably let him go and we may never see him. He’s lived in the shop for about six months and is quite a character.
“The customers love him. He’s a good talker and can do a whole conversation and is very popular. The customers are very upset that he’s gone.
“It beggars belief that someone could come in and do this. They’ve made a heck of row when they’ve broken in and it’s obviously disturbed Jasper.
“They probably left the till, because Jasper was making so much noise that they had to get away quickly. They probably took him to shut him up.
“It doesn’t matter how we get him back. Even if they dumped him safe and well on the step outside the shop, at least he’d be home.”
Anyone with information on Jasper’s disappearance can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Alternatively, call the shop on 648 3032.
A Longford publican has come up with a novel way to attract the crowds into his pub during the recession. Eddie Valentine recently purchased a pet parrot and his feathery friend is now taking up residence behind the bar in Valentine’s. Since ‘Coco’s’ arrival in recent days there has been an air of excitement in the Main Street public house and Eddie says his customers can’t get enough of the African Grey.
“People just love him. He barks like a dog, meows like a cat, whistles and talks. He can even sing ‘You raise me up’ by Westlife. He really is the new focal point of the bar.”
Eddie then explained why he decided to buy the unusual pet for the bar.
“Well I’ve always wanted a parrot but instead of keeping him at home where he wouldn’t get any attention I decided to bring him to the bar. I’m always here so he’ll have company.”
He then described the bird’s transition period to his new environment.
“I knew it would take him a few days to settle in but I couldn’t believe how happy he was within a day or two. It’s in the African’s Grey’s nature to be very sociable and he’s in his element here now.”
The cheeky chappy has even got his owner in trouble on a few occasions.
“He can say some lovely things and he can say some very crude things and sometimes he can do it in front of a crowd which can be quite embarrassing. I’ve been teaching him some new words since he came to the bar though – now he can say ‘Ed loves Coco’.
Such is the impact of the new addition to the bar that a famous Irish entrepreneur is considering buying one for his own business. Eddie explained: “Bill Cullen heard about Coco the other day and he rang Jackie straight away in Molly D’arcy’s to tell her to get him a parrot too!”
When asked is it fair to keep a pet like this in a public house Eddie is quick to defend his decision.
“I don’t agree it’s cruel. He’s out of harm’s way in behind the bar and he’s being well looked after by me and my staff.”
Coco is celebrating his third birthday this Friday night and Eddie has decided to make a real night of it. “We’re planning a huge birthday party for him with a cake and lots of finger food and everyone is invited to help him celebrate.”
African Grey parrots can live up to the ripe old age of 70 and Eddie says he plans to hand his pet down to his children so he can live on in the bar for future generations to see.
So do you agree that a parrot should be able to live in a bar or not? Please comment below with your thoughts on the subject Thanks 
)
Paula
A Derry woman says she’s sick with worry after her pet parrot went missing on Thursday night.
Princess the parrot has ruffled a few feathers in the Bryson house since she made her escape through an open door in St Johnston at tea time on Thursday. Her owner Lena Bryson has now offered a reward for the safe return of her Princess.
“Princess is an African grey parrot,” she explained. “We were at my mother’s home in St Johnston when she flew out of a door that had been left open. We watched as Princess flew in the direction of Derry but we haven’t see her since.
“I’m not even sure if she’ll be able to cope on her own.”
Lena who says this is her pet’s first trip away from home, has asked local people to keep an eye out for Princess.
“I’m afraid that someone might mistake her for a pigeon,” she said. “But Princess has a big beak. She is a beloved family pet and we are desperate to get her back. She is so well behaved.
“Princess says things like ‘Can I have a wee cup of tea?’ She can also wink and dance. Princess comes up to your face and says ‘Give me a wee kiss’ and gives you a peck on the lips.
‘Likes females’
“Princess like females more than males, if a female approaches her, and puts her hand near her feet, she will probably come up to her hand. I’m hoping someone will have seen Princess or know where she is.”
Last year we reported how Askim the parrot flew an amazing 30 miles from his home in Maydown to Dunree Fort in Buncrana, where he was spotted by a neighbour.
If you have any information about Princess please contact Lena Bryson on 07547815372
IT was a case of pretty lost Polly when a parrot turned up unannounced at a primary school.
The African Grey was found at Leverton Junior School, in Honey Lane, Waltham Abbey, and is now in the care of Epping Forest District Council after it was rescued by animal warden Lynn Cook.
The parrot is described as very tame with distinguishing features..
If you think you are the owner of the parrot call Lynn on 01992 564077. Proof of ownership will be required.
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