WingTips
The Newsletter of BirdHobbyist.com
Winter 2008

This year is over, and that's probably a relief for a lot of us. We hope that all our friends and your families of all species will have a much brighter new year, and that we'll be seeing you around on BirdHobbyist! Happy Holidays to you all!

We also know that the holidays can be a rough time for some of us, especially if we've suffered the illness of loss of a beloved pet recently. That's why the Support Chats on our PetSupport.net site happen every single night of the year, including Christmas Eve, Christmas night, New Year's Eve, and New Year's night. The complete schedule is here, and absolutely no registration is required. Everyone who loves animals is welcome.

Don't Forget the Wild Birds this Winter!

Macayo reminds us: While you are baking and cooking for your companion flock for the holidays, don't forget your wild feathered friends! Here are some ideas for decorating your yard and trees with festive, edible treats. These make wonderful gifts for the wild bird lovers in your family, too. Use either the suet or birdseed/fruit mixture to form the decorations that follow. More information here!

The 2008 Top Ten Best-sellers in the BirdHobbyist.com Bookstore

There will be lots of great changes in the BirdHobbyist Bookstore in 2009 -- watch for them here!

1.The Colored Atlas of Lovebirds: Agapornis : More Than a Hobby, a Passion!
2.The American Crow and the Common Raven (The W.L. Moody Jr Natural History Series, No 10)
3.Alex & Me: How a Scientist and a Parrot Uncovered a Hidden World of Animal Intelligence--and Formed a Deep Bond in the Process
4.How to Build Your Own Aviary, Cages, Nestboxes, Etc. and $ave a Bundle: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide
5.Parrots of the World: An Identification Guide
6.How to Build Everything You Need For Your Birds: From Aviaries . . . To Nestboxes
7.Guide to Companion Parrot Behavior
8.Guide to a Well-Behaved Parrot
9.Pigeons (Complete Pet Owner's Manual)
10.Hand-Feeding and Raising Baby Birds: Breeding, Hand-Feeding, Care, and Management

Birds: Making a difference
By PHCanary

From the time years ago when birds first soared through the skies, these feathered beings have brought beauty and songs wherever they fly. Of course, those birds looked different from wild and pet birds of today! In The Awakening: A Tale of Avian Evolution, Mark Jones relates an imaginary account of that relationship between those ancient birds and today's feathered creatures. He tells of "Yellow Streak," a primitive parrot that lived through the passing of the world she and other parrots knew, and awakening to a renewed earth. They struggled through changes, laying the foundation for "Angel," a cockatoo that lived years later. While facing and overcoming difficulties in her life, "Angel" enriched the lives of several humans she encountered. In her passing, "Angel" joined her mate, while leav ing her humans with joy. She truly had a wonderful life and made a difference.

While this book is a novel, our pet birds and the wild birds are indeed descendents of those original birds! How they too have made a difference in our lives! Our reality, especially during this holiday season, lies in living with canaries, budgies, cockatiels, finches, and many other species of pet birds and celebrating the lives of these wonderful creatures; receiving holiday cards featuring a cardinal perching in a snowy tree surrounded by holly berries and bare tree branches; and seeing that beautiful cardinal, titmouse, or woodpecker enjoying a treat of suet in our bird feeder.

During the late winter blizzard of 1993 when deep snow covered the ground in many cities, wild birds were unable to find food easily. During that time, many people threw berries and bird seed on the ground and provided heated birdbaths for the birds to have food and drink. While winters are warmer now, wild birds still enjoy human help in the form of birdseed wreaths hung on doors, refreshing drinks of unfrozen water, or energy-producing suet cakes.

Just as wild birds enjoy a special food treat during the holidays, so do our own pet birds. Creating a special wreath of pellets, providing a toy that encourages the birds to forage for food, or giving a new playstand will be appreciated by our special birds.

Often, we find birds giving back to us! Some may be "angels" that appear in our lives during sad times. Beth had just lost a canary named Sergi, who died while being shipped from a breeder shortly before the holidays. Headed for a sad holiday season, Beth was surprised one day when she received an early Christmas present — a budgie named Francis. Francis quickly settled into a routine, learning to sit on Beth's shoulder and whistle Christmas carols while they played on the computer. Francis lived a live full of meaning, bringing joy to his human.

Perhaps others have had a special "angel" bird that came at just the right time. What better time than the holiday season to celebrate the lives of our feathered friends, whether they live in our homes or outside our window.

Travel with Birds

Winter holidays can mean travel with birds... and that can mean stress for you and your feathered family members. Sharon Pfeiffer learned a thing or two about making it work on a cross-country trip with a Macaw and an African Grey. Learn from her experience in Traveling with Birds -- and share your tips with us in our newly revamped Transporting Birds Forum!

Project FeederWatch

"Even watching common birds can yield uncommon results!" So says Project FeederWatch leader David Bonter of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. This popular citizen-science project has been in existence for more than two decades now. More than 10,000 participants across North America have made Project FeederWatch part of their winter ritual. FeederWatch participants track birds at their feeders from November through early April to help scientists monitor bird populations. How can you get involved? Find out here!

Holiday Dangers for Birds

The big family dinner is definitely something to look forward to. And boy is that tree going to look pretty! Your Menorah or kinara is set up and ready to have the candles lit. You've invited thirty guests for the big celebration. These are only a few holiday hazards that could pose a danger for your birds. Find out more.

WingTips is copyright 2008 by OnlineHobbyist.com unless otherwise specified. All rights reserved.

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