parrots
grrlscientist | August 30, 2009tags: US endangered species list, parrots, aviculture, captive breeding, position statement, Parrots International, politics
NOTE: This position statement just came to my attention. I wish I had learned about it on 10 August, since I would have shared it immediately on that day.
August 10, 2009
Public Comments Processing
Attn: FWS-R9-IA-2009-0016
Division of Policy and Directives Management
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
4401 N. Fairfax Drive
Suite 222; Arlington, VA 22203
As president of Parrots International I am forwarding the official position statement of Parrots International in…
grrlscientist | August 29, 2009tags: birds, parrots, Quaker Parrot, Monk ParakeetGrey-Breasted parakeet, Myiopsitta monachus, NYC events, NYC Life, Brooklyn, Wild Parrot Safari
Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Image: Magnus Manske, 10 May 2008, Wikipedia [larger view]
Even though NYC is located in the armpit of hell where, during the summers, the air is a humid miasma of fetid human sweat and decomposing dog shit, and the winters possess the cold and wind of Antarctica with none of its natural charms, there is a brave group of illegal aliens who not only live here, but are actually thriving…
grrlscientist | August 28, 2009tags: birds, parrots, Quaker Parrot, Monk ParakeetGrey-Breasted parakeet, Myiopsitta monachus, NYC events, NYC Life, Brooklyn, Wild Parrot Safari
Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Image: Magnus Manske, 10 May 2008, Wikipedia [larger view]
Even though NYC is located in the armpit of hell where, during the summers, the air is a humid miasma of fetid human sweat and decomposing dog shit, and the winters possess the cold and wind of Antarctica with none of its natural charms, there is a brave group of illegal aliens who not only live here, but are actually thriving…
grrlscientist | July 14, 2009tags: snowball, dancing cockatoo, parrots, Cacatua galerita eleanora, interview
Snowball, adult male Eleanora (medium sulfur-crested) cockatoo, Cacatua galerita eleanora.
Image: courtesy of Bird Lovers Only [larger view].
I have been working behind the scenes for the opportunity to interview Irena, the woman who lives with the amazing Snowball, the dancing cockatoo. She recently indicated her willingness to be interviewed so I am going to share the fun with all of you, dear readers. I gave you one week to think of all those questions that you'd like to ask Irena about Snowball, and the…
grrlscientist | July 9, 2009tags: snowball, dancing cockatoo, parrots, Cacatua galerita eleanora, interview
Snowball, adult male Eleanora (medium sulfur-crested) cockatoo, Cacatua galerita eleanora.
Image: courtesy of Bird Lovers Only [larger view].
I have been working behind the scenes for the opportunity to interview Irena, the woman who lives with the amazing Snowball, the dancing cockatoo. She recently indicated her willingness to be interviewed so I am going to share the fun with all of you, dear readers. I will give you one week to think of all those questions that you'd like to ask Irena about Snowball, so…
grrlscientist | June 28, 2009tags: World Science Festival, science, dancing parrot, Snowball, eleanora cockatoo, Cacatua sulphurea eleonora, humor, funny, streaming video
Despite living in NYC, I was not at the World Science Festival last weekend, which totally bums me out, especially since Irene Pepperberg was there, speaking, and Snowball, a male Eleanora (medium sulfur-crested) cockatoo, Cacatua sulphurea eleonora, was there, dancing. This video shows Snowball's delightful performance -- which I missed!! [3:01]
grrlscientist | June 16, 2009
Endangered Parrots of the World Chess Set [larger view].
Do you know someone who loves chess, art and parrots? If so, you might wish to start saving your money now for a Christmas gift that they would probably love: an Endangered Parrots of the World Chess Set.
This environmentally-friendly hand-made Chess Set was created by Grant Dawson Collections in the United States from certified sustainable North American hardwoods (walnut and maple) and food safe natural finishes, with recycled glass ball feet, and features 32 lead-free pewter playing pieces finished in 24k gold or sterling silver…
grrlscientist | June 15, 2009tags: parrot, head-banger, umbrella cockatoo, music, dancing parrot, streaming video
This is an interesting video is a headbanging umbrella cockatoo -- this bird really rocks out! Be sure to turn the sound down before you view this video, lest you go deaf... [0:38]
grrlscientist | May 27, 2009tags: photographers, photography, godlessness, birds, humor, funny, comedy, streaming video
Bird photographers: yes, we go to great lengths to get those speshul pictures! This video documents the extreme lengths that some photographers go to for that perfect shot. How far would you go? [1:38]
grrlscientist | May 21, 2009tags: TEDTalks, einstein, African Grey Parrot, Stephanie White, streaming video
This video is a whimsical wrap-up of TED2006 -- presented by Einstein, the African grey parrot, and her trainer, Stephanie White. Watch for the moment when Einstein has a moment with Al Gore [5:49]
grrlscientist | May 20, 2009tags: Rimatara Lorikeet, Kuhl's Lory, Vini kuhlii, 'Ura, conservation, endangered species, Fiji, streaming video
This informative video discusses the conservation of one of my research birds, the Rimatara (Kuhl's) Lory, Vini kuhlii, known by the natives as the 'Ura. Not only is this bird's story interesting, but it also exemplifies the complications and challenges of conserving any endangered species. This is part three of a three-part series [8:46]
If you wish to read more about this bird, I've written a few essays about this program and its progress over the years; The Return of the…
grrlscientist | May 19, 2009tags: Rimatara Lorikeet, Kuhl's Lory, Vini kuhlii, 'Ura, conservation, endangered species, Fiji, streaming video
This informative video discusses the conservation of one of my research birds, the Rimatara (Kuhl's) Lory, Vini kuhlii, known by the natives as the 'Ura. Not only is this bird's story interesting, but it also exemplifies the complications and challenges of conserving any endangered species. This is part two of a three-part series [8:00]
If you wish to read more about this bird, I've written a few essays about this program and its progress over the years; The Return of the…
grrlscientist | May 18, 2009tags: Rimatara Lorikeet, Kuhl's Lory, Vini kuhlii, 'Ura, conservation, endangered species, Fiji, streaming video
This informative video discusses the conservation of one of my research birds, the Rimatara (Kuhl's) Lory, Vini kuhlii, known by the natives as the 'Ura. Not only is this bird's story interesting, but it also exemplifies the complications and challenges of conserving any endangered species. This is part one of a three-part series [8:00]
If you wish to read more about this bird, I've written a few essays about this program and its progress over the years; The Return of the…
grrlscientist | May 1, 2009tags: HR669, pets, exotic animals, invasive species, pet animal trade, pet parrots, World Parrot Trust, politics
Those of you who are following the situation with HR669, the Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act [full text : free PDF] know this resolution survived its initial House subcommittee hearing and will be heard again on an as-yet unnannounced date. Even though I support the stated purpose of this resolution -- preventing invasive nonnative wildlife from being introduced into the United States -- this bill, as written, will not accomplish that goal. I have been communicating with…
grrlscientist | April 28, 2009tags: Phinneas Phogg, Seattle, Pike Place Market, parrots, pets, entertainment, streaming video
This interesting video is an interview with Chris and Phineas Phogg, who entertain crowds at the Pike Place Market in my other home, Seattle. In this video, Chris talks about about their lives as Buskers. This video reminds me of my own beloved Congo African Grey parrot, Zazu, who died while under the care of a so-called Veterinary Technician while I was in the hospital. I always want another Grey parrot, but watching this video makes me especially miss my parrot, and my home. [5:30]
grrlscientist | April 22, 2009tags: House Resolution 669, HR 669, The Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act, legislation, pets, politics
Elektra, my female Solomon Islands eclectus parrot, Eclectus roratus solomonensis.
This is the smallest and most distinctively marked of all the subspecies of eclectus parrots.
Image: GrrlScientist 4 July 2008 [larger view].
A proposed new law, House Resolution #669 (HR 669), also known as The Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act, is inching its way through congress [free PDF]. Tomorrow morning, it will be heard by the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife.…
grrlscientist | April 22, 2009tags: umbrella cockatoo, Cacatua alba, behavior, humor, funny, streaming video
This amusing video captures an umbrella cockatoo, Cacatua alba, taunting a pug by imitating its barking -- what do you suppose this cockatoo was saying? [1:17]
grrlscientist | April 8, 2009tags: lories, Loriinae, Loriidae, ornithology, molecular biology, natural history museums
A young pair of Meyer's Lories (Lorikeets), Trichoglossus flavoviridis meyeri.
Image: Iggino [larger view].
"Can you help us identify a mystery lory in our collection?"
I was pleasantly surprised to find this email request from Donna Dittmann, Collections Manager and Museum Preparator for the Section of Genetic Resources at Louisiana State University Museum of Natural Science in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
"Sure," I wrote back. "Send it to me and I'll see what I can do."
I, and some of my lories,…
grrlscientist | March 1, 2009tags: budgerigars, talking birds, pets, cute, streaming video
This video documents a budgerigar who is astonishingly chatty -- and he makes more sense than a lot of people I know, too [6:04]
Part 1-The Spiritual Evolution of Budgies -
grrlscientist | February 28, 2009tags: budgerigars, talking birds, pets, cute, streaming video
This budgerigar has the cutest little speaking voice and .. hang on, what's he saying? [0:45]
Parakeet Says "Barack Obama" -