Sanderling: A Very Cute Seashore Bird

The Sanderling could possibly one of the cutest birds ever. This is the small bird that you can see on a beach at the shorline. It might be mistaken as a baby seagull or some other young bird. However, it is most likely a Sanderling. South Florida beaches are abundant with Sanderlings who seem to love chasing waves.

The Sanderling is a common shorebird that turns up on almost every beach in the world. They are the cute little birdies that run up on the beach when a wave rolls in, staying just ahead of the breaker. Then, as the wavwe recedes, the Sanderlings sprint after the retreating water. They look like they are playing a game of trying to get as close to the water as possible without letting it touch them. They are actually waiting for tiny bits of food to be deposited from the ocean on to the sand for them to eat.

Why Do Birds Fly in "V" Formation?

When late Fall rolls around, we will begin to see the migration of geese from northern areas,of the United States and Canada to the warmth of Florida and other southern states. You will recognize them as geese by their V Formation, flying long distances high in the sky.

According to the Library of Congress Research Center's website, and a multitude of other sources, there are two reasons the geese fly in V Formation.

1. Energy Conservation:

The V Formation shape actually reduces the drag force a bird experiences when flying alone. Since each bird flies slightly above the bird in front of him, there is a reduction of wind resistance. The front bird in the lead position works the hardest. So the birds take turns being in the front, falling back when they get tired. In this way, the geese can fly for a long time before they must stop for rest. If you are interested in the physical science of this phenomenon, check out aerospaceweb.org.

2. Communication:
The second benefit to the V Formation is that it provides the birds with good visual contact of each other. They can do a better job of making sure the flock stays together.

Acupuncture...It's For the Birds !

These days it seems many people know something about Acupuncture. Perhaps you have received the treatment, know someone who has, or have read an article about this Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) modality. But have you heard of veterinary acupuncture?

To keep this article short and sweet, I have included many clickable links if you are interested in more information.

Acupuncture has been practiced on humans in China for almost 5,000 years. Fast Forward to modern day: According to a National Geographic article, U.S. veterinarians have practiced Acupuncture on animals since the 1970s. The desire for complementary medicine treatments for our pets has been on the rise. Most often Acupuncture is provided to dogs, cats, and horses. However, more and more birds are being treated with this ancient healing modality with incredible success. The American Veterinary Medical Association issued a interesting press release, July 14, 2007 entitled "Complimentary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine - Such as Acupuncture, Herbs and Chiropractic - Becoming More Mainstream" (the title explains it all).

Some additional interesting and informative sites are: International Veterinary Acupuncture Society, Association of British Veterinary Acupuncturists, American Veterinary Medical Association, holisticbirds.com.

Do you know a non-human who has received acupuncture. Post your story by clicking "comments" below.

Bird is Back

"What kind of crazy grass is this under my feet?"

A Big Hello and a Loud Squawk Squawk Screech Screech from me and Mr. Spock, the Royal Cherry-Head Conure of Palm Beach County. We have been conspicuously absent during the past few weeks taking care of a bunch of things here at the nest. Thanks for all your emails to check on our pretty parrot during our absence.

South Florida is very hot and seriously steamy. But Mrs. Spock is happy at home in his comfort controlled environment. He is behaving and having a great time in his new habitat. He's still finding new niches to investigate, interesting ways to play with his myriad of colorful toys and mirrors, and taking cat naps next to his fuzzy purple sleep buddy. Even though the door is open most of the time, we find him going in and out of the cage all the time...enjoying the luxurious space.

So check back daily for the scoop. We have lots of good stuff to post. And...don't forget, Mr. Spock would love for you to make this your favorite page for doing all your Google and Amazon searches, and all kinds of shopping too. Have a Great Day!!

Birds of a Feather Swim Together

On a warm summer day in South Florida, everyone wants to be in the water., especially the birds. Ever notice that birds don't like to swim with humans? They swim with fish, snakes, frogs, mosquitoes, various reptiles, etc., but not humans. Hmmmm. What makes them better to swim with than humans? At the Wakodahatchee Wetlands in Delray Beach, Florida, you can find up to 140 species of birds lounging in and about the water, like this sleek loner. I'm not sure what type of wild bird this one is. Do you know? Test your bird knowledge and click here to visit the Wakodahatchee Wetlands website and see if you can figure out which bird this is. When you do, let us know. Just click "comments" below and post your message (you don't even have to register). I asked Mrs. Spock, our Sr. Consultant, cherry-head conure, to help identify this bird, but since he doesn't get out much, he couldn't say for sure.

Flew in For Independence Day

Look who I found out in my South Florida backyard today. Mama Duck was resting with the chicks in the shade under an ixora bush along side the patio. Mama Duck got a little nervous when I showed up and made a mad dash with the little ones in to the lake and swam away. I'll find them again tomorrow.

Aren't they the cutest !

The Birds of Smallwood & Sullivan County, New York

Cedar Waxwing

Summer in Sullivan County is abundant with the beauty of wildflower meadows, lush green rolling hills, farmlands, forests, and of course, many beautiful birds. In fact, the Sullivan County Audubon Society says "Sullivan County is one of New York State's birdiest counties." The Audubon Society reports that in one year there were 129 species of birds sighted just in the Township of Bethel, home to the lovely community of Smallwood. Other Towns in Sullivan County report impressive bird sightings as well. You can view details and photos at http://www.sullivanaudubon.org/. So how about spending and hour or a day talking a nature walk, or sitting quietly by a lake or under a tree and keeping an eye out for the birds. How do you keep them around. Do what we do. Talk with the birds. Try quiet clicking sounds with your tongue against your palette, or whistles, or maybe even a squawk.

The Sullivan County Bald Eagle population in the mid-1970's was estimated to be "two." That's right "2." However, in 1990 New York State purchased 12,000 acres in Sullivan County and created one of the largest bald eagle preserves in the country. The word about the preserve is out because the winter bald eagle population of Sullivan County swells to about 100. Most of these eagles are 'snowbirds' and return to their homes in February and March. But there are still bald eagle watching opportunities throughout the year in Sullivan County and nearby. For more information, you can visit www.catskillhikes.com/eagles.html.

Visit us again for more travel and tourism and talking with birds. If you have a bird photo you would like us to post at http://www.talkingwithbirds.blogspot.com/, send an email to talkingwithbirds@yahoo.com.

Don't forget to click on the "comments" link below this article to share your thoughts with us and our readers. See ya soon!

Unspoiling our Bird - Part Two - Going Mobile

In Part 1 of this series, we described the large and luxurious new home base cage we set up for Mr. Spock to begin the unspoiling process.

The next step toward unspoiling Mr. Spock, our 25 year-old controlling cherry-head conure, was to purchase a new "playpen" for him so that he can have familiar comfortable surroundings wherever he goes in our home. He already has a "play area" in our office, but the new "mobile" addition gives him more options. It has a ladder, swinging toys, a high perch, low perch, food and water dishes, etc.

So, right about now you may be asking "exactly how is this unspoiling our precious parrot." I'm kind of questioning it myself. (Just kidding.) Actually, it's working. This is all part of our master plan to be able to have Spock close by whenever he starts feeling restless. Even though his cage is wide open when we are home, he does get restless from time to time. That's when the spoiled brat-bird in him starts to rear it's un-pretty head. The screeching begins. Sometimes he is letting us know he doesn't want to be alone while we are in another room. Other times, he may want some of what we are cooking or eating, or might want a light out or a light on, etc.

So, now that we have a mobile playpen for him. This has served to quiet the pesky parrot every time. It has cut out on a lot of screaming matches between us and him. And...since screaming is our bird's specialty, he is usually the winner of any Call of the Wild match. So now our little talks with Mr. Spock are more conducive to harmony in our home.

So, we highly recommend mobile playpens.

Unspoiling Our Bird - Part One - The first day home

Hello All,
It's been about a week since the last post because our extra focus and efforts have been on the "unspoiling of Mr. Spock." It began when our 25 year-old, cherry-head conure returned home from the hospital last week after a 14 day stay. The first phase of his hospital stay was for acute care, then it was more like in-patient rehab for the rest of our pretty little parrot's stay.

Over time, we have come to realize that Spock has been running our household, setting his rules, creating the schedules, telling us what to do, and so on. So we thought his homecoming would be a good starting point for us to begin on an even footing with him. Thus the beginning of "Unspoiling Our Bird." We had a plan would talk it over with Spock.

He arrived home to find a very large new cage, as opposed to the large previous cage. Bunches of new and interesting toys. A few of his new toys were just fresh new replacements of the identical toy that he had been playing with and demolishing for a long time. He adapted to the new cage and it's new location very quickly. We thought that it would be an easier adjustment for him to come home to everything new after the two weeks in the incubator at Backos Bird Clinic in Deerfield Beach, rather then just making the switch while he still called the old cage "home." Now, mind you, Mr. Spock is not confined to his cage too often. In fact, he has significantly more "open door" time than he does "locked door" time. It's his choice to be inside or out.

So, a recap so far of how we are unspoiling our cheery cherry-head conure: Big New Cage ! Lots of New and Fun Toys! Moving furniture around to create the perfect aviary space for him. Access in and out whenever he wants. Hmmmm....maybe we need to take a better look at this plan. But seriously, there is a plan. Tune in again to http://www.talkingwithbirds.blogspot.com/ for Part Two in the series "Unspoiling Our Bird."

Welcome Home Pretty Parrot !

Yay! Mr. Spock is back home. Our 25 year-old cherry-head conure returned home from a two week hospital stay at Backos Bird Clinic in Deerfield Beach, FL, where they took excellent care of him. He is happy and perky and show no signs of the nasty infection that was affecting his breathing.

Our healthy bird arrived home to his brand new supersized cage, with all new toys, perches and playthings. He hasn't even seen his playpen in the other room.