Tag Archives: cockatiel care

I never have had any aspirations of running a day spa. Nor am I likely to ever get paid for my services, though they are much in demand these days. My single, (very) satisfied, (frequent) repeat customer is continually teaching me what I need to learn in order to master the art of avian massage.ContinueContinue reading “The Art of the (Avian) Massage”

“Bird Sense: What It’s Like to be a Bird” by Tim Birkhead is the book I have been waiting for since I was seven years old. I am 42 now. So I only had to wait 35 years to get my question answered. Bonus. Even after reading “Bird Sense”, however, it is still challenging toContinueContinue reading “Bird Sense”

Into every avian life difficult choices sometimes fall. Like, for instance, the choice between editing Mommy’s computer document (Mom clearly needs the help and pecking the computer keys is great fun): And the always all-time favorite waffle:

My little feathered dude’s got moves. I suspect he trained Madonna. But unlike most celebrities, Pearl doesn’t suffer from shyness, stage fright, or any of those other all-too-common potential career-enders. And talk about range. He reminds me of the octopus-headed singer lady from the movie “The Fifth Element”. From subterranean to supersonic, Pearl elevates chirpingContinueContinue reading “Strike a Pose”

Literally. So I am typing away on my laptop, absentmindedly snacking on puffy Cheetos, my fav treat. Suddenly I look up to see….. The daring adventurer checks to make sure his brave foray is duly noted: Scouting the surrounding territory for potential poachers (as any skilled adventurer would do): Looking to the front, to bothContinueContinue reading “Adventures in Cheetos”

If it’s reflective, my avian is going to find it. It doesn’t matter whether it is large or small, rectangular or round, short or tall. The bathroom is a spot of particular interest, since Mom often goes in there to fine tune matters of personal grooming. If Mom finds the things in there useful forContinueContinue reading “Nail (Claw) Polish”

With “The Parrot’s Lament and other true tales of animal intrigue, intelligence and ingenuity”, author Eugene Linden tackles that topic animal researchers, scientists and writers everywhere try to steer clear of: defining animal intelligence without anthropomorphizing (assigning human qualities to) animals. This, as you might imagine, tends to be a toughy. But Linden doesn’t seemContinueContinue reading “The Parrot’s Lament”

It is a well known fact that feathery creatures like shiny things. My feathery creature has a particular fondness for shiny things that can be easily detached from whatever surface they may have previously been well-adhered to. Not only is the “what’s yours is mine” rule frequently – ok, always – invoked in the presenceContinueContinue reading “Sparkles for Everyone”

If you grew up reading the old fashioned hardcopy newspaper (or at least its comics section) like I did, then you probably still remember “Miss Manners”. Miss Manners – Judith Martin – is an American institution. She is a model of appropriateness, propriety and poise. I am sure Miss Manners would have plenty of adviceContinueContinue reading “A Feathery Version of Miss Manners”

As you might imagine, cockatiels have rather (ok very) firm opinions on this subject. However, in the spirit of (sort of) good sportsmanship, Queen I’m-So-Pretty does enjoy the occasional rousing “best-of” competition. And the winner is……..Pearl Cutts! Again. Of course.