Rats are not our most popular rodent, although they do have their place in nature, but history shows how their close association with humans can lead to problems, particularly when introduced to places in the world where indigenous creatures had no fear of intruders that present a real threat. David Waugh of Loro Parque Foundation explains how rats and cats are a threat to French Polynesia’s lorikeets.

An extremely successful day was enjoyed by visitors to Feathers Together’s great Tropical Parrot Day organised by Garden Feathers. Over 400 people turned out to support the event, many bringing their birds along for the day too! It was great to see all ages enjoying meeting parrots and many holding a parrot for the first time. The photo booth was extremely popular, with a queue almost all day! There was a choice of ‘tropical’ and ‘pirate’ backgrounds together with props. A variety of parrots were happy to take part too, including Roger the Patagonian conure, Jimmy the African Grey, and Storm & Sunny the cockatiels.

Many parrot owners make the primary mistake of over-feeding their birds and in many ways, humans tend to set the table for their pets just as they set their own tables. Unfortunately, this leads to parrots, certainly those who are under-exercised, eating the same limited list of favourite or fatty items day after day, limiting their nutrition and likely increasing obesity. Variety in nutritional offerings is a key to proper psittacine feeding – see what Eb Cravens has to say?

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• Do inquisitive parrots start burrowing?
• We like cinnamon, do our birds?
• WPT’s adopt scheme now has three more residents
• Sad news as Ranger the Kakapo dies
• Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot – poached or illegal?
• Kyiv Zoo builds new home for war parrots

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