As parrot owners, we are very aware that they can make a great deal of mess and even cause damage to furnishings and our homes, but that is something we all live with because of our enthusiasm for them. However, we all understand the issues with keeping parrots, whether as companions or aviary birds, and value how they enrich our lives. Eb Cravens has a very positive view on this and his article in this issue is well worth reading.

Raphael Padron from Loro Park talks about the importance of perches and what a vital part of a parrot’s life they are. Lots of commercial cages are supplied with uniform round dowel perches, which are not good for parrots’ feet. We need to understand and be fully aware that parrots have to stand on their feet for the whole of their lives, which can last many decades. This means that perches are one of the most important items in a parrot’s cage, or in aviaries. Raphael includes some very important information in his monthly column – a must read.

We have often covered the plight of the Kakapo and the fact it is a ground dwelling parrot. In this issue we include some more information that hopefully shows this charismatic parrot could be pulling back from the brink of extinction. Conservationists have dedicated years of their lives to protect the Kakapo and ensure it continues to thrive by caring for it on ‘predator free’ islands. But now steps have been taken to bring the Kakapo back to New Zealand’s mainland in a specially constructed reserve. This demonstrates how mankind can intervene and stop the destruction of our valuable wildlife.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
• How diet helps the Blue-headed Macaw
• Is bee pollen good for our parrots?
• How banning species affects aviculture
• Are fruit tree attracting parrots
• Renewed hope for the Thick-billed Parrot
• Bruce the parrotlet who produces art!

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