the wild pigeons of Salisbury beach part 49

I woke up a little later than usual and went for my usual run on the beach. I also fed the pigeons. To my surprise, Brownie was there! (Or I think it was Brownie!) The pigeons all gathered around me as I fed them. As I fed them I was pondering about the new year.

What will this new year bring?

I am hoping to stay on track as far as keeping my weight off.

I do think I need to exercise more. I need to step up my exercise program up a notch.

I also want to do more art work this year. I think creating stuff helps the brain.

I need all the help I can.

I am afraid of growing stagnant.

Although as far as self improvement goes I do need to learn to keep my cool. Yesterday I went down to the town of Burlington. It is hard to believe I actually lived there for five years. It is just one big crowded angry obnoxious traffic jam. I had been stuck in solid traffic for a good 30 minutes. There was one stupid girl who stopped her car just in front of me while the light was green just talking on her cell phone. My inner "Somerville" came out and I leaned on my horn. Her response was to flip me the finger. I should have just ignored her continuing obnoxiousness but I could not control myself and responded in the same manner.

After that, I was disgusted with myself for reacting that way.

I have to just stop and just breathe.

It is not worth dropping to that level of uncultured inhumanity.

Ugh...

I just have to keep calm.

No, I won't let people walk all over me. I will state what I want but as Cesar Milan (the Dog Whisperer) would say, "be calm assertive".

I have to admire the pigeons as I feed them. People think they are stupid and dirty but they are NOT!. They just go along and are remarkable in their survival skills.Each one is unique in their own way. If that one lone brown pigeon is indeed Brownie I wonder where he has been. Does he also look at the new year as a new year of new challenges and self improvement?

Maybe not.

Maybe I am just over thinking things.

another New Year already?

For some reason this year really, really, zipped by.

I'm starting to at least think about New Year's resolutions.

So far, the one resolution that I was able to keep this year was staying away from donuts and junk food.

As far as trying not to swear -that one is impossible to keep.

I still run everyday and workout in cell block #9. I was hoping to join a kick boxing class and found that the only classes available were at night.

Maybe this year, I'll find classes during the day. I had signed up for four different art classes this year and three of them were cancelled. I can't say I didn't try to pursue self improvement. I just had some road blocks. I also battled some serious mystery illnesses that left me in the hospital a couple times this year.

I am trying to just mellow out and to be calmer. I have way too many days that I have major fights in my head. I've got to stop that. In the long run it doesn't matter . I can't change how people feel and treat me. I can only change how I react to those people.

I am hoping that we will have a mild winter. Last year was a killer and it basically crushed my dog walking business. (Yes, last winter snow/ice/blizzards/freezing relentless rain crippled me more than one way.ugh....) I now am re-focusing on bird care. I am getting a few more bird customers. This is working out so much better with my life-style.

One of my pet birds (Smitty)passed away this year and at the same time, we added a new bird, a baby pigeon, to the flock. I learned quite a bit about pigeons and how different they are than parrots.

Speaking of parrots, I made it down to Bonaire this year to see and write about the "wild parrots of Bonaire" (I am just waiting and hoping my article gets published!)

I am trying to work on just being patient and shutting my mouth when it come to my parents. They have a lot on their plate right now especially with my father with his Parkingson disease and my mother having to deal with him. Instead of opening my mouth making what I think are great suggestions I have to keep my mouth shut and just listen.

Instead of criticizing people and finding fault with stupid shit I will focus on the good things and give compliments. It doesn't cost anything, so why not?

I will focus on the things that I am thankful for and to not lose sight of that because it could be over in a split second.

Happy New Year!

a "family" Christmas!

I cringe when a certain percentage of folks who will declare, "I hate Christmas!"

When I ask them why they hate Christmas there are usually certain aspects of the holiday they dislike.

A lot of people hate 'shopping" and the whole present giving aspect of it.

I can see that.

I feel if you hate it so much -then, don't do it.

Life is way to short to be stressed out over it.

A lot of people hate having to go to family/company/ social events. Again, if it stresses you out so bad -don't go.

Some people feel the holiday times dredge up horrible memories. Perhaps a loved one passed away during the holidays.

Sure, I can suggest spend time with friends or take a trip but that is easier said than done. Some people don't have the money to take off some place or they don't want to spend time with friends fearing that they will be the third wheel at their family event.

I guess right now I am looking at Christmas time for me as if I am holding onto a hand full of sand. The grains of sand are trickling out between my fingers and I am trying to hold on to it.

Christmases over the years have changed. Not for the worse or better but they have just changed. It is because I have changed and the environment around me has changed.

As my parent age, I treat each holiday now as a gift and enjoy it for what it is. My brother has taken over the role as the holiday recreational director. He hosts Christmas breakfast. I find myself really looking forward to this. The food is awesome and I have a bratty good time joking around with the family.

He brought out the "infamous" santa outhouse. You press a button and of course, you hear all kinds of "bathroom noises" and santa saying all kinds of gross bathroom stuff like, "santa dropped a yule log!"

My mother kept saying, "get rid of that thing!" As you might guess, the more she complained about it the more the kids kept pressing the buttons for more raucous toilet humor.

This year's Christmas theme was "family guy" stuff. The kids got "family guy' trivia games , t-shirts, pajamas etc..

(*"Family guy" is a crude adult humor cartoon)

The family guy board game was horrifying. The grosser the better!

One of my favorite gifts was something my nephew made me. He has been making these duck tape wallets. I know it sounds odd but it is a new craft project that young people have been getting into.He made me one with a velcro claps with my name"Auntie fish" on it. When you turn it around there was a picture of a troll doll! I love the fact that he researched on the internet the perfect troll doll to make this wallet "custom" for me. How cool is that?

Even my father got a good chuckle out of the "troll wallet".

My father suffers from Parkingson's disease. It is a devastating and treachous disease. Some days you are getting by and on a turn of a dime, you are incapacitated. Despite all of our goofing around I kept one eye on my father to make sure when he got up from his chair that he didn't fall or trip. He did Ok but he was very unsteady and his speech was off. In spite of everything, I think he had a good time but he was exhausted.

However, who knows what next year will bring.

I just hold on to these holiday get togethers like sand clutched in my fists hoping to hold on to as much as I can.

I think that is all you can do.

Xmas guests

According to THIS year's BirdTalk survey (2011) : "do you buy your bird a holiday gift?"

76.75% yes

18.24% no

5.01% don't celebrate holidays

People love their birds! How spoiled is that?

As of now, I have a full house of "birdy customers" since their owners are visiting relatives over the holiday season.

My husband has been "a shining star". He has been helping me take care of the birds since I've been sick. It appears that the shingles virus on top of the migraines has been paying me a unwanted visit. I feel like somebody has kicked the shit out of me and chucked me down the stairs.

Seriously, the pain has been unbelievable to the point that it is debilitating. Neurotin and those types of meds to curb nerve pain is pure junk. I just have to wait it out just like waiting it out for a nasty storm to pass.

The birds are great company. They crack me up.

Eddie (my favorite little brown cockatiel) loves to snuggle up to me-even though she can be a little nippy and demanding of my attention!

I was worried about Patches. He was screaming bloody murder all day yesterday. When I entered the room he stopped. I think he just wants attention. Once I talked to him calmly and kissed his head quieted down. He doesn't like to go in the living room so I have to stay in the bird room to appease him.

I think the birds know when I feel like crap. Some of them will snuggle up to me where as some of the other ones will amp it up and act like demanding brats.

Louie (princess of Wales parakeet) was twirling his head as if to tell me he wanted more seeds. I checked the bowl and he had a full bowl full of them. He then went down picked up poop with his beak and chucked it me. Maybe he was telling me that he wanted his cage cleaned NOW! What a BRAT!

The birds will all scream when they hear a car pull up in the driveway. They let me know when I have "Visitors". No doorbell needed.

Craow Dum the pigeon seems to be the most accomodating when I am feeling crappy. He will plop himself right on my lap as if to say, "stay here. Don't move. Just relax".

After visiting family on Christmas, which is fun, it is also nice to just crash with my birdy buddies after all the festivities.

Everything right now is in slow motion and that is how it is with me right now.

random acts...

After reading the newspaper, there are some days I just want to crawl in a hole to excape all the nasty people. You constainly read about kids getting abducted.There are multiple scams going on pretending to be legit charities. Locally, banks and just people going shopping in stores are getting robbed. There have been brazen daytime home invasions too. Some people are robbed and some people are killed just for the 'fun' of it.
It's so sick.
People blame the "economy".
Puuuleaze.... it is purely because of selfish horrible evil people.
There are seriously way too many a$$holes in the world.
But every once in awhile.....
you hear of some people committing random acts of kindness.
Yes, there is a tiny light in the tunnel of darkness.
Just simple little acts.
I've seen people buy coffee for the Salvation Army bell ringers who stand out in the cold with their donation bucket.
Local folks here run toy drop off drives for kids who may not get any toys for Xmas.
I just read in the local paper there have been "secret santas' paying for strangers Xmas layaways at Kmart in Newburyport. (Despite what you hear about Newburyport being a 'rich town" there are a lots of people in Newburyport who are barely making ends met)
I try to do my part as well. I give to my favorite charitable organizations-MSPCA, Oasis foundation, ECHO, Pettingil (and local food and toy drives)
Just do one just one little act of kindness....

more night frights

This morning I feel as though I've been hit with a sledge hammer.

I can't even touch the side of my head without wincing.

My neck, left shoulder and spine hurt like hell.

My eyes look like two piss holes in the snow.

I took a zomig and a naproxin to help me navigate out of bed.

God...

Where the hell is my F*&^ing coffee?

I feel like one of the characters from the movie "the Hangover" -except for the fact that I don't imbibe in adult beverages.(Hey, at least I didn't wake up in some shit-h*le hotel in Thailand or wake up with a "new' tattoo on my face)

It's just another nasty MF migraine.

At 4;00am my husband nudged me out of the bed. The birds were having night frights.

If you don't stop the frenzy and panic somebody could easily break a wing or or worse, a neck.

F*&^.....

Carl, my 15 year old grouchy male budgie was having a major tantrum. He got the rest of the birds in a panic. He fell off his perch and couldn't get back on. He was screaming and flapping around. I turned the lights on to try to calm everyone. The light was like daggers in my eyes. I got Carl back on his perch. He was still pissed and carrying on like it was MY fault he fell down.

Poor Eddie lost a pile of feathers as a result.

Thankfully, no major damage done.

I am just guessing that we might of had a "microburst" last night. There were branches and Christmas decorations all over the place.The wind last night sounded like a freight train ripping by. We had no signal on our TV last night.We couldn't get any TV channels what so ever. That usually happens when it is wicked windy out.

It's one of those "dunkin donut days", but as always, I have to resist.

I'll just settle for just a nice cup of coffee.

Argggggghhhhh.....

Annual visit to the Mall

I just finished reading a book called "Zoo Story-Life in the Garden of Captives" by Thomas French.

It is well written story about the characters -both human ( zoo keepers, the CEOs of zoo, and visitors) and of course, the resident animals -at the Tampa Lowry Park zoo. It is an observatory and analytical account of the personalities that enter the zoo encampment.
Once a year around this time of year I venture out to a Mall.
I don't go there to shop.
I go there to see the Christmas decorations and to watch the people.
A Mall is like a zoo for humans.
It is an artifical environment designed similarly like a zoo.
There are fake trees, food courts, artifical lighting, pumped in music, and aisles for walking.
You could write a social doctorial thesis alone on observing human behavior at a Mall.
Malls are primarily geared to teens and 20 somethings. Basically,t he mating age group.
Stores that lure this group are :Wet Seal, hot Topic, Spencer gifts, Forever 21, a store that sells body piercing jewelry, and a fast food venue that teens like.
Stores geared for the over 40 crowd is : J.Jill, JCrew, the Gap and Talbots. These stores SUCK big time and I swear, drive adults -with any taste in fashion -out.
I sat on a bench and watched people hurry by aimlessly. Most had cell phones glued to their ears.

Interestingly enough, I noticed young women wearing nice fashionable shoes had shopping bags. The ones with crappy shoes did not. Thirty some-thing men gathered nervously at the chain jewelry stores. Mothers with young children always seemed to be in a hurry. The over-weight lumbered by as this was their only form of exercise for the month. Teens always gathered in herds posing.
I made the mistake of parking my arse down on a bench with a cup of dunkin donuts coffee seated outside a store called Charlette Russe. As I was observing other people and making mental comments about them in my mind comparing them to as zoo creatures. I failed to include myself in this diorama.
And yet, I consider myself as a "hunter".
I caught myself glaring at the wall of colorful platform shoes and boots in the display window of this shop.
They had shoes in every candy color imaginable. I caught myself swallowing hard and had to get up and walk away.
I wonder if the sharks in the aquarium feel this way when they circle and can see the zookeepers carrying buckets of fish-bits walk by?
Hmmmm...

Birdy Christmas!

Well I finally submitted my article regarding the parrots in Bonaire to BirdTalk magazine, the local paper and the Birds of a Feather NH bird club newsletter.

I hope they all print it. It took me close to two months to write it! I'll keep you posted.

Meanwhile in 'birdy land" I found a few Christmas theme survey results posted on the Bird talk website.

According to Birdtalk magazine reader's 2011 survey, "how many do you have bird themed holiday decorations?

55.56% yes

37.04% no

7.41% don't celebrate the holiday

In a 2010 survey, "how many include your bird in your holiday photo?"

59.19% yes

40.81% no

In a 2009 survey, "how many buy gifts for your bird?"

85.6% yes

14.23% no

So there you have it, I'm not the only one that does it!

bust-a-move

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sez55YUF23k&feature=share







A girl from my cockatiel chat group sent me this youtube video (above).



It's freakin' hilarious. Please turn on your speakers to listen to it.



Budgies always crack me up!







* the photo above are two of my new clients!

santa's workshop part 2

Ok readers! Here you have it at "santa's workshop for very spoiled birds"!



Here is "Fresh Baby" and Craow Dum overseeing the assembly line of soon to be made toys.


Craow Dum is exhausted from all the work and decides to take a nap on the middle of the table.




Voila! A new toy is made!

Patches will love this one.

They all love these chew toys!

This one is an all time favorite with shoe-laces to chew and wreck!

This one is the number one favorite and wicked easy to make. It will be destroyed in less than five minutes!

* I had a photo of Craow Dum on his cozy quilt but as I was taking the photo he pooped on it. I figured I'd spare you that one.

Who in the world is Justin Beaver?

The other day I saw a button with the words "who in the world is Justin Beaver?" along with a cartoon buck-tooth beaver sporting a shaggy hair-cut.

I burst out laughing.

The button was poking fun at old farts like myself who are clueless in knowing who or what is hip right now. The button was poking fun at the intended (with the play on words) :teen singer Justin Beiber.

Seriously, I have no idea what he sings.

I only know who he is because I, yes, read the National Enquirer.

The National Enquirer is my coffee cake muffin for the mind. It's just fun to read.

I remember a few years ago while I was down in the Florida keys relaxing after a day of scuba diving reading the National Enquirer. Dive buddy Pete caught me reading it and shouted, "don't read that ! It will make you reeeetaaaahded!"

I don't care.

It's light and entertaining.

One time I won $25.00 because I sent in a letter to the editor stating that I was "disgusted with Joan Lunden because she happily promoted using a Japanese skin care product that contained whale oil!"

And I just sent them another letter because I was disgusted that a pet store allowed convicted animal abuser Micheal Vick to purchase a caique parrot! Really!

I plead guilty that I enjoy seeing what the movie stars are wearing-especially Angelina Jolie.

Sad to say but I know who "Snooky" is, "lil' Wayne" and who the Kardashians are.

All without the benefit of a radio or cable TV.

Yup, I'll admit I felt kind of sad that Demi and Ashton broke up as well as JLo and Marc Anthony.

I kind of miss seeing Paris Hilton.

She is no longer the "it" girl. She, however, would crack me up.

I am glad I see less and less of that F*&^ing loser Charlie Sheen and Micheal (child diddler) Jackson. Gag....

Puulease...

OK, I am going to have a cup of tea and read my latest issue of the Enquirer with my birds now.

'Bye!

the wild pigeons of Salisbury beach part 48

There is a completely different group of pigeons on the beach now. I don't recognize any of these new pigeons. I've been watching a new group up in Seabrook that roost near where Mattie the Jack Russell lives but I haven't identified any of them yet. I haven't seen any of Craow Dum's visitors on the back deck either. I continue to feed any and all of the newcomers on the beach still just about every day.

Craow Dum (my pigeon) seems to be doing OK. His beak is still splintering off bit by bit but he doesn't seem to be bothered by it. The main thing is so long as he can eat.I think he likes his "quilt" because in the morning it is completely covered with poop. And because he is such a messy bird, he has a bath just about every other day.He's a funny little guy. He does his "bust-a-move' bit whenever my husband sits next to me on the couch.

A girl from my cockatiel chat group informed me about a sanctuary in New York that , yes! it rescues pigeons! I might take a ride out there to visit it some time in the summer.

http://www.peopleforpigeons.blogspot.com/

http://www.birdparadise.org/pigeons

santa's workshop

According to a 2006 gallup poll, 76% dog owners and 67% cat owners buy their pets Christmas gifts. Every December issue of Bird Talk magazine is featured a section :"gifts for your pet bird" .

Yes, we spoil our pets.

I'm no different.

I give Christmas gifts to my pet sitting customers as well as their pets. This is usually a small bag of treats or small toy for dogs and cats, or a home-made toy for the birds. I have even given strap-on (faux) reindeer antlers or santa hats as gifts for dogs to wear for funny photo ops.

Birds are a little fussier when it comes to toys. I have know what they like to play with. I know my birds like paper or balsam wood toys that they can wreck. They love anything with shoe-laces or wicker balls. If they destroy the toy then I know they liked it.

My customer's birds I've observed like similar toys to what my birds like. I will make a bunch of fun bird friendly toys for them.

I ordered a pile of wicker balls, chinese finger pulls, straws, balsam wood strips, wicker stars, tiny plastic chains etc..to make an array of colorful bird wrecking toys.

My dining room table will look like santa's workshop with all the toy making supplies spread all over the table. And of course, the cockatiels will "insist on helping me" make the toys. They will grab the straws and run away with them. I will no doubt find plastic beads scattered all over the floor. Most of the balsam wood will be chewed before I even string them on a cord.

Craow Dum the pigeon doesn't play with toys but I noticed he just loves to snuggle on the fuzzy fleece blanket on the couch. I made him a little "quilt" of fleece stuffed with quitters batting. It will be soft and fluffy for him.

Yes, talk about being spoiled!

duck!

I went out for my usual early morning jog. I just happen to spot a duck ( An American black duck) staggering across a drive-way.

I thought this was odd.

I walked over to the duck expecting and hoping, it would either run away or fly away. But instead, it plopped down on the driveway and stared up at me making a half-hearted warning 'hiss". If I didn't know any better I would've swore the duck was drunk by the way it was staggering and falling down.

My initial thought was , 'oh shit...I better do something before it gets squished by a speeding morning commuter or attacked by a dog". I ran past the duck further up the street to complete my run and to contemplate of what I was going to do to help the duck.

Why was the duck staggering? It didn't appear to be wounded but then again I was just looking at just the top part of the bird. It then occured to me as I ran past the marsh that perhaps this duck was shot underneath by a duck hunter or poisoned by a lead pellet either lodged in it's body or ingested. I could hear the boom of the shot guns over the marsh.

I turned the corner heading towards my car. I would need a blanket to secure the duck because I could easily get bitten by the frightened animal.

When I returned to the area I couldn't find the duck. Either he hid under somebody's car or under one of the houses. I wasn't about to trespass during the early hours onto somebody's property.

I am hoping, perhaps, he felt strong enough to fly away.

black friday... insanity?

Some people never ceases to amaze me.

I watch on the news some of the absurd mayhem with people fighting during Black Friday sales events.

Really?!?

CRINGE......

I just don't understand that.

I guess some people are just mindless ridiculous savages.

Weird.

My husband and I went out at 2:00am to do the black friday shopping.

To me, it is a part of the "holiday tradition".

We avoided the stores that sell high end electronics because it seems to me though stores attract the ravenous nut-bag savages.

As I posted before, I go out because it's fun. It's like an old fashion scavenger hunt.

I have coupons and a list. If I don't "score", no problem. It's just a game.

I bought a few X-mas gifts for my family but to be honest, I mostly bought stuff for myself.

I bought a lavender cashmere sweater for $27.00, a JLO handbag for $42.00, 10K gold earrings for $15.50 and a plush animal print blanket for a mere $10.00.

Not bad, eh?

It turns out my brother and his family ventured out as well on a nightly treasure hunt too.

The shops I went in had a good amount of shoppers in there but it wasn't crazy or disorderly. The customer service reps were well trained, helpful and organized.

The shopping part of the holiday is over so now, it's the gift wrapping and baking cookies part that is up next.

I enjoy doing these things.

If it becomes stressful then I will no longer do it.

As of now, I'm having a good time.

Happy Thanksgiving 2011

You never know what will happen during the holidays. I think you remember certain 'incidents" only because it is punctuated by being a holiday. As my parents age, I take in each holiday as a gift for now on. My father has not fared well having Parkingson's disease. I see noticable deteriorating changes in him. It's tough.

I was glad my brother and his family could make it this year for Thanksgiving. I think it gives my dad a good distraction. The "kids" are now teens. I like the fact they are teens now believe it or not! We have actually 'bonded' through, get this, from watching "South Park" and from funny stupid stuff on "youtube".

Yes, I know.

It's bad.

And this Thanksgiving was no different.

I wanted to watch the dog show competition on TV. I figured I might get over ruled and get stuck having to sit through another boring foot ball game. However, I was lucky. We did get to watch the entire dog show. After that was over my brother channel surfed for the football games. Instead of sticking to one particular game, what caught his attention was the "Jerry Springer show". As you might guess, it was obscenely outragious.

We were all cracking up and yelling at the TV. My mother came in the TV room to see what the commotion was . I think she was horrified and said, 'turn the football game on". He switched to the game to check the score and then channel surfed to some MTV cable channel show that was similar to "Jackass' and "American's funniest video". Again, it was outragious.

My "inner immature teenager" emerged and we all were laughing like fools.

I learned a new term called "credit carding".

It's a term used on this show when a "dude is on his skate-board, slips off it and the skate-board jams up his arse like a credit card swipe". As you might guess, my teen nephews AND my brother being the ring-leader, were laughing their heads off yelling stuff at the TV like, " your card has been denied!"

As raucous and "inappropriate" as we all were acting I think my father enjoyed the shenanigans.

We all stuffed ourselves silly with a delicious holiday feast. I could barely finish a small slice of banana cream pie after my meal.

I think all in all everyone had a pretty good day.

I did kind of feel sorry for my mother for having to put up with all of us...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Christmas decoration time machine

For the past three years, I've kept Christmas decorating to a minimum.

First of all, less is best. It is also less stressful, psychologically, for me to deal with the post holiday let-down. It's a horribly depressing and a dreadfully daunting task to take all the decorations down especially if there was a lot of them. So I keep it simple now.

I've been buying small little live pine trees that I use as Christmas trees. In the spring time I plant these little trees in my yard. I used do a "fish" theme when I decorated my (then) six foot tall "faux" tree. Now, on my little trees I have a bird theme.

I still like digging in the holiday boxes where I keep my supplies and look at all the decorations I have collected over the years. It is sort of like being launched back in a time machine.

I have decorations from the "60s", "70's", "80's" and "90s". Some are from friends and relatives that had come and gone in my life. I have some are "speciality made" ornaments. Some are souvenirs from places I've been to such as: Washington DC, San Francisco, Grand Cayman, Bonaire, the Bahamas, Maine and New Hampshire. I have religious ones along with some silly Three Stooges ones AND dunkin donuts ones! Some are childhood favorites that I could never part with even though they have gotten scroggy looking through out the years. They reflect various stages in my life.

They are like a diary of my past Christmases. Some were wonderful, some were very bad, some were "life changers", and some were just funny.

I like to peruse through shops and look at all the decorations. There are certain ones that are popular for the times.

I could'nt help notice (*see photo above) of the "Jersey Shore" ornaments.

My first thought was "what the ...?!"

I thought it was pretty funny!

black friday sales

Yup, again, it is that time of year.

Thanksgiving

Christmas

Parties

and shopping

And yes, I engage in the 'black friday" shopping frenzy.

To me, it is a 'sport" like hunting.

You scan the sales and plot your attack. To me, it's fun.

You can check online to view the "sneak previews sales' of black friday.

It's similar to bird watching in a way. You have to plan to get up at a certain time in order to see that particular bird. Regardless, sometimes that bird isn't always there but it is the "quest" and the "seek and find" aspect that makes it fun.

I like food shopping too. I check the sales paper, organize my coupons and go for the kill.

Years ago, I used to compete with my father on who scored the best food shopping deals.

Our conversations would go like this," you're gonna be pissed! I got a buy-one-get-one-free PLUS I had triple credit coupons! You gotta be retaaahded to pass up this wicked pissa good deal!"

The funny part was I only bought stuff that I use.

My father would buy anything and everything he had double/triple coupons for. Somedays he would have bought cases of creamed corn, canned green beans or rago pasta sauce. My mother would just roll her eyes not knowing what to do with all these canned goods. If there was ever a nucleur holocaust we would be set for life with all the creamed corn, green beans and rago.

He would call me and tell me what was "good" on sale at the Star market. (Star market was the grocery store of choice. Today, it no longer exists)

I do my father's Christmas shopping for him now. I know his eyes will light up when I describe the "deal" I scored for him on black friday.

The plan is, I will try to buy a la de da pearl necklace and earring set for him that he will give to my mother for Christmas (At least that is what I am strategizing) It's on a "special black friday early morning deal" plus I have two coupons. I know he will enjoy just hearing about the "hunt" so we shall see if I am successful!

On another note regarding shopping. H & M is now carrying the Versace line.

Seriously

Versace.

H & M is an inexpensive designer knock-off store. I bought a British flag purse there about 15 years ago for just $12.00. It's pretty beat up now from years of use but it remains still one of my fav pocketbooks.

I just recieved in the mail a Sophia Vergara top I ordered from KMart.com.

Yup, Kmart.

It is bloody gorgeous!

It was wrapped up and labeled nicely as well. I only paid only $22.00 for it.

I've seen similar tops in boutiques in Newburyport that easily could go for $120.00. It is that nice.

Pssst..I ordered a pair of Sophia Vergara shoes too, but don't tell anyone.

I can't wait to get them!

the wild pigeons of Salisbury beach part 47

The photo (on part 46) was taken 3 weeks ago.

The photo above (part 47) I took 5 minutes ago.

You can clearly see how badly eroded Craow Dum's beak is. He can not close his mouth since his remaining upper beak is only a 1/2 inch piece of keratin.

I have to fill his food cup all the way to the top in order for him to eat. I notice he tilts his head to the side scooping one seed/pellet at the time to eat. He will feast for a good hour. He has no other bird to compete with for food so he can take his time. I know he is consuming a decent amount fof food because he poops constantly.

Yesterday a little more of his beak splintered off. I hope and pray no more falls off.

Yesterday when I sat down to watch the evening news I felt something leaning next to me. When I looked down there was Craow Dum snuggled right up to me.

I looked down and he looked up.

I groomed his head of dander and wayward feathers. He fell asleep purring.

"Eddie" (my favorite cockatiel) flew in the room and immediately climbed up on my chest to snuggle under my chin. She had to make sure that she was still the top cuddle bird!

And then of course, Fresh baby and Button flew in the room landing on my head. They did not want to miss out on anything.

As I look down on Craow Dum I can't help but marvel at this little bird's appreciation of just being.

He has no concern with vanity on how awful his beak looks. I know myself I'll look in the mirror dismayed at how big my nose looks and how my skin is sagging at the jaw-line. Craow Dum doesn't care at how his beak looks so long as he can eat and have someone to cuddle with.

He just appreciates the moment.

the wild pigeons of Salisbury beach part 46

I've had "Craow Dum" since mid-August.

Despite vet visits and round the clock care I give him, I worry that Craow Dum is still "dodging the bullet" as far as survival goes.

He does eat good, his poops are perfect and he socializes with the other birds. His feathers are shiny although still a little raggy around the edges since the feather lice incident early September.

And yet, I still worry about his future.

His face is so messed up.

He does not have a white powdery cere which would indicate good health.

His cere is discolored and deformed. (The cere is the fleshy part on the beak where the nose would be) He breathes with his mouth open causing mucus to spill out of his mouth.

I run a humidifier near his "house" to keep his throat moist.

His top beak is a stub.

Sadly, I noticed more of his top beak has fractured off and is splintering.

This is disconcerting. I fear his entire top beak may eventually fall off.

He is a funny little thing though. If he can not get at his food in his cups he will jump on me as if to tell me, "Hey! The food is too shallow! You need to fill up the cup in order for me to eat! I'm hungry!"

He tries to groom himself but it is problematic.

He got a feather lodged in his mouth the other day. He was twirling around frantically to dislodge it. I grabbed him and pulled it out.

He is gaining weight and flies a little to get exercise which is a good thing. I also beleive he is indeed a "boy". As I was petting his back, he got very excited and started cooing very loudly. He then twirled around "bustin' a move" like I've seen male pigeons do when they are trying to score a female. It's funny to watch. It is one day at a time with him.

Hopefully, he will be OK.

* post-note:

I can't help but think at how more emotionally stable animals are rather than people.

Think about it for a minute.

I found this poor pigeon in a sewer.

Just think at how emotionally F*&^ed up a kid would be if he/she was chucked in a sewer left to die. Craow Dum doesn't seem to be carrying any emotional baggage as from being disgarded by his parents. He just seems to be happy to be with me.

He will purr contently after eating and just sit comfortably on the rug like this is the best thing in the world. He is happy for the simple comforts in life.

He is not obsessing about his past and wondering about the 'what ifs" and the "how comes".

He is just living in the present.

Maybe we should learn from this little pigeon.

The "poor man's" African grey & the "Merry Widow"

the "poor man's African grey



The "merry Widow"

I've always wanted an African grey parrot.

They are extremely smart and if they bond with you, become your life partner.

"Craow Dum" the pigeon is a funny little guy.

I never realized how personable and affectionate pigeons are. When I take Craow Dum out of his cage to run around he will stop, look up at you and smile!

He flies a little now. He will land on my shoulder like my other birds do pretending to be a parrot. My husband jokes with me and says, "there's your African grey you've always wanted. He's your "poor man's African grey!"

I look at Craow Dum with his half missing crooked beak and his chubby girth. I can't help but laugh.

Meanwhile, after "Smitty" the budgie passed away I noticed changes in his partner "Twillinger".

When "Whook"s partner "Dexter" died years ago. Whook was very quiet and appeared to be depressed for a long time. "Twillinger" did not react the same way as Whook did.

"Twillinger" was grossly obese. Budgies generally weigh 30 grams. Twillinger weighed 76 grams! However, I never saw Twillinger eat on her own. Smitty "fed' her. She hardly left her cage either.

After Smitty died, Twillinger demanded to be let out of her cage. She immediately parked herself on Whook's cage. She spent more time flying around which she never did before. I noticed she has slimmed down quite a bit as well. She never spent time mourning Smitty like Whook did . She was more like the "merry widow".

I could'nt help think of when women get divorced how they spend more time out and about socializing, working out at the gym and trying to lose weight to look good. Twillinger seemed to fit that mold. Maybe her relationship with Smitty wasn't as great as I had thought. She seems to be enjoying her new found freedom.

I dunno.

These are just some of todays crazy ponderings!

blue shark found

I fed the pigeons as I usually do at the beach. I could see that obnoxious "40-something-singleton-loser-that still-lives-with-his-parents" walking his dog heading my way.

He deliberately lets his dog run after the pigeons.

He turns to look at me with that sour "I'm the boss here" snotty-face.

I glare back at him with daggers in my gaze.

Looking past "retaaahded guy" I could see something lying on the beach.

I brushed past him and saw a freshly dead small blue shark with a hook and line hanging out his mouth.

This was not a dogfish but a 3 foot long blue shark.

Some early morning fisherman pulled him to shore, cut the line and left him there to die.

He was beautiful.

I felt sick to my stomach.

Seriously, what was the point of leaving this creature on the beach rather than to let him go?

the big year

Brown-throated caribbean parakeet


Common Emerald hummingbird

Bananaquit

yellow-shouldered amazon parrot

troupial

Saffron finches

Yesterday, my cousin and our husbands saw the movie "the Big Year" at our local cinema.

It was a very entertaining fun movie. First of all my "boyfriends" starred in the movie: Owen Wilson, Jack Black and Steve Martin. The movie was funny, clean and clever. You could safely watch this movie with your mother.

The film was about competative "birders" out to log the most number of birds sighted. I could completely relate to the 'how" and "why" of that obsessive mental "treasure hunt" of seeing new birds.

I also do that with scuba diving. It is the thrill of the "visual hunt" to seek out and log those special and different fish species.

While I was in Bonaire, I logged different bird species I spotted on this visit.

Here is my October 2011 list:

frigate bird

Bahama pintail (duck)

black winged stilt

least sandpiper

ruddy turnstone (they are everywhere!)

eared dove

common ground dove (one of these little guys liked to stay under my truck at night)

white faced dove

brown throated parakeet*

yellow shouldered amazon*

common emerald hummingbird (the first time I've seen one in Bonaire!)

scrub flycatcher

grey kingbird

thrasher

house sparrow

bananaquit (another favorite!)

saffron finch (still another favorite!)

troupial

yellow oriole

bare eye pigeon ( and yet, another favorite of mine!)

I didn't venture out looking for flamingoes this year but regardless, it was still "the Big year' for birds for me!

the wild parrots of Bonaire part 2

The next day, "Jon the vet", came by in his truck to take me to the parrot rehab.

He was a handsome young enthusiastic gentleman from Spain. He was collecting branches of sea grape and ligum vitum for the parrot's aviaries from the north section of the island. I am guessing (and hoping) that picking me up wasn't too much out of his way.

I was glad he picked me up too.

I would have never found the avairies. They were posted somewhere at the 'outback' of Bonaire.

I was still not feeling well and was suffering from a zomig dull throb in my head and neck. Most likely if I had made an attempt to find the place I would've gotten another flat tire, got lost in the desert or stuck in a rut . My bleached bones would be found years later after running out of my pocket supply of raisens after being eaten alive by hungry desert iguanas and buzzards.

"Sam the director of EchoBonaire' was busy sweeping up the floors of avairies and preparing fresh food for the birds. These two guys certainly were not living the life of luxury. Their living quarters were quite primitive.

There was no running water or electricity. Fresh water was collected in a giant rain barrel. The toilet was a bucket. They had a small generator to run a small hot pot stove and one light bulb. They no refrigeration. Both these guys were emotionally and physically fit to be able to endure these harsh conditions. I was getting eaten alive by the no-see-ums. They didn't seem to be bothered by these pesky bugs.

I was amazed despite the primitive conditions at how clean, healthy and beautiful the avairies were. The sand floors were swept clean, both food and water were fresh. The birds were absolutely delighted with their newly arrived greenery.

They still had about 50 parrots that still needed to be hand fed once a day. Larger parrots ( Yellow-shouldered amazons-Amazona barbadensis) wean later than the smaller parakeets (Brown-throated Caribbean parakeets-Aratinga pertinax. "Prikichi"). Many of parakeets were scheduled soon for their release.

They had to do some behavioral modification in steps in order for the birds to be able survive back in the wild. They had to learn to be afraid of people so part of the program was to make loud noises in order for the birds to relate "fear" and "people" together. They also had to learn to forage on their own (search for native food). So far, they have had success with many of the birds they could release.

I had asked Sam if the sudden increase of parrots that I had seen by the black Durgon was due to his release program. He said that only a handful of parrots from his rehab had been released so far. He suspected the reason for what I viewed as an increase in parrot population was because the parrots had been driven out of their habitats due to construction and destruction of habitat so they are searching food closer to the city.

Perhaps my joy at seeing so many parrots this year will be short lived. The human residents in this area may not like parrots eating their hibiscus plants or hearing them squawking in the morning.

I held my breath.

So what is the long term solution?

I'm not sure.

I think a parrot rehab should be establish for the long term similar to the cat/dog rescues. This will help save parrots that had been abused or injured.

I think the Dutch government should help fund the program to ensure this natural resource to endure.

Educational programs should be provided to educate the public about their native parrots and why they need to be protected.Also teaching the public about proper care for parrots those who have legally obtained parrots.

Perhaps, since Bonaire is a tourist island, introducing 'ecotours" to bird watchers will make the parrots "more valuable" to the natives.. The government would be more eager to protect the parrots from smuggling operations if income was to be made from bird watching tours.

Please check out http://www.echobonaire.com/ to help!

the wild parrots of Bonaire part 1

The single most thing that made the trip to Bonaire worthwhile was seeing large flocks of brown throated parakeets and yellow fronted amazon parrots fly by.

For the last four years, I would see on occasion, small flocks of the parakeets but not the amazons. Four years ago, I was lucky enough to spot a small group of the amazons that would roost in the hibiscus bushes behind "happy Holiday Homes" in Punt Verkant. Sadly, a lot of construction had been taking place building more and more "new vacation homes" tearing down the bushes, trees and plant life.

The parrots had disappeared.

What plants remained the wild donkeys and roaming goats ate.

On this visit to Bonaire, at about 6:00am, the sky came alive with the raucous call of these amazon parrots. I saw them in the hibiscus bushes, on the telephone wires and trees that looked like they had hanging peapods. I thought to myself, "wow, I wonder if these are the parrots that were rehabbed and released from the parrot smuggling episode?".

It was very exciting to see.

The first thing I did despite feeling pretty shitty from the flight (migraine)was to seek out the director of the parrot rescue of echobonaire. The last I heard via the internet, that they were rehabbing the parrots at a youth center downtown called Jong Bonaire. I thought this was a brillant idea to get teens involved in caring, learning and being responsible for the well being of these 150 or so baby parrots.

I drove around looking for the place and found it accidentally . It started to rain. My windshield wipers were not working so I pulled into the first parking arena on a side road.It was Jong Bonaire.

It turned out that most of the parrots were released and were no longer being cared for at Jong Bonaire.

My heart sank. I was hoping to find out more about the birds. I talked to the activities director at the center and she informed me that the rest of the parrots that were still in need of rehabbing, medical care and feedings were moved to aviaries outside of town. She was kind enough place a call the director of echobonaire for me.

I talked to Sam Williams who was in charge of the program. The next day he arranged to pick me up to take to the aviaries. I was grateful because I was afraid to drive my rental truck since the wipers didn't work and I had a flat tire.

I was about to embark on a new adventure.

* And yes, those photos above I took!

Charlie

I often ask myself why do I put myself through the aggravation, expense and stress of traveling?

Dive buddy Bill L agrees with me.

It is that moment when you stick your regulator in your mouth, your feet hits the water and you see all those beautiful colorful fish through your scuba mask.

Yeah, baby.

That is why we put up with all the shit.

I've been to alot of different dive destinations but we keep going back to Bonaire.

My husband and I tried a new place this year, "diver's paradise" (black durgon)

It was similar to the condo we usually stay at called"happy Holiday homes' . It is spartan tile floor apartment equipped with a mini kitchen. I like to cook my own food rather than be at the mercy of a (non-vegetarian)restaurant.

What I especially liked about this place is that it was walking distance from the apartment to a easy entrance shore dive site called 'small wall".

"Small wall" was definitely one of the best shore dive sites on the island.

Since we were having problems with the rental truck it was a good excuse to do most of our dives at this spot. We were prefectly happy banging out 95% of our 18 dives here.

Of course, we had to go to one of our all time favorite dive sites 'windsock' where we knew we would find a trio of friendly squids to greet us under the pilings. We almost always see a turtle or two (or three) as well. I like "windsock" because I know the UW topography pretty well so I don't get lost. There is this huge brain coral at 30 feet that looks like a giant bum sticking out of the sand near the mooring marker.

Another favorite site is "the front porch". At 100 feet lies a intact little tug boat.

A few years ago at this site, I found a good sized seahorse hanging on a rope but I haven't seen one since. Under the hull was a very large resident green moray. I remember seeing this guy for the last ten visits I been to Bonaire.

Let me tell you this moray has grown.

He is a monster.

His head is bigger than a human's head.

This visit was the first time I spotted (two) lion fish under the hull hiding.

We also found an octopus inside a discarded PVC tube.

We didn't bother going to other dive sites such as the Hilma Hooker or Oil Slick leap because of the truck situation. I was afraid the truck might not start and also the emergency brake did not work. A few times the truck rolled with the brake supposedly on..

This could've been a BIG problem parked on the some of the cliffs. It was best to avoid a potentially dangerous situation.

I was perfectly happy diving at the 'small wall". We saw turtles on every time. As well as all kinds of small morays, squids, a small lionfish and one HUGE colorful octopus free swimming! That was quite a sight!

Since we were walking distance from our apartment to the dive site we did a couple of night dives. We usually like to start a dive night at dusk so we can at least get a bearing of where we are and see the "changing of the guard" (different fish move in and move out at night).

We did one night dive fairly late at night after getting back from visiting the parrot rehab and rescue place.

It was pitch freakin' dark.

It was a little scary but it was cool seeing all the bioluminescence when you shut your lights off.

I shined my light around the reef and out of nowhere I saw a very large tarpon swim out.

He was a good 5-6 feet in length.

I continued my dive and again, the tarpon swam by.

Only this time he started to swim more frantically and looked like he was "flashing"

*"flashing" is when a fish swims fast up to something and rubs itself on that object. They usually do it to dislodge parasites.

I continued to keep an eye on him.

He continued to follows us and swim frantically.

In the pitch dark I would feel something bump into me.

It was that crazy tarpon.

I signaled to my husband that this dive was now over.

My husband said he thought this fish was named "Charlie" from a story he heard at the restaurant "Richards" a few years ago about the "too -friendly -kind -of -spooky -tarpon."

The next day, during day-light hours. we did a dive on this site again.

As I was looking under ledge watching an arrowhead crab I got this eerie feeling someone was staring at me.

I slowly turned to look and there was "Charlie" only a foot away from my face!

I hadn't heard from other divers at "divers paradise" that they had any encounters with "Charlie".

I think "Charlie" just liked us.

I think.

dodging the bullet

Everytime I go on vacation as of lately, I get serious anxiety attacks.
I just hate leaving my birds.
I've almost cancelled my trip numerous times.
Plus, it is guaranteed that I will get sick on the airplane.
Guaranteed.
The nasty body and chemical smells, dry dirty air, air pressure changes, lack of sleep and altitude never fail to trigger a monsoon migraine enough to make me puke.
I did make it on the plane to Bonaire but like clock-work was laid up in bed for entire day missing a full day of diving and just plain being human.
I went with a different car rental company this time which turned up to be a mistake.
The truck would not go into gear, it smelled of "brakes" and the tires were shiny bald.
The next morning, after waking up from my migraine coma a tire was completely flat. I called the rental car company to fix it.
I wasn't going to change a tire PERIOD! They fixed the tire and switched trucks. I felt I dodged a bullet on that one.
My cell phone doesn't work in Bonaire and we could've been stuck over at the Hilma Hooker or some other isolated remote place.
However, the "new" truck wasn't any better. The windsheild wipers didn't work. When you stepped on the brake it lunged first before stopping. They gave me this truck with the "gas empty" light on too. I was sweating it hoping to make it to the gas station.
I brought Bonaire guilders with me thinking to myself how smart I was to have saved 40 guilders (Bonaire currency) from my last trip. When I arrived at the gas station I was informed as of last March, Bonaire no longer accepts floras and guilders since they are no longer a part of the Netherlands Antilles. They now officially only take US dollars!I dodged the bullet again because my husband, thankfully, had $20.00 in US dollars on him.
This sort of stuff is what had been happening the entire trip. I would get myself into situations that would/could initiate panic but I ended up sliding under the wire so to speak.
The same thing happened leaving Bonaire as well. One couple we met while diving told us it was "snowing in Boston".
It's F*&^ing October!
This is one of the reasons I like to go on vacation in the fall to miss winter snowstorms. I thought they were joking.
When we arrived in Atlanta the plane sat and sat on the runway. I thought for sure we would miss our connecting flight. We made a dash to the connecting terminal a mile away and alas the terminal for departure was changed to another terminal! Panicking, we raced to that terminal only to be informed the flight was delayed due to weather conditions.
At least our luggage arrived at a reasonable time. Another bullet dodged.
We did get on that flight and arrived in Boston at 1:00 F*&^%ing am.
Again, I was sick. There was a foot of wet snow at the bus terminal. We just barely made the last bus departing from Logan at 1:20am. The ride was slow and treacherous with blinding wet snow.The thought of driving over the Newburyport bridge in this mess put me in a full blown panic attack.
We made it over the bridge. Another bullet dodged.
We arrived at home with no electricity.
Shit.
This was unusual since no matter how bad storms are we never lose our electricity. But we did, as well as all of Seabrook, Newburyport and Coastal New Hampshire. It was freezing cold, dark and the garage door opener did not work.
Shit shit shit.
I crawled into bed at 3:20am just thankful to be home.
At 9:00am, I heard the wonderful sounds of "click click click" which menat the elctricity was turned on. I was worried sick over my birds.
We dodged a bullet, once again.

illegal pets

I was horrified to see on the news about some nut case , Terry Thompson, who had this large menagerie of high end exotic animals as "pets"that he could keep "legally" on his property in the state of Ohio.
He apparently had some mental issues. He let ALL the animals loose in his town running amuck and then killed himself. These animals consisted of 18 rare bengal tigers, 17 lions, 8 bears and primates. Ohio, as well as Texas, Pennsylvannia, Alabama and Nevada, is one of the states that has "easy laws" to obtain these kind of exotics.
It's horrifying.
Not only for the public safety but for the animals.
Most of these animals including the "rare" one were shot and killed to protect the public.
I'm sure you may all remember the story about the chimp that went crazy, attacking a neighbor maiming her horribly.
There was a show on the animal planet channel called "fatal Attraction" about horrifying incidents with people and their exotic animals.
How Thompson obtained these rare animals is puzzling.
Ironically illegal animal smuggling and trafficking still exists worldwide.
I just read from the Long Island Parrot society's newsletter that recently 500 parrots were confiscated in the black markets in south America.
In my previous posts over a 100 baby parrots were recovered from a smuggling bust in Bonaire.
*I will be investigating this situation and keep you posted.
All in all many rare and exotic untamable animals are keep legally as pets.
Whereas, a domestically bred monk (or quaker) parrot in many states is illegal.
They are cute, friendly easily kept little parrots.
Ironically, Pennsylvannia which is one of more lenient states for keeping wild exotic animals will confiscate and euthanize a monk parrot if you are caught owning one! It is because they are considered a "Agricultural pest".(It is "suspected" but not verified)
F*cking amazing...
Are these people screwed up or what?

Here are the laws (below) pertaining to monk (quaker) parrots

Activity
StateCommissions
STATE
LAW OR RESTRICTION

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Alabama
Legal with no restrictions

Department of Fish and Game
Alaska
Legal with no restrictions

Game and Fish Department
Arizona
Legal with no restrictions

Game and Fish Commission
Arkansas
Legal with no restrictions

Department of Fish and Game
California
Illegal to own or sell; no exceptions

Division of Wildlife
Colorado
Quaker Parrots are Illegal All Parrots have to be banded.

Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Natural Resources
ConnecticutUpdated 2003
It appears that this state has made it illegal to own, breed, sell, transport Quaker Parrots in the state.

Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
Delaware
Legal without restrictions

Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Florida
Legal with no restrictions

Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife
Georgia
--Prohibited as pets. Considered "wild animal". Breeding allowed with breeder's license ($236 annually) if bred for wholesale exportation. Transport across state lines is legal; no notice required if travel through Georgia is less than 24 hours duration.

Department of Land and Natural Resources
Hawaii
Illegal to own or sell; no exceptions

Fish and Game
Idaho
LEGAL

Department of Natural Resources
Illinois
Legal with no restrictions

Department of Natural Resources
Indiana
Legal with no restrictions

Department of Natural Resources
Iowa
Legal with no restrictions

Department of Wildlife and Parks
KansasUpdated March 2004(Thanks Richard)
ILLEGAL. The Quaker parrot, sometimes known as a monk parakeet, is an exotic species banned in Kansas. You may not possess or import them. The relevant state statutes are KSA 32-1004 and KSA 32-956, and the specific regulation is KAR 115-18-10.Mark ShoupKansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
Kentucky
Illegal to own or sell; no exceptions

Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Louisiana
Legal with no restrictions

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Maine
Legal with approved permit; but they are reluctant to issue any

Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Heritage Service
Maryland
Legal with no restrictions

Department of Fish and Game
Massachusetts
Legal with no restrictions

Department of Natural Resources
Michigan
Legal with no restrictions

Department of Natural Resources
Minnesota
Legal with no restrictions

Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks
Mississippi
Legal with no restrictions

Department of Conservation
Missouri
Legal

Fish, Wildlife and Parks
Montana
Legal with no restrictions

Game and Parks Commission
Nebraska
Legal with no restrictions

Department of Wildlife
Nevada
Legal with no restrictions
YAY!Bill HB651
Fish and Game Department
New Hampshire
LEGAL - 5-6-2011
Updated NH -- New amendment passed into to state law that makes owning and selling Quaker "Monk" Parrots LEGAL!!! 5-6-2011 Bill 651. You will be able to bring your birds back into the state in July 2011. Many thanks to all who worked with the state to effect this change.
HopefulActivity
Division of Fish and Wildlife
New Jersey
Legal ownership granted via permit after STRICT criteria are met (Wow, check out these laws!) Section:7:25-4.8 "Potentially dangerous species" Quakers are included, listed as "potentially dangerous"..........and cannot be kept as pets.

Department of Game and Fish
New Mexico
Legal with no restrictions

Department of Environmental Conservation
New York
ALL pet birds must be banded to be sold retail, or to be boarded at a pet shop (they can be confiscated from a pet store if not banded). There is NO form of registration.

Wildlife Resource Commission
North Carolina
Legal with no restrictions

Game and Fish
North Dakota
Legal with no restrictions

Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife
Ohio
Legal if wings are kept clipped (law passed June, 1996)

Department of Wildlife Conservation
Oklahoma
Legal with no restrictions

Department of Fish and Wildlife
Oregon
Legal with no restrictionsPest Risk Assesment

Game Commission
Pennsylvania
Illegal to own or sell; no exceptions (will euthanize)1973 - June 1 -- Illegal to import, sell or release Monk parakeets in Pennsylvania.

Department of Environmental Management
Rhode Island
Illegal to own or sell; no exceptions

Department of Natural Resources
South Carolina
Legal with no restrictions

Department of Game, Fish, and Parks
South Dakota
Legal with no restrictions

Wildlife Resources Agency
Tennessee
Illegal to own or sell; no exceptions

Parks and Wildlife
Texas
Legal with no restrictions

Division of Wildlife Resources
Utah
Legal with no restrictions

Department of Fish and Wildlife
Vermont
Ownership legal with no specific restrictions. Importing: All psittacine birds imported into Vermont must be banded, micro chipped or have other approved identification which identifies the breeder.

Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
Virginia
Ownership, buying, selling, and breeding are all legal IF birds are close-bandedIt is illegal to transport into Virginia unless moving there and birds are close-banded

Department of Fish and Wildlife
Washington
Legal with no restrictions

Division of Natural Resources
West Virginia
Legal with no restrictions

Department of Natural Resources
Wisconsin
Legal with no restrictions

Game and Fish
Wyoming
Illegal to own or sell; no exceptions
Changes and proposals are noted with red star.

So it is Ok to own a rare bengal vicious tiger...