The Gabriel Foundation News

[gbird]

April Showers bring two Peach-faced Lovebirds -Meet our Featured Birds!




HAPPY SPRING FROM TANK & KIWI

Kiwi is a Peach-faced Lovebird who is VERY sociable with humans. She is a strong flier and loves to go from person to person visiting with everyone. This little girl is full of personality and would be an enjoyable pet for anyone. With a little bit of millet spray Kiwi is easily trained.

Tank is a male Peach-face lovebird (with 2 dark factors) of an unknown age although his band has the year ’05 on it so he might be 3 years old. He was named “Tank” by the aviary staff due to his unusual army green color. We know nothing about his history. Tank was found loose in downtown Denver and we have been unable to reunite him with his owner. He is a VERY energetic player and so much fun to watch.

When Tank first arrived at the aviary, he was shy of hands - but he has since learned to take treats from them. He is currently being trained by one of the The Gabriel Foundation staff members and he quickly learned how to fly to her hand. He will also go back into his cage for some millet and does a turnaround on cue. To our delight, after his training began he started to seek out human interaction. He now likes to jump onto your head and groom your hair, and will come down to your shoulder to nibble your ear and gives kisses. He will chat up a storm of “peep-peeps” if you will engage him in a conversation. Tank has blossomed into a wonderful little companion thanks to a little positive reinforcement training.

Tank gets along very well with other birds and is happiest when there is another lovebird in the home that he can fly around with. Currently he resides with Kiwi and she has been a good influence on him.

Tank & Kiwi are both learning how turn around on cue and to return to their cage.

Go to our Behavior & Training page to see videos of Kiwi and Tank learning new tricks!

PLEASE NOTE: Kiwi and Tank do not need to be adopted out together.

TGF DOES NOT BREED BIRDS, regardless of the species (nor will we place adoptive birds in breeding situations). We make every effort to provide a living environment that does not encourage breeding behaviors. Should eggs be laid, every effort is made to alter the environment and remove the egg(s) as soon as possible but discourage repeated laying. Eggs are never allowed to mature to hatch. Very few birds are housed male with female and careful attention is paid to these birds. Should breeding behaviors be observed, careful assessment of the situation is undertaken and every action is implemented to change this behavior.

TGF PRESS RELEASE: OUR LITTLEST STARS!
Look for a feature on Tank in the next issue of Good Bird Magazine! Our thanks to Barbara Heidenreich.

Tank and Kiwi will both be appearing in an upcoming issue of Rocky Mountain Pets! Stay tuned...

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Announcing TGF Flight School
Book time for your bird to fly in our Aviary!



Come out to the Aviary in Elizabeth and let your bird(s) stretch their wings! Book time 7 days a week (24 hour notice requested)

Only $20 per hour

Flight and Recall Training!

Get Private Instruction with TGF Coordinator of

Bird Health, Hilary Herron

Consultation required prior to

scheduling instruction time.

Only $65 per hour

Call the Aviary 303-629-5900 ext. 213 or 218

The Gabriel Foundation Adoption and Education Center

39520 County Road 13

Elizabeth, CO 80107

*Medical testing requirements must be received prior to bringing your bird to the aviary.

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Aviary & Adoption Center Update



In March alone, eight new birds came to live at the Aviary & Adoption Center. Seven parrots were adopted out to new homes. Each bird that comes in and out of the aviary requires much attention. Before a bird can join the "flock", each one must go through medical testing and quarantine, to protect the health and safety of both that bird and all the others. Our adoption process involves several steps to ensure that each bird goes to an appropriate and loving home. Our staff goes the distance to make sure that every bird that comes through our doors receives the best care possible. We cannot do this without your help.

For information about Relinquishments, Long-term Foster Care, Sanctuary and Boarding, please contact Karen VanderHyde at (303)629-5900 ext. 216. If you are interested in our online Beyond Birdie Basics classes, Education and Outreach events or want to consider the adoption option, contact Patti Christie at (303)629-5900 ext.213.

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TGF in Cyberspace!



The Gabriel Foundation is making our presence known in the online universe. We invite you to become our friend on MySpace... MySpace.com - The Gabriel Foundation - 99 - Female - Denver, Colorado - www.myspace.com/thegabrielfoundation

We have uploaded some of our fantastic videos to YouTube.com

YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

And here is another great resource on the web...

Having problems with your parrot and just can't wait for a consultation? Here's a link to tide you over...
Check out: ParrotBAS : ParrotBAS
It's free! Great articles! Great teachers! Great group of people!

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Parroting 101: To Sprout or Not to Sprout

We've all heard that sprouting can be a wonderful and nutritious addition to a parrot's diet. We assume that all seeds that can be eaten hard must be safe and even better when sprouted - but that's not always the case.

Here is a guide to help to help you decide What to Sprout -Or Not!

DON'T SPROUT: Milo (also known as super millet or sorghum) is a seed that contains cyanide. It appears to be OK in the dry form but when you add water and the seed sprouts, the cyanide content increases and is potentially fatal.

DO SPROUT: Amaranth is a very nutritious grain, however the raw hard grain has been shown to cause liver damage in chickens. While there is no information linking it to parrots specifically, it's wise to err on the side of caution and not feed amaranth in its dry form. If it is soaked overnight, sprouted or cooked, it appears to be OK.

DON'T SPROUT: There is some controversy about sprouting alfalfa. If you do sprout this seed you want to make sure you grow it so that it looks like the sprouts you see in stores. The unsprouted seed contains the toxin canavanine.The most nutritious alfafa is harvested from the ground and available in dry form or capsules. These are superior to alfalfa sprouts in nutrition.

DON'T SPROUT: Large beans: Anasazi, Black, Kidney, Lima, Navy, Pinto and Soy are not suggested for sprouting. These legumes can cause toxicity and are difficult to digest. Their raw flavor is also very bad. If you choose to serve these to your bird they MUST be soaked for a minimum of 8 hours, water drained and beans rinsed very well, then cooked by bringing them to a full boil, boiling uncovered for 10 minutes, covered and simmered for another 20 minutes.

Shauna's specialty organic sprouting and cooking legume mixes are available exclusively through The Birdbrain.

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Tune in to Animal Planet

Watch Laurie Hess, DVM, Dipl. ABVP - Avian - guest expert on parrots - Sunday, April 27 on Animal Planet, with the premier episode of Drs. Foster and Smith's "Faithful Friends" which is devoted to parrots. Dr. Hess is a featured presenter at TGF's October Behavior and Learning Workshop.

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Meet Gayla, our Volunteer of the Month!



Gayla M. has been volunteering for at least a year, faithfully coming out to the Aviary weekly. She has been a tremendous advocate for The Gabriel Foundation and has used her "techno- savvy" to get us recognized in bird chat groups. This has led to many new sponsors of TGF birds and donations of toys from all over the country! Gayla regularly videotapes and photographs birds that are being sponsored and keeps the sponsors updated on "their" birds.

If you are interested in donating your time, please send an email to patti@thegabrielfoundation.org. We can't do it without you!

Thanx to everyone who loves the Birds