Gen(i)us: Bourke’s Parrot

by Mariah Hughes The Bourke’s Parrot is a nomadic parakeet that thrives across the diverse landscapes of Australia. These small, diurnal, pink-and-brown birds can be observed in tight-knit flocks anywhere from eucalyptus forests to dry scrubland to harsh cityscapes, but their preferred habitat is arid scrub. In captivity, Bourke’s Parrots are gaining popularity, thanks in […] …

The Round Up: A Fine, Fine Line

By S Katherine Clarke, with Sarah Ludick Our February 15th edition of The Round Up asks if there’s a Fine, Fine Line between a budgie’s fascination with mirrors and an African Grey’s plot for #birdworlddominion? In honor of Valentine’s Day, this issue explores birb self-love — in its hopefully healthy expression. See all the wonderful …

Assam State Zoo and Botanical Gardens — BirbObserver

by Tandi Glaser The Assam State Zoo and Botanical Gardens (“the Zoo”) is in the Hengrabari Reserve forest in Assam’s capital, Guwahati. The Zoo’s grounds house rescue and rehabilitation facilities, and the Zoo offers services in nature-tourism. A repository of bio-diversity, the Zoo seeks to become a complete recreational and educational destination in North-east India. […] …

Bird Behavior – understanding is key

by Mary Caton There are times when a parrot owner realizes that they can no longer take care of a beloved pet. Before looking for a new home, you need to ask yourself why you want to re-home your bird. Maybe it’s a behavioral issue that you need help with. As parrots are incredibly intelligent […] …

Ecosystems benefit from Tiger’s presence

A groundbreaking study was just released in the journal Biological Conservation. Written by Thinley et al. (2018), it deals with the ecosystem services provided by tigers (Panthera tigris) to villagers in Bhutan. The authors found strong evidence that the presence of tigers near villages can limit both crop and livestock losses. At its core, this […] …

February: winter’s showcase

As someone born in the month of sun and cold, I declare February to be winter's showcase month!  Yes It's cold, but the combination of bright skies upon the snow-laden landscape is unmatched.  Soon, spring will blanket the fields with green, and the lakes and rivers will flow again.  But for now, snow cover allows …