We've been busy... Adding a lot of new Parrot Supplies. And some great Parrot Pictures too. And so, it's been a while since we've gotten this newsletter out! We will really work toward getting the newsletter out once per month. We'll let you know what's new on the site, bird tips and stories, and even have contests, with the first one in this issue... and we'll offer specials on some of our supplies for you, as a subscriber.

Hope you enjoy. And be sure to visit parrotsnow.com. We are continuing to add more new pages, pictures, stories, and supplies.

-- Jim & A'Lona

1. Contest

2. Tips for your Bird

3. Lost and Found page

4. On the Fly...

Note: For all links within the newsletter, you need to be connected to the internet.

1. Contest

We will draw 3 names from the entries, and EACH of the winners will receive a free Parrot Pinata. You'll get your choice of pinata, so you can get the correct size for your Pet Bird.

By entering, you agree to let us publish your pet's name, your first name, and where you're from. Winners will be announced in the next ParrotsNow Newsletter.

Send your entry to parrots@parrotsnow.com

2. Tips for your Bird

Be Patient

When you bring your new family member home for the first time, it will take a while for him/her to get used to you and your other family members. Be patient - give them time to get used to their new surroundings and family.

Spend time talking to your new family member the first day, introduce everyone to him/her, sit by the cage and spend time reading or just sitting near them. Let them get to know you. Have the cage door open so they feel free to come out and join you.

Start teaching the step-up command, either using your finger (if you don't mind a few beak marks) or you can try a small perch at first, then your finger. The sooner you start teaching this the better (especially with babies). Practice the step-up command at least twice a day, from hand to hand, hand to perch, hand held perch to hand held perch, and when they start to get the meaning of "step-up," you can mix and match all of them in different orders. Be sure to offer affection and praise for each completed step-up. You can offer a favorite treat when practice is done.

If you find that, no matter what, you don't seem to be making progress with your new family member, try taking them to an unfamiliar room (out of their territory) and spend time with them there. Also practice the step-up command then. It may take time but they will come around.

One story we can share about having patience is with our baby Sun Conure, Beckett. We brought Beckett home when he was 5 1/2 weeks. We spent time with him and also hand fed him, which we found to be one of the most rewarding things. Then when Beckett was 11 months old, we brought home Sonny, a 5 year old Sun Conure. Well, Beckett went from being the loving affectionate baby to, we can only guess, a jealous baby. With a new bird, and a new cage, Beckett has become more reluctant to step up or even come out of his cage. He is just now starting to step-up again, but gets nervous if moved very far away from his cage. It has taken alot of time and patience on both our parts but in the long run it will be well worth it.

During this we have learned that Jim has more patience than I do but I am working on it. Hang in there, the end results are very much worth all your hard work and never ending patience.

Please let us know if there is something you would like to read about, whether it is a problem you are having or an idea you have.

--A'Lona

3. Lost and Found page

Send in your story. Be sure to let us know that it's alright to include the info you send (if you want us to add it.) We need to have permission to add the info sent, so there is only one story on the page so far. But it's worth a read. And more are coming....

Take a look at http://www.parrotsnow.com/lostandfound.html

4. On the Fly...

Coming soon! A "Parrot Supplies of the Month" club.

You know that keeping your birds happy is important - and one way to help do that is by giving them new toys. This is meant to help you have a fresh supply of bird toys, food, etc. delivered automatically to your home, and with a savings over regular prices. There will be a choice of packages available , so there will be something for everyone.

It will probably be a choice of a $25 or $50 package, customizable depending on the type and size of your bird.

We'd like to get some feedback about interest in this. So if you're interested, (or if you have any thoughts about what type of items you would like to see included,) please drop us a note at

parrots@parrotsnow.com .

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Parrotsnow was built with a great company - SiteBuildIt is a powerful package of tools for building a web site that gets traffic. If you've been thinking of starting a site yourself, or growing an existing one, you owe it to yourself to look at SiteBuildIt ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

New at Parrotsnow....

There have been a lot of new toys added, and more coming this week, so be sure to visit parrotsnow.com. And we now have FIVE pages of pictures that our visitors have sent in! We'll even be adding some Audio messages from our birds!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And... We've added more pictures for the Parrot e-cards that you can send. These postcards are customizable, and there's no cost to send one (or as many as you like) to family and friends. If you haven't tried it yet, be sure to send one from http://www.parrotsnow.com/parrots_e-cards.html

Taking flight ...for now,
Jim & A'Lona (...and Bubba, Beckett, & Sonny)

P.S. - Don't forget to enter our contest. Your bird will thank you :-)

Visit us at http://www.parrotsnow.com

Email us at parrots@parrotsnow.com

If a friend DID forward this to you and if you like what you read, please subscribe by visiting... http://www.parrotsnow.com/newsletter.html