This is a very special request issue from ParrotsNow News. We received an email asking for some advice.

In the interests of helping a Macaw move to a new home, we are asking for your suggestions. The letter received is below. Any helpful suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Send them to us, and we will pass them on. And we will keep you informed in future issues of how Sigmund is doing.

Thanks for taking the time to read this one!

And be sure to visit parrotsnow.com of course. We are continuing to add more new pages, pictures, stories, and supplies. But... do that after you send us your suggestions/advice ;-)

-- Jim & A'Lona

1. Help Request
Really the only important thing in this issue...

2. On the Fly...

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

1. Help Request

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

"Hi (to ParrotsNow,)

I have just read your web site and have enjoyed it all. In a few weeks, the plan is for me to become the "custodial aunt" for my brother's 3 year old blue and gold Macaw.

My brother is a cross-country truck driver. He had been living with my parents and they have been taking care of Sigmund. Although my parents love him and take great care of his physical needs, their schedules do not allow them to spend the time with Sig that he needs.

My brother will meet us in another state (both meeting half way) to transport the bird. I don't know how long we will have him, but am prepared to have Sig for a couple of years.

I have a few concerns.

1. The bird does not travel well. When placed in his travel cage in the truck (inside), he clings to the side and doesn't move or make a peep. He looks like a scared rabbit. I am worried about dehydration. What can I do to make sure that he is OK during this long trip?

2. He loves my mother and has bonded to her. Besides my brother, he doesn't like men. He likes to intimidate them by doing his "big bird" imitation (stretching, flapping, lunging at them with an open beak), then laughs at them when they cower away. (He has a real sense of humor!)

How do I help him become comfortable with us and transition him to his new home? I've been around him when I've gone to my parents' home and he took quite well to me. (I am female and my voice sounds like my mom, although my hair color is different) However, I was on his "turf" and I'm sure things will be an adjustment for him. I love this little guy very much, as he is my "feathered nephew". I want to make this as easy and painless for him as possible.

Also, there will be a big altitude change for him. He's coming from 5 feet below sea level to 4,500 ft. Will that be a problem?

My kids are 15, 13, 10 and 6. They are all looking forward to Sigmund's arrival. My oldest is the size of a large adult, so I am worried that he will not take to him. My 13 year old son is the most excited about Sig joining us. He is smaller, so I am hoping that there will not be an acceptance problem. It would just crush him if Sig didn't take to him. Any suggestions?

Can you or any of your web-readers help me out with this? I have never had a bird before and this is a VERY big bird to start with!

Thank you so much for all your help,

Joni"

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

Here's a picture that Joni sent us at ParrotsNow.

Joni has added a few things....
This will be about a 1000 mile trip!
She wrote, "Sigmund has never been further than about a 6 hr trip. He's wiped out by then. We will be making LOTS of stops. I'm hoping to get some water in him (eye dropper?), but need some guidance here."

By the way, Joni needs some help soon. Sigmund is making his trip on Thanksgiving weekend, only a few weeks away.

She adds that Sigmund HAS been around children, "There are 4 adults and my little nephew (age 6) in my parents home now. Yes, he has been around kids and likes them as long as they are not hyperactive. He has no fear of them, and has been known to snatch peanut butter and jelly sandwiches right out of their hands! He really likes those! He has even told my nephew and my kids to "shut up" when they get together and are too noisy. Then he laughs at them. Sigmund is a real pill."

Sounds like a good travel cage - It about 2 feet wide by 3 feet long by 2 feet tall, has food and water bowls, perch and toys.

And there is a good Avian Vet where he is now, and at his new home.

Joni finishes with "Again, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for all your help and that of your web-readers."

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

So please send any advice, and we'll be sure to pass it on to Joni and Sigmund, along with our own suggestions from ParrotsNow.

Note: If you do send something in, and you do not want your first name included in any updates on Sigmund, please let us know. If there is info that you would like included, also let us know that.

It sounds like Sigmund will have a great new home. Any suggestions to help the transition?

Send suggestions to parrots@parrotsnow.com

2. On the Fly...

Reminder - 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, with or without food, and dependant on the type and size of your bird.

We'd like to get some feedback about interest in this. (But after you send in your suggestions for Joni and Sigmund ;-)

Send us your thoughts about the "Treats of the Month Club."

Send to parrots@parrotsnow.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Note that the next issue will be out very soon. With more great offers, stories, and more. But for now, send your advice for Joni and Sigmund to parrots@parrotsnow.com

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

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