Bird Lovers Social Club Newsletter
April, 2006 ~ 3rd Friday of the Month ~ Issue # 26
| Julie Corwin | President |
| Christa Villa | Vice President |
| Ellen Price | Secretary |
| Sandy Jacobs | Treasurer |
Web Site: www.geocities.com/bird_lovers_club/
Email address: [email protected]
Club Meetings are the 3rd Friday every month.
Dimmitt Middle School - Renton Area
6:00 to 9:00 pm. Focus on different
group of birds each month.
Our focus for April will be Cockatoos and Cockatiels.
Come Cuddle with a Too & Talk to a Tiel
Editors Corner
I hope everyone had fun at the bird mart on the Peninsula this past weekend. Olympia bird Fair ( SSEBS ) is coming up on June 24th. Mt. Vernon is talking of doing one in September. I would recommend everyone check when dates get closer to make sure things don't change.
It has been decided that our club will not do booths at the bird fairs this year. We do have members that will be attending and do hope to hand out some flyers for our club. Sandy was gracious and had them available at her booth at the Peninsula bird mart.
We could also use some suggestions for fund raisers for our club. We need to be able to continue to pay our insurance and decide if we want to apply for 501c3 Non-profit status. We are a registered not for profit organization by Washington State.
One of the suggestions was to have a bird supplies & misc items yard sale. NO BIRDS. We could check on using the school parking lot, but would need to figure out the possibility of a port-a-potty. Please let me know if anyone has an interest in doing this. Scott will be planning a clinic at my place on Saturday May 13th from 4 to 9 pm.
Another idea that has been recent topic is to start an foster/adoption program. Many clubs are doing this now. If anyone is interested in participating, please let me know. We can talk about it at a meeting or privately.
I would really appreciate some info on these ideas or others, so let me know.
Species of the Month
April focus is on Cockatoos and Cockatiels. Sadenna made some flyers for this meeting to be handed out at the bird mart and also A Place for Pets in Burien displayed one in their bird area for us.
I will be bringing some food display to show what I use for my custom mix. The mix for cockatiels could also be used for other small birds, such as parrotlets, lovebirds, budgies, grass keets, and small conures. With a quick variation it can be used for any size bird. It includes seed, pellets, dried fruit & veggies. Add some soft food, egg food, birdy bread, etc and you have an easy good variety. Also product I have starting adding to hand feeding formula with great results.
Cockatoos come in a wide variety of sizes and personalities. Triton, Greater Sulpher Crested, Medium Sulpher Crested, Lessor Sulpher Crested, Moluccan, Umbrella, Citron, Goffin, Bare Eyed, Rosebreasted, Slender Bill and Rare Black Cockatoos.
Cockatiels have many color mutations and continue to be very common in the Pet Industry.
Here is some information from a Kaytee web site that I found
Umbrella Cockatoo
The Umbrella Cockatoos are by far the most affectionate and cuddly of birds. They require a great amount of attention and can be very loud when demanding it. Cockatoos also like to chew and can be destructive to furniture if not supervised. They mimic speech but have a limited number of words in their vocabulary.
In the wild, the umbrella inhabits several Indonesian Islands foraging in pairs or small flocks. Its white plumage and loud screeching make it very conspicuous. Cockatoos all have a crest of feathers that can be raised in defense or as part of mating displays.
Facts Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae Genus: Cacatua Species: alba
Weaning Age: approx. 14 weeks Sexual Maturity: 5-6 years Life Span: 60-70 years
Body Weight: 550-650 grams (1.3 pounds) Head to Tail Length: 46 cm (18 in)
Habitat Size L x W x H: 102 x 76 x 127 cm (40 x 30 x 50 in) Habitat Bar Spacing: 25.5 mm (1.0 in)
Goffin Cockatoo
The Goffin Cockatoos are very intelligent and make great family companions who will be affectionate to everyone in the family. They need a great amount of attention and can demand it loudly.
The Goffin Cockatoo inhabits islands of Indonesia. These cockatoos lay 3-4 eggs in a tree cavity. Like other parrots, the young hatch blind, naked and helpless-altricial.
Facts Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae Genus: Cacatua Species: goffini Weaning Age: approx. 12 weeks Sexual Maturity: 5-6 years Life Span: 60-70 years Body Weight: 350 grams (12 oz) Head To Tail Length: 32 cm (13 in) Habitat size L x W x H: 81 x 58 x 94 cm (32 x 23 x 37 in) Habitat Bar Spacing: 19.5 mm (0.75 in)
Cockatiel
The Cockatiel is one of the most common companion birds and a great choice for a first-time bird owner. They are affectionate and great with the whole family. Some will mimic speech, but they are better at mimicking whistling.
In the wild, Cockatiels forage for seeds on the ground and in the shrubs of Australia. The wild color is predominately gray. The young birds remain in family groups for about one month.
Facts Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae Genus: Nymphicus Species: hollandicus Weaning Age: appox. 6 weeks Sexual Maturity: 1 year Life Span: 15-20 years Body Weight: 90 grams (3 oz) Head To Tail Length: 32 com (12 in)
Habitat Size L x W x H: 61 x 51 x 107 cm (24 x 20 x 42 in) Habitat Bar Spacing: 19.5 mm (0.75 in)
We hope to have some of these types of birds at our meeting this month. Possibilly Moluccan, Umbrella, Rosebreasted and Bare Eyed, and Cockatiels
If you have birds to bring, please let Julie know..........
Consignment and Raffle Tables
Remember we have consignment tables
available for members to bring items to the meetings to sell. No birds,
although flyers, pictures and information is allowed at consignment tables. A
10% donation of all sales to the club is required. No booth rental and can
do so any meeting, just let Julie know ahead of time if possible, but not
required. A quick easy form will be provided for you to quickly figure out
and donate your 10 %.
Informal and
Project Time 6:00pm
This is informal social hour, plus a
good time to shop if we have vendors or items on consignment table. Our club
T-shirts will be available, along with our toys. Sales of these items will
continue for the fund to buy projection
equipment to use for our club.
Official Meeting will start at 7:00 pm
We will be introducing guest birds and their
slaves.......If you have not figured out that you are a slave to these birds,
you have a lot to learn.....lol
Guest Speakers or general discussion on focus group will follow.
Raffle tickets and Snacks are available throught the meeting. Please bring items to donate to raffle table if you can.
We will be having a special $5 raffle this month. Prizes are a Double Tall small bird cage donated by Bird Villa, A small bird play area donated by Mareta. Life like status of a Macaw, and possibly a Wrought Iron Cage also.
Please help provide snacks and beverages for the meetings.
I appreciate any help on topics, otherwise you get entertained from my experiences and memories. I encourage all of you to share experiences.
We need Volunteers for Set up and Break down for meetings. Anyone who can come a few minutes early or stay and help load out is very appreciated.
Mark your cal
endar for upcoming Events
Our monthly focus groups will be:
 |
January--------------Handicapped and Geriatric Birds |
|
February-------------Council Meeting +Emergency Supplies |
|
March----------------Conures & Softbills |
|
April------------------Cockatoos & Cockatiels |
|
May------------------Finches & Canaries |
|
June-------------------Macaws & Mini Macaws |
|
July-------------------Parakeets & Budgies |
|
August---------------Summer Picnic ( Clinic with Scott Mc Donald ) |
|
September------------African ( Lovebirds ) |
|
October--------------Pionus & Eclectus, Lorys & Lorikeets |
|
November-----------Amazons & Parrotletts |
|
December-----------Caiques & Hawkheads+Christmas Party & Bazaar |
Please note we have switched Conure and Finches around. The hope is that if the weather is warmer, more people would be willing to bring Finches and Canaries.
We also need ideas for topics for meetings. Is anyone willing to stand up and share information or email it to me, on any of these types of birds. Sharing first hand information about birds you have is the best.
We would also like stories to share for future meetings and newsletters. Everyone enjoys the cute stories we tell about our birds. Anyone who wants to volunteer to give information on our focus groups, let me know......
I will be posting bird shows and seminars as I receive the information in the section. Watch here for more information in future newsletters
This is your club, Let us know what you want it to become !!
Other Events in our area of Interest
ASOPS Club Meeting: no information available
SSEBS Club Meeting: 2nd Friday--www.ssebs.org
NWEBS Club Meeting: 3rd Thursday --www.nwexoticbirdsociety.org
OLYMPIC BIRD FANCIER: 1st Thursday --www.olympicbirdfanciers.com
Bird Fairs schedules will be updated as I receive information
SSEBS BIRD FAIR------------JUNE 24TH–OLYMPIA
LARMS BIRD FAIR------------SEPT 23RD--MT VERNON
Seminar with Barbara --contact Naomi
I will also post special events at other clubs in this section in future newsletters.
Notes of Special Interest
We have been discussing putting together a foster/adoption program and would appreciate any input. We are working on questionaires and forms now. Many bird clubs across the country are doing this. We are also still working on our Education program. I will bring notes to the meeting.
Special
plans and Volunteers Needed
Does anyone want to help with these projects ???
Also it is time to start planning our summer picnic. Please talk to Julie.
Treasury Summary
(year 2006)
| Current | Year to date | |
| Membership dues | $ | $ 145.00 |
| Raffles | $ 83.00 | $ 183.00 |
| Consignment Sales(10%) | $ | $ |
| Cash Donations | $ 7.00 | $ 37.00 |
| Bird Fair Revenue | $ | |
| Other Income | $ | $ 20.00 for AFA |
| Insurance Payment | $240.00 ( 1st quarter ) | $ 240.00 |
| Newspaper Advertising | ||
| Booth at Bird Fair | $ | $ |
| T-shirt Sales | $ 15.00 | $ 15.00 |
| Toy Sales | $ 100.00 | $ 178.00 |
| Special Raffle | $ | $ 50.00 |
CURRENT FUNDS $ 388.00
Special Fundraisers for Club Equipment $ 253.00 --funds raised separately This is done by selling club T-shirts, our special toys, and special raffles.
A Special Thanks to all of you who donated time, Raffle items, participation in projects, Bringing Guest Birds, Buying Raffle Tickets and For Joining Us.
Please donate to the raffle table if you can. This is the main way that we raise revenue for our club, and pay for our insurance.
Also please bring snacks or beverages to share for the meetings if possible.
A Special Welcome to our New Members
Welcome to Our Newest Members: --------------
Thank You for joining us to our guests: Wendy, Edith, Cherry, and Barbara and thanks to all of the members attending. 21 people in all.
We always encourage guests to come to meetings and have a good time.
Recap of last months meeting
Our Focus was conures. We had search a word games, info sheet on softbills, Christa shared info on different types of conures. Julie announced her distributorship for California Cages, and also Availability of Cages from Lars.
We had lots of beautiful guest birds and it was amazingly quiet considering we had a room with lots of Conures. Guest Conures included:
Sun and Jenday babies,—JULIE–10 weeks old
Merlin--White Eyed, Scarlet--Cherry Head-- DON & SADENNA--5 years old,
Pickle--Mitred & 2 Jendays–Babby –4 years old & JoJo --10 years old--KATIE
Sherbert--Sun–5 years old--SCOTT
Sun –15 months old--LOU
African Red Belly--6 months old--CHRISTA
Thanks for all who donated to the raffle tables, bought tickets and all of the delicious food, and those who brought their beautiful birds to Share.
Getting To Know Our New Members
Please give information to Ellen so we can
share information on new members. This is a great way for everyone to get
to know
........Our Club is Growing........
We appreciate all of you helping to Spread the Word about the Club. Any help with printing brochures or handing them out would be greatly appreciated... They more people we talk to, the more we will grow. We need to get more flyers to the local pet stores also.
We always encourage guests to come to meetings and have a good time.
Guest birds are welcome also, but please contact Julie before the Meeting. We do have some restrictions. You must have owned the bird for at least 90 days without health issues. Flyers are not allowed to do laps due to the fact that we meet in a school cafeteria. Please always clean up droppings as they occur so we do not lose the use of the school cafeteria.
.................Future Ideas for Meetings are..............
We talked about forming a group of bird keepers who would represent our club in many activities. We will discuss this more at a future meeting. The educational outline is almost complete. I will need volunteers to help provide information about all of the different species.
Suggestions were made to have a yard sale for bird items and other misc items ( no birds ) on a weekend at the school parking lot, Or to have a mini bird mart with supplies only. Maybe when Scott McDonald is here for a Bird Clinic on May 14. We need to start planning this if we want to do it. A porta-potty would be a requirement.
Wendy Crane from AFA has agreed to come and be a speaker for one of our meetings on Softbills and bring a couple of her Toucans. Unfortunately she could not make the march meeting, but we did talk about April. She also has a huge library of seminar information and books ( including avian medical ) so if we have questions, she will copy information that is revelant and send to me. Anyone interested in attending the seminar in Victoria should talk to Wendy, She says it is her favorite.
Do you have a guest speaker you would like to ask to come. Please let me know...
We are looking for ideas to add dimension to our club and make it more fun and a social night out.
If you have suggestions or ideas, please to talk to Julie or any officer.
If you have been to other clubs where they had activities you enjoyed, let us know
This is your
club........let us know what you want it to become
Birdy Recipe
BoxNow is the start of the season when fresh foods are more readily available and a much larger variety. Enjoy for yourself and remember your birds too.
Did you know that most of our birds enjoy meat
also. Chicken seems to be a favorite. Make sure it is well cooked.
Also some birds really enjoy the bones. They love to crack them open and
eat the marrow inside. Make sure they are not the little tiny bones that
they could get hurt on.
Helpful Hints
As far as ants go, those little tiny ones are usually found were there is moisture. See if you can find the moisture. Find where they are coming into the house and then treat the area OUTSIDE of the house keeping it safe for the birds.
Thanks Sadenna and Sandy for adding info like this to the club yahoo group .
Please note that anyone using any type of chemical in their yards even weed & feed that these chemicals can be brought back into the house on your shoes and will then be in your carpet. Please use the same precautions with using chemicals as you can carry these chemicals on your clothes and body. Change clothes and shower.
Check with the master gardeners too. Each county has their own extension office.
Any items you would like to share can be included in newsletter.......Stories,
receipe, pictures and etc., just email to Julie with note for the newsletter.
We are looking for ideas to add
dimension to our club and make it more fun and a social night out.
If you have suggestions or ideas, please to talk to Julie or any officer, or if
you have been to other clubs where they had activities you enjoyed, let us know
Do you have information to share???? The newsletter is the Place..........email to Julie for putting in newsletter.
BIRD LOVERS SOCIAL CLUB
Supportive Donation Form
Individual $20
Family
$25
( Please circle which membership you would like )
NAME: _____________________________________________________
*ADDRESS*:
_____________________________________________________
*
CITY *
_____________________________________________________
*EMAIL ADDRESS*: _______________________________________________
*PHONE NUMBER*: _______________________________________________
*Optional information: Please let us know if you want this information shared
through a directory by
printing ok next to items with stars……..
Please
circle the birds you are interested in:
African Amazon Budgie Caique Canary Cockatiel Cockatoo Conure
Eclectus Finch Hawk head Lory/Lorikeet Lovebird Macaw Parakeet
Parrotlet Pionus
Other _________________________________________________________________
Please circle the action
items below if you would be interested in helping/leading any of the following
committees:
Christmas Bizarre Bird Fair BBQ Picnic Yard Sale
For more information about our club including meeting times and places. Please refer to our club brochure
To view previous newsletters HERE
