From the parrot's beak 1/26 edition

- "Snowball the Dancing Cockatoo" is the new book coming out by naturalist/ "Boston Globe" contributor Sy Montgomery; based on the true story of the cockatoo whose dancing to Stevie Nicks, Backstreet Boys, etc.; became the basis for scientific study and a conclusion that parrots are among a select group of animals, including humans, who literally move in sync to rhythm. Snowball is companion to Irena Schulz.

- New Zealand's kea parrots live comfortably in snowy regions. They have been known to attack and eat mutton on the hoof- and that's not all they'll attack. Franz Josef Glacier - Kea attempting to dismantle a car - YouTube Thanks to Irena Schulz. -- The intelligent bird used to have a bounty on its head for its sheep attacking proclivity, but now faces a new threat.Braniac parrots threatened by widespread lead poisoning - Yahoo ... Thanks to Viki Bullock.

- What we can learn from 900 year old kakapo dung, speaking of New Zealand parrots. http://ow.ly/h4yLw Thanks to Brent Rodriguez.

- Mass. man charged in parrot theft - FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston Fom Viki Bullock.

- Encouraged by the Center for Biological Diversity's International Birds Initiative, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently proposed to protect Bolivia's blue-throated macaw under the Endangered Species Act. The Center has been working to protect scores of exotic avians since '03.

- Nuts to you: Peanuts are often contaminated with aflatoxin, a fungal toxin which is carcinogenic and causes liver damage in birds. Peanuts with dark spots are suspect; but even those that look perfect, are organic, are "human grade" and/or have been roasted could be contaminated. Safe nut alternatives include almonds, walnuts, pine nuts and pistachios. If you cannot resist giving your parrot a peanut, some recommend feeding only out of shell, dry roasted and unsalted peanuts and only tiny pieces for positive reinforcement when training to reward desired behavior. From Dawn Korpalski

- Savannah and Steve Martin - YouTube An African grey and no, not the first "wild and crazy" guy that might spring to mind.

- Dom Deluise and the Parrot on Vimeo this time, yes; THAT Dom Deluise. The late comedian,btw; left a generous donation in his will to a parrot sanctuary.

- The ARA Project in Costa Rica needs urgent help. One of the most important great green and scarlet macaw conservation projects in Central America, which is re-introducing these macaws into the wild, is threatened because they are to be evicted from their current property. and need financial help to relocate the installations and 200+ macaws. www.thearaproject.org

- Parrot Nail Filing - YouTube From Dawn Korpalski.

- The Parrot Experience is a FREE program where participants may hold, learn and take photos of live parrots, with the assistance of former "Bird Talk" writer Sally Blanchard Sat. 1/26 from 1-4 at The (Weld County) Garage, 2699 47th Ave., Greeley, CO.

- Arizona Aviculture Society sponsors a Winter Bird Mart. 1/27; 9-3. at El Zaribah Shrine Auditorium 552 N. 40th st, Phoenix.

- Bird people news: Patrica Sund, of "Bird Talk" and "Parrot Nation" presents a chop workshop at PSA Art Awakenings in Phoenix, AZ on 2/17 from 1-4. There will be a bird on a bike (???) out front to guide you to the correct room. To register go to www.arizonaseedcrackersociety.org.-- Parrot enrichment specialist Robin Shewokis recently spoke at Arizona Seed Crackers Society. She is also the founder of Leather Elves bird toys and supplies-of Weymouth, MA.http://www.theleatherelves.com/ Next stop: Houston Parrot Festival.

- Sugar Needs Your Help!! Miami Valley Bird Club & Rescue was contacted on 1/6 about Sugar an Umbrella Cockatoo who had medical issues, and needed to be re-homed. Donations may be sent to:Miami Valley Bird Club & Rescue’s Sugar Dayton South Veterinary Clinic 3200 Wilmington Pike Kettering, Ohio 45429

- Radio interview with Tracy Gourd, recently deceased former manager of Parrot Safari of Londonderry, NH. https://app.dumptruck.goldenfrog.com/p/yFwI6xB-qW/ParrotSafariRadioInter...

- British birds lost and found: Help find Pepe the Parrot | Local news from Stafford and Staffordshirewww.staffordshirenewsletter.co.uk/News/Lost-parrot-in-Stafford-140...-- Bid to find owner of green parrot on loose near Carlisle - News &

- What's louder than a cockatoo in a cage? Two 'toos in a cage named Miranda and Peaches! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gd6ma2zEwVg&feature=share From Linda Bringle Pearl.

- Somewhere over the... rainbow lorikeets consist of several species and subspecies, as Sally Blanchard explains https://companionparrotonline.com/Parrot_Species_Profiles.html

- Readin' material: World Parrot Trust's "Flock Talk" newsletter includes > Species Profile: Black-capped Lory , > Ask An Expert Feature: Dr. Ellen Cook and > Test Your Parrot IQ. -- Grab yourself a bird behavior DVD by Barbara Heidenreich and "Birdkeeper" magazine will "shout" the postage (apparently, that's Aussie for cover the postage free)! Choose your DVD at http://www.birdkeeper.com.au/bird-dvds/dvd81-the-basics-of-parrot-training, pop discount code FBDVDBB6 in the discount box and click ‘apply’. Offer ends this Sun. 1/27/13. -- Sally Blanchard's online "Companion Parrot Newsletter #12" is just out, as is -- "Winged Things" by Karen Wingrove.-- BirdProfile is a social network website, translated in 14 languages. Users can publish their birds’ information to a wide audience. .www.birdprofile.com/help/en/index.php