Birds USA 2011

Editor's Note
BY LAURA DOERING
I still get all mushy inside whenever my conure, Ollie, turns his head sideways to invite me to scratch his cheek. I can’t help but take it as a compliment; after all, here’s a creature no bigger than my hand, yet instead of viewing me as a giant predator, he thinks of me as his personal cook, maid and masseuse.  Read more here.

The Journey Starts Here
BY PAMELA CLARK, CVT, CPBC
Start the journey of pet bird ownership.

Noise 101
BY LISA BONO
Learn all about pet bird noise levels, frequencies and what to do when it's excessive.

5 Tips For Talking
BY ANASTASIA THRIFT
Get your parrot to speak up.

Cage Revolution
BY PATRICIA SUND
Discover the evolution of cage design.

5 Tricks To Train
BY ANASTASIA THRIFT
Give your parrot a little direction with these moves.

5 Ways To Be A Better Parrot Owner
BY REBECCA K. O'CONNOR
Kick start — or reinvent — your relationship with your flock.

Avoid The Bite
BY BONNIE JAY
Know your bird's body language, and both you and your bird will be happy.

What To Feed & How To Feed
BY LAURA DOERING
Follow these easy tips for easy eating.

Your Bird's Play Type
BY JESSICA PINEDA
Find out why toys are so important for your bird.

All About Poop
BY NIKKI MOUSTAKI
Things you've always wanted to know about bird poop (but never would have asked).

Pet Birds Yesterday & Today
BY SUSAN CHAMBERLAIN
Discover the history of birds — 40 million years and counting.

Quarantine
BY ROBIRDA MCDONALD
Before introducing a new bird to the flock, follow quarantine protocol.

So Clean, So Easy
BY REBECCA STOUT
With a few tools and a few minutes, you can spend more time with your bird and less time cleaning.

A To Z Medical Guide
BY DR. GREGORY RICH & DR. LESLIE PENCE
Know your ABCs of diseases & conditions — it could save your bird's life.

The Aviary
BY KARL LIEBERMAN
Build an outdoor paradise for your birds.

ABCs Of Bird Species
COMPILED BY JULIE MIGNERY
So many birds! Get to know your pet bird better with these profiles.

Find The Differences
Can you spot the 10 differences between these two photos?
BY THOMAS KIMBALL

Tree Maze
Help the conure get to its nest!
BY THOMAS KIMBALL

Crossword
Test your bird knowledge!

Where In The World?
Match the parrot to the continent from which it originates.
BY THOMAS KIMBALL

Web Column
Directory of Breeders
Advertiser Index
Species Photo Index
2009 Birds USA Annual Photo Contest Winners
Directory of Avian Vets, Services and Clubs

ON THE COVER
Sun conure by Christopher Appoldt
African grey, budgie & cockatiel by Cioli & Hunnicutt/BowTie Studio/Courtesy Jennifer Ketchersid, Nick Morris & Anastasia Thrift
Canary By Carolyn A. McKeone