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green-cheeked CONURE: SPECIES PROFILE The humble green-cheek is a very popular pet bird, for good reason. We might be a little biased, but we think they are so pretty darn spectacular! The size of a cockatiel with the personality of a macaw and full of mischief and crazy antics. They are highly social, generally quiet, great with children and brilliant fliers. They are very fast learners, and can even learn to say a few words and tricks. Although they are not overly noisy, their infrequent alert calls can pose problems to people living in apartment complexes. They are more chatty than screechy. If you want a tiny shoulder companion who is always up for snuggles, a conure might just be the right pet for you! COMMON NAMES Green-cheeked conure, green-cheeked parakeet, green-cheeked parrot SCIENTIFIC NAME Pyrrhura molinae 10 inches (26cm) and between 60 and 80 grams aDULT SIZE LIFE EXPECTANCY With adequate diet, care, health, stimulation and love, your green-cheeked conure can live up to 25-30 years. However, most live only 10 years, due to owner neglect. This is why it is imperative to learn and grow our knowledge about avian care. ORIGIN AND HISTORY The Green-Cheeked Conure is native to South America, living in the forests of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. In the wild, they tend to live in large flocks of 10-20 birds. Colours and markings Green-cheeked conures are monomorphic, meaning both sexes have identical colouring. They naturally occur as 'green/natural' and 'yellowsided' in the wild, but there are a multitude of new colours that have been developed in captivity. They are characterised by their vivid colours: red tails, green and blue wing feathers, black head plumage and bare white rings around their eyes. Some colours that are bred in captivity are: pallid (cinnamon), pineapple, opaline (yellowsided), parblue (or more commonly referred to as turquoise), turquoise yellowsided, turquoise cinnamon, turquoise pineapple, and even pied, violet (single and double factor) and dilute. To learn more about the different colour mutations, read here . housing requirements Conures, by nature, are very inquisitive, playful parrots. They need to have adequate room to play, forage, fly/flap and explore their surroundings. For birds, this is usually a cage or enclosure, which becomes your bird's "safe place". Their cage should provide sufficient room to freely spread both wings. Choose the largest cage you can afford and that will fit well in your space. A cage recommended to house a green-cheeked conure should be at the very least 60x60x60cm, but recommended 80x90x55cm with between 15-19mm wide bar spacing. A cage with a playtops and doors with locking mechanisms are an advantage. Select natural branches to use as perches, as these provide different thicknesses, textures and enrichment to promote foot health. Conures love to chew and should be given ample toys for the sole purpose of destroying and keeping them occupied. We purchase all our toys from Unique Beaks Handmade Bird Toys which are made with bird-safe natural dyes, stainless steel, plastic, wood and accessories. You can find them on Facebook here. Items such as pony beads, paddlepop sticks, paper, untreated pine, paper straws, wax-free cupcake liners, and finger traps make great toys for inquisitive beaks to shred. Some metals, such as galvanised steel, lead, and zinc can cause metal poisoning, so it is best to use stainless steel wherever possible. Feeding your conure a balanced, nutritionally dense, varied diet is imperative to maintaining healthy physical and mental wellbeing. This should consist of a base diet of formulated pellets, low-fat seeds, sprouted seed, vegetables and a small amount of fruit. For more details on diet and nutrition for your parrot, read about it here. diet and nutrition common health problems Conures are known to be susceptible to feather plucking. This could have medical causes, or it could be contributed by boredom, or lack of mental stimulation (handling, variation in routine, not enough/any toys). Annual (or more often if required) checkups are highly advised to ensure your parrot is in best health, as diagnosis and treatment of any disease or illness can be given earlier rather than later. Diseases known to affect conures include: Proventricular Dilatation Disease (PDD: An incurable viral disease. Symptoms: regurgitation, crop impaction, poor appetite, weight loss, weakness, muscle wastage), Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease. (PBFD: An incurable, contagious viral disease which attacks feather follicles, beak and claw tissue. Symptoms: damaged and deformed feathers, claws and beak, cracking and peeling of the outer layers of the claws and beak, lethargy, vomiting/diarrhoea) Beak malocclusion (Misaligned beak ie. scissor beak. Can be caused by beak injury/trauma. Symptoms: beak not lining up properly when closed) Aspergillosis (A sickness from exposure to mould spores. Symptoms: severe difficulty breathing, decreased/loss of appetite, frequent drinking and urination, cyanosis (a bluish coloration of mucous membranes and/or skin), sudden death) Here are some avian vets in South East Queensland whom we have good dealings with and feel confident enough to recommend. There are others in the southern corner, however we would not recommend them. THE EXOTICS VET Dr. Vanessa Harkess BVSC (Hons I) MANZCVS (Avian Health) 22 Ashmole Road, Redcliffe QLD Phone: (07) 3060 2112 Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 9am to 5pm, Closed Sunday and Monday https://theexoticsvet.com/ BRISBANE BIRD VET Dr. Adrian Gallagher BVSC (Hons) MANZCVS (Avian Health) 248 Hamilton Rd, Chermside QLD Phone: (07) 3359 2233 Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9am to 5pm, Tuesday and Thursday until 7pm, Weekends closed https://brisbanebirdvet.com.au/ BRISBANE BIRD & EXOTICS VETERINARY SERVICE Dr. Deborah Monks BVSc (Hons), Cert Zoo Med (RCVS), ECZM Diplomate (Avian Medicine), FANZCVS (Avian Medicine and Surgery) 191 Cornwall Street, Greenslopes, QLD Phone: (07) 3217 3533 Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30am to 6:00pm, Saturday 8:30am to 12:00pm, Closed Sundays & Public Holidays https://bbevs.com.au/

It's a nerve-wracking time bringing a new parrot home for the first time. Make sure you're prepared with our easy step-by-step guide. how to choose a new parrot here do not impulse buy here value transparency here ensure they are weaned here research what traits you desire Quakers page 70 (Barrons guide) bathing here

get in touch We are located in the heart of the Lockyer Valley, Queensland, roughly an hour west of Brisbane. 0423 470 041 Maranatha Aviaries Appointment only, when birds are available. No aviary tours. No international calls please. Please note: We are unable to export our birds overseas. You can read about Australian export laws here . Ready to Squawk? The best way to contact us is through Facebook Messenger via our Business page. That way we can send you all the pictures and videos without them being compressed and reduced in quality. The email form below is also a great option, but keep an eye on your junk/spam folder; we do reply I promise! Quite often our replies will end up in the promotional graveyard - gee thanks, technology! I would like to know more about: Choose an option Thanks for your message! We will get back to you shortly. Submit

Bird freight process for Maranatha Aviaries Brisbane Bird Breeder BIRDS FOR SALE freight information We are excited to be able to offer freight within QLD or interstate to our clients. It is still just as important to us to match a baby's emerging personality with the type of family and environment they will be living with once they leave us. We also freight breeding pairs for breeders. We understand it can be a nerve-wracking decision to fly your new companion interstate for you, especially if you've never experienced it before. It is normal to worry about how the noise, smells and even fumes may affect your bird, and whether the stress would pose a negative effect either short or long term for them. In our experience, they generally are pretty happy to get out at the other end, have a drink of water and meet their new humans. In the case of hand reared pets, some will look for physical interaction and be off exploring straight away, and others may want to have a big sleep first. It is important to read their body language and not to overwhelm them in their new environment. The process of getting your new family member freighted to you is quite simple: we do all the work for you! Restrictions: Western Australia: No quakers or conures. Bourke's parrots are permitted. Tasmania: No quakers. Bourke's and conures permitted with movement advice through DPIPWE/Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania HOW WE BOOK FOR AIR FREIGHT 1. Let us know which airport is closest to you, which day works best and a preferred time and we will try our best to accommodate. We will usually send earlier in the morning to reduce the risk of cancelled flights and stranded birds. 2. We let our lovely freight agent Kim check what flights are available. We will only send by air cargo as it is the most reliable, fastest and least amount of stress on the birds, especially when compared to road freight. 3. We will pass on your phone number and email address, and Kim will give you a call to discuss times and dates. I will also confirm pricing with you if it is not one of the listed airports below. Unfortunately flight prices haven't been immune to increases over the past couple of years, and certain airports have jumped significantly. We strive to keep our price affordable for you; the freight price includes: flight cost airline approved freight box small allowance for tolls and fuel postage to send your care package if required. We do end up absorbing some of the cost to make sure it is as economical as possible. Prices are subject to change, please message us to confirm. Destination One Bird Two Birds To Adelaide $195 $215 To Mackay $180 $200 To Melbourne $195 $215 To Rockhampton $180 $200 To Sydney $180 $200 4. Once the total and date is confirmed, we will send you a balance breakdown and you'll be able to make your final payment. Once it has cleared into our account, you will be sent through your receipt for proof of payment. 5. You'll get an email (keep an eye on junk/spam just in case!) from Kim to confirm your pickup time, location and all other details you'll need on the day. 6. On the day of your flight, we will be sure to send you plenty of photos of your bird/s, before they are placed into the freight box. The boxes are airline approved, strong plywood construction with sliding door at the back secured shut with screws to prevent risk of escape. It also has small, grated windows in the front and a perch on the inner base to make sure they have grip and cannot slide about and hurt themselves. We send pairs in a box with separate compartments to ensure their safety in a stressful environment, even if they are a bonded or breeding pair. Inside the boxes they have plenty of food including corn, apple and sprouts to ensure they stay hydrated with moisture and electrolytes. Don't be alarmed if you notice they haven't eaten as much as expected, the new sights, sounds and going on an aircraft would be quite a scary experience and likely not to feel like eating very much in transit. Kim will be tracking the flight to ensure everything is running smoothly, and will update you if there are any delays or concerns. You may also like to track the flight via live radar on Flight Stats or Flight Radar 24 using your flight number (eg: VA1396) to ease a little of the anxiety that comes from the long awaited trip. 7. We take the journey from our home to the Brisbane airport to arrive two hours before the flight is due to leave, which is just over an hour's drive. The crate is then lodged at the cargo depot, and will be sent to the plane when they are ready to load. We will let you know when they have been dropped off. 8. When the flight arrives at your airport, it is normally about 45-60 minutes before they are ready to be collected at the depot. Please have your photo identification ready for them to verify who is picking them up. As a matter of courtesy, please also send us a quick message to confirm you have them safely in your possession. 9. When you are back home, be sure to never force them out of the crate. Majority of the time, they will happily fly out, whether into your home or into their new aviary. For young handreared birds, make sure you are in a smaller space (like a bedroom or separate living space) and lift the door up and off. Talk softly to them, and if they are hesitant to come out, just be patient and wait ; they will come out in their own time. Have water ready to offer them after their journey, as it may have been upwards of 5-6 hours since their last drink. Take it slow, and do not rush up on them; offer a slow moving hand and watch their body language, change your actions if necessary. Do not rush them. For aviary birds, place the crate inside their cage or aviary if possible, and lift the door up and off. Do not force them out of the crate, shake or bang the sides. Allow them time to get their bearings and assess their new surroundings as being safe; they will come out when they are ready, there's no rush. Make sure they have water and food available to them straight away. For majority of shipments, things go completely smoothly and the birds are not affected and keep a close eye on the flight times to let you know if there are any expected delays. WHY WE WON'T ROAD FREIGHT We maintain that air freight is the only adequate way of transporting our premium quality birds with minimal risk. There are many reasons that we do not risk road transport of companion parrots, firstly it is a significantly longer journey in which we have no control over how the birds are stored, handled, fed or watered. A trip that would take 2 hours by air would take 3 or 4 days, even longer if heading to one of the southern states. In the early days, we have sent by road as per our customer's wishes, but against our better judgement and against the plethora of negative reviews and experiences shared online and by people we know. Thankfully the experience did not end in death, injury or sickness, but our birds were not fed or watered, their cage was filled with chicken feathers and dirt, the crate that was provided was rusted and for a service that took much longer yet the same price of a flight, it was not worth the risk. We vowed that we will only send by air from here on out. Secondly, it is a much greater risk to biosecurity, which we take very seriously. Yes, birds may be air freighted along side dogs, cats and other animals, but road transport is primarily used for livestock such as chickens, ducks, even goats. These animals are much more likely to pass on disease and parasites to your new bird, and it is our responsibility to make sure your bird gets to you just as healthy and happy as it was when it was here. By air travel, your parrot has a much lower exposure time to any potential illnesses, and is in a more enclosed crate compared to an open cage. They also would feel more secure in a darker, smaller crate for a short amount of time rather than a cage for many days surrounded by other animals. The babies we raise from the time they open their eyes are just as special to us as they are to you, and it is our duty of care to ensure you receive not only what you paid for, but your bird deserves the continued health and utmost care as they leave our home and join yours. That is our promise to you.

TESTIMONIALS Great set up, friendly birds, and beautiful colours. Must recommend if looking for hand raised birds to join your flock! Aaron - February 2026 (Google) Very knowledgeable, friendly and good advice Jeremy - July 2025 (Google) I've bought two birds from Camille. Her birds are always well socialised and both of my girls have gotten on really well with other conures. I went back for a second conure after having such a good experience with the first. I would definitely pick Marantha Averies over other breeders, she really takes the time to ween and tame her birds. Wouldn't buy conures from anyone else. Ellie - March 2025 (Google) Absolutely beautiful birds... colours! Temperament! Lovingly raised in a family.... I just keep going back! Crystal - March 2025 (Google) Camille hand-reared and transported Juniper all the way to Melbourne for me, could not recommend Maranatha Aviaries enough. She is a fantastic and friendly communicator and I felt extremely at ease with the entire process. Juniper is a dream come true, I've never known such a snuggly parrot, she'd sit in my hand all day if she could. Brianna - July 2024 (Google) I first contacted Maranatha Aviaries back in August 2023 and from the first conversation I felt reassured as the level of knowledge was there. They had babies at the end of October and we were so excited and picked two beautiful girls we named Eilee and Kaia, but when they were due to be picked up we would be in NZ I explained that too Camille and she was so amazing about everything and was happy to wait for us to get back before we picked up our girls. We drove out a few times to spend time with them prior to leaving for NZ, Camille shared videos and photos of the girls the whole time and when we arrived home from NZ we collected the girls the next day! Camille goes above and beyond and you can see the love she has for these beautiful birds. We still keep in contact now and our girls are doing absolutely amazing Kimberley - May 2024 (Facebook) I bought a Quaker parrot from Camille a few months ago the process was so simple and the service was fantastic Camille was lovely to communicate with and very knowledgeable. Also has a great selection of bird colours and the living conditions are great and no wing clipping. That was a big deal for me wing clipping can cause a lot of emotional distress and physical issues. And the fact that the birds get the fly around and play most of the time and get different human interaction and basic training is fantastic too highly recommend Maranatha Aviaries Kael - April 2024 (Facebook) Camille was so helpful when I was choosing one of the babies to come and be part of my little flock and Jak Jak has fit in perfectly. He is a cheeky, chatty and affectionate little bird who is always up for an adventure. Camille has also been great with advice well after Jak Jak had settled in at home and I have really valued her communication! Brandi - November 2023 (Facebook) Thank you Camille. The way you hand raise the babies sets us as the future owners up for an amazing member of our family, you have taught us so much and the knowledge you have is outstanding and your patience answering our questions is so reassuring. Our girl Bonnie is everything we wanted, loving, cuddly, sassy, funny and so smart. We have always had birds and Camille has definitely raised the bar, exceeded our expectations and given us the missing piece of the family we had been missing. Our adult kids will be in line soon to get their own! Thanks Camille, we cannot say enough good things about you and Maranatha Averies. Highly recommend! Michelle - 2023 (Google) Received my first quaker, a healthy mauve male. He's very well socialised, very gentle and friendly. Received a lot of support from the breeder, who really cares so much about the birds. A small travel cage, some food and toys were also provided which was much appreciated. Would definitely consider either another quaker or conure from them as a friend for my boy in future. Mei - October 2023 (Facebook) Picked up our baby boy, Cupcake in January. He's very tame, knows how to step up, socialised, loves a cuddle, and was fed good quality food. Camille always kept us updated on Cupcake; sent lots of photos and videos also. Camille is always happy to give us advice and answer our questions (as a new bird owner we have plenty). Her website has many many articles we found very helpful and resources with making our own toys and linking to bird safe materials we can use. Her knowledge depth is outstanding and it's very evident. Maria - March 2023 (Facebook) We are so happy to have our little girl from Maranatha Aviaries, she is super healthy ,tame and friendly, sweetest little thing ever. She has been raised up with great diet and care. Kim - March 2023 (Facebook) I got a baby green cheek Conure from Maranatha Aviaries and omg!!! This little bird is so well adjusted, super friendly, easy to handle and actually wanted to hang out with me from day one. Camille was so lovely to interact with, she showed me around when I came out to meet my baby and was more than happy to answer any of my dumb questions! She has also been amazing since my baby came home, messaging multiple times to check in on how she was settling in and even remembering her name which just shows how much love she puts into these babies and making sure they get the best care ❤ Absolutely phenomenal! Liana - January 2023 (Facebook) I've owned a few birds through the years, but none as well socialised, friendly, and healthy as my current boy! I wouldn't go anywhere else when I'm looking to get another friend. Very helpful and Camille keeps you up to date with how your bird is going along the way. From day one Ríkr preferred to be on my shoulder instead of hiding in his new home, and flies to everyone in the house! Caitlyn - January 2023 (Facebook) I’m so thankful for the incredibly competent and generous way Camille has bred and raised my green cheeked conure Theodore. I stumbled across Maranatha Aviaries on Facebook and am so glad I did! I could not be more delighted and impressed! Theodore is strong and vibrantly healthy, confident, engaged in life and eager to experience and learn new things. He was fully weaned, readily eats a good variety of healthy foods, readily bathes, plays, flies to and interacts easily with all family members and has been allowed to develop exceptional flying skills. So much time, thought, dedication and sheer hard work has been put in to raise this quality bird. Camille also chose a conure for us whose personality suited our family environment and she matched him perfectly. I am thoroughly impressed and would recommend to anyone considering Maranatha Aviaries to feel completely confident in Camille’s expertise and thorough dedication to her birds. Also, I live interstate and the freighting process was easily managed. Camille organised everything and Theodore handled the travel extremely well. I’m a 100% happy customer ! We love him! Thank you Camille! Deborah - January 2023 (Facebook) I got a baby green cheek Conure from Maranatha Aviaries and omg!!! This little bird is so well adjusted, super friendly, easy to handle and actually wanted to hang out with me from day one. Camille was so lovely to interact with, she showed me around when I came out to meet my baby and was more than happy to answer any of my dumb questions! She has also been amazing since my baby came home, messaging multiple times to check in on how she was settling in and even remembering her name which just shows how much love she puts into these babies and making sure they get the best care 🧡Absolutely phenomenal! Liana - January 2023 (Facebook) We highly recommend Marantha Aviaries for beautiful hand raised and breeding GC conures! We now own 4 of her absolutely stunning birds! Camille is an amazing breeder who obviously loves her birds and is committed to raising top quality birds for pets or breeding. The colours are phenomenal. Her knowledge and communication is outstanding and she really goes above and beyond! 😁 Jennifer - December 2022 (Facebook) Would very highly recommend Maranatha Aviaries after purchasing our sweet little Cherry, her personality is wonderful, kind, happy, snuggly little thing and her colours are amazing. We researched for a long time and we just knew Camille would have the bird for us. I don’t think I could go elsewhere for a conure after our wonderful experience with Camille at Maranatha Aviaries. Highly recommend 🍒 Kymberley - October 2022 (Facebook) I've just had a new little addition to the family in the form of my playful little conure, Melon. I must say that I'm beyond impressed with the quality of the bird, and how responsive to training/learning he is at such a young age (11 weeks). The effort and care given to him while being hand-reared is very obvious and I'm very thankful to have chosen Maranatha Aviaries for not only incredibly affordable, exotic conures, but for the amazing character and personality these lovely birds have. 100% coming back for another conure as soon as I make a decision as to what one I want! 😊 Joshua - October 2022 (Facebook) I recently bought a breeding pair of conures and I am so happy with my experience at Maranatha Aviaries, not only was the pricing very reasonable Camille was so helpful especially since it was my first time freighting birds so I was a bit nervous as I had no idea what to expect you made it so easy to be able to do and were very helpful and nice to speak with. I’m so impressed with the birds they always come up for kisses through the mesh and started saying what you doing you can tell they have been very looked after at Camille’s and I can’t wait for them to breed and hand raise their babies they love their fruit and veg especially apple and are full of so much personality you are an amazing breeder I would definitely recommend you to anyone I know I look forward to dealing with you in the future 😊 Chicago - August 2022 (Facebook) I highly recommend Maranatha Aviaries to anyone who is looking for a new bird to join their family. Last year My partner and I adopted our beautiful Mako, a SF Violet Turquoise GCC from Maranatha Aviaries and we love him so much. He was very trusting towards us from the start in fact Mako rolled over and fell asleep in our hands the very first night we got him. He has a very big character and can be very funny. He loves to give kisses and cuddles and even though he is bonded to our other bird he is still very affectionate to both me and my boyfriend. He was already introduced to veggies and good quality pellets when I got him and even came with a sample of the food he was on allowing me to comfortably wean him onto my pellets. Camille, the owner of Maranatha Aviaries is a lovey and knowledgeable lady. She is always happy to have a chat with me and answer any questions I might have on my birds. She loves hearing how Mako is going as she cares a lot about the birds she breeds. Don’t hesitate to give her a message I promise you won’t be disappointed. Camille puts her heart into what she does and every bird from Maranatha Aviaries reflex that. Rhiarn - July 2022 (Facebook) We can’t thank Camille at Maranatha Aviaries enough for our feathered baby. Our daughter had her heart set on a blue Quaker and after finding Camille’s website I new we had found it! Her professional approach, extensive knowledge and communication is outstanding. We were specifically searching for a hand raised Quaker & that’s exactly what we have. Our 10yo has her very own best friend that she loves more than anything. From the moment we bought her home she settled in right away. Luna loves all the cuddles she can get and more. She happily sits on the lounge and snuggles right in, loves to smooch and happily talks away with new words all the time. Thank you so much for our Luna! 100% recommend Maranatha Aviaries for your feathered baby Bettina - July 2022 (Facebook) I will be forever grateful for Camille at Maranatha Aviaries for her professional approach, kind heart and amazing handraised birds. I had long given up my search for a Green Cheek Conure but Camille gave me hope back and I have since found my feather baby. He is perfect in every way for me and my family! Camille exposes her birds to everyday noises with a family and due to this my Conure transitioned very nicely into my home with other pets, children and daily noises even after a flight to get here. I could go on forever about how grateful I am because I feel I got my dream bird. He's healthy, beautiful and got spunk!! So thank you from the bottom of my Camille. 100% recommend Maranatha Aviaries. Pam - April 2022 (Facebook) Got to meet the gorgeous baby birds. It's great to have an interactive experience with a prospective pet. Camille is lovely and will answer any questions you have. She clearly raises her birds with lots of love. Bri - March 2022 (Google) Camille is an amazing lady who breeds birds to a high standard of colours and temperament. Our beautiful little girl Zena (Double Factor Violet Opaline Conure) is amazingly affectionate, playful and so sweet to have in our home as a family pet. She has also, based on temperament, bonded with our 1 year old male Green Cheek Conure from day one. Zena came DNA sexed which was terrific as we wanted a girl for our little boy and so many toys were given to us too in a care pack that Camille had prepared for us on pick up. Camille and her family were very welcoming and the children spend so much time with the baby birds which helps their beautiful nature. By picking up Zena directly from Camille, we were able to meet the other baby birds, Zena’s parents and the meticulous aviaries on display with her breeding pairs. There was also a dedicated bird room temperature controlled for all the babies, where Camille works tirelessly tending to the needs of these little angels. A very professional and caring set up. From the time of first contact to purchase a bird, Camille kept me informed of the birds progress, posting photos and sending messages of the babies growing up, feeding and playing. I could not recommend Maranatha Aviaries highly enough for a precious new family bird. Thanks Camille, our little Zena has touched our hearts like no other 💗 Susan - January 2022 (Facebook) I am convinced I brought home an actual angel home last November from Camille at Maranatha Aviaries. My little “Beast Boy” Gar the Conure has been the biggest sweetheart since the day I brought him home, where he fell asleep on my shoulder and hasnt left it since. Having owned conures in the past and sorely missing a companion, I sought out a breeder who specialises in the species. I was ecstatic when I had found Maranatha Aviaries, with their website full of images of the large variety of mutations they had to offer and the large collection of information on how to care for them. The whole process from start to finish was phenomenal. Camille was very responsive, informative and patient with all my questions, and kept me updated the whole way, including plenty of pictures! When it was time to pick my baby up, I got to visit the professionally set up bird room where he and his siblings were being hand-raised by Camille and her family. Spending time with the birds made it very clear that they had been treated and loved with the upmost care. Camille makes sure that the owner is just as much as suitable for the bird as the bird for the owner. To top it off, we left with a care package in hand, including a care booklet and DNA sex certificate, and some goodies to ensure a smooth transition. Maranatha Aviaries holds the passion and professional standard that all aviary breeders should aspire to uphold. I could not recommend them enough. Thank you Marantha Aviaries for my new best friend.💙 Sarah - January 2022 (Facebook) Beautiful birds!! Caroline - May 2021 (Google) I bought my beautiful little pineapple, Rowdy, from Maranatha Aviaries at the end of 2020. Camille was wonderful, very knowledgeable, able to answer all my questions about his breeding and management since hatching. Rowdy had a great start from Camille, early handling and attention from her whole family. He is still a cuddly, lovely, well socialized little bird that I love to pieces! Thanks Camille 💜 Shani - April 2021 (Facebook) We got our Quaker Parrot Scout from Maranatha Aviaires and she is the sweetest bird - she settled in so quickly and has a sweet nature. Camille was so helpful and easy to communicate with - highly recommend 😊 Brooke - March 2021 (Facebook) Apologies Camille for taking so long in uploading our experience with Maranatha Aviaries. Thought waiting a short period to advise on the transition of “Mochi”. So to all you bird lovers we recently (back in October/November 2020) contacted Maranatha Aviaries wishing to add to another conure to keep “Kimchi” company with our potential return to work during this unusual year of WFH. My concern was introducing another bird into the household where relationships were well established with all household members (includes feathered family members). Camille provided excellent advice and experience reassuring my concerns and guided us on some introduction strategies. Service and advise was excellent and accurate. Nice 😃 Mochi and Kimchi have assimilated (ahhh star trek - borg nerd.......) wonderfully and within really just a few hours we felt comfortable that the process would work. We took time and monitored there activities over a few weeks. Both birds live outside the cage and only sleep at night in their cage. They now live happily here on Mount Tamborine sometimes getting into mischief. Thank you Camille for all your advice and excellent service in our purchase of Mochi. I can highly recommended Maranatha Aviaries to any bird lovers. Cheers TW Tony - December 2020 (Facebook) I can't recommend Camille and her feathered babies enough! Have had my new addition, Phoebe; a violet turquoise pineapple GCC for just over a week and she is amazing! Thanks to Camille's brilliant job with hand raising, she has settled into our crazy home with two other birds and two large dogs without any issues and has proven to be extremely confident with all aspects of normal house life. Additionally, Camille has been extremely helpful and accommodating, answering all of my questions and has been very patient with my over excitement. 😂 If you're looking for a new friend to add to your flock, you can't go wrong with Camille and Maranatha Aviaries. Taylor - November 2020 (Facebook) I got my little girl from Maranatha Aviaries and she is exactly what I wanted, plus more. I already had a little boy and Skittles ran the household until she came along. He told my dogs what to do, he told my friends what to do, he told my mum what to do and he even tried being friends with my blue tongue skink, if he succeeded he would have told her what to do too. When I brought Lolly home, she was a little timid at first, but I knew it was love as soon as she saw Skittles. Long story short, we have our lives back and Skittles has a girlfriend, Lolly 💜💙💚💛🧡💗 Jess - November 2020 (Facebook) I was lucky to be able to take home one of Camille's beautiful conures. She did such an amazing job raising Peri, we are absolutely in love. Peri is such a fun little cheeky bird, loves to be a ratbag and stir up the other birds, but he also loves his cuddle time with us. 🥰 Highly recommend Maranatha Aviaries! 💞 Emma - November 2020 (Facebook) I can't recommend Camille and her feathered babies enough! Have had my new addition, Phoebe; a violet turquoise pineapple GCC for just over a week and she is amazing! Thanks to Camille's brilliant job with hand raising, she has settled into our crazy home with two other birds and two large dogs without any issues and has proven to be extremely confident with all aspects of normal house life. Additionally, Camille has been extremely helpful and accommodating, answering all of my questions and has been very patient with my over excitement. 😂 If you're looking for a new friend to add to your flock, you can't go wrong with Camille and Maranatha Aviaries. 😍 Taylor - November 2020 (Facebook) I could not recommend Maranatha Aviaries more highly...... Not only did I get the most beautiful pineapple/turq/violet bird but also gained a good friend. These birds are handraised not just handfeed (there is a big difference); they are part of the family and are fully integrated. My baby settled immediately when I got her home and she has the most beautiful all be it sometimes sassy personality! I think this shows what a wonderful job Camille does..... And she has violets!!!! That are super gorgeous!!!!! The only recommendation I can say is get on that waiting list so you can get one (or many) of her special babies!!!! Crystal - April 2020 (Facebook) Camille is amazing with all birds and her hand raised conures are so friendly! She takes great pride in ensuring you go home with the right bird for your family. I would highly recommend Maranatha Aviaries if you’re looking for a beautiful conure to join your family! Susanne - January 2020 (Facebook) Got Merlin just before Christmas and couldn't ask for a better, cuter nutcase of a pal 😂 Love my little dinosaur son. Fanks, Camille Kayla - January 2020 (Facebook) Hi bird lovers, picked up our new baby Conure - 'Louie' late Dec' 19. Really pleased with his beautiful playful temperament and Camille was so helpful and a pleasure to deal with, it is lovely to see she takes pride in her breeding and really cares where her babies go. It was so nice to have a tame well adjusted baby Conure as I had to tame my first one and it took a lot of patience and time. Chico is loving her new friend Louie and we love him dearly too such a joy, thank you Camille! 🥰 I highly recommend this breeder. Sharon - January 2020 (Facebook) I got a male conure off Camille 3 days ago and he is a pleasure. Ringo is confident, friendly and affectionate. The perfect parrot pet for a family 🦜💙 Kat - January 2019 (Facebook) My daughters are totally in love with the two new Green Cheeked Conure's we recieved today from Maranatha Aviaries. They are so tame, they even love my dog who adores them. They are so fun to watch and have the most beautiful colours. Thank you so much <3 Stacey - December 2018 (Facebook) Camille and her very well hand-raised babies are so amazing! She brought them right to my door so I could meet them all and so my existing conure girl and I could pick out a friend/sister for her - DNA sexed and brought to my door for an amazingly great price! I fully recommend! We chose the gorgeous little Pineapple girl and named her Poppy - she is so sweet and funny and playful and cheeky! Already in love with her 😍 Thank you so much Camille - you have made another crazy bird lady friend for life! Five Stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🤩 Nikki - December 2018 (Facebook) VIEW OUR AVAILABLE BIRDS

Which is the best bird cage for your parrot? Read how to choose a cage and set it up for your bird. SETTING UP A BIRD CAGE When buying a companion parrot, its easy to get overwhelmed with the sheer choice and variety of cages and enclosures you can find online. A cage is your bird's safe space, so it is important to research well so you can set it up in a way that facilitates them to feel safe and secure. In this article, we are going to touch on the following topics: What kind of cage should I buy? Where should the cage go? What do I need for inside the cage? How to clean the cage Things to avoid inside your bird's cage and environment Picking a cage A bird cage isn't usually the most "Pinterest-worthy" décor item in the home, but it's more important than Nanna's china hutch for your bird. Most bird cages currently available are a powder coated wrought iron/steel, which is quite strong and durable. It is important to avoid metals such as zinc and lead which will poison and potentially kill your bird, however these are much less common in bird cages these days, thankfully. Poor quality galvanised steel and wire can also be dangerous, so it is important to thoroughly wash with soapy water, especially if you are using galvanised wire to construct your own enclosures. Small birds like conures and quakers don't need a massive cage if they are getting frequent, engaged time out of their enclosure. There are two rules of thumb: 1) buy as large as what fits to your space and budget, and 2) wider over taller. Your bird will most often be only using the top half of the cage, so prioritise width over height. The absolute minimum dimensions are 60 x 60 x 60cm, but I highly recommend around 80 x 90 x 55cm or larger, with the bar spacing between 15-19mm apart. This will give them ample space to fly and hop and spread their wings without damaging them or injuring themselves. A cage that is too small will cause the wing and tail feathers to appear shredded when they do not have enough room to turn and flap comfortably. This is often mistaken for self mutilation, but thankfully has a much easier solution to fix the problem. Ideally, your bird should be able to fly between perches and platforms not just climb or walk. Avoid cages that are round, often if the bird doesnt perceive a safe space inside their cage, you might see them hanging in the top corner of their cage , but recommended with between 15-19mm wide bar spacing. When looking at cages in store, make sure the panels are firm and the wire is well attached to the frame, the finish is clean and not flaking off, and the doors are able to close securely to prevent escape. Vertical sliding doors will often need to be fastened with a peg or snap hook (like this one from Bunnings) A cage with a playtop and doors with locking mechanisms are an advantage. It may be tempting to purchase second hand cages and aviaries on Marketplace or Gumtree, however there is a higher risk that you could be introducing disease and illness to your flock. It is not an automatic 'no', but you will need to be very particular about which cages you consider. With any second hand cage, you must sanitise with F10 veterinary disinfectant at a rate of 1:100 (10 ml per 1L water) to kill any bacteria, viruses and pathogens that can harm your birds. Ask yourself these questions: Is it clean? (don't even consider it if the seller has not attempted to clean before advertising) Is it complete? (are all doors functional and able to be secured? does it have the bottom grate - some cages this needs to be in place otherwise they can escape) Is there damage, flaking finish, rust, bent bars that can be escape points? Is it the right dimensions and bar spacing? Key points Ideally 80 x 90 x 55cm, or larger Optimal bar spacing 15-19mm, but not over 22mm Square, not round Made from quality mesh with secure locking mechanisms Swing feeders with stainless steel bowls are super convenient features Access doors may need to be secured with pegs or snap hooks our cage recommendations We have extensively researched the cages currently available and collated this list that we would recommend, based on various dimensions, configurations and price points. Click the pictures or product titles below to view relevant website listing: Green Parrot (BC1261) 127cm W x 61cm D x 98cm H Overall Height 166cm including stand Bar Spacing: 12mm Bar Thickness: 2mm Remove divider for more space Available from Pet Shop Direct Green Parrot (PC1076) 102cm W x 76 cm D x 158cm H Overall height 188cm including playtop Bar Spacing: 17mm Bar Thickness: 4mm Available from Pet Shop Direct Flyline (12432) 81cm W x 59cm D x 172cm H Bar Spacing: 20mm Bar Thickness: 4mm Available from GT Mall i.pet 61cm W x 42cm D x 74cm H Overall Height 144cm Bar Spacing: 15mm Bar Thickness: Unknown Available from Bunnings Marketplace Note: On the smaller side Avi One (904) 100.5cm W x 72.5cm D x 140cm H Overall height 171cm Bar Spacing: 10mm Bar Thickness: 2mm Available from Petstock Avi One (932SB) 96cm W x 74cm D x 112cm H Overall height 173cm Bar Spacing: Unknown Bar Thickness: Unknown Available from Petstock YES4PETS (185cm XXL) 110cm W x 110cm D x 152.5cm H Overall height 185cm Bar Spacing: 16.5mm Bar Thickness: 2.7mm Available from Bunnings Marketplace, Kogan, Dick Smith Avi One (604) 78cm W x 46cm D x 84cm H Overall height 160cm Bar Spacing: 10mm Bar Thickness: Unknown Available from Petstock Flyline (20033) 79cm W x 52cm D x 96.6cm H Overall Height 130cm Bar Spacing: 11mm Bar Thickness: Unknown Available from GT Mall Flyline (20045) 90cm W x 58.5cm D x 117cm H Overall height 152.4cm Bar Spacing: 11mm Bar Thickness: Unknown Available from GT Mall Flyline (10115D) 154cm W x 48cm D x 93cm H Overall height 163cm Bar Spacing: 12mm Bar Thickness: 2-3mm Remove divider for more space Available from GT Mall Watson & Williams (Extra Wide) 82cm W x 52cm D x ?cm H Overall Height 154cm Bar Spacing: Unknown Bar Thickness: Unknown Available from Petbarn Where to put the cage Where you place your bird's cage inside your home can drastically affect their mood and wellbeing, especially if they are isolated or exposed to temperature fluctuations. As we touched on in the beginning of this article, a bird's cage is their sanctuary and somewhere they should and need to feel comfortable. Easy to clean floor wheels or a stand make for easy to vacuum or sweep underneath like these IKEA castors , Furnishing the Cage Food and water containers https://www.petstock.com.au/products/lexi-me-lock-crock-feeder-variant-100000023677?queryID=f7d175873de71d9df496588251769fa2 https://www.petstock.com.au/products/avi-one-bird-bath-universal-variant-100000040150? queryID=711baed3bcdc56bf09f33e45b11b266f Perches Toys Huts Cleaning Cages For All if you notice clumps of droppings on a lower branch Things To avoid cage checklist Sturdy, clean metal with no flaking Minimum size 60 x 60, but ideally 80 x 90 x 60 or larger Bar spacing 15-19mm, no larger than 22mm apart Wash with soapy water and if second hand, sanitise with veterinary grade disinfectant (F10) Natural perches

Sprouts and Soaked Seed at Home As research continues to expand in regards to avian health and nutrition, we see the rise in awareness for feeding a varied diet to your companion parrot. A parrot in captivity doesn't have the same access to the vast variety of food opportunities that they would in the wild, where they would be traveling long distances to find the food they need for the day. Therefore, it is up to us as their caretakers to attempt to bridge the gap in nutritional needs, between captivity and natural diet. Two of those avenues are sprouts and soaked seed. Not only is it easy to do at home on your kitchen counter, but parrots go crazy for them. The only difference between sprouting and soaking is the length of time, so soaked seed is a great alternative if you are short on time. WHat are SPROUTS? A seed, bean or grain is essentially a dormant embryo of the plant it has potential to grow into if provided with a favourable environment in which to start growing, or germinate. It is so nutrient dense, that it contains everything it needs to grow a new plant by shooting out buds and leaves, thus sprouting. When you soak and sprout seeds and beans, it improves the nutritional composition far surpassing dry, unhulled seed. Sprouting grains allows the nutrients to be converted from stored energy to a vastly increased bioavailable superfood which is higher in protein, enzymes, amino acids, fibre and B‐group vitamins. It reduces the levels of phytic acid (which inhibits digestion) and starches, and is low in calories. Feeding sprouts to your parrot provides them with a fantastic source of micronutrients, minerals and vitamins they need to maintain great feathers and nails (antioxidant, selenium, zinc, vitamin A), keep their heart healthy (omega 3 fatty acids, potassium) and maintains their immune system (antioxidants, vitamin C). They are easier to digest which means the nutrients they contain are utilised more efficiently in the body. WHY SPROUT? When we see how incredibly powerful these superfoods are, it's no wonder they are deemed a fantastic dietary addition for your bird (and even for humans!) Not only are they full of beneficial nutrients, they are also extremely economical and easy to grow yourself in just 10 minutes per day. It's Cheap Compared to dry mix, sprouts will yield up to 15 times more weight by volume, which will save you money in costly pellets and gourmet seed mixes while continuing to support their health by adding more variety. It's Easy Sprouts will grow most of the year here in Australia, apart from where the climate is extreme hot and cold. Optimal temperature for benchtop sprouting is between 20°C and 28°C, which most homes are cooled in warmer months and heated in cooler months. You don't need fancy equipment or tools, just regular things you would find in a kitchen! It's Disability Friendly Sprouts are much softer to chew than dry seed and pellets, so are a great choice for birds with beak deformities and older parrots which may have mobility issues. I also find that very picky eaters take to sprouts quite quickly, and is a great way to convert seed-only individuals to fresh and pelleted diets. okay, but what now? It's simple! All you will need is a bowl and a strainer with small enough holes that your smallest seeds will not fall through, or a commercially bought sprouter like one below. Next, purchase your sprout mix or the components to make up your own blend. Remember, there is no one way to grow sprouts; and it is okay to improve your technique or the mix as time goes on and you get the hang of the process. Fresh seed and grain will sprout easier, and are less likely to have mould spores from prolonged storage. It is usually best to select grains that have a similar germination rate, so that they all sprout at roughly the same time. A great starting point is mung bean, wheat, oat, whole green lentils, grey striped sunflower, safflower. There are a few different setups that you can use to sprout at home that you may like to consider: Sprouting towers Economical and easy to use. Can use one tray or multiple trays at a time, and stagger each day to provide a continuous supply. Source: Bunnings, $21 Sprouting Jars Economical, usually have a mesh screw on lid to easily rinse and strain. When tipped, it drains freely. Potential downside is only one batch can be sprouted at once. Don't overfill/over crowd. Source: Gathera, $16 Strainer container Compact, stackable and can strain easily in the container, has a lid which can be utilised when storing in the fridge. Downside: not dishwasher safe. Source: Kmart, $7.50 - 1.7L Desktop Sprouter Great compact size for single bird homes, inbuilt strainer for easy rinsing. Source: Temu, $10 stainless steel sieve Most likely something you will have already in your kitchen, paired with a mixing bowl to rinse in. Source: Kmart, $5.50 What to sprout There is no "right" mix to sprout, as it can be dictated by availability, cost, and what your parrot likes or dislikes. If you find that your bird is consistently leaving a certain component in his bowl, try swapping it out for another type to switch things up. There's no point to sprouting an ingredient they refuse to eat as this just wastes money, but do make sure you allow enough time for it to pique their interest especially if they are new to sprouts as part of their diet. Avoid premixed products with sorghum, as sprouting sorghum produces the toxin hydrocyanic acid (HCN) in levels which can be fatal to parrots ( Sources: here , here and here) . Our base sprouting mixes contain: Dunn peas Grey stripe sunflower Mung bean Safflower Wheat, but you can also add: Adzuki beans Alfalfa seed* Amaranth Blue peas Broccoli seeds Buckwheat Canaryseed* Chickpeas Faba beans Hulled oats Lentils (green, red, french) Quinoa Red clover Rye berries White french millet* Whole corn *sprout smaller seeds separately from larger grains. SOAKING MIXES Soaking seed mixes are often quite similar to sprouting mixes, with additional ingredients that won't sprout but provide great health benefits and variety in your birds diet. In addition to the sprouting ingredients listed above, they may include: Almonds Barley Borlotti beans Cracked corn Cracked lupins Cracked tic beans Faba beans Green split peas Maple peas Pumpkin seeds (pepitas) Sesame seeds Spanish red peanuts Yellow split lentils (peas) Depending on the ingredients, the soak can be done room temperature water or boiling water. Sometimes boiling water is needed to penetrate the hard outer shell on ingredients like peanuts, almonds, chickpeas and other beans, that won't be sprouted. WHERE TO BUY PREMIXES There are a few premixed sprouting and soaking products available, such as Raw for Birds , Elite Pet Products, Enfield Produce , Chipper Parrots , Get Flocked . SPROUTED PRODUCTS There are also already-sprouted options at the grocery store, but these are mostly long sprouts with leaves which have used up most of the energy in the grain to grow to that length. However, these are great cut up in a vegetable chop as microgreens. Be sure to rinse any prepacked sprout mix thoroughly before feeding to your flock, as there in increased risk of Salmonella. how to sprout WASH First, measure out a small amount of sprout mix (for a few days' worth for one bird, try 1/2 a cup) and place into a bowl or your chosen sprouting receptacle. Rinse well with cool, clean water once or twice to remove any residual dust. Make sure that you soak only the amount that will not overcrowd your sprouter, as they will need plenty of breathing room to ensure they have good aeration. Sprouting too much at once can make it spoil quicker during sprouting. Pick out any small stones or twigs or husk pieces, but you don't need to get every piece; they do still chew them up after they've soaked. SOAK Then, fill with more than enough water to cover the seeds plus some headroom. As the grains rehydrate, they will absorb a lot of the moisture. You might also like to try adding probiotics to the water to be absorbed also. Soak overnight, or up to 24 hours if the weather is cooler (not recommended in summer). If you opt for a longer soak, rinse after 12 hours. WASH First, measure out a small amount of sprout mix (for a few days' worth for one bird, try 1/2 a cup) and place into a bowl or your chosen sprouting receptacle. Rinse well with cool, clean water once or twice to remove any residual dust. Make sure that you soak only the amount that will not overcrowd your sprouter, as they will need plenty of breathing room to ensure they have good aeration. Sprouting too much at once can make it spoil quicker during sprouting. Pick out any small stones or twigs or husk pieces, but you don't need to get every piece; they do still chew them up after they've soaked. SOAK Then, fill with more than enough water to cover the seeds plus some headroom. As the grains rehydrate, they will absorb a lot of the moisture. You might also like to try adding probiotics to the water to be absorbed also. Soak overnight, or up to 24 hours if the weather is cooler (not recommended in summer). If you opt for a longer soak, rinse after 12 hours. RINSE After 12 hours, drain out the water with a sieve (or strain your jar) and rinse well with clean water. You may need to do this twice or even three times if the water is still not clear. The water will likely be a brown colour but don't worry, that is just the tannins leaching out of the seed hulls. You may also see little bubbles on top of the water, that is also fine as long as it has been around the 12 hour mark for soaking. At this stage, you have soaked seed mix, which is totally fine to feed to your birds. It won't quite have the level of nutrition compared to once it is sprouted, but it is still more bioavailable and easier to digest than it is dry. To sprout, place your soaked mix into your sprouting tray/jar/strainer and allow to drain excess water out. You may also like to cover with a tea towel to prevent bugs from getting into it if using the bowl/strainer method. While sprouting, rinse thoroughly with clean water every 10-12 hours (twice a day) or three times a day in summer. If the room temperature is warmer, it will sprout faster (1-2 days) but in cooler months it may take an extra day (2-3 days). Thorough rinsing is imperative for successful sprouting, as it flushes away waste products and re-oxygenates the seed. Try not to shake or wash your sprouts too vigorously, as that will kill them. Ensure you drain them well after each rinse, as poor drainage in your sprouter will cause them to rot. FEED When the sprouts have small tails forming a few millimetres long, you can go ahead and offer them to your birds. Sprouts will last 2 days in the fridge with daily rinsing, and will slow the growth to ensure freshness. You can even pop your sprouting container into the fridge if you know you won't be home to rinse them that day, then rinse and place back on the bench to continue once you are back home. However, I wouldn't recommend doing this for more than 2 days in a row. If at any point your sprouts begin to smell, become slimy or grow visible mould (small grey spidery puffs), throw it out immediately. Do not risk feeding this to your birds, if there is any doubt. They should smell fresh similar to lettuce or salad greens. cautions and troubleshooting As easy as sprouting may be, it is not a "set-and-forget process"; it has many variables that need to be carefully balanced and managed. Keep in mind, sprouting is a moist, warm environment for multiple days at room temperature; which can invite the growth of bacteria and other pathogens too. Some issues that may hinder your success are: Not rinsing enough Poor quality seed Unclean equipment Poor water quality: Chlorinated water or dirty tap water can make it quite difficult to sprout seeds successfully, inviting bacteria and disease to grow. Lack of drainage and ventilation: Seeds will become waterlogged if buried too deeply and not spread out enough to ensure adequate air flow. They need access to oxygen to sustain growth, and a lack can lead to bacteria and mould growth. Poor temperature control: Some seeds will do poorly when exposed to higher or lower temperatures. Optimum range is room temperature 20-28°C Bacteria, mould and yeast: Often introduced by poor water quality, unclean equipment or is airborne. Causes a foul, 'off' smelling odour and can make the seed mix slimy and gluggy. Do not feed to your birds. My sprouts are shrivelled up Dehydrated seeds will start to shrivel and die if under rinsed or left in hot, direct sunlight. Soak them briefly (15-30 min) and drain well. I keep getting slime and mould build up You may want to consider adding a water cleanser like Rob Marshall's KD Water Cleanser or Vetafarm Aviclens to your first soak.

It's a nerve-wracking time bringing a new parrot home for the first time. Make sure you're prepared with our easy step-by-step guide. hOUSEHOLD DANGERS FOR YOUR PARROT do not impulse buy here bird proofing your home Keeping their environment safe, parrots are like toddlers, and explore their surroundings with their feet and beaks ceiling fans mirrors windows neck injuries or even instant death. Heat and cooking hazards hot stoves - burns on feet ovens blenders teflon coatings in ovens (pyrolytic ovens), sandwich press, Buckets of water, toilets, sinks, soaking items on the sink, sink of water https://www.petmd.com/bird/care/bird-proofing-your-home-101-everything-you-need-know bathing here bathing here bathing here

Keeping your parrot healthy is a full time job, but do you know what they should eat? Read about conure and quaker diets here: the importance of balanced nutrition Avian nutrition is a topic that is ever-evolving; as parrot owners it is our responsibility to be informed and growing our knowledge in this area to ensure we are taking the best care of our birds. What your bird eats is so often neglected, which leads to a multitude of health issues such as moulting disorders, respiratory disease, growth abnormalities (beak, nail, tumours, etc), poor reproduction, egg binding and poor immune function. It is of utmost importance to learn and provide the most appropriate diet to our birds to keep them healthy, happy and problem free. In the wild, birds have access to literally hundreds of foods; their environment like a never ending buffet. Fruits and vegetables should be a main staple for your bird. Offering an assortment of food items will ensure your conure remains healthy throughout its life, given daily and served fresh, as spoiled fruits and vegetables will make your bird sick. It is recommended to provide a base diet of formulated pellets, supplemented with seeds, nuts, fruit and vegetables. what do we feed our parrots? We wean our baby birds onto a diet of our DIY pellet mix, chopped vegetables, soaked seed and sprouts. Pellets In Australia, we are quite fortunate to have such a wide variety of quality pellets. Pellets are a compact, formulated diet made from grains, seeds, vegetables, fruits, and fortified vitamins and minerals. This prevents birds from picking out preferable seeds from their dish and helps to bridge the gap to balanced nutrition. As a 'base' for a parrot diet, pellets should make up approximately 40-60% of their overall food intake. However, a pelleted diet does not provide the variety and stimulation that parrots require and would receive in a wild environment (this is where the other elements come in, like fruit, vegetables, seed and foraging toys). Offer a dish of pellets available to your bird at all times, mixing a small amount of quality seed in additionally. A mix of three or four different pellets will increase the enrichment value of foraging, while also creating that variation that they crave. Some products we recommend are: You can find the above pellets at most independent pet shops and online, here are a few to check out: Get Flocked (Vetafarm, Zupreem, Hari, Harrisons) Chipper Parrots (Vetafarm, Zupreem, Hari) Parrot Supplies (Vetafarm, Zupreem, Lauke Mills, Hari, plus also Versele Laga, Tops) Pet Shop Direct (Vetafarm, Zupreem, Roudybush, Hari, plus Versele Laga) Pet Circle (Vetafarm) Petstock (Vetafarm) Petbarn (Vetafarm) There are other brands, such as Versele Laga, TOPS and Harrisons, which are premium quality, imported products however we have not had the chance to use them yet, in favour of more affordable, easily obtainable options like those above. We have also tried Vetafarm B Calm, its unclear for us whether it actually improved anything. Use at your own discretion. It does look like Roudybush has been discontinued but still available sporatically. FRUIT AND VEGETABLES It is extremely important that conures have access to fresh vegetables and fruit (sparingly) multiple times a week. Not only is this closer to their natural diet, but also provides hydration having a high moisture content. There are some foods, however, that are toxic to birds, so it is important to know what you can and can't give to your feathered friend. FRUIT Apple (no seeds) Banana Blueberry Cherry Dates Goji berries Grape Kiwifruit Lychee (no seed) Mango Nectarine Orange Papaya Passionfruit Peach (no seed) Pear Pineapple Plum (no seed) Pomegranate Raspberry Strawberry Watermelon HERBS Parsley, mint, basil, etc. VEGETABLES Beans Beetroot Broccoli Carrot Capsicum Chili (birds have no heat sense) Cauliflower Corn Cucumber Celery Fennel Greens (bok choy, chard, endive, rocket, silver beet, kale) Parsnip Peas Pumpkin Sweet potato Zucchini BEANS & LEGUMES Chickpeas (garbanzo), kidney beans, black beans, pinto beans, etc. Wholemeal rice, wholemeal pasta OTHER Alternative seeds: chia seeds, flaxseed, alfalfa, barley, buckwheat, oats, sunflower, wheat berries, millet, quinoa, pepita (pumpkin seed) Nuts (unsalted): Almond, Brazil, Cashew, Peanut, Hazelnut, Macadamia, Pine nut, Pecan, Pistachio Cuttlefish (especially breeding hens) Boiled eggs Plain/unsalted rice cakes TOXIC Alcohol Avocado Cheese and dairy Chives Chocolate Coffee/tea Junk foods Mouldy foods/grains Mushrooms Iceburg Lettuce (gives diarrhoea) Onion Rhubarb (especially the leaves) seed mix It is becoming more commonly known that an all-seed diet is not nutritionally balanced. Seeds given in moderation (just like the tip of the food pyramid) is beneficial, and some species like cockatiels and corellas can handle a higher percentage of seeds in their diet. But offering a seed-only diet to your conure or quaker would ultimately be sacrificing their health and wellbeing, and setting them up for poor quality of life and shortened lifespan. It leads to your birds ageing a lot faster than they should, making them vulnerable to respiratory diseases, obesity, fatty liver disease, bone deformities and dull brittle feathers. Let's look at the purpose of a seed, botanically: it provides a large amount of energy (in the form of fats) to power the germination and sprouting into a new plant. It then expends that energy as it grows and changes form (i.e. inert seed to living plant) and changes chemically and nutritionally. So providing an all seed diet, high in fats, oils and lacking in many minerals, amino acids and vitamins; is essentially feeding small parcels of starchy, fatty calories equivalent of a life eating only hamburgers. Seed mixes, like Avigrain Cockatiel Blue or Peachface, or a mixture of both, are a great choice. Some commercial seed mixes contain sorghum and corn, which are fillers that are not usually eaten. Alternatively, sprouting seed and giving it to your birds changes the nutritional value of them and is highly beneficial and a great, nutrient dense food. sproutED seed Sprouted seed has a much higher nutritional value than dry or soaked seed. As the seed, pea or bean germinates, it starts to use that stored energy and convert it to a highly bioavailable food source with more protein and less fat. It is best to allow the sprouts to grow small tails before you feed. Sprouts are great for breeding birds, making it easier for parents to feed their young a softer, palatable food, as well as the nutrients it provides for growing muscle and new feathers. A good sprouting mix will be economical, fresh, easy to germinate and fantastic fuel for your little parrots' body. You can find our comprehensive article on sprouting at home here.

A bored bird is a naughty bird, but how do you keep a parrot busy? Check out our tips on enriching your parrots environment: THE IMPORTANCE OF ENRICHMENT Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. All opinions and recommendations are my own. Parrots are extremely intelligent, and just like our human toddlers, need lots to do to keep them entertained and out of mischief. The dictionary definition of enrichment is: "the action of improving or enhancing the quality or value of something." Owning a parrot means we are required to meet their physical, mental, emotional needs and improve their quality of life. When it comes to birds, this can mean a few different things; including exercise, provision of toys, foraging opportunities, ability to chew and destroy, and - if they are companions - human interaction. Birds that do not have their needs met will begin to suffer; they may pluck their feathers, self mutilation, screech excessively, gain weight and become nippy or aggressive. exercise Parrots require a decent level of exercise to keep in shape, whether in the form of free flying around your home, on a flight harness (we use this one ), on a play gym with ladders and swings or a combination of all. In an ideal world, it is optimal that your parrot remains flighted, however we understand that this may not be a safe option for your bird or situation. Parrots love to explore, and anything that you are doing is certainly interesting to them! Take your bird along with you while you do safe household activities, like watching tv, folding washing, vacuuming and mopping, or even in the shower! You are a part of their "flock" and they love to feel close to you and included. Foraging In the wild, parrots spend a significant amount of their day searching and foraging for food, but in captivity it is so readily available that they don't have to work for it. There are many foraging systems available to encourage natural behaviours such as treat boxes, baffle cages and acrylic designs. Foraging usually includes a food reward, like finding a nut or seed within a compartment, or could be as simple as wrapping some of their pellets or chunk of vegetable or fruit in some craft paper. Empty toilet rolls can also be filled with crinkle paper and seed/pellets then wrapped in paper. There are so many different designs for foraging toys, and they can be purchased online and in store relatively easily. Pet City Mt Gravatt (store and online) Parrot Supplies Australia (store and online) eBay (search forage feeder or parrot forage toy) Click through below to see more information on these products: BAFFLE CAGE VIEW TREAT BOXES VIEW NUT CAGE VIEW FORAGE CUPS VIEW ACRYLIC BALL VIEW FRUIT SKEWER VIEW branches Tactile enrichment, or enrichment that your parrot can touch and physically interact with, is also extended to their perches and cage environment. Branches should be of varying shapes, widths and textures, in replicating their natural environment the best we can. Not only does this trim their beaks and nails, but it also helps with to exercise their balancing and climbing abilities and gives something to chew and shred. Perches hung from the top of the cage with wire (stainless steel is 100% safe, unlike galvanised) simulates branches that move and sway in the wind, as do swings. Plastic and dowel perches that come with most bird cages should be discarded or repurposed into toys (see Toys section below) and replaced with natural branches. The general rule of thumb is if its native, it is fine for your bird. Some common examples are Banksia, Beech, Bottlebrush/ Callistemon, Palms (they especially like the fruit fronds), Grevillea, Gum, Ironbark, Bunya, Lilly Pilly, Paperbark, Pine and Jacaranda. Fresh branches should also be given, either as a new perch with the leaves on, or placed into a holder on the side of the cage to destroy as well. toys In addition to foraging toys, regular interactive or shredding toys are excellent for keeping the mind of your parrot busy. Their natural instinct to chew, shred, and tear apart their environment can easily be directed to toys, and away from things like towels, furniture and themselves (plucking). It is a misconception that it is "inconvenient" or "too expensive" that a parrot is destroying their toys. This is good! A busy parrot is a happy parrot, and it is so important they are given these opportunities to express natural behaviour. Parrots are also naturally independant and love making choices; provide ample toys made of different components and colours. Switch out with spare toys each week or fortnight to keep them engaged, and always check toys over for safety. DIY Toy Components Making your own bird toys can be rewarding, economical and a great activity to do with children and family. When choosing components, it is important to ensure they are chemical free and kid-safe approved if applicable. You can find inexpensive pieces in common department stores here in Australia, like Spotlight, Woolworths, Bunnings and Officeworks. Colourful beads, soft balsa or pine wood, seagrass and jingly bells are amazing enrichment products for your parrot. Avoid any items which are already painted (ie painted wooden beads); opt for the natural finish instead and colour them yourself. It is important to use stainless steel wire when constructing toys, as this is an item designed to be chewed. Stainless steel is a non toxic metal, as opposed to zinc (galvanised), copper and lead which, if ingested, can cause heavy metal toxicity and possibly death. Dyeing wood pieces and beads at home is so economical, and only requires a few items from the grocery store. You don't need any fancy equipment or products; simply Queen food colouring (comes in red , pink , yellow , green and blue ) for $1.10 and some white vinegar (2L for $1.20 ). Simply mix 250mL of warm water and 25mL of colouring in an old container (this may get stained) and stir to combine the colour. Place your wooden pieces in, give a quick stir or shake, and allow to soak for a few hours or overnight. The longer they soak the more vibrant they will become. After they have soaked, remove from the solution and place on paper or paper towel to dry (dependent on weather, temperature and humidity). Are you ready to make your own toys? Check out some of my favourite components: Wood Ring Beads Spotlight $4.50 | 5 pack VIEW Seagrass Mat Bunnings $4.17 VIEW Plastic Chain Bunnings $12.73-19.12 | 10m VIEW Plastic Lacing Beads Officeworks $29.95 | 96 pack VIEW Plastic C Clips eBay $6-7 | 100 pack VIEW Wooden Cutlery Kmart $2 | 18 pack VIEW Loofah Sponges eBay $1-2 each VIEW Wooden Feathers Spotlight $4 | 12 pack VIEW Paper Straws IKEA $2.99 | 100 pack VIEW Rattan Balls eBay $13-14 | 20 pack VIEW Pop Sticks Bunnings $4.10 | 150 pack VIEW Jute Twine Bunnings $3.20 | 75m VIEW Paper Rope Bunnings $10.79 | 40m VIEW Stainless Link Bunnings $4 | 8mm VIEW Wooden Beads eBay $5-7 | 50 pack VIEW Wooden Beads Spotlight $10 | 235g pack VIEW Pony Beads Spotlight $12 VIEW Wooden Pegs Kmart $2 | 9 pack VIEW Wooden Cubes Spotlight $6.50 | 72 pack VIEW Paper Straws Woolworths $3.00 | 100 pack VIEW Pop Sticks Officeworks $8.98 | 1000 pack VIEW Wooden Components Spotlight $10 | 235 pack VIEW Seagrass Cording Spotlight $30 | 65m VIEW Plastic Heart Beads Spotlight $8.50 | 125g VIEW Stainless Wire Bunnings $17.49 | 15m VIEW Plastic Bell Balls eBay $6-8 | 18 pack VIEW Stainless Spoons IKEA $5.99 | 6 pack VIEW Loofah Sponges Spotlight $6.50 ea VIEW Wooden Pegs Spotlight $5 | 10 pack VIEW Wooden Beads Spotlight $10 | 260g pack VIEW Pine Blocks Kmart $5.50 pack (48pc) VIEW Pop Sticks Kmart $3.25 | 200 pack VIEW

Learn how to make your own bird toys with safe components DIY BIRD TOYS https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPWg1maiIwZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Natural Components Paddlepop / Popsicle sticks Chinese finger traps (eBay, Temu, Aliexpress Bamboo Raffia Seagrass Seagrass cording Sola Timber blocks plastic components Plastic chain C Clips Round counters (Officeworks , Linking cubes (Officeworks , threading beads (Officeworks , Giant nuts and bolts (Officeworks , Soft animal counters, would only recommend for young babies (Officeworks-Transport , Officeworks-Animals , Officeworks-Dinosaurs , Cotton reels (Officeworks , metal components Stainless steel chain stainless steel spoons other free play items Silicon stacking cups (Officeworks , Foraging Tray

quaker: SPECIES PROFILE Quakers, or monk parrots, make brilliant companion pets due to their affectionate, energetic and comical personalities. When it comes to talking ability in a small parrot, they almost outrival larger birds with their clarity and mimicry ability. They are such social creatures which bond readily to a single person or family unit. They are not particularly loud, but do have an alarm call as all parrots do which is something to be mindful of if you live in close proximity housing. COMMON NAMES Quaker parrot, Monk parrot, Grey-breasted parakeet SCIENTIFIC NAME Myiopsitta monachus aDULT SIZE 12 inches (30.5cm) and between 95-120 grams LIFE EXPECTANCY With adequate diet, care, health, stimulation and love, your quaker can live up to 20-30 years, or even beyond. However, most live only 10 years, due to owner neglect. This is why it is imperative to learn and grow our knowledge about avian care. ORIGIN AND HISTORY The Quaker Parrot is native to Argentina, Bolivia and surrounding countries in South America. In the wild, they tend to live in very large flocks, and there are many feral populations in urban areas, such as North America and Europe. Temperament Quakers are generally very playful, vivacious and social, with their distinctive bobbing behaviour and 'quaking' sounds. They love to be in the company of fellow birds and humans, are highly intelligent and very loyal. Their talkative nature makes these parrots a popular favourite among bird keepers. They are also known for their cage territorialism, which if seen as a natural behaviour, rather than a problem behaviour, this can be easily negated with training necessary for any companion parrot. Colours and markings Quakers are monomorphic, meaning both sexes have identical colouring. They naturally occur as green in the wild, but there are a multitude of new colours that have been developed in captivity. They are characterised by their vivid colours: vibrant greens, blues, yellow, white and even grey. Some colours that are bred in captivity are: blue, lutino, albino, cobalt, mauve, dark green, olive, blue pallid, green pallid, cobalt pallid, mauve pallid, dark green pallid, olive pallid, as well as the same in opaline and parblue. To learn more about the different colour mutations, read here. housing requirements Quakers, by nature, are very inquisitive, playful parrots. They need to have adequate room to play, forage, fly/flap and explore their surroundings. For birds, this is usually a cage or enclosure, which becomes your bird's "safe place". Their cage should provide sufficient room to freely spread both wings. Choose the largest cage you can afford and that will fit well in your space. A cage recommended to house a quaker parrot should be at the very least 60x60x60cm, but recommended 80x90x55cm with between 15-19mm wide bar spacing. A cage with a playtops and doors with locking mechanisms are an advantage. Select natural branches to use as perches, as these provide different thicknesses, textures and enrichment to promote foot health. Quakers love to chew and should be given ample toys for the sole purpose of destroying and keeping them occupied. We purchase all our toys from Unique Beaks Handmade Bird Toys which are made with bird-safe natural dyes, stainless steel, plastic, wood and accessories. You can find them on Facebook here. Items such as pony beads, paddlepop sticks, paper, untreated pine, paper straws, wax-free cupcake liners, and finger traps make great toys for inquisitive beaks to shred. Some metals, such as galvanised steel, lead, and zinc can cause metal poisoning, so it is best to use stainless steel wherever possible. Feeding your quaker a balanced, nutritionally dense, varied diet is imperative to maintaining healthy physical and mental wellbeing. This should consist of a base diet of formulated pellets, low-fat seeds, sprouted seed, vegetables and a small amount of fruit. For more details on diet and nutrition for your parrot, read about it here. diet and nutrition common health problems Quakers are known to be susceptible to feather plucking. This could have medical causes, or it could be contributed by boredom, or lack of mental stimulation (handling, variation in routine, not enough/any toys). Annual (or more often if required) checkups are highly advised to ensure your parrot is in best health, as diagnosis and treatment of any disease or illness can be given earlier rather than later. Diseases known to affect quakers include: Fatty Liver Disease (Malnutrition induced disease from too high fat content in diet. Symptoms: obesity, overgrown beaks, enlarged livers, anaemia, jaundice, lipemia) Psittacosis (Parrot fever: very common disease caused by Chlamydophila psittaci bacteria. Symptoms: loose droppings, poor appetite, green urates, weight loss, lethargy) Giardia infection (Natural occurring protozoan in the intestine, which affects absorption of vitamins and minerals. Symptoms: malnutrition, lethargy, poor appetite, dry itchy skin) Polyomavirus (Virus that affects multiple organs of young, caged birds. Symptoms: vomiting, swollen abdomen, diarrhoea, breathing issues, weight loss, and possibly haemorrhages) Here are some avian vets in South East Queensland whom we have good dealings with and feel confident enough to recommend. There are others in the southern corner, however we would not recommend them. THE EXOTICS VET Dr. Vanessa Harkess BVSC (Hons I) MANZCVS (Avian Health) 22 Ashmole Road, Redcliffe QLD Phone: (07) 3060 2112 Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 9am to 5pm, Closed Sunday and Monday https://theexoticsvet.com/ BRISBANE BIRD VET Dr. Adrian Gallagher BVSC (Hons) MANZCVS (Avian Health) 248 Hamilton Rd, Chermside QLD Phone: (07) 3359 2233 Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9am to 5pm, Tuesday and Thursday until 7pm, Weekends closed https://brisbanebirdvet.com.au/ BRISBANE BIRD & EXOTICS VETERINARY SERVICE Dr. Deborah Monks BVSc (Hons), Cert Zoo Med (RCVS), ECZM Diplomate (Avian Medicine), FANZCVS (Avian Medicine and Surgery) 191 Cornwall Street, Greenslopes, QLD Phone: (07) 3217 3533 Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30am to 6:00pm, Saturday 8:30am to 12:00pm, Closed Sundays & Public Holidays https://bbevs.com.au/