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Faq What birds do you breed? We breed green-cheeked conures, quakers and Bourke's parrots in many different mutations. We are always researching and educating ourselves about other species of parrots, so different birds might join us in the future! Where are you located? You can find us approximately 1 hour west of Brisbane, in the Lockyer Valley, Queensland. How is it best to contact you? Facebook Messenger is our preferred way to get in touch, as this allows us to send you plenty of videos and pictures of the babies as they grow. WHEN IS BREEDING SEASON? Birds (like a lot of animals) breed in the spring and summer for Queensland, which starts September through to April. Sometimes we may have babies left after this period, but this depends on demand during breeding season. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO GET MY BIRD? Incubation of the eggs takes between 19-24 days (species dependent), and will be between 10-14 weeks old before they are ready to go home. Usually babies are ready to go home just after Christmas through to April, depending on when Are your birds handraised? We mainly specialise in producing high quality companion parrots in various fun and new colours, but also have aviary birds available for breeding. Most of our aviary birds will have been previously handraised. What is included when I purchase a handraised bird? The price for your new family member includes: your new bird, DNA sexing certificate, closed leg band with unique identifier, care information booklet, samples of their regular food to make the transition easier (pellet mix, sprout mix), a safe shreddable toy and foot toy. Each purchase with us gives you lifetime support so you can rest assured help is here if you need it. What should I bring when I come to pick up my bird? You will need to bring your travel cage with a suitable perch and food and water dishes. Please do not bring a box, we will not let your bird leave without a proper crate or cage. If you have not paid in full prior to your appointment, please bring cash and ensure your crate is clean and disinfected. Travel cages are also available for purchase for $20.00. How can I pay for my new bird? We prefer cash at the time of pick up, or bank transfer if it has cleared the day before your appointment. Holding deposits are fine to pay via bank transfer. All deposits are non-refundable, and a $100 deposit is required to hold birds prior to weaning, or to ensure your space on our waiting list. Please note we do not accept bank transfer of the final balance on pickup day as it is not guaranteed to be cleared the same day. No birds will be released without balance paid in full. Do you offer payment plans? We don't offer AfterPay/ZipPay and the like, but we are more than happy if you would like to pay off the balance of your bird in increments as we are raising them for you. With each payment, we will send you through a receipt as confirmation it has reached our account, and to help keep track of the balance owing. No birds will be released without balance paid in full. Are the prices negotiable? No, we believe our pricing is quite reasonable. Prices fluctuate due to market value, colouring/mutation and species. Do you send birds via freight? Yes, we use Virgin Air Freight to ensure your parrot/s get to you quickly and safely. Pricing to send one parrot in a single compartment freight box starts at $180-190 (single) or $200-250 (double) to most capital city airports. Our price includes not only the freight price itself, but the cost of the box and an allowance for tolls and fuel. If your bird comes with a care package, this will be sent separately through Australia Post. You can read more about our transport process here. For multiple pairs, please contact us for a pricing quote, as we can tape multiple freight boxes together. Can I buy a bird that is unweaned and feed it myself? No. We only sell our baby birds once they are confidently weaned and feeding themselves successfully. The sale of juvenile birds to owners without proper experience and knowledge is extremely dangerous for young birds, and can even be fatal. To read more on why, click here . What happens when my circumstances change and I can longer care for my bird? Can I return it to you? Yes, all purchases come with our Lifetime Return and Support Guarantee. Please note we do not pay for returned birds. Why does my new bird have a leg ring? We add a closed (welded shut, unable to be removed without being cut off) with a unique identifier to ensure that DNA results are correctly attributed to the right bird, for our records and tracing of genetics and also as a secondary identification of ownership. Our birds are rung with custom bands initialled "CDMA" (Camille Dammasch Maranatha Aviaries) followed by a unique number. This number will correspond to the number on your DNA certificate, and the band should be retained if removed. There have been cases where leg rings have caused injury to parrots by getting caught, or chewed/clamped tight cutting off circulation. It is up to your discretion whether to keep their band on or have it removed by the vet at their annual health check-up. I lost my DNA sexing certificate? Can I get another copy? Yes, of course! Send us an email with your details and we can resend a soft copy at our earliest convenience. Are you a member of a bird club? Yes! We are financial members of the Parrot Society of Australia and the Queensland Bird Breeders Association.

external resources Parrot Stars Podcast Alexis manages Parrot Stars; a pet store located in Illinois, USA. They have an invaluable podcast on subjects such as parrot care, nutrition, training, behavior, conservation and preservation. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6rK0MrjsWL3mFqFbMwiXTd YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLq8iAEDALblCybxoAVUUn-sbFf2IwV_DY Flock Talk Flock Talk is a positive reinforcement based trainer based in Canada with fantastic training videos. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FlockTalk/playlists Instagram: instagram.com/flock.talks Parrot Life Parrot Life is a team of avian behavioural consultants based in Australia, providing in home and video consultations, courses, seminars and workshops. Website: www.parrotlife.com.au bird tricks Dave and Jamieleigh Womach are experienced parrot trainers based in Idaho, USA. They have many video playlists full of information on training, feeding systems, stationing, behavioural solutions and species specific content. Website: www.birdtricksstore.com/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@BirdTricks/playlists

Brisbane and South East Queensland's leading breeder of Bourke's Parrots for companion parrots 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. preparing to bring your new parrot home It is such an exciting yet nerve-wracking experience preparing to bring your new bird home. Likely there has been a wait for them to grow, meet and greet appointments, and many things to consider to ensure a seamless transition into their new environment. But don't worry, this time is best spent making sure everything is in order before the big "gotcha day" arrives. bird proofing your home The first step in getting ready for your new parrot is making sure that their home environment will be be safe for them. There's a number of things that can harm or kill your bird, and some are more obvious than others. Parrots are just like toddlers; they explore their surroundings with their feet, beaks and wings - usually getting into places that they really shouldn't be. Ceiling Fans Never have your ceiling fans on while your birds are out of their cage. Sitting on top of the fan blades is a popular vantage point for a lot of companion birds, and I'm sure they know just how much harder it is for you to get them back down! Smaller parrots are especially agile in flight, and hitting a moving ceiling fan can cause decapitation, wing amputation, internal injuries and brain damage; survival is very slim. Mirrors and Windows Reflective surfaces like mirrors and windows can seriously injure or kill your parrot if they run into them. They will learn in time that these surfaces are not a thoroughfare, but running into a mirror or window can cause instant death, broken neck, broken wing, paralysis (whether permanent or temporary), bruised and damaged beaks and/or concussion. Candles, Oil Diffusers, Aerosols and Perfumes Birds have a very unique respiratory system, which makes them especially sensitive to airborne toxins found in candles, diffusers, and aerosols. They do not have lungs like mammals do, but rather a series of air sacs in a 'one way' air flow system, relying on air pressure changes to breathe. Because this system is a rather efficient way to oxygenate their blood, it means inhaling substances (VOC's, CFC's etc) in polluted air can quickly cause irritation and damage to the air sac lining and even death. Do not spray things like perfumes, dry shampoo, deodorants, hair spray, bug spray, spray paint, or operate essential oil diffusers in the room with your bird. Teflon and Non Stick Coatings Research has increasingly shown that non-stick coatings like Teflon are more toxic than we first thought, but it is far more dangerous to our little birds. When overheated, chemicals in the coatings like PTFE and PFOA's release a chemical gas which causes severe respiratory distress and death within minutes (or sometimes longer, but there is no cure or antidote to save them after exposure). Teflon can be found in obvious items like frypans, woks, rice cookers, waffle irons and sandwich presses, but also in hair straighteners and curlers, clothes irons, microwave popcorn bags, Scotchguard / stain-resistant furniture and clothing coatings and even some light bulbs. Pyrolytic (self-cleaning) ovens are also extremely toxic when running the high-heat cycle, avoid using this feature, or if absolutely necessary do not ever use it with your birds in the house. Leave them outside far away from kitchen windows and doors for at least 24-48 hours. When buying cookware, check the labels for: no Teflon / Gore-Tex no PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) no PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) Safe options for non-stick cooking include ceramic, enamel, cast iron, stainless steel and carbon steel. For an in-depth reading on the dangers and history of Teflon, read here. Heat and Cooking Hazards For most of us, our birds are an integral part of the family, and this usually means a lot of free flying out of the cage time. The kitchen poses many dangers like burns to feet and faces and injury from sharp objects. This becomes an issue for meal time, both preparing and eating. Keep your bird in their cage (or in another room, if with another household member) as much as possible while you are using the stove, oven, blenders or even chopping if they are particularly inquisitive. Granted, some birds are more than content to just sit on your shoulder and hang out while you go about your meal preparation, but it only takes one opportunity to lose or severely injure your bird - the risk is just not worth the heartache for both of you. Open boiling pots of water, steam, hot frypans (full of yummy food they feel entitled to), hot stovetop burners, open ovens, hot baking trays, sharp knives on chopping boards are just a few kitchen dangers to note. Bodies of Water Another hidden danger in our homes is water. While their feathers hold limited 'water repellent' properties, they will get waterlogged and drown quite quickly if they find themselves in water deeper than they are able to stand. Be mindful of things like unattended buckets of water (for cleaning or mopping, soaking dirty laundry etc.), filled sinks, toilets with the lid left up, dishes or pots soaking in the sink and unemptied bathtubs. Ensure that your fish tanks have lids on them. External Doors and Escapes One of the leading dangers in a home would be escape through a door that has been left open. Unfortunately this is quite common in homes with children, and anyone not used to constantly keeping the door closed behind them. Some people wrongfully assign the responsibility to the bird by clipping their wings to stop them flying away in the event of a door being mistakenly left open, but this is not the right approach. As the owners, we are accountable to keeping them safe and adjusting our own behaviour and those in our care to keep these sentient beings safe. If you have small children, speak to them often about the responsibility of keeping the doors and windows closed and the consequences if they fail to do so. Human beings are remarkably trainable and adaptable, and children and adults alike are capable of changing their habits. Bunnings offers a simple solution of adding auto closing devices, regardless of the style of door. These can be added easily and are quite economical: Closer for sliding screen doors Closer for hinged screen doors Closer for solid doors Chewing Hazards Parrots are perpetual toddlers; continually getting into mischief and chewing things that they shouldn't. Painted or varnished furniture or picture frames, electrical cords and cables, curtains, and even kid's stationery (pencils, crayons, erasers etc) can cause illness, electrocution, crop blockage (impaction of foreign, indigestible material) and strangulation in fabric fibres (frayed curtains or fabrics, blind cords). House plants also pose a significant risk of poisoning, like lilies, ivy, jasmine, daffodils, honeysuckle, ph ilodendron, pothos, fiddle leaf figs etc. As a general rule, it is best to treat every house plant as potentially unsafe and restrict access unless known to definitely be safe. If given unsupervised access to window screens, they can also chew holes in them and potentially escape. For our bird room, we replaced the sliding door mesh with this stainless flyscreen from Bunnings . Be careful with access to unsafe metal objects like lead, zinc, and copper, which unfortunately are often found in most commercial bird toys. Cleaning Products and Chemical Exposure Cleaning products can be very detrimental to your bird's health, especially products like Febreeze (documented as causing fatalities in birds). Using a vinegar and water solution can clean most things around the home, with the addition of a diluted bleach solution for sanitising purposes. In our home, bird room and aviaries we've been using a natural product called For All Australia ,* which is a pH neutral, ultra concentrated degreaser and detergent. It has effective septic safe, biodegradable enzymes which break down organic matter in faeces and food. We find it to be a great option for cleaning, without the harsh chemicals and synthetic fragrances, and comes in an unscented version. We have been using it to mop floors, clean dishes, clean cages and aviaries, wipe down benches, clean walls and much more, for many years now. *Not sponsored or affiliate in any way, just a major fan of their products and long term user. set up the cage You will need a big, roomy cage to be their safe space while they aren't out socialising with you or exploring. Not only is it important for keeping them out of harm's way while you are home or out at work, but it should be something that they actually enjoy spending time in, because it meets their needs and provides plenty of things to keep them occupied. Our article is coming soon on how to set up a cage, or you can see our cage recommendations here. Size Ideally your cage will be 80 x 90 x 55cm or larger with a 15-18mm bar spacing; you may like to get a cage with a play top or can purchase (or make, if you're crafty!) a separate stand. Modern cages are usually a powder-coated metal which unfortunately won't last the lifetime of the bird, and tends to break down and rust with frequent bathing, splashing and cleaning. Stainless steel cages are a great but exceptionally pricey option, but won't rust and are a completely safe metal. If you are looking at second hand options, ensure that it is not damaged or rusty. Be sure to thoroughly clean any second hand cage with soap and sanitise with F10 Veterinary Disinfectant. Location Where you put your cage inside your home can have an impact on their behaviour and their sense of safety. Consider the following: At least one or two sides against a wall Out of cross draughts from windows or doors Not in direct line of air-conditioners or heaters, and certainly not next to fireplaces In a room where they will be able to be interacted with as people walk past A room that doesn't drop or jump in temperature dramatically A cage that is in the main thoroughfare of the home (think bustling family dining room) could prevent your bird from getting adequate sleep, and as a result increased negative behaviours such as anxiety and fear aggression. A cage in a back bedroom which is seldom entered can cause them to feel neglected. So ideally, you would want a location with some level of regular interaction while you are home, and they are able to see and interact with you while still having their own space to decompress. What you need inside the cage There are many different ways to arrange the inside of the cage, but there are some "non-negotiables" you will need to add. Natural perches of varying widths, cleaned well (pressure washer highly advised) and dried in the sun Alternatively: purchased perches with wingnut/washer attachments Food and water bowls (stainless steel coop cups, plastic D or rectangle feeders, Seedmate/Bainbridge acrylic 'no mess' feeders) Toys, both shreddable and interactive (like foraging or noise-making toys, usually plastic and metal components) Other great things to include are: Pumice perches (chalky, not sandpaper ones) Seagrass mats made into platforms or hammocks (available from Bunnings ) Flat platforms (either clear pine, cardboard, natural timber/branch slice) Ladders (avoid the ones with sandpaper rungs) Foraging trays (either mounted on the side with hanger bolts or on the cage bottom) Foot toys or small pieces of toy like a sola ball, bell ball, macaracas etc Chains or chain links (conures especially like to hang upside down) Fresh branches with leaves on (native trees often safest, like eucalypt, lilypily, grevillea, bottlebrush etc) Perch hangers or screws added to the end of branches (galvanised metal, plastic) prepare the essentials Once you've purchased and set up your cage, you'll need to make sure you have their food ready to go. We wean our babies onto our pellet mix (recipe here ), sprouts (how-to here ) and veggie chop, aiming to have introduced them to as many different textures, colours and flavours as possible. In your take home care package, we include samples of the food that they have been on here (pellet mix, and sprouting mix) which will last them the first roughly 2 weeks. Its important to keep their diet as similar as you can in the first few weeks before transitioning them to an alternate pellet (for instance) as this can cause unnecessary stress and potentially starvation. As in the wild, its really important to offer a variety of foods - even if on rotation - to ensure they meet all their nutritional requirements. You can read more about diet and nutrition here . Your shopping list might look a little like this: Pellets* Any additional mix ins to add to your pellets Sprouting mix* (or make up your own) Training treats (eg: millet sprays, sunflower seeds, pine nuts) Storage containers for pellet mix, sprout mix and training treats Food and water dishes Toys Bath (we love this sensory tray from Kmart, acrylic bath cube, or shallow food container for next to the sink) Perches Paper for bottom cage tray (newspaper, butchers paper from Officeworks, Bunnings etc) *We highly recommend keeping your food in the freezer to prevent pantry moths hatching/going into the package, or at least an initial freeze session to kill off potential eggs. Where is your nearest Vet Its a good idea to make sure you are aware of your nearest avian accredited vet, as most regular vets won't see birds or won't be able to give the same level of care as an avian vet can. Our most trusted, recommended vet is: THE EXOTICS VET Dr. Vanessa Harkess, BVSC (Hons I) MANZCVS (Avian Health) Dr. Brock Warren, BVSc (Hons) MANZCVS (Avian Medicine and Surgery) 22 Ashmole Road, Redcliffe Phone: (07) 3060 2112 Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday 9am to 1pm, Closed Sunday https://theexoticsvet.com/ Other accredited, avian vets in the south-east corner are: BRISBANE BIRD & EXOTICS VETERINARY SERVICE Dr. Deborah Monks, BVSc (Hons), Cert Zoo Med (RCVS), ECZM Diplomate (Avian Medicine), FANZCVS (Avian Medicine and Surgery) Dr. Kimberley Tozer, BVSc (Hons) MANZCVS (Medicine and Surgery of Unusual Pets, Avian Medicine and Surgery) Dr. Emma Sciacca, BVSc (Hons), MANZCVS (Avian Health, Medicine and Surgery of Unusual Pets) Dr Rebecca Taylor, BSc (Vet Biol) BVMS MANZCVS (Avian Health) 191 Cornwall Street, Greenslopes 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/ UNUSUAL PET VETS SUNSHINE COAST Dr Sasha Miles, BVSc (Hons) MANZCVS (Avian Health, Medicine and Surgery of Unusual Pets) Dr Patrick Jones, BVSc MANZCVS (Avian Medicine and Surgery, Medicine and Surgery of Unusual Pets) 91 King St, Buderim Phone: (07) 5353 6090 Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30am to 6:00pm, Saturday 9:00am to 4:30pm, Sunday 9:00am to 2:30pm, Closed Public Holidays Getting THEM HOME To bring your bird home, you will need a sturdy and secure carrier. There are many options to choose from when purchasing a suitable bird carrier; such as a carrier, crate or cage. It is important to be prepared for transporting your parrot to and from the breeder, vet appointments, pet minder or even walk to the park. Small carriers can range from $20 to $60+, but are a necessary investment; a cardboard box is an inappropriate choice. Birds will not be permitted to leave the premises without a suitable travel crate, but you are welcome to purchase one of our crates for just $20. It is important to remember that this is for transport purposes only. Please do not leave your bird in a carrier for longer than a few hours. Here are a few options: Carry Crates - made of timber and wire mesh, plastic, or acrylic. Slide up or swing access door. Small Cage - can be called budgie cages, canary cages etc. Avoid round and opt for square. Cat Carriers - affordable, easy to find in store option, however they require a little modification to add a perch and secure door. Make sure the bars are spaced close enough apart that your bird cannot get it's head stuck through the door - no more than 20mm gap between bars Bird Backpacks - on the pricier side, but added versatility for hiking and walking in nature. Wire Spacing Does the cage have strong mesh or wire, and is it of appropriate spacing (maximum 20mm/2cm apart for conures and quakers, 15mm/1.5cm for Bourke's). Could smaller aperture wire be added to ensure wings, feet and head stay safely within the carrier (especially with cat carriers)? Ventilation Does it have adequate through ventilation, without too many acrylic sides? Keep the air conditioning on high in the car when travelling in summer, especially in Queensland. Security Ensure that parts designed to be taken apart - like cage bottoms - are secured with zip ties if needed. Access doors and sliding feeders can be secured with clothes pegs or these snap hooks . Material Is it easy to clean and able to be disinfected? Does it have a bottom tray that can have newspaper added to it to catch droppings? Clean Ensure your carrier is clean and disinfected, especially if your carrier has been used with other birds. This is to ensure that faeces- and dander-bourne illnesses and diseases are not transmitted to other homes and birds. Places to shop for transport cages: Pet Barn, Pet Stock, GT Mall, Amazon, eBay, Temu, Get Flocked, Parrot Supplies, Pet Circle, Pet Shop Direct, Reject Shop, Choice Discount Stores, Wayne's World Some of our recommendations: 27.5(W) x 19.5(D) x 27.5(H)cm $20 (We stock these) Parrot Supplies - Small 30.5(W) x 17(D) x 27.5(H)cm $34 Pet Stock - Avi One 320A 34(W) x 26.5(D) x 51(H)cm $36 Temu (Item ID: HH58706) 30.5(W) x 25.5(D) x 25.5(H)cm approx $20-25 Temple & Webster 47.6(W) x 37.5(D) x 45.7(H)cm $119-170 + shipping Pet Circle - Catit Voyageur 47.6(W) x 37.5(D) x 45.7(H)cm $119-170 + shipping Temu (Item ID: FD185767) 29(W) x 20(D) x 21(H)cm approx $30-35 Pet Circle - Paradise 29(W) x 22(D) x 38(H)cm $31 Get Flocked - 32W) x 28(D) x 41(H)cm $90 pick up day The day has arrived, the wait is over! It is time to fill up the pellets dish, water container and set some sprouting mix on to soak the day before. You will get an appointment confirmation text a few days before your appointment with date, time, address and balance owing. Please don't bring any of your pets with you for your appointment; not only is it an unnecessary biosecurity risk, but also potentially a danger to your pet as we have our own large dogs and an existing flock of birds. Travel Crate Please do make sure that your carry crate is clean and sanitised, as this is especially important when visiting another person's flock: you could unintentionally spread disease and illness which could cause catastrophic loss. We take biosecurity very seriously here, and cleanliness and sanitation are very important to ensuring everyone is receiving beautiful, healthy babies. Crate checklist: your crate is clean and sanitised there is a perch inside, that is fixed to ensure it will not turn, move or fall during the drive the bar spacing is small enough that their head doesn't get stuck (particularly in cat carriers) if space allows, food and water containers with just a little in each. If you live 1-2 hours away, it will probably be unlikely that they will eat or drink on the journey a towel or cloth to partially cover over the crate in the car a millet spray, some snacks, a veggie kabob, or sprouts Payment Organise how you are planning to finalise your payment; whether cash (preferred), or PayID (0423470041). If you have paid a deposit, your final balance will reflect this. Address Our address is 14 Johnson Drive, Lockrose - or pop 'Maranatha Aviaries' into your Maps/Google Maps app and it will get you here.

WHY BIRD YOUR NEXT BIRD FROM US OUR 'WHY' When purchasing our birds we wanted to make the changes we wanted to see in the industry OUR focus education, support in order to make the most educated decision for your family OUR FACILITIES Our handraising room Our aviaries

BIRDS FOR SALE NAIL & Beak TRIMMING Nail clipping of parrots is simple, but can be quite a daunting task for an owner. Under normal circumstances, your bird generally won't require much more than light trim to remove the fine point. Overgrown nails that don't get worn down on their natural perches and pumice perches may need a little extra taken off to ensure the nail quick isn't extending too far into the length of the nail, and with regular We are able to clip your birds' nails Cost: $5 each bird https://birdtricksstore.com/blogs/birdtricks-blog/do-you-file-or-clip-your-bird-s-nails?srsltid=AfmBOorQpaXaKSks-i1i92sxKbiqqRardtg6QySlEwSv2trOSoVXkbI5 https://www.unusualpetvets.com.au/services/nail-clipping/ https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/beak-and-nail-care-in-birds

about WHO ARE WE? Welcome! I'm Camille; self-professed 'crazy bird lady', mum to two little humans, and soul behind Maranatha Aviaries. I breed green-cheeked conures and quakers in a plethora of colours, right here in the Lockyer Valley. My love for aviculture began at the wee age of three years old; my family went to a local market and we walked past a stall with all kinds of birds. The request was simple: "Mum, I want that one", pointing a cockatiel fledgling in one of the cages. Well what could she say? My fate was sealed that very day, and a little pearl cockatiel called Sammie came to live with us. That little bird was the light of my life for 17 wonderful years, and cemented a love for parrots deeply into my heart. My whole life I firmly believed that I would be a veterinarian one day; nothing could have convinced me otherwise. I lived and breathed anything and everything related to animals; I had parrot books and encyclopaedias and studied about the anatomy of feathers, I was pretty much obsessed. Leaving high school I went on to study two years of Veterinary Technology, and that course on animal breeding and genetics sure was a foreshadowing of the not-to-distant future. Fast forward to Spring 2014, I brought my first green-cheeked conure home. I was fascinated by the way these little birds hung around by one foot, laid on their back, played with toys and made such great companions. A few months later I bought a hen and - paired with the name of our property, "Maranatha" (which means The Lord is Coming) - Maranatha Aviaries was born. OUR MISSION My goal is to educate, support and share the love of aviculture with my clients. Whether young or old, male or female, all can experience the joys that come with owning intelligent companion parrots, which deserve to live long and enriched lives. Over the years I have owned various parrots such as budgerigars, cockatiels, alexandrines, indian ringnecks, galahs, Bourke's parrots, quakers and green-cheeked conures, and I strive to continually grow my knowledge in care and husbandry. It is my desire to raise birds the best way and support and educate those around me so they can do the same, whether for their pets or fellow breeders as well. Because at the end of the day, these parrots have been put on this planet to be enjoyed and engaged with; not just a pretty bundle of feathers sitting in a cage. VISIT US

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. We are working on an expansive article which will cover information about where to put your bird's cage, cleaning, furnishing and what to avoid, watch this space! 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: 16mm Bar Thickness: Unknown Available from Petstock, Pet Shop Direct 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 Getting THEM HOME What will you bring them home in? There are many various options to choose from when purchasing a suitable bird carrier; such as a carrier, crate or cage. It is important to be prepared for transporting your parrot to and from the breeder, vet appointments, pet minder or even walk to the park. Small carriers can range from $15 to $60+, but are a necessary investment; a cardboard box is an inappropriate choice. It is important to remember that this is for transport purposes only. Please do not leave your bird in a small carry carrier for longer than a few hours. Here are a few options: Carry Crates - made of timber and wire mesh, plastic, or acrylic. Slide up or swing access door. Small Cage - can be called budgie cages, canary cages etc. Avoid round and opt for square. Cat Carriers - affordable, easy to find in store option, however they require a little modification to add a perch and secure door. Make sure bird cannot fit its head through the bars on the door. Bird Backpacks - on the pricier side, but added versatility of transport for hiking and walking in nature. Some further considerations: 1. Wire spacing: Does the cage have strong mesh or wire, and is it of appropriate spacing (maximum 2cm apart). Could smaller aperture wire be added to ensure wings, feet and head stay safely within the carrier (especially with cat carriers)? 2. Ventilation: Does it have adequate through ventilation, without too many acrylic sides? Keep the air conditioning on high in the car when travelling in summer, especially in Queensland. 3. Security: Ensure that parts designed to be taken apart - like cage bottoms - are secured with zip ties if needed. Access doors and sliding feeders can be secured with clothes pegs. 4. Material: Is it easy to clean and able to be disinfected? Does it have a bottom tray that can have newspaper added to it to catch droppings? 5. Clean: Ensure your carrier is clean and disinfected, especially if your carrier has been used with other birds. This is to ensure that faeces- and dander-bourne illnesses and diseases are not transmitted to other homes and birds. Places to shop for transport cages: Pet Barn, Pet Stock, GT Mall, Amazon, eBay, Temu, Get Flocked, Parrot Supplies, Pet Circle, Pet Shop Direct, Reject Shop, Choice Discount Stores, Wayne's World Some of our recommendations: GT Mall 27.5(W) x 19.5(D) x 27.5(H)cm $20 (We stock these) Parrot Supplies - Small 30.5(W) x 17(D) x 27.5(H)cm $34 Pet Stock - Avi One 320A 34(W) x 26.5(D) x 51(H)cm $36 Temu (Item ID: HH58706) 30.5(W) x 25.5(D) x 25.5(H)cm approx $20-25 Temple & Webster 47.6(W) x 37.5(D) x 45.7(H)cm $119-170 + shipping Pet Circle - Catit Voyageur 47.6(W) x 37.5(D) x 45.7(H)cm $119-170 + shipping Temu (Item ID: FD185767) 29(W) x 20(D) x 21(H)cm approx $30-35 Pet Circle - Paradise 29(W) x 22(D) x 38(H)cm $31 Get Flocked - 32W) x 28(D) x 41(H)cm $90

The latest comparisons between violet and non violet green cheeks. quaker colour combination COMPARISONS With the vast amount of mutations and available in Australia, it can be difficult to find professional and concise comparisons between each colour. It is tricky for the untrained eye to see difference between the different mutations and what the effect is on the structural colour if you are unsure what you're looking for. Here are some comparison photographs to help distinguish them. DO NOT screenshot, save or republish any copyrighted photographs from this website without expressed permission by the owner. This is a copyright infringement and punishable by law. For the comprehensive colour chart, click here. GROUP SHOTS L-R: Turquoise, Blue Opaline, Blue, Blue Pallid, Cobalt Pallid, Cobalt Opaline, Cobalt L-R: Dark Green Opaline, Dark Green, Green, Green Pallid, Green Pallidino GREEN PALLID VS GREEN PALLIDINO VS LUTINO L-R: Green Pallidino, Green Pallid, Lutino L-R: Lutino, Green Pallidino, Green Pallid L-R: Green Pallid, Green Pallidino Cobalt vs Cobalt Opaline vs Cobalt pallid L-R: Cobalt Pallid, Cobalt, Cobalt Opaline L-R: Cobalt Opaline, Cobalt, Cobalt Pallid Dark Green vs Olive L-R: Olive, Dark Green L-R: Dark Green, Olive L-R: Dark Green, Olive Turquoise vs Blue L-R: Blue, Turquoise (Parblue-Blue) L-R: Turquoise (Parblue-Blue), Blue Cobalt Pallid vs Mauve Pallid Cobalt Pallid L-R: Mauve Pallid, Cobalt Pallid Mauve Pallid L-R: Cobalt Pallid, Mauve Pallid Green opaline vs dark green opaline vs olive opaline L-R: Dark Green Opaline, Green Opaline, Olive Opaline L-R: Green Opaline, Olive Opaline L-R: Dark Green Opaline, Green Opaline, Olive Opaline Dark Green Opaline Olive Opaline

Keeping your parrot healthy is a full time job, but do you know what they should eat? Read about conure and quaker diets here: MAKE YOUR OWN DIY PELLET & TREAT MIX A great diet can bring out the very best in your bird, but in the plethora of products to choose from, how do we know what is really the best for our parrot? We've curated an easy to make, low prep pellet and treat mix recipe you can buy at your local Woolworths or Coles and make in minutes. It is so versatile and easy to adapt to whatever you have available; don't stress if you don't have all the ingredients below, just improvise! Add other things in, leave some things out, it's really up to you. You can always make it a little bit different every time to exposure your parrot to new textures, tastes and flavours. At Maranatha Aviaries, we wean our babies onto this mix, and it also forms the basis of our pet birds' diet as well. It is best suited for indoor birds; in an outdoor cage or aviary you would need to only supply what each cage needs daily, as the fruit and nut components tend to spoil quickly and attract ants. Depending on the size and quantity of birds, you can provide 2 tablespoons daily and increase per bird. While this mix is great for exposing your bird to a variety of different textures, tastes and nutrients, it shouldn't comprise of the entire diet. To read more about why balanced nutrition is so important for your bird, read here. south american parrots You will need: 4-5kg of mixed pellets, pick one or a variety of the following: Vetafarm Nutriblend Mini , Vetafarm Maintenance Mini , Vetafarm South American , Tropican Lifetime 2mm , Passwell Parrot Crumbles , Zupreem Fruitblend Small 120g Slivered Almonds 300g Natural Pepitas 200g Coconut Flakes 500g Natural Sunflower Kernels 300g Banana Chips 200g Dried Diced Apricots 200g Hemp Seeds 200g Cashew Pieces 300g Pine Nuts 200g Chia Seeds (black or white, doesn't matter) 250-300g Rolled Oats Mix together in a large bowl. Will yield approximately 7kg of mixed pellets. Store in airtight container in cool, dry place. natives & GRASS PARROTS We have adjusted the recipe above to be better suited to our Bourke's parrots and other native parrots such as cockatiels and budgies to align more with their natural foraging habits. Adjust the following to suit what you have on hand, as most of the products will come in a larger packet than what you will likely make up at one time. 2.5-3kg of mixed pellets, pick one or a variety of the following: Vetafarm Maintenance , Tropican Lifetime 2mm , Passwell Parrot Crumbles 250g Natural Seed Mix (Pepitas and Sunflower Kernels) - or can do smaller quantities from individual product packets 100-150g Rolled Oats 1/3 cup Hemp Seeds 1/3 cup Chia Seeds (black or white, doesn't matter) 120g Slivered Almonds 100g Coconut Flakes If you are in the process of converting your parrot to a pellet mix, you may need to mix in a bit of their usual seed mix into the bowl of pellets until they identify the pellets as actual food. A good trick is to add a tablespoon of pellets with a tiny bit of boiling water, allow to absorb and then sprinkle over their fresh vegetables and sprouts.

Should I clip my parrots wings? If yes, how? In what circumstances should my bird be able to fly? We answer it all: BREEDER'S SUPPORT Jump to: DNA Sexing Air Freight Breeding Records Templates Leg Bands DNA SEXING INFORMATION There are a few sexing laboratories available in Australia for sending samples to for DNA sexing: CURTIN UNIVERSITY 08 9266 7475 or 0417 915 837 d.groth@curtin.edu.au Blood & Feather Testing Purchase Sample Kits: No C/O Dr David Groth, School of Biomedical Sciences, Curtin University GPO Box U1987, Perth WA 6845 ANIMETICS https://www.animetics.com.au/ 08 6261 9475 info@animetics.com.au Blood & Feather Testing Purchase Sample Kits: Yes PO Box 8188, Hilton, WA 6163 DNA SOLUTIONS https://dnasolutions.com.au/ 1800 000 362 dna-ausnz@dnasolutions.com Blood & Feather Testing Purchase Sample Kits: Yes 4 Eastgate Court, Wantirna South, VIC 3152 Curtin University Submission Form (Fillable) AIR FREIGHT DEPOT CONTACT POINTS AND LOCATIONS https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/travel-info/flying-with-us/cargo/cargo-network/ HOW TO BOOK ONLINE TRAVEL Call Virgin Australia Cargo Contact Centre on 13 82 87 . You will need to have the following information: Your full name Your mobile number Your email address Departing Airport and Arriving Airport Date (you can ask for available times on that date) Box size and total weight (box + bird/s) Receiver's Name Receiver's mobile number Your credit card details for payment AIR FREIGHT LODGMENT FORM Download the following form and fill in AWB Number, Origin, Destination, Date and Signature. FREIGHT BOX SIZES Freight boxes can be purchased from the Parrot Society here. Virgin Freight Declaration Form Qantas Shippers Declaration Form PSA Product Name Size Weight Extra Small Single 14cm x 21cm x 15cm 560g (+ bird/s) Small Single 26cm x 25 x 15cm 960g (+bird/s) Medium Single 32cm x 25cm x 15cm 1.16kg (+bird/s) Large Single 31cm x 30cm x 21cm TBA Small Double 30cm x 30cm x 15cm Compartment width 15cm 1.4kg (+bird/s) Double 43cm x 25cm x 15cm Compartment width 21cm 1.6kg (+bird/s) Triple 65.5cm x 26cm x 15cm Compartment width 21.5cm 1.9kg (+bird/s) HELPFUL TEMPLATES Download the following forms to help streamline your record keeping processes. Breeding Records Template (Editable) Breeding Records Template (Printable) LEG RINGS Leg bands are important for keeping accurate records, ensuring DNA results are accurately assigned to each chick and tracking breeding lines. These can be generic numbered bands or custom printed with your initials or aviary code. Closed bands that are placed on the leg in the nest before 2 weeks of age. Aluminium closed bands are generally suitable for smaller birds, such as Pyrrhura conures and quakers, but we recommend ordering stainless steel for sizes 7mm/R/Size "11" and larger. The bigger the beak, the easier it is for them to clamp the band onto their leg and cause damage and injury. We do not recommend split rings as they have an increased risk of entrapment on their enclosure. PURCHASE LEG RINGS Leg rings can be purchased through: Bird Bands (custom) www.birdbands.com/legrings/personalised Parrot Society of Australia Generic (numbered) www.parrotsupplies.com.au/collections/leg-rings COMMON BAND SIZES 5.5mm | N | Size '9' | Aluminium Closed - Suitable for green cheeked conures 6mm | P | Size '10' | Aluminium Closed - Suitable for quakers For a complete size guide, see: www.birdbands.com/birdlist www.birdbands.com/legrings/comparison LEG BAND CUTTERS It is a good idea to invest in a pair of leg ring cutters. It is much safer than a pair of small pliers. Bird Bands sells them here: www.birdbands.com/legringcutterscissors

Should I clip my parrots wings? If yes, how? In what circumstances should my bird be able to fly? We answer it all: the importance of Flight the benefits of being able to fly here page 77 conure handbook WING CLIPPING here page 77 conure handbook $534 imping Free Flight here page 77 conure handbook