New Foods & Foraging Fun

Life has been busy...busy...busy! Moments are few and far between and downtime...well...hopefully spring will allow for more of it.

Viggo is doing exceptional! I am so fortunate for all the advice I received that got us to the point he is at right now. He's going through a light molt, his hormones are still MIA which is more than okay with me and he is eager to learn though not necessarily via clicker training.

Recently I taught him to shake a foot by tapping his toe and saying shake while holding a finger out. I also taught him to high 4 by again tapping his toe then saying high 4 and holding a finger a bit higher. I'll have to post a video. He picked up very quick and no treats required he did it all for praise. We are working on 'Big Bird' which he used to do so well at when he was younger. Now he lifts his wings for more of a wing pit tickle or similar to his morning stretch. We'll get those wings way up...just you wait.

We've tried a lot of new foods lately and gotten more adventurous. I've added more fruit back into his diet and it hasn't seemed to change his hormones thankfully. Food is fun! Especially when it can be combined with foraging!

 


Recent additions to his diet have been (and partly due to molting):

Egg (Hard boiled 1/4 of an egg fed once a week while molting)
Bird Bread (small portion once a week)
Flax Seed
Cooked yam or sweet potato mashed with seed mixed in (yummy warm dinner treat)
Kale- Daily and he's been eating it like it's going out of style! (This is pretty much a staple)

Tamarillos - Low in fat and hence calories

Low in carbohydrates and the carbohydrate present is mainly in the form of fibre

High in potassium but extremely low in sodium, which is a desirable balance for a healthy diet

Contains other trace elements important for health, in particular copper and manganese

Source of fibre

Source of Vitamin A, B6 and C. Also contains Vitamin E and Thiamine

Granadilla - Calcium, Fiber, Iron, Niacin, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Vitamin A, C and K.
The fruit has a sweet and sour flavour.

Passion fruit -
Delicious, passion fruit is rich source of antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and fiber. 100 g fruit contains about 97 calories.

The fruit is a very good source of dietary fiber. 100 g fruit pulp contains 10.4 g or 27% of fiber. Good fiber in the diet helps remove cholesterol from the body. In addition dietary insoluble fiber by acting as a bulk laxative helps protect the colon mucous membrane by decreasing exposure time to toxic substances in the colon as well as binding to cancer-causing chemicals in the colon.

Passion fruit is good in vitamin C, providing about 30 mg per 100 g. Vitamin-C (ascorbic acid) is a powerful water soluble anti-oxidant. Consumption of fruits rich in vitamin C helps the body develop resistance against flu-like infectious agents and scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals.

The fruit contains very good levels of vitamin-A(provides about 1274 IU per 100 g), and flavonoid antioxidants such asβ-carotene and cryptoxanthin-β. Current research studies suggest that these compounds have antioxidant properties, and along with vitamin A are essential for good eye-sight.

Vitamin A is also required maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin. Consumption of natural fruits rich in vitamin-A, and flavonoids helps to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.

I have been sharing these tasty treats with my green boy and reaping the benefits. I thought I would share the key reasons why I chose to feed them.

Having tried Dragon fruit a while back and seeing Viggo devour it and enjoy every bite I decided to get adventurous. I think he appreciates it. When he was young he was very cautious about what he would and would not eat and new foods were looked upon as poisonous, screamed at and left untouched. Now as he's matured he goes in hesitantly but tries everything. If he doesn't like it I can tell, and if he likes it I know as he devours it first and leaves no trace of it's existence. The picture below very much sums up Viggo and I found it amusing so I had to of course share. The toy one really hit home...

Viggo has been keeping busy foraging and flying. I found a new website that I haven't come across before. I am very impressed with it and highly recommend it to parrot owners. Parrot Enrichment Blog I have found that for the most part animal owners are quite knowledgeable or at least always looking to learn more to better the life of their pet.

One day I will post about cage set up and foraging fun. There's still so much to share, learn and post about. Owning a parrot brings a new step every day.

All's well....Update

What better picture than the one above. My husband and I joke that one day we will be in a retirement or nursing home, ragged as a pirate with our dear Viggo sitting on our shoulder. Consider that image when considering a pet parrot...their lifespan is not one of most other pets.

Viggo is molting. He was looking a tad scruffy so I wondered if he was. Many little grey down feathers have been seen around his sleep cage and his day cage. This weekend many more feathers of various sizes also found their place with the down feathers and they continue to drop.

He's never gone through a mojo molt like many speak of with their Eclectus. I've seen many pictures posted of scruffy looking molting eclectus sporting bald patches. I have yet to see this with my boy. I wonder why?

As of late I have been offering Viggo his food in much larger chunks. This has kept him very busy and the mess contained for the most part to the bottom of his cage as he tosses the big pieces out of his bowl. The food falls in perfect slices but it's not long before it looks like a heap of...mush. I've been trying to keep Viggo on his toes with changes and keep things fun and interesting. I'm not sure which he prefers more, the food chopped in his dish or the large portions. He seems to really enjoy the larger sections.

 

I bet this is how the Peppers feel before Viggo gets them...because when he's done...they are unrecognizable! Had to share for a laugh!

Ever met an Eclectus? The above literally sums up their relationship with food! Seriously!! These little cows live to eat!

All has been well. Active, eating well. Life has been pretty busy so Clicker Training and on going introduction to the harness hasn't been a regular occurrence. I hope to press both areas more.

We went ahead and ordered an Avian Adventures travel cage. After consideration we decided that it would be great to have to use outside, for travel, for camping or short weekend visits. So when it arrives we will introduce Viggo to it so that it's not foreign when the time comes to use it. If we wanted we could also use it as a sleep cage although I really like the one we have for him now. Options have been made available.

Biting seems to be the common topic later on the Eclectus group. All these hormonal red and green brats nailing their human slaves with a powerhouse bite. On the group we are all very aware that we signed up to own a parrot and expect to be bitten at times, they are animals after all. Sometimes with Eclectus though their body language is not as clear as other parrot species so guarding against a bite is sometimes not an option. In Viggo's case he almost always says before hand, "Viggo....No Biting!" as he leans down and watches to see what if any reaction he will get. Most times he just says it and then challenges but nothing comes. Then other times he will do a testing look and then a hyper strike and make like he intends to bite with his beak open. I honestly cannot recall the last time he bit me though. I saw this and decided to post. For anyone considering a parrot....

RECIPES

 

Here is my blog recipe post.
Some are recipes of my own and others have been shared on the Eclectus group and I am sharing them here now with permission. Cooking for our fids should be fun...but with their over all health in mind when considering ingredients.

I thought what better place than here on my blog where I can look back anytime, or pull it up while in the kitchen. I will add more along the way. So be sure to check back on this post often. If you have a recipe that your Ekkie (or other bird/parrot) enjoys and you would like to share it, shoot me a message below or post it and I will be sure to try it out and load it here.

Enjoy! I know Viggo and many other Ekkies do.

 

Viggo's Bird Bread by Megan (me)

1 cup Brown Rice or Black Bean Flour (Organic)

1/2 cup unsweetened organic apple sauce

2 eggs (with or without shell)

1 cup water

1/2 cup Mixed vegetables of choice

1/2 cup Mixed Nuts or 1/2 cup seed

Optional: I make a veggie chop in our food processor that I'll add into the bread in place of mixed veggies. This bread is so easy to play around with, add whatever veggies chopped or nut or seed mix and make it into one your parrot will devour.

Cook at 325 for 45 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool and cut into cubes. I cook ours in a 9x9 baking dish. Make sure to oil the dish so the bread comes out. I use coconut oil.

PASSIONFRUIT SURPRISE by Narrelle

The passion fruit is pretty easy. I make a few days worth of polenta (1 litre of water to 3/4 cup of polenta: bring to boil and cook slowly for 20 minutes and then let rest and cool before putting it in the fridge). When you want to use the polenta, I take out the amount that I need and microwave that for about 1 minute to soften it (be careful as it is super hot!). To that, I added 1 teaspoon of almond and chia paste that I have in the fridge (you can buy this at the supermarket) and mix through. Fill the passionfruit halves and stick them together. Put in the fridge to let the polenta cool again and stick the halves together. When cool, give to your fid and watch the enjoyment!!!

INSIDE OUT APPLE CRUMBLE by Narrelle

I chopped the top off the apple (keep this) and then hollowed it out to make a cup. Into that I put a mix of crushed nuts, bread crumb and coconut. Popped the tops back on the apple. I put them in a dish with some water in the bottom and into the oven for about 30 mins. Let it cool and then give to your fid. It is pretty quick and easy which is how I like it! lolOh... I forgot to mention, the apple crumble mix also has cinnamon in it. And I cooked it at 180 c.

CRUNCHY VEGGIE CHIPS by Narrelle

Use a vegetable peeler to peel things like sweet potato, zucchini, apple (can dust apple with cinnamon), carrot etc. Put on a baking tray in the oven on 180c for about 20 mins and then reduce temp to 150c. Take out after about another 30 mins when crisp! Easy peasy!

VEGGIE CHIPS (VERSION 2) by Narrelle

Healthy for us and for them! Cut zucchini and Sweet potato into chip size strips, coat with some whisked egg and breadcrumbs. Bake on a lightly oiled tray for 40 mins on 180c.

For variations, you could include chilli flakes into the breadcrumb mix for a bit of extra zing.

BERRY EGGS by Narrelle

3 Egg Shells baked in the oven (broken in half)Quantity of polenta warmed upBerry compote (I used cherry's because my parents dropped some off today!)Coconut

Cook down the berries on a stove with water (this might take a while) until it reaches a nice rich consistency. Do NOT add any sugar, only water. I added 1 even tablespoon of polenta to the mix just to thicken it a bit. Be careful with the amount as it will thicken very fast. Allow to cool and then put in the fridge until cold.* If you don't have the time to make it, I guess you could buy it? I'm not sure. You could use blueberries or strawberries or apple. Any fruity mix that you can boil down.

Put a quantity of polenta in the shell half and leave a space in the middle for the compote. Mix some coconut into the compote and carefully spoon into the middle. A little coconut on the top for finish!

It's all a mix and match really with what you have available. I used the egg shells from the quiche I made tonight. I happened to have an egg carton handy which helps and Rose should have fun tearing

that apart too for extra fun.

SNEAKY PUMPKIN BALLS by Narrelle

Make up a quantity of mashed pumpkin, potato and broccoli (the sneaky part!). Mix in some Brown or Jasmine rice and mix. Carefully roll into little balls and put a coating of crumble on the outside (see Inside out Apple Crumble recipe). Pop into the fridge to cool. If you have extra, put them into the freezer as a quick treat when you need it.

Birdy Cookies by Trent & Rebecca

1 1/2 cups of rolled oats

1 banana- mashed

2 small sweet potatoes- boiled cooked first then mashed.

Hand full of dry roasted almonds chopped.

1/2 tin of puréed apple baby food- make sure it's pure apple, no sugar etc!

Sprinkle of black chia seeds.

Mixed all together and made into "cookies"- oven 160 (fan forced) for roughly 20min- pending on your oven also.

                                                  

Birdy Bean Crazy w/ Rice by Robin

1 Cup Quinoa (uncooked)

1 Cup Brown Rice (uncooked)
1 Cup Oatmeal
1 small box raisins
½ Bag (1/2 Cup) of Craisins (Dried Cranberries)
1 Can Black Beans
1 Can Pinto Beans
1 Can Chick Peas
1 Small Bag Mixed Veggies Frozen
1Tablespoon Cinnamon
1 Tablespoon Chili Powder
In a Saucepan bring 4 Cups water to a boil, Add 2 Cups Brown Rice, Cinnamon, Chili powder, Raisins, and cranberries and cook for 10 minutes, then add quinoa and cook for another 15 minutes until mixture is done..

While the rice mix is cooking take and rinse the beans thoroughly ( I try to get beans with no added salt but sometimes it has it so I rinse longer is all) and mix in 1 Cup of frozen mixed veggies…(any frozen veggies will do) set aside…
When rice is done mix that together with your bean mixture…and add 1 Cup of dried oatmeal…then in ice cube trays spread this mixture evenly over the trays and freeze for easy serving…Makes a lot…
My birds love this...

 

 Soft Food Mix by Robin

1 cup brown rice
1 can black beans (rinsed for 2 minutes in a colander)
1 Can of Chick peas (rinsed for 2 minutes in a colander)
1 can pinto beans (rinsed for 2 minutes in a colander)
(I use can beans to save on cooking and soaking time..and I rinse them well to be sure there is no added salts..I do not use kidney beans...i am afraid i wont have them cooked well enough for my birds)
1 box raisins
1 box of craisins (dried cranberries)
1 teaspoon cinnamon

In a pot bring to a boil 2 cups of water and add your rice, cinnamon, ¼ cup of raisins, ¼ cup of Craisins and cook for 30 minutes or until rice is done and turn off to let cool…in another pot boil and cook the beans for one hour or so with a small amount of water…when you know they are well cooked…drain well but don’t rinse because you are now rinsing nutrients off the beans…
Mix the beans and the rice mixture together ..
In ice cube trays spread your bean rice mix in them and freeze…plop out and place into freezer bags for easy serving size..
I use this with my fresh veggies and fruit and sprouts…and serve it with them..I alternate this with my sweet potato balls

 

Sweet Potato Mash (<--Links to a video)

 I make these all the time....my birds love them ... the quinoa you can find at any health food stores and the millet i just buy a canary seed mix...

 

 

Birdy Biscuits by Rochelle

 1cup of brown flour
1/2 cup of millet,
1/2 cup of chopped nuts ( any nut will b fine)
Water to combine,
Nuts to top

Combine dry ingredients... Stir... Add enough water to combine dry ingredients... Roll into balls... Place on baking tray... Squish them down with a fork and place nut on top to garnish... Place in oven at 180 degrees fan forced, 200 degrees conventional, and cook for about 15-20 minutes or till golden... Remove from oven... Break into pieces for fids then serve,.. Birds love holding them in their feet and eating away at them!

 

 

 

Sub Species

Recently I posted about a young male Eclectus that I saw at a pet store with a red band on his tail instead of the yellow band that the males have. I found this to be very interesting as I do with genetics in general when it comes to breeding.

This got me to thinking about how many are not aware of the various subspecies and their differences. It also got me to thinking about the array of variations I have seen in pictures of Eclectus. So I thought I would post about subspecies and Eclectus with unique feathering.

Here are some fantastic pages that show the different Subspecies of Eclectus:

Avian Web - Eclectus Subspecies Identification
Shades of Eclectus - Subspecies ID
Eclectusville
Tail Feather Identification

Here is a fantastic picture taken from the web that shows the size difference between two different subspecies. The pages listed above have much more documentation including pictures, charts, tail differences, color differences and where each subspecies is found. My information is only very general provided for educational and directional purpose.

The image below shows a Soloman Island Eclectus on the left and a Red Sided Eclectus on the right. Note the slight color difference as well.

In the past I have also mentioned Viggo was born with a white toe nail. This could possibly indicate a pied genetic. As he is not a breeder it is unlikely that I will ever find out if there is truth to that. It has always made me curious about the color variations before and how they come to be. Here are a few that have made me want to add more....

 

The Blue mutation is stunning! Below is a pied Eclectus.

                                                          Another pied male eclectus.

Blue Mutation Female

 

Some interesting red coloration happening on the boys in this picture.

 

A pale almost orange colored females.

There are so many unique mutations and I am not surprised. I used to breed lovebirds and it was amazing what color variations one can get when breeding. I specialised in Opaline Lovebirds that we imported from the US. When you consider the Eclectus however with the females being red, males green that's another story all together, there isn't a huge array of colors unlike lovebirds.

Macaw mutations like the Catalina, Camelot and Shamrock come from breeding one species to another, such as a Blue & Gold to a Scarlet Macaw, or a Green Wing to a Military macaw. From there you get very interesting and colorful off spring. The mutations just continue from there.

The question with Eclectus however is HOW does one get these other unique feather colors? Is it diet? Genetics?

I found this explanation on the web:

Blue is a recessive mutation. In the case of the eclectus it has occurred naturally & even if a son was bred with the mother & daughter to the father or brother & sister are bred so the color can be passed on in that family it is also easy to out cross into normal unrelated birds. Out come of matings. So i very much doubt that there is to much inbreeding with this color.

Blue x Normal = 100% Normal/Blue
Normal/Blue X Blue = 50% Normal/Blue
+ 50% Blue
Normal/Blue X Normal/Blue = 25% Normal
+ 50%Normal/Blue
+ 25% Blue
Blue X Blue = 100% Blue

I don't know how true it is but i did read that the blue eclectus was the result of brother & sister accidentally breeding together. Because only 2 chicks are the usual clutch it's taking some time to be readly available. I would also say that the breeders that are lucky to have this mutation in their breeding program would certainly be breeding good stock. The USA & Europe have the blue eclectus well under development. As far as i know there are also a few pairs in Australia.

In the case of the pied Eclectus I understand this is just genetic. As for the dappling of color or orange hues I have read that diet plays a big part. Perhaps a genetic flaw? Some interesting feathers molt out within the first year. This seems to be the norm for a lot of the unique colors, like the orange ladies above, and no doubt the little male I saw at the pet store with the red band. In all likely hood he too will molt the band away. Shame really. Should it stay though that boy will likely find himself a breeder one day.  I would guess that even the boys pictured above with the red speckles around the neck will molt that in their first year too.

I won't be changing Viggo's diet anytime soon even if diet was the case. My understanding is that if it is diet related it would start with what the parents eat and pass it down to the baby by feeding in the nest. So this would be required from early on if it truly plays any part in feather coloration. Some say colored pellets are to blame but I would bet others would disagree with that.

In any case coloring of these amazing birds is so very interesting. If you are looking for a Blue Eclectus you better have a mortgage payment ready as I hear they are very pricey due to being so rare.

As for the subspecies information that too is interesting in itself. Such differences between the sub species, though slight with the exception of the ladies sporting their variations of red, purple or blue.

When you look at an Eclectus next time ask what subspecies. I find this the most interesting part about owning an Eclectus. Often people lack the research so the answer is either, "It's a male Eclectus" or "Its a female Eclectus." or "It's an Eclectus Parrot". Some Eclectus owners have no idea what subspecies or that there are subspecies for that matter and sometimes it's just a matter of being a cross or hybrid. As the males are all so alike with the exception of their size this happens all too often.

Nobody Told Me

Nobody Told Me:- (Shared from a post online)
 

 I had hints, I had advice, I had cautions, but nobody told me how
owning birds would completely take over my life.
Nobody told me I'd become a bird store junky, standing at the checkout
counter in bliss until half way home and then wondering just how long it
would be before the Visa came in or my husband asked for the check book
to balance the account.

Nobody told me my husband would say,
"I think you ought to stay away from the bird store. You seem to have
lost all control". Hmmmm ... Me?

Nobody told me when I saw a particular cage for $595 I might think
"Wow, that IS a good deal." Or when someone mentioned a $4,000 cage, I
could see the reason some people might need a cage like that.
Nobody told me that I would be up at 7:00am on Sunday morning peeling
yams and apples to cook so they would be added into a corn meal and
wheat cereal mash.

Nobody told me I wouldn't mind when feeding
that mash to my bird he would shake his head with that mixture flying in
every direction, on to my carpet, on to my clothes, on to my face.
Nobody told me how much money I would spend on food, how much of it I
would buy and just how little my birds would like any of it.

Nobody mentioned that once you own birds you need an extra freezer in the garage.
Nobody told me that I would spend an hour standing with my hand on a
tree branch watching for hawks so my bird could hang out in the sun and
chew new buds.

Nobody told me I would be on the computer at all hours talking and
reading about birds.

Nobody told me I would make friends I will never see and that I would worry about them and theirs as if family.
Nobody told me I would check my son's bed for old or damaged stuffed
animals to give to the bird like that stuffed cat. He never really liked
it and it is missing a leg anyway.

Nobody told me I would do two extra loads of laundry a week with bird towels and sheets.
Nobody told me every morning I would put a sheet over my covers, litter
my bed with weird wooden things, stuffed animals, leather pieces, apple
slices and peanuts.

Nobody told me just how much he would squawk.

Nobody told me I would come to hear differences in the tone and
shrillness.
Nobody told me I could play with him like I do. That he would chase me
and I would chase him. That he would be just as exuberant as a puppy.

Nobody told me my husband would rather snuggle with the bird in the morning than make his bagel.

Nobody told me my husband would make an extra half a bagel to share with the birds.
Nobody could have convinced me that this same husband would agree to
shower with the birds in the bathroom (for the steam) and then without
urging, could be heard to play peek-a-boo while drying off.

Nobody told me how much I would sing out loud.

Nobody could have guessed those songs would be golden oldies like "You Are My Sunshine" or songs from musicals.
Nobody told me how excited I would get to come home after six hours and
see seed thrown all over the place. Yea! He ate while I was gone.

Nobody told me that I would not resent vacuuming twice a day to clean up the mess he made while eating alone.

Nobody told me how my heart would tighten when I got home today after
being gone for six hours and took my squawking baby out.
Nobody told me how I would feel when sooo tired I put out a sheet on
the floor, put toys all over, grabbed a pillow for me, lay down and my
birdie only wanted to snuggle with me.

Nobody told me how a bird can be my guardian angel on my pillow
while I am sick.
Nobody told me how it would feel to have a little bird body across your
chest and neck, little head on your cheek. I was not told how soft his
kisses would be or how warm his face was as he fell asleep on my cheek
cooing softly.

Nobody told me how long I would lay there awake so he could sleep.

Everybody told me I would love him.

Nobody told me how much.

(Author: Lori Hubbard Zywciel)

SPROUTING

Sprouts are a staple in Viggo's diet!

The Benefits of sprouting for your parrot are huge!

"It's full of vitamins that birds need on a daily basis. Sprouts are of the highest nutrition, they promote self healing and excellent feather quality as well as improves their behaviours. Sprouts are a rich source of vitamin A (beta carotene), C, E, B and antioxidants. Oats contain large amounts of vitamin C, increasing by 600%, thiamine, riboflavin, pantothenic, all increase after sprouting. Sprouts are 10 to 100% higher in enzymes than fruit and veggies. Enzymes are vital for sustaining life and are essential for digestion brain proper brain function."
http://eclectusparrots.net/sprouts.html

 

 

In Viggo's Sprout Mix I put:

 

Millet

Quinoa

Amaranth

Whole Oats

Hulless Barley

Spelt or Kamut

Brown Rice

Wild Rice

Buckwheat

Adzuki beans

Mung beans

Chickpeas

Sprouting Peas

Lentils

Fenugreek

Alfalfa

Clover

Oriental Mustard

Radish

Pumpkin seeds

sunflower seeds (occasionally)

I feed the sprouts after a very short period of sprouting...2-3 days if that. Time varies. They should look similar to this when they are ready to feed.

 

This video makes sprouting easy to understand so that ANYONE can do this. The most difficult part of sprouting is remembering to rinse daily, but if you put the container where you will see it or with your bird's food it helps.

 

Video showing use of the Easy Sprouter

 

I use the Easy Sprouter for my mix. Easy Sprouter That said there are many sprouters readily available in stores and online. As I do not need anything overly extravagant this worked out perfectly and the price point was ideal.

 

 

I really love this website and it's worth a look for not only our feathered friends but us as well! Detox Nutrition & Sprouting

 

 

So after sharing this information are you sprouting?? Don't forget to rinse your sprout mix daily and store in the fridge!

Positives - Always a Good Thing!

I cannot get over the complete turn around, 360...if I knew it would have been so easy with the addition of a sleep cage and a few extra changes I would have gone to this extent much sooner!

Life has been pretty peachy. Viggo is playing with his toys, eating like his usual self, keeping busy and his activity is through the roof. Lots of flight time lately but the out time is not centered on being with me which I find fantastic! He's focused on flight, he's taking new risks within reason and by risk I do not mean flying towards doors or windows but rather taking new routes. This is something I have found in very recent days. New flight paths or on going long flights, up 2 levels and around corners, down halls and into a bedroom sometimes then turning to come back. It's amazing to say the least. Beautiful to witness! Our open floor plan I think was a meant to be for Viggo.

I have added in his lighting which he seems to enjoy. Diet is fresh raw uncooked with fruit cut back. I've recently taken to adding in small portions of new or rarely fed fruits. Dragon fruit, passion fruit, star fruit. I've been on the hunt for fresh figs, perhaps a trip to the farmers market is in order.

Speaking of food...on the Eclectus group recently there was the neatest ways to prepare and feed our fids being shared. Credit to the member if you read this, I cannot recall the name but her flare for feeding was bar none super impressive and gave me an idea to try one way myself and see how Vig took to it. She should really start a blog/recipe collection with pictures. I would share it in a heart beat. In fact I may ask her if I can copy and share here!

So the picture on the left is her prep (I snagged the pic) which is obviously for more than one bird, and my prep is on the right in a dish ready to feed. I packed his chop inside and sprouts on top. My pepper was not evenly cut or balanced I guess.

                                     

Viggo appeared to enjoy this presentation or at least the change in the way he was being fed. Variation is important and gives an abundance of foraging options. Having to work at larger pieces of food is a good thing. I have been weaving chard and kale regularly through the bars of his cage lately as well as an added foraging bonus to keep his beak busy. Doing different and fun things are a huge positive for both us and our beautiful birds, it keeps it interesting and peeks their attention. Same old gets boring for everyone after time, especially so for these very intelligent creatures.

While out recently on a trip to the pet store to browse...I do this often in search of bargains and new neat toys or puzzle toys...I came across a handsome baby Eclectus. This little boy was doing the baby cry for food that I loved so much when Viggo was a baby. It sure pulled on my heart strings and made me want to just take him home. The price was outrageous however and the little guy had never been allowed to fledge, his wings trimmed early to prevent flight. What I noticed above everything was his unique tail....on the male subspecies the yellow band varies in the degree of width and brightness. This little man did not have a yellow band. His band was red!!! Now I have seen images in books and online of the mutations, pied, blue, even a yellow Eclectus but I have never seen a red band on a males tail. There are so many different mutations and differences when they are all compared and diet seems to play some part to my understanding but seeing this was pretty neat.

When I inquired about it the store was unable to tell me his subspecies, age or otherwise. I put the picture out to the Eclectus Group that I am part of and was told that others have seen this mysterious and unique red band as well however in their experience it molted out in the first year and turned yellow. Viggo's bird sitter informed me that a breeder would likely see it and in all likely hood scoop him up to utilize this unique feathering into a breeding program. In any case I admired the little mans tail and thought about it at great length.

 

Well, yet another positive update. More intention to get out and find new puzzles to stump my big green....and all the more reason to research and try things others suggest when going through struggles with our bird brains. Look what positives come out of a little effort :)

 

Perhaps next update I will be able to share a picture of Viggo in his harness!