I saw a Hawk headed parrot at the World Parrot Refuge. Pretty neat bird!

I have a pic of an Amazon with Yellow on it (what kind is that type?) and some Macaws...one a rare Hyacinth and the other is a blue and gold, I think. Can you correct me if I am wrong?

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=1485...mp;id=755700491

Carolyn:-)

The Amazon looks like a Double Yellow-Headed.

Looks like you enjoyed your trip there, Carolyn. I'm not a fan of that place though, I just don't believe in sanctuaries.

Carrie Anne, out of complete curiosity, can I ask why you're not a fan?

I've never been to that specific sanctuary, but I know plenty of people who have. No doubt about it, the birds are well cared for.

I do not agree with pet quality birds being placed in a situation where they will spend the rest of their lives with little to no human contact. The people I have talked to have seen many of these birds cling to cage bars and beg to be held. I find it rather sad that they will never find themselves in a loving home again.

I also disagree with their stance on breeding. They have some very rare birds that should be placed in a breeding program to ensure the continuation of the species and yet they refuse to release them. Just makes no sense to me.

I'm all for rescues, don't get me wrong, and I'm all for places that allow birds to spend the rest of their lives there if they cannot be adopted (and there are lots of those types of birds), but I think that the birds that are able to be adopted out, should be adopted out.

Ah, I see. That makes plenty of sense. Thanks for answering!

My experience with hawk heads has not been a positive one. They are very unique birds. Quite beautiful in fact but I don't feel that they make very good "pets" The ones I've been around and I've been around several owned by different people, are fine as youngsters but when they become sexually mature are very very aggressive and they can inflict a very very nasty bite.

They are fascinating though to watch them raise their feathers on their neck into a shroud to make themselves look bigger and meaner...Or more attractive to the opposite sex.

Thanks for sharing your trip with us Carolyn.

I've never seen a hawk head parrot. Looks like he's wearing a knitted scarf around his neck.
I don't know if I care for the looks of that one. But it sure is cool to see the different varieties, thanks for sharing!

What was your impression of the sanctuary, Carolyn?

I LOVE hawkheads!

Granted, they are very difficult to keep well and they can be very aggressive if you don't, but get it right and they are wonderful birds! I have attached a pic of my mate, Spike, who belongs to a friend of mine. She is a complete sweetheart. I was trying to get photos of her with her crest up to use on a book cover I was designing for Rosemary Low, but Spike is such a sweetie that she wouldn't, since raising the crest is alarm behaviour.



Oh btw. Saw your pic of a hawkhead, Carolyn. NOT impressed with the diet - WAY too much 'padding', such as sunflower seed! Or the environment it was in...

Now that is an impressive pic CQ. Never having seen one before, I was puzzled by the coloration around its neck. Now I get it. Pretty cool looking