Parrot Care Classes from This Wild Life

Review the basics and learn the secrets to caring for a parrot from Carol Frischmann, a knowledgeable and caring instructor who will guide you through your lessons, facilitate discussions, and answer your questions.

This e-class starts with a few considerations about parrots as companion animals.  Next, learn parrot care including diet, short and long term health care, grooming, toys, and caging.  In your last lesson the class will look at parrot behavior and training.

Every step of the way, Carol answers your questions about your parrot and suggests solutions to your parrot problems.  Classmates may form a supportive group for further questions.  Each session begins on a Saturday and ends on a Wednesday; lessons will be available for download at the end of each course.

Next class:

Companion Bird Care and Behavior will be held May 1 - 5, 2010.
Rethinking Your Bird’s Care and Behavior will be held May 8 - 12, 2010.

Instructor

Longtime educator and parrot companion Carol Frischmann will guide this course.  After earning a B.S. in Science Education at Duke University, she pursued her love of animals by teaching high school science, educating visitors at zoos and museums, and writing over 400 articles for magazines, newspapers, and online publications.  A parrot and a Doberman pinscher closely supervise Carol’s work in her Portland, Oregon office.

Requirements:

Internet access and e-mail.

Lessons consisting of a written lecture and a series of short exercises are posted each evening for the next day.  The instructor asks questions for discussion and posts answers to your questions between 9:00-11:00 am; 2:00-4:00 pm each day.  Discussions on a private class forum available 24/7 during the course.

Articles, lists, and hard-to-find sources of information will be provided during the course based on students’ questions and discussion.

This course is designed for those thinking about purchasing or rescuing a bird, pet sitters planning to provide bird care, new bird owners, and those simply interested in companion birds.

Day 1:  A Parrot’s Perfect Day
Have you ever thought, “I would like a cockatiel, but I don’t know if I can take care of a bird”?  This class teaches you why birds are unlike other pets, and what companion birds require.
The stuff of daily life will make or break your relationship.  Here we look at various approaches to being happy with your companion bird.  The right cage, cage location, bedding, and toys makes a big difference. The secrets of food bowls and watering choices you learn go a long way towards making your day together a good one.

Day 2:  Feeding your bird
Grandma fed her bird seed.  Today, we know that your new best friend requires various forms of food.  When to feed, and how to feed, is also covered. If you’re adopting a “seed-only” bird, learn insider tricks for converting your bird to a healthier diet.

Day 3:  Grooming birds
Bird grooming?  Much of the grooming, your bird can handle on his own.  The key is making the ingredients available.  What are these ingredients- and how do you present them?  How do the seasons affect your bird’s need for bathing, beak, and nail care?

Day 4:  Bird health
Birds have evolved to hide their health problems.  We’ll cover how to know when your bird is sick and how to find a veterinarian for your bird (not a slam dunk), and an emergency clinic that sees birds.  Also, you’ll receive a list of what to put in your bird first aid kit and help in how to use this kit.  Birds aren’t fragile, but when they’re sick, they need help immediately.

Day 5:  Bird behavior and training
The lesson includes information about basic training, some common problems and solutions, talking, and the importance of routine in keeping your bird behaving well.  Some ideas on how to prevent problems, and where to go when you need help in solving problems are also concerned.  Interested students can create a list of goals for their bird training.  Suggestions and references to articles that will help students reach those goals will be provided.

This course is designed for anyone who’s acquired a bird in the last year, is thinking about giving up their bird, confused about their bird’s needs, or is looking for new tricks for caring and having fun with their birds.

Day 1:  A Parrot’s Perfect Day
Have you ever thought, “I love my cockatiel, but I don’t know if I can take care of my bird anymore”, or “I love my conure, but he doesn’t seem to love me”?  We all do sometimes.  This class reminds us why birds are unlike other pets, and what companion birds require.
Rethinking the stuff of daily life can improve your relationship.  Resetting the cage, cage location, bedding, and toys makes a big difference. The secrets of food bowls and watering choices you learn go a long way towards making your day together a good one.

Day 2:  Feeding your bird
Grandma fed her bird seed.  Today, we know that your new best friend requires various forms of food.  When to feed, and how to feed, is also covered. If you have a bird that’s a seed-only bird, learn insider tricks for converting your bird to a healthier diet.

Day 3:  Grooming birds
Much of the grooming, your bird can handle on his own.  The key is making the ingredients available.  What are they- and how do you present them?  Strategies for encouraging natural bathing, beak, and nail care will be covered.

Day 4:  Bird health
Birds have evolved to hide their health problems.  We’ll cover how to know when your bird is sick and how to find a veterinarian for your bird (not a slam dunk), and an emergency clinic that sees birds.  Also, you’ll receive a list of what to put in your bird first aid kit and help in how to use this kit.  Birds aren’t fragile, but when they’re sick, they need help immediately.

Day 5:  Bird behavior and training
The lesson includes information about basic training, some common problems and solutions, talking, and the importance of routine in keeping your bird behaving well.  Your particular bird behavior challenges, some ideas on how to prevent problems, and where to go when you need help in solving problems are also concerned.  Interested students can create a list of goals for their bird training.  Suggestions and references to articles that will help students reach those goals will be provided.

Conures by Carol Frischmann. Although Chapter 1 includes a section on selecting a member of the conure family, the principles discussed in all the other chapters apply to parrots in general.  Lists of other helpful reading will be provided during the classes.

Either class is $40 per student, minimum 4 students.  We are also offering a package of registration plus a copy of Conures for $45.  Payable through Paypal.

Register via Paypal.  If you have any questions about registration and discounts, please .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)