Leo’s Blanket Trick - Parrot Training August 21, 2008
Posted by Andrew in : Conure, Video , 4 commentsThis is so cute!
This also shows what tricks can be learned with the BirdTricks parrot training course.
Parrot Disease Spreading via Horse Virus August 15, 2008
Posted by Andrew in : News , 3 commentsNewScientist reports that a new virus may be helping to spread the infamous Proventricular Dilatation Disease, or PDD.
The virus resembles the same type that causes “sad horse disease” in horses, which eventually leads to paralysis.
When Kistler’s team sequenced viruses in parrot tissue, they uncovered 16 completely new strains of borna viruses. These typically infect the brains and nerves of horses, causing “sad horse disease” because infected equines become listless and eventually paralysed.
The effort to stop this virus is centered around the endangered Spix’s Macaw (conservation status: EW), which there are approximately 70 in existence, in captivity only.
