Below are the birds who share my home. They are a bunch of characters, who add even more color and life to an already bustling household. All are flighted, as I believe that since they were born with wings, it is my duty to learn how to live with them fully flighted. This means that they also need to learn how to live in and throughout my home, as I can't let the hooligans tear down the house! They spend much of most days flying around the house, picking on the dogs and each other, and playing with me.
Sparky This is Sparky, a white-capped pionus (P. senilis). She's been with me for a fairly long time. I used to think she was a boy, until Sparky laid an entire clutch of eggs. She has a quiet kind of personality, but she certainly has opinions of her own, and sense of humor I'd call impish.
	Peepers Peepers is an African Grey Parrot (p. erithicus). I call him a 'he', but I've never had him sexed to find out for sure if he's a boy or a girl. If he lays a clutch, I guess I'll know for sure! Peepers is exceptionally smart, and seems to do things just to see what will happen. He's amazingly quick to figure out puzzle toys, figuring out the Fraser stainless steel box in 20 minutes, without ever touching the dummy screw. Peepers is learning many flighted skills so that he can go out and demonstrate the potential of parrots to learn and live full lives in our homes.
Tyke Tyke's a green cheeked conure that came from a local pet store that was closing, and was having a sale to dump inventory. He had learned while there that hands were for biting, hard. Unfortunately, Tyke has crossed over to the rainbow bridge.  I am sure he's flying there now.
All the birds eat a varied diet, of fruits and vegetables, seeds and pellets. I feel that variety in their diet meets more than just their nutritional needs - it helps to meet their psychological needs as well. I've trained my birds using the same priniciples that I use to train my dogs - positive reinforcement whenever and wherever I can. I look for ways to give them props for things well done, and try to minimize the times I tell them "no". They've done well with these concepts, and are overall a good natured group. Tyke has truly benefited from having choices in his life - he stopped biting when he was shown he could say no in less violent ways. I can't say enough about spending time training your animals, and giving them options.