Below, you will find LINKS to various websites that I feel can be of assistance to you.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE ALEX FOUNDATION WEBSITE

Founded by Dr. Irene Pepperberg, the goal of The Alex Foundation is to support research that will expand the base of knowledge establishing the cognitive and communicative abilities of parrots as intelligent beings. These findings will be used to encourage the responsible ownership of parrots, conservation and preservation of parrots in the wild, and veterinary research into the psychological diseases and care of these birds. Through these efforts, The Alex Foundation will accomplish its mission to improve the lives of parrots.

Dr. Irene Pepperberg has been studying the intelligence and reasoning abilities of the African Grey parrot for almost 30 years. She has published consistently and extensively in some of the most highly respected scientific journals in her field.

From The Alex Foundation

September 7, 2007

We are deeply saddened to announce Alex died this morning of unknown causes. We will have a formal press release on Monday when we know the cause of death.
He was absolutely fine yesterday and he was found dead this morning.
Dr. Pepperberg will take the weekend to mourn his death.
We hope to have more information on Monday
We miss him so much.

Thank you,
Arlene Levin-Rowe - Pepperberg Lab Manager and the Pepperberg Lab Staff

We here at Birds Come First are terribly saddened by this news and we would like to express our Deepest Sympathies to Irene, Arlene and the rest of the Staff at The Alex Foundation.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT ECHO'S HAVEN FREE-FLIGHT SANCTUARY

http://www.toolady.com is the home of GAIL MARTIN, aka ELIZABETH AARON, author of "My Human, My Slave", "Hurricane Sharon" and "In the Shadow of the Sun".

Gail is the director of "Echo's Haven", a Sanctuary (forever home) for abused, unwanted and special-needs birds. She takes care of, loves and cuddles the residents of the sanctuary, which include: Echo, a Scarlet Macaw; Asia, a Ruby Macaw; Dust Bunny, an Umbrella Cockatoo; Lint, an Umbrella Cockatoo; Maya, a Greenwing Macaw; Rosie, a Greenwing Macaw; PJ, a Catalina Macaw; Zorro, a Ruby Macaw; Kira, a Blue & Gold Macaw; Marty, a Blue and Gold Macaw; Chiquita, B&G, Kermit , Red Sided Eclectus; Chico, a Citron Cockatoo; Bogey and Bacall, Blue Budgies; Katie, SI Eclectus; Piggy II, Red Sided Eclectus; Rasta, Umbrella Cockatoo; Baby Red, Red Headed Conure; Rosie Blue, Blue and Gold Macaw who is a Hurricane survivor. Then there are Kermie and Piggy II, Eclectus who laid and hatched out a fertile egg so we now have a beautiful baby Red-Sided Eclectus, named Cookie Monster. These beautiful parrots are among the many unwanted birds, rescued and housed permanently at "Echo's Haven Sanctuary".

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE POSITIVELY PARROTS WEBSITE

Well known Author, Speaker and Parrot Behaviorist,
MATTIE SUE ATHAN
created this GREAT website!

Mattie Sue Athan is one of the world's most experienced parrot behavior consultants!
In business since 1978, her work is famous for being logical, understandable, and incredibly practical.

Mattie Sue has a special interest in the influence of environment on parrot behavior.
Her books are industry standards:
"GUIDE TO A WELL-BEHAVED PARROT"
"PARROTS: A COMPLETE PET OWNER'S MANUAL"
"GUIDE TO COMPANION PARROT BEHAVIOR"
"GUIDE TO THE QUAKER PARROT"

And coauthored with Dianalee Deter:
"THE AFRICAN GREY PARROT HANDBOOK"
"THE SECOND-HAND PARROT"
and
"GUIDE TO THE SENEGAL PARROT AND ITS FAMILY"

Mattie Sue's latest book, "PARROTS IN THE CITY, One Bird's Struggle for a Place on the Planet" is one that I am truly looking forward to reading! Written about the Quaker Parrot, this book hits home as I live in a town that has a wonderful, feral flock of these beautiful psittacines!

This website is definitely one that you will want to place in your Bookmarks or Favorites!

CLICK HERE TO VISIT MAGGIE WRIGHT'S "THE GREY PLAY ROUND TABLE" WEBSITE

Maggie Wright author of "African Grey Parrots" a Complete Pet Owner's Manual, published by Barrons (2001) has provided "The GREY PLAY ROUND TABLE" website for those who want to learn more about being owned by African Grey Parrots.

MERLIN, MAGGIE, WART and SWEET PEA

Articles on Nutrition, by the late, renowned Parrot Nutritionist Dr. Alicia McWatters* can be found on Maggie's site. (Please read my dedication to Alicia at the bottom of this page)

You will find many informative articles containing very helpful information pertaining to African Grey Parrots! You can even find articles written in German or Spanish on this website!
One of my favorite pages is the one on "HELPFUL HINTS" !
This is surely a website that you will learn from!

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE NATURE'S CORNER MAGAZINE WEBSITE

We KNOW our animal companions can think and feel. Now, the WORLD will!

My experiences both as a former teacher at a wildlife sanctuary and as a person who works with parrots, allows me to wholeheartedly agree that animals are much smarter and wiser than some people think!

Published by Maggie Wright, Nature's Corner Magazine explores the intelligence of all types of animals in your homes, your backyards and in the rest of Nature.

If you are an animal lover you will love this magazine! Check out their colorful pictures, interesting articles and fun contests!

Subscribe to their new quarterly magazine and join a vast group of others who believe that Animals and Nature are much smarter and more sensitive than people realize. Nature's Corner Magazine is totally dedicated to the Animals and Nature.
You’ll LOVE it!!!

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE 911 PARROT ALERT GROUP ON YAHOO

A "FREE" Service of International volunteers dedicated to Reuniting Lost, Found or Stolen companion birds with their families world wide... The 911 Parrot Alert Group was created to offer help, hope and assistance to these families. The primary objective of this group is to gather and exchange information on Lost and Found Parrots. Your postings here will help increase possible matches, greatly improving recovery statistics.

Our ultimate GOAL is to reunite these beautiful birds with their owners.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE NATURALLY 4 PAWS WEBSITE

Naturally 4 Paws was created to become your one-stop shop for all natural, organic and holistic goods for your companion animals. They carry only the healthiest foods, treats, supplements, and grooming supplies along with a unique and dynamic assortment of toys and accessories. They don't just cater to those with paws! They have the best for birds, fish and small animals (hamsters, gerbils, rabbits, etc.) too!

This is a great place to get some of the best and healthiest products for your pets!

CLICK HERE TO VISIT BIRD JEWELRY BY DAWN

Each bird seen on this site is individually hand made by Dawn.
A truly unique type of jewelry made from a synthetic material.
There are NO paints and NO molds used!

Each color seen is a different piece of clay.
Talent, hands and an artists knife create each unique bird.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE COMPANION PARROT QUARTERLY MAGAZINE

ONE OF THE BEST MAGAZINES I'VE SEEN THAT IS DEVOTED TO HELPING YOU TO UNDERSTAND THE BEHAVIORS ASSOCIATED WITH COMPANION PARROTS! FROM COVER TO COVER, THIS MAGAZINE IS FULL OF EXCELLENT ARTICLES!
I HAVE HAD A FEW ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN THIS GREAT PUBLICATION AS WELL!

The Companion Parrot Quarterly (CPQ), edited by world-renowned parrot behavioral consultant, Sally Blanchard, and published by the Parrot Behavioral Information Council, Inc. (PBIC), is a unique magazine dedicated to providing bird owners with the information they need to have and/or raise the best companion parrots possible.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE COCKATIEL COTTAGE WEBSITE

I THINK THAT THIS IS ABOUT THE BEST WEBSITE I'VE SEEN THAT IS DESIGNED TO HELP YOU WITH QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR COCKATIEL!

IF YOU ARE OWNED BY ONE OF THESE DELIGHTFUL BIRDS, YOU HAVE GOT TO SEE THE COCKATIEL COTTAGE!
IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR WANT EXCELLENT INFORMATION ON "TIELS", THIS WEBSITE IS THE PLACE TO GO!!

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE CAPPELLA CHOIRS WEBSITE

Cappella Choirs Mission: Providing the community with opportunities for personal growth through challenging musical education and rewarding artistic performances.

Founded in 1998 by Stephanie Charbonneau & Donald Stojack, Cappella Choirs began with a single girl choir of 23 singers.In the fall of 1999, with the help of a few dedicated parents, Cappella became recognized as a non-profit educational organization with the purpose to "encourage, sponsor, aid, promote, and develop the art and joy of performing choral music."

Today, Cappella Choirs is a thriving, community-based educational organization governed by a volunteer board of directors. The program has grown to become a full scale Music Center, home to a five-level auditioned choir program, Kids Choir Club, parent-child Music Together classes, summer camps, and multiple private lesson instructors and students.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT MY "FOUND IN ROLLS" WEBSITE

"Found In Rolls" is a column that I write for CoinWorld Magazine! CoinWorld is the "World's #1 Publication For Coin Collectors"! "Found In Rolls" documents many of the coins, tokens, medals and other collectibles that I find while searching through rolled coins obtained at local banks.

It is truly amazing that so many rare and unusual numismatic items like this extremely scarce 1972 Double Die Obverse cent can be found by looking through rolls of coins. You can see some of my other GREAT FINDS on my website!!
Have Fun!!!

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE GRSites.com WEBSITE

This is a Fantastic site that is full of FREE graphics, background textures, lines, bars and more. There are thousands of graphics on this site! You can find all sorts of SOUNDS for your website as well!!

Included on GRSites.com are BUTTON MAKERS, LOGO MAKERS and MORE!! The possibilities are endless and it's all FREE!!

CLICK HERE TO VISIT CAROL'S PAGE at The GALLERY of ROCKPORT, TEXAS

CAROL KOUTNIK is a renowned WATERCOLOR ARTIST! CAROL was chosen as the 2005 Poster Artist for The 36th Annual Art Festival, Rockport Center for the Arts in Rockport, Texas.

I was impressed by the BEAUTY and ACCURACY of Carol's rendering of this BEAUTIFUL MACAW!!

This is but one of Carol's wonderful pieces of FINE ART! Her use of color is indeed
"POETRY OF COLOR"!!

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE LAD ENTERPRISES - OFFICEFROGS, INC. WEBSITE!

OfficeFrogs, Inc. has been providing quality MEDICAL BILLING, MediSoft sales and COMPUTER SUPPORT since their founding in 1998. It is their mission to provide each and every client with a solution which best fits their individual needs. They believe that the best way to achieve this goal is to provide prompt, courteous service to every current and potential client. If they can't help you, they will find someone who can!

SERVICES PROVIDED INCLUDE:

Medical Billing Services
Mobile Notary
Deployable Technicians
Computer Consulting
Medical Billing Training
Secretarial Service

YOU CAN CONTACT OFFICE FROGS

Medical Billing - Software Sales - Consulting
OfficeFrogs, Inc.
P.O. Box 1490
Port Orchard, WA. 98366
(360) 871-8157
(360) 876-6083 Fax

"BIRDS COME FIRST" is an attitude that I've developed over the years and I try to do my best to put my birds first. I will also be the first to say that I am not perfect and that there are times when everything is not 100% perfect. I strive to reach 100% but realistically, I am human but I do my best! Once these beautiful and wonderful birds come to me, I do everything I can to adjust them to their new surroundings. Each new parrot is medically evaluated then given every opportunity to flourish and reach his or her potential as an avian companion. If there are any behavioral issues, I will work carefully with that individual parrot to determine the best course of treatment for that particular bird. Having had many years of experience with behaviors ranging from severe biting to feather plucking and working birds through their "issues", I feel confident that I can help any parrot improve his or her life. Using Love and Careful Nurturing, I feel that any problems can be improved or overcome.

Dr. Alicia McWatters PHD, CNC
(1959 - 2003)

* Dr. Alicia McWatters passed away in 2003 after a long bout with cancer. It is in her honor that I dedicate this LINKS page. Dr. McWatters was always there to help me when I had questions about nutrition for my "woodgies". She was a great help to me and to many of my feathered friends. Alicia, I thank you for your kindness. I thank you for your patience in teaching me when I was a novice in the world of parrots. You are sorely missed by those people and parrots that you have touched with your knowledge.

Dr. Alicia McWatters PHD, CNC (1959 - 2003)

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Please click on the above buttons to find more information on The "BIRDS COME FIRST" Parrot Website! I look forward to hearing from you!

Birds Come First
P.O. Box 1008
Olalla, WA 98359

2005 by WILLIAM O'ROURKE

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