Articles by Becky Margison Sumber

 

 

Beginner's Information

 

The Truth About Parrots

www.thetrueparrot.com/truth.html

 

Before You Buy a Bird

http://www.thetrueparrot.com/before.html

 

Should You Adopt a Second-Hand Parrot?

www.thetrueparrot.com/adopt.html

 

Exotic Birds for Beginners

http://www.thetrueparrot.com/beginners.html

 

Common Species of Birds Kept in Captivity

http://www.thetrueparrot.com/common.html

 

Lifespans of Birds Commonly Kept in Captivity

http://www.thetrueparrot.com/lifespan.html

 

Connecting With Bird People

http://www.thetrueparrot.com/connect.html

 

 

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

FAQ: Which Bird is Best for my Child?

http://www.thetrueparrot.com/child.html

 

FAQ: Why Does My Bird Bite?

http://www.thetrueparrot.com/faqbite.html

http://www.petfinder.org/journalindex.cgi?path=/public/animalbehavior/birds/1.2.400.txt

http://www.family-pet.com/Articles/birdbite.htm

 

FAQ: Why Does My Bird Scream?

http://www.thetrueparrot.com/faqscream.html

http://www.petfinder.org/journalindex.cgi?path=/public/animalbehavior/birds/1.2.401.txt

 

FAQ: What is a Gram Stain?

http://www.thetrueparrot.com/faqgram.html

 

Why Does My Bird Do That? Breeding Behaviors in Parrots

http://www.thetrueparrot.com/breeding.html

 

 

 

 

 

Health Information

 

Keeping Your Bird Healthy

http://www.thetrueparrot.com/healthy.html

http://www.parrotsonline.homestead.com/healthy.html

 

The Avian Diet

http://www.thetrueparrot.com/diet.html

 

How To Choose an Avian Veterinarian

http://www.thetrueparrot.com/choosevet.html

 

Bathing Your Bird

http://www.thetrueparrot.com/bathing.html

 

How To Clean Up After Birds

http://www.thetrueparrot.com/clean.html

 

How To Care For a Sick Bird at Home

http://www.thetrueparrot.com/howtosick.html

 

Common Health Problems in Birds

http://www.thetrueparrot.com/health.html

 

Signs of Illness in Exotic Birds

http://www.thetrueparrot.com/illness.html

 

The Well-Bird Check-Up

http://www.thetrueparrot.com/vetvisit.html

 

Household Toxins

http://www.thetrueparrot.com/toxins.html

 

 

 

 

Housing and Environmental Issues

 

Before You Buy a Bird Cage

http://www.thetrueparrot.com/buycage.html

 

Caging and Environmental Needs of Parrots

http://www.thetrueparrot.com/caging.html

 

Top 6 Cages and Accessories

http://www.thetrueparrot.com/pickscages.html

 

Aviaries; Creating a More Natural Environment for your Birds

http://www.thetrueparrot.com/aviary.html

 

Letting Your Bird Fly Safely

http://www.thetrueparrot.com/fly.html

 

Toys for Birds

http://www.thetrueparrot.com/toys.html

 

 

 

Behavioral & Social Issues

 

Behavioral Concerns for Captive Exotic Birds

http://www.thetrueparrot.com/behavioral.html

 

How To Keep Your Bird From Getting Bored

http://www.thetrueparrot.com/howtobored.html

 

Social & Intellectual Needs of Parrots

http://www.thetrueparrot.com/social.html

 

Parrot Behavioral Resources

http://www.thetrueparrot.com/resources.html

 

 

 

 

Travel and Grooming

 

How To Choose a Carrier

http://www.thetrueparrot.com/howtocarrier.html

 

Grooming Issues

http://www.thetrueparrot.com/grooming.html

 

How To Clip Your Bird's Nails

http://www.thetrueparrot.com/howtonails.html

 

How To Towel Your Bird

http://www.thetrueparrot.com/howtotowel.html

 

 

 

 

 

Species Specific Articles

 

The Cockatiel

http://www.thetrueparrot.com/cockatiel.html

 

An Introduction to African Greys

http://www.thetrueparrot.com/grey.html

http://www.parrotsonline.homestead.com/intro.html

http://centralpets.com/phpscripts/search/storiesdisplay.php?Story=577

http://www.toolady.com/articles/african.html

 

The Cockatoo

www.thetrueparrot.com/cockatoo.html

 

 

 

 

 

Avian Welfare (Rescue & Adoption) Articles

 

Avian Welfare Issues; An Overview

www.thetrueparrot.com/welfare.html

Also published in the Avicultural Bulletin

 

Aviculture and Animal Welfare; What is the Difference? Where Do They Stand?

http://www.avianprotectors.homestead.com/welfarearticle.html

http://calgaryparrotclub.parrotplaypen.com/newsletters/CPC%20Newsletter%202002%2009.pdf

http://www.avianwelfare.org/issues/articles/aviwelfare.htm

 

Guidelines for Placing Your Bird (co-authored by Denise Kelly)

http://www.avianwelfare.org/needhelp/placing.htm

 

Avian Welfare Issues and the Captive Grey

http://www.thetrueparrot.com/GreyWelfare.html

Also published in the Grey Play Round Table Magazine Fall 2002

 

15 Common Reasons People Give Up Birds

http://www.thetrueparrot.com/giveup.html

 

People Who Give Up Birds

http://www.thetrueparrot.com/people.html

 

Evaluating Avian Rescues

http://www.thetrueparrot.com/rescues.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About Becky Margison Sumber:

 

Becky Margison Sumber has lived with birds since 1987. The flock started with a Budgie, which was a gift from Becky to her younger sister, Mary. Over the years, Becky's family acquired more Budgies, some Cockatiels, and a few Conures.

 

Becky currently lives with an African Grey parrot named Isabel. Becky also remembers fondly three Cocaktiels who have since passed on.

 

Also inhabiting Becky's home are her husband Jon, their daughter and their cat, Stanley, who is kept away from the bird at all times.

 

Becky has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and works for a non-profit agency that serves people with developmental disabilities. She is the Vice President of the Avian Welfare Coalition and has worked with the group since 2001. She has written articles that have appeared on the Petfinder.com website, other pet care and bird care websites, bird club newsletters, etc. Becky also was a technical editor to three bird books published by Wiley Publishing (Finches for Dummies, Parakeets for Dummies, and Parrots for Dummies, all authored by Nikki Moustaki).