the *virtual perch*
a place for exotic bird lovers to flockFine art + fine feathered friends
As I’ve mentioned in a previous post or two, I heart Etsy.
If you’re looking for unique holiday gifts, please check out the Etsy boutique of Twitter friend and artist, Kristen Stein.
Here are a few of my favorites:
Peacock Glass Tile Pendant :: $15.00
Text Me Red Bird Cardinal Framed Tile :: $18.00
Big Eyed Hoot Owl Folk Print :: $10.00
If birds don’t happen to be your thing, Kristen has plenty of other beautiful offerings that just may suit your fancy.
For instance, this stunning Abstract Red Tree Landscape :: $250.00:
I’m sure your lady Eclectus would appreciate the palette!
On Twitter? Follow Kristen Stein.
★✩★Happy Thanksgiving!★✩★
“Thanksgiving is more than eating, Chuck…we should just be thankful for being together.”
★Consumed enough calories? Here’s some food for thought:★
7 interpersonal relationship lessons learned from ‘A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving’
7 workplace lessons learned from ‘A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving’
❉ Be Thankful ❉
On the eve of Thanksgiving, Romeo and I would like to express our thanks for the wonderful friendships we’ve made on LinkedIn and Twitter.
To everyone who has helped shape this blog by sharing a story, photo, video, article, advice, recommendation, etc., Romeo sends a huge ‘SQUAWK!’ and I send a resounding ‘THANK YOU!’
To each and every one of you who take time out of your day to fly on over to the *virtual perch* and take in a post or two, you have our gratitude and appreciation. There’s always room here for you to flock and participate as you wish.
Wishing you and yours, feathered or otherwise, a blessed Thanksgiving.
XO,
★Mary & Romeo★
As always, we’d love to hear from YOU.
What are you and your bird thankful for?
Talk to us.
Do you live your life like Weird Al?
‘I try to live my life with no egrets.’
posted to Twitter on 11.23.09 by @alyankovic
On Twitter? Follow Weird Al!
What do Spencer Day, Lady Gaga and Josh Groban have in common?
Understandably, they appear an unlikely trio. However, when their music plays, they have Romeo’s rapt attention. He turns his head upside down which means he’s really listening and then stands upright with his feathers in full fluff. Sometimes, he’ll even chirp along.
I think I have him figured out. Let’s take a closer look.
1. Spencer Day
Smooth voice. Smooth piano. Smooth jazz. Not much more to say here. Romeo’s favorite cut: ‘Till You Come to Me’ from Spencer’s latest release, Vagabond.
Buy.
2. Lady Gaga
Alliteration is king, or shall I say, queen, here. “Baby, there’s no superstar, you know that I’ll be your papa, paparazzi.” Romeo gives ‘Paparazzi,’ two wings up.
Buy.
3. Josh Groban
What can I say? The bird’s got great taste! I happen to also believe it’s the befitting lyrics of ‘You Raise Me Up,’ that get Romeo every time. “I am strong when I am on your shoulders,” couldn’t be more apropos as that’s where he spends most of his time perched.
Buy.
So, there you have it. Drop us a line at virtualperch@gmail.com and tell us about your bird’s favorite songs.
What makes your budgie boogie? What does your Macaw Mambo to? Does your Senegal shuffle to a certain tune? We can’t wait to hear from you!
Your coffee table needs this.
The holidays are fast approaching. Are you making lists and checking them twice?
Photographer Andrew Zuckerman has published a stunning coffee table book, Bird.
“Turning his camera to the world of birds, Andrew Zuckerman has a created a new body of work showcasing more than 200 stunning photographs of nearly 75 different species. These winged creatures from exotic parrots to everyday sparrows, and endangered penguins to woody owls are captured with Zuckerman’s painstaking perspective against a stark white background to reveal the vivid colors, textures, and personalities of each subject in extraordinary and exquisite detail. The ultimate art book for ornithologists and nature enthusiasts alike, Bird is a volume of sublime beauty.”
Psst! Romeo, I think you have my name for Christmas this year…
Buy.
On Twitter? Follow Andrew Zuckerman.
A new toy for Romeo
The benefits of my subscription to ‘The Eclectus Connection’ (TEC) are too numerous to mention in one post. TEC is an email list of 2000+ members who breed, own, or plan to own Eclectus parrots.
I’ve learned about many things from this passionate flock including safety precautions, bird friendly recipes and various products for my feathered friend.
Today, I received a post about a toy that’s just too cute to pass up. Here’s to hoping Romeo feels the same when it arrives.
Be sure to take a look at all the galleries. There are similar creations for Cockatoos, Blue & Golds, Scarlets, Green Wings, African Greys and Amazons.
Does your bird have a favorite toy? Romeo and I want to hear all about it. email us @ virutalperch@gmail.com
Introducing Buster
Shake a tail feather! Romeo and I have new friends and a new blog to read.
According to parront, Carol O’Connor, African Gray, Buster, rules the house. ‘Buster’s the name and you better play his game,’ she advises. It’s definitely his way or the proverbial highway.
If you are a current or would be African Gray owner, Carol’s blog is chock full of anecdotes that illustrate the ‘intelligence and emotional development of African Grays.’ She also explains how to live with them and enhance their development.
In addition, ‘The African Gray Child,’ is peppered with bird jokes, cartoons and videos sure to bring a smile to all bird lovers.
Welcome Carol and Buster to the *virtual perch!*
‘Birds on the Wires’
See how musician/director, Jarbas Angelli, shows how birds perched on wires compose music.
This is one of the coolest things I’ve seen!
A Fighting Chance
A colleague passed along this article in the current issue of Audubon.
It’s an interesting look at an important and ambitious recovery project aimed to give the Puerto Rican parrot, “one of the world’s ten most endangered birds, a new lease on life.”
“Our location was about 2,000 feet above sea level, 30 miles southeast of San Juan, in the Caribbean National Forest, known as El Yunque. We had climbed a muddy trail by headlight to the two-note serenade of coquís, the various species of tree frog known as the symbol of Puerto Rico, and slipped into the blind at first light. The purpose was to monitor the progress of one of only four nesting pairs of wild Puerto Rican parrots.”
Read the article in its entirety.
