(ABN ) VOLUME 22: ISSUE 6 JULY 2016 PRICE $2.50 PATRONS MIKE ANDERSON MIKE CANNON

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1 (ABN ) VOLUME 22: ISSUE 6 JULY 2016 PRICE $2.50 PATRONS MIKE ANDERSON MIKE CANNON QLD NSW THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF: THE NATIVE COCKATIEL SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA INC. PO BOX 8391, GLENMORE PARK. NSW. 2745

2 2 INSIDE THIS ISSUE COMMITTEE & CONTACTS PAGE 3 PRESIDENTS REPORT PAGE 4 BREEDERS PAGE PAGE 5 INGREDIENTS IN SUNFLOWER SEED PAGES 6-7 DOMINANT SILVER COCKATIEL PAGE 10 BUY SWAP & SELL PAGE 12 PHOTO S PAGE 13 COCKATIEL PAGES LEG RING PRICES PAGE 16 NEPEAN BIRD SHOW PAGE 17 QUICK FACTS PAGE 18 YOUR COCKATIEL S HEALTH & SAFETY PAGE 19 BLAST FROM THE PAST PAGE 20 MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION PAGE 20 NCSA SHOW S POINT SCORE TALLY PAGE 21 CASTLE HILL BIRD SALE PAGE 22 TENTATIVE CALENDAR 2015 PAGE 22

3 3 The Native Cockatiel Society of Australia Inc. President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Editor Committee Ring Steward Show Manager MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE Federation Informant PATRICK WAITE PETER GALEA RON LYNN RON LYNN PATRICK WAITE JUDIT PRESTIDGE BRIAN WATERS MELISSA GALEA DAVID MORTON BRIAN WATERS JOHN BOSTROVAS ROB HARROD VAL NEWMAN VAL NEWMAN KEITH GALLAGHER The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the Society, its Members or the Management Committee. The Native Cockatiel Society of Australia Inc. cannot endorse any advertisers product/s or services. All letters sent to the Editor or Secretary become the property of the Native Cockatiel Society of Australia Inc. and are subject to editing and publication unless specific exemption is requested. The Native Cockatiel Society of Australia Inc. reserves all rights in N.C.S.A. NEWS. No matter shall be reprinted without the permission of the Society. NEXT GENERAL MEETING 11th of July Melrose Hall Corner of Great Western Hwy & Park Street, Emu Plains NSW 7.30 pm NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING (4 th Tuesday of the Month) Unless changed to suit 26th of July Unit 15/19-21 Seton Road Moorebank NSW 7.30pm CONTACT NUMBERS PATRICK WAITE PETER GALEA RON LYNN BRIAN WATERS ADDRESSES : secretary@cockatiel.org.au editor@cockatiel.org.au WEBSITE:

4 4 Presidents Report Dear Members, Our next meeting will be on Monday Night the 11th of July. We ll be having Pizza and playing some games of Bingo as well. Hope to see you all then. Still a few that haven t paid their membership, so please people you know who you are, please renew! Not too much to report, I hope your all well and see you on the 11th of July. Tarred and Feathered : Patrick Waite Secretary Report During last month, two members namely Rob Harrod and John Bostrovas voluntered their time and effort to help raise funds for our Club. The task was not easy, as it involved some strenuous physical labour. I would like them to know, as well as all of our members as to how much I really appreciated their assistance and contribution on that night. What a tremendous effort and job well done. Thanks Guys : Ron Lynn The Pet Directory Proudly supporting the NCSA. Find all your bird needs as well as avian bird vets, bird minders, bird articles, bird transport and more. Visit now!

5 5 BREEDER S PAGE Mt. Warrigal NSW Enid Armidale NSW Matt Moorebank NSW Brian Wattle Grove NSW Patrick Orange NSW Tricia Orange NSW Mick Orange NSW Anthony Shepparton VIC Teagan Grafton NSW Kim Kingswood NSW David Woongurral NSW Edward Glenhaven NSW Judit Lurnea NSW John Lurnea NSW Danielle Penrith NSW Dean Hassall Grove NSW Colin Colyton NSW Adam Use this Page to find other Breeder s in your area or List your name to let others know where you are. Contact Patrick Waite on Or .. editor@cockatiel.org.au to have your name listed here

6 Ingredients in Sunflower Seeds Well, we've heard all the bad things about sunflower seed. Lets flip the coin and see what this nutrient packed seed contains 6 Sunflower seeds are an excellent source of essential amino acids, sulfur containing amino acids, and amino acids acting as neurotransmitters. This is in addition to vitamins and minerals. Interestingly, if you look through the list the ingredients in Larger Bold Type are also found in Brewers Yeast. Thus, Brewers Yeast would be a good supplement for those doing diet conversions away from seed. In addition, and very important, is that sunflower takes the bad rap as a contributor to liver problems, when in fact the Striped Sunflower seed is a powerhouse of nutrients. The ingredients in Larger Bold Type also help the liver to function better and act as an aid to liver health and self generative repair. The ingredients in brown italic are vitamins and nutrients. At the moment I am still researching as to the benefits of the remaining ingredients. QUESTION: Do you know why the body needs fat? Fat IS necessary in the diet. WHY? The body has fatty tissue reserves and their purpose is to store the fat soluble nutrients in the diet as backup to support the immune system, and to draw from when a bird is sick or compromised. Without these fat reserves the body has nothing to draw on 'except' protein sources, which are the muscle. Thus, rapid weight loss because the body is 'self cannibalizing' itself to stay alive. As to sunflower seed the small black sunflower seeds are higher in fat. It is preferable to feed the striped sunflower seed. A bird should have more fat sources in the winter and less in the summer. And, food for thought. Brewers Yeast great for stress If so, sunflower shares many nutrients, thus a pleasure food that also acts as a stress reliever also. Reprinted Courtesy of

7 Alanine Alpha amyrin Alfa topopherol 7 Arginine Aspartic-acid Behenic-acid Beta-carotene Beta sitosterol Calcium Capric-acid Cellulose Cephalin Chlorogenic-acid Choline Cinnamic-acid Citric-acid Copper Cycloartenol Cysteine Daucosterol Fiber Glucose Glycine Histidine Iodine Iron Isoleucine Lecithin Leucine Linoleic-acid Lysine Magnesium Methionine Myristic-acid N-Hentriacontane N-Hexacosane N-Nonacosane Niacin P-Hydroxybenzoic-acid Oleic-acid Palmitic-acid Phenylananine Phosphatidylcholine Phosphorus Phyticacid Potassium Puffa Quinic-acid Riboflavin Serine Shikimic-acid Sodium Squalene Stachyose Stearic-acid Stigmasterol Sulfer Tartaric-acid Thiamin Threonine Tocopherol Tryptophan Tyrosine Valine

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12 12 Sell Tricia Cockatiels: Young Pastelfaces as well as other colours and different aged cockatiels. $30 Each Negotiable. Will Not Freight. Pick Up Only. For Further Information Contact Tricia on (Orange) (201607) Wanted Fabio Cockatiels: Looking For A Hen, Pastel Silver or Split Pastel Silver, Can Be Normal, Pearl or Pied, Whiteface or Pastelface. Also a Mature Cock, Lutino or Whiteface Lutino, may be Split Pearl or Pied, no Cinnamon Please. For Further Information Contact Fabio on (Wollongong) (201607) *** NOTE: This section is for NCSA members to advertise (free of charge) any bird or bird related product for sale or swap or wanted. Please make use of this service. Contact Patrick on or editor@cockatiel.org.au MEMBERS ARE REMINDED THAT MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS ARE NOW OVERDUE. A FORM HAS BEEN INCLUDED IN THIS MAGAZINE. PAYMENT CAN BE CASH, CHEQUE OR DIRECT DEPOSIT TO :NCSA BSB No : Account No : 22976

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14 14 Cockatiel Nymphicus hollandicus Cuddly, outgoing and comical are just three reasons why the cockatiel is the No. 1 pet bird in America. Cockatiels are also talented whistlers, and male cockatiels in particular are known for their whistle serenades, which can be directed at their favored person, their favorite object or their mirror reflection. When not whistling or keeping themselves busy foraging for food and fun around the cage, cockatiels often enjoy spending their downtime snuggling on their favored person s shoulder. A healthy, well-socialized cockatiel can make a great family pet and is also ideal for apartment living. Native Region / Natural Habitat Cockatiels are native to the semi-arid regions of Australia. This open environment might be a reason why cockatiels don t have the ear-piercing screech of parrots originating from dense rain-forest habitats. Wild cockatiels fly to the ground to forage for food. Cockatiels readily breed in the wild, and they are also easy to breed in captivity, which makes them widely available as pets at a lower cost than most other parrot species. Wild cockatiels are always on alert for predators and are light sleepers. A pet cockatiel might have an occasional night-fright episode, where it thrashes around the cage at night as if startled. You can help your cockatiel find its way back to its perch by leaving a night light on in its room. Personality & Behavior The position of a cockatiel s crest feathers can tell you its mood. Straight-up crest feathers can mean the bird is startled or highly curious. A defensive cockatiel will hold its crest feathers flattened close its head, and it might be especially stressed if it also hisses. A relaxed cockatiel will have slightly held back crest feathers, as well as fluffed cheek feathers and you might also hear it contently grinding its beak. Toys designed to be destroyed by small beaks are perfect for cockatiels and include pieces of paper, cardboard of soft wood or non-toxic rawhide to chew up. Cockatiels also like toys with hard-plastic elements, such as beads to fiddle with. Male cockatiels often seek out mirrors and other reflective items to whistle to. A cockatiel might be inclined to fly down from its cage or playgym onto the floor, so be extra cautious whenever your bird is out of the cage so you don t step on it and that other pets, such as cats or dogs, cannot get to it. A female cockatiel might seek out a dark, enclosed area to nest in, such the corner of a cabinet or behind furniture (even if there is no male cockatiel present), so keep these areas off limits. Cockatiels can be taught to whistle back to you on cue but generally aren t known for their trained tricks. Continued on Next page.

15 Speech & Sounds 15 Cockatiels are more inclined to whistle than talk. Male cockatiels are more likely to talk than females, and some can learn to speak a few words or phrases. Cockatiels tend to chirp rather than screech, and their relatively lower noise volume makes them a good apartment pet. Your cockatiel might chirp a contact call if you leave the room in an attempt to keep in contact with you. Care & Feeding A cockatiel needs a cage spacious enough to accommodate multiple perches, toys, food bowls and have plenty of room to flap its wings without hitting them against anything. A cage with a large door front is ideal because it makes it easier to return a cockatiel to its cage, especially since cockatiels can be flighty birds. Cockatiels are natural ground foragers and will forage on the bottom of the cage if given the opportunity; cover the cage floor with newspaper and sprinkle crumbled treats or millet sprinkle seed for your cockatiel to find. Cockatiels are social birds and thrive when given opportunities to interact with you, whether it is gently petting their cheek feathers, being talked to or simply being in the same room as you. A healthy cockatiel diet includes commercially balanced diets, as well as other food, fresh vegetables and some seed. A well-cared-for cockatiel can live for more than 20 years. Health & Common Conditions It is normal for a cockatiel to sneeze a few times a day to clear out dust or dander from its nares, which might be accompanied by a clear discharge. If the sneezing is persistent and/or the discharge is not a clear color, contact your avian veterinarian. Cockatiels are excellent fliers and need more frequent wing clipping than other parrot species because they are capable of flying not long after having their feathers trimmed. Cockatiels molt (shed old feathers and begin growing new ones) a couple times a year. A main health concern for female cockatiels is chronic egg-laying, which can deplete her body of vital minerals and calcium, as well as egg binding, in which the hen is unable to pass an egg. (A hen does not need a male cockatiel present in order to produce an egg; it will just be an infertile egg.) Female cockatiels, therefore, often need extra-calcium in their diet, such as a calcium-fortified base diet or a supplement like cuttlebone. Since cockatiels are often fed a mostly seed diet, many suffer from malnutrition and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. An all-seed diet is also high in fat, which can lead to fatty liver disease. A healthy, low-fat diet with the right balance of vitamin, minerals and amino acids can go a long way in preventing disease in your cockatiel. Continued on Next page.

16 16 Get a Cockatiel Pet cockatiels are available in large pet stores, avian-specific retail stores, direct from a bird breeder or through a bird rescue/adoption organization. If you are adopting a pet bird from an bird rescue or adoption organization or an individual owners, get a thorough rundown of the bird s history: Why is the bird being given up for adoption? Does the bird have any behavioral issues or phobias? How does the bird prefer to interact; does it enjoy being petted? What type of food does the bird eat; does it have favorite treats? Has the bird been to a veterinarian? If you are buying a young bird, make sure it is fully feathered and fully weaned (does not need to be syringe fed or parent fed). Signs of a healthy bird include: alertness, clean and vibrant feathers, bright eyes and nares that are clean and free of runny discharge. Ask if the pet store or breeder has a health guarantee and/or includes a free visit to a veterinarian for a health checkup. Cockatiels are in their own genus (Nymphicus hollandicus) and are related to cockatoos. The normal gray cockatiel has the same coloration as cockatiels in the wild, and males are easily distinguishable from females in that they have a richer color gray and bright orange cheek feathers, while the female s feathering is more muted, and she also has a barring on her undertail feathers. Pet cockatiels come in a variety of color mutations and cross mutations, including the lutino (yellow), pearl and the pied mutations, as well as whiteface and albino varieties. In color mutations, it might not be possible to visually distinguish males from females. Reprinted Courtesy of RING Prices CLOSED CLUB RINGS (NCSA-NUMBERED) $60.00 per 100 SPLIT RINGS (Assorted Colour s) $60.00 per 100 Postage & Handling $3.00 PAYMENT CAN BE CASH, CHEQUE OR DIRECT DEPOSIT TO : NCSA BSB No : Account No : Minimum order quantity 10 Rings can be ordered from VAL NEWMAN Phone: (02) or PATRICK WAITE Phone:

17 17 AUSTRALIAN BIRD LEG RING COLOUR SEQUENCE 2015 VIOLET 2016 ORANGE 2017 DARK BLUE 2018 RED 2019 BLACK 2020 GREEN 2021 VIOLET 2022 ORANGE 2023 DARK BLUE 2024 RED

18 18 Quick Facts Cockatiels are members of the cockatoo family In their native Australia, cockatiels are also referred to as weiros as well as quarrians Lutino mutation cockatiels can develop a bald spot on the back of their head. Some aviculturists consider this to be a genetic fault, although it doesn t appear to affect their health. The cockatiel was first classified in 1793 as Psittacus hollandicus, then moved to its own genus Nymphicus, Nymphicus is a reference to mythical nymphs and hollandicus refers to New Holland, which was the name first applied to Australia in 1644 by the Dutch, who named it after Holland. Colour: grey, white, yellow Size: small Lifespan: Up to 20 years Sounds: Whistler Reprinted Courtesy of

19 19 Your Cockatiel s Health & Safety The cockatiel is a hardy little parrot and the vast majority of illness this species faces is related to a poor diet, lack of exercise or an unclean environment. This means that preventative measures are your best bet for keeping your bird in good health. Feeding your bird a varied diet, promoting active play and keeping the cage papers, perches, toys and food bowls clea n and free of decaying food and bacteria is how to keep those illnesses that are within your control at bay. Cockatiels in captivity will reproduce year round and the females of the species might produce clutch after clutch. This is referred to as chronic egg laying, something that cockatiels are noted for. It creates a health hazard for the hen whose own calcium supply becomes more depleted with each egg produced. This increases the possibility of egg binding, a condition in which the female is unable to pass the egg. In order to prevent this from happening to your female cockatiel, it is necessary to make changes to the environment that deter the urge to breed. The hormonal surges that can result in aggressive behaviors and destruction in your home can be minimized by knowing which foods, interactions and even toys to avoid at that time of the year. Our course devoted entirely to this confusing subject will make you an expert in understanding your parrot s springtime behaviors can be found here: Your cockatiel will need hours of undisturbed sleep every night. Unfortunately, most cockatiels, at one point or another, experience episodes of terror in their cage referred to as night frights. This usually happens after the house is completely quiet in the middle of the night. A mouse or a family pet moving through the house, a draft blowing their cage cover or the headlights from a passing car have all been identified as causes of these events. In fear, your cockatiel will try to take flight in its cage and ultimately falls to the bottom. When this happens, turn on a light and go over to reassure your bird. More often than not, your cockatiel will recover quickly and go back to sleep, but there are many reports of injuries resulting from night frights every year. Keeping a night light illuminated in your bird s room is effective as is the background noise of a fan or air purifier. Many owners allow their birds a lot of out of cage time and your active and intelligent cockatiel will want to explore every corner of your home. As ground foragers, they will often inherently make their way to the floor a place that can be dangerous for them. Aside from placing themselves amongst the foot traffic of large, sometimes unaware, humans, there is danger from other pets and things found on the floor, such as electrical cords. Always be alert when your cockatiel is out and about. Reprinted Courtesy of

20 20 MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION PAGE THERE WAS NO MEMBERS DRAW FOR JUNE * RAFFLE RESULTS DUE TO THERE BEING NO JUNE MEETING THERE WAS NO RAFFLE * COME ALONG FOR A CHANCE TO WIN THE PRIZE OF $50 AT OUR JULY MEETING... * YOU MUST BE A FINANCIAL MEMBER, BE IN ATTENDANCE AND HAVE YOUR MEMBERSHIP CARD AT THE MEETING WITH YOU TO BE ELIGIBLE TO WIN * AT EACH MEETING YOU CAN PICK UP & LEAVE YOUR CARD WITH THE SECRETARY RON LYNN, WHO WILL BRING IT ALONG TO EACH MEETING. BLAST FROM THE PAST 2002

21 21 NCSA CLUB SHOW S POINT SCORE 2016 Show points will be accumulated to the end of the year. The winner will receive the perpetual Cockatiel Challenge Trophy and Replica. Points are awarded as follows: 3 Points, 1st in Class 6 Points, Champion Cockatiel 2 Points, 2nd in Class 4 Points, Reserve Champion 1 Point, 3rd in Class Judit Prestidge: Juvenile Non W/F Whiteface Cockatiel John Bostrovas: Rob Harrod: 19 - Patrick Waite - 5

22 22 THE NATIVE COCKATIEL SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA INC. MEETINGS. DATE 2016 LOCATION 11th JULY: PIZZA AND BINGO NIGHT EMU PLAINS 8th AUGUST: WHITEFACE COCKATIEL TABLE SHOW EMU PLAINS 12th SEPTEMBER: TO BE ADVISED EMU PLAINS 10th OCTOBER: ALL COCKATIEL TABLE SHOW EMU PLAINS 14th NOVEMBER: AUCTION AND CENT SALE EMU PLAINS 12th DECEMBER: CHRISTMAS PARTY & AGM ST MARY S BAND CLUB Parrot Society of Australia Castle Hill Bird Sale & Expo Date & Place: Sunday, 10th July, 2016, Hawkesbury Race Club, Racecourse Rd, Clarendon (Between Windsor and Richmond opposite Richmond RAAF base) Time & Entry Fee for Buyers: Sale starts 10.00am and finishes at 2.00pm $3.00 per person, Children under 12 free Site Fee and Benching Time for Sellers: $1.00 per bird and 50c for finches under $5.00. Minimum charge $5 Benching from Sat 4pm by arrangement only and Sun 7am to 9.00am Seller must produce a physical copy of their valid membership to a bird club or be requested to join Parrot Society of Australia (NSW) Inc on the day. Parrot Society of Australia (NSW) Inc Mark Holland Dawn Edwards

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