Most of the pet-store birds I cared for kept to themselves. But every time I walked by one cage, a cockatiel pressed his head against the bars, obviously hoping for a scratch. I was smitten. Soon, I found myself sneaking back to the bird room every chance I got, just to visit my charming new friend.

Fall came and I left for school, but I didn't forget the cockatiel. Having my very own parrot moved to the top of my to-do list, and when I moved off campus into an apartment a year later, I immediately went bird shopping.

Assuming all cockatiels were like my pet-store buddy, I eagerly plunked down $29.99 for the first one I saw. My new bird hated me, or so it seemed. When Phineas (I had just read A Separate Peace) wasn't beating himself senseless against the bars of his cage at the mere sight of me, he was screaming at the top of his pint-size lungs.

I was crushed, but figured all was not lost. The pet store job had taught me there probably was a friendly creature somewhere beneath all the fear. I decided to try a different approach.

I sat near Finny's cage every day until he grew comfortable with my presence. Then I lay my hand on the table near the cage until that was okay, too. The next day I rested my hand on top of the cage, then inside it, and so on. From there we progressed to finger perching, and, finally, Finny lowered his head for a scratch. It would not be a stretch to say it was one of the most rewarding moments of my young life.

Today, my parrot family includes Allie, a cockatiel I bought soon after Finny, and who is now 21 years old; Nelson, a flightless lory I found mysteriously abandoned on a bridge eight years ago; and Louie, a young blue-and-gold macaw.

But enough about us. We want to hear from you. Please let us know what you think of ParrotChronicles.com and send your questions about parrot care to our terrific team of contributors.

Speaking of my columnists, I would like to thank them for the time and expertise they were kind enough to invest in a new, unknown Web publication. Thanks also to the parrot owners, rehabilitators and others who participated in this first issue.

It is my hope that ParrotChronicles.com can make a positive difference in the lives of all psittacines, captive and wild. Look for the next quarterly issue this fall. Until then, blue skies to you and your birds.

(And yes, Allie, Nelson and Louie, you have been good birds, patiently waiting for me to put away my laptop. Bird toys and treats all around!)

Carla Thornton, Editor

ParrotChronicles.com

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