fine. Unfortunately, I cannot now do likewise with Polly, since she has seen the Red Kites soaring above. The last time, she started to thrash about wildly in her cage. I brought her back inside as I feared she would hurt herself. Polly is generally a quiet bird, but, peculiar to her species, she can make a sound that resembles a giant seagull. One late afternoon, as some people were walking past the house, Polly gave full voice to this noise. Everyone stopped and stared upwards towards our rooftop - whatever did they expect to see? Billie has a very high - pitched contact call. So as our neighbours are not disturbed unduly, I answer her with a soft, “swish,swish,swish,”


12 BIRD SCENE


sound. This, she has adopted herself and life is more peaceful as a result. I have had the gender of each parrot determined by sending away newly moulted feathers. It was suggested that I pluck 3 or 4 feathers from their chests, but this I could never do. Both were confirmed as females. Increasingly, pelleted food is recommended for parrots but I feel that a healthy bird has no need for them. Instead, I feed soaked and sprouted seeds and pulses, limited quantities of nuts, fruits, vegetables, berries and wholegrains. A calcium supplement is added twice each week and vitamins daily. Both birds enjoy their food immensely.


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