Soundproofing my bird room?

Question by Karlie Chisholm: Soundproofing my bird room?
I am purchasing a Gold Capped Conure in June. I have $ 1000 saved up strictly for hanging toys, plants, and other stuff for my birds room. I have been planning/decorating since last May. I am having the cage built (72”x 60”x 42”) in my room. In other words, I know what I am getting into as far as screaming goes (and to be quite honest with you I actually like the conure scream -my friend owns two gold caps and I have listened to them <3- and will enjoy having an alarm clock in the morning) and the time needed with this type of bird. The only thing I am concerned about is my neighbors sanity when my bird decides its time for some vocal lessons and more attention =]. I know they won't mind the screaming but I do want to try and make it easier on them by soundproofing my room (where my bird will sleep and have his cage) and the bird play room (where another play cage and etc. will be located). I realize that I can not completely sound proof the two rooms and I know the screaming will still be heard no matter what. I can not do anything to the walls but I can hang things up. I have read about "Deluxe Wall Coverings" and etc. but I have no idea what I need and how thick of foam I need. I have also read that people use plants and comforters for soundproofing? I am already planning on getting a few safe/live plants for my bird so he/she can forage throughout his/her room and my room. Whats your opinion on the best/safest/cheapest way to sound proof a bird room? I like the "Deluxe Wall Coverings" but I do not know how effective they will be with my destructive, adventurous, vocal, loving conure. Any advice for what anyone has used in their bird room, any advice on "Deluxe Wall Coverings" for sound proofing, or any advice on whether or not the plant and comforter idea works would be awesome =].

Best answer:

Answer by M2MM
A member on my forum used this product to soundproof his parrot’s sleep closet:

http://www.audimutesoundproofing.com/sound-absorber-soundproof-blanket.aspx

Here’s the post where he mentions the above products: http://www.anafricangrey.ca/forum/topic/14389-no-room-for-a-sleeping-room/page__view__findpost__p__95445

These blankets are not cheap, but they aren’t outrageous either. I may consider getting some myself for the dividing wall between our birdroom and the adjacent room.

Add your own answer in the comments!

Toy Poodle – the Facts Every Owner of This Dog Breed Should Know

Toy Poodle – the Facts Every Owner of This Dog Breed Should Know

The Toy Poodle is one type of the breed of Poodle. There are three types of Poodles: Toy, Miniature and Standard, each type denoting a size. Poodles are considered gun dogs, for their bird hunting skills and ability in water. Though some dispute the claim, France is officially recognized as the origin of the Poodle. The Toy Poodle lives an average 12 to 15 years. To be considered a Toy Poodle, its size can only be up to 10 inches with a weight of 6 to 9 pounds.

Toy Poodles are considered intelligent and are among the easiest to train. Without consistent training, Toy Poodles will become willful, independent and may bark a lot. Toy Poodles like to be around people, but can be reserved among strangers, making them good watchdogs. Some Toy Poodles are known to be high strung and will snap. For this reason, it is important to socialize a Toy Poodle early and to exercise caution around small children. This does not mean that a Toy Poodle does not make a good family pet. Toy Poodles tend to be loyal to their families and some are good with children. This breed has a lot of energy, but does not demand a lot of exercise, making it a good choice for apartment dwellers.

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It is a good idea to exercise a Toy Poodle at least once a day to alleviate any boredom that might occur. The familiar curly coat of the Toy Poodle grows constantly and must be clipped every four to six weeks to maintain it. Failure to maintain the coat can result in matted fur that can only be removed with scissors. The familiar ‘Poodle Cut’ was actually important for the dog when it was used for hunting. The cut helped protect vital joints and organs in the cold water. Now the clip is not necessary and many owners opt for an all around short cut.

There are a variety of coat colors for Toy Poodles and the coat tends to be relatively shed free, making them a good choice for allergy sufferers, though they will create dander. There are health concerns that exist with this breed. Toy Poodles are prone to ear infections, runny eyes, digestive tract and heart disorders, skin conditions, slipped stifle, PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy), IMHA (Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia), cataracts, entropion, epilepsy, inverterbral disc degeneration, Legg-Perthes, patellar luxation, trichiasis and urolithiasis.

There is a website that has great information on Toy Poodles and most other breeds of dogs. It has details that pertain to a dog breeds health, grooming, living conditions, best food choices and more, the website is called: Dog And Cat Facts, and can be found at this url:

http://www.dogandcatfacts.com

By Robert W. Benjamin

Copyright © 2007

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter, or on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.

Paradise Toys Goody Basket, 5-Inch W by 14-Inch L

• Foraging for rewards is healthy and satisfying behavior and should be encouraged
• Searching is a learned behavior and a critical element of successful food foraging
• Combine with other foraging toys and change all of the toy locations frequently
• Inevitably the basket will be destroyed remove and replace with a different foraging toy
• Made with pet safe materials and pear link fastener for easy attachment to cage

Reed basket is filled with little chewable treasures. Watch as Conures, Caciques, Lories and other small parrots search and forage through the basket and retrieve their bounty. Conures, Lories and Other Other Small Playful Parrots Love Finding the Goodies In the Hanging Reed Basket.

List Price: $ 9.99

Price: $ 9.99

FeatherLand 5/8″ x 2″ Wood Wheel

FeatherLand 5/8″ x 2″ Wood Wheel

5/8″ x 2″ Wood Wheels for making bird and parrot toys.

Price: $ 5.99

The papaya theft: video of a Sun Conure stealing from a Crimson Bellied Conure

I caught Lucy, our red factor sun conure, stealing from Fred while taking vids in the bird room this morning….I have papayas in my hand and she is trying to get them without landing on my hand. Fred, our crimson bellied conure, flies over to take one and Lucy spends the rest of the vid trying to get it. Please visit our new online bird store www.aviansuperstore.com enter code “VIDEO” to get 10% off – good through December 2010
Video Rating: 5 / 5

Is there a Toys R Us in Senegal, Africa?

Question by Pilai: Is there a Toys R Us in Senegal, Africa?

Best answer:

Answer by Rich A
I’m sure they would be more interested in a Tom Thumb’s Grocery store packed with fresh produce.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

Parrot’s foraging toys.

foraging toys to keep the parrot busy.
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Kyjen PipSqueaks Donkey Plush Dog Toy

Kyjen PipSqueaks Donkey Plush Dog Toy

• Animalistic sound will drive dogs crazy
• Made of an ultra-soft terrycloth material
• Perfect for smaller dogs

Cute, soft plush animal characters contain removable animal sound voicebox for interactive fun with your pooch! Perfect for small dogs.

List Price: $ 5.99

Price: $ 3.81

The Parrot Shrieks 2: A Portrayal of Lover’s Cravings for ?Anand’ or Bliss

The Parrot Shrieks 2: A Portrayal of Lover’s Cravings for ?Anand’ or Bliss

The Parrot Shrieks 2: A Portrayal of Lover’s Cravings for ‘Anand’ or Bliss

By

Abnish Singh

abnishsinghchauhan@gmail.com

&      

Dr Shardha Sharma

shraddha581@gmail.com

(Dept. Of English, Teerthanker Mahaveer University,

Moradabad, U. P., India)

 

Abstract:

Dr. R. C. Shukla (b. April 7, 1943) is a well-known poet of Modern India. Though he has been writing poems in English for the last forty years, his first collection of English poems entitled Darkness at Dawn (1990) came very late. The Parrot Shrieks 2 (Publisher: Writers Workshop, Kolkata, 2005). is his sixth collection of English poems. This anthology has its own charm; therefore, we opted to write a research paper on it. The paper entitled “The Parrot Shrieks 2: A Portrayal of Lover’s Cravings for ‘Anand’ or Bliss” reflects the point of view of the poet. As a poet he expresses the feelings of a lover as well as the lover’s experiences during the act of love. Sometimes it seems that the lover is none else but the poet himself who recollects his past life when he gets such an opportunity to divulge it. And he does this through writing poems. These poems form an anthology entitled The Perrot Shrieks 2. The shrieks of the parrot are in a way the cravings or desires of the lover who shares his painful experiences with the readers and through his expressions the readers come to know about his cravings i.e what he expects from his lady love and how his expectations break down and how the lady love comes in his life and how she departs him on some day and how he controls himself through writing poems and what was his intention behind this love. He wanted to win his lady love and this winning would result in the union of two souls for getting bliss or ‘Anand’ in the journey of their life. Perhaps this is what the poet wants to say through this anthology.

 

Introduction:

Dr. R. C. Shukla (b. April 7, 1943) is a well-known poet of Modern India. Though he has been writing poems in English for the last forty years, his first collection of English poems entitled Darkness at Dawn (1990) came very late. His second anthology entitled A Belated Appearance was published by Writers Workshop in 2000 and after that came his other  anthologies- Depth and Despair (2001), My Poems Laugh (2002), The Parrot Shrieks (2003) and The Parrot Shrieks 2 (2005). “An admirer of T.S. Eliot, W.H. Auden, Shiv K. Kumar, Jayanta Mahapatra and Kamala Das; Dr Shukla, with his ambitious  plans to contribute to the growth of Indian poetry in English, has endeavoured to distinguish himself with his communicative skills, his rich and new imagery and experimental forms of expression.”1

Discussion:

Dr. Shukla is a poet who tries to explore lover’s point of view in his anthology The Parrot Shrieks 2. The poet uses a man’s bioscope to see and observe the unopened layers of a lover’s heart and mind in this anthology. He also plunges into the psychology of a woman to understand her mystic personality and its resultant effect on the lover who is the poet himself. This doesn’t mean he only ponders over the world of a woman; he through his vivid imagination also takes us to the world of man in love in his own way. Therefore, every poem of this poet is a unique experience in itself and gives a clear picture of the lover and his beloved in the form of monologue. His poems also depicts that woman is Maya- “the mysterious world of Maya” (25), which is a riddle for him; not only for him for all the people of this planet as he thinks: “Without any bias or prejudice, my experiences and observations coupled with my readings have led me to the conclusion that a woman is a great riddle ever to be really understood by a man however enlightened he may claim himself to be.”2 One can make strenuous efforts to solve this riddle, but no avail; it would become more complex as time passes.  In spite of that this riddle or Maya in the form of his lady love keeps him engaged throughout his life. He reverberates:  

 My eyes are my support

Through which

I aspire to drink you again and again

The desire that has an end is no desire at all.  (13)

This endless desire of the poet for his lady love is just like “the rain without clouds” (13). In spite of that he has great hope to meet her again and lead fuller life as some day she would come to vivify the “silent waters” (13) of his soul. It seems that he is anxiously waiting for her- not for physical union but for the union of the souls. And the union of the two souls would fulfill his ultimate craving for everlasting joy or ‘Anand’. But there is a problem in this process i.e. the lover has the impression that his meeting with her would be possible only in dreams as his lady love remains stubborn in her response to him.

The poet thinks that a female does not understand a man’s feelings and always lives in a different world of her own. It is not always true. Sometimes lack of communication or the right expression also gives the same feedback to him. Perhaps this is the reason due to which only the lover loses his lady love. The lady love is where she is. And she is where the lover could not physically reach at. The whole tragedy of this relationship comes this way, which clearly indicates that there is no mutual bonding between the two. And it creates doubts and uncertainties in the heart and mind of the poet:

All these years

The most precious years of my life

I traversed through uncertainties

Doubts and through disbeliefs. (21)

This doubt is also with the poet in “the religion of love” (21), the religion which he loves utmost. This seems controversial but not as such it is. It is only because he is “churning without any pause” (20) due to the unexpected departure of his lady love. He says:

And yet

On the eve of an event

You left me alone

Without any cause. (20)

He does not blame his beloved; he blames himself for this: “Poet / you chose to be wounded… Your separation is complete” (28). And it is his goodness that he prays for himself and for her in spite of her unexpected leaving.

The poet is not always negative in his approach to the image of a woman. It is his failures or dissatisfaction that leads him to such conception. At a place, he gives full credit to a woman (his beloved) considering her ‘the most meaningful thing’, ‘a rose of distinction’, and ‘a perfume beyond praise’ (25) for him. It is his desire that sometimes becomes sick and he starts thinking negatively and it is again his desire that becomes pleasant and he starts thinking positively. It seems that he is led by his desire or craving not by his mind and soul and when he uses his mind and soul he perceives the truth:

One day

Accidently

My desire grew sick

It lost appetite

Went on growing thinner and thinner

And ultimately for want for your care collapsed.

Then, under the umbrella of truth

I suddenly learned that the sunlight walks

Without any sound

And the sky is not blue as it appears. (26)

The lover-poet comes to know that Maya cannot diminish the aura of truth. Where there is truth, there is no pain, no suffering and no shadow of Maya itself. Here he gets somewhat peace in the journey of his life. The realization of truth is possible only when one peeps into one’s soul. This is a kind of satisfaction one can achieve in such adverse circumstances.

This was a moment where one can see the lover at rest or at peace. But this is not the permanent thought of the poet. The poet again speaks about emotional bankruptcy and insensitivity from the side of his lady love:

I was at a loss

When I found no wave in your eyes

No fervor in your looks. (34)

 

And, therefore, he is forced to conclude her feelings for him:

All your statements were merely advertisements

And those healing sentences

Merely toys for innocent children to play. (34)

His poetry shows that there is lack of will power in the lady love as she does not convert her thoughts into words. He feels that reticence is armour of a lady and through this weapon she can hide her intentions and at the same time she can hurt other’s self.

Despite all the contradictions and intricacies of the relationship, the poet feels that the existence of his lady love is his identity. He is incomplete without her. His life is meaningless without her. For him his own name has no importance without her. And it is she who makes his identity- his life complete and this completion would help him in achieving bliss in his life:

I loved you to celebrate myself

To

12 Comments
Category: Articles
Tagged: Anand', Bliss, Cravings, lovers., Parrot, Portrayal, Shrieks

How much should i expect to pay for a quaker/monk parakeet?

Question by Hannah: How much should i expect to pay for a quaker/monk parakeet?
i have already added up the prices for everything i will need for a new bird (cage, toys, food, etc.), but i don’t know exactly how much i will have to pay for the actual bird. Please help me if you know! thanks!

Best answer:

Answer by B!nd!
It can depend on where you live, whether you want a green or a blue, and whether you want one that is handraised or not (which I really recommend if you want a pet)
In Australia, you can usually pick up a Quaker for $ 300-$ 400 depending on the colour, that is a handraised one. Aviary Quakers go for maybe $ 200 each.
In America, most of these parrots are much more common- just watch out, though- because they are illegal in about 13 states over there! So you may not be able to have one where you are.
I would expect a handreared Quaker will cost you somewhere between $ 200-$ 400

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Category: Forum
Tagged: Expect, much, parakeet, quaker/monk, should

MVI_8158.AVI

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