Stopped at some pet stores to load up on new bird toys. Got a bag full of stuff including a clicker. Plenty to rotate out every week so he doesn't get bored while I'm at work. Time to start ClickTraining! Got a bunch of little wood block things (to mix in with bottle caps) so we can play together. I'll let him pick them up and throw them around and I'll pick them up. It'll be like 52 pickup. I think I'll also get a bunch of nail files next time I go shopping and make some sort of hanging mobile with them. One toy he had used nail file like sticks and he loved chewing them to shreds.

They had some parrots there. Holy cow those Blue/Gold Macaws are huge. I've gotten so used to Beaker's size I forgot how big these birds can be. Their feet and beaks could do a good deal of damage if wanted. There was a sweetheart of a Cockatoo (pink). So gentle and loving. Never even attempted to bite or nip. Just wanted loves. $2400 though. Ouch. Sadly though they were all pretty ratty looking. I felt bad for them, but glad at how lucky I am with Beaker. He's perfect.

Tags: Update

These are all over the place out here but one was hanging out on my back porch so I thought I'd capture the moment. Guess I should have read about it before picking it up. They can dish out a nice stab when threatened.



Wheel Bug (Arilus cristatus)

Description : 1 1/8 - 1 3/8" (28-36 mm). Gray-brown to black. Prothorax raised into a curved series of coglike teeth along midline, inspiring the common name. Nymph is blood-red with black markings.

Habitat : Meadows and crop fields.

Range : East of the Rocky Mountains, from southern Canada south to the Gulf states.

Food : Caterpillars, even large ones including hornworms, Japanese Beetle larvae, and other insects.

Life Cycle : Eggs are laid in clusters on foliage. 1 generate a year.

This handsome predator can give a painful stab when it defends itself from a careless handler.

Tags: Bug, WheelBug

Beaker has been getting more and more bitey lately. I think it's because I work so much. We have a few hours in the morning then I'm off to work. By the time I get home it's dark and he's asleep. This morning while on my shoulder he bit me good and for the first time I actually got really pissed off at him. I can't believe how mad I was. Of course I didn't hurt him or anything but I immediately put him back in his house, ran to the computer and Googled how to rectify parrot biting. I felt bad and upset with myself for getting mad. So I stopped by the pet store before work and got him a big ladder to climb around on. I wanted some other toys but couldn't find anything I think he'd enjoy. My hours will soon change back to a normal day shift so I'll have more time to spend with him.

Tags: Update

I guess this is becoming the Bug show instead of Beaker's site. I respect and enjoy all types of wild life so I can't help myself.

I heard a thud on the window the other night and found this Cicada buzzing around. Just had to get some snaps. Last year I caught a green one. This one is almost entirely black.



Dogday Harvestfly (Tibicen canicularis)

Description : 1 1/8 - 1 1/4" (27-33 mm), wingspam to 3 1/4" (82 mm). Black with green markings. Wings clear green along rear 1/2 of fore wing margin.

Habitat : Coniferous and mixed woods.

Range : Northeastern United States and adjacent Canada.

Food : Adult is not known to eat. Nymph feeds on root juices, especially pine.

Sound : A powerful call that sounds like a circular saw cutting through a board.

Life Cycle : Nymphs take 3 years before maturing to adult. A new generation hatches each summer in the same area.

Since this cicada disappears from mixed forests soon after all the pines are eradicated, it probably feeds on pine roots. It is seen during the hot, "dog days" of summer, hence its common name.

Tags: Bug, Cicada

Nothing new. Just rotating entries. I did get some snaps of a nice big black Cicada which I might post. Ahh, the joy of bugs.

Tags: Update