SPRING 2015

PANDEMONIUM NEWS

New Webcams and Videos Available on Our Website

As many of you know Pandemonium Aviaries is closed to the public so that we can provide a stress-free environment to our breeding target species. Fortunately, our webcams allow us to provide a way for the public to view our birds without adding any stress, while at the same time allowing us to monitor their health and safety.

Although the birds are not always in front of the camera, the webcams that we've posted on our website are well- positioned to capture a lot of activity. The Rainbow Lorikeet webcam is particularly fun to watch because two of the Lorikeets are often positioned right in front of the camera where they love to preen each other and snuggle (as shown in the above photo). At other times, they can be seen along with the rest of the Lorikeets playing and swinging on their toys or bathing in the bird bath at the bottom of the aviary; and, if you look real close you might even catch a glimpse of the Lady Ross Turaco Amadeus (one of the cast of characters from The Birds of Pandemonium) in the background as his aviary is next to the Lorikeets.

When our birds aren't in front of the camera, please enjoy our webcam videos where we've captured some priceless moments of natural bird behavior such as one of our Blue Crowned pigeons feeding its baby.

We've Updated Our

Amazon Wish List

Thank you to all the generous donors who donated toys, perches and office supplies over the Holidays. Our birds are happily enjoying their gifts.

Pandemonium Aviaries is dedicated to preventing the extinction of targeted avian species through conservation and education. Our 501(c)3 non-profit is saving important species like the Victoria Crowned pigeon, the modern day Dodo.

Looking Up

"For as long as we human beings can remember, we've been looking up. Over our heads went the birds - free as we were not, singing as we tried to." Novelist Margaret Atwood reminds us that birds were once revered for their power to soar through the heavens with an ethereal grace and world view beyond our own. From dove to raven, eagle to crane, birds have symbolized holiness, omniscience, and immortality.

On January 5, 2015, National Bird Day, and May 4, 2015, Bird Day, Americans officially celebrate the diverse beauty and invaluable gifts of our winged companions. With 9,800 avian species known to exist, the variation in plumage, markings and song is astounding. Just walk through Pandemonium, and the incredible diversity is evident, from the brilliant palette of our parakeets to the boisterous call of a turaco.

Birds deserve our appreciation, but they also demand our protection. Within the next 100 years, more than 10% of the world's avian species may vanish due to deforestation, hunting and pet trafficking-all within our control. And funding for bird conservation is scarce. Al Gore calculates that only 1.5% of charitable giving goes toward all environmental causes.

The fate of our winged companions is in our hands. Captive breeding of birds, like we do at Pandemonium may be the only hope for some species. This coming Bird Day, consider taking a moment to look up at the sky. Notice the birds flying overhead. Think about the role birds play in our lives. They are pretty wonderful, and it would be a huge loss if the skies were always empty.

To read Margaret Atwoods article "Act Now to Save Our Birds" go to:

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2010/jan/09/margaret-atwood-birds-review

MESSAGE FROM MICHELE

What does it cost to save a species?

According to an international team from the Association for Zero Extinction, the cost to save a species is 1.3 million to ensure habitat protection and an "insurance policy in zoos." In other words, breeding endangered animals to ensure species survivability is a key component of conservation.

Pandemonium Aviaries bred more Blue Crown pigeons last year than all US zoos combined. Our success with Green-naped pheasant pigeons has resulted in the largest captive flock in the world. Our Bleeding Heart doves are once again on eggs.

Your support is the reason we are succeeding. Thank you.