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My middle school students have been wanting to meet Yankee for a long time, so Yankee went to school with me this week and has become a huge hit!

I created a Power Point presentation about caiques in general and Yankee in particular, so it was extremely educational! Or at least that's what I'll say if the administration asks! Although, since I began to learn about birds, I think that it is very important for as many people as possible to gain an understanding about birds. I've discovered that most people don't have even a tiny bit of real knowledge. The kids seemed to be fascinated and had so many questions.

Yankee has never been around kids, so it was a shock for him and he didn't want to be held by all of them. He did let me show them his clipped wings, etc. I couldn't get him to hop, so that is something that we will be working on at home. He is going to have to learn some lessons if he wants to go to school with me!

That's great Cathy!

I'm glad that you both had a good time


Kate

I am so glad that someone else has been successful at taking their fid to school. I am thinking of taking Pepita after it warms up here in NW Ohio. I teach high school ESL, so my classes are very small.

Did you use a small cage in your class? Did you take him for the whole day? I am thinking of taking Pepita only in the afternoons. I can pick her up at lunch.

Off topic, do you live around Atlanta? A bus full of baseball players from around here had a horrible crash there today. (Bluffton is about 10-15 mins. from here) Please keep them and their families in your thoughts.

Thanks for the info!!

diana

I have been thinking about the bus accident all day and will keep all of the people that have been involved in the accidents over the last couple of days in my thoughts and prayers.

I grew up near Marion, Ohio and my husband went to Blufton.

I took Yankee to school in his travel cage and took a small playstand and a cage about 18x18x24. I left the playstand and cage at school and took him twice this week. He did great! I was able to walk around with him on my shoulder with no problem, but he did not want to go to any of the children, although the girl that birdsits with my p'let did hold him.

I made sure that he had his favorite foods to eat and some toys to play with. He did not like it when I left him for lunch, altough I turned out the lights. I brought him back some squash casserole and rice with diced tomatoes and I think that he forgave me.

The only uncomfortable moment arose when one of my 7th grade boys said that his biology teacher had explained the mating process and proceeded to share his knowledge! Never a dull moment with my kids or fids!

Yankee did make his usual mess and I had to keep my broom and dust pan handy.

The noise and number of kids did not seem to bother him. I teach gifted social studies and my classes are also small, from 13 to 17. I will probably take him back 1 or 2 days every week.

That is really awesome!!! You'll have to take some pics and post them!!

I took Lola over the summer to school. I worked a summer handicap program and we did a week on the Rainforest. We learned about parrots and I brought in lola and had a friend bring in her Blue and Gold Macaw. the kids liked lola but the B&G out shined her a bit! lol... I brought Lola in with her travel cage. She was really good... a bit stunned at all the kids. She wasn't herself....she actually didnt want to come back out of the cage after I had her out for her presentation! lol She was quite comfy in the cage. She stayed with me the whole day...we took the kids outside and I took lola out with us...put her cage under a shady tree and she was happier than a pig in mud!

I had to convince the principle to let me bring her and the B&G in. He's like "do they have cages?" and told him that Lola does. But the B&G came in without one! He was quite surprised when he walked in to see this BIG bird loose!! I had to also tell him that none of the kids would be touching the birds...he didnt want anyone getting bit, which is understandable. The owner of the B&G did allow them to pet his bad. She turned him around and held he head and let the kids pet him.

Did you have any concerns about biting? I know its a possibility, but is in a liability?? What did you have to tell the administration??

After so many years in education, my policy is to ask forgiveness, not permission. I didn't ask. I would be liable if the kids were bitten, I suppose. With the age of my middle school students, I told them that ALL BIRDS BITE and not to put their fingers in the cage or reach out to Yankee unless I was holding him. I didn't really worry because he never bites, although I know that there is always a first time.

I brought a few of my birds to the Brainerd Bird Expo on Feb. 11th and my BH Caique Dweezel actually did good! The Expo was geared for kids and families who wanted to learn more about pet birds. I was a little concerned with bringing Dweezel because when we are at home, he doesn't like kids or women too much (except me!). When he is out of his element, he does great! He let a couple of adults hold him and I held his head for some kids to pet him. He hopped on the table for them, waved hi, and talked a little. My Senegal flew away a lot but she let anyone hold her! I have a few pics on my website of kids holding one of my young Lovebirds as well!
http://www.toolady.com/www/breeders/brimonster/events.html

I am of Cathy's mindset, forgiveness is better than permission. I am getting a health certificate from the vet, but my students are all 14 or older, many from Latin America where they are familiar with these little birds.

When I took Pepita to the vet yesterday, she said that she would be a good candidate for nursing homes. I may think about that as well.

It is good for the birds to be socialized and good for the public to become aware and educated. I agree that care must be taken though. We don't want the birds or the kids to get hurt.

diana

That is wonderful. I plan on bringing in Bella to my 4th grade classroom this Spring. My students feel like they know her already because I talk about her and have her photos in there. They are very curious, and do not know much about birds at all, and are suprised by the little things I tell them. Would you be willing to share your powerpoint with me? I would love to see what you put together, and then maybe I could do something simliar with Bella. That was a great idea to do that!

Also BTW.....My Bella just turned 2 yesterday! We celebrated with her Mom Mom and Pop Pop here. My major gift to her was a sparkling clean cage!!!! Mom Mom distracted her, so I was really able to clean it and her area REALLY welll! This is hard to do when I am here myself. She also got a new toy, and some treats, of course, too!

Beth wrote:That is wonderful. I plan on bringing in Bella to my 4th grade classroom this Spring. My students feel like they know her already because I talk about her and have her photos in there. They are very curious, and do not know much about birds at all, and are suprised by the little things I tell them. Would you be willing to share your powerpoint with me? I would love to see what you put together, and then maybe I could do something simliar with Bella. That was a great idea to do that!

Also BTW.....My Bella just turned 2 yesterday! We celebrated with her Mom Mom and Pop Pop here. My major gift to her was a sparkling clean cage!!!! Mom Mom distracted her, so I was really able to clean it and her area REALLY welll! This is hard to do when I am here myself. She also got a new toy, and some treats, of course, too!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BELLA!!!

brimonster wrote:I brought a few of my birds to the Brainerd Bird Expo on Feb. 11th and my BH Caique Dweezel actually did good! The Expo was geared for kids and families who wanted to learn more about pet birds. I was a little concerned with bringing Dweezel because when we are at home, he doesn't like kids or women too much (except me!). When he is out of his element, he does great! He let a couple of adults hold him and I held his head for some kids to pet him. He hopped on the table for them, waved hi, and talked a little. My Senegal flew away a lot but she let anyone hold her! I have a few pics on my website of kids holding one of my young Lovebirds as well!
http://www.toolady.com/www/breeders/brimonster/events.html

Nice pics!!! How is your green cheek doing? Is the splint off yet???

Beth, after showing it to all of my classes, I am in the middle of making some changes because of the questions that they asked. I will be happy to share it with you and you are welcome to use it or add to it or whatever. My belief is that the more people understand about birds, the better for all of us. Give me about a week, then I will attach it in an email. I have 61 slides and I have been trying to get some good pictures of bird food online. I finally realized that I was spending way too much time looking and I just need to take some photographs of Yankee's food. Dumb me! I have really had fun working on it and I know that you will want to add some of your own pictures of Bella and her cage, etc.

My kids were really disappointed that I didn't bring Yankee to school today, but it was cold and I didn't want to worry about him getting chilled. Now, when kids walk by my room, they all stick their heads in to see if he is visiting!

That is so cool that you guys take your birds to different places. I never took Skittles anywhere yet, but I think I might try when it gets warmer. I don’t think he is going to be scared of the kids. He loves my friend’s daughters. Here is Ariana (5 years old) holding Skittles. He lets her play with him and is very excited every time she comes over.

That is a really sweet picture.

I take Yankee in the car with me occasionally if I am going out for some reason that I can just go through a drive-thru like the bank or for fast food. 'Everyone loves it, him included.

Cathy wrote:Beth, after showing it to all of my classes, I am in the middle of making some changes because of the questions that they asked. I will be happy to share it with you and you are welcome to use it or add to it or whatever. My belief is that the more people understand about birds, the better for all of us. Give me about a week, then I will attach it in an email. I have 61 slides and I have been trying to get some good pictures of bird food online. I finally realized that I was spending way too much time looking and I just need to take some photographs of Yankee's food. Dumb me! I have really had fun working on it and I know that you will want to add some of your own pictures of Bella and her cage, etc.

My kids were really disappointed that I didn't bring Yankee to school today, but it was cold and I didn't want to worry about him getting chilled. Now, when kids walk by my room, they all stick their heads in to see if he is visiting!

Thanks, Cathy..That would be great! I totally agree with you, and want to educate about birds whenever I can. Thanks again!