I ran across this forum during a Google search, and am very pleased to be a new member!

My name is Patrick Thrush, and am just reconnecting with the avian community again after an absence of seven years. Some of you will remember my earlier contributions to a number of groups and subjects--postings and articles on avian lighting, holistic health, and behavior. One of my current projects is updating the Birds & Lighting Website, which has not seen any changes since 2001.

We have since moved from Florida to Kentucky, and Pedro the Blue Crowned Conure (who started this adventure) is still with us. The variety of critters (feathered and furry) that move through the house is too lengthy to cite... Sometimes I wonder whether they are our pets or whether we are theirs!

Presently I work as an independent business and economic development consultant, and my wife Donna is director of a regional Appalachian non-profit affordable housing group. Our daughter Tara is busy getting her doctorate at the University of Tennessee. I am also about to launch the first ever avian specific line of lighting products.

I hope to learn a great deal from the members of this group, and pass on in whatever small way those things that I have learned.

WELCOME.... and its pictures we all like... lololol


i am from b.c. canada and dont have the large birds but have 2 male keets.

jo jo and tj

Hi Patrick, Welcome to Parrot Chatter! I look forward to your insight about lighting. I have followed your previous recommendations and look forward to your sharing the further developments in that area.

We do adore picures, so when you get a chance we would all love to see pics of Pedro!

Well, here is one that is sure to send a chill through the bones on quite a few fid lovers--but shows what a unique and balanced group of critters that we have. This shot was taken last Christmas, and the lady in the photo is my 92 year old mother-in-law. Pedro was quite taken with her, flying over and visiting at every available opportunity. Of course, Miss Mary was always ready with a saltine for a moment of sharing!

On the back of the chair is Bullet, one of Pedro's better feline friends (unfortunately gone no, having been killed by a stray dog). The two cats in the basket are Peepers and Yesterday, who do their best to ignore him. Pedro will bite anyone who messes with his cat friends by moving them, and they are all protective of him when the dog is around!

This sort of thing has been going on for nine years now--through a panoply of cats, dogs, and other critters. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER has any feline ever attempted something aggressive toward him, or any other bird that lives in the house or flits through the yard. This includes the hundreds of wild birds that come to visit the feeders every day.

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Hi and welcome to Parrot Chatter! I can't wait to see pics!

Welcome Patrick. i am sure you will enjoy this group. They are a friendly group and always anxious to learn new things.

Glad that you found us.

Here is another one that you may like! We had just brought my grandson home from the hospital, and "birdbrain" had as his first task the job of flying over and seeing just what this new critter was!

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I love that pic!! Pedro looks like he has quite the personality!

Welcome Patrick, it's a pleasure to have you here with us. I've shamelessly quoted your material on many occasions, and I'm very excited about your site being updated. As you well know, there is precious little hard data on avian lighting that is available and readily digestible by the typical bird owner, with the exception of your studies. We look forward to learning more on the subject from you, and I hope we can help you with our experiences as well. Best of luck with the product launch!

Welcome to PC!! Glad to have you here.