"Almost Alike" Indian Ringneck Vs Maritious Parakeet

This weeks edition of the newsletter is going to be about two twins, the Indian Ringneck and the Maritious Parakeet. This bird is also know as the Echo parakeet. Even though it's a parakeet, it's really a parrot.

The Indian Ringneck and the Echo parakeet are very alike in color and species. However, these twins aren't always alike. They also have many differences. The Echo parakeet eats buds, flowers, and leaves, fruit, seeds, and bark/sap. In the wild, the Indian Ringneck eats fruits, veggies, nuts, berries, and seeds. In captivity, they eat fruits, bread, berries, veggies, peppers, seeds like wheatberry, sprouts, and millions of other things.

The Echo parakeet lives in southwest Maritious which is very close to India. The Indian Ringneck lives in India and Burma. The Echo parakeet lives on or in a forests, bushlands, and islands. The Indian Ringneck lives in semi deserts, open scrubs, evergreen forests, bushlands and light rainforests in India and other places.



The Echo parakeet was very endangered during the 1970's through 1980's At that time there was only about ten left in the world. Then around 2011-2012 there were estimated to be around 580 during breeding season. 300-350 of those were adults.

The Echo parakeet lays 1-4 eggs. The Indian ringneck is very popular and lays around 3-5 eggs. As you can see although very much alike, these two birds have some differences. That's it for this weeks newsletter. Stay tuned for next weeks topic coming soon. Brought to you by Burds The Wurd.

"All My Birds" Soap Opera Episode 2

Last Week on "All My Birds"
AG is falling for the new bird in town named Emerald. His girlfriend Petunia isn't too happy about this and will do anything she can to keep her feathers on her man. Zion also has eyes for Emerald. Will Emerald come between Zion and AG's friendship? All this and more will be revealed in this week's


Episode of "All My Birds"
All My Birds
Episode 2-May 7, 2013

AG is lost in thought when he is interrupted by the flapping of wings nearby. Zion flies down and lands beside him. They haven't spoken to each other in several days since their argument last week over Emerald. "Hey Zion" AG says as he looks away. Zion and AG have been friends for years and this is the first time they had ever had a true disagreement. "Yo AG" Zion says as he approaches him. "Listen man, about Emerald" AG starts to say. Zion cuts him off and says "Look I get it you like her, but you get every bird around here. Then you get tired of her and you move on. Emerald is special. She
could be the one for me" Zion says quietly. AG accidently laughs out loud. Zion says "What is that suppose to mean?" AG shakes his head and states "Nothing, it's just that Emerald is clearly the one for me, and yes she is indeed very special. We have a connection though Zion. You just think that because the humans put you both together in the same cage, that means it's destiny. It's not though dude. Emerald and I belong together" This statement starts to anger Zion. He puffs out his feathers and says "I'm not sure why I even came over here to your side of the aviary. It's clear we are never going to agree on this" AG shruggs and says "Nothing to agree on, Emerald and I are going to be together. You will find yourbirdie girl one day, but it's not her" Zion says "We will see about that! I'm tired of you getting everything you want AG. You dont' even appreciate all that you already have.
You have a beautiful girlfriend Petunia. Isn't that good enough for you?" AG rolls his eyes and says "Man see that's your problem. You get too caught up in jealousy just like the girls. Petunia is just that a "girlfriend" but I knew when I met her it wasn't going to be all that serious. Emerald though is just what I'm looking for. Zion says "whatever, you don't even hardly know her!" and flies off.

Meanwhile in another room of the birdhouse, Kiwi is looking at himself in the mirror. "Who am I?" he thinks to himself. He was fine with the way he looked, but he often wondered why he didn't look like his siblings and the rest of his family. His mother was a beautiful green quaker with lovely feathers. His father was a handsome yellow faced quaker. His siblings had a little bit of both his mother and father in their appearance. He however was very different. For starters, he had a dark black circle that went completely around his neck. His feathers were turquoise and not green or yellow. Last
but not least there was the issue of his beak, it was completely orange, almost red it was so dark. One could say he was a very attractive bird, but Kiwi just felt well....out of place and different. Whenever he asked his parents why he looked so different, they always changed the subject. He was tired of the run around. There had to be some sort of explanation, some information that would lead him to the truth. He intended to find out. He pulled a information card out from the tray in the bottom of his cage. The card reads Dr Rocky, Private Investigator. He quickly pulls out his I-Bird and calls the
number listed on the card. On the other line he hears a female voice. "Dr Rocky's Office."  Kiwi clears his throat and triesto calm his nerves down. "Yes I would like to make an appointment with Private I Rocky" he says his voice shaking. "Sure would tomorrow around 2 pm be good for you?" states the voice on the other line. "Yes ma'am that will be fine." "What is your name sir and what is this in regards to?" "My name is Kiwi Flockhart and I want to find out why I look so different than my birth parents." The voice on the line asks him "Kiwi, are you adopted?" Kiwi thinks for a moment, hmmm well that would explain a lot. He says "I'm not sure but it's a possiblity. I would like to investigate into things further." He confirms the appointment and hangs up. "Adopted???" he thinks to himself. He is nervous about tomorrow and also interested to see what he finds out.

Across town Petinua is sitting in a birdie fertility clinic. She has been feeling quite sick to her stomach the past couple of weeks. She is also having strange food cravings. Just then the Dr comes out and asks her to come back into his office. It is there that she learns that she is pregnant! "Omg" she screams to the Dr. This can't be! The Dr shows her the pregnany results and says "Oh it can be and it is. You are with egg!" Petunia starts to freak out even more. How is she going to tell AG this news? She and AG have had an on again off again relationship for the past several years. She has mentioned
getting married and having a family to him several times. Each time he rejects the idea and says "he's just not that sort of guy." How is she going to break this news to him? He hasn't hardly even paid her any attention since Emerald has come into town. She thinks to herself "what does Emerald have that I don't and how am I going to explain to AG that he's going to be a Daddy?!" Petunia flies out of the birdie clinic and across the street over to Petsmart. She starts walking around in the baby bird section, thinking about her pregnancy. She looks over to the right and sees her best friend Scooter
shopping too. She and Scooter have been dear friends for a long time. Scooter is gay and has been without a mate for quite some time. She met Scooter while she was working at the Bird Botique in a nearby town. Scooter sees Petunia and waves her over. "Hey girl, you're looking good, how you been?" Petunia says "well honestly I have been better. I look and feel like a beached whale." Scooter says "No you always look pretty Petunia, but what's the
matter?" "I am pregnant, can you believe that? Pregnant! AG is the Daddy! What am I going to do Scooter" she asks. "Oh my that's a prickly subject Petunia, you know that's not going to jive with AG's bachelor lifestyle at all!" "I know that but I'm going to have to tell him or maybe you could tell him for me? He might take it better if it comes from someone else." "No Petunia, you need to be the one who tells him. He deserves to hear something of this magnitude from you."

Down at the lake Emerald is looking at the sunset when she hears a slight noise behind her. She turns to look and sees AG flying down to a nearby tree. Their eyes lock. They meet in the middle of the field. Her feathers glistening in the sun, she has never looked more beautiful. " I thought I might find you here" he says to her. "Yes you found me AG, you look really tired. Are you okay?" asks Emerald "Yes I'm fine, but I've come here to ask you a question" he says barely above a whisper"..."Yes AG, you can ask me anything" she says as they move closer together" "Will you be a part of my flock,
will you be my birdfriend?" Emeralds heart starts beating faster, as they lock eyes once more. " I would love to be a part of your flock AG, I'm very flattered. You're the most handsome bird I've ever seen" Emerald says blushing. "You're the most beautiful bird in the world Emerald. Before you I never wanted to settle down, but you make me see the true beauty in life" AG gushes. "Awww and you are so sweet, AG. Everyone has told me I should be careful around you, but I trust you and I am so happy to be a part of your flock now." AG puts his head down. "There's just one thing Emerald, and
that's the issue of Petunia. You see she and I were together before you moved to town. Now she is hurt because I told her I have fallen for you, and she isn't taking it the best to say the least!" Emerald puts her wing around AG. "I know she is hurt and I really do hate that. In time though she will move on and find another love. Everything is going to be alright." "I sure hope so" AG says with a worried look on his face.

Back in the birdhouse, Joey is looking out the window admiring the sun setting as the moon begins to rise. At first it's just a dark shadow. He can't quite make out what he's seeing. Joey rubs his eyes and opens them even wider. Just then out steps the most beautiful bird in the world, a crow! Her black feathers shine in the moon/sun light.   She looks his way. "Oh no, I can't let her see me like this!"  Joey is quite the opposite. He's very colorful with bright yellows, greens,oranges, and reds. He hides behind another cage. She looks away and back towards the moon. "Phew!" that was close he thinks. He continues to watch her over the next several minutes. Everything about her is different from him, yet he can't take his eyes off of her. Joey vows to find out who the mystery chic is and how he will fit in with her flock.