CPC 2006

LEFT TO RIGHT: Suzan Payne, Larry Clifford, Mark Hagen (behind), Michelle Aubin, Neville Connors, Sally Blanchard, Nathalie Lemieux and Dr. Branson Ritchie.

Summary by Connie Jaskinskas, CPC Master of Ceremonies

Written for the GTPC Feb 2006 Newsletter

This year, the Canadian Parrot Conference came to roost in Guelph, at the Holiday Inn on Stone Road. Conference delegates and their feathered friends enjoyed the large, open atrium with plenty of natural light and vegetation. We also enjoyed free parking, and easy access to the Stone Road Mall. Holiday Inn staff did an outstanding job of meeting our needs. Staff and hotel guests were very interested in the wonderful parrots that attended this year’s conference.

As always, the presenters were the stars of the show. This year, CPC speakers came from as far away as Australia to share their unique knowledge of psitticine health and behaviour. Delegates had ample opportunity to listen, ask questions, share stories, and enjoy dinner with these experts in their field.

Dr. Branson Ritchie, Distinguished Research Professor of Small Animal Medicine, and respected author, University of Georgia (www.uga.edu) presented his internationally recognized research regarding the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease in psittacine species. He discussed serological tests and DNA probes for beak-and-feather disease and polyoma diseases as well as diagnostic tests for avian adenovirus. Dr. Ritchie and his research team has isolated and characterized the viruses that cause psittacine beak-and-feather disease and PVD disease. His research group has also developed a vaccine for Pacheco’s disease, Chlamydia, and polyomavirus, which causes a fatal disease in psittacine birds.

The inimitable Sally Blanchard (www.companionparrot.com) shared her expertise and anecdotes regarding companion parrot behaviour. We learned that many of our human habits can trigger instinctive (and sometimes undesirable) behaviours in our companion birds. Sally’s many years of experience as a parrot behaviorist, author, and educator were evident and much appreciated.

Michelle Aubin, Curator, Exotic Birds Zoo Icare educated delegates about mixed species aviaries. We were treated to wonderful photos of large aviaries with an abundant variety of psittacine species comfortably co-existing. Michelle shared strategies for starting and maintaining a healthy, mixed-species flock.

Neville Connors, aviculturist and author, visited us from Casuarina Parrot Gardens in Australia. Delegates learned about Casuarina Parrot Gardens, as well as a variety of other Australian Aviaries. Neville explained the many challenges and rewards of aviary management in the land down under.

Larry Clifford, exotic bird trainer and author, shared training techniques and stories from his many years of experience as an animal trainer for television and the movie industry. Larry gave us first hand experience of reward-based animal training strategies. Using a ‘bridging’ sound and food reward, individual delegates were “trained” to perform a variety of tricks, including turning around and finding the door. Our own Natalie Lemieux seemed somewhat confused at times, but did eventually perform her trick as required.

Jacquie Blackburn was this year’s recipient of the CPC Aviculturist Service Award. She devoted many years of to the Canadian Parrot Symposium (east) events as director and organizer. Her dedication helped educate brought in a wide variety of amazing guest speakers for 13 years benefiting everyone in aviculture from breeders to pet bird owners.

Again this year, the Canadian Parrot Conference hosted an impressive trade show. Parrot owners love to visit this market-place, where they get great deals on everything you need to have a happy parrot, and a well-dressed parrot-parent. Vendors at the trade show once again generously donated many excellent items for draw prizes, and silent auction items.

The CPC Saturday evening banquet was a feast (thanks Holiday Inn!). During the banquet, delegates had the opportunity to dine with the speaker of their choice, as well as bid on an amazing variety of generously donated items. This year’s event brought in over $7000 in proceeds! Hagen’s booth food sales brought in an additional $2300 in proceeds. These funds were allocated to this year’s chosen charities as follows:

• PDD Research (Dr. Ritchie)
• Avian Disease Research, Ontario Veterinary College
• Exotic Zoo Birds and Sanctuary Icare

CPC 2006 Photo Album

[album:http://www.canadianparrotconference.ca/wp-content/plugins/dm-albums/CPC2006/CPC2006-NRLemieuxPics 001.jpg]

Suzan and Nathalie would like to thank everyone who helped make this conference a success.

THANK YOU!

• To all the volunteers who helped with every aspect of the conference!
• To all the wonderful guest speakers who took the time to share their knowledge and expertise!
• To the sponsors and vendors who supported the event!
• To all of the individuals who provided generous donations for the raffles and auction!

CPC DOCUMENTS and LINKS

• CPC 2006 Welcome Package
• CPC 2006 Poster
• CPC 2006 Brochure
• Advert — pdf for printing
• Registration Form
• Vendor Registration Form
• CPC 2006 Sponsors
• CPC 2006 Photo Gallery