MAARS needs your help to create a new sanctuary that provides space for flight. Your support is vital for giving the birds an environment that can better meet their unique needs than the current location.
Parrot Science: Beyond the Beak (Ft. Cass)
Exploring the biology, evolution, and ecology of parrots—one fact at a time.
#MAARS #parrots #sanctuary #cockatoos #nonprofit
In the past month, two high-profile pet store disasters made headlines. These tragedies underscore the danger of keeping and selling animals as “pets.” Almost all animals sold in pet stores are bred in cruel mills and shipped hundreds, even thousands, of miles, to reach a shelf. Even if an animal survives that journey, there’s no guarantee they’ll survive in the store.
Recent Disasters Expose the Hidden Suffering in Pet Stores
www.worldanimalprotection.us
The recent explosion of a fish tank and the seizure of more than 350 sick birds from pet stores expose the dangers in selling animals.
Did You Know: A parrot’s tongue is a very important body part and plays a fundamental role in many functions while compensating for the absence of teeth. A healthy tongue is vital for a parrot's overall well-being, influencing their ability to eat and vocalize. While all birds’ tongues have bones and cartilage, only parrots have muscular tongues. Smaller parrots mainly use their tongue to guide food into their mouth, while larger ones use it in several other ways.
For instance, cockatoos such as the umbrella cockatoo, macaws, and African grays use their tongue together with their beaks to search for food, select and move objects, and break apart thick or heavy objects. The position of a parrot's tongue also affects the pitch and loudness of their sounds, aiding in communication.
Interestingly, parrots do not taste with their tongue. While it is true that parrots have taste buds and can taste food, their taste buds are located at the back of their tongue, which means they must swallow before they can taste.
Here, Umbrella Cockatoo Sputnik shows another great use of his tongue-breaking open a Christmas present!
#MAARS #Parrots #Sanctuary #Cockatoos #Nonprofit
Learn more about our upcoming events, fundraisers, and more!
