Cockatiels

I have always loved birds. Over the years I have had a lot of different breeds, but one of my favorites have always been Cockatiels. They are lively, not to big and can be very loving. Kiwi, has no problems with me holding her and she loves to "preen" my hair. I have a few recipes that I make and freeze to give her as treats. These recipes can be given to other birds also.




Carrot-Squash Muffins

2 eggs
1/4 Cup peanut oil
1/4 pkg. protein powder
1 Jr. size baby fruit - any flavor
1 Cup yellow self-rising cornmeal
1 Cup self-rising whole wheat flour
1 Cup grated fresh carrots including tops when available
1 Cup grated fresh yellow squash

Beat eggs and peanut oil until well blended. Add all dry ingredients including protein powder. Add baby fruit and mix well; add grated vegetables.

Spoon into miniature size muffin pans using muffin cups to avoid greasing pans. May also be baked in high-sided cookie pan and cut into one inch squares after baking

DO NOT use Teflon coated cooking ware since odor will kill birds!!!!

Bake at 400°F for approximately 15 minutes.

Muffins freeze well.

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Bird Muffins

1 pkg. Jiffy cornbread mix
Milk as directed on box
6 eggs including the shells
1 cup Kaytee Exact Rainbow
2 cups mixed veggies
1/4 cup shelled, unsalted Sunflower Seeds
1 cup Nestling food
Anything else you may have on hand

Preheat oven to indicated temperature on Jiffy box. Mix according to the directions on the Jiffy box.

Add the remaining ingredients. Grease 9" x 13" pan. Spread evenly in the pan. Check the bread often, as it will not take long to cook (approximately 8-10 minutes). Cool completely. Cut into squares and freeze until needed. Defrost and serve.

Bird Watching

I love nature in general, but lately have I have been doing a lot more bird watching. Living in Florida gives me plenty of birds to view. Right now we have a pair of Burrowing Owls living in an old Gopher tortoise burrow. It is so cool to see these tiny owls. I keep the feeders full and make my own Woodpecker bars to keep all the birds coming back. This year we have seen so many different birds at the feeder it has been amazing. We also have a bird bath set away from the feeders that attracts the birds too.

We have our normal visitors such as, a family of Cardinals, Carolina Wrens, Blue Jays, Morning Dove, Brown Thrasher, Eurasian Collared Dove and Red Belly Woodpeckers. On top of those we have had some Indigo Buntings, Rose Breasted Grosbeaks, Tufted Titmouse and Downey Woodpeckers. Every once in awhile we are lucky enough to see a Ruby Throated Hummingbird too!! I was just awestruck the first time I saw one!

I will post some of the recipes I have for home made suet cakes and what I find works best in my feeders in another post.