Bubba and the Sweet Pea

Bubba and the Sweet Pea is a children's book, written by Gladys Bourtros who lives in Australia.  It is about her Sulfur Crested Cockatoo, named Bubba. Bubba was hatched with PBFD, (Psittacine beak and feather disease). He was a beautiful little guy with a personality and a zest for life like you couldn't believe!  In his 4 1/2 short years on this earth he took a wonderful journey and inspired his owner, Gladys Bourtros to write a book that will help so many.

"Bubba, a beautiful and magnificent cockatoo, is the show’s star attraction! But something very strange is happening…Bubba is losing his feathers!  With hope and courage, Bubba sets out on an unforgettable journey in search of Uriah the great Eagle, who has the power to grant any wish.  All Bubba has to offer Uriah is a humble sweet pea.Join Bubba on his amazing adventure in quest of his feathers, as he learns through his struggles and fears, what it means to be truly beautiful."                                                          ~From the Website

Gladys and Bubba battled this awful disease together. A disease that currently has no cure.  Their story is not about PBFD, it is a story about inner beauty and the power it has. This book and its message can help children who are challenged with issues of self worth. With so much emphasis on outward appearance, our children are rarely taught the importance of self esteem and inner beauty! In addition, 100% of the proceeds from the sale of this book will go to raise awareness and funds for further research of Beak and Feather Disease and hopefully a cure.  

The book is illustrated beautifully by Andras Balogh. This book can be enjoyed by young and old alike, and the book makes a wonderful gift too! I just purchased a bunch to give as gifts to many of my young friends!  You may order the book here. Gladys can also be found on Twitter and Facebook, send her a "Like", and tell her Einstein sent you!

It's Raining Tail Feathers!!!

Thunderstorms don't scare me... until the other night!  We've had a drought here in Texas and we've been with out thunder for a very long time.  The other night we had a really LOUD clap of thunder and it literally scared the TAIL FEATHERS out of me!!!  I was all comfy cozy in my cage with my cage cover on dreaming birdie dreams.  Then WAMO! I thought I was a Goner!  My instincts kicked in and I automatically released all but 3 of my tail feathers!  

You may not know this, but birds have a built in defense mechanism where we release our feathers when we feel threatened. Better for the predator to get a mouth full of feathers than get us! I lost 9 that night and molted 2 the previous week end. As a result the back of the bus has very few passengers! (If you know what I mean.)  Oh, don't worry... the feathers will grow back! I am fine and acting perfectly normal. No other feathers are ruffled.

All of my Facebook friends have been so nice and supportive of me.  Here are a few of the comments I have received:
    Can I have your feathers? :) ♥
    Aw, you're cute with short hair. :)
    Aww poor buttless birdy.
    Poor, poor E! Ask your humans for some knickers or coveralls!

They also asked some really good questions:
When you feather come back in does it itch or hurt. I guess what I'm trying to say is, is it uncomfortable?
Good question! Last time this happened, I didn't like my tail stroked. Marcia pets me with a long stroke
from head to tails with her hand cupped. When her hand got to the tail, I didn't like it and moved my tail
out of the way. My tail was sore. She will not be stroking my tail for a couple of months!
Does this affect your balance at all?
You would think it would affect my balance, but I still get around just as well as I did before. 
I can still fly-hop from my perch to the kitchen counter and to the table. I perch just fine, no problems!
Why is your cage so clean?
Ha! My cage got cleaned the night before. This picture was taken first thing this morning. My morning bomb was done on my play perch. Also, if the humans are home I'm usually out of my cage, hence a neat and tidy cage, but BIG messes around the play perches!

This has happened to me before.  Once, in September 2010 I was in my cage sleeping and all was quiet.  No thunderstorms that night.  Can't tell you what scared me exactly, might have been a bad dream or it may of been a Gecko. They come into the house during the summer. They are tiny little guys and don't hurt anything but to eat an occasional spider they find here and there.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_House_Gecko

Morning After: September 14, 2010 

Thinner, but still Pretty!  September 2010

Re-growth after  4 weeks

Re-growth after 6 1/2 weeks

Now, if you will excuse me... I have some feather making to do!