We've been trying to find the best grouping of our smaller birds so that everyone is happy and stimulated to their comfort level. We had Ginger, green cheeked conure, and Joli, European starling, together and that was working just fine. They respected each other, gave space easily, and even interacted throughout the day in positive ways. Willow, the ringneck dove, was paired with a young fancy pigeon named Blue. Willow had taught Blue how to eat pellets and be calm around people, but recently Blue matured and started being dominant over Willow. The pair was split up and Willow was without a companion. Ginger and Joli had lived next to the dove for over six months and so we decided to give it a shot. In neutral territory the three mismatched birds were very polite to each other. We moved them into Willow's larger enclosure and besides a small amount of territorial displays from Willow (raising one wing partially, but never lashing out), the three settled in nicely. Willow enjoys the lower perches and is content to watch the other two eat and climb around above. Willow loves to take baths but always had to be prompted to go into the bath bowl, with Joli around Willow is stimulated to join in the water splashing fest. Ginger watches Willow eat and when he's done eating, Ginger will go look over anything he's left. They all have very different nutritional needs and surprisingly they are all content eating their own diets. Though Ginger does sneak over to Joli's dish every once in awhile to snag a piece of egg. Joli, doesn't mind and she's already had her fill. They've been together for a week now and are still doing great! We love when new pairings work out so well. Even though they aren't the same species they find companionship and stimulation from each others presence. Which raises the question can't we all just get along?

Boy did it dump on us last night!! We have 8 more inches of snow that's covering a 2 inch layer of sheet ice. Even the Yak-Tracks don't do much good when clumped up with snow. So we're hunkering down and spending the day doing inside chores. Tango, the Patagonian Cavy, is still braving the cold temperatures in his dirt floored enclosure but is smart enough to come inside through his doggy door into the warm of the Mammal Room. The birds are happily watching the snow fall out their window but are as warm as a bug in a rug. Pashta, the Spanish Mustang, has been keeping a lookout at a pair of wild coyotes that have been frequenting the area ever since the two llamas were taken down by a mountain lion. She's very vigilant and almost as good of a watch dog as Mighty Quinn (Great Pyrenees x German Shepard) and Molly (beagle). Pashta has taken refuge under her shelter and let the heavy snow fall elsewhere than her back and eyelashes. It's as quite as a sound proof room right now. Even the seldom dog barks are muffled by the white cushion of softly falling snow. Truly a winter wonderland. Though it could be more appropriately enjoyed, say on Christmas Day. Maybe in the future we will have the pleasure of caring for a cold weather animal. For the time being all the tropical animals (including Peruvian born Augusto) will experience the beauty of snowfall from a distance.