plane tickets!

It's been a while since I've last updated, but I've been busy busy... well, mostly. I bought my plane tickets yesterday and I will be headed to San Ignacio (to your left) on January 13th. My car has not yet been sold, but there is a back up plan in place. I won't find out for a couple of weeks as to whether my student loans will be deferred or not, but I decided to go ahead and purchase my tickets and hope for the best. Speaking of, don't forget that 'donate' button on the right hand side of my blog. Anything you can donate would be appreciated to help offset the cost of my trip so that I can help these birds!

Speaking of birds, many of the species that CASA rehabilitates are parrots. I currently have no experience with parrots so I'm researching all that I can in order to be prepared. I've included some pictures of a couple of species they are currently rehabilitating. A white fronted parrot (right) is one of the several species

of parrots that are presently at CASA. From what I understand, there are quite a few parrot species that come in during the baby season. Let's hope they don't sound like finches! There are some species of birds in Belize that are also found in South Carolina... for example, there's the wood thrush to your left (via USFWS website). They're up there on my favorites... look as those spots!

I've gotten a short wish list for those of you who have access or know somebody who has access to veterinary or medical supplies. I'll be posting an updated list sometime in the near future.

Equipment: opthalmoscope, refractometer, centrifuge

Supplies: square gauze, 1 cc syringes, small gauge needles (25G, 26G, etc), parrot hand-raising formula with no preservatives (Harrison's is ideal), good quality cat and dog food.

I'm starting to become overwhelmed with all that I have to do before I leave. Luckily, I've recruited my friend Stephanie to speak to me in only Spanish from now on to help me out in that aspect. At least I'll have two languages of the many to help me get by.

If anybody has any avian / parrot rehabilitation books to suggest, let me know!