Script for Matt Linton        Mickaboo Companion Bird Rescue

My intro:

I love to watch the animal segments on late night talk shows.  Yet they always seem so rushed.  Just as one animal settles down and gets comfortable, out he goes and in comes another.  On our show we like to really get to know our special guests.  Today we have a volunteer from Mickaboo Companion Bird Rescue.  Let’s meet Matt Linton and his friend Socrates.  Welcome.  What a beautiful cockatoo.

You have had Socrates for 11 years now.  What do you know about his history?

Did he adapt easily to his new home or did he have trouble?

Not only did you adopt a bird, but you also became a volunteer after seeing how you could fill a need in the operation.  What did you do?

Mickaboo is not looking to take in any more birds now.  What do they need?

We have a conure so we can relate to the story about the wild parrots of Telegraph Hill.  We didn’t know about Mickaboo’s involvement.  Please go into that for us.

You mentioned to me that when you started as a volunteer Mickaboo took in about 50 birds and now it is up to around 400.  What factors have caused the big increase?

Which types of birds should people really think twice about before deciding to adopt?

Mickaboo has a lost and found posted on the website.  Are there any success stories that you can share?

Are there any general warnings about a bird’s wellness and light conditions that people should know?

Tell us about Mickacoo?

What is your favorite Mickaboo story? (one with a happy ending) have caused the big increase?

Which types of birds should people really think twice about before deciding to adopt?

Mickaboo has a lost and found posted on the website.  Are there any success stories that you can share?

Are there any general warnings about a bird’s wellness and light conditions that people should know?

Tell us about Mickacoo?

What is your favorite Mickaboo story? (one with a happy ending)

Hi Matt,
 
Your ideas are very sound about why bird behavior changes.
 
Will you bring a perch for Socrates or will he sit on the cage or?  Will there be another volunteer?
 
What do you think the public should know that may not have been covered yet in the media?  If you could list maybe 5 topics that you really want to cover in this half hour, that will be helpful.  i want to do a good show for Micaboo and one where people will sit up and listen.  I welcome your ideas.  Is there anything you would like to demonstrate.
 
One of the things that I found out that I didn't know is that birdseed was not the best food for my conure.  I had to change to pellets with seeds as a treat.
 
All the Best,
Darlene
 

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Date: Fri, 29 Apr 2011 09:55:52 -0700
From: matt@mickaboo.org
To: ddcarman@msn.com
Subject: Re: Greetings from Mickaboo;


Yes, Socrates is a rescue.  I got him in early 2001.

It can mean many things when a tame and well loved bird starts screeching.  Squawks are a parrots' natural flock call, so the bird could be just wanting to make sure everyone is still around.  They could suddenly be scared of their spot in the house (maybe they can see cats from their windows, etc), or they may be jealous that a new baby is getting attention and they feel sidelined.

Another common thing is that birds purchased as babies are quieter and more tame and cuddly when they're babies - but around age 7 or so they hit bird puberty and get MUCH louder and more rambunctious.

The increase in intake for Mickaboo is probably partly just that there were always a lot of birds needing to be re-homed and as Mickaboo's capacity grew, they were able to intake a greater number of those birds.  The other part of this is that in the last 2 years with the economy tanking, a LOT of families are losing their houses (rentals and owners) and the new housing they find is bird incompatible - so they have to give up their pets.

On 4/28/11 1:38 PM, Doug Carman wrote:

Hi Matt,
 
Is Socrates a rescue bird?  You say he changed your world around.  My bird did too.  My son and then girlfriend bought the bird, her dog scared him and he landed up at my house.  Then my son moved out like a week later to be with her and that is how I got my bird.  He has his wings.  He loves people, but will bite.  I can't keep babysitters when I travel.  He is used to being out of the cage for a portion of the day. How has your bird changed your life? 
 
What does it mean when a parrot who was tame and well loved all of a sudden starts screeching?  The wife made her husband give up his baby.  I am sure we both want to inform people about the responsibilites of having birds or pets like these.
 
That is interesting that when you started they were doing 50 birds or so and now up to 400.  What has caused this big increase-any ideas?
 
 
All the Best,
Darlene
 

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Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2011 22:41:13 -0700
From: matt@mickaboo.org
To: ddcarman@msn.com
Subject: Re: Greetings from Mickaboo;


My Cockatoo's name is Socrates.  I would love a script! :)  I do know a lot of the stories behind Mickaboo, and some of the birds, as well as general "How we work" type information.

Socrates doesn't do tricks (he thinks he's too dignified) but he is tame, loves to be outside cages, loves people and can talk a bit.  I don't think the cameras will bother him.

I've always been interested in parrots, since I was a little kid.  I got Socrates with my (then) girlfriend (now wife) about 11 years ago and he really changed my world around!  Shortly thereafter I ended up volunteering for Mickaboo when I realized that they really needed a techie around.  Since they're all volunteer they rely solely on internet collaboration to get things done - and back then it was big spreadsheets being emailed around!  I joined up with them to streamline their operations and build up their technical infrastructure.

I believe when I joined they had capacity to help about 50 birds per year - up to about 400 now.

On 4/27/11 2:20 PM, Doug Carman wrote:

Hi Matt,
 
Thank you for writing to me.  Now we can plan our conversation for the show.  What is your Cockatoo's name?  I have a conure named Doofus.  I actually write a script so we will know ahead of time what to talk about.  This is where I need your help.  Besides the bird rescue, we will want to expand our conversation.  The website will be up when you talk.  I look for conversation outside the website info.  I know you have good bird stories about how the birds came into the rescue.  What other areas do you think people would be interested in? 
 
Will your cockatoo be outside a cage?  Is he used to cameras?  The 3 cameras will be stationary.  Does he do tricks?
 
Can you tell me about your interest and background with birds?
 
All the Best,
Darlene
 
> Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2011 09:38:14 -0700
> From: matt@mickaboo.org
> To: ddcarman@msn.com
> Subject: Greetings from Mickaboo;
>
>
> Hi Doug or Darlene (your email signature sometimes says Doug and
> sometimes Darlene).
>
> I'm the volunteer who will be bringing the Cockatoo to the TV show
> filming. Is there anything I need to know in advance? Topics I should
> be prepared to talk about, etc?
>
> Thanks very much for giving us this opportunity to do outreach for our
> bird rescue!