Bundaberg parrot expert John Kluth has travelled the world providing tips to fellow bird breeders.
He has offered lectures in countries including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan and New Zealand.
“Overseas I’m regarded as an authority on certain subjects,” Mr Kluth said.
“I’m a parrot nutritionist who works out what food values are. My greatest passion is the welfare of the birds rather than the breeding.
He has a friend with an African Grey that can speak three languages, sing happy birthday and count to 12.
“I get a lot of satisfaction from communicating with people from overseas who really need help.”
Mr Kluth said he didn’t recommend a seed-only diet for most birds.
“If you were a vegetarian you could live on what we feed the birds,” he said.
Mr Kluth’s involvement in breeding has included too many species to list, from canaries and black cockatoos to Macaws.
Through Johnny’s Parrot Tips on Facebook, Mr Kluth said he had posted more than 1000 articles on parrots.
Where the parrot story began
About 50 years ago Mr Kluth purchased his first bird. It was a galah and a gift for his girls who would push the bird in a pram and cover it with a blanket.
“I call it the pink chicken,” he said.
“If I had to sell all my birds and I could only keep one I’d keep my pink chicken.”
Mr Kluth can share many stories about the special bond between birds and their owners from cuddles to regular morning greetings.
“These are memories that are very rewarding – there can be a lot of affection.”
African Grey an intelligent bird
Mr Kluth is currently breeding African Grey Parrots and said they were one of the more interesting species.
He has a friend with an African Grey that can speak three languages, sing happy birthday and count to 12.
“African Grey Parrot is the most intelligent bird in the world,” he said.
“They have the mentality of a six-year-old. They can learn over 1000 words and phrases.”
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