No, this isn't some classic horror movie come to life, it's actually a good thing, they say. As far as they're concerned, "March is for the birds."

That's what all Santa Clara County libraries have decided to call the special bird-themed program going on at all of their locations throughout March. The promotion includes bird-related booklists for both children and adults and live, interactive programs and shows on site at each library.

"It has to do with springtime," explains Dolly Barnes, community librarian at the Saratoga Library. "Also, we've noticed interest in bird-watching has really increased over the last few years."

Earlier this week, the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society was on hand at the local library presenting a slideshow called "Your Backyard Birds."

Barnes and Peggy Baker, the children's librarian at the Saratoga Library, say the library has long been known for its storytimes, which are held regularly three times a week. Last week, Baker says, their storytimes reached an attendance of 75 toddlers. Baker adds that the three weekly storytimes are offered at various times to help accommodate many parents' schedules. This week, in keeping with March's bird theme, Barnes and Baker say former library employee Jean Nei will return for a special bird-themed storytime in Mandarin on March 9 at 7:30 p.m.

Probably one of the most anticipated programs this month will be the Performing Parrot Show by Happy Birds of San Jose.

Happy Birds, run by the husband-and-wife team of Ed and Julie Cardoza since 1989, puts on an exciting live show featuring several of their brightly colored and talented parrots. They say their group of 10 parrots are hand-raised and trained to be friendly with the public. Happy Birds has been featured on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Animal Planet, Evening Magazine and more.

Ed Cardoza says that in their show, the birds perform more than 25 tricks and behaviors, and audience participation is involved.

"They will be riding bikes and scooters, playing basketball, singing, talking, shopping with their little shopping cart, doing animal impersonations, and much more," he says.

In addition to their impressive TV history, Happy Birds has performed all over the state, including private and corporate parties, county fairs and more.

"We have a good time; it's a lot of fun," Ed says.

The Happy Birds Performing Parrot Show takes place at 4 p.m. on March 24 at the Saratoga Library. No advance registration is needed, and the show is free to the public.

The Saratoga Library will also be holding a drawing toward the end of the month for two passes to see the movie Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill, now showing at the Camera Cinemas in San Jose.

"It's a small movie, but it's really caught on," Barnes says. "It's based on a book we have here in our collection."

Barnes feels the community is enjoying the bird theme so far.

"We're just trying to have fun with it."

For more information on "March is for the Birds," including programs going on at other Santa Clara County library locations, visit www.santaclaracountylib.org. See Happy Birds online at www.happybirds.com.