Bathing Birds: Why, When And How

One of the most important things in maintaining our bird’s health is bathing. Bathing is natural to birds. It helps them in maintaining the quality of their feathers, keeping clean, removing dust, dander, loose feathers and debris from new feathers, moistening the skin, maintaining the insulation properties of their feathers and much more. Breeding birds … Read more

The Gregarious Goffin’s Cockatoo

The delightful Goffin’s Cockatoo (Cacatua goffini) is one of the gems of the avian world. While not quite as popular in the pet trade as their larger cousin, the Umbrella Cockatoo, these adorable, energetic birds have much to offer.Goffins are one of the smaller members of the cockatoo family, averaging around 12″-13″ in length and … Read more

Papillomatosis Disease

Papillomatosis refers to pink, proliferative, vascular wart-like or cauliflower-like growths of epithelium. Papillomas may occur singularly or in clusters. Although they may occur in the oral cavity, crop, esophagus, proventriculus, ventriculus, cloaca, respiratory tract and conjunctiva, the most common locations are the oral cavity and cloaca. Thought to be of viral etiology and infectious, spread … Read more

Nobody Ever Told Me… A Poem

I had hints, I had advice, I had cautions, but nobody told me how owning birds would completely take over my life.Nobody told me I’d become a bird store junky, standing at the checkout counter in bliss until half way home and then wondering just how long it would be before the Visa came in … Read more

Angel, The Jenday Conure

Colorful, cuddly and playful are the Jendaya Conures, called Jenday and also Janday by many folks. This is a picture of my Jenday, Angel, holding his toy bat.Jenday Conures are close kin to the Sun Conure in coloring, size and temperament. Both being aratinga conures, they have the charming personality, sweet dispositions and the characteristic … Read more

Seizures In Pet Birds

A seizure is a sudden, temporary loss of consciousness and control of motor function. It is caused by a paroxysmal, uncontrolled transient electrical discharge in the brain. Seizures may be mild to severe, partial or generalized, frequent or infrequent.When a seizure occurs, a bird may vocalize, lose consciousness, fall off its perch, flap its wings … Read more

Importance of Adequate Calcium & Phosphorus in the Diet

Calcium is essential for bone formation, muscle contraction, proper functioning of the nervous system and egg shell formation.Phosphorus is also essential for bone formation, metabolism of carbohydrates and fat, and calcium transport in egg formation. The diet provided to keep a bird healthy must contain adequate calcium and phosphorus and they must be present in … Read more