Alice Wender 
Last month in Part I, I discussed some emergencies that may arise with your bird. This month’s column covers additional ones. Some emergencies such as landing on a hot stove or eating lead solder from a planter can be prevented, but many cannot and occur at the worst possible time. Here are some of the … Read more
With the end of summer and the beginning of fall upon us, bird fairs are in full swing all around the country. At any of these fairs, prospective buyers can find almost any species of exotic bird, cages, cage accessories, feed, treats, toys, breeder supplies, and anything else that could be remotely bird related. For … Read more
TEFLON No product that has Teflon or any non-stick coating belongs in a house with a bird. Teflon – and any non-stick coating – is very serious business for birds. Non-stick coatings are everywhere – space heaters, irons, bread machines, ovens and racks, ironing board covers, waffle irons, burner pans or grilles, etc. Be sure that any … Read more
Birds have methods of eating which are all their own and are designed to befuddle their owners. Somehow they must have a way of communicating them to each other, since many birds use these techniques with their humans. Here are some common eating and drinking rules of etiquette, strictly from a birds point of view. … Read more
Many of the behavior problems seen in Greys result from not permitting the bird to be a bird – or from a failure to understand and accept that Greys are prey animals from a wild world beyond our knowing and have little in common with familiar domesticated animals. Greys are exotic beings from a strange … Read more
Does this hypothetical advertisement interest you as a parrot owner?”Wanted: Live, organic, taste-tempting food crop for parrots; must cost no more than twenty to forty cents per pound and must grow in a very limited space without soil, sunlight, or fertilizer; must be ready to harvest in less than a week; must contain abundant natural … Read more
Of all the birds kept as pets, none are so widely diversified as the finch. As members of the genus Poephilia, finches range across nearly every corner of the globe. They live on all the continents, ranging as far north as the Arctic in Canada. Their size varies from a couple of inches to over … Read more
A happy, well-adjusted and trusting Grey is the product of a breeder or handfeeder who understands Greys; who provides a calm and reassuring environment; who is willing to take the time to guide this young life along the path to acceptance and understanding of the idea that humans are kind, gentle and loving. Socialization starts … Read more
The avian female reproductive tract has evolved over time into a complex structure, unique to birds. The process of forming and laying an egg is one of nature’s many wonders.Just like many other female animals, the avian female begins life with two ovaries and oviducts. However, in most species of birds, the left ovary and … Read more
Long before my husband Ken and I started Birds n Ways, we were pet owners. Over a period of seven years we had added two conures and four umbrella cockatoos to our family. We owned a book or two about birds and subscribed to a popular bird magazine, but we really knew very little about … Read more