Alice Wender

Questions From A New Owner

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Constance,I just finished reading your article, An Overview of the Eclectus Parrot, on the Internet. After several weeks of research, I narrowed my search to an African Grey, or an Eclectus. Upon further review, I selected the Eclectus. I wanted a bird of great intelligence and talking possibilities, while at the same time a PRETTY … Read more

Birds At Meetings

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Many members bring their birds to the club meetings. Since many avian diseases are airborne, you shouldn’t bring any new birds to the meeting that have not been quarantined for a minimum of six weeks. Quarantine means in a separate area from all other birds, preferably another room with a closed door to prevent airborne … Read more

Lesser Known Bird Diseases (Humor)

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There exists a Health Department rule in some states that prohibits parrots from entering certain health care facilities. However, dogs, cats, and llamas are permitted on those premises, but not those nasty parrots. Those filthy mammalian visitors can carry many different insects, worms, bacteria (and worse) which can attack the human body. As far as … Read more

Safe Food And Preparation Tips

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Food safety has made headlines in newspapers and magazines lately due to outbreaks of diseases such as hepatitis, E.Coli infections, and food poisoning, to name a few. Common food poisonings found in humans include E.coli 0157:H7, salmonella, campylobacter and listeria. Leaving fresh food and water in the bird’s cage for several hours may be the … Read more

Eclectus Diet

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As new food facts surface and more formulated diets become available for our birds, nutrition remains the most debated subject in birdkeeping and aviculture. Some still question the use of an all-pellet diet, and the need for a greater consumption of water for birds who are on a diet consisting of all dry foods (nuts, … Read more

Psittacosis

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Psittacosis may not be the most common disease in your flock, but it is the one you need to be most aware of. This is because Psittacosis (or more technically Chlamydiosis or Chlamydia) is the one disease your birds may give to you, and unless recognised, it can be fatal! The Chlamydia organism, which is … Read more

Are Your Birds Bored?

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I receive lots of calls and visits from pet bird owners. All of them with the same question, “My sweet bird is beginning to pluck feathers. What do I do?” The first thing I ask them is, “Have you had them examined by your avian veterinarian?” Most of the time, the answer is, “NO.” whenever … Read more

Preparing to Breed

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The first thing that a breeder must have accomplished before attempting to breed is to have healthy, well exercised stock that has been fed a nutritionally balanced diet. Depending n the size of your breeding operation, it would be advisable to select a few breeders and have them checked by a good avian vet. Cultures, … Read more

Cockatiel Breeding Basics

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Breeding is not a decision to be made lightly. If you haven’t read the article about deciding whether you should breed yet please do, otherwise, read on. Cockatiel breeding is not especially difficult but it will require time, commitment, and thought. First of all you need a pair of suitable birds, a male and a … Read more