On December 26th, I was given the most precious gift a person could ever get – a baby Umbrella Cockatoo.My husband, Matt, and I made an hour and a half drive to a breeder in Gregory, Michigan. When we arrived we were greeted by Mike and shown downstairs, where we waited anxiously to meet our … Read more
There are a number of diseases and disorders which can affect birds skin and feathers. Some may be inherited, while others, such as parasites, can be contracted. Knowing which are serious and what to do if they occur can greatly improve a bird’s comfort and even save its life. Some of the more common skin … Read more
You’ve fallen totally and deeply in love with that one special bird. It is sooooo cute and sweet. Only thing is, it isn’t weaned yet. The breeder or pet shop clerk tells you if you buy it now, you can easily finish the handfeeding and your bond with the baby will be much closer because it will … Read more
This seems to be a subject that comes up a lot and has been for years. Hopefully this information will help some of you in making the decision to use or not use grit as a part of your cockatiel’s diet.Cockatiels and other parrot type birds don’t need grit in their diet. In fact if … Read more
5:10 The alarm goes off. I awake in my mom’s arms. Each night we sleep together on the couch. Mom bought some wood floor pieces to put by the couch for me to poop on. After I pooped on the carpet a few times, she wisened up. A few times during the evening when she … Read more
When a distressed bird is taken to an avian veterinarian, respiratory disease is often found to be the cause. Frequent sneezing, nasal discharge, periocular swelling, coughing, wheezing, and a voice change may be evident. Dyspnea, or labored breathing, may be seen at rest or after the bird flies a short distance. “Tail bobbing” or a … Read more
With so many cages available on the market today how do you choose the right one? That is the question I asked everyone from veterinarians to manufacturers, breeders, distributors, retailers, bird owners and anyone else who might have an educated opinion. I received many different opinions, all valuable, but the most important issue that all … Read more
I have been involved in many aspects of aviculture over the past eight years. Of all of them, training has taught me the most about birds. It has enhanced my relationship with my pet birds and has helped me in socializing young birds that we hand raise. Training has helped me to better understand birds’ … Read more
Kita menjaga burung Burung menjaga hutan Hutan menjaga kita We look after the birds The birds look after the forest The forest looks after us. – Project Bird Watch motto Perhaps you’ve heard of Dr. Charles Munn’s Tambopata Research Center in Peru where macaws are the center of attention? Tourists go there from all over … Read more
Feathers are unique to birds. They provide insulation, camouflage, protection, water repellency and display. In some species of birds, the feathers of the male and female are identical. These birds are monomorphic – meaning their sex can’t be determined by their physical appearance. Other species are dimorphic – meaning the male and female look different … Read more