Zoonotic diseases are diseases that are transmissable from animals to humans. Young children, elderly adults and immunocompromised individuals are at the greatest risk of being infected by a zoonotic disease. Immunocompromised individuals include those infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (AIDS Virus), patients taking immunosuppressive drugs, cancer patients, and the unborn fetus. Although the list … Read more
Looking for a bird that is affectionate, playful, bold, perky, garrulous, intelligent, inquisitive, fearless, mischievous, feisty, and who thinks that it is as large as a macaw all rolled up in an eight inch long frame? Then look no further, the grey-cheeked parakeet is all of those things and more. Physical Characteristics Weighing in at … Read more
Ozone generators are air cleaners, not air filters. An air filter draws air through a filter of some kind. The filter material allows the air to past through but catches the air borne pollutants in the filter material. Ozone air cleaners remove nothing from the environment. Bacteria are neutralized and all airborne pollutants are electrically … Read more
When Sam and I bought Ariel, our golden-capped conure, Sam already had a bird, I already had a bird, and we had promised ourselves (and our children) that we were not getting any more birds. Additionally, I had privately resolved that if we ever did get another bird, it was certainly not going to be … Read more
Occasionally, we find it necessary to medicate our feathered friends. Here are some pointers to help you with this task. FIRST APPLICATION: Retrieve the bird from the cage. Set the bird on a table and hold its head by carefully grasping the neck where it joins the lower jaw, or mandible. With your other hand, … Read more
Our pet conure, Woodgie, had become a super-biter, but with only me. I even decided that he was a Daddy’s boy and had chosen my hubby as his pal, and was almost resigned to a life with limited Woodgie contact. But….he always wanted to be with me, even biting. So I decided to look at … Read more
Herbal medicine was early man’s first line of defense against the many ills and accidents that plagued him. Ancient humans learned from the observation of animals, including birds, how to use leaves, earth, mud and water to make soothing applications. Although the methods were crude, several of today’s medicines are based upon sources as simple … Read more
Grooming is an important aspect of daily care that is necessary to maintain optimum health. Bathing is included in this category. Routine bathing will not only enhance your bird’s appearance, but is necessary to keep feathers in prime condition.Most birds will eagerly enjoy a shower or bath. In colder climates it is best to bathe … Read more
After contemplating all the pros and cons of owning a parrot (or rather, allowing one to own you!), you may decide that a parrot is the perfect companion for you and your family. After this first major hurdle is accomplished, deciding on a species is the next logical step. This may seem like a confusing … Read more
You may be surprised at how affordably we can feed pesticide-free foods to our parrots. It is much easier now to select foods that promote health and longevity by minimizing the exposure of our birds to toxic pesticide residues, thanks to a report by the Environmental Working Group on the toxicity of produce. This report … Read more