It is a well-known fact that parrots are especially sensitive to environmental toxins. Chemicals that normally are only irritating to humans and other animals can be acutely toxic to parrots. The inhalation of carbon monoxide exhaust or fumes from overheated Teflon products, which would cause no apparent damage to humans or other animals, can be … Read more
Going on vacation can be a major problem for anyone who has a pet bird. Finding a care giver for your favorite pet who is knowledgeable and willing to take care of your birds can be difficult. Whether you are hiring a professional pet sitting service, or are having a friend/or relative take care of … Read more
Bird owners have discovered how much their pet birds enjoy children and baby toys. Many of us spend hours combing childrens’ toy stores looking for those special items which we feel our pet birds will like. And since these toys are safe for toddlers we often assume they are safe for our birds. There is … Read more
Phobic birds are a real heartbreak. It is bad enough when you get one from another source but completely devastating when it is a baby that you handraised. Most young phobic birds……….Kodiak showed signs shortly after he was pulled from the nest……start fearing the main caregiver first and most.In working with phobic birds and their … Read more
At one time or another all of us have pondered the question of what is best to use to line the bottom of our bird’s cage. Although there are a variety of products which can be used, some of them are very dangerous for your birds. Learn all you can before making your choice. The … Read more
Birds have established protective mechanisms to hide or mask symptoms of disease until they are very ill. In order to survive in the wild birds must keep a normal appearance or they will be preyed upon. As bird owners we must be able to recognize early symptoms of illness. Any change in appetite, vocalization, activity … Read more
Until recently, choosing a Quaker parakeet as an avian pet was given only fleeting consideration by persons interested in sharing their homes with a bird. Most people are instantly captivated by the larger parrots’ beautiful exotic colors, size, and talking ability. But with a personality that has no rival and a life span of approximately … Read more
We own four birds, ranging in size from our thirty-four inch Blue and Gold Macaw to our eight-inch Senegal. Guess who rules the roost? Anyone who owns one of the feisty little Senegals does not even need to know what the other two birds are to tell you that the answer is obvious: the Senegal, … Read more
Summer brings heat, vacations and the desire to spend more time outdoors. It is also the time for vacations. These seasonal changes in our lifestyles also affect our birds. Take a few moments to review some of the hazards which you should remember to watch out for. Clip those wings The best advice anyone can … Read more
Losing and replacing old feathers is a normal process in birds. However, when new long feathers on a bird’s tail and wings emerge, they continue to receive a supply of blood until they have completed their growth. If you examine the shaft of an emerging feather, you can actually see the blood in it. These … Read more