Let me begin with saying that Quaker parrots are thieves!! They try to steal your Hershey kisses and before you know it, they have stolen your heart instead. I know, because I am just one of many in a trail of Quaker slaves across America! This is my story… My husband and I sat down … Read more
Lead intoxication, also known as plumbism, is still the most commonly reported heavy metal toxicity in both companion and free ranging birds. Companion birds have a curious nature and are attracted by shiny objects, often exploring and examining their environments by chewing. Because lead is soft, it can be chewed and easily ingested. Waterfowl and … Read more
What is weaning? and what does this mean to the chick and to you the handfeeder? Weaning is Independence. The chick now eats enough on his own that he no longer requires handfeeding formula to maintain his body weight. As a responsible handfeeder your ultimate goal is to have chicks who are independent and able … Read more
Most of us know that parrots need toys to keep them entertained, safe from boredom and to help keep their beaks trimmed. But how many of us have considered using edible toys?Edible toys are a good way to teach our birds to eat new foods, are a good way to present large pieces of food, … Read more
The name Eclectus is derived from the word eclectic because of the sexually dimorphic coloration. Some pronounce the name E-klek-tus and others prefer Eck-lec-tus. Eclectus parrots are blessed with physical features that make them uniquely beautiful. Their head and breast feathers look like silky hair. Eclectus females are heavy bodied birds with a compact, rounded look. … Read more
Teaching responsible breeding techniques is the primary goal of this series of articles. Ignorance harms birds. We must endeavor to learn all that we can to ensure that our cockatiels can breed successfully. In this article, we will take a glance at the many topics that must concern breeders. Future articles in this series on … Read more
Congratulations! You have decided on a species, deciding factors as your lifestyle, time available, and financial investment. You have researched fully and thoroughly, reading, talking with other bird owners, etc. and feel confident in this life-changing, mega move.Where do I buy a bird? From whom, or what? This article deals with the two top ideal … Read more
Over the past few years, there has been a significant increase in the number of unwanted birds who are being sold, given up for adoption or abandoned by their owners.This has been a common problem with dogs and cats. But until recently, it has not been a major issue with birds. Unfortunately, the situation may … Read more
Chlamydiosis is a very important and challenging disease of birds because it can be difficult to diagnose and treat, causes significant morbidity and mortality in birds, and is transmissable to humans. Illness caused by chlamydiosis can range from a life threatening system disease to an inapparent infection in a bird. The disease is caused by: Chlamydia … Read more
You have made the decision to breed your cockatiels. You understand that breeding pairs that are too young can cause problems because the parent bird is still using her body’s calcium supply for growing bones and other metabolic processes. The inbreeding of related pairs cause heartache, needless suffering and gross deformities in offspring. Breeding birds … Read more