The Sulphur-Crested Cockatoos are highly intelligent, empathetic, loving and elegant companion parrots. Their regal, composed posture brings beauty to our lives when we share our home with them. Their witty, clowning actions bring smiles when we give our hearts to them.My devotion runs deep for the Sulphur-Crested Cockatoos. They have a special need to be … Read more
The diagnosis of Hepatic Lipidosis (Fatty Liver disease) can be one of the most frightening to hear uttered by your avian veterinarian.However this does not always have to carry the sentence of death. Lets review some of the reasons why a parrot develops liver disease and what can be done to prevent this from happening … Read more
Chlamydia psittaci exists in two forms – an Elementary Body and a Reticulate Body. The Elementary Body is the form that is infective and exists outside the bird. Ebs are shed in ocular and respiratory secretions as well as in the droppings. Once the EB invades a bird’s cells it is transformed into a Reticulate Body. … Read more
One of the most common digestive problems of cockatiel neonates is sour crop. There are a number of reasons why sour crop occurs and it might be helpful to look at them in order to understand why sour crop happens to chicks. This is a picture of a Cockatiel chick with a very full crop.One … Read more
It is important to know why you are handfeeding and what you hope to accomplish through the handfeeding process. In this article we will look at the many factors that are needed to consider when choosing to hand feed. We will take a look at parent fed versus hand fed cockatiels. Is a rigid feeding … Read more
Since the horrible tragedies of September 11th, we have all been informed of the extra-ordinary but much needed changes in security regarding flying. For those of us who have the occasion to fly with our bird, these have certainly been interesting times. We all acknowledge the need for the searches and screenings and as someone … Read more
We want a macaw, but which one, how do we find the right one, and what do we look for in a bird? These are the questions we most frequently get asked on the Macaw Talk message forum.Selecting a macaw as your new life long companion and family member is a very important decision to … Read more
No, MY bird did not die, but this is what we need to do if we find one of our flock dead. There are several reasons to do a necropsy. We will want to protect the rest of of flock, and ensure it is safe to bring a replacement bird into the area. We may … Read more
Part II discusses the amounts of calcium required and also the processes and changes in calcium that take place in laying hens.Calcium is primarily protein bound in the blood. The normal range is 8.5 – 11.5 mg/dl. Laying hens require more calcium during egg shell formation. An estrogen-induced hypercalcemia occurs several days before ovulation. Estrogen … Read more
Diagnosing chlamydiosis (Chlamydia psittaci) can be very difficult in the live bird. There is really no best test at present. A number of factors are important when choosing the most appropriate tests to use. The bird’s age, species, exposure to other birds and any drug treatment the bird received should be taken into consideration.Certain species … Read more