Egg binding occurs when a hen attempts to expel an egg but is unable to do so. Egg binding shoulfd be considered a serious emergency. It can result in shock, circulatory collapse and death, if left untreated. Although egg binding can occur in any female bird, it is most common in lovebirds, budgies and cockatiels. … Read more

The fids scarfed down the last of the birdy bread this morning, so I had to make more this evening. Their ESP must have informed them of my intentions, and within seconds both fids were on my shoulder, supervising. Before long, they were skating down my arms to the tabletop to inspect the ingredients more … Read more

First-time parrot owners are sometimes baffled by the numerous decisions necessary to care for their new feathered companion. While they are confident of their ability to care for a dog or cat, they are surprised by the realization that much of their knowledge of pet care simply does not apply to birds. One ready source … Read more

Keeping records of your breeding pairs and tiel chicks is critical to any successful breeding program. The information gained from keeping accurate records is vital to the health of the parents and the chicks they produce. Recordkeeping on Adult Pairs When you decide that you are going to breed a specific pair, even before the … Read more

Summer is here and many of you are planning your summer vacations. A big dilema many of us face is what should we do with our birds when we go away. Should we take them or leave them home? This depends upon how you are travelling and how long you will be away. If your … Read more

Is plastic a safe product for my bird? Are there any unnatural chemicals used? I have read about phthalates, is that still used in plastic? Will my bird swallow plastic? Will plastic pass safely through if accidentally swallowed? Will my bird like playing with plastic? Why use plastic toys for my bird? What are some … 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

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

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

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