Bird Care Information

CARING FOR YOUR BIRD

Parrots are extremely intelligent, social birds requiring much mental stimulation and interaction. The following information is appropriate for all members of the parrot or hookbill family, ranging from parakeets to macaws.

GENERAL - Without proper care, parrots can develop bad habits such as screaming, biting and destructive chewing. Their wings should be kept properly clipped to ensure safety while out of their cages.

HOUSING - Your parrot needs the largest cage you can afford. Cage width and depth are more important than height. Make sure the cage is zinc-safe and lead-free, and has appropriate bar size and spacing; your parrot should not be able to fit its head between the bars, or to bend or damage the bars with its beak. Natural hardwood branches make the best perches; sandpaper perches should never be used. Choose a variety of non-toxic wood or acrylic chew toys to occupy your bird, and rotate them to avoid boredom.

CLEANING - Tray liners should be replaced every day and the cage bottom, fittings and dishes regularly washed with hot water and soap. Once a month, disinfect the cage with diluted bleach and rinse thoroughly. Line the tray with black and white newspaper or paper towels. It is unsafe to use pine/cedar shavings, corn cob or walnut bedding.

HEALTH - Parrots should be examined by a qualified AVIAN vet at least once a year or ASAP if any bleeding, injuries, or other signs are noted. It can be hard to tell when a bird is ill, and by the time you notice a problem, the sickness is usually well-advanced. Birds are good at hiding illness as a defense from predators. Delaying a visit with an AVIAN vet or using over-the-counter or human medicines may be fatal.

DIET - Parrots need a large variety of fresh, healthy foods, whether on a pellet or a seed diet. Beneficial foods include dark green, leafy vegetables like kale, broccoli, dandelion, and chard, as well as carrots, peas, sweet potatoes, and squash. Healthy table foods like cooked eggs, corn, beans, pasta, and rice can also be offered. Remove perishable foods after a few hours and at bedtime. Offer all types of fruit but remove all seeds. A seed-only diet will result in malnutrition.
Please read...it could save my life.

THINGS TO AVOID
  • Alcohol
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  • Apple Seeds
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  • Avocado
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  • Butter
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  • Cabbage (all)
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  • Caffeine
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  • Dry Bean Mixes
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  • Fava and Navy
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  • Fruit Pies
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  • Grapefruit
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  • Lemons
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  • Mushrooms
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  • Peanut Shells
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  • Plumbs
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  • Potatoes
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  • Rhubarb
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  • Salt
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  • Sprouted Lima
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  • Dried fruits that have been treated with sulfur dioxide.
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  • Stay away from junk foods and any foods high in fat, salt, or sugar. Birds are also lactose intolerant so milk products should be limited to small amounts of hard cheese and yogurt.
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  • Processed meats or other foods high in nitrates, sulfites, or monosodium glutamate (MSG).
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    WARNINGS - Parrots have very sensitive respiratory systems and should not be exposed to cigarette smoke, aerosols, harsh cleaning products, or other toxic fumes. Remove your bird when using self cleaning ovens. Do not use a humidifier too close to your bird. Watch that you wash your hands of any chemicals, creams or pesticides before handling your bird. Avoid the following:
  • Ammonia
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  • Detergents
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  • Herbicides
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  • Ant Paste
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  • Diazanon
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  • Insecticides
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  • Antifreeze
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  • Disinfectants
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  • Iodine
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  • Asbestos
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  • Drain Cleaners
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  • Kersene
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  • Auto Products
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  • Felt Tip Markers
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  • Lighter Fluid
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  • Bathroom Cleaners
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  • Flea Bombs & Collars
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  • Lye
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  • Bleach
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  • Floor Polishes
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  • Matches
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  • Boric Acid
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  • Formaldehyde
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  • Metal Cleaners/Polishes
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  • Camphophenique
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  • Furniture Polishes
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  • Moth Balls
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  • Carbon Monoxide
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  • Gasoline
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  • Muriatic Acid
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  • Charcoal Fluids
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  • Glues
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  • Nail Polish & Remover
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  • Paint Thinners
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  • Perfume
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  • Pesticides
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  • Photography Solutions
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  • Shaving Lotion
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  • Shellac & Varnishes
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  • Shoe Polish & Cleaners
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  • Solvents
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  • Spot Remover
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  • Spray Starch
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  • Suntan Lotions
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  • Chlorine
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  • Gun Cleaners
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  • Oil Paint
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  • Surgical Acrylics
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  • Cigarette Smoke
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  • Hair Dye
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  • Oven Cleaner
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  • Teflon Cookware
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  • Corn & Wart Removers
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  • Hair Solutions
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  • Paint
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  • Toilet Cleaners
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  • Deodorants
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  • Hair Spray
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  • Paint Removers
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  • Wax
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    PLANTS THAT ARE POISONOUS TO YOUR BIRD
  • Amaryllis
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  • Christmas Candle
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  • Jimsonweed
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  • Pikeweed
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  • Avocado
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  • Coral Plant
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  • Juniper
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  • Potato
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  • Azalea
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  • Daffodil
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  • Larkspur
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  • Privet
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  • Balsam
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  • Dieffenbachia
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  • Lily Of The Valley
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  • Rhododendron
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  • Baneberry
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  • Eggplant
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  • Lobelia
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  • Rhubarb
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  • Beans
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  • Castor
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  • Elephant’s Ear
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  • Locoweed
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  • Rosary
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  • Foxglove
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  • Marijuana
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  • Sandbox
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  • Horse Hemlock
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  • Mayapple
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  • Skunk Cabbage
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  • Holy Mistletoe
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  • Snowdrop
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  • Mock Orange
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  • Sweet Pea
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  • Bird Of Paradise
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  • Hydrangea
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  • Morning Glory
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  • Tobacco
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  • Black Locust
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  • Indian Turnip
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  • Narcissus
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  • Virginia Creeper
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  • Blue-Green Algae
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  • Iris Oak
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  • Wisteria
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  • Boxwood Ivy
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  • Oleander
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  • Yam Bean
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  • Calla Lilly
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  • Java Bean
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  • Philodendron
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  • Yew
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  • Cherry Tree
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  • Jerusalem Cherry
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  • Poinsettia
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    TOP 10 HOUSEHOLD DANGERS TO PET BIRDS

    Pet birds are extremely susceptible to a wide variety of household dangers. There are numerous reasons for this, including their small size, rapid metabolism, and sensitive respiratory systems. Of course, with birds, there is also an intense curiosity and need to explore everything with their beaks. Owners need to be vigilant about protecting their birds from dangers throughout the home.

    1. POISONING - Birds are susceptible to a wide range of toxic substances that can injure or kill birds either by ingestion (eating) or inhalation (breathing them in). Once of the most common toxicities in pet birds is insecticides sprayed in the home. Others include ammonia, bleach, oven cleaner, glues, nail polish remover, paint, perfumes, heavy metals (e.g. lead and zinc). Poisonous plants are also a danger.

    2. NON-STICK COATINGS - This technically falls under poisoning but warrants a special mention because use of these products is very common. When overheated, the non-stick coating emits fumes that are very toxic to birds when inhaled. This coating is found on non-stick cookware but also waffle irons, bread machines, irons, ironing board covers, curling irons, space heaters, blow dryers and more.

    3. OPEN WATER - Toilets are the most common source of open water in the house, and it is all too easy for your pet bird to fall in and drown. Other water sources to watch for are sinks, bathtubs, buckets, and water bowls of dogs or cats. The kitchen can also be a dangerous place if there are hot pots of water on the stove.

    4. INAPPROPRIATE FOODS - These range from those that are just unhealthy to those that might kill pet birds. Anything high in sugar or salt is inappropriate, as are fatty foods. More serious are things such as chocolate, avocado and alcohol, which is toxic to many pets.

    5. ELECTRICAL CORDS - Birds explore with their beaks, and exposed electrical cords pose a danger if bitten. Keep cords and appliances away from the birdcage, and conceal cords as much as possible. Covering exposed cords with corrugated plastic tubing (available at hardware stores) may help reduce the danger.

    6. POORLY MADE TOYS - Even toys designed for birds may not be safe for them. Make sure your bird is not able to break off or remove any parts and swallow them. Rope toys can also be dangerous if they are long enough to get tangled up in, and there have been cases of birds separating the strands on braided ropes, inserting their heads, and strangling as a result.

    7. CEILING FANS - Ceiling fans pose a real danger to flighted birds - serious injuries have occurred when birds fly into them. Birds tend to be nervous with things moving above them, so may be stressed out by a ceiling fan running near their cage.

    8. WINDOWS, DOORS & MIRRORS - Windows and mirrors pose a danger to birds that might fly into them. Keeping wings clipped helps to alleviate this risk, although even clipped birds can try a run at a window or mirror. Of course, open windows and exterior doors leave a chance at escape. Even interior doors can be risky if the bird likes to sit on the top of an open door - the bird could be injured if the door is closed.

    9. OTHER PETS - While birds often live happily with other household pets, owners should always be careful when other pets are near the birds. The motion of birds can attract the prey instinct of cats and dogs, and an infected bite or scratch can quickly be fatal to a bird.

    10. AIR QUALITY - Birds are especially sensitive to contaminants in the air. Aerosol products of any kind should never be used around your bird. Some of these include hair sprays, disinfectant sprays, air fresheners etc. Carbon monoxide is also dangerous to birds, so use a carbon monoxide detector in the home if possible, and be careful not to run your vehicle in an attached garage.

    One other serious issue that I’d like to add here is that an un-caged bird should always be supervised. Any unsupervised bird can easily be stepped on if the bird ventures onto the floor space. Some birds are camouflage so well that they are almost invisible on a carpet. Also, some birds like Linnies (Lineolated Parakeets) like to hide beneath cushions, pillows, blankets and snuggle behind people where they eventually take a snooze. Please use caution around snuggly birds to avoid any accidents.

    SIGNS OF ILLNESS

    A bird’s natural instinct is to hide any signs of illness. Be aware of your bird’s normal behaviour and characteristics so that when subtle changes occur you will be able to recognize them. Initial signs of illness may include:

    DECREASED ACTIVITY - Signs of depression, listlessness, a general fluffy appearance or abnormal daytime sleeping are warning signals.

    CHANGE IN DROPPINGS - Changes in colour or consistency (diarrhea) of droppings can indicate the onset of disease or infection. Consult your avian veterinarian.

    WEIGHT - Weight should remain relatively constant in an adult bird. If your bird begins to lose substantial amounts of weight, consult your avian veterinarian.
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