Information & Tutorials

Below you will find several articles on taking proper care of your bird. By clicking on the red button you will receive valuable information.  Feel free always to contact us with questions pertaining to your feathered friend and  services we offer. For more information on fees and  services, please visit our Services page for details.
    • The TEN Commandments for  Bird Ownership  
    • A comprehensive look at bird behavior and their ratings
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    • Things to remember
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    • A Step By Step Guide
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    • Tid-Bits of Food & Toy Information
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    • CARING FOR YOUR BIRD: A Checklist

     

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      Important Notes

      The following are some important notes to remember about keeping pet birds. Save this for future reference.

      Outfitting the Cage

      PERCHES: Perches are one of the most important things you will put into the
      cage. You need to offer a variety of shapes, sizes, and textures. The straight dowels that come with the cage should not be used as they cause muscle problems and arthritis over time. Do not use sand covers. Correct size is very
      important. The nails need to be digging into the perch.

      The following are our recommendations:

      Natural Branches (grapevine, dragon wood, bottle brush)
      Concrete perch (keeps nails and beak trim) 
      Rope perch (bungies/twisters offer lots of fun and exercise)
      Swing (most include wood toys for their enjoyment)

      FOOD CONTAINERS: Most cages provide three food bowls. One should contain water, the other pellets/seed and the third fresh food such as veggies and fruits. It is important to take out dirty bowls every night to wash and get ready for the next day. Birds do not eat at night. By leaving dirty bowls, you
      have the potential of bacteria build up.

      TOYS: Toys are vital to your bird’s health and emotional well-being. A minimum of 4 to 5 toys should be offered in the cage. Extras need to be on hand to rotate every 3 – 4 weeks to prevent boredom. Birds need different textures of toys (i.e. leather, wood, plastic, rope, shredder, etc.) Also look for toys where objects or food can be hidden.


      Bird Specifics

      PUTTING YOUR BIRD TO BED: Birds need to have a routine for sleep. They need 10-14 hours of quiet, uninterrupted sleep per day. If you keep your bird in a room where the lights can be turned out and it is dark, it may not be necessary to cover them. Be sure the cover offers proper ventilation.

      BATHING: You can shower with your bird. Be sure to avoid getting soap on the bird and make sure the temperature is not too warm. Spray the bird with bird bath. The spray puts back the oils in the feathers. Another way to give your bird a bath is to put a shallow bowl of tepid water in the sink. Be sure the bowl is not too deep and it has a flat bottom for the bird to stand easily.

      GROOMING: KEEP THOSE WINGS CLIPPED!!! Don’t risk losing your beloved pet because you forgot to clip the wings. Even if a bird is clipped, never take him or her outside without a harness or carrier. Birds can still be startled and the wind will carry them upward into the trees. We recommend that you allow
      someone else clip your bird's wings. Birds hold grudges. Don’t be the bad guy.

      CAGE LOCATION: Birds enjoy being in areas where there is family activity. However, do not place them near drafts such as fans and air conditioning vents. Also, the kitchen is not a suitable area. There are too many dangers there. If near a window, indirect sunlight not direct sunlight.

      CLEANING THE CAGE AND ENVIRONMENT:
      Change cage paper or other bedding daily. Corn Cob can be scooped daily with a cat scooper. Never use pine shavings, cedar chips or kitty letter. The aromatic oils of pine and cedar are harmful to a bird’s respiratory system and kitty litter produces dust. Clean all water dishes with soap and water daily. Scrub the cage weekly. Clean perches and toys weekly. Be very careful with your choice in cage cleaners. PoopOff is wonderful for getting off birdie droppings. Pet Focus is an excellent disinfectant. We also suggest hot soapy water with a touch of bleach for wiping down the cage. If possible, place cage in the sun for drying.

      One last thing.

      • Some mini-blinds contain lead, which is toxic to birds. Stained glass/lamps can also contain lead. Once digested your companion will die within a matter of hours.
      • Never, under any circumstance, hit a bird or it's cage. The damage this can create may be irreversible, and all the trust you have worked to develop with your bird may be lost.
      •  Avoid yelling or screaming at your bird. This will usually lead to more problems that it will solve.

      If your bird is being louder than you can handle, speaking to it in a soft soothing voice is often the most effective method of quieting the bird. If that does not work turn out the light or cover the cage for 3-5 minutes (no longer). Screaming or yelling at birds is “drama” which they often enjoy and causes them to scream or yell all the more.

       


      HIDDEN       TOXINS

       

      • Carbon Monoxide:  Carbon Monoxide is a gas that has no odor, taste or color.  We all know where carbon monoxide comes from (portable generators, water heaters, ranges, etc), but did you know that tobacco smoke contains this substance as well.  Secondhand smoke contains many other toxins that birds should not be subjected to. Therefore banning smoking in your home is the safest way of preventing your bird from having lung problems.

       

      • Heavy Metals:  Lead and zinc are often found in household items and can cause illness and even death.  In high enough levels, lead or zinc can cause organ damage that can be irreversible and lead to death.  Some of the signs are:  thirst, seizures, diarrhea, weakness and increase urination.  

       

      • Human Medications:  Many human medications are toxic to our avian friends when ingested.  If you think your bird has consumed medications, call your veterinarian immediately or the Pet Poison Hotline at 800-213-6680.

       

      • Water:  Tap water can contain bacteria, viruses, protozoa, heavy metals, chlorine, dioxin and other toxins or chemicals that are not healthy for your feather friend.  A safe alternative is to offer your bird bottled spring water.  Do not offer to your bird distilled water as it is avoid of all minerals.

       

      While we all know about potentially toxic foods, such as avocado, chocolate, caffeine, onions and garlic, someinhaled toxins including aerosols, smoke, overheated nonstick cookware fumes and other gases, the toxins we have discussed are more prevalent in some homes yet are often overlooked.

       

      • Feeding Instructions:  Feed pellets every day. A pinch of seed or nuts can be added to the pellets end of the day for desert  about 4 times a week, never in the morning’s feed as your parrot will rummage thru the pellets to get to the seed leaving behind pellets and waste.  When the sun goes down please remember to remove all dishes as they don’t eat or drink at night.  We suggest fruit 2 times a week and veggies, pasta, rice etc. (see food list) 5 days a weeks.  More veggies than all other foods.


      INTRODUC      ING A BIRD TO NEW FOOD

       

      • Birds may not immediately recognize a new food mixture, pellets or other offering as something edible.  Add small amounts of the new food to the bird’s current menu.
      • Place a dish of pellets high within the cage, next to the bird’s roosting perch so it will be tempted to nibble on the food prior to sleeping.
      • Never attempt to ‘starve’ a bird into accepting a new diet or food item.
      • Let the bird see you try the food.
      • Feed cooked food to your bird at your mealtime or whenever you usually offer ‘table” food.
      • Polly-see, Polly-do!  When one bird in the household accepts a new food, the others will often follow suit.

       

      SETTING UP YOUR CAGE

      Now that you have purchased a bird you will need to providea safe, comfortable home..  It is vital that you outfit the cage appropriately for the size and type of bird that you purchase, and that this home is secure, spacious and easy to clean.  Buy the largest cage for which you have room with one exception.  African Greys cannot have a cage too large (32” wide max) as this may cause them to engage in stressful behaviors such as feather plucking.  Your cage should be set up with all supplies, including proper perches and toys before you place your bird in the cage.  Our babies are accustomed to water bowls, however if you wish to install a water bottle, remember a few important things.  Birds tend to push food up into the tube.  This will clog up the tube causing no water to flow to your bird out of the tube.  Check the water bottle daily.

      It is important that you do not place your pet bird in a round cage.  Round cages are too small and uncomfortable for birds, limit mobility, and are difficult to clean and maintain.  Round cages do not provide a point of orientation (ie. corners) which are necessary for yours bird’s psychological stability.

      Most cages provide two to four food bowls.  One should contain water, the other dry food and the third wet food such as mixed veggies, pasta, eggs etc.  It is a good idea to have extra bowls because the bowls should be washed daily.  Never leave bowls in the cage overnight as left over food can grow bacteria and attract insects.  It is important to use soap and water to clean and disinfect the bowls.  We do not recommend galvanized dishes as they corrode easily and can emit heavy metals which are toxic to birds.

      Birds enjoy being in areas where there is family activity.  However, do not place them near drafts.  Also, a kitchen is not a suitable area as there are too many dangers there.  Hot cooking surfaces and boiling foods are potentially deadly hazard to your bird.

       

       

       

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