GET TO KNOW ABOUT PARROTS BEFORE YOU BRING ME HOME
Birds are TOTALLY dependant on YOU for their care and well-being. Parrots are not a domesticated pet like a dog or cat. Parrots still have the spirit of the jungle in them. They have special needs which you may find it hard to fill. Please don't learn these too late for their well-being. And please don't acquire a parrot from the wild or from the jungle; it will jeopardize their survival and well-being, and that won't be a party for you either! LEARN and EDUCATE yourself about parrots BEFORE BRING ONE HOME. A GREAT source of information is a book called: 'Birds for Dummies' by Gina Spadafori and Brian L Speer, DVM. This book tells you everything you need to know and is a great source of information and education. If you need help getting that book, please email me. Always remember, birds are noisey and very messy. This is their nature and you cannot change that.
EVERY DAY CARE OF YOUR BIRD.
Wipe and clean water dish, and give clean water once or twice a day. Some birds like to bath in their water dishes, so change water after it’s bathed.
Clean the food dish and clean food (pellets) daily.
For fresh vegetables, don’t leave in the cage for longer than two hours as bacteria growing on the veggies can harm your bird.
Clean dropping paper every day at the bottom of the cage.
Birds are intelligent, beautiful and wonderful creatures. If you’ve never owned a bird before, or if this is your newest addition, this information should be helpful to you. Always remember, IF in doubt about ANYTHING, ASK an expert. You are welcome to email me with any questions you may have related to the care and well-being of your parrot: info@tangoparrot.org
When you buy your new bird, no doubt it will be in a TEMPORARY carrying cage. Always remember, the bigger the cage the bird is to be housed in, the better. Just make sure the bar spacing is pertinent for the specific bird to be housed. Be sure to educate yourself and get the pertinent information from the breeder/dealer. Get their name, address, phone number and a receipt, in case you have questions later. Also, get as much information about your new bird as possible. Age, diet, special requirements, medical history, sex (if known) and particulars of the species you bought. If it’s a baby, be sure to find out cage requirements, what the diet is (it’s not a good idea to change foods abruptly), how many times a day to feed, what medical tests the bird has had, when it will wean and where it came from.
Birds need a period of adjustment when they get home. Watch carefully to make sure that the bird is eating, passing droppings and not showing signs of illness (nasal discharge, sneezing, abnormal droppings, excessive regurgitation, feathers fluffed up, not eating, etc.). Do not spend too much time handling your new bird for the first few days until it settles in. Talk softly to the bird, and slow hand movements will help as your new bird settle in. If you have children, PLEASE teach them to be gentle and RESPECT the bird and to be GENTLE. Maybe even give the bird a few treats. Keep in mind that Babys need more sleep than adult birds.
If you already own birds, it is recommended that all new birds be quarantined for 45-180 days before introducing the new bird to the birds you have in your household or aviary. Birds can APPEAR perfectly normal and healthy but still carry illnesses and diseases dangerous to your pets or aviary birds. During the quarantine period, the birds should be isolated away from all your other birds, preferably in a separate building.
ESTABLISH A RELATIONSHIP WITH AN AVIAN VETERINARIAN WHO IS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATION OF AVIAN VETERINARIANS. You can email them at aavctrlofc@aav.org to ask them if they can give you the information on your nearest avian veterinarian. Then have your new bird examined as soon as possible.
The checkup should include: Complete physical exam (including weight), blood chemistries and CBC, Gram stain, fecal and cloacal cultures, fecal parasite exam. The initial exam costs an average of under $200.00. Sometimes your avian vet will recommend Psittacosis tests and some virus isolation tests. Lab work is essential in determining the health of your new bird. DO NOT RELY ON OUTWARD APPEARANCE of the bird.
As a survival technique, birds hide their illnesses and sicknesses very well.
FEEDING – Based on the breed of bird, birds should eat a variety of foods other than seed or pellets. Some birds will eat a pelleted diet, which is a MORE BALANCED diet than seed. Seed tends to be very high in fat and basically, of no nutritional value to birds, so switching your bird over to a GOOD pelleted diet will be much more beneficial to your bird.
Fresh fruit (limit the sweet/sugary fruits), vegetables, beans (Some table food) cheese, pasta and bread are ok in limited amounts. IF the bird is on a healthy and nutritious diet, adding vitamins to the bird’s diet is not necessary. If the bird is fed a seed diet, vitamins should be added to the food or water. KEEP YOUR BIRDS WATER CLEAN and filled up.
Toxins – Lead and zinc are toxic, as are many household plants. Aerosol sprays, candles, incense, hair spray, perfume, cleaning fluids, Downey, Carpet Fresh, are TOXIC and can kill your birds. Non-stick cookware should NOT be used in households with birds. Non-stick cookware emits toxic fumes which will kill your bird. Do NOT feed your bird avocado or chocolate, (also items listed below). They are dangerous to your bird.
TOYS AND PERCHES, make sure you have plenty of safe wood and chewable, or shreddable toys in your bird’s cage. Birds need a lot of play time and exercise, whether with humans or with toys that allows them to express their normal behavior of chewing, preening and exploring. Learn to recognize what is normal for your bird. If you have ANY questions, call the breeder/dealer, or an experienced bird person or your vet. Whether you bought the bird for his talking or singing ability, beautiful colors, companionship or for breeding, accept him as an individual and love him for who he is, not for what you want him to be. The information below will help you in educating yourself about birds.
A variety of different sized perches to keep your bird’s toes and feet in good condition is a good idea. Your bird spends a lifetime on his feet, so good foot care and foot health is imperative. Keep your birds toe nails manicured to maintain good foot health for your bird.
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 parrots, 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 which can injure or kill birds either by ingestion (eating) or inhalation (breathing them in). One 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 (when overheated)
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 (can cause bacterial or fungal infections), or salt is inappropriate, as are fatty foods. More serious are things such as chocolate, which is toxic to many pets. Caffeinated or alcoholic beverages are also dangerous. Avocado should also be avoided (there is some debate about how toxic avocado is - better safe than sorry).
Foods to avoid
Some foods are on the do-not-feed list. These include:
High-fat junk food (potato chips, doughnuts, etc.)
Avocado (guacamole)
Chocolate
Alcohol or caffeine
Fruit pits
Persimmons
Table salt
Onions
Apple seeds
Mushrooms
Carbonated drinks – do not give your bird soda
5) Electrical Cords
Birds explore with their beaks, and exposed electrical cords pose a danger if bitten. Keep cords and appliances away from the bird cage, 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 parrots may not be safe for them. Make sure your parrots (especially larger ones) are 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 parrots 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, and Mirrors
Windows and mirrors pose a danger to birds who 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. Cat, dog, and human saliva is deadly to a bird. As much as you want to kiss your bird, make SURE your lips are DRY.
10) Air Quality
Birds are especially sensitive to contaminants in the air. Aerosol products of any kind should not be used around your bird. Cigarette smoke has been implicated in respiratory disease in pet birds. Carbon monoxide is also dangerous to birds, so use a carbon monoxide detector in the home, and be careful not to run your vehicle in an attached garage.
Foods to Feed - Nutritious Additions to a Psittacine Diet
Fruits (limit high sugar fruits) & Vegetables
Apples Berries Kiwi Mango Cantaloupe Honeydew Pineapple Cherries Cranberries Banana Pears Peaches Oranges Pomegranate Tangerines Star fruit Grapefruit Papaya Plums Grapes Apricots Radishes Turnips Carrots (root and tops) Cooked sweet potatoes Radicchio Endive Mustard & dandelion greens Swiss Chard Kale Parsley Cooked red potatoes Green beans Tomato Sweet red & green, and other types of peppers Cauliflower Broccoli (head and leaves) Beet & turnip greens Eggplant Kohlrabi Sugar snap or snow peas Squash (peeled & steamed) Red beets (peeled) Romaine or green/red leaf lettuce Collard greens Corn Cucumber
Contact your veterinarian immediately if your bird:
Has signs of gastrointestinal, urinary, or reproductive distress including: Straining continually, but unable to produce feces or urates. Choking. Swallowing a foreign body (e.g., toy, cage decoration). Crop burn from feeding items that were too warm. Any condition that makes it difficult to eat or manipulate food (injury to the beak, or in the case of parrots, injury to a foot). A prolapse or eversion at the vent or bleeding from the vent. Egg binding - straining and having difficulty producing an egg. Egg binding can be deadly if not addressed immediately by an avian vet. An overdose of medication or suspected poisoning.
Has signs of general illness or nervous system or muscular disease including: Extreme weakness, lethargy or depression, unconsciousness, collapse, or coma. Seizures (flapping wings while lying in the bottom of the cage). A head tilt, nystagmus (eyes move rapidly from side to side), staggering, walking in circles, difficulty sitting on a perch, or other problems moving. Severe or continuous pain. Sudden inability to bear weight on a leg or use a wing. Swollen or injured foot due to a leg band problem.
Call your veterinarian within eight hours if your bird:
Has signs of heart or respiratory disease including: Sneezing. Discharge from nose or eyes
Has signs related to digestion or food and water consumption including: An increased or decreased appetite or thirst. Sudden weight loss or gain. Discharge or crusts around the mouth, or change in color of the inside of the mouth. Vomiting, regurgitation, or swelling of the crop area. Changes in the number, color, or consistency of the droppings. An unusual smell to the droppings
Has changes in behavior, or signs of nervous system or muscular disease including: Sitting fluffed up, huddled, or at the bottom of the cage A sudden change in behavior, e.g., changes in vocalizations Cloudy eyes, squinting, or appears to be unable to see Swollen joints or feet Lameness or favoring a leg Crusting or discoloration of the feet A drooped or elevated wing
Has signs associated with the skin including: Abnormal lumps, bumps, or red areas Scabs or abrasions. Ticks or mites. Abnormal color to skin or darkening of toes. Wet, stained, or matted feathers. Continual picking at feathers or body.
Poisonous Plants for Birds
There are a variety of plants which are poisonous to birds, but there are many safe plants, too. So if you are a dedicated house plant enthusiast, you can have your plants and birds, too.
The degree of toxicity of a plant depends upon:
1. The plant itself
2. The amount ingested relative to the size of the bird
3. The species of the bird
For example, a cockatoo that nibbles a few bites of philodendron may experience a mild degree of toxicity, whereas, the same amount or less may be lethal for a canary.
Although there are significant differences among species as to reaction and sensitivity to various plants, most sources agree that those plants listed in Table 1 are toxic to any bird. This list may appear long but is by no means all-inclusive. There are many more toxic than safe plants, so stick to the "safe" list in Table 2 for plants you will keep in the bird's environment.
The most commonly observed sign of toxic plant ingestion is some form of gastric or intestinal upset – e.g., vomiting and/or diarrhea. The treatment for plant poisonings is generally symptomatic.
If you suspect your bird has ingested a toxic plant, call your veterinarian or the poison control center immediately. It may be a good idea to print this out and keep it in a handy place near the telephone so you do not have to go searching and waste time in a stressful situation.
ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center1-900-443-0000 ($45.00 per case.) The charge is billed directly to the caller's phone. 1-888-4ANI-HELP or 1-888-426-4435 ($45.00 per case.) The charge is billed to caller's credit card only.
Although we are talking about plants here, it is worthy of mentioning that birds are acutely sensitive to fumes from solvents and Teflon. Do not use any Teflon coated cooking utensils, ironing board covers, or other items anywhere near a bird.
Visit this website for the list of Hazardous Plants
http://www.birdsnways.com/articles/plntstox.htm
Here is the list for SAFE plants and trees
http://www.birdsnways.com/articles/plntsafe.htm
Need a Lesson in Poopology? This is a very important subject - Educate yourself. http://www.acstiels.com/Articles/Health/poop-ology.htm
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