How Do I Keep My Cockatiel & Conure From Flying Into Windows?
flying gray cockatiel in front of white background

How Do I Keep My Cockatiel & Conure From Flying Into Windows?

From: ‘jmcoops’

My buddy flew into the window yesterday twice and all the feathers fell out as you can see (above).

 

I figured that’s where he hit the window.

 

He was stunned and still for several hours on my lap.

 

Today he seems fine.

 

Will those feathers grow back?

 

Anything I should watch for?

 

My husband and I debate constantly about flighted vs wing-clipped birds.

 

(more…)

Continue Reading
How Do I Wrangle This Quaker Under Control?
blue-quaker-eating-chili-pepper-e1632793942746

How Do I Wrangle This Quaker Under Control?

Subject: Re: Hi Leigh ~ Why Won’t This African Grey Play With His Toys?

Hello Mitch!

I wanted to thank you for your awesome weekly email – I look forward to the information and the humor every week!

I have a question on lighting and biting:

We have a 4yr old Quaker, Boop, who we think is male… does a bit of chest plucking – almost like a Tourettes behavior… but he seems to get awful pin feathers. It’s better now I have him on an avian vitamin powder.

(more…)

Continue Reading
How Well Do Parrots Handle Elevations Higher Than 12,000 Feet?
hyacinth-macaw-parrot-flying-mountains-blog

How Well Do Parrots Handle Elevations Higher Than 12,000 Feet?

The original question posted to Quora was

 

How well would a parrot be able to handle elevations higher than 12,000 feet?

 

From Wikipedia we learn:

 

The thick-billed parrot (Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha) is a medium-sized green and red parrot found in Mexico, that formerly ranged into the southwestern United States.

 

Its position in parrot phylogeny is the subject of ongoing discussion; it is sometimes referred to as a thick-billed macaw or a thick-billed conure

 

(more…)

Continue Reading
Did a 6 Week Absence Cause My Budgie’s Negative Behavior?
budgie-in-birdcage

Did a 6 Week Absence Cause My Budgie’s Negative Behavior?

Hi Mitch,

My name is Barbara T, and you and I just spoke re my parakeet, Ricky, who has been treated by an Avian specialist, Gloria Goodman, VMD (website: avianexoticvetpa.com), for mites since July 2nd, 2020.  

As I told you, I had surgery and my sister took care of the bird from May 12th through June 28th. 

I noticed immediately that his face looked like it had rot on it and he seemed “antsy”—pecking on his feathers and rubbing his head, especially around the eye area, on the cage. 

I called the vet and she saw him on July 2nd. 

(more…)

Continue Reading
How Do I Transition an Older Military Macaw Into My Home?
military-macaw-close-600

How Do I Transition an Older Military Macaw Into My Home?

Heather M. relates:

We have had a Military Macaw now for just a little over a month.

 

She (assuming, never been sexed) is appropriately 17 yrs old.

 

She has been adapting to a new home and owners obviously.

 

And she is also new to getting attention for more than 15/20 minutes a day and being out of her cage with us most of her awake time, which she seems to be loving.

 

(more…)

Continue Reading
Why Won’t This African Grey Play With His Toys?
african-grey-ball

Why Won’t This African Grey Play With His Toys?

Barbara G. is concerned about her African grey’s lack of interest in bird toys:

Hi Mitch, I really enjoy your Sunday bird info.

My male Timneh suddenly has become frightened of his toys.

Even a piñata shredding toy.

A few months ago, I purchased a bag of beautiful handmade all-natural bird toys.

(more…)

Continue Reading
Why Is My Budgie Itchy and Plucking His Feathers?
Colourful native Australian Rosella bird scratching its head

Why Is My Budgie Itchy and Plucking His Feathers?

Kris S. seeks advice:

We got a budgie when he was 1 month old rarely in his cage and very spoiled/loved. 

 

Got 2nd young male 2-3 months later, he was a month old as well.

 

Moody Blue, the first one, is VERY jealous of Zipper, the new one. 

 

Zipper wants to be friends and tries to be near Moody but he just won’t allow it and will bite at times. 

(more…)

Continue Reading
Close Menu