Hello All
And thanks for your contributions to this often difficult topic.
Yes, it is true that flighted birds may have accidents, which some folks may attribute to their being flighted.
But then birds whose flight has been impaired also have accidents due to flight impairment.
Clipped birds are vulnerable to death during escape from cats, dogs and being run down by vehicles.
Rotary trimmers are becoming very popular when people realize how easy it is to trim their own bird’s nails while saving money at the same time.
Although we recommend using an electric nail trimmer to keep your bird’s nails trimmed neatly we do not recommend that you attempt to trim your bird’s beak.
It’s a sensitive organ and has a lot of sensory receptors and which could potentially be very painful to your bird if handled in the wrong way, which got me to thinking about today’s topic.
If you’ve ever noticed strange lines running perpendicular (across) the shafts of your bird’s feathers these are what are called “stress bars”.
They are particularly noticeable when your bird is molting and are harder to see if the feathers are still on the bird.Â
Joanne F. wonders aloud,
Been reading your blog about the effects of Lupron on female birds for egg-laying.
My vet is suggesting these injections for my male white face cockatiel, “Pico”.
Pico is literally like Jekyll and Hyde.
Very loving but can turn on you in a nanosecond.
He is so highly hormonal that almost anything is perceived as a potential mate.
Feet, sneakers, plastic Kind bar wrappers……the list is expanding.
Brian M. is concerned,
I have a peach-faced lovebird that seems to have an issue with his beak.
His beak has never been trimmed and he has a stone that he rubs his beak on to grind it down. Recently the top part broke and it is smaller now but the lower part of the beak looks like it needs to be trimmed.
I read where some people trim them but I made an appointment with the vet.
I am nervous about taking the bird there he has never been taken anywhere.
I am afraid he can’t eat everything with the lower long beak.
Michael G. asks,
Mitch, you spoke about vitamins today, specifically Lafeber Avi-Era.
You’ve approved the diet for Big Boy Grey and Little Girl Grey.
I always used Nekton-S in their water until I learned from you about using a bigger amount of pellets and fewer seeds.
They eat each well and seem to enjoy their overall diet with fresh fruits and veggies for “lunch” each day.
Common linnet ~ above
Thomas C. provides input
Your article, I believe, is incorrect.
Canarys are from the Linnet family and not the finch.
(Editor’s note: I do not know which article. endnote)
Quora answer:
I wouldn’t. Unlike parakeets which can be tamed, most finches stay pretty wild and will always be somewhat skittish. If you let him out of the cage, he would be at risk of injury or trauma. I believe the best ways to care for a finch are:
Finches are sweet, happy, busy little birds. Keep them safe, and they will bring you lots of joy.
Peace.
Good Morning, I am rescuing 2 abused Amazon parrots – Male / Female.
Both have 1 broken wing and cannot fly.
Female about 4-5 years old).
The male (about 15 yrs) picks the top of this wing and has scabs – not healed – what can I do to promote healing?
From my observation, both birds are under extreme stress.
Please let me know what I can apply topically to prevent further picking and plucking.
Chris T. relates,
My 2 birds are not repelling some of the water.
I’m not sure how to state this but the water would bead up and not get completely wet.
After bathing could fly.
Now they are completely wet and cannot fly.
I am wondering if they have a vitamin deficiency, or it can just be age?
