Is an Infrared Heat Lamp Safe for Warming My Cockatiel?
cockatiel-on-branch-in-snow-blog

Is an Infrared Heat Lamp Safe for Warming My Cockatiel?

Mary J asks about,

Infrared Heat Lap aka Spa Time for Kukla

 

After bathing my cockatiel doesn’t want to be dried in any fashion although she appears cold.

 

I’m concerned.

 

Accidentally I was using an infrared heat lamp for my knee one day, and Kukla absolutely loved staying in front of it.

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Do Dander Birds Like Cockatiels Require a Regular Drenching?
cockatiel-close-up-blog

Do Dander Birds Like Cockatiels Require a Regular Drenching?

Scott writes,

 

Hey folks: Our 4-year-old (almost) male gray Cockatiel Buddy has a dander problem?

 

We can get him to bathe outdoors when he’s out in the lanai and it happens to be raining which is a fairly common occurrence here in west-central Florida but the problem (?) is that we can’t get him wet to the skin. Buddy will shake off after a bath and a cloud of dander will “poof” off him.

 

I’ve read that birds, in general, need to get wet to the skin to remain healthy. Any thoughts?

 

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Is It Okay to Clip a Parrotlet’s Wings???
blue-parrotlet-in-flight-against-white-background-scaled-blog

Is It Okay to Clip a Parrotlet’s Wings???

Chris S. asks, 

 

Is it okay to clip a parrotlets wings???

 

Dear Chris, 

 

You can clip ANY bird’s wings. But it is best to have a good reason for it.

 

If the bird is new to you and your home and you are trying to get the new bird to learn where his cage is and settle in, and/or also trying to bond with a new baby bird. 

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Can Cloacal Prolapse in Parakeets Be Prevented?
Coconut bird's nest

Can Cloacal Prolapse in Parakeets Be Prevented?

Mary S. is concerned,

 

Can prolapse in parakeets be prevented?

 

Dear Mary

Most important is prevention – assure that your birds, especially breeding hens, are in good health and are receiving optimal amounts of calcium and other minerals and vitamins. Upon noting a prolapse, you can try lubricating the tissue with a water-soluble product, such as Wet Original.

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How Do I Treat My Female Parakeet’s Feather Cyst?
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How Do I Treat My Female Parakeet’s Feather Cyst?

to Mitch@WCParrot

 

Hello, love your website have a parakeet female about 5 years old with a cyst on the left wing.

 

Our avian vet was not too helpful only said it could be a feather cyst after I suggested it.

 

She does not seem uncomfortable but the cyst is getting bigger mostly pink with whatever color of feather appears any suggestions?

 

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How Do I Handle My Deceased Partners Double Yellow Head Amazon?

I have my partner’s Double Yellow Head Amazon (Hen) he had her 35 years, (he figured she was about 5 yrs old when he got her), I was with him the last 25 years.

 

He passed away on 1-14-20 Congestive Heart Failure.

 

I had never handled her I was afraid of being bitten, but I started just after he died I figured it was not would she bite me but when & how hard. In the last year, she has only bitten me maybe 7 or 8 times and only drew blood 3 times.

 

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What Are Those Dark Brown Bugs I Am Seeing Near His Birdcage?
the dusky lory is eating a bug

What Are Those Dark Brown Bugs I Am Seeing Near His Birdcage?

Sue is concerned,

 

I’m seeing small, dark brown bugs which don’t bite in the low-level carpeting near his big cage, where his daily food is on a shelf bagged and sealed, or in plastic containers. Supplies are refrigerated.  

 

I tried spraying with white vinegar. 

 

Can you advise me on a debugger?   I tried to download photos but failed. 

 

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A Congo Greys Companion’s Feather Plucking Questions Answered
An African Gray Parrot Plucking Her Breast Feathers on Top of Her Cage

A Congo Greys Companion’s Feather Plucking Questions Answered

First name: Peggy C.

 

How long has your bird been plucking? 

 

Approximately 7 years 

 

Species (please be specific, as an example, there are 43 species of Macaws) 

 

Congo African Grey parrot

 

Your bird’s sex if (known) by DNA or feather color (dimorphic bird)? 

 

Female 

 

Your bird’s age? 

 

19 

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Tips on Painting & Restoring Older Bird Cages
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Tips on Painting & Restoring Older Bird Cages

I think the main reason that people don’t try to paint older bird cages is because of what they’ve heard or read about the harmful effects of lead, zinc, and so forth.
 
The point that needs to be made is that most of the paints sold in the US for the past 40 years can be safe for human infants – as long as it’s dry.
Our government really wasn’t thinking about our birds – they were looking out for our children. The government has gone to great lengths to ensure that paint sold for use in the home is safe. The confusing issue is something called “Flashing”.

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