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. 

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

 

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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. 

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Should I Be Worried About the Bald Spot on My Older Conure?
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Should I Be Worried About the Bald Spot on My Older Conure?

Barbara G. has a concern

Tootsie is a forty-two-year-old green-cheek conure who has lived with me for forty-one years.

The top of her head is completely bald, with front red feathers remaining.

She sleeps a lot but is otherwise active.

She enjoys her regular food along with a handout from her person.

She does not pluck her feathers, loves annoying me, and is a first-class cuddler.

Could this be age-related?

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How to Remodel a Cage to Reduce 2 Bird’s Hormonal Behavior?
Green cheek conure parrot on top of blue cage against an off-white background

How to Remodel a Cage to Reduce 2 Bird’s Hormonal Behavior?

This thread took place during the entire month of December 2020.

Spoiler alert (also found at end of the post)

Hi Catherine I don’t know if you got my email from the other day about the lighting treatment for Reggie’s hormones.

It did the trick.

She is so much friendlier to Kiwi there was just one time she went at him when he was on his stand but it wasn’t as bad as it was before the lighting treatment.

I know you are probably so busy I just wanted to know if she starts to show aggressive behavior do we do the 72 hr or 7 days she is still a little hormonal but not nearly as bad she loves going under my blanket lol.

Thanks again for your advice it was the best Christmas present we could have asked for.❤

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How Do I Get My Bird to Accept a New Playstand?
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How Do I Get My Bird to Accept a New Playstand?

Cynthia L. needs a bird feeding dish for her new bird’s stand:

The bird stand that I have came with stainless steel, 8 oz. bowls, my Grey loves to grab them and flip everything on the floor.

I need a heavy bowl that will fit.

Next, tell me how I get her to accept the nice new stand.

I have it in the same room, now 4 ft away from her cage.

If I have her on my hand and we walk anywhere near it, she will fly away.

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A Readers Advice for Patrick’s Biting Senegal

Lynn H. replied to Patrick B.

 

I have a 27-year old Senegal.  

 

I was reading your post (below) and thought I would offer a few suggestions to you.

 

First, as Mitch said, try clicker training.  

 

It is basically positive operant conditioning.

 

Birds do not understand the word “no” and yelling at them will teach them how to scream. 

 

So please give it a try. 

 

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Should I Be Concerned With a Spot on My Bird’s Beak?
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Should I Be Concerned With a Spot on My Bird’s Beak?

Lois D. has a question about bird beaks:

 

My 12 yr old male Jenday is in fine health–eating and playing and chewing wood etc all day.

 

But I just noticed a spot on his beak (right side) bottom, that is bare (not black)-I cleaned his beak.

 

Just wondering–have searched the internet and all my books– can’t find a thing.

 

Can you help?

 

Should I be concerned? Thanks so much.

 

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How Do You Rehabilitate a Biting Senegal Parrot?
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How Do You Rehabilitate a Biting Senegal Parrot?

The following is in response to our feathered community member Patrick.

Hi Patrick B,

I have a 27-year old Senegal.  I was reading your post and thought I would offer a few suggestions to you. First, as Mitch said, try clicker training.  It is basically positive operant conditioning.  Birds do not understand the word “no” and yelling at them will teach them how to scream.  So please give it a try. 

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