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 We Teach Our Bird His Name?
2-conures-rock-blog

How Do We Teach Our Bird His Name?

This is a follow-up post to:

 

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

 

Lisa N. writes:

 

Happy New Year Catherine this is Lisa. I just wanted to let you know that Reggie and Kiwi are getting along like best friends. There have been no problems with Reggie attacking Kiwi they love being together. Thank you for that lighting treatment. 

 

(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 Can I Reduce My Female Cockatiels Hormonal Issues?
cockatiel-closeup-face

How Can I Reduce My Female Cockatiels Hormonal Issues?

Hello, I’m writing this because I have a 10-year-old Cockatiel female.

I’ve had her since I was 14 and she’s the most important thing in my life.

She’s gone through a lot though and has had to survive 2 emergency surgeries to save her life.

Becoming egg-bound and near-death both of these times due to chronic egg laying.

I don’t know what to do to help.

(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 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
Should I Be Worried About the Bald Spot on My Older Conure?
green-cheek-conure-branch-600

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?

(more…)

Continue Reading
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.❤

Begin thread

(more…)

Continue Reading
Close Menu