Our first answer comes from a question on Quora
Do parrots we rear at home need sunlight?
Firstly, lets set the record straight.
No amount of natural sunlight nor artificial light will help with the production of any vitamin in a bird’s body.
This is because of the dual integumentary systems of feathers and skin.
My severe macaw is losing all its feathers.
The vet says I should switch her to 80% pellet food.
However, I am not convinced. I don’t think they eat pellets in the wild.
I am trying adding HARI Prime vitamin, mineral, and amino acid supplement w/probiotics to her diet.
Do you think this is an acceptable alternative?
Angela wrote:
It does not matter if the toys are small, medium or large.
mitchr asks
Do they tolerate plexiglass? Plastic?
Angela said
Locking rings are a toy I offer but they will not play with them.
Instead, they go around them as if the ring toys were in their way or annoyed them
Katie L. Asks
Is there ever a chance my Quaker Parrot Blu will warm up to my other birds?
He just turned 1, I’ve had him since he was a baby.
We got Winnie the Cockatiel as a baby about 6 months after Blu and just a few weeks ago Chip the parakeet joined our flock.
Blu isn’t as aggressive w/Winnie at this point, but he used to stalk her.
He loved pulling a feather or biting her toes and as a result, Winnie is scared of Blu and little baby Chip.
Goffin’s Cockatoo aka Tanimbar cackatoo, Goffin’s Cockatoo, Tanimbar Corella.
Sunday after Sunday after Sunday I read your incredibly knowledgeable and helpful newsletter
I always learn.
I appreciate so much the time you take to share your wisdom and experiences.
Spoiler alert: This post and discussion illustrate how I reached my diagnosis:
Jan is plucking his feathers because his feet hurt.He’s using his food dish to sleep.This helps avoid pressure to the bottom of his feet which he feels when they grip the smooth dowel rod perch.That’s why he plucks in the sleeping cage – he wants the pain to ease.
Elaine and Mango the Jenday Conure
Dear Mitch & Catherine
I just recently got a Jenday Conure in late October and I named him Mango.
He has his royal blue feathers on his wings and tail but is not too socialized with people.
The breeder advised that he came to her, but the circumstances were unclear.
an·thro·po·mor·phic
/ˌanTHrəpəˈmôrfik/
adjective
relating to or characterized by anthropomorphism.
having human characteristics.
“anthropomorphic bears and monkeys”
I love that word.
I like how it feels on the tongue.
It’s also a big reason we see so many failures and pet bird care.
We make chop because salads are healthy for us.
Small species pet birds
Birds we classify as “Smaller” species
Green cheek conures weigh 64 grams (cockatiels are about 100 grams – Patagonian conures weight about 280 grams, about the size of a Timneh African grey.
Don’t think for a minute conures can be classified into one size category
Large Canaries
Gibber Canary
We are trying something different today.
This is a video interview with Dr. Jenkins, a board certified avian veterinarian.
The video is sponsored by Chloe Sanctuary, a well-known and highly regarded bird rescue.
The two major issues I have with Dr. Jenkins are
