How Do I Transition 8 Amazons and 2 Macaws to a Large Aviary?
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How Do I Transition 8 Amazons and 2 Macaws to a Large Aviary?

Barb H. asks:

 

I’d appreciate advice on integrating parrots into a 36′ X 10 communal aviary for 8 amazons & 2 macaws.

 

These birds have all lived together in the same room divided by partitions. Although separated, they can see each other and communicate.

 

Since they’re familiar with each other, I’m hoping for a painless transition.

 

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My Budgie is Plucking and I Don’t Know Why?
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My Budgie is Plucking and I Don’t Know Why?

Mary W. relates:

 

One of my budgies (male 2 years old) got a crop infection late Jan.
 
He was plucking at his abdomen.
The vet put him on antibiotics and had to keep him at the vet clinic for a week as my brother had a heart attack & died and the friend that I had taking care of my birds could not catch him (fully flighted) to give him meds.
When I got back 10 days later and picked up my guy from the vet-all of his chest feathers were gone!
I figured that once I got him back to his flock he would be ok.

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How Do I Silence My 5-year-old Female Illiger’s Macaw?
2-illiger-macaws

How Do I Silence My 5-year-old Female Illiger’s Macaw?

(above) 2 Illiger’s macaws aka blue-winged macaws named in honor of the German ornithologist Johann Karl Wilhelm Illiger. 

Peter D. writes:

Hi, Need help.

I have a 5-year-old female Illiger Macaw. Recently she has picked up an annoying ongoing chirp when she is out of her cage and on her perch.

It’s like she is so nervous she is afraid of her own shadow.

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How Do I Get Rid of Bird Food Moths?
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How Do I Get Rid of Bird Food Moths?

Solomon L writes:

 

I have a problem with little moths which seems to come from the bird food, they are very annoying.

 

I have an aviary inside the house with canary and finches, it is 8 feet tall 5 feet diameter in the circle connected with a 6 feet flight path with 8 canaries and 12 finches.

 

I use the Kaytee brand finch food for finch and the one for canaries.

 

Before when I had the Higgins premium brand I had no problems, but I could not find so I switched to Kaytee.

 

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How Much Do You Understand About the Molt?

We’ve talked about the differences between molting, preening, and plucking in a post found here.

Molting is misunderstood and usually viewed as nothing more than a nuisance.

We have 10 birds in our home.

That means they’re going to shed between 50,000 and 70,000 feathers combined, annually!

Feathered factoid: Ducks have 10,000 or more feathers and swans have upwards of 12,000+.

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Is the Corona Virus Making Your Bird Hormonal?
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Is the Corona Virus Making Your Bird Hormonal?

Editors note: In the featured image above, Barney was obsessing with the other bird in the mirror as Catherine observed.

We have since blocked access to that part of the mirror and Barney has become far more social (less hormonal). Endnote

One of the reasons we are able to stay in business going up against the likes of Amazon and Chewy is that we answer the phone and can provide useful advice.

And although PetSmart and Petco will answer the phone on a national or store level, good luck with getting information about proper care for your white-capped Pionus.

There is been a definite uptick of calls and emails seeking advice for birds exhibiting bad hormonal behavior.

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How Can I Help My Egg Bound Cockatoo?
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How Can I Help My Egg Bound Cockatoo?

Debbie S. writes: Hi! I got your contact info from a long-time bird-loving friend. I reached out to “Gloria” yesterday as she has lots of birds and bird knowledge and we have 1 bird. We have an Umbrella Crested Cockatoo – since she hatched and is now age 28. She’s very healthy all her life, good diet, exercise, toys, etc.
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