Lisa N writes,
Hey Catherine hope all is well I need your help again I thought by now I would be a better mommy 🙂Our Reggie is molting big time she loves taking a bath every day I know it’s a rough time for birds but we also have a Pineapple conure and yes one is a boy and Reggie is the girl.
Chris S. reached out to ask,
Does a parrotlet need a full spectrum light source?
And if so does it need it all year round if living in eastern PA?
Dear Chris
Unless you are living along the equator, no, natural lighting is not going to replicate what tropical birds need to keep their hormones level.
Sharon McA. asks,
May I use a fluorescent bulb rather than a full spectrum bulb atop my birdcage for my two Indian Ringnecks? Please advise. Thanks.
Rob K. relates,
Mitch, I have read much and understood all of your points about lighting. My bird is a Congo African Grey.
My concern is that I have also read articles about the danger of eye damage such as cataracts from such closeness and intensity of the light.
At the equator, high noon footcandles range from 9-10,000 and cycle up and down moonlight to moonlight (.01 FC @ full moon) and between dawn & dusk (10 FC).
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.
Janet M. seeks advice,
My African grey “Sheba” is showing signs of making a nest — any suggestions on how to stop her?
Thank you for any advice. Jan
Rob K. has a “Light question”
Mitch, I have read much and understood all of your points about lighting.
My bird is a Congo African Grey.
My concern is that I have also read articles about the danger of eye damage such as cataracts from such closeness and intensity of the light. At the equator, high noon footcandles range from 9-10,000 and cycle up and down moonlight to moonlight (.01 FC @ full moon) and between dawn & dusk (10 FC).
I have a full spectrum bulb in my ceiling 5′ above his cage.
Elleen A. relates,
I have 2 male fully flighted cockatiels that will not let us handle them. They are bonded. How can I get them to let us handle them again?
Dear Elleen
Short answer. You can’t. Birds of a feather stick together and you have no feathers.
Long answer.
You can clip their wings, separate them into different cages, and plan to spend several hours with each of them individually in daily sessions in hopes to earn their trust and want to be with you.
Nancy B. has a very needy cockatiel,
My 21-year-old female cockatiel refuses to stay in her cage.
She goes to all extents to get attention, the most of which is constant screaming.
If she so much as hears a squeak as I’m walking down the stairs – she starts screaming.
She can go on for hours at a time until I finally take her out of the cage.
This behavior is constant and interestingly she tries to “mate” when she sits on my finger.
Sarah A. relates,
Hello, I am looking for help in training my parrots.
I have two African grey parrots.
They are 21 and we have had them their whole lives.
My mom used to handle them, however, she began to have severe allergies from their dust.
