I’m Frustrated With Featherbrite-how Do I Fix My Lighting?
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I’m Frustrated With Featherbrite-how Do I Fix My Lighting?

Cynthia expresses her frustration with the FeatherBrite birdcage lighting system:

I have the swag lights that require two bulbs.

I bought the 16 watts LED bulb and the UV blue bulb in September, and now they’re burned out.

I don’t even see the same bulbs as a set for sale on your site.

I have a Pagoda-style light that requires one bulb but those apparently aren’t sold for that style anymore.

I can’t keep buying lighting fixtures. Help!

 

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How Do I Care For My 2 Eclectus Parrot Pluckers?
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How Do I Care For My 2 Eclectus Parrot Pluckers?

Hi Randall

I’m looking at the pictures you sent, thank you.

Obviously, the birds have feather self-destruction issues.

Typically these need to be addressed holistically.

Before we get granular on the issue let’s do some housekeeping and talk about this particular species.

 About 20% of parrots are sexually dimorphic meaning you can determine the sex of the bird by its color or markings.

Eclectus parrots are either red and blue (female) or green (male). 

Male ringnecks have the ring,  females have none.

 

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Follow Up to Did a 6 Week Absence Cause My Budgie’s Negative Behavior?
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Follow Up to Did a 6 Week Absence Cause My Budgie’s Negative Behavior?

Hi Mitch,

I just noticed that you posted my questions about Ricky on your Blog. 

Here’s the original post

I’m fine with that but feel a bit uncomfortable about naming my bird’s vet and giving her web address.

I came to you with my query as I am not seeing improvement in my bird after several appointments. 

Your advice has been read and will be re-read. 

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How Do We Teach Our Bird His Name?
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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. 

 

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How Do I Wrangle This Quaker Under Control?
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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.

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How Can I Reduce My Female Cockatiels Hormonal Issues?
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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.

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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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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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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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