David K. relates,
In search of your wisdom
I have a Red Front macaw from an inheritance and his companion was a cat killed by my fault.
What other macaws would be a good fit for him?
Michelle H. wants to know,
Does my Blue and Gold Macaw go thru the terrible twos?
She picks at my clothes, my blankets, and when I put her up at night she dumps her food on the floor.
Charles S. relates
My bird is 14 years old. I have had him/her since being a baby!
Every day she regurgitates about a cup full in her cage!
When I leave her with an experienced bird keeper she does not do this!
They indicated that I may be petting her in a way that arouses her and that may be the problem.
She has been doing this for years.
Could it be how I’m feeding her? Usually, I feed her orange slices, 1 cracker, 2 peanuts, and a scoop of Zupreem twice a day.
Plus I give her another couple of peanuts as a treat during the day?
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!
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).Â
Male ringnecks have the ring, females have none.
Hi Mitch,
I just noticed that you posted my questions about Ricky on your Blog.Â
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.Â
Your advice has been read and will be re-read.Â
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.Â
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.
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.
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. Â
As I told you, I had surgery and my sister took care of the bird from May 12th through June 28th.Â
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.Â
I called the vet and she saw him on July 2nd.Â
