Janie D.
I have an almost 16-year-old Red Fronted Macaw.
(2 – Red Fronted Macaws pictured above)
I got her as a 6-month-old chick and taught her bite words “hurt” and “cry”.
She uses them accurately!
This might be an interesting topic for a Birdie Brunch!
Hello, I’m Laurie Cannon, who wrote to you about the possibility of adopting an older Green-Winged Macaw.
We didn’t do that, however, we did contact a breeder about a Panama Amazon baby.
She seemed almost horrified when she found out both my husband and I are totally blind.
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
Mona S. writes
I recently had the experience of seeing my beloved Green Cheek Conure do what I would describe as projectile vomiting, which absolutely scared me to nearly to death.
I have owned birds for about 30 years or so and had never seen anything like this.
Actually, I was not even aware that birds could vomit at all, except for regurgitating to feed their young.
This looked like someone had turned on the faucet for a couple of seconds.
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.
How Can I Help My Cockatiel’s Broken Wing Heal? Will it ever heal so he can fly again?
NOTE: We do not advocate being your own avian vet except for emergencies when you cannot get the care you need.
If you can see the break you can use 2 very small cable ties and a coffee stir stick or cocktail straw as a splint to restrain the wing then introduce the sock (below).
If it’s a fracture go straight to the sock.
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.
Or
Are Mites Making Making My Macaw Miserable?
Hi Mitch,
Always look forward to your Sunday articles, thanks!
Madeleine is a (Blue & Gold Macaw) rescue from a home where she was malnourished, neglected, and abused.
I was able to negotiate relinquishment but it’s been a year of learning for me, we bonded and I decided to adopt her instead of fostering.