The following is in response to our feathered community member Patrick.
Hi Patrick B,
I have a 27-year old Senegal. I was reading your post and thought I would offer a few suggestions to you. First, as Mitch said, try clicker training. It is basically positive operant conditioning. Birds do not understand the word “no” and yelling at them will teach them how to scream. So please give it a try.
Jacqueline K. seeks information on a whole-home air purifier:
Hello, I trust your expertise and did read your blog on air purifiers.
I have 2 parakeets, 1 ringneck dove, and 3 finches.
We are looking at a whole-house air purifier that will get installed in the air duct.
It was recommended to get the RGF Reme Halo.
Is this going to be safe with my birds?
Jim G. inquires:
For many many years, we have covered our Greys cage at night.
Then about 10 years ago I met a woman who is a certified African Grey rescuer. She said ABSOLUTELY NOT!
That parrots of course originated in natural environments and had to be at all times able to detect danger.
Judy M. worries about:
Hi, Mitch,
The closest avian vet to me is 2 hours away, I worry about my bird being in his travel cage or carrier ( as I have both) for so long, the trip there, the trip home, the visit itself…..
Do you think it would be extremely stressful for Alex?
He has been to an exotics vet, who is only about 15 minutes from me, he was fine.
Eva W. relates:
I have an 8-year-old female Quaker parrot who is becoming more and more antisocial as she ages.
I have had her since she was a baby.
She was always very skeptical of new things and situations which is probably good.
But there was not a lot of curiosity in her behavior.
She never wanted to step up on my hand.
She bites me any chance she gets even though I am her chosen person. (more…)
Cheri S. asks:
I would like to try putting my 3 parakeets and cockatiels in the same cage.
What size cage should I use?
Also, what is a flight cage compared to a regular cage?
Hope you can help.
Nancy N.writes:
Questions about a harness for My African Grey.
She is 30 and really wants to “go for a walk” whenever I take the dog.
She stands guard by the door and flaps her wings which she does whenever we put jackets on.
In response to our Nov 4th 2019 Birdie Brunch
Rio Hemmings commented
I agree that birds will land on any perch in the wild, but caged life is different, they have to sit on the same perch all day so it needs to be comfortable, I do gymnastics and pole so I know how uncomfortable and painful it is when the pole is too wide I can’t work with it.
I read that fleece isn’t safe for birds, like to cover a wood shelf with, what do you think?
My blue-front amazon is having foot problems on and off.
Last September there was a red spot on the bottom of his foot.
And How to Discourage Items They Should Leave Alone
I had a screen saver a while back with an umbrella cockatoo and the words (from the cockatoo’s perspective), “What’s mine is mine, what’s yours is mine, if you put it down it is mine, if I see it it is mine, but if you give it to me, I don’t want it”.
This is so true for many parrots and can be used to introduce new toys and cage additions to your bird’s environment.
