Barbara G. is concerned about her African grey’s lack of interest in bird toys:
Hi Mitch, I really enjoy your Sunday bird info.
My male Timneh suddenly has become frightened of his toys.
Even a piñata shredding toy.
A few months ago, I purchased a bag of beautiful handmade all-natural bird toys.
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.
Hello,
Bonnie B. would like to know:
First I want to thank you for your very informative emails.
They are always filled with great information.
My question is what are your thoughts on Lupron and what effects of long term use.
I have a 30 yo female Umbrella Cockatoo that we’ve had for 11 years.
She laid an egg once or twice a year and then in 2015 after laying an egg she prolapsed on a Sunday.
Luckily we were able to get her into UC Davis.
Marsha Asks:
Hi there – I’m trying to find fluorescent tube lighting for my two Amazons, as I understand the compact bulbs don’t carry quite the same punch.
What few I’ve found with high CRI (93+) and 5000K (Kelvin) are only available in packages, etc., so I’m wondering if LEDs rated at the same level are as beneficial, since workshop lamps, etc, of that sort, are easily available and much more easily installed.
Trish G asks:
Both are regularly seen by an Avian Diplomate Vet and are in great health, and they eat Harrisons, organic veggies (from the freezer section) and I hide sunflower seeds and pistachios all over their cage for them to hunt, which they do enthusiastically.
We take them camping and sailing with us (my husband is both patient and tolerant!).
Lucy usually lays eggs 1-2 times a year, fall and spring, and I let her sit on them at night for about 3 weeks because I found if I pull them she keeps laying more.
For the last month she’s been biting me quite hard (blood!) when I try to return her to her cage and random other times, and I’m not able to identify why.
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…)
Scroll down for 8/27/20 updated responses
Christopher G. writes:
I have a question about bird behavior, and I thought it might find a home in the birdie brunch.
We have a four-year-old green cheek conure and a three-year-old Hahns macaw.
We keep them in travel/sleeping cages in our bedroom at night, with the doors unlatched so they can come out in the morning whenever they want.
Recently, at night, we have found our green cheek to have left her sleeping cage and nestled into a tight space between the two cages, underneath the towels that cover the cage.
Karin R Writes:
My approximately 20 yr old conure (we think male, though not verified) has been exhibiting hormonal behaviors for weeks.
The worst thing is the frequent regurgitation.
My vet suggested that it is possible that a change in routine due to the pandemic is causing this.
I am certainly home more, but pre-pandemic I was gone for a couple of hours a day and did not have the same schedule every day.
I still leave for an hour or two most days, so it is not a big change.
Previously these behaviors lasted for a week or so, this time it has been going on for 6 weeks or more.
Bill P. asks:
I have questions about the 72-hour circadian reset technique.
1. During the day portion of the 72 hour period would there be a problem with taking the bird, Blue and Gold Macaw out of her cage for food, exercise, and to interact with the family.
2. Can you provide clinical references pertaining to this technique?
