Bacon (the budgie) In Our House – A Blue Bird of Paradise Finds Us
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Bacon (the budgie) In Our House – A Blue Bird of Paradise Finds Us

Editor’s note: We have quietly rehomed a number of large birds found by the Chicago Police and Fire Departments over the years. We found Popcorn, (a citizen calling to say a white bird was stuck in the bushes). We post pictures to Facebook and local neighborhood groups.

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Birds Are Like Soul Mates & Should Find You – Right?
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Birds Are Like Soul Mates & Should Find You – Right?

jellenp@……..

Mitch, I learned sooooo much from you in today’s message about bird safety. I’m seeing my household with completely new eyes now. Thank you so much.

We are first-time bird companions of two one-yr-old beautiful little male budgies acquired at the same time from the same breeder when they were still youngsters. They are healthy and active.

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How To Exercise Your Parrot
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How To Exercise Your Parrot

Having an exercise routine for your parrot is a crucial part of their care.

When a parrot is kept in captivity it is our job to supply them with enough mental and physical stimulation.

Parrots in their natural environments will work for food, build nests, care for the young, and of course fly. So we need to take a better look at the way our parrots receive exercise.

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Wing Clipping is a Range of Options – Not Just a Choice
Wing Clipping is a Range of Options - Not Just a Choice

Wing Clipping is a Range of Options – Not Just a Choice

We talked about wing clipping adversely affecting your bird’s feet and that clipping your bird’s wings may cause your bird to scream more

One of my favorite things to do is “muddy the waters” will. Wing clipping is not simply a two-dimensional subject. It’s not just about whether should I clip my bird’s wings or not.

Greg Glendell One of Europe’s foremost parrot behaviorists talks about the “quality of wing clipping” here (more…)

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Some Realities of a Keeping a Flighted Bird in Your Home
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Some Realities of a Keeping a Flighted Bird in Your Home

Mitch,

Are you saying you don’t keep your birds in a cage? Ever? Like they just roam around the house all day?

How do you keep from stepping on them, what about electrical cords that might look like a toy to them while you’re not observing?

What about things like china plates on a hutch they could fly into and hurt themselves?

I would love to let them lose but how would I keep an eye on them say if they’re upstairs and I’m down? They get into EVERYTHING! 

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Has Wing Clipping Damaged Your Bird’s Feet?
Close up of a Red-and-green macaw (Ara chloropterus) foot, holding the cage with its claws

Has Wing Clipping Damaged Your Bird’s Feet?

Lately, I have been villainized, accused of being self-righteous, and generally disdained by all the people who feel clipping their bird’s wings is the right thing to do.
So I proudly wear the Scarlet (Macaw) letter “F” (for Flighted) on my chest.

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Bird Parasites, Cage Litter And The Great Wing Clipping Debate
Indian common green parrot in flight mode

Bird Parasites, Cage Litter And The Great Wing Clipping Debate

How do you know if your bird has mites? Excessive scratching could be the first clue, but that could also be attributed to dry skin. The simplest method is to take a piece of white computer paper and hold it under your bird’s main perch. Then tap, tap, tap hard on the perch with something like a wooden spoon. If you see small red dot “crawly things” on the paper, those would be mites. If you’re in doubt a visit to the vet would be in order.
 

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How Does Barometric Pressure Affect Birds?
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How Does Barometric Pressure Affect Birds?

A recent request for information:

Hey guys, how about putting out some info on barometric pressure, and how it effects parrots, as well the wild birds. I’m here on the east coast getting ready for the BIG hurricane and my Parrotlet is acting a bit nervous.

Hi Patricia.
 

We have known for a long time birds will eat more as air pressure falls. This is because birds know that they have a hard time getting food during a storm and storms are usually associated with falling pressure so by having this innate ability to detect falling air pressure to predict a storm, that gives them more time to prepare much like we do by watching television or listening to the radio and then going to the grocery store. 

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