Let’s start with parrots falling under a definite no.
Kea for one. The New Zealand Alpine parrot lives in the snowy mountains and is really smart but extremely destructive.
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Tammy F. is worried about her bird’s territorial issues,
Yogi, my timneh African grey parrot has taken over our bedroom dresser and nightstand drawers. He learned to open them months ago, he loves getting in there and throwing everything out.
I let him have fun with it but now when my husband goes to get into the drawers Yogi does a dive bomb to his head. He does it to me also but I’m more aware of him and know he’s coming and divert him.
He does not want anyone in “his” drawers. He gets locked in his cage for this behavior sometimes but he knows when we are going to put him in his cage and he flys off.
Linda is concerned with using essential oils around her bird,
Are essential oils safe to use around parrots? Like on the family dog. Not diffuser. Would you share your insight, please? Thank you, Linda and flock
Hi Linda
We discourage essential oils in a bird home simply because it’s oil. The oil can merge into floating particulates or aerosols that can line the nasal passage and respiratory system reducing a bird’s ability to breathe.
Best
MitchR
I’ve added a video about avian respiratory systems below.
Kori R. enquires,
Hello
I am researching parrots.
I am looking for the best way to go about purchasing one to add to our family.
Do you sell them or do you know of a reliable source where we can purchase one?
Thank you
Kori
Deleta R is interested in the cons to buying a mature African Grey Parrot
I’ve bottle-fed ( yes bottle) and weaned 2 Congo African Grey Parrots in my lifetime( Starr & Hope) I have 4 Blue front Amazons now 2 bottle-fed and weaned in 2005 & 2015.
Rob K. has a “Light question”
Mitch, I have read much and understood all of your points about lighting.
My bird is a Congo African Grey.
My concern is that I have also read articles about the danger of eye damage such as cataracts from such closeness and intensity of the light. At the equator, high noon footcandles range from 9-10,000 and cycle up and down moonlight to moonlight (.01 FC @ full moon) and between dawn & dusk (10 FC).
I have a full spectrum bulb in my ceiling 5′ above his cage.
Barbara S. doesn’t know what to do,
I have an African grey named Rocky who is 29 years old.
Over the last couple of years, he started to make these strange noises day and night out of nowhere.
So we took him to our aviary vet and after several visits and numerous tests, it was determined that it is a behavioral issue.
Sarah A. relates,
Hello, I am looking for help in training my parrots.
I have two African grey parrots.
They are 21 and we have had them their whole lives.
My mom used to handle them, however, she began to have severe allergies from their dust.
First name: Peggy C.
How long has your bird been plucking?
Approximately 7 years
Species (please be specific, as an example, there are 43 species of Macaws)
Congo African Grey parrot
Your bird’s sex if (known) by DNA or feather color (dimorphic bird)?
Female
Your bird’s age?
19
Michael G. asks,
Mitch, you spoke about vitamins today, specifically Lafeber Avi-Era.
You’ve approved the diet for Big Boy Grey and Little Girl Grey.
I always used Nekton-S in their water until I learned from you about using a bigger amount of pellets and fewer seeds.
They eat each well and seem to enjoy their overall diet with fresh fruits and veggies for “lunch” each day.
