Jim relates,
We have a 12-year-old lovebird.
He’s had all kinds of injuries over the past 5 yrs and early last year we discovered he has glaucoma.
We found him on the floor which is very unusual and realized he injured himself …he now has tilted his head to the left and can’t lift it straight up or hold it in the position much longer.
Mary J. is concerned about her cockatiel,
Hi,
I was wondering if I could ask your advice? My cockatiel has laid 9 eggs in the past two months–no mate. Do I need to be concerned enough to take her to the vet? It’s $185 a visit….thank you. She is healthy and happy and energetic as always.
June D. relates,
Catherine mentioned milk thistle liquid for helping manage liver disease in Amazon. Her diet is being changed and she is on a liver supplement from her Vet. Any suggestion regarding dosage would be very much appreciated.
Posey is 22 years of age and weighs 590 gms.
Victoria K. has an avian lighting question,
hi there, I purchased this hanging full spectrum light for my Eclectus a while ago and can’t seem to find the setup instructions (and don’t see them on your website).
Would it be possible for you to provide it to me?
Green Bean is in his cage 12-14 hours/day and is otherwise on a playstand most days unless I am away from home.
Is it ok for this light to be on for a full 12 hours (I am not often gone that long but just want to make sure because I think one of your articles mentions that retina damage can occur with more than 4-5 hours of UVA/UVB lighting in certain circumstances)?
Kathy M. has concerns about her Molting IRN (Indian ringneck) parrot
Agni, our 12-year-old IRN parrot is molting.
We live in California. This one is a big molt, so he looks really scruffy.
I’m wondering if there is anything particular in food or supplements that could be helpful.
David R. wants to know more about an Amazing Moringa Presentation I've been meaning to ask this for some time now, What would you think of adding fresh Moringa to…
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.
Debra C. wants to know how to care for the special needs of an older budgie,
I love all of the wonderful info about taking better care of my birds that I am able to take away from your newsletters.
But I am especially wanting more info on how to meet all the needs of my precious 9-year-old Goofus.
She still gets around in her cage pretty well most of the time by climbing, She is a fast climber. Sometimes she flies, I have added extra perches across the length of the cage so she doesn’t have to fly far.
She seems to have her good days and her not-so-good ones. But she seems happy. She and my much younger male budgie Lavender have fallen in love and are mostly inseparable.
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.
Patricia N. explains,
I have an Umbrella Cockatoo and have a new travel cage arriving soon. Always hard to get it to try anything new and he’s not a fan of cages, other than his usual ‘home’ cage.
Any tips on how best to get him inside his new travel cage. Thank you
Dear Patricia
Set it up right next to the bird’s regular cage. On a table to raise it up if possible. Put some food in it, treats, toys, and let your bird check it out.
