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.
Hi, I am the very happy owner of a 27-year-old umbrella cockatoo.
I’ve had her for about 12 years (her previous owner passed).
She’s always been a picky eater.
She of course loves peanuts and all things that are not good for her.
I’m still trying to find a pellet she will eat to balance her nutrition.
Please help with any suggestions. She’s very active and has beautiful plumage. I just worry about her diet. Thank you,
Patrice
The first answer to the Quora question:
I don’t know but I would recommend joining one of the many parrot groups on Facebook. I would think he would be eating very often. When my eclectus was 5 months he would eat a meal and then 15 minutes later be hungry again!
Well, that was helpful ~ not.
Facebook groups are the absolute worse place for pet bird information. If the information were ANY good we would not see 60% death by starvation of pet birds in the US.
Kathy B. relates,
I have a Parakeet. He’s very mean. I keep trying to Tame him and he killed his female Mates. It’s female partners and kill all the eggs and I just don’t know what to do with him
Karen C. asks,
Have you ever experienced dealing with a bird that has developed what they are calling “bumblefoot”?
I have a parakeet that has a sore spot on the bottom of one of its feet.
When I looked it up on the internet it didn’t seem like much could be done and this little guy isn’t finger trained.
He was a rescue along with 3 other birds.
It’s quite a feat to catch him at all and I don’t want to stress him out anymore than the poor thing already is.