Start with the Endangered Species Act from 1973
Quaker parrots are illegal to own or sell in
1 – Weigh your bird
Birds are prey animals. Evolution has taught them that if they look weak they are more subject to an attack by a predator in the wild. Thus it is not uncommon to see a bird appear to be healthy one day then fall over dead the next because there are no visual symptoms like you can see with a cat or dog.
One of the most precise tools you can obtain for a mere $19 is our best bird scale ever which can be used to weigh birds from budgies to large macaws.
When you weigh your bird regularly at least twice a month you can easily see large swings in weight gain or loss possibly indicating an illness without being visible by looking at the bird.
Susan F. is concerned,
I just noticed a patch of black on Seymour’s right side just now.
Should I be overly concerned about this enough to get her in to see the vet?
I have been giving Seymour 1/2 of a strawberry almost every day for the past two weeks.
Could that be causing this?
Also, I have been trying to file Seymour’s nails with a crystal file for the last several weeks on Sundays to get her used to it and to do a little at a time…perhaps 5 mins because she pulls away so often.
Julie O. has a lovebird issue,
Hello Catherine & Mitch
We have a peach-faced lovebird named Kiki (she told us her name, it’s the only word she speaks) that was rescued nearly dead from starvation and dehydration on a busy Los Angeles street about 5 years ago.
We don’t know her actual age, but she looked to be fairly young then.
In the past two years, she has started laying infertile eggs.
Gail H. wrote:
I have a very healthy 2-1/2 yr. old Cockatiel and he is still a baby to me.
I am wondering what weight is a healthy weight for him.
He has been molting since about 8 wks ago and of course, the molt is getting less now.
Rotary trimmers are becoming very popular when people realize how easy it is to trim their own bird’s nails while saving money at the same time.
Although we recommend using an electric nail trimmer to keep your bird’s nails trimmed neatly we do not recommend that you attempt to trim your bird’s beak.
It’s a sensitive organ and has a lot of sensory receptors and which could potentially be very painful to your bird if handled in the wrong way, which got me to thinking about today’s topic.
Joanne F. wonders aloud,
Been reading your blog about the effects of Lupron on female birds for egg-laying.
My vet is suggesting these injections for my male white face cockatiel, “Pico”.
Pico is literally like Jekyll and Hyde.
Very loving but can turn on you in a nanosecond.
He is so highly hormonal that almost anything is perceived as a potential mate.
Feet, sneakers, plastic Kind bar wrappers……the list is expanding.
Brian M. is concerned,
I have a peach-faced lovebird that seems to have an issue with his beak.
His beak has never been trimmed and he has a stone that he rubs his beak on to grind it down. Recently the top part broke and it is smaller now but the lower part of the beak looks like it needs to be trimmed.
I read where some people trim them but I made an appointment with the vet.
I am nervous about taking the bird there he has never been taken anywhere.
I am afraid he can’t eat everything with the lower long beak.
Hi Mitch,
I just noticed that you posted my questions about Ricky on your Blog.
I’m fine with that but feel a bit uncomfortable about naming my bird’s vet and giving her web address.
I came to you with my query as I am not seeing improvement in my bird after several appointments.
Your advice has been read and will be re-read.
From: June S.
Subject: Re: Hi June ~ How to Remodel Cages to Reduce 2 Bird’s Hormonal Behavior
Hi Mitch,
Do birds get coronavirus? I had it about a month ago.
My two parakeets have become so quiet and sleep alot.
I changed where I keep them thinking a change would help.
Some but not much.
Can they know I haven’t been very well?
Thank God I have recovered any thoughts?
June
