How Much Should My Birds Weigh?
african-grey-on-back-on-scale-fb-e1645072782571

How Much Should My Birds Weigh?

  Average Bird Weights

Healthy adult cockatiels usually weigh 78 to 125 grams. Birds should always be weighed in grams, which is a metric measurement. (There are approximately 28 grams in an ounce.) It is important that a bird is weighed on an accurate gram scale. Electronic scales are available for purchase from bird-supply companies and office-supply retailers. These can be modified by installing a lightweight perch to facilitate weighing birds.

(more…)

Continue Reading
Avian Respiratory System
bird-respiratory-system-diagram

Avian Respiratory System

AVIAN RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

Birds possess a very unique and efficient respiratory system. They lack a diaphragm, have non-expandable lungs and a system of air sacs that extend into many of their bones. Vocalization is by means of a syrinx, not a larynx as in mammals.

Anatomy
The nostrils or nares are usually located at the base of the beak. In psittacines (parrots) they are located within the area of the cere. Amazons have a structure known as an operculum inside the nare which helps prevent inhalation of foreign bodies. In most birds, the nares are readily visible, while in certain birds-such as crows-they are covered by feathers.

(more…)

Continue Reading
Is Propane Heat Safe for My Bird?
hank-propane-parrot-blog3

Is Propane Heat Safe for My Bird?

Question: Would a hot water bottle be a good option for emergency heat when the power is out, single-digit temp outside, etc.? Two quarts are a lot of water to heat with emergency fuel (without gassing everyone).
What is the minimum amount of water that would be effective? Do you have suggestions for other heat sources? Thanks, Lee

(more…)

Continue Reading
Why Do Green Parrots Have No Green Feather Pigments?
conure-macro-feather-blog-600

Why Do Green Parrots Have No Green Feather Pigments?

and why are their feathers different from other bird feathers?

Hi Mitch

I recently inherited a Yellow Naped Amazon and love her to pieces, but not being a bird person previously, I could use some advice. He is guessed to be about 50 years old, actually, I was told that Rhoda is a female but, she has never laid eggs so they say she is a he!

No matter, I have noticed some of his feathers have black coloring on them. Is it true that could be caused by him not getting enough sunlight? His cage is in front of a window, but the window has a sun screen on it. What is needed to provide “sun” for him in his cage? I would also like to purchase a “Happy Hut” for him but I need to know what size I should order. 

Thanks for any help you can give me and I welcome any advice!

Ginger Oliveira
(more…)

Continue Reading
Parrot-medics Real Life Drama in the Avian ER! Are You Prepared?
Veterinarian examining Alexandrine parakeet in clinic, closeup

Parrot-medics Real Life Drama in the Avian ER! Are You Prepared?

I admit there are times that I struggle to find topics and content that would be interesting to caged bird keepers. Much of the time though, the blog writes itself. A little known but highly reliable source for content on our blog is “customer reviews”

Catherine likes calf’s liver. I won’t eat out of a pan that has cooked calf’s liver. That does not make calf’s liver inherently bad. I’ll tell you right off the bat that if you give a product one star because “your bird didn’t like it” (think calves liver) we treat it like a review on calves liver – love it or hate it , it’s still good for you and because I don’t like the taste of it does not make it a bad source of nutrition and the review won’t get posted.

(more…)

Continue Reading
Bird Teflon Dangers You Didn’t Know and Other Household Perils
custom_cockatiel_gas_mask-3-blog-600

Bird Teflon Dangers You Didn’t Know and Other Household Perils

One of the first things new pet bird keepers learn is that Teflon is bad for your bird which is pretty well-known. The statement “I threw out all my Teflon cookware before I brought my bird home” can be found on the internet as often as Lady Gaga changes hairstyles. 
The potential danger of Teflon does go beyond cookware so I wanted to give you a little background. 

(more…)

Continue Reading
What to do About My Cockatiels Cloudy Eyes?
cockatiel-driftwood2

What to do About My Cockatiels Cloudy Eyes?

G’morning Mitch,
 
I love to read your Sunday Birdie Brunch and look forward to receiving it each week.
Dusty is just about 3 years old. She is active, interactive, alert, happy, healthy, and sees the vet at least once a year. We feed her Kaytee ‘Healthy Support Diet’ food for cockatiels mixed with Vita Prima ‘sunscription’ conure formula.
Both are seeds and pellets. We put 2 drops of vitamins in her water in the morning with plain water during the day and evening. 

Continue Reading
Close Menu