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7March10: SMOKING/NICOTINE: Does your bird smoke? If you do, so does your bird. Smoke & nicotine are especially harmful to your bird. Smoking outside reduces the exposure but does not eliminate it. The residual from smoking settles in hair, clothing and on the skin. Every time a smoker touches, cuddles & skirches a bird there is exposure. One of the most direct & harmful transfers of nicotine comes from the hands. From your hands to their feathers & skin. Parrot skin is very thin & chemicals are quickly absorbed. When preening anything that is on the feathers is transfered directly to the tongue & mouth. You can minimize the exposure for you bird by smoking outside, changing your shirt & washing your hands prior to handling your parrot but unfortunately if you smoke so does your bird.

14Jan10: WATER BOTTLES: Yes they are nice and they serve a purpose. The up-side is keeping your parrot's drinking water clean. Do not confuse clean with fresh.
 The the down-side of a water bottle? It is too easy to fill it and forget it. Sure we look at it every day and if there is water in it we think it is fine. It is not fine. Your parrot needs clean -FRESH- water every day. The water bottle must be cleaned every day and refilled with fresh water. The entire bottle must be sanitized no less than once a week. This includes the entire tube portion.
 If your parrot makes "soup" in the water bowl then converting to a water bottle may be a good option for providing a clean source of water thru out the day.
 If it takes a couple of water changes every day to keep your parrot supplied with clean fresh water it is probably easier than cleaning the tube, the washer, the bottle, the cap & refilling everyday & sanitizing regularly. You make the choice but please choose to provide clean fresh water for you parrot at all times.  
10Dec09: MAKE ME A BREEDER - please DON'T:You think getting me a mate is going to calm me down, think again. If I choose to mate with another bird and yes it will be my choice, I surely won't want you intruding much less being around. When my hormones kick in it's all about natural drives. Building & guarding my nest. Protecting my territory & my mate and when those eggs hatch I go into high gear. (Reminder about nature: you are the predator here)  Male or female it doesn't matter because when it comes to breeding and raising our young we take it very seriously.
 If I am acting out something is definitely missing. That something is most likely your attention and some mental stimulation. You want me to be a better bird, be a better friend. Spend time with me, earn my trust & I will teach you about real companionship.
29Nov09: CAGE SIZE & OUT of CAGE TIME: it is often said if the bird can spread its wings & not touch the sides of the cage it is large enough. Unfortunately few companion birds are lucky enough to get even this much room. When it comes to bird cages BIGGER is better. Just be sure the bar spacing is appropriate for your species of bird. For purposes of discussion lets trade places with our bird. Now find a room where when you spread your arms you can just touch the walls. Chances are you are now in a closet or a very small bathroom. Can you imagine spending hours in here. How about days, months OR the rest of your life!
 Most well adjusted social birds are birds that spend hours outside of the cage. Interacting with family,exploring or just hanging out,they are as free as we can make them. We owe them this much freedom at a minimum and when they must be returned to the cage make it as large & comfortable as possible. hmmm..did you forget that closet you were just in?  

2Nov09: A PRETTY - TALKER: I want a bird that talks. I want a bird because they are so colorful.
 There is nothing more captivating than a bright, beautiful, colorful bird. Nothing more exciting or magical than hearing a bird talk. But these are NOT reasons to get a bird.
 The bird you got that was talking up a storm may turn quiet. The bird you got that never uttered a sound before just may talk YOUR head off. That beautifully feathered bird just might start pulling feathers or the naked little "chicken" you brought home may turn into a wonderfully feathered eye catching beauty.
 There are no guarantees when it comes to a parrot. Nutrition, environment, mental stimulation, health, species & age all play a part in what your bird was, is or becomes.
 There are many reasons a parrot will lose it's home. Not living up to your expectations should not be one of them.
21Sept09: WHEN A VET IS JUST A VET: One of the biggest challenges for parrot people is finding a vet for their companion. It is not a requirement that the vet be certified avian but it is essential for your vet to know parrots. Parrots have specific needs requiring a professional with hands-on bird experience as well as an education pertaining specifically to parrots. Exotic certified is NOT avian nor does avian certification guarantee the proper or best care for your bird. As the caretaker of a parrot it is your responsibility to demand & provide the best possible care for your companion. This means educating yourself & sometimes educating the veterinarian community. You know your bird best. If you are not comfortable with the handling or care you parrot is receiving you need to question the care & handling. Any competent professional will welcome & answer your questions. If you have a vet that has a parrot, has a specific interest in parrots, actively seeks to keep current in avian welfare, has a parrot clientele, and you like them, chances are you've found your vet. Your vet should, at the minimum, a give your parrot a thorough exam and provide you with an examination check list. The AAV has put together an excellent protocol form. It is easy to read & easy to use and a great tool for you and your vet. Copies are available thru "Association of Avian Veterinarians" or this web site.
21July09: LOSS OF A COMPANION If you are a bird person this can be quite devastating. The reasons can be quite different but the emotion still cuts deep. In most any case a necropsy is vital. As the care giver to a bird you need to know if it was something that could have been prevented so the mistake is not repeated. It may be environmental or it may be communicable. Are you at risk? If you have multiple birds are they at risk? What about other pets?
 The findings can be an emotional pillow for you and a source of information for the veterinarian-avian community. Even if no definitive cause is found a good avian veterinarian expands his knowledge base and that  benefits current parrots, wild and companion as well as all future parrots.
It is with great sadness we mourn the loss of our two eclectus, Matilda & Travis. May they fly free over the rainbow bridge. 
16June09: CAN I PET THE BIRD? Most often the answer is no. First off, you or anyone that wants to engage a bird must earn the trust of that bird. How would you like a complete stranger in your space, poking at you or
trying to touch you? How comfortable are you with a stranger giving you a hug?
 I can not stress enough that parrots are NOT cats & dogs. They are NOT domesticated animals. They have NOT been bred for temperament or compatibility. Most parrots excluding parakeets & cockateils are 1 or 2 generations from the wild. To a parrot we are a predator and as a predator we must earn their trust.
 Some birds are more trusting & comfortable with strangers. But more often they are wary & if pushed and not allowed to retreat or escape, will bite. (another topic soon: teaching your bird to bite)
 You are the first line of defense for your bird. If for any reason you are uncomfortable with someone who wants to touch your bird - just say No. If you bird shows signs of discomfort or agitation - just say No.
 The more comfortable and secure you keep your bird the more trust you build with your bird. The more trust your bird has with you the more he trusts that you will let no harm come to him, even with strangers.

23March09: HORMONES. This is generally the season & if you're lucky you'll experience it only once a year.  Do not punish your bird, after all you made the choice to get the bird. These poor creatures are probably just as confused as you are. Your sweet, cuddly, lovable bird has turned into a marching, flying, stalking horror. This is NORMAL. If you have not experienced this with your bird consider yourself fortunate...for now.
All birds are different and may display all-none or some of the affects of raging hormones and to different degrees. SO, What can you do?
1st avoid all situations that will result in harm to you or your bird. Meaning do not punish them and do not force issues that agitate or excite your bird. Remove items & materials that can be used for nesting or nest building. Limit your birds daylight exposure to 8-10 hours. Increase vegetables while reducing or limiting proteins & carbs. These are just a few of the simple changes that may help both you and your companion get thru this difficult time. 
 PLEASE remember. This is temporary. It is a cycle and it will end. Do not encourage mating behaviors such as regurgitation. Refrain from stroking, petting or rubbing your bird's back and the area at the base of the tail feathers. This is birdie foreplay. Avoid cuddling in blankets or in any fashion that covers or "wraps" your bird as it may be interpreted as a nest or invitation to mate by your bird. It is best to restrict your love and affection to head scratches & sweet talk.
FYI.. you can increase both the intensity & length of your birds hormonal cycle. This is not good for you or your bird and if you tease them long & hard enough they do get even.


13Jan09: FLIGHTED or CLIPPED? This is definitely a personal preference & there are pros & cons either way.
 Every bird should be allowed to fledge as a baby. Flight is a huge confidence builder for a bird and every bird should know what it is to fly.
 If you choose flighted you must also be aware of the hazards of flight. Ceiling fans, mirrors, windows and
hanging light fixtures are just a few and that ever so dangerous open door. Many birds have been lost due to flying away.
 Clipping a bird should only be done by the experienced. Secondary flight feathers should never be cut & enough wing should be left to allow the bird to glide to the ground but not enough for them to take flight. Clipping a bird in as individual as a hair cut is to you or I. What works for one bird may not work for another. Consideration to size, species, environment & past flight experience is key to properly trimming a birds wings. The choice is yours and so is the responsibility.


30Dec08: SOMETHING is WRONG. My bird isn't acting the same. My bird is on the bottom of the cage. My bird looks different. My bird smells funny.
 You know your bird best. If you notice anything different or odd or feel that something is wrong with your bird, you're probably right.
 Now you think...it will get better tomorrow or It's not that bad or a vet visit is going to be expensive.
REMEMBER: by the time your bird shows signs of illness it's already very sick. Don't wait. Tomorrow may be too late. Get your bird to an avian vet or one with bird experience.


03Sept08: FREE BIRD? No such thing. Even if offered a bird for FREE the cost to set-up & maintain is high. Parakeet or macaw your FREE bird requires a complete medical exam. Birds can carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans (zoonotic). Any responsible bird owner will want to have their new companion checked to confirm health, for possible zoonotic diseases & to establish a base line.
 Rarely do you get a FREE bird that comes with a cage. If you do, chances are the cage is not adequate for the bird. Most are way too small. Construction is poor. They're worn. Plan on paying as much or more for a proper cage as the retail cost of your FREE bird.
 Wow! We just got started. What about bowls, food, toys, play stands, lighting...Ok you're starting to get the picture. So what am I saying? If you can't afford to provide these basics and Yes, toys are a basic when it comes to birds, then you can NOT afford to have a bird.   There are no FREE birds.

14July08: WHAT AM I? I am not a toy or a children's pet and I am not an ornament for display. Nor am I a           possession. I am a companion. I have my own personality and I am as unique as you are. I prefer to pick my own friends, whether two legged or feathered. I can accept and adapt to most any situation with the proper guidance, boundaries and patience.
 You are crazy to think any child or even most teenagers are capable of caring for me. Think! Hmmm..the needs of a toddler. How many sub-adults do you know who are mentally and emotionally ready to care for a toddler? Now how about 24 hours a day-every day-for years because I will never grow up. There are few adults willing or able to commit to this.
 I will live 15-80 years, maybe more and I will never leave home. I will test the limits, try the patients, push the buttons, and frazzle the most capable of adults.   After all I am a parrot.

5July08: predator vs PREY. I am food. I am the hunted. I am on the menu for snakes, lizards, other birds,            monkeys, cats, oh so many to list and even man. You kill me for food and because you perceive me as a threat to your crops. You kill me so you can take my babies & then I am expected to love you as a pet.   Lets talk "hard wired". Nature has hard-wired me to survive. All predators have eyes in the front of their head. This includes you -Man- therefore you are a predator, yet I try to understand you and accept you as my flock. I am still afraid and fear you so be patient with me and please don't ever punish me. I do not understand punishment but I can learn to trust. We must trust each other and trust takes time.

1July08: I NEED MY REST! 10 hours, maybe even 12. That is what I need. I have the mentality of a 3-4 yr            old and the attitude of a 2-3 yr old and just like your kiddos, rest is essential. I am talking restful sleep in a quiet, dark, comfortable location. Not where the TV in on, music is playing or where chattering & activity of the 2 legged kind is taking place.
  Want the world to know your business? Let me sleep in your bedroom. Out of the mouth of babes & birds.
 Think about my night time location. Am I exposed to car lights thru-out the night? In the path of people or pet traffic? My eyes are closed, you think I am sleeping but you'd be wrong most the time. In fact I am a prey animal(more on this soon) and I am programmed for survival, to always be on guard for predators. Night just brings out a whole different set of predators and without the security of my flock I am on constant guard, catching short naps around the clock. So give me 10-12 hours of peace to sleep.