Success With A Eating Problem

Sweet Phoenix is eating on her own. Horray! Psittacine Cuisine and scrambled egg with cheese...but at least she's eating. The Smart Crock at the right height is an important part of this success!

Sweet Phoenix Moluccan Hen

This is Phoenix. She is a four year old very sweet Moluccan cockatoo hen. Her life, thus far, has been very loving and caring. She was adopted as an egg and visited regularly until she could go home with her new family. She lost her doting mom to cancer recently and is undoubtedly experiencing some grief. Whether or not she stays in the home is a difficult decision for her remaining family. Will she suffer if she doesn't get lavish attention? Can she adapt to a working man's schedule? She is spending a couple of days with me while things get figured out. Normally a beautifully feathered bird, she wears a collar because of some (hopefully temporary) picking. This is such a sweet little girl. I had to feed her breakfast from a spoon this morning to encourage her to eat. She is dainty and quiet....for now! But we all know the potential for cockatooness. If it comes to pass that I need to find her a home...let me know if you know of someone special that is up to the commitment.

When Buster Yells "Quiet!"

The other day was a loud day... (more than usual). I had tried various things to settle the birds to no avail. Finally, I walked in calmly and simply turned each of their cages around. The back was in front and so on. Something that simple worked! They seemed to be interested in standing on their favorite perches but being on the opposite side of the cage. When all else fails, turn the cage around!

Teddi Bird

This is Teddi, a yellow sided greencheek conure. He is young and so much fun to play with. He calls out "step up" when I walk by. How irresistable! Greencheeks are great companions. Their noise level is less than most conures. Little screeches now and then but nothing too annoying. The activity level requires a big cage with plenty to do. Teddi is having a great time and so am I.

WHEN OUTSIDE IS NEW

THIS IS COCO. HE DOESN'T GET TO GO OUTSIDE WHEN HE IS HOME. HERE, OF COURSE, HE IS EXPOSED TO THE OUTDOOR CAGES. ON A HOT DAY HE EXPLORED EVERY INCH OF THE BIG 4'X8' FLIGHT CAGE. HE CLIMBED ON THE CEILING, AND FOUND THE FOOD AND WATER CUPS RIGHT AWAY. HE TRULY ENJOYED EVERY MINUTE.

Parrot Garb

This little blue crowned conure is wearing a collar and chest sock to try to salvage any chance of regaining his feathers. This is one method. I have no answers to the problem of feather picking. I continue to struggle with my own fluffy bird and never cease to analyze every food, environmental exposure, light and humidity condition, and "miracle cure" because many of us are dealing with this unfortunate and guilt-ridden topic. There is no one answer. This little guy and my little guy are extremely friendly and seemingly happy. They get the best of care. I'm trying to start a group of like-minded people to get together periodically to share ideas and lend each other support. Two steps forward and one step back is a difficult path to continually take.

Pacifier For Big Bird

Here he is again. He is so charming and photogenic. Indy, sweet baby, will eat his way through any toy or perch so to keep him busy, I give him something to destroy. He enjoyed playing with this empty plastic bottle for quite a while. It seems like he needs to chomp or chew all the time. It's disheartening to watch him grab onto the rope Boinggs and Atoms and just grind away with his huge beak. It's surprising how terrific they hold up to such punishment!

Out of Cage Time

Each cage in this house is outfitted with a cage-top play area. It's easy to bring the birds out for some time to stretch and get a change of scenery. Of course, there are also playtrees and other options available, but having these climbing structures conveniently located for exploration is great!

Dangerous Toy

I was able to prevent a terrible accident today when I arrived for my daily visit to care for some parrots. To alleviate any boredom during her absence, the mom purchased some local bird toys. This particular one had an orange basket as one of its parts. This basket was demolished overnight and when I came in the next day, the long threads were loose and hanging treacherously. These threads were not the common cotton thread that we often use that easily breaks. The thread here would not break even when I pulled very hard on it. It reminded me of kite string. Imagine what would have happened if the big congo grey got himself tangled up. I might have happened on a very sad situation. Nightmares are made of such thoughts.

Please always check the strength of the threads used in your bird's toys. I assumed that since this was a toy manufactured for birds, it would be safe. Wrong. I will now be suspicious of any strings.

Try to purchase your bird toys from people who pride themselves on safe toys. There are many out there. Also beware of buying simple items at craft stores and using them to enrich your bird's environment. These may be made overseas and have unsafe chemicals, metals, or string used in them. Something as innocent as a basket could take a life.

Shower Day

Some birds are easier to shower than others. Indy defiantly "refuses" to get in without a fuss. The first time, he almost always ends up on my head. (Not for the faint of heart.) He is very strong and very strong willed. I can usually get one hand on each foot and get him to step onto the shower perch where the water is already running.

Is this easy? No. But the next time it is easier, and each time after that, even easier. He pouts for a short while as he dries. I never use a hairdryer because their ceramic element can emit teflon type toxins.

APPROPRIATE PERCH SIZE

Lately I've visited a couple of homes where I think the perch diameter is all wrong for the birds. I agree that having perches of all sizes and textures are good for most parrots, however, they must have the appropriate size to roost on at night and for comfortable resting. Especially in the case of a nervous bird like this little Meyers parrot. Imagine if you hands were your feet and you had to hold on to a bar for any length of time. Would you want to try to grasp a bar that is too large? Parrots lock onto the perch when they sleep. If they're on a large perch, they cannot easily relax. Many people buy large cages for their small birds...bravo! But replace the larger perches with the correct sizes. Rope perches are comfortable and are be flexible to offer many fun positions. Encourage climbing and exercise with the perch placement.

Meet Shelley

Meet Shelley! She is fantastic with birds and comes up often to lend a hand. In this case, she is lending a skritch! Charlie needed some up-close lovin' and Shelley stepped up to the challenge. (Charlie can be intimidating when he is "defending" his cage.) There are always cages to clean and floors to sweep but sharing some one-on-one time with each bird is an important part of the routine. Thank you, Shelley. Charlie would say "thank you" as well but it would be in fairly high decibels!

He's Back...

Indy is back and I love him. He is getting much more bold, talkative, and stubborn! We always start out playing the game of "come here". He knows that I want him to "step up" and come out of his cage. He somehow manages to always have either a foot or his beak fastened tightly onto the cage bars. If I get both of his feet, he holds on for dear life with his huge beak. If I get his beak unattached, I have to let go of one of his feet. This means he attaches the loose foot to the cage. It's not like he doesn't have fun outside of his cage. He loves to climb on the ropes! But, for a few days atleast, we play this game. The only way I "train him" to cooperate is to walk away. Then, when I go back, he realizes that he may not get another chance and he comes out. I won't call it a battle...but he is strong willed!