Zinc Toxicity Kristin Claricoates, DVM Zinc is required in small amounts for an animal to function well. However animals sometimes eat inappropriate items that may have high levels of Zinc. Things found around the house that may be high in zinc include: batteries, automotive parts, paint, [...]
Your Overly Reproductive Female Bird by Susan Horton, DVM A Lecture From Dr. Horton On Reproductive Female Psitticines The Reproductive Female Introduction Today’s talk will lightly cover the basic female avian anatomy, then discuss some of the problems associated with that anatomy. In the end [...]
Wing Trims What is a wing trim? A wing trim involves cutting one to a few feathers from each wing to decrease your bird’s flight potential. It is not a way to completely stop your bird from flying. What can I expect from a [...]
Wing Injury and Rehabilitation Going Home with a Wing or leg Injury, What You Need to Know Special precautions should be taken to reduce that chance of further injury. The bird should not be returned to a cage or enclosure which provides climbing surfaces. A [...]
What to Feed Your Pet Bird By E.R. Bennett, DVM Virtually all new-bird owners feed their birds a seed diet (sometimes supplemented with vitamins, minerals, fruits, vegetables, and other table food treats). This diet represents a starvation ration and these birds are suffering from [...]
Weaning Baby Birds by Pat PecoraWeaning is a gradual process in which babies learn to eat on their own. Each baby is an individual so there is no set time table or schedule in which to wean, but rather something that is done at the chick’s [...]
Unsafe Plants for Birds Harmful Plants (first source) Amaryllis – bulbs American Yew Avocado Azalea – leaves Balsam Pear – seeds, outer rind of fruit Baneberry – berries, root Bird of Paradise – seeds Black Locust – bark, sprouts, foliage Blue-green Algae – some forms [...]
Territorial Aggression Psittacine aggression is one of the more serious of behavioral problems for pet bird owners. The strong jaws and hooked bill of parrots can inflict serious pain and do substantial damage to the owners. Aggression in parrots takes the form of biting [...]
Baby Starlings and Sparrows Kristin Claricoates, DVM Baby starlings and sparrows are a challenge to take care of. If you happen to find a baby starling or sparrow (or a baby bird in general) and do not know what to do follow the below [...]
Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease By Kristin Claricoates, DVM Psittacine beak and feather disease is a contagious circovirus that can have two forms: an acute and a chronic form. This disease can be passed on from the parents of a bird or by other affected [...]
