Essential Oils That May Be Toxic to Dogs and Other Pets
You may have noticed that essential oils have become a hot topic on social media lately… particularly their potential danger
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Bird Articles
Welcome to our Award Winning Bird Care Library. Select a topic from the menu or browse this week’s featured articles below.
The Top 5 Easiest Pets to Care For
While all pets require care and dedication, there are some pets that stand out as being easier to care for
Read more5 Hidden Household Toxins That Could Be Dangerous for Your Pets
Many of us choose the products we use in and around our homes according to budget, convenience, and effectiveness. But,
Read moreBest Pets for Seniors
There are many benefits of having a pet in your senior years. Pets offer companionship and reason to stay active.
Read moreCaring for Your New Pet Parakeet
Parakeets are popular birds to keep as pets. They are small birds that come in a variety of colors. These
Read moreMaking a Disaster Plan That Includes Your Pets
Don’t be forced to leave your pet behind in an emergency. Have a plan in place to keep yourself, your
Read more3 Healthy Snacks and Treats Your Parrot Will Love
Of course, the majority of your parrot’s diet should be a bird seed mix or pellet made especially for parrots.
Read moreTraveling Challenges with Emotional Support Animals
If you rely on an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) or follow the news, you may have noticed recent stories about some
Read moreFeeding Caged Birds
The exact nutritional requirements of caged birds are unknown, in spite of claims to the contrary by some product manufacturers, retailers and breeders. Far too much emphasis has been placed on seed and nut diets for caged birds. They represent a relatively nonperishable convenience for bird owners but are a deficient diet for pet birds, especially the larger hookbills.
Read moreFeather Plucking and Picking in Caged Birds
One of the most frustrating conditions of caged birds is feather picking and feather disorders rank as some of the most difficult and challenging conditions to diagnose and treat. However, feather problems are usually detected early because they are easily noticed. Many bird owners find the act of feather plucking very disconcerting, but to stop the behavior the important thing is to understand what motivates the bird to do this.
Read moreBreeding Yellow-Bellied Tits
The Yellow Bellied Tit (Parus venustulus) comes from China. It measures 4" long. They look very much like a Coal Tit (Parus ater). The cock has a glossy black head and throat whereas the hen is light gray with moustache stripes instead of a black bib.
Read moreGeneral Pet Bird Husbandry and Care
Pet birds may be caged or allowed to remain on perches while the owner is home to supervise their activity. Birds should be confined to cages while their owners are away to avoid accidental injury and other misfortune. Unsupervised pet birds allowed "the run of the house" often get into trouble.
Read moreBathing Caged Birds
Many exotic pet birds originally lived in tropical climates where rainfall is a daily, or otherwise frequent, occurrence. Rainwater provides drinking water and an opportunity for bathing, Birds typically take advantage of this moisture by "showering" during a rainstorm or bathing in puddles formed by the falling rainwater. This keeps their feathers .healthy, and restores and maintains a brilliant sheen to the plumage.
Read moreGeneral Hygiene Tips for Caged Birds
Good hygiene is an important part of husbandry for caged birds because most are confined to a relatively small living space. Consequently, droppings often accumulate on cage parts and perches, and tend to contaminate food and water cups, resulting in bacterial proliferation and mold growth.
Read moreFAQ: Keeping Cage Birds Happy & Healthy
Pet birds require the same level of care as any other pet, if not more. Here are some frequently asked questions to consider before purchasing a caged bird.
Read moreFAQ: Keeping Zebra Finches Happy & Healthy
The Zebra Finch is a small grass finch from Australia, where they can be found throughout the country. Here are some frequently asked questions to help you keep your zebra finches in the best of health.
Read moreWing Trimming Caged Birds
To be safe, all caged birds should have their wing feathers trimmed. The decision to deny a caged bird free, unrestricted flight (as in the wild) is subconsciously made by each bird owner at the time the bird is made a captive pet in the home. Wing trimming merely makes this confinement safer for the bird.
Read moreBeak and Claw Trimming for Caged Birds
Caged birds live in a very "geometric" world, in contrast to their wild counterparts. Most of the surfaces they perch on (perches, cage bars, etc.) are very smooth and regular. Consequently, the claws and beaks of pet birds tend to overgrow, and the surfaces of their beaks also tend to become rough and irregular.
Read moreRecognizing Diseases in Caged Birds
Most disease in caged birds is directly or indirectly related to malnutrition and stress. Malnutrition most often stems from what the bird eats, rather than how much it eats. Most caged birds are offered enough food, but they do not receive enough of the proper foods and in the proper proportions. Stress results from any condition that compromises a bird’s state of well-being. Examples include poor husbandry, inadequate diet, rapid temperature changes, and trauma.
Read moreBacterial Contamination of Bird Food
The subject of bacterial contamination of food and water for caged birds is rather controversial. Many apparently healthy caged birds harbor potentially harmful bacteria within their intestinal tracts. These organisms can create illness during periods of stress (short or long-standing) for your bird.
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