Massage Therapy

Many bird owners discuss the pros and cons of flighted birds. Not only do flighted birds feel more confidant, but they are at less of a risk for predators and injury sustaining crashes than clipped birds. Whether your bird is flighted or clipped you can help your feathered friend relax his wing muscles with a type of bird massage therapy.

Begin by setting your bird on a perch that will allow the bird to completely expand his wings.Gently, pinch the wings between your thumb and first two fingers. You can do one wing at a time or both.

Gently massage the wing quills by rolling the feathers through your thumb and fingers working your way out to the tips of the wings.

Hold the tips of the wings for just a moment longer to allow the bird to relax and pull them from your finger tips.

After wings, gently work your thumb and first three fingers over the hip, leg and toe joints of the bird's body. A gentle massage before bed or with shower time can help relieve anxiety and muscle tension.

Use positive reinforcement such as a calm, friendly and praising voice along with a favorite treat. Before you know it, your bird will look forward to a massage anytime its offered.

Never scream, yell, shake or punish your bird if he is resistant to the exercise. Be patient and teach him that massage therapy is a good thing. Your bird will learn how much better he feels, which can reduce anxious behaviors such as screaming or feather plucking.

Holiday Hazards Harmful to Your Bird

During the holidays parrots and parrot owners are well aware of how birds are extremely sensitive to fumes from your kitchen.

This year as you prepare meals for holiday gatherings be mindful of your feathered friend's lungs. Place parrots and other birds away from kitchen fumes.

If you have friends that smoke, ask them to smoke outside so that you don't end a wonderful party only to find your parrot suffering from nicotine and smoke inhalation poisoning.

It only takes a few minutes for a bird to start showing signs of illness that include runny and congested nares, blood coming from the nares, labored breathing and sneezing.

Candles, home fragrant sprays such as Freebreeze, Glade and Lysol are fatal to birds. Open windows to air out rooms. Place birds away from rooms with sprays, candles and air fresheners. And keep your avian vet's number stored in your cell phone or on the fridge to quickly address emergencies.

Help your feathered friend have a safe and happy holiday all the way into the new year.

Safe Foods for Your Feathered Friend

This link is an excellent resource for determining what foods your parrot should and should not eat.


http://www.itsagreysworld.com/diet/food.htm

Nutritional and Entertaining Parrot-Safe Gifts

Parrots, like children, love to open and shred objects to see what is inside.  Packages such as boxes and even stockings can offer everyone an opportunity to have a gift under the tree. This year as you prepare for the holidays don't forget to pick up some stocking stuffers for your favorite feathered friend as you peruse the aisles of your local stores. Here are a few items you can purchase to make the holidays nutritional and entertaining for your feathered companion.

Grocery store:                                
Organic instant oatmeal                      
Yogurt covered fruit                          
Italian fruit breads                                
Non-chocolate cookies                    
Dried and fresh fruit                            
Peanut Butter Ritz crackers                  
Non-chocolate cereal bars                  
Chips of non-chocolate hard candy    

Craft Store:
Willow wreaths for chewing
Wooden chew sticks
Straw hats for shredding
Jingle bells (stainless steel only)
Tissue paper for shredding
Plastic hoops and trinkets
Sisal, leather and paper ropes
Paper bowls for foraging and snacks

Remember, parrots are inquisitive little creatures that love to play, swing and chew. By remembering your faithful companion has needs and desires you can give back the joy your parrot brings to you.

Busy Beaks make for Happy Birds
                                                   

Safe Treats for A Happy Halloween

During holidays it is easy to think that a little bit of candy, sweets or other junk foods is okay for your parrot. However, too much of anything can be bad for everyone. Refrain from offering your parrot too many sweets and never offer chocolate (white, dark or milk). Caffeinated drinks are also bad. But don't fear, there are safe alternatives to share with your pet.

If you want to enjoy some treats with your parrot consider these fantastic favorites:

Caramel apple with nuts
Candied apples with or without nuts
Apple cider (warm or on ice)
Caramel popcorn balls
Air popped corn
One or two pieces of candied corn

Always feed small amounts and make sure your parrot has plenty of fresh foods and water daily.

Have a safe and happy Halloween.

Tips for Parrot Owners: Insecurity verses Independence

Tips for Parrot Owners: Insecurity verses Independence

Turning Down the Lights

While the days are getting shorter, don't forget to turn down your parrot's lamp, too. The amount of light your parrot is exposed to directly effects his internal clock for mating, aggression and sleeping. For best results, keep your parrot's lighting similar to that outside your window. While this may not seem like a big deal, you should notice less aggression in your parrot since he (or she) is getting a natural short winter light cycle rather than the extended light cycles of summer.

Use a light cage cover to reduce lighting if you can't turn down all the lights. Also, because the nights are generally darker, place a small night light in your parrot's room to reduce night frights.

Busy Beak Supplies On a Budget

In a down economy, everyone is looking to save money, but no one more than a parrot owner. A busy beak can demolish a 20-dollar toy in one day. Not the most pet friendly prices to keep up with in any economy. Where there is hope there is less feather plucking.

Check out your local craft store for clean natural woods, untreated willow or grapevine wreaths (diameter to fit your parrot), organic sisal rope, old-timey non-metal clothespins and some natural fiber cotton rope--total 20 dollars. How many toys can you make? More than one. If you get two out of it, you are still coming out on top. 

Another dollar stretcher is to pick up an extra bag of whole carrots during your weekly shopping trip. You would be surprised at the number of birds that end up at the vet just because of vitamin A deficiency. Wash them off before laying a whole natural tuber in the bottom of your parrot’s cage on a piece of clean copy paper, paper towel or paper plate for a natural foraging experience. I offer carrots daily!

Total price: $2

How many days worth of pure vitamin A enriched entertainment?

Approximately 6. 

Remember it’s all about having fun with your parrot. Find ways to share your time that will make both you and your bird happy and healthy. 

The Value of Juice

Feeding parrots everything they need can be difficult on a busy schedule, and sometimes parrots just simply are tired of the same fruits and veggies everyday. Some signs that your parrot may need some nutritional adjustments is a flaky beak and irritability.

To switch things up in an absolutely nutritional way consider adding a few servings of 100 % fruit juice to your parrot's weekly diet.

I generally share a piece of buttered toast and orange juice while I am packing my lunch and fixing the house breakfast.

If you are on a tight schedule, consider putting one-fourth cup of juice in a parrot-safe water bottle so you parrot can sip on the juicy sweetness all day.

Orange, grape, pomegranate, blueberry, cranberry and any combination of parrot-safe juice provides vitamin C, which is necessary to prevent egg binding and feather picking.

Be creative and enjoy a cup of juice with your parrot while watching a favorite television show. There is always time for good nutrition.

Foods from the Pantry

Many parrots unnecessarily suffer nutritional deficiencies. As a result, they also suffer behavior problems, health problems and a host of other issues associated with mental illness that usually accompanies the two. Try as they may, commercial diets are no replacement for fresh fruits, vegetables and grains that your bird is instinctively designed to ingest. Many birds still suffer egg binding problems, aggressive behavior (too much protein) and feather loss because they are deficient in calcium and vitamins A, E and D.

Foods that are bursting with calcium and vitamins A, E, D are no further than your pantry.

Here is a list of foods that have tremendous nutritional benefits for your parrot that are common in many household pantries:

Maple/pecan instant oatmeal

Apples and cinnamon instant cream of wheat

Diced bits of fruit with regular oatmeal or cream of wheat

Diced fruit and toast with a bit of no-salt butter or jelly on top

Orange juice with calcium

Poached egg white

Nonfat mango or pineapple fruit yogurt

Dry cereal and unsalted snack mix

Cranberry sauce

No salt vegetable stew

Cooked pinto beans

Mexican cornbread

Do not feed parrots avocados, onions, garlic, chocolate, salt, or artificial sweeteners. Nevertheless, have fun and experiment with foods your parrot sees you eat that are safe for him. He will want to enjoy in the communal feeding experience that he is designed to expect from other flock members.

Ask your avian vet about any foods you are hesitant about feeding and never feed oily, salty or deep fried foods to prevent liver failure and obesity.

Make sure all fruits are ripe and starchy foods such as potatoes are cooked and cooled before serving.