Here are some articles that can help you keep your feathered family member safe and healthy. New bird owners should make every effort to learn about the dangers that lurk in the home and should be aware of illnesses that could have very serious consequences.
General Safety
Here is the common-sense approach to keeping your bird safe. This article was written by Layne David Dicker, Staff Avian Behaviorist at the Wilshire Animal Hospital. The author discusses subjects from clipping wings to buying toys wisely. Even experienced bird owners should read this article.
Nutrition: Foundation for a Healthy Bird
A bird suffering from malnutrition will eventually die from organ failure or from secondary bacterial or viral infections that plague a compromised immune system. "Sudden death" isn't uncommon in birds; however, it's usually the result of a long-term nutritional deficiency or chronic infection.
Prevent Heavy Metal Poisoning
Parrots like to chew on everything, including things that are dangerous to them. Check their environment for items that contain lead, zinc, brass, and copper. These metals can kill or greatly harm your bird. Please read this important article.
How to Manage Feather Picking
Does your parrot pluck at his feathers? Most caged birds seem prone to feather picking, but the condition can be treated and prevented. This article sheds light on the causes and remedies of feather picking.
Vitamin A Deficiency
Vitamin A deficiency affects the cells that line the respiratory, reproductive, and digestive tracts. As a result, birds can die from secondary infections caused by a weakened immune system and the inability of the bird to heal itself. This common disease is preventable through a healthy diet high in Vitamin A.
Bird Care Guide
Must-Reading for those of you who are considering adding a bird to your family.
Another Bird Care Guide
More required reading for the new bird owner. This article supplements and reinforces the information contained in the bird care article listed above.
Avian Health Care Tips
Dr. Barton C. Huber, D.V.M., has written an informative article on
keeping your bird healthy.
Protect Your Bird from Poisons and Toxins
Did you know that avocado can kill your bird? Print out this chart that lists plants, fruits, vegetables and household items that can be dangerous to your bird.
Safe Plants for Birds
This is the companion article to the one above. Here is a list of plants that are safe for your bird, at least in reasonable quantities.
Egg Binding in Birds
Egg binding is the inability of a bird to pass a developed or partially developed egg. The author of this article believes that nutrition is at the root of egg binding problems. Although the breeder may provide the bird with calcium from a variety of sources, the problem may be the inability of the bird to metabolize the calcium that is readily available in the diet.
Bird House Placement and Care
Here's an article about the care and placement of your bird house.
Bird Breeder's Lung
Bird Breeder's Lung or Bird Breeder's Disease is one of the many common names given to hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Although not a problem for most bird owners, bird dust and feather particles can cause serious damage to lungs.
Why Caffeine is Bad for Your Bird
Caffeine in coffee and chocolate can kill your bird. This article by a veterinarian explains why caffeine is so toxic.
How Clean is Clean?
As this article states, "The prevention of disease through good hygiene helps avoid veterinary visits .. and is much more reliable than depending on drugs to control disease."
Proventricular Dilatation Disease (PDD)
This article was written by Dr. H. L. Stoddard III who first recognized PDD in macaws in 1978. Proventricular dilatation disease can occur in any psittacine but the most common birds affected are macaws, cockatoos and conures.
Aspergillosis
Aspergillosis is the most common fungal infection in birds, but exposure doesn't automatically result in disease.
Understanding Psittacosis
Psittacosis is also known as parrot fever and chlamydiosis. This article describes the disease, its tranmission, symptons, control and prevention.
Pseudomonas Infection in Pet and Breeding Birds
Does your bird have a "cold"? Is his nose runny, is he sneezing, or having other signs of a respiratory infection? There are many causes of respiratory problems in birds, but one of the most stubborn and elusive culprits is Pseudomonas.
Cockatiel Genetics
Cockatiels come in many variations. This article describes the different types of genetic mutations in cockatiels.
Build Your Own "Bird Seed Kleener"
We have directions for building a device that separates the hulls from the unused bird seed.
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