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  How Important is Humidity to Your Bird? Very low humidity levels increase dry skin, itchy skin, and even flakiness for your bird.  It can cause over-preening and even feather destruction in an attempt to help relieve the itchy dry feeling of skin and feathers.  It also usually affects humans with dry flaky itchy skin in the winter, and if you suffer from any skin conditions such as Eczema, Psoriasis, and other skin issues, you know firsthand how dry skin can aggravate this problem.  Too dry air in the home can also contribute to sinus and allergy problems, in both birds and people. Many of our parrots are originally native to Rainforests around the world.  The average humidity level in most rainforests is about 80% humidity, and sometimes as high as 90% during some seasons of the year. The average home in the winter months with the heat running to keep us warm, has a humidity level of only about 15-20% humidity at best, according to many studies done on home...

  Choosing Healthy Fruits in Winter is a Win for Your Bird Healthy fruits are not just a summer/fall food. When it comes to keeping your pet bird healthy during the winter months, incorporating a variety of seasonal fruits into their diet is a big plus. Not only do fruits provide important nutrients, but they also offer a flavorful and enjoyable treat for your feathered friend. Here are some top winter fruits that are not only healthy for pet birds but also packed with essential vitamins and minerals. Oranges: A Vitamin C Powerhouse Oranges are a great source of vitamin C, which is crucial for your pet bird's immune system. Vitamin C helps to boost their overall health and can aid in preventing illnesses. Additionally, oranges are rich in fiber, which is important for digestion and overall health. Cranberries: Antioxidant-Rich Superfood Cranberries are known for their high levels of antioxidants, which can help protect your pet bird's health. These tiny fruits are also a g...

  Winter cold air has arrived for many of us and that means keeping our beloved parrots warm and happy during the colder months.  Just like people, our feathered friends may need a little extra TLC when the temperatures drop. So, how can you winterize your bird area and make sure your parrots stay toasty warm and snuggly? Bundle Up First things first, let's talk about some of the essentials for winter bird care. First, your bird will need a cozy and draft-free environment to stay warm and healthy during colder months. Make sure their cage is placed away from any drafts or cold air/heating vents. Even warm air blowing directly on a bird can cause severe respiratory problems. Consider adding extra bedding or blankets to your bird's cage to help retain heat, especially during the night when your home may be a little cooler.  Don't forget to provide plenty of fresh water 24/7, as hydration is an important key to staying warm! Layer Up Now let's get those bundle-up basi...

  Be aware of how changes in time changes can impact your feathered friends if you unfortunately live in a state that flip-flops the time patterns. Pet birds, like many other animals, and including some of us humans, have internal biological clocks that are influenced by the natural light-dark cycle. When the time changes, it can disrupt their daily routines and behaviors. How does time change affect pet birds? Research has shown that abrupt changes in daylight hours can cause stress and anxiety in pet birds. Birds rely on the natural light cycle to regulate their sleep patterns, feeding times, and overall behavior. When the time changes, it can lead to confusion and behavioral changes in birds, such as increased vocalization, aggression, or changes in appetite. Afterall, when your bird's tummy says it is meal time, and the meal is not forthcoming, it can lead to screams and a grumpier bird at times. What can pet owners do to help their birds adjust? To help your pet bird adjus...

  Although there are usually less and less Trick-or-Treaters going door to door in neighborhoods these days, there are still plenty of fun activities that include sweet treats.  If you do still get a few of those tricky visitors at your door, be sure to keep your bird safely away from open doors, scary costumes, and boisterous children (and sometimes even the adults). Even if ghosts and goblins aren't coming to your door for some Halloween goodies, if you have kids in your home, they are probably going to bring some treats home from school fall festivals, or trunk or treat gatherings, local retail celebrations, or even other family members who enjoy sharing those sweet treats. Not to mention all the leftover goodies you may have after all the Trick or Treating is done have to go somewhere. It is very important to remember to keep the sweets from becoming birdie treats. Sometimes I hear comments that chocolate must not really be toxic to birds because their bird ate a choc...

It strikes again.  It kills 100%.  It doesn't discriminate between small Canaries, Amazons, Cockatoos, or a large Macaw.  Any size bird is at risk.  It quietly deals death to every single bird in the home.  All birds are dead within minutes, and the pain in the owner's heart may never heal after such a loss.  A true story I've sadly witnessed firsthand.  Her babies, her sweet sweet babies.  She had shared her home with rescued birds for over 30 years, and I had known her for quite a few of those years.  A horrible accident that once again happened because of PTFE.  A simple boiling pot left unattended on a stove.  What is PTFE you ask?  PTFE stands for polytetrafluoroethylene, and it is one of, if not the most, insidious deadly danger to your bird. It's called a silent killer because you can't smell it, you can't detect it with a monitoring device, and you will never know it's killing your bird until it's too late to do anyth...