Parrot Blog ParrotPressNews

  This yummy fall bird muffin is healthy, d elicious, and fun!         INGREDIENTS:        1 package Prepared Bird Bread Mix (such as TOPs or Harrisons bred mixes) 1 large apple, chopped into small pieces **(peel apple & remove seeds before chopping) 1 can 100% pure pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling which contains sugar) 2 medium or 1 large egg 1 cup water (or use unsweetened apple juice instead of water) 1/2 extra cup water or juice (optional) 2 tablespoons palm-fruit or olive oil Paper cupcake or muffin liners  In a large mixing bowl, pour the package of bird bread mix. Add the eggs, oil and stir thoroughly. Next, add the can of pumpkin to the mixture and stir well. Peel apple (to remove any wax or pesticide residue) and remove any apple seeds as they are toxic. Chop the apple into small pieces. We use our food processor for just a few seconds for quick small pieces. By cutting the apple into smaller pieces, the apple wi...

  Who doesn't just love the smell of cinnamon and spice and everything nice that translates into the fall and holiday season?  Those of us who share our homes with birds though can feel a little left out sometimes. Scented candles, air fresheners, and especially those plug-in fresheners, are totally off limits in our homes. Many, if not all, of these scented items can be deadly to our birds. A general rule of thumb when it comes to candles, potpourri, air sprays, is that the better it smells, the more toxic it probably is for our feathered friends. Our own avian veterinarian has warned us that plug-ins are not only dangerous to our birds but have also been linked to seizures and other health issues in some cats and dogs as well. Some essential oils used in many scented candles and potpourris can be toxic to birds. So how do we join in the fall holiday spirit and spruce up our aromatic indoor smells? It is actually very simple indeed. Gather up some cooking spices such as gr...

Fall harvest time brings an abundance of colors and flavors, as well as nutrition for your bird.  Pumpkins are especially a favorite with mine. Pumpkins and pumpkin seeds are truly a superfood.  H igh in vitamin A, providing calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and other wonderful healthy nutrients, makes pumpkin a winner for your parrot's diet. Check out your grocery store or local farmers market for large pumpkins as well as the smaller edible pumpkins that are great as a whole foraging food for larger birds.  If your bird prefers cooked softer foods, bake the pumpkin in the oven at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes first, and after completely cooling, let your bird's fun begin.  You can also cut the top off and remove all the pumpkin seeds (use the seeds later) for less mess if you prefer. Larger sized pumpkins can be cut open, seeds removed, baked for about 45 minutes, then cut into smaller sizes and placed in freezer bags for lots of future foraging fun....