Alexandrine parakeet

We are all very dedicated bird owners here. We not only care deeply for our own birds, but we care about everyone else’s too. I know that I find it very difficult to watch birds being mistreated and I have walked out of some pet stores in tears. I have lied awake at night thinking about a bird that lives half way around the world that I know might not make it through the night.

I think one of the hardest things we deal with as bird owner is coping ...

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Photo by Anna Wallen Sloan

For many years, long time bird owners have stated that learning to properly towel a bird (a method used for restraint by wrapping it in a towel) is a skill you should learn as a bird owner. Many people argue that if your bird is properly trained and socialized, toweling becomes archaic and unnecessary.

Both sides of the debate have merit…I take a very strong stand – right in the middle.

While it is always preferable that your bird readily accepts handling by a vet, and willingly agrees ...

Blue and gold macaw

As parrot owners, we spend a great deal of effort fretting over important details: Did our bird eat enough good foods this week? Is there enough to do in the cage? We spend a lot of time contemplating cage placement and safety issues. We budget our time to allow for cleaning.

It is all important. These are common standards in any home that is occupied by a bird. However, in my experience, and this is particularly true of cockatoos, it is the seemingly minor details in their keep ...

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Photo of violet necked lories by ProFauna Indonesia

Many countries permit the harvesting of their native parrots for the pet trade, a huge industry worldwide. However, most impose a legal limit that is meant to prevent over-trapping to avoid a decrease in the numbers in wild population. By “impose” I mean write into law – most governments do little to actually enforce those laws.

In actuality, wild parrot populations are dropping dramatically. Of course, it can’t all be blamed on trapping. Deforestation has had a devastating effect on wild parrot species. But ...

Every now and again, people write to me complaining that they have seen a photo of me with a bird on my shoulder. People tell me that I shouldn’t allow this. I’ve also had some negative feedback about perch location in some of my aviaries. Some of my perches are above my eye level. I am told that this is a terrible idea and very dangerous.

Now you’d think high perches and having a bird on your shoulder are completely different topics? I’m grouping them together because the ...