Mel’s Top Bird Cleaning Tips For Even The Messiest of Species


Rainbow Lorikeet

 

Lately a few people have been sending me messages asking for cleaning tips in relation to birds. Some of the questions have had a definite tinge of desperation to them and I can’t help but imagine these evil birds that are intentionally throwing food and poo at their humans. I can just see their beaky grins of delight when they manage to hit their target.

 

I can’t help but smile at the irony of my being asked for ...

 

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Alexandrine Parakeet Spins on Cue

 

It was quite the road to get here, but above shows Rasta spinning in a circle on cue! Hip hip, HOORAY!

 

Here are some videos showing the training in between to get to that final end goal with Rasta:

 

 

I have to say, my favorite part about this training was when I calmed down, decided to be patient and slower with my sessions and waited for Rasta to catch on. As I got to see him catch on, it was soooo cute… it was like a ...

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Vitamin Supplementation For Parrots

Goffins cockatoo

People are not so very different from automobiles. As long as you keep the car’s fluids and oil at proper levels, use a good grade of gasoline, and bring it in routinely for maintainance, it will probably serve you well for a long time.

In order for the human body to operate efficiently we need to maintain proper levels of vitamins and minerals by eating a healthy diet and see our doctors often so they can diagnose any potential illness. A routine blood check will tell if we are vitamin ...

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Putting Happy on Cue With YOUR Parrot – How to Do It

 

I’ve read some of the comments that came in from my breakthrough with Alexandrine Parakeet Rasta by putting happy on cue with him. The comments seemed to be summed up to one problem: people seemed confused about what made THEIR parrot happy.

 

So I thought I’d make a list of things that define an universally happy bird…

 

  1. Shakin’ a tail feather. When parrots shake their tail feathers it’s a sign of contentment. 
  2. Scratching their heads. Parrots do this and are focused on only the task at scratching, it’s not emotionally negative. 
  3. Perching on one foot. When birds shift ...

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How to Introduce New Foods To Picky Parrots

Alexandrine Parakeet eating kiwi (actually, devouring)

I’ve been experimenting with adding variety to Rasta’s diet and it has been a lot of fun – I have to say mainly because it’s been more wins than losses. Some foods he liked without the skin, some with, some had to be served from my hand, others from his bowl while others needed to be on the end of a utensil like a fork. Some foods needed to be served with other foods and mixed in, ...

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