Health

Sleep is a critically important function for all animals and birds are no exception. It is the process by which they recharge mentally and physically to prepare for another day’s activities. As with humans, insufficient sleep can lead to physical and behavioral problems. Every animal benefits from getting a good night’s sleep.

Birds make up a large and diverse part of the animal kingdom. Their varied habitats, physical features, and lifestyles have an impact on where and how they sleep. They also have some distinctive characteristics that allow them to sleep in a unique fashion. We will take a look at some of the different ways that birds sleep, both in the wild and in captivity [Read more…] about How Do Birds Sleep? Plus Discover Where They Sleep

Most pet bird owners are familiar with the phenomena of bird dust and dander. You’ve seen those little, light-colored flecks on your bird’s back if you look closely. Perhaps you were petting your parrot in your lap and then wondered why your pants were covered in what appeared to be dandruff. If you keep birds, their dust and dander is an inescapable fact of your shared lives. In this article we’ll look at 1) what causes bird dander and which birds produce it, 2) the allergies and symptoms caused by bird dander, and 3) how to get rid of bird dust.

[Read more…] about Stop Bird Dander and Dust: Best Air Purifiers for Bird Owners

A healthy bird spends several hours a day preening and grooming its feathers. This is normal and is an essential activity that maintains the health and durability of those feathers.

Feather plucking is NOT a normal avian activity. This is when a bird will remove entire feathers from its body so much so that you’ll be able to see parts of its skin. This is very different from the molting that occurs naturally in birds. It is evidence of a physical or behavioral issue with the animal that needs to be investigated to ensure the long-term health of your bird. Sometimes feather plucking gets called pterotillomania.

If you detect your bird starting to engage in this self-destructive habit, you need to take action quickly. Once begun, this practice can be hard to break and lead to progressively worse plucking and possibly self-mutilation. [Read more…] about Feather Plucking in Birds and Parrots: Why? And How to Stop It?

Many animals engage in some kind of self-grooming activity. In most cases, this behavior is done for reasons that are far more important than simply managing their appearance. Self-grooming in birds is called preening. You will observe this behavior regularly in your pet birds.

Like their human caregivers, who groom both for hygienic and social reasons, our pet birds are preening themselves to maintain their health and keep their feathers in good flying condition. Sometimes they just want to look good too. It is an essential part of their daily routine. If your bird is not preening it usually indicates a physical or psychological problem. [Read more…] about Bird Preening Secrets: Uncover the Why’s and How’s to this Behavior

In the wild, many species of birds are animals that will be preyed upon. They need to be vigilant to avoid predators and remain safe. A common trait among prey animals is to hide any ailment they have so as not to be seen as a weak and inviting target. Their lives depend on maintaining the appearance of good health.

This behavior makes it difficult to detect health problems that your pet bird may be experiencing. You need to be aware of the signals that may indicate that your bird is ill, so you can address them before it’s too late. This requires observation of your pet bird so you can notice the signs of illness as early as possible. [Read more…] about 5 Common Parrot Diseases Explained: Symptoms and Treatments

One of the most important decisions parrot owners need to make is whether or not to clip their bird’s wings. This choice impacts you and your bird’s life and lifestyle in major ways and should only be taken after careful consideration. [Read more…] about Clipping Bird Wings: Controversy, Pros and Cons, How-To