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Latest Animal Stories on Birds (4277)

Prateek - 2013-03-29
I have an infant Plumhead.... hardly 2-3 weeks old. Is anyone familiar with handling such small ones? Would u please tell me how to take care of these birds at this starting age, regarding diet, hand feeding, enclosure, training etc...???

Hadi - 2012-03-01
Hi, I have one pair of plum headed parakeets.
I have some questions:

1.One of males eye has problem and is closed! What should I do?
2.How big a cage should they be in?
3.How can I train them?

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Charlie Roche - 2012-03-01
Eye closed? This could be an injury but it could also be an allergy. If it is an allergy, the eye(s) should eventually be fine. If it is an injury - you might went to check it and wash with warm water. You could put just a little dab of vaseline on the eye border. Train them? If you have a pair, they are just going to do what they wish to do. It would be very difficult to train them - even to just 'step up' as they will bond with each other. Housing requirements, check out this article on Animal World Parakeet Housing
Charlie Roche - 2012-05-10
No, they do not tolerate cold temperatures or even extremely hot but definitely not cold.
Tracy - 2012-05-09
You might need to take your bird into the vet about the closing of it. I don't know but do you know how rare these birds are? you should have them in a flight cage or avary with lots of space to fly around and If you had their wings clipped professionaly and then handled them about an hour every day it will not take anytime to train these birds. Have they layed eggs yet? They are hard to breed in captivity. there is a few tricks I could teach you if your are going to breed them. Let me know.
Pegasus - 2013-03-29
I have an infant Plumhead.... hardly 2-3 weeks old. Are u familiar with handling such small ones? Would u please tell me how to take care of these birds, regarding diet, hand feeding, enclosure, training etc...???

ananya roy - 2013-03-27
Hi, one of my lutino lovebirds has his/her 'V' shaped breast bone quite visible. The bird eats normal, his/her droppings are normal but she/he sleeps all the time or dozes perching on the nest box. The bird stays puffed up, although it is quite hot here in india, but when he/she sees me (or any other person) coming,he/she jumps down and disappears into the nest. The birds are about 2 years old (as told by the store keeper). I have seen them doing 'it' many times. This bird's partner's head is evenly shaped, I mean has a round appearance while joining with the neck, but this one has an uneven curve, it's head has an edge and then comes down to join with the neck. There is no scope of DNA sexing here. So I tried to visually sex them. The bird in concern plays with his/her mate and continuously begs for food, and the partner feeds it. I offered cuttle bone, mashed eggs and sweet potatoes but they didn't like those. Is the bird ill? My lutinos are very lazy by nature. They stay in the nest most of the time, sleep and take naps. The only time they are super active is when I change their water and give them fresh food. I feed them seed-mix, pearl millet and mix a little vitamin tonic in their water twice a week. I am very concerned for my bird. (The vet was of no help and there is no reliable avian vet in our area) So please help me and respond ASAP. I don't want to lose my bird. Ananya

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Jasmine Brough Hinesley - 2013-03-29
Yes, it sounds like the birds have some sort of malaise. Lovebirds are very active, and constantly preening one another. This description is a strong indicator of illness and I would suggest taking the birds to an avian veterinarian for diagnosis. The vet will also want stool samples. If you cannot find a vet you can try adding tetracycline to their drinking water to help if it’s a bacterial infection. Also occasionally adding probiotics (beneficial bacteria – different countries have different brand names) can help. It helps restore beneficial bacteria to the parrots gut helping to counter a yeast infection. Some also say a few drops of organic apple cider vinegar to the drinking water can help with yeast infections as well. But without knowing what the problem is, these are just possible helps.

As far as pairing, it is very difficult to sex lovebirds visually and physically. Lovebirds are extremely social. They will preen and exhibit a very close bond with another same sex friend just as they will with a bird of opposite sex. Some basic sexual differences are the pelvic bones of the female are slightly wider spaced than on the male. Also the female will tend to hunch down on the perch more than the male, with her feet wider spread, while the male will tend to stand more upright. But to be certain of sex however, it is best to have an experienced breeder sex them . A sure indication that you have a male/female pair is getting fertile eggs.

arno - 2013-03-29
Hi I had two zebra finches male and female I bought me a new pair yesterday but this morning I noticed there was one egg in the old nest both females and one male slept in the old nest how must I know who's egg is it cuz my old pair is building a new nest in the new nest I bought with the pair yesterday the egg is in the old nest what must I do please please please help me my email is arnoleroux15@gmail.com please will really appreciate your help kindly regards.

Jane - 2010-03-13
Advice for those considering becoming the parent of a parrot:

Our blue and gold macaw, Sebastian will have his 12th birthday this coming August. I am writing this because I think it's important for everyone who is considering becoming parent to a parrot to know exactly what they're getting into.
Sebastian - or Sabby, as we call him - is the love of our lives, but my husband and I really didn't realize when we first got him 12 years ago at 8 weeks old that bringing him into our lives was actually a decision to be a parent to a two year old for the REST OF OUR LIVES.
I said a "two year old" because most studies show that many parrots are at about the same intelligence level and reasoning capacity as a two year old. If a parrot decides to talk, and not all of them do - they usually use the words they learn with cognition & context. In other words, they don't just "parrot" human speech, they also have a good general understanding of what the words mean and they use them at the right times.
I said for the "REST OF OUR LIVES" because with good health, Sabby will likely live to be around 80 - essentially the same as human life expectency. So that's a major consideration as well. Not only are you making the decision to take on a two year old, you also need to consider who will be willing to take of the two year old after you die.
Sabby's a smart, cute, active, funny, and totally beautiful two year old, but just as every human two year old that I've ever known, he can also be very DEMANDING. He just doesn't understand why he can't have what he wants when he wants it! My husband and I react to his temper tantrums just as we did with our daughter's when she was two. We take him back to his "room" (his cage in our bedroom) and we tell him that we'll get him again when he decides to be nice. And just as my daughter used to do, he plays in his room for awhile & forgets why he was mad. Maybe he even thinks about it what he did a little bit, lol. ;)
Sabby loves us all, but I think the nature of parrots usually bonding with one mate for life makes them prone to also have one person in their life at a time who they favor over the others. I know that some parrots are more loving to everyone than others, but I do think that most have a favorite.
I'm SO glad that we have that little boy. He is a center of our world, but we were also lucky that my husband and I were in the perfect position to spend all of the time and attention with him that he needs. Our daughter was 18 when we got him. She was another caretaker and buddy for him until she went off to college and recently, my husband and I retired.
I wrote this because I think it's very important for people making this decision to do so with their eyes wide open. Parrots are amazing companions and their intellect is incredible, but they require much more attention than your average dog or cat or even ferret, IMHO, and & for the larger parrots, an added consideration is that they may outlive you. Also, if you are absolutely sure you want one, it really is an excellent idea to check into adoption before you consider buying. I've seen many who need a good home and I think that unless they have just gone crazy with grief from lack of attention (unfortunately extreme feather picking is a symptom), you can usually make them very happy again very quickly with just telling them how great they are, encouraging them & just loving them wholeheartedly - just as we do with our kids. :)

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Janine, the bird lady. - 2010-09-20
Jane,
I loved your posting and agree whole heartedly in adoption. Our motto is "Dont' breed, don't buy, ADOPT your new best friend". Having adopted 6 exotic birds that were all abused and/or given up, because someone just could not handle the amount of care they needed anymore, I thank you for your posting. There are already far too many of these beautiful creatures needing homes because someone thought it would be "nice to have a talking bird" and ran out and got one before thinking it through or learning all there is to know about being the parent of an exotic bird.
Tracy - 2010-12-04
Thank you so very much for sharing so honestly. You have really shed some light on things to consider before tanking ownership of any bird for that matter. As for me, I have always been a dog and cat person, I recently acquired an interest in birds. My favorite choice is a "Goffin" Cockatoo however, I was told that they are extremely needy. That being said, I have now began to take an interest in the Blue and Gold Macaw. I guess I am experiencing the EMPTY NEST syndrome, my youngest daughter just moved out and I have a void even having my dog and cat. Do you think that the Macaw would be a good choice for a first time bird owner?
Nadine - 2011-08-09
Do you know how to reach anyone about adopting a parrot?
I had parrots before and know how much work they can be but would love to get another!
peter blu - 2011-10-20
Hello from sub tropical south africa! I am disabled and spend most of my life confined to my house in kwazulu~natal. Recently(+\- 4 months ago I was given a macaw with severe feather loss. He was dumped at a bird park and abandoned. The caretaker could not manage and decided to rid the park of Cheeta. We immediately took to each other as it were and have formed a very close bond. I also share my house with 2 african greys. The pulling of feathers with Cheeta carries on. He has been to a vet and have no medical problems. Do you perhaps have any advice or suggestions to try? bright blessings. Peter Blu
Charlie Roche - 2011-10-21
Plucking is a real problem and I don't think anyone has come up with a permanent solution or definite reason as to why it occurs. Vets normally say boredom, abuse, not enough socialization or attention. Whatever the reason, it has already occured. Some folks try putting a collar on the bird to prevent the plucking and hopefully break the habit. If you believe your parrot will accept a collar - you could try that. Initially I would try lots of attention, lots of alternate things to play with or do, branches to chew on, toys etc. Let him be around people and try and replace the behavior with a variety of things to do and extra attention. It is very difficult to deal with or change and no reflection on you if you can't change it. Try - spend time and toys and music or TV - anything to provide stimulation and distraction.
Kaylyn - 2011-11-09
That's not just logic. That's really sesnbile.
Deborah Guirrello - 2013-03-28
Where can I adopt? I live in Gainesville, Fl where one has to pay to practically breathe.

loveeta lewis - 2013-03-27
My alexandrine male parrot has got a red pinkish colour in his left eye, from the past two days he is just drowsy but eats food, he has a lot of pain and doesn't come in my hand. Please suggest me which drops to put in his eyes? Please I request you.

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Clarice Brough - 2013-03-27
The red/pink color could indicate conjunctivitis, or another eye problem. Usually red eyes are accompanied by the eye watering, often they will have respiratory problems as well. The bird should be quarantined from any other pets and taken to a vet for diagnosis. Most likely an antibiotic or antifungal treatments will be needed.

Nastia - 2003-08-18
In February 2003 I received my baby "Polley". I took him out of nest myself and never since has he left my site. Polley comes to work with me even on leave. He is the boss at my table and not scared of dogs or cats, if they come close to his gage he bites them and even then says "Moenie my byt nie, hoor jy!" He loves to play with shiny things and talks all day long. I am still teaching him new words; he already learned over 20 different words.

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John - 2013-03-26
Aww polley want a cracker?

Kristine - 2012-08-28
Hi. I have a 8 month old Goffin who is cute as a button. I can't get him to stop crying. It is a high pitched wine, not loud, but worries me. He does this even when I'm rubbing his head and spending a lot of time with him. I'm also worried that he isn't eating any vegetables and fruits. He likes carbs, and does eat pellets but not many. Please help....I want him to be happy in his new home. Thanks.

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Charlie Roche - 2012-08-28
It is 1000% normal and by the time you are totally crazy, it wil stop that sound. It is a baby sound - they will make that sound their entire life at times but for the most part they just revert to that baby sound when they want attention - of course that baby sound comes first and then there is the temper tantrum. The baby sound will go away but up to a year. I would go to a seed mix - as they also make this sound constantly when they are hungry. May not like pellets and .... Try cooked sweet potatoe, try giving it some baby foood, (apricots, sweet potatoe, with a spoon) of feeding him cooked sweet potatoes or pieces of vegetables (string beans semi cooked) with your fingers. I know stress is given to fruit/veggies and pellets but a good seed mix will have dehydrated fruits and vegetables etc right in it. Look up Goldenfeast and look at the contents of their seed mix. Dehydrated apricots/peas/beans have the same nutritional value as fresh - at least that is what i was told by a nutritionist. The spound is normal - it is chronic but is also a sound they are hungry.
Kristine - 2012-12-03
Wow. Thank you for the response. I really appreciate it! I don't feel so alone now...
Darlene Kessel - 2013-03-26
Mu goffin cried like that for almost 2 yrs. and she is a very good eater. sometimes she does that when I'm petting her and she's content. Now we are on the vocal stage when she wants her own way which is all the time. I offer food that we eat. loves noodles and oatmeal, potatoes. I do cook the veggies so they are not that hard sometime she eats them or will throw it. You just have to try different things

chante greene - 2013-01-16
Hello everyone! Im desperate here! I have a female goffin who is 1 year 6 months. I love her to bits but for the past few months she has been screeching,nonstop! All day,whether she sees me or not. I am 4 months pregnant and people say its not good for me too be getting so worked up and stressed. She is driving me insane! I dont want to give her away :( is there anything that can be done? Im at the end of my rope....thanks

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Cynthia Orsburn-Lopez - 2013-01-20
I think you might want to talk to an audiologist about the bird's loud voice.. The pitch that the bird use may be damaging to ear drums,, Also please make some type of plans where your baby and the bird can be seperate whenever the bird is being too noisy.. I believe that all that screamming while making convertations, while doing homework etc can effect on the kid's mind and personality.. Heck you might even be fustrained by trying to talk to your kids over the bird's voice..Everybody being in a good mood and can hear eachother makes the difference in kids life.. I'm not saying get rid of the bird but make a ' family and pet time' and family time without the noisey pets..It's something to think about and if you agree.. Now's the good time before the baby's born.
Darlene Kessel - 2013-03-26
I got my Goffin at that age and for the first six months I had no problems then she would start yelling to the point that my Severe tells her to shut up...lol. They are very needy birds and if my Cricket had her way she would be with me 24/7. I would put beaded things and straws and white paper in her cage as well as her other toys and that would keep her occupied for a while, also paper cups. I do take my bird out for a couple hrs at a time throughout the day and the last after dinner til bedtime. I also sew beads on an old purse and have it on top of the cage and she will spend hrs taking them off and gives me quiet time. I know sometimes it drives you crazy and that's when we take a ride..lol. If you know what your bird likes try working that into the cage. I wish you you luck

lilly - 2011-01-29
Which canary is the best singer?

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Jose - 2013-03-26
It depends what you like. I love the way the Russian canary sings.

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