Feathered Petz
 

Although we can't prevent pet birds from exposure to every conceivable hazard in the home, it's important to be aware of the most common reasons pet birds end up at avian veterinary hospitals.

Armed with this knowledge, we can do our part to reduce the potential for pet birds to encounter life-threatening hazards around the house.

#1 – Water Deprivation. It may sound strange, but the majority of pet birds that become dehydrated have busy owners who put water bottles in the bird's cage. Many small birds are trained to drink from water bottles and it's a great invention -- unless the water bottle malfunctions.

The roller ball at the end of the bottle can become stuck and stop rolling. If you don't realize there's a problem, you'll fill the bottle assuming your pet has a water source, and in a matter of 24 hours your bird can become life-threateningly dehydrated.

If you're using a water bottle system in your bird's cage, get in the habit of checking its operation every day. When life gets hectic and you've put a couple days' supply of water in the bottle, you still need to check the operation of the roller ball every day.

The second problem with a pet bird's water source is bacterial contamination with open water containers. When you wash the water container and you feel a slippery surface on the inside of the bowl, that's bacterial growth and a potential contaminant for your bird. Open water dishes should be disinfected very single day. Water bottles should be put in the dishwasher at least weekly.

Avian veterinarians do not recommend you add anything to your pet's water – no vitamins, no minerals – no supplements. There should be nothing but clean, fresh water in the bowl. If you want to offer your pet vitamins, minerals or other supplements, you can give them in an additional water bowl or medicated water dish. Or use a powdered supplement on their food. Just make sure your bird has access to clean, fresh, pure, unadulterated filtered water at all times. And don't forget to wash that bowl every day.

#2 – Unclipped Wings. Every avian vet inevitably is told by a bird owner, 'My bird has never flown even though the wings are grown in.' Owners take their unclipped birds outside, and then are shocked and broken hearted when something spooks the bird and it flies away.

Even a bird that has never left the porch might at some point take off if startled by a jet overhead, or a hawk, or a truck horn or tornado siren. With just a little pump of adrenaline, your pet can get far away from you.

Unclipped wings pose hazards outside. If you take your unclipped bird outdoors, he must be trained to a flight suit or you need to have another means of controlling him.

Indoors, you need to insure your bird can competently navigate your home and land well, and that he's not exposed to ceiling fans, mirrors or windows. A mirror or window can give your pet the impression he can fly through it, and lots of birds end up with head concussions and other head trauma from an encounter with a wall, mirror, ceiling fan or the like. Other hazards include pots of boiling water on the stove, fireplaces and toilets. Many common household items can present potentially life threatening risks to pet birds.

If you have an unclipped bird in your home, you need to know your pet's personality well enough to identify what sets him off or startles him. Work with him to strengthen his breast muscles so he becomes an efficient flyer who can also land in a controlled fashion. This will help reduce potential injury to your pet.

#3 – Toxic Fumes. The third biggest hazard for your pet bird is toxic fumes in the home. These fumes can come from several different sources.

Heating non-stick fry pans or Teflon-coated fry pans to high temperatures releases a gas, polytetrafluoroethylene, which is highly toxic to pet birds. The same Teflon-type non-stick surface is also found on the inside of ovens, on irons and ironing board covers.

Using these items is fine, but if you own non-stick cookware, be sure not to overheat it. Don't leave the iron on or in contact with a Teflon-coated surface. Don't leave the kitchen while cooking. These are all ways to keep your pet safe while continuing to use regular household items.

Another type of inhalant that can be fatal for pet birds is cigarette smoke. Secondhand smoke is very detrimental to birds. I don't recommend you smoke around your bird or allow anyone else to.

If you are a smoker, you should disinfect yourself before handling your bird. Wash your hands, rinse out your mouth and change your clothes. This sounds harsh, but I believe people who smoke should avoid contact with birds ... it's just too toxic for birds to be around people that smoke (even when they aren't smoking!).

Fumes from household cleaners, perfumes and aerosol sprays are all potentially toxic to your pet bird. Gas leaks can also be fatal. I recommend installation of a carbon monoxide detector in your home if you have one or more pet birds.

#4 – Physical Trauma Caused by Humans. The fourth most common hazard for pet birds at home is physical trauma.

Birds with clipped wings are often walkers, meaning they don't fly off their cage. They scale down it and then walk around the house looking for their humans.

Your bird can sneak up behind you or another family member or guest, and get stepped on. Every year I see at least a couple of pet birds with injuries from being crushed in this manner. Tragically, these injuries are often fatal, especially when the ribcage has been crushed. Needless to say, the pet's owner is heartbroken when something like this happens.

If your bird's wings are clipped, you need to make sure you know where she is at all times so you or another human in the household doesn't inadvertently step on her.

#5 – Physical Trauma Caused by Other Animals. Other animals can even include other birds. I see this happen a lot, unfortunately at my Feathers Bird Clinic.

There will be two or three birds in a home, and often they're friendly with each other. But one of them gets annoyed or perhaps afraid and causes injury to the other. The annoyed bird might approach the other bird's cage and bite a toe, for example.

Even a bird in its cage can be harmed. A new puppy, for example, might be able to push his muzzle into a bird's cage and nip at the bird. So it's extremely important that you're supervising your bird when any other animals are present in your home.

#6 – Toxic Food and Plants. Number six on the list of pet bird hazards is toxic food and plants. Foods include any type of chocolate – chocolate containing theobromide, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, etc.

Birds are very sensitive to caffeine, so any caffeinated beverage (including any black or green tea containing caffeine) is a potential toxin.

There are many household plants that are toxic to birds. You can learn the most common ones here.

#7 – Hand-feeding Mistakes.I don't recommend prospective bird owners hand-feed baby birds unless they really know what they're doing.

There's a common misperception that owners need to complete the hand-feeding process for the baby in order for the bird to bond with its human parent. This is a myth.

We know baby birds actually do better being fed by their biological parents, with the last couple weeks of hand-feeding completed by a human if necessary. But if the owner hasn't done it before, it's best to leave the baby bird with a breeder or a seasoned hand-feeder so no mistakes are made with the baby.

#8 – Owner Caused Diseases. An owner can create a problem by, for example, taking a bird to a bird swap, bird fair, or other bird event where avian diseases are present.

Pet birds are susceptible to a whole host of avian illnesses that are airborne and potentially fatal. Taking your bird out and about can inadvertently expose him to disease.

#9 – Heat Exposure. Many bird owners assume that exotic birds native to tropical climates are immune to heat and humidity.

Putting your bird outside in his cage to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air is a wonderful idea, as long as your pet can get out of the direct sunshine.

This also holds true inside your home. If you have a large window you put your bird's cage in front of, be sure he can escape the direct light and heat or he can potentially suffer from heat exposure.

#10 – Sleeping Hazards.Most bird owners at some point fall asleep with their pet on a shoulder or while cuddling.

Unfortunately, crushing injuries are a frequent result when owners fall asleep with their bird either perched on their body or next to them on a couch or bed. The weight of a human body can do fatal damage to a bird.

Hopefully, having knowledge of these 10 potential hazards will reduce or eliminate the likelihood they will happen to your precious pet bird.

My personal thanks to ExoticPetVet.net for compiling this extremely important and useful list.

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You want a pet that will fit in with your lifestyle. For example:

• Apartment living makes some pets more attractive than others.
• If you can’t or don’t want to take a pet outdoors for walks and playtime, a dog may not be the best idea.

If you’ve decided a dog, cat or other fur-covered creature isn’t right for you, you might be intrigued by the idea of an exotic bird as a companion animal.

There are lots of reasons to recommend birds as pets, but it’s important to learn all you can about owning one before you take the plunge.

Sources: About.com
 

Deciding what type of pet to add to your family is actually a bit more complicated than choosing one you think will fit into your lifestyle.

It's a two-way street.

You should make sure your lifestyle – especially the time and energy you're willing and able to devote to a pet – is sufficient for the animal's needs as well.

Many people mistakenly believe pets kept in cage habitats require little more than food, water, and clean surroundings. The fact is no animal is designed by nature to be confined to a cage, and certainly not 23 or 24 hours every day.

Even pocket pets like hamsters and rats need lots of time outside their habitats to be balanced, healthy animals.

This is also the case with birds. And exotics in particular, like parrots, cockatoos, and macaws, require a great deal of daily attention and interaction with their owners.

Let's take a closer look at About.com's Top 10 Reasons Why a Bird Could Be the Best Choice for Your Family, and I'll offer some additional food for thought to help you make the right decision.

10 Reasons Why a Bird Might (or Might Not) Be a Good Choice for a Pet

1. Birds are extremely intelligent. They have a remarkable capacity to learn new things, and in fact, we've only just scratched the surface in understanding all the ways they use their brains. As such, they make delightful, fascinating pets for owners dedicated to constantly enriching their bird's environment. How much fun would it be to have a pet actually talk to you!

But keep in mind … Exotics that aren't given the opportunity to interact for several hours each day with their human family, and that don't receive frequent, consistent mental stimulation and environmental enrichment, are sure to develop emotional problems and self-destructive behaviors.

2. Birds are easier to care for than other pets. Unlike the family dog or cat that has the run of the house, a bird can be popped into its cage while you're away during the day or busy around the house. Birds also don't need walks outside, and housebreaking isn't an issue. Cleaning a cage each day is more appealing to many people than scooping litter or taking Fido outdoors constantly to potty.

But keep in mind … While it's true a bird is more easily confined in the house than other types of pets, this doesn't necessarily mean he will be any less demanding. Many birds are extremely vocal and noisy, so even if yours is hanging out in his cage on the other side of the house, chances are he'll be hard to ignore. In addition, as I've pointed out, birds aren't cage ornaments. So while the cage is convenient confinement when necessary, it's not healthy for your bird to spend hour upon hour in a cage unattended. Many bird owners, me included, only confine their pets to their cages at night. Also, a bird's mess is rarely confined to the cage even when he's in it. The area under the cage will get its share of discarded bits of food, water and bird droppings as well. As far as your bird can toss things from his cage will be the floor area under it that will require daily clean-up. In my house, the birds are the messiest family members I commune with.

3. Birds are easy to train. Birds love to learn and love attention from their humans, so training them is often a breeze and just plain fun. And let's face it – a bird is a whole lot easier to manage for training purposes than a large dog.

But keep in mind … Depending on the bird, she is apt to learn things you didn't plan for her to. Certain types of birds, parrots for example, pick up words, phrases and sounds they hear around the house. You might be surprised one day, while entertaining guests, to have your pet start loudly swearing a blue streak from the next room. Or your mother might be over for dinner one evening, and your bird suddenly gives forth with a loud noise that sounds remarkably like a belch. It's important to keep in mind that interacting with your inquisitive exotic bird, which is essentially how you train her, is not an activity you need only do once in awhile when the mood strikes. It's true many birds are easy to train, but in fact, if they are not given regular opportunities to interact with you and learn new things they will develop emotional problems and harmful behaviors. It’s also important to understand that some birds may never learn to speak, no matter how much human time and attention they receive.

4. Birds don't require much grooming. Birds are naturally clean creatures and when they are healthy and happy, they do a good job of keeping their feather coats shiny through preening. All you'll need to add on a regular basis is a mist spray, a shower or a bath for your pet in plain, tepid, clean, filtered water. You'll also need to trim your bird's beak and nails routinely, or arrange to have it professionally done.

But keep in mind … Many birds not only preen themselves, but also their owners. And not always gently!

5. Birds are very social. Many birds have the capacity to bond just as closely with their humans as dogs and cats. And in fact, birds are much more socially inclined than kitties.

But keep in mind … Again, this can be a bit of a double-edged sword if you're not prepared to spend significant time interacting with, training and socializing your bird. Many exotics do best treated as members of the family in the fullest sense – allowed outside their cages for several hours each day, and included in most at-home family activities. Many birds also bond with one member of the family, not equally with everyone. Some birds can become aggressive to certain family members. On the flip side, if you prefer to keep your pet in his cage most of the time, his need to be social and stimulated by family activities will not be met. This can result in a very unhappy bird that becomes self-destructive.

6. Birds are inexpensive to feed. The smaller the pet, the less the pet eats. Certainly keeping your bird fed is less costly than feeding a dog or most cats. Generally speaking, it's best to feed a high-quality diet of species-specific commercial pelleted food (not seed mix), fruits, veggies, and sprouted grains.

But keep in mind … Overall, you shouldn't think cheap-to-keep when it comes to a bird as a pet. Owners of large exotic birds spend around $100 a month for food, toys and other supplies. And feathered pets need annual medical exams from an avian veterinarian to make sure they are healthy. Birds are masters at hiding disease, so it's critically important that your pet has regular blood workups to check for any problems with her health.

7. Birds can be kept in a small space. Smaller species like budgies, canaries and finches, and their smaller cages, can make perfect sense for people who live in an apartment or condo.

But keep in mind … Regardless of the size of the pet, constant confinement is not healthy. In addition, small birds have lots of energy and need space to burn it off. If you plan to allow your smaller bird outside his cage most of the day, then a smaller size cage for sleeping at night is acceptable. If your finch or canary lives solely in a cage, I recommend the cage be the largest cage you can afford, not what cage fits in the smallest area.

8. Most landlords don't collect pet deposits or extra monthly charges for pet birds. Birds aren't thought of by most landlords or rental management companies as pets that cause damage to property like dogs or cats. So a bird could be a good choice for someone who doesn't want to pay those extra fees.

But keep in mind … If you own a large bird, she can cause plenty of mess and damage in her own right -- often even more than a housebroken dog or litter-trained cat. Keeping her confined to a cage is not the answer, as I explained earlier. Another consideration is the noise level. If you live in a multi-unit building or in close proximity to others and your bird is prone to shrieking – which many big birds are -- you'll be as unpopular with your neighbors as the pet owner with the dog that barks for hours on end. I actually had to pay extra for my cockatoo to live with me in my apartment years ago. The landlord indicated that birds could be more destructive to the property than dogs or cats.

9. Birds are attractive and interesting to have around. Many birds have feather coats that are incredibly beautiful and vibrantly colored – it is a joy every time you look at them. Bird behavior is also fun and interesting to observe, and can even lower your stress level.

But keep in mind … Birds should never be considered as pretty cage ornaments or part of a home's decor. Pet birds are not the feathered equivalent of brightly colored aquarium fish. They are every bit as high maintenance as other more common types of pets, and indeed require a great deal more time and attention than many other companion animals.

10. Many birds live a very long time. A long-lived pet can be extremely attractive to a person who has suffered the heartbreak of losing a dog, cat or other companion animal -- even if the pet died at what is considered a ripe old age for his species.

But keep in mind … Depending on your age and the age and species of the bird you bring home, your pet might easily outlive you. Contemplating who will take care of your beloved bird after you're gone can be as difficult as knowing a pet is destined to leave you long before you're ready to say good-bye. A decision about what kind of pet is best for you should always include considering what is also best for the pet.

Adopting an Exotic Bird

If you're interested in acquiring an exotic bird as a pet and are prepared to make a substantial and lifelong commitment to it, I highly recommend you contact your local animal shelter and/or exotic bird sanctuaries in your area. The latter, in particular, are often overwhelmed with beautiful, wonderful abandoned and rescued birds in need of new forever homes.

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The black-headed caique looks as if it is wearing a black mask, as the black colouration extends over the crown of the head to just below the eyes, where it changes to a small band of green. It has a black beak, dark grey feet, yellow cheeks and chin, a peachy/orange colouring on the back of the head and neck and the iris is red. The back, wings and tail are green and the belly is white. They originate from the north of the Amazon and westward to parts of Venezuela, Ecuador and Peru.
 

Breeding, feeding and bathing
These birds are forest canopy dwellers and nest up in the tree hollows. They tend to congregate in pairs, family groups, or small flocks of around thirty or less birds. Caiques are seasonal breeders and begin in early spring and finish in late summer. Breeding pairs of caiques may lay three to four clutches of eggs a year, laying around three to four eggs at a time. The chicks will then hatch in twenty-five to twenty-nine days. Caiques mature at about two to three years old, but it is not possible to sex them reliably without using DNA or endoscopy testing.

Caiques really enjoy their food and will readily eat a diet of high quality pellets, supplemented with fruits, vegetables and occasional nuts and seeds. They must always have a fresh supply of water available too.

As caiques love to bathe, it is a good idea to offer them regular bathing facilities, in the form of a suitable bowl or spray. If your caique is kept indoors, you can allow them to bathe in the sink, or allow a small trickle of water to drip from the tap for them to sit under. Never leave them unattended whilst bathing and ensure everything is clean first. Bathing is very beneficial for birds, as it helps to keep their plumage in peak condition.

Characteristics and behaviour
There is little, if any, difference between the two species. They are both very entertaining and loveable characters and can be very acrobatic, making it fairly easy to teach them tricks. They are not, however, renowned for their talking ability, but are good at whistling and mimicking sounds. Hand-reared birds will obviously be easier to handle, as they can become aggressive if handled timidly. They can be kept with other birds, but are more likely to get on with another caique – although, always exercise caution when introducing them to a new companion.

As caiques are very energetic, they require a large cage, but remember to ensure that the bar spacing is not too large in case your bird gets its head stuck. Make sure they have a good and regular supply of different toys to keep them entertained and mentally stimulated. They will also enjoy a supply of leafy green vegetables to chew on.

Caiques have some very comical traits too. One is that they tend to enjoy hopping and jumping in preference to flying, due to their strong legs and feet, and the other is their rather bizarre sleeping habit; they can give their owner a shock when found sleeping on their back with their legs in the air!

Caiques vary in price, but the black-headed caique is more readily available than the white-bellied and is therefore less expensive. Caiques are increasing in popularity amongst the parrot world and, for the right person, can make excellent pets with a possible lifespan of over thirty years!

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When traveling with a bird, you need comfortable travel quarters. For your test runs as well as for your trip, your bird will need a small pet carrier. It should be spacious enough for your bird to move around comfortably and allow for wing flapping. A regular cage won’t work as your bird may injure his feet on the wire bars of the cage during your trip.
You’ll want your bird to familiarize himself with his pet carrier before the trip begins so he will feel comfortable in his surroundings. When taking the neighborhood test run with your bird, be sure to carry him in the same pet carrier you’ll be using on your trip.

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