Cockatiels, Parakeets, Macaws, Cockatoo, Amazons, African Greys, Double Yellow Heads, Finches, Doves, Ducks, Geese, Swans, Conures and Love Birds are just some of the Pet Birds that Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital cares for!
Australian Parakeets: (Budgerigar, Cockatiel)
Small seeds, eg. hemp, canary, millet, some larger seeds for larger species. Fruit, especially apples, pears, orange, grapes. Groats, wheat, lettuce, carrot, chickweed. Sprouted pulses.
Lovebirds:
Large seeds, small nuts,berries, apple and carrot. Green foods are popular. Soft fruits.
Ring necked parrots: (Moustached parakeets, Slaty-headed parakeets, Alexandrines) Large seeds,small nuts,berries, apple, carrot.Green foods are popular. Soft fruits.
Cockatoos:
Large seeds (roseate cockatoos are prone to obesity so with these it is often better to use small seeds). Fruit, greens. Provide wood to 'strip'.
Conures: (Sun conures, Green cheeked & maroon bellied conures)
Mixed seeds; enjoy fruit; like to bathe in large water bowls.
Macaws: (Scarlet, Blue and Gold)
Large seeds, nuts in moderation, small pine nuts for 'interest'. Enjoy soft fruit.
Amazons: (Blue fronted, etc)
Large seeds, nuts in moderation, small pine nuts for 'interest'. Mixed pulses,fruit & vegetables. Enjoy soft fruit.
Pionus: (Blue headed, Dusky)
As amazons, but with more fruit.
Eclectus:
As amazons, but with much more fruit.
African Greys:
As amazons taking particular care to keep the diet balanced, avoiding fads. In particular avoid exclusively sunflower seed diets. They need a good calcium source, cuttlebone as routine but supplements are very important.
Brush tongued parrots:
These have a long extensible tongue which is covered in papillae to collect pollen. They often crush flowers and lick nectar. Provide nectar, pollen, soft food, seeds, berries. Commercial lory diets.
Non-nutritional 'food' items are very important. Cockatoos like to strip wood - any fruit branches are suitable provided that they have not been sprayed with garden chemicals. It is sensible to give them a good scrub with an antibacterial cleanser) to avoid introduction of infection from wild birds. Raw Hide dog chews can be drilled and hung from chains etc.
There are now excellent quality complete foods, however there is a strong drift away from this idea, suggesting that they are better used as seed substitutes, thus allowing the use of fresh foods and vitamin mineral supplements which certainly seem to improve breeding results. Certainly this encourages more normal behavior patterns.
Contemporary Bird Care
Basic bird care consists of many of the same
tasks you perform for any pet that is your responsibility. However,
birds have additional special needs. Some of the daily tasks
you must assume are things such as cleaning the holding environment,
washing food and water containers, preparing food, and allowing
a bird to bath daily or as often as it wishes. Dishes and containers
need to be disinfected (by soaking in a bleach solution for 15
minutes using 3/4 cup Clorox per gallon of water and then rinsing
throughly; should be done at least twice a week).
The cage and
its surrounding environment need to be cleaned and or vacuumed.
Of special importance is an abundance of pleasurable daily interaction
with your bird or birds. This includes plenty of time out of
the cage for your parrot pals and other interactive activities
with your particular bird unless, of course, you are involved
with aviary birds such as finches and canaries. Finally, remember
to keep your bird's wings and nails trimmed as the case may warrant.
Remember that these are just the basics. Different birds have
different needs. It is your responsibility to know the special
requirements of your particular bird. Take the time to seek out
accurate information from informed sources and you will be duely
rewarded.
Before Acquiring
a Bird You Should
Learn adequate and proper care for that particular species
Talk to others, especially professionals and experienced
breeders
Set up your housing and outfit it properly
New Bird:
Check up by qualified avian veterinarian
Quarantine if there are other birds that could be vulnerable
to a contagious disease
Purchase from reputable sources
Daily Care:
Change Water
Provide fresh and proper foods
Clean cage, water and food dishes on a daily basis
Vacuum, mop and clean around the cage on a daily basis
Allow bird proper environment in which to bathe
Take time for proper play and socialization if not an aviary
bird.
Periodic Care:
Grooming when necessary
Wing Clipping
Regular Veterinary Care.
You can always count on Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital for any Helpful Hints and Care Instruction that you might need!
Lovebirds:
Macaws: (Scarlet, Blue and Gold)
Brush tongued parrots:
