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

New Bird:
Daily Care:
Periodic Care:



You can always count on Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital
for any Helpful Hints and Care Instruction that you might need!