Client Education Material

The following are available educational handouts which can be downloaded, printed and made available to your clients

Aspergillosis

Aspergillosis may develop in any bird, but companion birds most frequently diagnosed with aspergillosis include...

Avian Influenza

Avian influenza or "Bird Flu" is a group of viral infections that occur naturally among birds. Some wild birds like...

Avian Polyomavirus

Avian polyomavirus is one of the most important viral diseases seen in the companion parrot.

Avian Reproductive Behavior

The onset of reproductive or "broody" behavior varies with the species.

Behavioral Modification Techniques in the Companion Parrot

There are a number of medical reasons for feather picking and a complete diagnostic evaluation of your bird's health status is always recommended. The following techniques may be helpful, however, whether the underlying cause of the feather picking is behavioral or medical.

Biting in Companion Birds

The parrot beak is not inherently a weapon. Instead it is a sensory organ used to touch and explore the world. Much of the exploration parrots do with their beak is not biting, however this exploration can get a little rough, or even...

Caging the Companion Parrot

The ideal bird cage should be spacious and clean, with multiple perches and stimulating toys. Specific cage requirements will vary with the species and the amount of time your...

Chronic Egg Laying

Chronic egg laying is the production of an excessive number of eggs or repeated clutches (or collections) of eggs. Chronic egg laying often occurs in the absence of a normal…

Converting Your Bird to a Healthy Diet

Conversion to a healthy diet will improve the health and feather quality of your pet bird. Before beginning a dietary conversion, your bird should be…

Feather Destructive Behavior

Feather destructive behavior represents a range of actions from excessive preening to feather plucking or feather picking to self-mutilation.

Feeding Your Pet Bird a Healthy Diet

In their native habitat, some parrots like cockatiels, budgerigar parakeets, as well as many cockatoos and macaws are seed-eaters. These birds are able to balance their diet because of the…

Forgaging Behavior in Companion Parrots: Behavioral & Environmental Enrichment

In the wild, parrots exhibit four main behaviors: social interaction, grooming, foraging, and sleeping. The vast majority of their days are spent foraging or searching for food.

Holiday Hazards

The companion parrot is part of the family! When including our feathered friends in the holiday season we must keep them safe.

Household Dangers

There are a host of potential household dangers that may confront our winged companions...

Medicating Your Bird

Keeping your pet healthy is everyone’s goal. However if your bird becomes ill, effective treatment will require that medications are given at the right dose and frequency for the…

Normal Parrot Behavior

Pet bird behavior is complex, and it is crucial that bird owners have a realistic understanding of what to expect from their pets…

Parrot Toys & Toy Safety

Parrots are extremely intelligent creatures; and toys are one of the most important items we can purchase for our birds. Many avian behaviorists recommend four types of toys…

Plants and Branches for your Bird

Few studies have been conducted to determine which houseplants are toxic to birds, so all plants that contain known toxic chemicals have been excluded from the Safe Plant List below…

Proventricular Dilatation Disease

Proventricular dilatation disease or PDD has been reported in more than 50 species, including cockatoos, cockatiels, lovebirds, macaws, parakeets…

Psittacosis in Birds & Humans

Psittacosis is an infectious disease of birds and people caused by Chlamydophila psittaci...

Signs of Illness in Your Bird

It is a natural instinct for parrots to hide signs of illness. In the wild, this skill serves them well, and in fact, may save their lives…

Teaching Bathing skills

Many companion parrot species originate from tropical environments with high humidity in which they bathe often. Even parrots from arid environments enjoy and benefit from…

Toxic Plants

Toxic plants reported in small animals include Aloe vera, Amanita mushrooms, Amaryllis sp…

Training Basic Skills

Many parrots instinctively strive for a position of dominance within their flock (your household). Many of the behavioral problems that can arise from such a situation, may be prevented when…

Vitimin A

Vitamin A plays an important role in maintaining a healthy….