Untitled Document

Volume 11 January-February 2006

Toilet Training ~ Feather Plucking Part 4 ~ New PRC made Toys! ~ Animal Communication & Healing

New Year Update - By Zarita Garozzo

Well it’s the start of another year and let’s hope it is a happy and prosperous one for all. I personally want to take this opportunity to say ‘thankyou’ to all the dedicated and loyal friends of the Parrot Rescue Centre, and a bigger Thankyou to all the volunteers who sacrifice their time to help the PRC birds live better and happy lives.

A very special thankyou to a handful of people who have taken the time to help build the PRC into what it is today. Grant and Leah Petersen who have been so generous with their time and dedication to build and maintain the PRC website and publish the PRC Newsletter. Lloyd Marshall for his ongoing support and help with promoting the PRC. Jim Mckendry and Verna Shannan who generously writes articles for the monthly Newsletter. Peter and Penny Wilson who also write a monthly article and health check all the PRC Parrots at a discounted rate. Naomi Britten who is the NSW co-ordinator for Adoption and Placement , Jan Harris who takes the time to come and clean, play and make toys for the PRC birds, also many more people who foster care, donate money, time and recourses, you are much appreciated and without your help the PRC would not be possible.

Well as another year closed, many birds lost their homes due to the festive season and breeding season hormones. Sadly again the majority of parrots that lost their homes were native Australian cockatoos (Galahs, Sulphurs and corellas) and these are the least wanted birds on our adoption volunteer list, therefore the PRC is again finding it hard to keep up with resourses to finance vet bills, food and shelter upgrades to accommodate the increase of unwanted parrots. We hope this year with new initiatives, such as virtual adoption, sanctuary programs, PRC made toys and accessories and placement fees, this financial burden will subside.

Bert (Bertina)

A Sulphur- Crested Cockatoo who lost her home at one year old because of excess screaming. She now lives happily in a large aviary with other cockatoos.

Positive Reward Training - By Verna Shannan

Basic Training - Part 5: Toilet Training

The purpose of this lesson for your bird is to get him to do his droppings on a newspaper. A toilet trained bird is a joy to live with as most of you will appreciate.

If you are just beginning to train your bird and haven’t read my articles in the previous issues of Talking Birds, I suggest that you do so before embarking on this month’s lessons.

The routine goes like this:

The bird is on the bottom front perch waiting calmly when you approach.

Put a newspaper on the floor and a chair in front of the cage.

Sit down on the chair, open the door and offer your hand saying ‘Step up.’

Say ‘Good,’ and give him a treat when he complies.

Hold him over the newspaper. Say ‘Poo Cocky’ (or whatever his name is), wait for the inevitable. This may take a while the first few times but will happen spontaneously after a few lessons.

Bridge and reward.

Take him to the scales; tell him to step up, bridge and reward again.

Note his weight in a diary

Take him to the T-Stand and practice Step Ups for a while

10..

After about 10 or 15 minutes take him back to the newspaper and repeat steps 5 and 6. Once you have worked out how long you have between dropping you must be prepared to be rigid with your timing whenever the bird is out of the cage.

11.

You can now start gradually bringing the newspaper closer and closer to the T stand until it is underneath the tray, still taking the bird to the paper every 10 to 20 minutes.

12.

Continue to pick the bird up and ask him to ‘Poo,’ until he gets the idea and stands over the paper by himself.

13.

Reward the bird every time you see him do a dropping on the paper.

I once read somewhere that it may be dangerous to toilet train a bird as he could die while he waits for you to give him the ‘Poo’ command. I have never come across a situation like this and always find that the bird will just do a dropping wherever he is if I forget to take him to the newspaper. Of course one would have to take this into consideration and weigh up the risks.

There are risks involved in everything we do or don’t do with our birds. For instance flight trained birds have been known to fly away. Clipped birds have been known to fly away and unclipped birds who are not allowed outside have been known to fly away when a door or window has inadvertently been left open or someone has walked into the house and not closed the door quickly enough.

There are risks involved in supplying your bird with toys because no toy is 100% safe. There are risks involved in supplying your bird with branches because he may be allergic to them even if they are native.

There are risks involved in letting your bird fly around the house. We have to weigh up the risks and consider that there are also risks involved in not doing any of these things and having our birds go crazy with boredom.

A toilet trained bird is much more readily loved and accepted by all the family and you won’t have to risk the displeasure of your partner, spouse or flatmate when the bird makes a mess of the carpet.

After morning training time give your bird his vegetables and fruit on the tray of the T-stand and after evening training time give him his pellets on the same tray.

This way there is never any food in the cage or aviary except fresh branches and you won’t have a rodent problem. If possible, have your meals at the same time, parrots are social creatures and love to eat with their ‘flock.’

Remember to offer your bird water while on the T-stand, if he is out for more than just training but don’t leave the water there because it will get spilt and possibly thrown across the room. Put a toy on the stand to keep your bird amused once the training sessions and eating are over.

Don’t leave your bird on the T stand for too long he needs to have plenty of quiet time alone in his cage where he can hide behind some branches and sleep without feeling threatened.

Please contact me if you need help with your parrot or parrots and I will send you a list of my fees and services.

Birdbrains@bigpond.com Mobile: 0407 911 474

Published in Talking Birds Australian’s Avian Newspaper- May 05

Australia's only newspaper devoted to the care and breeding of birds - including finches, canaries, parrots, cockatoos, budgies, softbills, pheasants and waterfowl. It is full of news, information and feature articles from Australia and around the world. For more information visit: www.talkingbirds.com.au

Companion Parrot Support Network

What causes feather loss?

FAQ by Parrot Behaviour & Enrichment Consultations

1. What might be causing feather loss in my companion parrot? (Part 3)

In last month’s edition of Q&A we focused on the initial evaluation of feather loss and the importance of seeking avian veterinarian advice as the first point of reference if concerns arise about the feather condition of your parrot. Once an evaluation has been made by your avian veterinarian that the feather loss is behavioural, it’s time to focus on the potential causes and underlying issues that may have led to the condition.

Firstly, at a surface level we can usually categorise feather loss and damage into:

*Feather Picking: Damage to the feathers via improper preening that does not result in their complete removal.
*Feather Plucking: Complete removal of feathers from the body.

In some circumstances it may even be a combination of the two, where the feathers are first excessively preened, resulting in damage to the feather barbs, and then removed completely. Other terms occasionally used are feather mutilation and feather destruction. These are essentially synonymous with the above.

I’ve personally managed and consulted with feather picking and feather plucking in companion parrots for more than 10 years now, including parrots in my own flock. Over that time I have been able to establish some general correlations between the observable feather damage characteristics and the most likely causes. In every situation however, a thorough examination of the environment and all of its dynamic components must be made.

Feather picking and feather plucking is considered a `stereotypical’ behaviour, and by definition is not a normal and functional behaviour. All behaviour however, functional or otherwise, is linked to the environmental context. We need to acknowledge and appreciate that this is a captive phenomenon that is not observed in wild parrots. For a wild parrot to remove or damage its own feathers is equivalent to suicide. The accountability for self-induced feather damage in captive parrots ends with `us’ as ultimately, this behavioural problem is an indicator of our failure to provide the captive conditions and experience conducive to proper behavioural health. Sometimes achieving an optimum captive environment can be extremely difficult; indeed despite my own best efforts, we still struggle to find solutions for some of the birds we have taken on with this condition.

Evaluating the situation below the surface level we can draw some potential insights into precipitating causes…

*Behavioural feather picking: In such cases there may be mild damage to body contour and wing contour feathers resulting in damaged barbs and barbules and a general appearance of poor feathering. In my experience this is often related to boredom, lack of access to regular bathing opportunities and lack of access to a partner in the case of those species that indulge in mutual preening with flock mates (such as Conures, Cockatoos, Amazons, Macaws, Lories, African Greys). Unfortunately, many companion parrots lack the presence of a conspecific partner, are not provided with species appropriate bathing opportunities and are not provided with an enriched environment. Managing feather picking at this level requires an approach that focuses on re-evaluating the environmental enrichment on offer, being more creative with feeding schedules to extend time spent engaging in feeding activity and ensuring that bathing opportunities are increased to promote proper preening behaviours. In cases where the enrichment, bathing and feeding schedule is appropriate and the bird is provided with access to a conspecific partner, consideration of incompatibility stress in the environment may be required. Stress from being housed with, next to or near incompatible parrots or other animals can potentially result in self-induced feather damage due to anxiety-based stress. This is where a sound knowledge of parrot body language will provide insights as to the observable degree of comfort level that the parrot may be at in its environment. In addition to the above, handraised juvenile parrots are often exposed to stressors early in life that may result in juvenile feather problems. In appropriate weaning schedules, lack of opportunity to fledge, improper clipping of wings and early removal of parental figures can all potentially result in stress-induced behavioural feather picking in juvenile birds. In the case of certain species such as Gang-Gang cockatoos and African Greys, removal of juvenile birds from environments that allow access to parental support can be considered highly contributory to feather picking and plucking observed before 12 months of age.

*Behavioural Feather Plucking: Feather damage that extends to complete removal of feathers is usually either an extension of long-term lack of enrichment (considering all forms) and/or the result of stress induced by inappropriate housing, inappropriate exposure to aversive stimuli (including incompatible animals within the environment), inappropriate interactions with humans (excessive use of negative reinforcement and punishment), inappropriate feeding schedules and potentially, psychogenic issues related to hormone dynamics and sexual maturity. Hormone relationship to feather plucking has not been adequately studied and profiled to my knowledge therefore, in my opinion, the common blame for feather plucking being directed towards `hormones’ in sexually mature parrots is an inadequate response to this situation and may fail to empower the owner with need to focus on environmental change for effective behaviour change.

In some cases the situation extends to tissue damage and self-mutilation. At this stage significant clinical care may be required and involve a combination of strategies, including medication, which will involve consulting with an avian veterinarian as well as a qualified behaviour consultant.

After reading this I’m sure you can appreciate the potential complexities of self-induced, behaviour feather damage in companion parrots. Successful remedial management of the situation in many circumstances is often dependent on a `holistic’ approach that seeks to cater for numerous potential causes. In next month’s Q&A we’ll take a look at such approaches.

If you are experiencing behavioural feather problems with your companion parrot then consider taking the opportunity to contact me and discuss your situation. Attendance at one of our Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary workshops, a phone consultation or even an in-home consultation might provide some of the solutions that you’re searching for.

For more information about my workshop experience or to receive a pamphlet with information about my consultation services simply contact me via jim@parrot-behaviour.info or via my website at http://www.parrot-behaviour.info

Kind Regards, Jim McKendry
Parrot Behaviour & Enrichment Consultations
http://www.pbec.com.au
jim@pbec.com.au
mobile: 0421 175 841

Do you have a parrot behaviour or care FAQ that you would like me to answer via the PRC Newsletter? If so then e-mail your question to Zarita via zarita@parrotrescuecentre.com

To access information on the Parrot-behviour.info website and the CPSN initiatives please visit:
www.parrot-behaviour.info.com

ANIMAL COMMUNICATION & HEALING - with Leah Petersen

Have you ever wondered what your companion parrot really thinks of you?

Would you like to understand your companions needs, physical condition & feelings?

Are you interested in energetic healing for your parrot?

Leah Petersen is a natural animal communicator who also facilitates energetic healing for your animal companions. Specializing in issues relating to behavioural and emotional disturbance, death, dying and illness.

Animal communication is real!! Whether you are aware of it or not, your animal friend knows exactly what is going on in your life, your mind and your heart - at all times!! They receive your thoughts, just like you receive theirs - through pictures, feelings and instincts! However, we as (ego driven) humans assume all thoughts are our own and disregard them.

How many times does your parrot have to point out to you that he/she needs new perches...before you finally get the message and act on it? The next time you keep hearing a repetitive message in your mind like "Oh, I really should get new perches"....take a step back and realize that perhaps your feathered friend is saying "Hey, I'm about due for some nice new & fresh perches".

They may even ask you to buy some of those great toys from the PRC website while your at it! Yes, our animals have a wonderful sense of humour too!

Our animals are our loyal companions, they guide us, protect us, comfort and entertain us just when we need it most. Their ways and means of showing us what they and you need are so obvious, that we miss most of messages and signs.

They are experts at intuitive communication and still hold a close connection to nature and their intincts - unfortunately we humans have lost touch with this connection.

Leah is one of the few communicators who also facilitates hands on and distance healing for those animals who do not respond to traditional medical care or for those whose illness can not be explained. The healings are relaxing, harmless and promote a state of well-being for both the parrot and yourself. However, it is always recommended that you seek medical advice from a certified Avian Vet as a first port of call. Animal Instincts healings are not a replacement for professional veterinary care. A healing session complements medical care and simply offers your parrot whatever he/she needs to regain wellness!

If you would like to deepen the connection you already share with your parrot please visit WWW.ANIMALINSTINCTS.COM.AU or phone: (07) 5556-0335 to schedule a consultation

PARROT OWNERSHIP- Like Marriage without Divorce –BY Rosemary Low

Sammy was a pitiful sight. A Blue and Gold Macaw with gleaming plumage is one of nature’s most beautiful creations. But Sammy, half naked with his bare, scrawny flesh and painfully obvious and dull, sad eyes, was a picture of dejection. Today, just a few months later, he can boast of only a few more feathers but his eyes are bright and sparkling. He is interested in everything around him and madly in love with his new ‘owner’- a love that definitely does not extend to the wife. But she is tolerant, glad that her family has saved this once beautiful macaw from 16 years of neglect.

Sadly, there is nothing unusual about Sammy’s story. It is one that has been repeated ad infinitum in every town across the UK. Now that hand reared parrots are becoming popular as pets in Australia, there is a warning here- perhaps not with macaws which have a very high price tag but with less expensive birds like cockatoos.

Large Macaws, such as the Blue and Gold Macaw, are seldom suitable as house pets. They need a lot of space and attention.

The unusual aspect of Sammy story was that the former owner read an item about a new parrot club in the local paper. Years of guilt about the macaw shut away in a seldom-used office in the house finally impelled him to pick up the phone. He explained to the woman who ran the club that Sammy would be better off elsewhere. Did she know anyone who would take an almost- featherless macaw? Sadly, there is nothing unusual about Sammy’s story. It is one that has been repeated ad infinitum in every town across the UK. Now that hand reared parrots are becoming popular as pets in Australia, there is a warning here- perhaps not with macaws which have a very high price tag but with less expensive birds like cockatoos.

When Alan saw the macaw, his heart went out to him. He knew that he could give this helpless but highly intelligent creature a home with the love, respect and understanding that were its due. His former owner was relieved to be rid of this embarrassingly plucked bird and Sammy was handed over.

When I saw Sammy and Alan Together the near featherless macaw seemed like and object of beauty. It was the bond between bird and owner that touched my heart. Macaws have such a great capacity for affection. They also have very long memories and a potential lifespan of 60 years (not the 80 or 90 of popular fiction). After long years of emotional deprivation, and just a few months of loving care, Sammy looked so alive, so contented! He is one of the luck ones- lucky in that he finally found a true friend, one for whom a companion parrot is a joy, not an encumbrance, a valued member of the family, not a chore.

Parrots are the most misunderstood of all the so called ‘pets’. Their intelligence and their need for interaction and stimulation are grossly underestimated by 99% of the people who keep them. Sad and frustrated at being shut away without a soul mate, human or avian, and with nothing to occupy hours and days of boredom, they resort to plucking out their own feathers, just as Sammy did. Some take this a horrible step further and mutilate their own flesh. Then euthanasia is the only answer.

When most people take on a parrot they have no idea of the enormity of responsibility. It is not like owning a dog that gives adoring glances in return for a pat or like having a cat, an independent creature that can amuse itself. It is more like adding a very demanding flying, feathered human to your family- one that will let you know in no uncertain terms when it feels neglected. It will scream, - so loudly that if you have close neighbours they will complain. It can learn some very annoying habits- like imitating the telephone- to such perfection that it fools you every time. A friend told me of a new trick learned by his little Red-bellied Parrot. She imitates the fire alarm at 4.00am! She knows this brings him running! He cannot risk ignoring the sound in case it is a real alarm!

There are more practical issues in parrot ownership. Parrots and cockatoos need regular source of branches to destroy. Without them they will reduce the furniture to splinters. It is time consuming and, for town dwellers, difficult to keep up a supply of branches.

Before buying a parrot ask you self if you can be committed to it over the long term. Ad I do mean long. A cockatiel can live to 30 years of age, and Amazon Parrot to 50 and a cockatoo to 60. Parrot ownership should be looked on as a kind of marriage-without divorce. Parrots are very sensitive creatures, responsive to their carers, often with an intense love for them, and they do not appreciate changing hand like so much merchandise.

This is a portion of the article Like Marriage without Divorce by Rosemary Low which appeared in Australian BirdKeeper Magazine Volume 17, Issue 1.

If you are interested in reading the rest of this particular article please contact birdkeeper@birdkeeper.com.au or order online at www.birdkeeper.com.au

PRC Tips - Paulie Rope

What is Paulie Rope?

It is a bird-safe stringing material that is manufactured specifically for the making of parrot toys. Paulie Rope" consists of a polyethylene diamond braid made with a tight tension and no centre core. The absence of the centre core means even less strands to tangle and fray. This rope is easy to knot and requires no heating to keep the knot in place. Paulie Rope" is fully washable and birds love to chew on it. It's also tough enough to stand up to macaws and cockatoos. This rope is vet-approved and has been in use by toy makers since 1994 with a perfect safety record.

Paulie Rope is now available from the PRC, if you are interested in purchasing the rope please email zarita@parrotrescuecentre.com

Merry-Go-Round|
Paulie Rope is used to make some of the new PRC shop TOYS.

Featured Product of the Month from the PRC Shop

PRC would like to provide you with some resourceful information each month of selected items from the PRC shop. The PRC personally uses all items provided in the Shop to ensure there safety, durability and excitement factor. Remember most PRC birds live in aviary environments and practice there natural chewing ability 24/7 therefore toys put in our aviaries do not have the same length of durability as a pet parrot kept indoors. When toys are tested with the PRC indoor parrots, the toys have a longer durability rate.

Octimania - PRC made toy

Size Compatibility: Any parrot from Ringnecks to Macaws will enjoy this product.

Safety Rate: Safe and Non-toxic, check regularly for wear and tear.

Durability: Very durable in caged birds

Tips: Rotate toys regularly to prevent bordem.

Excitement Factor: Parrots like to explore every item that is on this toy.

Octimania

This product is available from the PRC shop, price includes delivery.

All profits from the PRC Shop go directly into helping the daily operations of the PRC.

Thankyou for your support

PRC Shop - New Year Special Offer

Buy any three toys and receive an adjustable perch for free!
See Details Below

When placing your on-line order "Please specify your bird size in the Comments section of your Paypal payment"
It is that Easy!

Paypal now takes bank card payments, so if you do not own a credit card or don’t like using online Credit facilities, you will be happy to know you can now make payment with you bank account details.

New PRC Toy Range

This year the PRC will undergo small initiatives to help support the PRC financially. One of these initiatives is making a PRC toy range. The PRC toy range will be made with the best quality material and with your bird’s safety in mind. A lot of the products are imported from Overseas, where they have been tested by parrots for many years. We hope that you find our toys exiting and fun for your parrot, and help support us by purchasing them.

ABC Swing	Chewy Delight	Noddy

Learning Dangle	Natural Pleasures	Shiny Stars

Merry-Go-Round	Octimania	Tropical Swing

Please help us to help the Parrots

The Parrot Rescue Centre spends a lot of time and resources in doing what is best for the parrots by ensuring the birds are regularly vet checked, given fresh food, enrichment, clean aviaries and cages, providing natural habitats and by building larger enclosures.

We need your help and support to continue to provide a high standard of care to the PRC parrots.

How you can help:

Purchase toys and accessories from the PRC shop click here.
Make a monetary donation click here.
Provide us with our wish list items.

Wish List: Direct Care & Housing Items

Heavy-duty vacuum cleaner
Toys (all sizes and parrot safe)
Extra-large cages in excellent condition
Perches (cotton, sisal,)
Play stands in excellent condition
Portable hospital cages
Dog and Cat transport carriers
Stainless steel food cups
Towels and sheets
Newspaper
Wood screws
All sized eyelets
Metal and plastic chain
Natural leather (scraps or strips for making toys)
Ceramic water dishes.
Paper Towel

Please help us help the parrots.

Postal Address for wish list items:

Parrot Rescue Centre

Po Box 797

Mudgeeraba, QLD 4213

Alternatively contact me directly on 0755692840 to discuss
how you would like to give your support

Thankyou for your kindness.

Yours truly,

Zarita Garozzo
PRC Director

Member Moments - Story of the month

Merlin - The male Gang-Gang

"Merlin"
Anne Collins has won best story for the month of December!

Hi,

Its Anne Collins Here From Elermore Vale in Newcastle I often buy a heap of your native seed pods for my gang gang, ( Merlin, I attached a photo of him in his room, he’s a bit spoiled ! ) who by the way loves them, I let him pick himself one each morning out of a container & be chews for a good half an hour on each one, he has absolutely no screeching problems or has ever even looked at being a feather plucker, he is a picture of health, I'm so glad of your fantastic treats he’s new feathers are much brighter & stronger in colour than last year !

People would have no Feather Plucking problems in Gang Gangs if they took the time to watch how the bird would like to spend his day, they are compulsive chewers, if there’s nothing else to chew they only have there feathers, people don't take the time to relate to the individual personality of each species.

Thanks for your time

Anne Collins

How to Enter Your Member Story:

How to enter the monthly draw to win a PRC recommended parrot toy and have your birdies picture and story part of the PRC Newsletter.
· Fill out the Parrot Rescue Centre Membership Form
· Write a story about your feathered friends, weather emotional, funny or silly
· Send it to zarita@parrotrescuecentre.com
· Include a photo of your bird as an attachment on the email.

It’s that easy! We look forward to hearing your stories!

PRC Support Conservation

What is Conservation?

Conservation involves protecting remaining habitats as well as the birds themselves.

What we can do?

Do not buy a wild-caught bird for a pet.(Don’t feel sorry for the bird, as the supplier will just replace it with another if you purchase it)
Do not buy furniture, building materials and other items made from mahogany, rosewood, teak or ebony. These are rainforest woods. Buy purpose grown wood, such as pine.

The Parrot Rescue Centre conservation initiative is in place to help provide an awareness to all, that if we do not support conservation organisations, who then will protect our native wildlife. We hope that our membership and support of these large organisations who do so much for our eco system, will encourage you to become an active member also, remember together we can and will continue to make a difference.

The Parrot Rescue Centre is an active member of the following organisations:

The World Parrot Trust
The World Parrot Trust work to achieve the survival of parrot species in the wild, and the welfare of captive birds everywhere.

To achieve this they:

Restore and protect populations of wild parrots and their native habitats
Promote awareness of the threats to all parrots, captive and wild
Oppose the trade in wild-caught parrots
Educate the public on high standards for the care and breeding of parrots
Encourage links between conservation and aviculture

THE CHARITY FUNDING PROJECTS AND PROMOTING
EXCELLENCE IN PARROT CONSERVATION AND WELFARE

Birds Australia

Birds Australia is dedicated to the conservation, study and enjoyment of Australia's native birds and their habitats.
Birds Australia has joined with bird and habitat conservation organisations worldwide to form a global partnership called Birdlife International.

An Organisation dedicated to the conservation, study and enjoyment of Australia's native birds and their habitats.

“From the Avian Vets Desk” - The Importance of a Balanced Diet

Three quarters of the physical health problems that are presented for treatment at my surgery are related to poor nutrition and dietary imbalance. Pet birds are no different from their human owners, e.g. “they are what they eat”. However, “getting the diet right”, is not a simple matter. Birds come from many different parts of the world and many different environments. Their dietary requirements have developed as a result of utilizing available wild foods. For example, parrots that originate from dry inland areas of Australia, (galahs, corellas, cockatiels, and budgerigars) need a diet that is low in fat. Whereas, birds from rainforest environments, (Eclectus, Macaws, Amazons etc) require a higher fat content in their diet. When feeding pet birds it is important to consider their geographic origins and where possible attempt to create a balanced diet that fulfils their nutritional needs. Many pet bird owners fail to understand this concept.

Many owners of pet birds make the mistake of thinking that they can treat their parrot like their dog. However, unlike pet dogs that have evolved as human companions over thousands of years, birds are not “domesticated”. Dogs have adapted to eat the table scraps of their human masters. The dietary needs of the birds are more specialized. Yet these specialized needs are often ignored as a result of ignorance and apathy.

Many well meaning owners condemn their pet birds to a short and unhealthy life by restricting them to a seed and water only diet. Chronic malnutrition is one of the insidious problems that shorten the lives of many pet birds. For example, the life span of cockatiels in the wild is 20-25 years. However in captivity they are lucky to reach 10-12 years of age, with the majority dying around 4-6 years of age. Seed only diets cause obesity and malnutrition as they are hight in fat and lacking in essential vitamins and minerals.

Birds on a seed and water diet are often presented with obesity related problems. Obesity puts stress on bones, joints and internal organ systems. Health problems associated with obesity include: - liver problems, circulatory and respiratory problems, clotting disorders, diabetes and pancreatic disorders, fatty tumours, bumble foot. Fatty liver disease is one of the most commonly presented problems at my surgery. Birds suffering from this condition often have sparse feathering which has a “greasy”, dark pigmented appearance (e.g. the bright “black and yellow” cockatiel, or the “deep pink and charcoal grey” Galah). Their immune system is weakened and they are susceptible to many secondary infections.

Dietary imbalance also results in problems associated with malnutrition. Lack of critical nutrients in a bird’s diet can make them seem old before their time. Vitamins A, D and calcium are the most common nutrients missing in poor diets. Vitamin A plays an important role in maintaining the integrity of the skin and mucous membranes. It also plays a part in the function of the immune system, contributes to normal reproduction and the growth of bones and has a role in the maintenance of healthy cells. Vitamin D helps to absorb calcium from the gut and regulates blood calcium levels in the body. Calcium nutritional deficiencies can result in the bones becoming weak and brittle.

Obesity, malnutrition and their associated health problems can be corrected by a well-balanced diet. The basis of a healthy diet consists of commercial pellets or low fat seed mixes and vitamin supplements. These should be combined with fresh fruit and vegetables and a variety of “wild foods”. Wild foods include fresh seedling grasses, chick weed, dock weed, milk thistle, blossoms and nuts and seed pods from native trees. The dietary specifics will vary accordance to the type of bird being fed.

However, obesity can still be a problem even though birds are provided with a healthy, balanced diet. Any animal will become fat if they eat too much food. A single pet cage bird without exercise or stimulation will over-eat. Parrots need to chew in order to maintain their beak in good condition. Beaks grow like our fingernails and chewing helps to keep them in shape. If there is nothing in the cage for the bid to chew on, it will chew on its food. Therefore it is essential that pet parrots are provided with natural, healthy alternatives on which to chew. Fresh, green, leafy branches from Australian native trees, gum nuts, seed pods, pine cones etc, should be provided on a daily basis. Not only will the fresh “browse” help keep beaks in good condition, it will also be a source of “occupational therapy” for the pet parrot. Chewing green leafy branches also provides some of the additional vitamins and minerals required to keep birds healthy.

It is important to remember parrots are flock animals and in the wild, young birds learn what is good to eat by following the flock. In captivity, hand-raised birds identify with humans as their “flock”. This is why your bird will want to eat what you are eating, whether it is healthy or not. It is your responsibility, as a bird owner, to teach your bird how to eat healthily. Birds should never be fed fatty, salty, processed human foods. They don’t have the metabolism to process dairy products, coffee, tea or alcohol. Always be guided by what they would eat in the wild. Remember that the majority of physical health problems in pet birds originate from dietary deficiencies.

Written by Peter Wilson
BVSc MACVSc
Avian and Reptile Practitioner

To contact Peter Wilson Click Here

Bird Boarding

Do you need a guilt-free holiday?

Leave your precious birds with understanding and knowledgeable parrot carers.

We provide quality care for your pet birds including clean housing, healthy diet, enrichment, interaction and training (extra fee).

Your bird will not have time to be bored or sad, so stress and frustration will be less likely.

All funds made from bird boarding are directly used by the Parrot Rescue Centre to help with caring and maintaining the sanctuary birds environment.

Bird Boarding Health Check Requirement

All Boarding Parrots are required to undergo a health check by a qualified Veterinarian preferably an avian specialist or vet that has a special interest in birds, please Click Here to find your nearest suitable vet.

Health check should include:

Tested negative to Psittacosis
Tested negative to PBFD
Faeces Tested negative for worms and bacteria
Examination suggests that the bird is clinically free of illness or infection and is considered in sound physical health by the examining veterinarian

For more information please contact:

Zarita Garozzo

Parrot Rescue Centre Co-coordinator on:

Ph: 07 5569 2840

Email: zarita@parrotrescuecentre.com

Meet some of the family

Species: Yellow Sulfer Crested Cockatoo

Name: Kermit

Age: Unknown

Sex: Male

About Kermit:

Kermit was yet another bird destined to be euthanized by a rescue organisation in NSW, as he was a scared and unsocial bird and no home was able to be found for him. He was a scared and fragile bird when arriving at the PRC, but now is a happy talkative boy who spends his day chewing branches, playing with toys and hanging out with other sulphurs.

Kermit, enjoying his new home & friends!

Can I Adopt a Parrot?

Yes, if you pass the essential assessment process.

It is vital that the PRC have a assessment process for people wanting to adopt a parrot, as many of the parrots that have been surrendered to the PRC have been given away because of behavioral issues.

The PRC does the best they can through the rehabilitation process to ensure that these behaviors are controlled although when re homing these birds we need to ensure the parrot owner has a good understanding of parrot needs and requirements.

These birds do not deserve to be moved from home to home anymore, so if you are adopting a bird from the PRC it is going to be a life long commitment.

Click here for more information and to apply

Next Month Highlights: Feather Plucking-Part 4

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