How to Safely Medicate a Parrot

Since coming home, my poor parrotlet has just not been himself. I put it down to the stress of a new home, quarantine, and the big move, and gave him time to settle. Six weeks in, however, and things were still 'off.' I couldn't quite put my finger on it. But something was up. Appetite:...

What is a Healthy Diet for my Bird?

Parrots and finches require a specialised and healthy diet that does involve a lot of cooking and preparation. Proper nutrition is critical in terms of raising a healthy pet. Depending on your views, you can feed anywhere from 50% fresh to 50% pellets, to 85% fresh and 15% pellets/seeds. I choose the latter. To me,...

The Importance of Sun to Parrots

Parrots need sunlight. It has been instrumental in the healing of our umbrella cockatoo, Bobo, since he went to live at the Island Parrot Sanctuary in Scotland (and for the mental and physical recovery of all parrots there), and it has helped my birds, too, although they are not emotionally traumatised as Bobo was. If...

Chop-Chop: Get cooking for Parrots

Chop for parrots is simpler than you ever imagined: Faster and easier even than grain bakes. As you may guess from this post, I, too, am a chop convert. The concept: Put ingredients into a food processor and press the button to grind it up finely enough that the flock can't pick bits out. It really is...

45 Life-Hacks for Parrot Owners

A collection of tips ('life hacks') for people with parrots in their lives, making those days just a little easier. Parrot life hack #1: The office mat Parrot life hack #2 Drop cloths out of old flat sheets Parrot life hack #3 The only cleaning agents you'll ever need: White distilled vinegar, steam, mild dishwashing...

Hormones and Your Parrot: the Triggers and What to Do.

Hormones strike twice a year in most parrots, spring and autumn, turning your bird from a gentle angle into a rampaging monster. Or so it feels! Upon reaching sexual maturity, typical parrots have a single driving urge: to find a mate and make babies. It is very simple, and yet also impossible for them. Hand-raised...

Twelve Foods that Can Be Foraging Toys All By Themselves.

Foraging for parrots doesn't have to be hard or take a lot of thought. One of the simplest ways to create a foraging 'situation' is to wrap food up in little paper wrappers. But there are some fabulous foods that are toys all on their own - and this really is foraging for parrots made...

Tips for Getting Your Parrot to Eat Vegetables or Unfamiliar Foods.

So you know the three essential, but ultimately simple, skills for feeding your pet birds - chop, grain bakes, and sprouts. You feed a pellet base (or maybe not, depending on your views), and save the seeds and nuts for much-loved treats. Fresh vegetables and fruits make up the main part of the diet - but, your...

Day 8 – and My 150th Post!

Day 8, what's in my fridge for the flock: We have grapes, strawberries, blueberries, bananas (well, on the counter, but hey), garden peas, broccoli, mini corn, corn, rocket, romaine and iceberg lettuce, tuna fish, chickpeas, soy milk. And that'll last them... oh, a few days, anyway. And because this seems like a meagre amount for...