• Vegetables can include carrots (and carrot tops), parsley, kale, peas, Edamames-(soy beans in pod), other beans, corn, broccoli, dark lettuce, chili peppers, bell peppers, frozen mixed vegetables slightly thawed, yams, etc.
  
  
• Fruits can include bananas, grapes, oranges, mangoes, melons, pears, papayas and crisp sweet apples.....with seeds removed (they contain a small degree of cyanide).

• No Avocados - Deadly!  Also avoid chocolates, alcohol, caffeine, sugars and salt.
   
• Unsalted, nutritious, treats such as walnuts, almonds, and raw Spanish peanuts are good. Nuts in the shells are fun for them to remove when slightly cracked. Go easy on seed portions with safflower, sunflower, and unsalted peanuts, due to the high fat content.
  
  
• Cooked and cooled oatmeal is very good for them. I sometimes add cinnamon and chopped walnuts.

• Heating foods - warm is OK,... hot is not!

• Humans carry bacteria in saliva, so don’t feed birds from your mouth.

• Water - ensure that good, fresh drinking water is available at all times.  Refill often. Place bowls slightly above perches to help prevent droppings from falling into their food and water.

• Maintain proper weight.  Verify with an Avian Vet or  professional bird handler.

• Scraps of food should be removed each night in order to discourage rats, mice and other uninvited guests from eating leftovers.
  
  
• More Information on FOODS as well as PLANTS can be found via web sites, etc.

• Birdbaths -  Daily, warm-water misting, just above their heads, from a spray bottle promotes preening and healthy feathers.  Approach slowly and do not use spray as punishment.  A shallow pan of water can be an enjoyable birdbath treat.

• Keep avian vet phone numbers handy along with first-aid info.  Medical costs can be enormous!
    *Pet insurance is available, but coverage is limited.

• Should your bird bleed due to an injury,  place in a confined, warm area and use products such as “Safe-Stop” or cornstarch until your avian vet is seen.

• A few signs of possible illness:  Consistently quiet, not eating, not preening.  If these symptoms persist for even a day, call your avian vet….birds can often be ill BEFORE obvious signs are evident.

• Heavy Metals, such a lead, are poisonous - even in tiny amounts. Symptoms begin with depression, not eating, vomiting, and watery droppings that might be red in color from blood pigments passing through the kidney. Neurological signs follow then death is close behind.
  

• Many physicians are now warning about the possibilities of severe respiratory problems associated with feather dust, dried bird droppings and other airborne-related particles. Keeping your home and cages clean is vital. Invest in a top quality air purifier for certain rooms and change the central air filter at least every 2 mos. (birds have highly sensitive respiratory systems).

• When birds pluck feathers, it’s often a sign of stress. Are you giving them enough attention and are the cages and toys adequate?  Check with avian vets, other bird handlers and websites for other possible reasons.

• Large stainless steel cages are my favorite…sturdy and easy to clean. Research various types.
  
  
• Ladders are an important addition for exercising.

• Cages with wheels allow mobility.

• Place cage where activity can be observed without over-exposure to extreme weather.

• Cage bar spacing should be appropriate for size of bird to prevent escaping or getting the head caught between the bars.

• Caution - feet can be severely damaged when closing some types of cage doors, so check carefully before purchasing.

• Clean cages and toys daily.   Warm water and vinegar works well.  Floors can be lined with rubber mats and old newspapers, etc.

• Own a safe transport cage for travel and vet visits.

• Use various sized perches, as this helps with exercising their feet. *They prefer high, comfortable places to perch.  Safe rope perches can attach to tops and sides of cage. (Trim strings often).

• To prevent attached perches, toys, etc. from falling inside or outside cage & possibly injuring your bird, spot-check for loose screws and bolts, then tighten.
  
  
• Hand-held perches are useful for teaching birds to, "step up"......don't grab them.

• Provide and rotate safe toys to challenge their minds.

• They can chew on phone books, paperbacks, or safe, untreated woods such as pine, soft yucca, etc.  Woods containing sap such as cedar, should not be used.

• Leathers must not contain sealants, oils or chemicals.

• Check on safe dyes in prints, papers, toys, etc. 

• Don’t take aggressions out on birds.  Slamming cage doors, yelling, hitting, punishing, etc. can cause injury, pain, fright and stress. They don't understand punishment. Also, don’t grab them; teach them to step up onto a perch.

• Supervise when allowing birds out of the cage at home. 

• Exploration and curiosity can lead to the discovery of harmful items such as medications, traps, poisonous rat & mouse pellets, electrical cords, outlets, items containing lead & other hazardous materials. Be watchful.

• Protect birds from pest, weed, and aerosol sprays; smoke, including cigarettes & cigars; exhaust from vehicles (do not house birds in the garage); fumes from bleaches, nail polish, paint & stain removers, certain candles, scented air fresheners, perfumes, etc.

• Wash hands before handling birds.  Residues such as nicotine, etc. are harmful and can adversely affect the birds and their feathers over time.

• Beware of aggressive predator birds/cats, etc. when outdoors with your bird. Hawks, for example, can swoop down and snatch a bird off your shoulder or attack it in an outdoor cage. Cats can swipe paws inside cage.
  (Buzzards & vultures search mainly for carcasses and are not generally referred to as predators).

• Other predators include:  rats, possums, foxes, wolves, coyotes, mountain lions, raccoons, wild boars, scorpions, mosquitoes, sometimes cats, dogs, snakes, ants, spiders, etc., and even cruel humans at times.

• Doors leading to the outside should be closed to prevent intruders such as mosquitoes from flying in and your birds from flying out.  

• Standing water, (toilets, pools, dishwater) and boiling liquids are potential hazards.
  Keep toilet lid down so they don't drown!

• Approximately 8 to 10 hours of sleep is needed.  Your pet birds normally roost between dusk & dawn and need to be in dark, quiet areas (lights and TV off)....

• Some interruptions: barking dogs, loud music, conversations, noisy vehicles, car headlights shining in windows, loud ticking clocks, flickering fluorescent lights, etc.
  
  
• No sleeping with your birds - they can be crushed - not to mention the poop you’ll have in the bed.  

chersbirds@yahoo.com

After all the helpful tips below, please check out our links at the bottom of this page.

Below are links to guide you through MORE helpful information.

SENSITIVITY CHECK LIST FOR PARROTS