Little Shop of Feathers

11/25/2025

TIP OF THE DAY: How to cook Thanksgiving dinner when you live with a parrot.

- Get up early in the morning & have a cup of coffee. It's going to be a long day, so place your Parrot on a perch nearby to keep you company while you prepare the meal.

- Remove Parrot from kitchen counter and return him to perch.

- Prepare stuffing and remove Parrot from edge of stuffing bowl. Return parrot to perch.

- Stuff turkey & place it in the roasting pan. Remove Parrot from edge of pan and return him to perch. Have another cup of coffee to steady your nerves.

- Remove Parrot's head from turkey cavity and return him to perch. Re-stuff the turkey.

- Prepare relish tray, and remember to make twice as much so that you'll have a regular size serving after the Parrot has eaten his fill.

- Remove parrot from kitchen counter and return him to perch.

- Prepare cranberry sauce. Discard berries "accidentally" flung to the floor by Parrot.

- Peel potatoes. Remove Parrot from edge of potato bowl and return him to perch.

- Arrange sweet potatoes in a pan & cover with brown sugar & mini marshmallows.

- Remove Parrot from edge of pan and return him to perch. Replace missing marshmallows.

- Brew another pot of coffee. While it is brewing, clean up the torn filter and pry coffee bean from Parrot's beak. Have another cup of coffee & remove Parrot from kitchen counter and return him to perch.

***When time to serve the meal:
- Place roasted turkey on a large platter, and cover beak marks with strategically placed sprigs of parsley.

- Put mashed potatoes into serving bowl and rewhip at last minute to conceal beak marks and claw prints.

- Place pan of sweet potatoes on sideboard, forget presentation as there's no way to hide the areas of missing marshmallows.

- Put rolls in decorative basket. Remove Parrot from side of basket and return him to perch.

- Remove beaked rolls and serve what's left.

- Set a stick of butter out on the counter to soften - think better and return it to the refrigerator.

- Wipe down counter to remove mashed potato claw tracks.

- Remove Parrot from kitchen counter and return him to perch.

- Cut the pie into serving slices. Wipe whipped cream off Parrot's beak and place large dollops of remaining whipped cream on pie slices.

- Whole slices are then served to guests, beaked-out portions should be reserved for host & hostess.

- Place Parrot inside cage & lock the door.

- Sit down to a nice relaxing dinner with your family - accompanied by plaintive cries of "WANT DINNER!" from the other room.

11/19/2025

‼️WE ARE CLOSED THIS WEEK‼️

Thanksgiving is Almost here. So it's time to remind everyone of some of the dangers!!

‼️ PLEASE READ THIS CAN POSSIBLELY SAVE LIVES

‼️DO NOT USE TURKEY- ROASTING BAGS!! They have been determined unsafe for use aroun birds. THESE CAN AND WILL KILL YOUR BIRD!

‼️DO NOT USE - NON-STICK FOIL!!
There is a newer non-stick foil being marketed that is NOT SAFE for cooking with birds in the house. This comes in all store brands too, so please note the label when you make your purchase! THIS CAN AND WILL KILL YOUR BIRD!!

Please Research!!!

11/18/2025

‼️Disease in Parrots

‼️ PLEASE READ
This is Very Important Information!!!

Always Always Always Quarantine, Disease Test your Babies!!!

Alot of these diseases can be prevented.

Birds can appear diseased or seemingly healthy and can shed the agent for weeks or months.

‼️A Common herpes virus causes an acute, rapidly fatal, hepatitis in parrots, and is known as Pacheco’s Disease. This is most frequently encountered in recently imported birds in quarantine. It will spread rapidly and will wipe out a high percentage of the group in a few days.

‼️Circovirus is the cause of the highly unpleasant Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD). This virus attacks young growing feather and beak tissue in fledgling birds, as well as damaging their immune system, so they have no resistance to other diseases. In budgerigars it is known as French Moult, and although most infected birds will die, some will survive but with damaged wing and tail feathers, so they can never fly and are hence known as runners. In most other parrots, infection is almost invariably fatal. The course of the disease varies with the age at infection and the infective dose of virus. Very young chicks will die quickly, often dropping feathers by the handful first. Older birds will develop characteristic feather deformities or discolourations – white in black birds like the Vasa parrot or pink in African greys. See also Psittacine Beak & Feather Disease

‼️ Avian Bornavirus is responsible for another devastating disease with a prolonged incubation period – Macaw Wasting Disease (so-called because it was first identified commonly in macaws), or Proventricular Dilatation Disease (PDD) or Proventricular Dilatation Syndrome (PDS). This virus is similar in its effects to Key-Gaskell Syndrome in cats or Grass Sickness in horses. Initial infection causes mild transient diarrhoea, from which most individuals recover. In a small percentage, there is damage to the nerves controlling the stomach, so that this organ becomes stretched, thin-walled and bloated. Digestive efficiency is impaired, so affected birds will eat well but lose weight, commonly vomit, and will pass undigested food items (especially seed kernels) in their droppings. Some birds will also show nervous signs such as tremors or inco-ordination. Like PBFD, the incubation period can be many months, making the source of infection difficult to define. It is also currently incurable, although isolated pet birds may be maintained by feeding soft foods and giving non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Parrot Wasting Syndrome
Also called macaw wasting syndrome or proventricular dilatation disease, this illness is characterized by weight loss, vomiting and a swollen crop, and may even present with seizures or depression-like symptoms. Treatment includes providing a stress-free environment for the bird and a special diet, and severe cases may require non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS).

ALL These viral diseases have no specific treatments, since antibiotics will have no effect. Thus their control depends on vaccination (where possible, and currently such availability is very limited); hygiene and disinfection; and quarantine. It is important never to mix newly-acquired birds with existing stock immediately. They should be kept in isolation for a period of quarantine to allow dormant infections to show themselves. This period should be from 10 – 30 days, the longer the better. Most infectious agents will show up in this time, but as mentioned with PBFD and PDD, some viruses will incubate for many months. However, parrots can be tested during the quarantine period for the presence of these viruses. Such control measures apply equally to other infectious diseases.

These are just a few of the diseases that can affect pet birds, and it is important that bird owners carefully research other illnesses and health conditions that may be a problem for their specific pet bird species.

Always Seek Veterinary Care.

Because many pet bird diseases show similar symptoms, and because many birds are clever at hiding signs of discomfort until an illness has progressed drastically, it is important to always be vigilant about your pet bird's health and seek expert veterinary care right away if problems are noticed. An avian veterinarian can perform blood tests, biopsies and other procedures to accurately diagnose different diseases, even if not all symptoms are apparent. Once the illness is diagnosed, proper treatment can start and your pet bird can get back to health as quickly and easily as possible.

11/17/2025

Is Quarantineing necessary??? Yesss!!!

Why?? Diseases!!!

Parrots can carry any one of eleven types of infectious viruses, most deadly to other birds!!

Unlike dogs and cats, parrots are capable of carrying any one of up to 11 types of infectious viruses. It doesn’t matter if your new parrot looks and acts healthy. Many avian diseases lie dormant until activated by stressful situations, such as going to a new home.

Never introduce your parrots at home to a new bird until you know it's healthy.

Here are some Terms/Diseases you need to know if you own or want to own a parrot!

❗️Polyomavirus - Can be Fatal

❗️Aspergillosis - Can be Fatal if untreated

❗️Avian chlamydiosis - Can be Treated- left untreated is Fatal

❗️Proventricular dilatation disease (PDD) - There is no cure, but diagnosis can be made through blood tests, X-rays, or biopsies, and some cases can be managed with supportive care and anti-inflammatory drugs. - Left untreated is Fatal

❗️Psittacosis - Psittacosis is a disease caused by bacteria that often infect birds.

❗️Metal toxicity - Immediate veterinary care is crucial, utilizing chelation therapy and potentially endoscopic or surgical removal of metal particles to save the bird's life - left untreated is Fatal

❗️Psittacine Beak & Feather Disease (PBFD) - No Cure

❗️Candidiasis - Candidiasis in birds is a common fungal infection

❗️Avian Bornavirus (ABV) - is a progressive and often fatal disease that causes neurologic symptoms in parrots

❗️Fatty Liver Disease - condition in parrots where fat accumulates in the liver, hindering its function and potentially leading to serious health issues. It's often linked to obesity and a diet high in fat, particularly seed-based diets

11/17/2025

Today we are going to Talk about cages.

How to determine what cage is best?

Birds are active creatures. Always try to get the largest cage you can that has bar spacing still suitable to your species. A parrot needs to exercise it’s wings and must have enough unobstructed room to do so.

This means that you should look for a cage that is larger your bird’s wing span, (1.5 to 2 times their wings span is what is recommended) with several inches on each side to spare. This allows for any toys or perches that are in the cage and could injure the bird during vigorous activity. If you have a long-tailed parrot, remember to plan for room for that too! Your parrot should be able to turn in any direction without bumping any part of its body, wings or tail against anything

Bar Spacing is very important!! If the spacing is too wide for the smaller species, a head can get caught in the bars. It’s amazing how a head will fit through the bars in one direction and suddenly become so large that it won’t come out the way it went in.

Also, it makes negotiation around the cage difficult for little feet. Likewise, a larger bird in a cage with too small bar spacing can get a foot caught in the bars.

Some birds are quite capable of breaking welds and larger parrots like macaws and cockatoos need to be in a very well constructed cage. Remember that your bird will explore every inch of this cage when you are away.

Non-toxic powder-coated or stainless steel

A stainless steel is going to be the best that you can buy. It will last a lifetime. It won’t chip or rust and will be sturdily made. When you buy a powder-coated cage, please make sure it isn’t from China.

MOST of the cages made there have tested positive for dangerous levels of lead and zinc in their powder coating.

The cage is the biggest investment you will make in your parrot. It will be her home for the entirety of her life, which might be 50 or more years. A stainless steel macaw cage will set you back more than $2,000, but when you divide this among the years of service it will provide, it doesn’t seem like so much.

There are many other cages available, costing less, that are wonderful homes to our companion parrots. Be sure to check them carefully for safety, durability and appropriate sizing. Don’t be afraid to contact the manufacturer for details about the cage and where it was made.

(I've attached a Cage Recommendation Chart)

If you can not afford a cage large enough for the parrot you want or if you don't have room for the cage they need - than you need to consider another species.

11/13/2025

11/12/2025

DO YOU KNOW WHAT POOR NUTRITION DOES TO YOUR BIRD? 🤔

Here's an interesting article shared from Harrison's Bird Foods, highlighting poor nutrition as the leading cause of death in pet birds.

Improper nutrition involves all of the systems of the body and is seen as abnormalities in body weight and shape; unusual appearances of feathers, nails, beaks and skin; undesirable behaviour; and disturbances in all the body's systems. Nutritional deficiencies appear to accelerate the ageing process of birds, primarily through the loss of moisture and tissue elasticity.

Often, the signs of improper nutrition in pet birds are not immediately apparent or go completely overlooked by the owner.

The value of a proper diet over the life of the bird is monumental. Birds fed a poor diet will become malnourished, which will start a chain of events leading to a decline in the bird's overall health.

The digestive system suffers first. The bacterial population of the digestive tract becomes unbalanced. Once this has occurred, opportunistic pathogens find it easier to invade, and gram-negative rods and yeast counts are increased.

This opens the door for bacterial infections and other ailments related to the immune system.

Over time, every part of the body will reflect the condition of the bird's health. If the bird reaches the latter stages of improper nutrition, damage to internal organs may be so severe that it is too late to save the bird.

Any change in your bird’s eating habits, behaviour or personality could be due to illness. It is important to discuss these changes with your veterinarian. Your bird’s health (and life) may depend on it.

11/11/2025

Accountability. Let’s talk about it. 🦜

We get calls that sound like this:

• “I didn’t realize how messy birds are.”
• “I think I’m allergic.”
• “My kid lost interest.”
• “It’s louder than I expected.”
• “I saved it from someone else, but now I need you to take it.”

What all of these have in common is a lack of responsibility.

Parrots are not décor.
They are not an impulse purchase.
They are not a trial pet to see if you like it.
Most parrots can live 30+ years. Some longer. That is a lifetime commitment.

There is an entire world of information available — right in your hand — about parrot care, diet, enrichment, behavior, noise level, mess level, and emotional needs. Do the research before bringing a bird home.

If you “saved” a bird but your plan was to hand it off — you didn’t save it.
You simply relocated the responsibility.
Once you bring an animal into your home, it becomes your responsibility to learn, to adjust, and to provide.

Now — let me be clear:

There are legitimate reasons to surrender.
A death in the family.
A major medical change.
A genuine situation where care is no longer possible.

Those are understandable and we will always show compassion.

But “I didn’t know,”
“I didn’t think,”
or “I didn’t realize how much work this was,”
is not a reason — it’s a lesson.

Rescues are full because people are not being accountable.

So this is your reminder:
If you cannot meet the mental, physical, emotional, and financial needs of an animal — don’t get one.

No excuses.
Do better.
Be better.
For them. 🦜💚

11/10/2025

Do you feed your parrots banana treats?

Do you know when it's the best time to offer bananas for maximum nutrition? 🍌

The more the banana ripens, the less the nutritional value it will have!