My Swiffer duster really is no contest for oily feather dust.    The oily feather is a little sticky and it dust repels water thereby keeping a wild or outdoor bird from getting soaked and chilled.

At BirdSupplies.com, we’ve got 4 Powder Down birds, birds that essentially throw off an oily based dust.  In order to manage the endless mess, we’ve developed a bathing routine for our birds.

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This is spacious bird carrier for car travel that offers a lot of ventilation.

by Phil Samuelson

No responsible pet bird owner should be without an appropriate portable cage for each bird in the household. A carrier is a critical item to have on hand in case the bird has a medical emergency and requires a quick trip to the veterinarian or if its owner is forced to evacuate his or her home because of a fire or other natural disaster. The portable bird carrier is also mandatory equipment when on the road traveling during planned vacations. The ideal bird carrier will also quickly convert into an appropriate and convenient hospital cage should a bird become sick or injured.

The choices of pet bird carriers available to bird owners these days are numerous–and many of them are quite good. Many of these manufactured cages are ideal for medium- to large-sized parrots like African greys, Pionus, Amazons, conures, mini macaws and small cockatoos. Large macaws pose special challenges when selecting travel cages because their long tails quickly become frayed and broken when they rub against cage walls or bars.

Essential Features

A travel cage should be lightweight and easy to lift and clean. The cage should have adequate ventilation, but keep drafts to a minimum. The construction should be durable to eliminate any chance of the pet becoming crushed by accident.

Some well-designed travel cages are constructed of thick polycarbonate with numerous holes in the surface and a wire mesh door. This type of material and design provides the necessary ventilation, while also retaining some warmth. Transparent polycarbonate allows for easy viewing of the bird, and also allows the bird to observe its surroundings. Often these types of travel cages come with a “privacy cover” that sits snugly the top (on some models this cover is an option and costs extra). Partially or completely covering the cage will help calm the bird when in a busy area or when it’s time for sleep.

Bird Carrier Components

Every bird carrier needs a good perch. A diameter of approximately 1 inch should serve most birds well. A perch with a similar diameter bolted to the top of the cage will allow the owner to let her pet out to perch and exercise its wings. This exterior perch also serves another purpose. In addition to being a comfortable, elevated place to perch, the cage-top perch also works well as a handle when transporting the carrier.

Some portable bird carriers resemble backpacks and have straps that fit comfortably around an owner’s shoulders. These carriers are available in a variety of sizes and designs and are usually constructed of durable nylon and stainless steel mesh.

For birds that are nervous travelers and do best in a mostly solid cage, laundry basket designs are available, with a heavy wicker appearance to the exterior. And for the ultimate travel cage accessory, there are cage carts designed to resemble baby carriages so owners can go for walks with their pets, either close to home or while on the road. These carriage carts allow for easy removal of a travel cage and fold up for easy storage or transportation.

Of course, there are travel cages constructed entirely of metal mesh, and these can work well, too. After all, this type of construction and materials has served bird owners well in the travel cage department for decades. Don’t overlook the standard, basic designs.

Providing adequate water is especially important when on the road. Some birds owners, particularly owners of smaller species, train their birds to drink from a bottle. Since water bowls are useless in a moving car, these bottles can come in handy when traveling. The owner, however, must be sure to use the appropriate size and design for the bird in question. Vacation is not the time to experiment with feeding new foods or new watering methods, so if a bird usually drinks and feeds from a bowl, be sure to use this method. Since some birds eat less when away from home, owners should bring plenty of their pets’ favorite food items.  

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Your bird is on it’s feet all day. Shouldn’t he have some comfortable bird perches?

Regardless of how fancy your bird’s cage is and how nutritious his diet, if you don’t provide a comfortable perch, or perches, to his domain, you are neglecting one of the most important aspects of proper parrot care.

Look at an appropriate bird perch like you would a comfortable pair of running shoes. Would you attempt to jog around your neighborhood–let alone run a marathon–in a pair of shoes that didn’t fit? Of course not. Regardless of whether the shoes are too large or too small, you would be certain to end your run with painful, tired feet as well as raw areas and blisters. The same situation occurs with your bird–although it may take longer for the bird to show evidence of a bad fit. A perch of inappropriate diameter will damage the soles of his feet. Red, worn areas will develop on your parrot’s feet much like they develop on yours. In fact, the next time you have your avian buddy out for some fun, examine his feet. You may be surprised to see an area–or areas–that look pink and irritated compared to the rest of the bird’s soles. You can bet these areas are tender–as well as painfully cramped.

The reason for this discomfort is improper perch diameter. A perch that is perfect for an African grey will not work for a macaw and vice versa. The ideal diameter is a perch that will allow a bird to grip in a manner that its feet encompass approximately 3/4 of the perch surface, with nail tips touching the perch surface. If the bird can wrap all of his toes around the perch with room to spare, the perch is too small. If the bird cannot get a firm grip and the toes do not reach the underside of the perch, it is too large.

Peachy is showing off on his Java Wood Perch

Regardless of the material the perch is made of, proper diameter is the most important consideration. Some of the best perches have a slight change in diameter depending on where the bird stands. Some natural wood perches are this way naturally, while other woods perches have been intentionally manufactured this way. The subtle variance in diameter allows the bird to flex his toes and exercise his feet. Think of the running shoes comparison gain. After a long run, doesn’t it feel good to take those shoes off and wiggle your toes? Movement of the toes and flexing of the foot muscles is a very soothing sensation when toes have been in the same position for a very long time.

So, whether a perch is wood, concrete, PVC or other synthetic material, shop for them carefully and provide the best choice possible. Your bird uses his feet for just about everything he does: climbing, eating, perching, as well as the occasional scratch to his head, like a dog sometimes uses his hind feet. Since they serve as both feet and hands, comfort is critical. You bird will appreciate it. If he could, he would thank you.

Choose some comfortable bird perches for your pet today.  Let us offer personalized customer service if you need help.

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Birds can groom their own beaks by chewing wood and safe, yet somewhat abrasive items.

How to Trim Your Birds Beak

While different species of birds have different beaks, a bird beak is designed to consume the diet that that particular species eats in its native environment and to groom feathers. Bird’s also use their beaks to feed their young. All beaks are made up of Keratin and dermis woven with vascular layers and supported by bone.

A parrots beak, in particular grows in three directions – from tom to tip from the center to the edges and from inside, deep to the surface. Keratin is the same protein that our fingernails are made of. Hooves and horns are also made of Keratin. Your birds’ beak grows between 1 to 3 inches per year, depending on your birds’ species and its health.

The germinal layer of the beak contains the organs blood supply and it extends from the skull to the tip of the beak. A birds’ beak is a very sensitive yet strong organ.

A Dremel Rotary Tool can be used to trim an overgrown beak

In the wild, birds groom their beak through day to day activities such as chewing abrasive or hard substances, using the beak when climbing and rubbing their beak on branches to clean it after eating.

A pet bird may not have as many opportunities to groom its beak and they may need occasional assistance. An overgrown beak can be trimmed down with the use of a Dremel tool, clippers or a file. Get the lowest power available. We suggest between 6,500 and 13,000 rpm which is slow enough to help you control the device so that you don’t get into the germinal layer or the blood supply.  Should you get into the germinal layer, it is very painful and may cause bleeding.

Consider providing natural ways for your parrot to groom its own beak. First, insure that you are feeding your pet a premium diet such as Harrison’s Bird Food. Also, provide plenty of toys to chew. Wood bird toys in particular wear down the excess growth. Conditioning or pedicure perches such as the Sandy Perch provide safe yet abrasive surfaces that a bird can rub its beak on for self-grooming. Place a pedicure perch near the food bowl so that when your bird finishes eating it can rub food crumbs off onto the perch while filing off excess grown.

You are encouraged to routinely check the condition of your birds’ beak looking for cracks, lesions, unusual colorations and overgrowth. Consult a veterinarian or avian specialist for guidance about any abnormalities or injuries that you notice on your birds’ beak. An over-aggressive wing trim job will cause your bird become unbalanced making it susceptible to falling forward and injuring or cracking its beak. Should your bird chip and expose germinal tissue of its beak you can stop minor bleeding with styptic powder. For more aggressive bleeding consider taking your bird to the vet to cauterize the injury.

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Wingabago Bird Carriers make excellent bird hospital cages for sick or injured birds.

by Phil Samuelson

You treat your pet parrot to the best. He gets the best possible diet and treats, best cage, best toys, best T-stand. You even devoted a corner of your living room to his new birdie playpen that you can wheel to any area of your home if desired. This playpen provides you and our bird with lots of fun during weekend bathing sessions when you spritz him with a fine mist of warm water, much to his delight.

But what about his top-of-the-line portable bird carrier? Did you remember to buy one of those? If you didn’t, you’re not alone. Many pet bird owners neglect this area of mandatory bird gear until they need one and have to scramble to come up with a suitable choice.

Taking the time to shop carefully for this item will help ensure that you get the best design at the best price. The range of choices is likely to surprise you since this area of the pet industry has seen rapid expansion in recent years. While the dog-style airline-approved enclosed carriers are still sold and in wide use, this is just the tip of the bird carrier mountain.

The number of times you actually use a bird carrier may surprise you. It definitely pays to have one on hand.

Occasions for Use

Let’s consider some of the possible reason you may need a portable pet bird carrier. Consider the following scenarios if you were without a good carrier.

Evacuation: You home is evacuated because of a fire or other natural disaster. You need a pet bird carrier now. Waiting another day–or until you can hit the local pet shop–is not possible.

Vet Trip: Your bird is sick an unable to perch. You need to get it to the vet in a hurry. Prompt attention from your avian veterinarian may save your bird’s life. Time is of the essence.

Vacation: You’re heading out on vacation by car and decide you’d like to take your avian buddy along with you this year. You’ll be staying with family and friends as well as pet-friendly hotels so there’s really no reason you can’t take him along, too. Besides, you’ve missed him in years past when you’ve been away. Searching for a good portable cage now will delay your trip and be one more thing to do before you head out of town.

Hospital Cage: Your bird survived a broken leg and is now on the mend thanks to your veterinarian. He needs a hospital cage where he can perch at a very low level while he regains the use of his leg. Many styles of portable bird carriers quickly convert into a very suitable hospital cage with a few fast alterations. Instead, you may have to pay the vet’s office another day of hospitalization because you have to search for a proper carrier/hospital cage. Your bird’s usual cage would pose serious risks and dangers if he attempted to climb too soon.

Out and About: You decide to head out to the park or the beach and want to take your bird along. He enjoys these excursions and sits calmly on your shoulder making happy chuckling sounds. If you had a carrier, these types of fun trips would be so much easier.

Office Visits: Your African grey has been to your office and been a big hit with co-workers. Your boss finds him fascinating and allows him to visit on occasion. Your company is typical. Research conducted by the Pet Product Manufacturer’s Association (APPMA) reveals that increasing numbers of offices are allowing dogs and other pets into the workplace for a variety of reasons  Your office is the progressive type of place you enjoy.

The reasons for owning a portable pet bird carrier are numerous. Rather than asking yourself why you should buy one, shouldn’t you really be asking yourself why you don’t already own one?

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Parrots need about 12 hrs. of sleep each night

I learned a valuable lesson from an “almost” lost dog last night.  Albeit a sleepless, tense night.

My little 6 year old Chihuahua, Jasmine, went missing at 9:30 last night. I had been working on the website a little later than usual and got up to let the dogs out at about 9:30. Jazzy and Bailey could hear the wind whipping around and so they didn’t budge off of the bed when I called. I could have sworn that I hand carried them downstairs to go out in the fenced backyard. Exhausted from a long day, I let them back in and locked the door. Bird lights in the bird room were shut off and all my pets were all snug in their beds – almost.

Contact lenses out and my coke-bottle glasses on, I did a quick head-count before snuggling under the sheets. Jazzy was missing!

I looked in every nook and cranny in the house but she was nowhere to be found. My old standby of getting out a bag of treats didn’t work either. A friend came over to drive the neighborhood to help look for her. My worst fear was a fox! Our search caravan looked until 11:30 before giving up and coming home to plan my search strategy.

In my upset, I wanted to make a poster and submit a “lost dog” report I couldn’t find her microchip number. Worse yet, I couldn’t find a current picture! I even have professional pictures of my little pup! Needless to say, I didn’t sleep much last night. Every little sound stirred me. I kept thinking I could hear her crying but each time I got up to check, she wasn’t waiting at the front door.

Pre-prepare a “Lost Pet” Poster at least annually, so if your pet does go missing, you can jump right into action.

This morning I awoke early and started my search. Very nervous since a storm is moving in, I created “Lost Dog” posters, posted to Craig’s List “Lost Pets” and Facebook “Colorado Springs Lost Pets, FindToto.com and then I prepared to hang the posters about the neighborhood – hoping to get them hung before the neighborhood kids started walking to school. Since I was shaking a little bit, I couldn’t get the staples loaded in my staple gun. I came back inside to sit at the counter and load the gun without shooting a staple through my finger…

Just then, I heard some scratching. It was coming from the bird room. Going in to make sure that Peachy wasn’t chewing the woodwork again, I realized that something was in the closet. Jez. What else could go wrong???

You guessed it! Jazzy came running out. What a relief. She was as stressed out as I had been. Poor dog has slept all day.

On hind sight, I have prepared a list of what to do before and if your pet escapes. This is also very handy information to keep should you need to prepare an Bird Evacuation Kit.

1. Microchip your pet and make sure that Microchip registration is current at least on an annual basis.
2. Have All Intel Handy: Create a template and a file or use a smart phone app such as Pets+ on each pet in your home that contains the following information:
   1. Take a new photo annually. Try to include photo’s of any identifying marks or colorations. For instance, Timmy, our Timneh African Grey has splotchy red feathers on his neck area, while Sierra has a leg band.
   2. Update Microchip registration information annually.
   3. Create a” Lost Pet Template” with current photo and information on an annual basis.  That way, it is almost ready to go when time is of the essence if your bird should fly off or your dog or cat go missing.
3. Don’t Forget the Power of Social: Update current online and social assistance resources annually, i.e. Craig’s List, Local Facebook groups, Research based pet recovery groups such as FindToto.com for dogs
4. Create a Local Contact List:  Include Veterinarians, within a 5-10 mile radius, your local shelters, groomers, bird clubs or any other potential animal lovers who can help you quickly in a time of crisis.
5. Create a list of friends and family to call “just in case” : A ground crew search party will be very helpful.  These folks can start hanging up your pre-made poster, do a foot and car search, contact and call neighbors.
6. Don’t Give Up: While a recovery effort may be tiring, you can count on it that your pet is MORE stressed out than you are.
7. Consistently work on Coming when Called for Dogs and Recall for Birds:  For birds in particular Good Bird DVD’s and Clicker Training for Birds are excellent resources. Get a book on how to Clicker Train your particular pet and do it consistently!  Make sure that your pet knows to come to you when called.

Prepare your file and train your bird for recall today.

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Learn how to choose  well fitting bird perches that fit your parrot and exercises the feet.

A pet bird needs a good perch, or preferably bird perches. It’s mandatory equipment for a proper parrot cage. After all, the perch is where a bird will spend the vast majority of its time. Bird owners should shop carefully for the best choice(s) available for the species they own.

The first consideration is proper perch diameter. A perch that works for a large parrot will be entirely inappropriate for a small one, and vice versa. The bird should be able to grip the perch about 3/4 of the way around, with nail tips touching the surface.

Perch Materials

The choice of materials used for bird perches these days is probably larger than you imagined. Although wood is still the perch material of choice, the list now includes PVC, pumice, concrete, lava rock and other choices. Wood is popular for very good reasons. It holds up well, gives the bird a soft surface on which to perch and also allows for safe chewing, which any parrot will appreciate. Once the bird chews a wooden perch to the point of it being worn out, a replacement perch is easy to provide. The wooden dowel perch remains a popular favorite. These types of perches work very well. Uneven wooden perches that provide alternating width’s and diameters along the perch surface are especially useful because they allow a bird to exercise its feet. The uneven surface can be manufactured that way or provided naturally through the use of branches of manzanita or other hard, nontoxic wood.

Rope perches provide a fun alternative to a rigid perches, and many parrots enjoy them. Numerous sizes of rope perches are available, in a variety of designs.

Most perches attach to the cage in one of two ways. The first is a notched perch that has grooves cut in each end to accommodate affixing the perch to the cage bars. The second is the clamp-on perch that attaches to the cage with a wing nut and bolt. Using stainless steel pieces when using a clamp-on perch is always best to avoid rust and possible toxicity issues from the bird chewing the metal.

Perch Varieties

Along with the range of material used for modern perches is the different styles and designs. Besides the in-cage perches, most pet parrots will appreciate a portable T-stand single perch or even a full bird playpen with a variety of perching areas. Portable perches should have areas at each end for food and water bowls. These generally attach by screwing onto bolts drilled though the perch material.

Some perches also serve valuable functions like bathing and grooming. Do you want a portable shower perch to use as an easy way to help your pet enjoy a warm mist? How about his nails? Are they sharp and frequently require trimming?  Perches made to serve both of these needs are available. Shower perches usually attach in the corners of a shower using suction cup attachments. They are generally made with PVC or other durable waterproof material that has a roughened surface to minimize slippage from the bathing bird. If you wish to keep your bird’s talons trimmed, try one of the pumice or concrete perches. When the proper size, they do an excellent job of dulling avian nails.

How about a perch specifically for your car? Yep, there are perches specifically made for that purpose, too.

I think you get the idea. Numerous choices await the pet bird owner who goes shopping for a perch. Carefully considering the needs of your particular pet will help you narrow down your search.

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Beautiful Major Mitchell Cockatoo is best for the experienced birder

The Major Mitchell Cockatoo is a beautiful, pink colored  medium sized cockatoo  originating from Central and South Central Australia these birds are considered to be “threatened” on a low level – they are on the Appendix II list.  Also known as the “Leadbeater” or Pink Cockaoo these birds may live about 60-75 years in captivity, Major Mitchell’s tend to bond very deeply to one person and are prone to becoming nippy when they have to share their human mate.  These birds are recommended as pets only for very experienced people who are willing to undertake a life-long commitment for their care.  They are NOT known to be a cuddly pet like other species of Cockatoo’s.

Like most Cockatoo’s Major Mitchell’s are very active and do best with a lot of out of cage time and interaction.  Major Mitchell’s need safe outlets to satisfy their instincts to explore, chew, and play. They require bird toys that promote intellectual stimulation, exercise and foraging opportunities.  And, lots and lots of wood to chew! Their cage requirements are large, too.  We recommend a 4′ x 3′ x 4′ cage at a minimum.

But, it is a bit of a mystery about how the Major Mitchell Cockatoo got it’s name.  If you know how these beautiful pink cockatoo’s got the name “Major Mitchell” – please comment.

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Choosing the right bird perch is critical to your birds health

By Phil Samuelson

Deciding which bird perch to buy for your parrot can be one of the most important choices you make for your avian companion. After all, the perches you arrange in its cage are one of the only surfaces it touches. What works for one bird will be completely inappropriate for another. Perches are more than an area for the bird to stand. If more than one bird occupies the cage, there are social and practical functions relating to perches which often depend on  perch placement, size and material. Variety, safety and durability all are important considerations when selecting perches.

Bird Perch Size

The size of the bird perch is one of the most important considerations. After all, a perch intended for a peach-faced lovebird would hardly suffice for a blue-and-gold macaw. Completely different perch diameters are necessary for these very different parrots. Choosing inappropriate perch diameter is probably the biggest mistake made by pet bird owners. The wrong diameter results in cramped feet, overgrown nails and overall poor foot health. A proper perch diameter will allow the bird to grip approximately 3/4 of the perch so it can get a purchase with the tips of its nails.

Uneven or irregular perches are an excellent addition to any cage or bird playpen. Uneven perches are not one diameter like a dowel, but provide a choice of diameters depending on where the bird stands on the perch.

Bird Perch Material

The range of materials available for perches is surprisingly large. Remember that a bird will use the perch as a tool to clean its beak as well as a place to perch. After feeding, especially on juicy fruits and vegetables, a parrot will vigorously wipe its beak back and forth across its perch to remove any clinging food. This being the case, a perch near the cage food station should be relatively easy to clean.

Wood perches such as a manzanita branch are widely used, with good results. Perches of concrete or pumice also serve many parrot owners well. PVC is yet another popular perch material, and although somewhat slippery compared to other perch materials, it is easier to clean.  One PVC perch, the Safety Pumice Bird Perch is an exception with a proprietary sanded surface.

Bird Perch Placement

The height of bird perches has a great deal to do with the birds’ sense of security, as well as social standing in wild situations and some captive environments. African grey parrots in the wild forage for food at various levels of the forest canopy, even on the forest floor. Not surprisingly, the higher perching elevations provide the safest environment for these birds while feeding and roosting, as well as the highest sense of security. Bird trappers take advantage of the birds being less wary when high in the trees. A paper published in the Ethiopian Journal of Environmental Studies and Management (Vol.1, No.2, June. 2008) details the trapping methods of African bird trappers. Rather than raiding nesting chambers in trees, these trappers achieve their best results from using gummed bamboo bird perches placed high in the trees. The trappers place a decoy African grey nearby to attract incoming birds as they arrive at their daily roosting spots. The birds are easily fooled by the sense of security the treetop perches provide and quickly become ensnared on the sticky traps when they attempt to perch near their decoy conspecifics.

High perch elevation also provides a sense of security and comfort among pet birds. Within the cage or aviary, bird will usually try to occupy the highest perch possible. Usually, the most dominant bird or pairs of birds will occupy these locations, particularly when sleeping.

Select your bird’s perches carefully. If the cage size allows it, a pet bird owner should provide a choice of perching elevations, but the cage should never be overly cluttered with these roosting areas. When given a choice of a few perches, observing a pet bird carefully will soon reveal its favorite perch and perch location.

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