#31 Parrot Gazette: Appreciate Your Parrot!
How Do You Choose?
In this issue:
Breaks My Heart: The 3 Worst Diseases My Flock Has Had
10 Things To Love & Appreciate About Your Parrot
Movie Time: 🍿🦜 Toys For Big Birds
Reader Resources
Thanks for being a regular! We love your feathers! 🌞📚🦜
Hey guys! Next time I’ll include a recipe from the “Cooking For Parrots Cookbook” I’m working on! Keep reading!
1.
Breaks My Heart: The 3 Worst Diseases My Flock Has Had
First off, I have to tell you that there is an elephant in my room (or maybe in my computer) with me. It makes me feel awful because, I have a hard time accepting that disease is a part of life. Instead, I feel like it’s my fault that when my parrots get sick.
The second thing I need to tell you is that I have been BLESSED because I haven’t had PBFD (Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease). I think this would be THE WORST! If you have any parrots that have it, I send you my love and condolences because I understand that parrots suffer through it until the end :(
Given these, the three worst diseases my flock has had are E. coli, Clostridium, and PDD.
The thing about E. coli and Clostridium is that, if left untreated, they can be fatal, but a visit to your avian vet can identify the infection (from a culture and gram stein) and an antibiotic can take care of this.
PDD, on the other hand, is a virus. I understand there is something in Europe - not sure if it is a cure or a treatment- that is showing promise.
For now, PDD is hard, very hard. A parrot’s ability to digest food gets worse and worse so that they become lethargic and very thin until they pass.
To say the least, it is devastating, but at least it’s not airborne. A viral disease, like PBFD, can devastate an entire flock.
Can Disease Be Avoided?
Yes and no.
On the one hand, E. coli and Clostridium are in the air and in our bodies. They are common bacteria so that they are common.
On the other hand, keeping your parrot’s cage clean and making sure they have clean water daily and clean food is super-important.
With a disease like PDD, cleanliness is helpful. However, it looks like ABV, or Avian Bona Virus, causes PDD and in the US it is said that 85% of parrots have ABV. While ABV doesn’t mean that 85% of parrots will get PDD (and this percentage changes depending on the informational source), it does mean that a parrot with ABV or one exposed through contact, can get PDD.
How Do I Deal With Diseases & Loss?
Ha! It’s like a joke! How in the world do you deal with the loss of your loving, beautiful companions? Disease that can be cured is just inconvenient and sometimes expensive, but a cure is priceless. A diseases like PDD? I have no words… I still cry over the birds I’ve lost. 🦜💚
2.
10 Things To Love & Appreciate About Your Parrot
by Lorenza, Yellow-naped Amazon
Hey guys!
We parrots are said to live a long time, but just like you humans, accidents and disease can shorten our lives. Only lucky parrots will live to be old!
Our lives are unique in captivity because, when we have loving homes, we get to forge a bond with a human. I love my human. We have a deep bond and just being together is heavenly!
We parrots can be quite grateful for you, bonded to you and we can love having you in our lives.
You can do the same! Here are 10 things you can love and appreciate about your parrot, especially at this time of year!
10 Things to Appreciate About Your Parrot
1. Our Intelligence: We parrots are brilliant problem-solvers and quick learners.
2. Unique Personalities: Each of us parrots have our own quirks and charm, making us endlessly fascinating.
3. Loyalty: Once bonded, we parrots are incredibly devoted companions.
4. Communication Skills: Whether talking, mimicking, or chirping, we always have something to “say” to you because we think you are awesome!
5. Emotional Connection: We parrots sense your mood and often respond with affection.
6. Colorful Beauty: We are proud of our vibrant feathers, make sure to tell us how beautiful they are! And notice how they glimmer in sunlight!
7. Playfulness: Watching us explore toys or invent games is pure entertainment for you and for us!
8. Longevity: With proper care, we can become lifelong friends.
9. Bonding Rituals: From shared meals to training, we parrots strengthen bonds with our humans during every day, special moments.
10. Unconditional Love: Our affection is genuine, loyal, and full of heart.
3. Movie Time!
🍿🦜 Toys For Big Birds
Do You Get Your Birb Holiday Gifts Too?
4. Reader Resources:
Looking For A Bird?
Rescue, Baby Or Rehome
Looking to RESCUE? Try Bird Gardens of Naples
Looking for a BABY? Visit Parrot Bliss
We have baby parrotlets, White-bellied Caiques, Blue-headed Macaw, Indian Ringneck, Green-cheek Conures and a Hahn’s!
Subscribe to the 🐦 Feathered Newsletter! Connect with fellow parrot lovers and share your passion for these amazing birds!✨
Beak! Subscribe 🐦 Now!🌟
Are you trying to choose the perfect apartment parrot?
About Kalyn
I’m an author, parront and quite passionate about my parrots. I love learning about parrots, having them and sharing what I learn in my books and videos. I also like writing novels, I’ve created child and adult parrot coloring books - all to help support our flock.
About Xelha
I’m a college student who loves parrots! Conures are my favorites! I also love digital art and traveling.
❤️
Having over 22 species means we have a loud, colorful and loving home!
Arabella, our Umbrella Cockatoo, says:
See you next time! Sqwack!
So far, we’ve been disease free. But, this is where my ocd comes in! I change and wash water bowls at least 5 x a day. I clean cage paper every day. My husband and I wash cages every week and a half. I sweep and vacuum, what feels like, a hundred times a day! We wash and scrub vegetables daily. What sounds like a lot really isn’t. I will do whatever is necessary for the health of our birds. Hygiene is soooo important. Plus,I have a system so it doesn’t take that long.
In my opinion, losing a beloved pet is akin to losing a beloved family member. They take a piece of your heart. I still cry when I think about my former pets. Some days something will just really remind me of a certain pet…….
Toys! I sometimes feel like I can’t keep up with our Caiques. They really are not birds. They are feathered termites. Before tossing a toy I examine it to see what is salvageable. I have purchased stainless steel skewers for both wood and vegetables. I do look for sales on drilled wood. I prefer undyed, natural wood but I will buy vegetable dyed wood. I also found some decent paper cord and woven natural fiber. I never buy string. I also incorporate cardboard boxes. The birds love when I make toys. They have great fun stealing from me. And, yes, we always buy Christmas gifts for the birds and our dog. They also have stockings!☺️