Wings of Wonder Avian Rescue

Behavioral Problems - most often biting or screaming

Never scream at your bird or hit him
- Just like children, they prefer negative attention to no attention at all - screaming at them or hitting them just encourages poor behavior
Biting - try not to react at all except to give him "time out" for 5 minutes
- Birds have short attention spans, so longer time out will not be of benefit
- Birds are flock animals and do not like time away from their "flock"
- "Time Out" MUST immediately follow the bad behavior to be effective
Screaming - do not react, just ignore him - when he quiets down, reward him

Behavioral Changes - signs of illness

Birds hide it well when they are sick -
as soon as you seen signs of illness,
you should address it IMMEDIATELY!

Inactivity
Eyes closed most of the time
Feathers fluffed all the time
Droopy wings
Perch posture almost horizontal
Talking and vocalizing stops
Eating Stops
Noisy breathing
Frequent sneezing
Discharge from eyes or nose
Tail bobbing with each breath
Vomiting
Soiled / pasted vent
Perched with neck extended and beak grasping wire of cage (helps breathing by keeping breathing passages straight)

Bleeding
Weight loss
Swelling
Changes in water consumption
Changes in routine and habits
Change in droppings
Change in activity level
Decrease in preening activity
Frequent flicking of the head
Remaining at the bottom of the cage
Self-mutilization
Regression
Feathers lost and not replaced
Dehydration (weakness, sunken eyes, feet cool, ridging of skin over sides of toes)

Disclaimer: The information on this web site is meant as a guideline only
and is not intended to replace the recommendations of your veterinarian