Frequently Asked Questions About Birds
by Robyn Hauser, DVM
Does my bird need vaccines?
What should I feed my bird?
Can I trim my bird's beak, nails, and wings?
Why is my bird screaming?
Why is my bird pulling out feathers?
How often should I have my bird's beak trimmed?
How often should I have my bird's nails trimmed?
What does a physical exam for a bird include?
More care information.
Does my bird need vaccines?
There are no vaccines that are routinely given to pet birds.
Even though your avian friend may not need vaccinations, he or she should still receive
regular veterinary examinations to help detect parasites, diseases,
and nutritional deficiencies and help you keep your pet healthy and happy.
What should I feed my bird?
Proper diet is extremely important to a long, healthy life for your avian companion.
Dietary needs vary by breed, general health, and reproductive status of your pet.
Many species of parrots will benefit greatly from specially formulated pelleted diets.
Seed only diets are NOT appropriate for all birds.
Consult your veterinarian or professional avian handler for information on fresh,
vitamin rich diets that are specifically formulated for your pet's needs.
Can I trim my bird's beak, nails, and wings?
Yes, but proper restraint and trimming does required some training.
Learn how to properly handle and trim your bird before attempting it on your own.
Smaller birds will be easier to trim and are less likely to cause serious injury to their handlers.
Larger birds can potentially cause serious injury by biting if not restrained properly.
Improperly handled birds may also injure themselves or
become stressed enough to die in extreme cases.
Ask for training from a professional avian handler or veterinarian.
If you are not comfortable trimming at home, have your veterinarian trim for you.
Why is my bird screaming?
That is a tough question.
There are many reasons ranging from illness, stress, aggression to boredom or fear.
Consider if any stressors or recent household changes could be effecting your pet.
Has anything changed in your avian friend's usual routine, diet, environment, or handling lately?
If so, you may have found the answer.
Numerous avian training and care books exist to help you with behavioral issues.
Consider a veterinary examination as well to insure your feathered friend is in good health.
Why is my bird pulling out feathers?
There are many reasons for feather plucking.
They range from poor general health, inadequate diet, internal organ disease,
skin disease, and parasites, to boredom, stress, or loneliness.
Some birds can pluck so seriously they damage their own skin,
leading to infection and other serious health problems.
All feather pluckers should be examined by your veterinarian to help determine if
the cause is medical or behavioral and receive treatment if needed.
Be sure your avian friend receives a fresh, well balance diet that is right for him or her.
Many parrot species will also benefit from supplementation
with fresh, washed or peeled fruits and vegetables.
Be sure your pet's environment is appropriate: proper cage type; size; location; toys; and perches.
How often should I have my bird's beak trimmed?
The need for beak trimming varies greatly with species, size, diet, general healthy, and environment.
Soft billed birds, like finches and canaries, usually do not require beak trimming.
Parrot species, like parakeets, cockatiels, conures, macaws, etc, may require trimming occasionally.
Many of these birds will keep their beaks at the proper length by
biting/chewing the appropriate bird toys, wear stones or cuttle bones.
If you use these products, be sure they are the right type and size for your pet.
Some birds will still require occasional beak trims. If you think your avian friend's beak is overgrown,
have him or her checked and trimmed by a well trained professional avian handler.
How often should I have my bird's nails trimmed?
The need for nail trimming varies greatly with species,
size, diet, general health, activity level, and environment.
Many active birds will keep their nails at the proper length and rarely need trimming.
If you think the nails are too long, they are interfering
with normal perching, or causing any skin damage, it is time for a trim.
Ask your veterinarian or professional avian handler for help.
Some people use sand paper perches to keep the nails worn.
Be very careful with any rough perching surface, it can easily cause skin damage
and abrasions on the delicate toes and foot pads of your avian friend.
What does a physical exam for a bird include?
A thorough physical exam should check all your avian friend's
body systems, just like an exam for a dog or cat.
With the proper equipment, a veterinarian can even listen to
the heart and air passages of all but the smallest birds.
Although body temperature is usually not checked during an avian exam, everything else should be:
eyes; ears; beak/mouth; skin/feathers; abdomen; general body condition & weight; stool appearance; etc.
Microscopic stool examinations are also routinely performed.
