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As much as you love your Eclectus parrot, and you strive to keep him safe from harm, there may come a point in time when he does become injured. When this happens, it is important that you have the appropriate first aid supplies on hand to treat him, at the very least until you can get him to a veterinarian. It can mean the difference between life and death. Here is a list of items you may need to keep in your bird’s first aid kit.

Kwik Stop – Kwik Stop is a powder that is used to stop bleeding. You may find that you need this after clipping your Eclectus parrots nails. However, this isn’t the appropriate product for all types of bleeding. For instance, if bleeding occurs after a feather has been pulled out, do not apply this product, because it can close the hair follicle. Instead, apply slight pressure to the area that is bleeding.

Needle Nosed Pliers – Pliers are most commonly used to remove broken feathers that are bleeding a great deal. These are known as blood feathers, and the fastest way to stop the bleeding is to pull the feather out, and apply pressure.

Vet Wrap – Vet wrap is bandage designed especially for pets. Look for vet wrap that is for small animals or birds, specifically. This special adhesive wrap can be used to bandage an injury, but make sure that the bird is still seen by the veterinarian. Your bird won’t be able to get this special wrap off.

Heating Pad – When an Eclectus parrot becomes ill or injured, he needs to be kept warm. A heating pad is the fastest and most effective way to do this. Don’t get a cheap heating pad. Get one that allows you to control the temperature, and don’t allow it to heat hotter than 90 degrees.

Veterinarian Approved Antibiotic Ointment – Some injuries need antibiotic treatment, so that they do not become infected. Only your veterinarian can determine whether the antibiotics should be topical or oral, but having topical antibiotic, approved by your veterinarian in advance, is a good idea.

Tweezers – While pliers are used to remove feathers, your bird may obtain an injury that requires tweezers as well. Just as a child may get a splinter, your eclectic parrot may also get a splinter that he is unable to pull out himself.

A thick towel – This is often the most vital piece of equipment that you can have. Your Eclectus parrot won’t appreciate your tender loving care when he is injured, and you are advised to wrap the bird in a good thick towel to prevent further injury to you or the Eclectus parrot.

By Nancy Mcdaniel

There are many things to consider when owning a pet bird. Do you have enough room?l Do you have enough patience? Is our house set up to have a bird? If not , are you willing to invest in what it takes to have a home that’s “bird safe”?. Do you have the time it takes to care for a bird? Do you know what kind of bird you want? Are you ready for a long-term commitment?

These are the most important questions you should ask yourself BEFORE considering owning a bird as a pet. Birds live a long time, depending on the type some live over 20yrs. Birds require a lot of interaction and stimulation. If you don’t have the life style that would be conducive to having a bird as a pet then stop right here! YOU must adapt yourself to the bird, and not expect the bird to adapt itself to you!

Not only having a home that is bird suitable, but having a home that has an appropriate place for a cage is very important. I can’t stress enough the importance of having a suitable cage. Depending on the type of bird will be the factor in the size and placement of the bird cage. Cages can be very costly, the bigger the bird the bigger the cage. Certain bird types need different types of feeders,waters, and toys. yes toys, boredom is one of the birds biggest stresses. Boredom can causes many problems in birds, feather plucking, depression and behavior problems.

Being a bird owner is not to be taken lightly. I would rather you find out now then to realize this after investing in everything to have a bird as pet. There isn’t much of a market for getting rid of previously owned birds. Having a bird as a pet can be very rewarding,but only if you are willing to educate yourself on being the best bird owner possible.

Birds are very entertaining and very smart animals, some types can be taught to speak, they can be house broken, and taught to do tricks. Once again it takes a very committed person to own a bird. They are not just play things that can be put away when your tired of playing with them. Owning other pets, having them in the same environment as the birds not a good idea, nothing against cats but cats can cause pet birds a lot of strife. A scratch from a cat can cause a type of bacteria to enter into the birds blood stream and kill just as quick as if the cat had just attacked it.

Birds can very easily get their beaks caught in things,that is why not only having a bird safe home important, but having a cage that is safe too. Birds are allergic to many different types of plants, cleaning solutions, cooking utensils and smoke. As you see it’s quite extensive the amount of knowledge needed BEFORE getting a bird as a pet.

Nancy McDaniel is a lover and bird owner, she writes on this subject and other related issues. You can learn more by visiting my blog http://new2birds.blogspot.com

Article Source: Nancy Mcdaniel

By Grant Carroll

Just like dogs and cats, birds also require grooming to maintain optimum health and happiness. The basic essentials to bird grooming are wing clipping, nail clipping, beak filing, preening and bathing.

Wing clipping is one of the most important parts of bird grooming. Not only does it help prevent the bird from flying away or flying into something and hurting itself, it helps the taming process and builds a bond between bird and owner. Be sure, however, that an alternative form of exercise is available since they will no longer be able to fly easily. Big cages and play pens are great for a bird to walk and climb around. The best method for wing clipping is to clip the outer primaries of both wings below the level of the primary coverts. When the new feathers grow in after a few months, wait until they are completely mature before clipping again. New feathers contain a pulp of blood vessels and nerves that will cause profuse bleeding and pain for the bird if clipped.

Nail clipping is essential for both the bird’s and the owner’s comfort. The bird won’t enjoy walking around on long nails and it will be uncomfortable for the owners arm skin if the bird decides to perch there. Be sure not to wait too long before clipping so that the quick doesn’t get any longer. Don’t cut the quick or just as in dogs there will be a lot of pain and bleeding.

Grant Carroll proud father of four dogs and co-owner of http://www.littlepamperedpets.com with Dog Clothes and Dog Coats.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Grant_Carroll http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Groom-a-Bird&id=230729

By Michael Russell

In this article we’re going to discuss how to tell if you’ve got a sick bird on your hands.

Unlike people, birds can’t tell you when something hurts or they just feel like garbage. So how do you tell when your bird is under the weather?

Most sick birds get that way because of poor nutrition and stress. Poor nutrition is more from what a bird eats than from how much, as birds don’t need a lot of food. Stress can come from a number of things such as poor environment and rapid changes in temperature. A happy bird is usually a healthy bird.

A problem with identifying if your bird is sick is that birds tend to hide their health from you. This is a built in ability that birds use to keep other animals from attacking them. It is part of their survival instinct. Because of this ability it may be a couple of weeks before a bird owner even knows that his bird is sick. Therefore, in order to determine that there is a problem with your bird you have to be observant at all times. There are signs to look out for. These include discharge from the eyes, change in eye color, closing of the eyes, swelling around the eyes, discharge from the nose, soiling of the feathers, sneezing, trouble eating, reduced appetite, fluffed up feathers, inactivity, droopy wings, change in routine, change in vocal habits, weight loss, problems with equilibrium, inability to perch, limping, swollen feet or joints, change in droppings, open mouthed breathing when at rest, lumps on the body, and any sign of bleeding. Some of these symptoms are very serious.

If you notice any of the above and suspect your bird is sick, immediately make an appointment with a vet. Take him there in his cage or some suitable container. Don’t ever take your bird to the vet with him perched on your shoulder. Your pet will not be protected. Whatever container you use make sure it is covered. If you take it in its cage don’t clean the cage. This can present evidence to the vet that can help diagnose the bird’s problem.

After taking the bird to the vet and a diagnosis is made, take the bird home immediately. Home care at this stage is very important. Keep your bird warm and try to encourage it to eat. Sick birds have usually stopped eating so it is important for them to eat well to get their strength back. If they are unable to eat then they may need to be hospitalized.

Unfortunately, by the time an owner realizes his bird is sick, the bird is more than likely seriously ill. Therefore it becomes even more critical to give your bird the best care possible. Most owners go to pet stores first to try to treat the bird instead of going straight to the vet. This only makes the problem worse. However, if you catch the bird’s illness quickly enough you’ll have a very good chance of getting him back on his feet.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

When a new baby, puppy, or kitten comes into the house, most people know that they must make their home safe for the new little one. Unfortunately, many people don’t recognize the potential household dangers to Eclectus parrots. This, of course, leads to unnecessary fatalities among these beautiful creatures. 

Here are some tips to help you make sure that your home is Eclectus parrot proof:

• Always close the toilet. Otherwise, your beloved Eclectus parrot could fly in, and the lid could slam down on him. He will see the toilet as a potential bird bath.
• Never operate the stove, or open a hot oven, if the Eclectus parrot is loose in the house. Make sure that he is caged when you are cooking. Also, even after the stove is turned off, be careful about hot pots without lids. He could fly right in.
• Fireplaces and open space heaters can be dangerous to your Eclectus parrot. Make sure that you have a screen closed in front of fires, and that you do not put space heaters in the same room with your parrot.
• Lids should not be considered as deterrents for parrots. If you leave snacks on the counter, with lids on them, your parrot can work the lid off of the container to get a taste of what is inside.
• Birds don’t know the difference between good foods and toxic materials. Never leave cleaning supplies out where your bird can get to them.
• Dismantle the mechanisms on doors that automatically close in your home. You should close all doors manually, ensuring that your bird is not in the way before you do so.
• Inspect all toys carefully. Make sure that there are no small parts that will be ingested – even if the bird destroys the toy. Also, make sure that the toys are not covered with any toxic materials.
• Do not use Teflon cookware in your home with an Eclectus parrot in the house. When the Teflon heats, it emits a toxin in the air that can kill a parrot in mere minutes. Also beware of bread machines and toaster ovens that have Teflon coatings, as well as self-cleaning ovens.
• Remember that Eclectus parrots are very curious, and they love to investigate. Look around the rooms that your parrot will roam free in, and see if there are any potential dangers. Remove those dangers.
• Open pots, open clothes hampers, open drawers, and any other open container large enough to contain your parrot are a danger to him. Make sure that they are covered sufficiently.