Preventing Bird Accidents

Instead of doing a bird profile this month, I have decided to outline in brief what I feel are the top most causes of accidents to pet birds. I know a lot of my long time bird owning friends out there are pretty familiar with these issues, but I hope to help some new bird owners to become aware of some situations they may not have considered.

First of all is the issue of wing-trimming. Although this can be a controversial issue, and very often a personal one between bird and owner, the general consensus is that wing-trimming is in the best interest of your bird’s safety. Aside from household collisions, you run the risk of losing your bird. Please try to avoid the temptation of taking your bird outside on your shoulder. Trust me, even the best-tamed most loving bird will not remain on your shoulder should something unforeseen such as a strange sound or movement scare it. The chances of getting your bird back are slim. I do know of such cases, but they were out of sheer luck. Please do not take the chance of the heartbreak. Wing-trimming at an experienced avian veterinary office is your best bet. Please call for recommendations.

It is highly likely that if you own a pet bird you also own other animals. Even if your pet dog or cat has never acted aggressively towards your bird, it should not be trusted. Never leave your bird unattended outside its cage. A cat puncture by tooth or nail can result in a fatal infection due to the type of bacteria found within the cat’s system. Birds will become septic within 24 hours and die. Seek medical attention asap.

Open areas of water such as toilets, sinks, fish bowls, etc. can result in drowning. Do not let your bird near the swimming pool unattended. Even if your bird should survive a swim in the pool it is always recommended to have it examined by an avian veterinarian as serious alterations of the blood can occur. Do not deprive your bird of fresh, clean water. In our climate the water should be replenished several times a day to prevent bacterial contamination.

Toxic fumes are always a consideration. Birds should be kept away from the kitchen, especially during cooking. Teflon fumes released are extremely dangerous. Do not use the self-cleaning function on your oven unless your birds are OUT OF THE HOUSE. Extremely toxic fumes are released during this process and will kill your bird, as well as other small pets. Other toxic fumes can come from air fresheners, cleaning products, pesticides, and other household products.

Boiling water and a hot stove are other kitchen hazards and can cause serious and life-threatening burns. The kitchen, while you're cooking, is no place for a bird.

Second hand smoke can lead to a variety of health problems for your bird, namely, eye, skin irritation, coughing, sneezing and sinusitis. A bird owner who smokes should always wash their hands before handling their bird as nicotine from fingers can be absorbed into a bird’s feet, which can lead to contact dermatitis. It is best practice not to smoke around your birds. It is best to smoke outside, as your air conditioner can circulate smoke.

A list of toxic plants and foods is available through this site, along with a wide variety of additional pet information. It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with items on this list in order to keep your bird from coming in contact with them.

Hand-feeding accidents do occur involving incorrect mixing, storing and administering of the hand-feeding formulas. Babies must be kept at proper temperatures. Bacterial infections can prove fatal. Therefore, hand-feeding of baby birds is best kept to the hands of a skilled breeder. If you are interested in the breeding process, I suggest picking up various books that are available at local pet stores, libraries, and the lending library at Harmony Animal Hospital. We have a network of knowledgeable breeders also available to you simply by giving us a call at 561-743-5616.

Due to our South Florida hot, humid climate, heat exposure should always be a consideration. Even though a lot of our pet birds are from warm tropical climates, they cannot tolerate excessive heat. Always be aware if you place your bird’s cage outside, that the sun’s position will change throughout the day and even in a very short period of time, with no place to escape the sun’s direct rays, a bird may rapidly develop hyperthermia and die. If a bird should become overheated, it will pant and hold its wings away from its body. A safe way to lower its temperature would be to gently mist with room temperature water starting from the feet up. All my birds enjoy a gentle misting, especially on a warm afternoon, they will hold their wings high up in the air as if to say “boy this feels GREAT, try it!”

Other household hazards include ceiling fans and large pane glass doors and windows.

All birds who have been hand-trained will enjoy their quality time out of the cage, and it is important for their physical and emotional well-being, but please do not forget that they are out on the loose and always bear in mind the dangers that your house presents to an unsupervised bird. Accidents only take a few seconds and can be prevented.

Once again, anyone interested in a new baby bird or simply talking to one of our breeders just needs to contact us and we’ll get you connected! Thanks for reading.