Laura's Feathered Friends

Friends of a Feather, Flock Together.

Dangerous, Harmful, & Fatal, Things You Need To Know About!

**Having a Bird in Your Household Is Like Having a Child in Your Household! Please keep this in mind: We, humans, are the ones that are Responsible for their Well Being and It is Our Responsibilty to Them, Feathered and Otherwise, to make sure that their Enviroment Is Safe, in the Same Way We Would As Though They were Our Children.**

***If Ever In Doubt and your Bird has an Injury or Illness, Never Hesitate, Consult Your Veterinarian Immediately!"***

Deadly Poisons: Lead, Rust, Pans Coated with Plastic, Mercury, All Household Cleaners!

Harmful Poisons: Pencil Leads, Ink & Inserts for Ball Point Pens, Magic Markers.

Other Poisons That Are Harmful: Acetone (finger nail polish remover), Aerosol Air Fresheners, Amphetamines (Speed), Aspirin, Antifreeze, Arsenic, BB gun BB's, Bleach, Bullets (containing lead), Carbon Tetrachloride(formerly, widely used in fire extinguishers and refrigeration, but largely abandoned. Also may be found in Dry Cleaners), Chlordane (Chlordane is a man-made chemical that was used as a pesticide in the United States from 1948 to 1988.), Cosmetics, Crayons, DDT(Pesticide), Deoderants, Drain Cleaners, Fabric Softners, Firecrackers, Fluoroacetates (Pesticide), Hair Dye, Hair Spray, Linoleum, Lye, Matches, Mothballs, Mushrooms (a variety of wild ones), Lead-Based Paint, Perfume, Petroleum Products (gas & oil, etc), Pine Oil, Rat & Mouse Poison, Red Squill ( Red squill is promoted for use in hair tonics and for the treatment of seborrhea or dandruff. It is also used as a rat poison.) Roach Poison, Shellac (Varnish), Snail Bait, Strychnine (Strychnine is an alkaloid extract obtained from the dried ripe seeds of a small tree of the East Indies), Suntan Lotions, Thallium (Thallium is a metal found in natural deposits.), Warfarin, Weed Killers, Wood Preservatives, and Any and All of Your Prescription and over The counter Medications!

No Chocalate!

No Advacado! (Blocks the Crop)

No Onions or Garlic.

No Caffine! (Coffee, Soda, & any other product containing caffine)

No Apple Seeds - contain a natural arsenic

It is best to avoid fruit pits.

Lettuce - (Iceberg) Has no nutritional value and if given too much too often can lead to diarrhea and dehydration. Best to avoid if you can.

Tomatos - give only in moderation; They are acidic and may cause gastointestinal problems. Best to Avoid if you can.

Millet Spray - I Know, Your thinking I've lost my mind, but after you read the rest, You'll Know. (I personally experienced this with a young Lutino Tiel. I still have the Vet and Necropsy report, somewhere 'round here, to prove it!)Let me say, throughout this whole ordeal of about two weeks or more, this bird continuously ate and drank. Her name was Tweety and she had been weaned for quite some time, she was in the cage with 3 other tiels. One morning I went in to feed and I noticed that she was gasping for air, beak open, and tongue purple. Of course, I pulled her out and examined her completely, No signs of illness what so ever. No drainage, no sign of diarrhea, no weight loss, no puffiness around eyes or nose, anywhere. Nothing other than beak open, gasping, and a purple tongue. Naturally, I removed her from the bird house, and started her on Ornacycline(tetracycline for birds) After a few days, I didn't see any improvement so I took her to our Vet. She was puzzled too, considering the symptoms, she ran tests(which always seems to take forever, whether it's animal or human), put her on Baytril and sent us home, hoping for an improvement within the next few days. Now, I honestly thought, and even told our Vet., that she seemed as though she was choking on something. After we completed the antibiotic, without any improvement. I took her in to have her x-rayed, because she should have been cleared up by then. Unfortunately, due to the stress of trying to position such a small bird, that was already stressed from gasping as she had been, her lil heart gave out on her. So, Our Vet. still x-rayed her, to make sure there wasn't something going on that could spread and wipe out all my birds. Nothing on the X-rays. Necropsy was the next step. Are you ready? One tiny Millet seed stuck in Tweety's Larnyx was the Culprit. So see, even millet, can be harmful. What's the chances of that happening all the time? I can't say for certain. I can say I have lost two Tiels to this though. Yes, I still feed millet, it's their Favorite Treat. I guess life is all about chances and I felt it necessary to share this particular incident with you, simply to say, even the things you think are Safe, may and can cause harm too.

Mangos - I know a couple that lost their Grey because the stringy meat of the mango had got caught in the birds crop and was unable to digest the contents of it's crop. On top of the mango the bird had eaten sweet potato also and within a day or so, the sweet potato fermented in the crop and that is when they realized there was something wrong.Up until the bird was passed out on the bottom of the cage, they said everything seemed fine. So you may want to consider this before feeding mango.

**Milk - Birds are Lactose Intolerant! Never use milk in handfeeding formula.

Cheese - very moderately! a itty bitty piece every now and then, but don't feed all the time! Remember Birds are Lactose Intolerant!

Fresh Sprouts - If left in feeding cup too long they spoil. Fix just what your bird will eat and remove what is left.

Candles - you can still burn candles in your home, but try the milder and more natural scents, Vanilla is a good one, and rather relaxing. :) There are pet tested and approved candles available that are safe to use. Even those have "warnings" on them so be sure to read the "warning" on anything you use just in case of an emergency, you'll already be prepared. Be sure not to sit the candles too close to your birds cage or where he/she can get to it. Digestion and severe burns have been the most harmful when it come to candles and pets.

Febreeze Air Freshner - ??? I had a friend tell me, that a friend of his, had lost several birds after using the Febreeze Air Freshner. I was going to buy one of their new disc scents but when I called the 1-800-#, I couldn't ever talk to anyone, so I am not sure about those.When in doubt about something, there should be a 1-800-# on the label or bottle, Call and Ask about the product and always ask who you are speaking to.

A Hot Skillet and a Flying Bird Leads to Tragedy - Something to consider when your bird is out of his/her cage or riding on your shoulder, while your cooking.

Bathrooms - Can be another area of Tragedy! Put that lid down, drain the tub, and keep the door shut too be on the Safe side.

Washing Machines and Dryers - I know, What? It only takes a minute with your back turned.

Alcohol, Liquor, Wiskey, Beer, & Wine - No! No! No!

Other Possible Dangers:

Doors - If your bird is full flighted, be sure the door is closed before allowing him/her roam outside his/her cage.

Couches, Recliners, Rockers, etc. - Depending on the size of bird, but not limiting any size; Any bird could sat on or get seriously injured in this type of furniture.

Electrical Wires and Outlets - I can't express this enough! Having a bird is more than having a Pet! They are just like having children. They could chew on the cords and even the outlets, Leading to an Instant and Un-Neccessary Death.

Hard Floors - Can be Dangerous for birds that are clipped! Landing on a hard floor can cause bruising, broken legs, busted beaks and breast bones. "A Bird's beak Can and Does Bleed Profusely." (I have had this happen to one of my own)

Human Feet - I know your thinking....What? Seriously though, I have heard Real Life Tragedy Stories of people stepping on and Killing their birds. (How often do you look at the floor when you walk around in your house?)
One other Human Hazard I must emphasize on here is, Human Hair. Yes, you just read that right. Long hair from a human, is strong enough, if it gets wrapped around a birds leg, toe, or any other body part, can cause injury. This is especially true with baby bird that are being handfed. It can get wrapped around and if gone unnoticed too long, can cause extremity losses.(Toes, a foot, a leg)Same goes with the following Hazard below this one.)

Yarn, String, Chains, and Like Items - Birds can get these things wrapped around their legs, wings, neck, and can be seriously injured or killed.

Sharp object, nails, wires - Birds can be injured by any Sharp objects that are sticking out. (Ever wonder what happened to that birds eye?)

Temperature - Drastic or abrupt temperature changes can cause serious health issues for your bird that can become fatal quickly.

Large Glass Windows - For the Flighted bird, can be Disastrous! If you allow your bird to fly freely in your home and have a LGW, Close the shades or blinds while your bird is exercising. Flying into a window can cause a concussion, broken neck, broken leg, broken wing, or Instant Death

"An Open Mind, Leaves Room For Growth"

"There's Always Room For Knowledge".

"An Empty Head, Is Wasted Space"

Good Common Sense..."If It's Harmful To You; You Know It's Harmful for Your Feathered Friend." (Many of the of the above things are also Dangerous, Harmful, & Fatal to your other Pets Too!)

Bird Diseases & Illness's

***To get more information to you about bird diseases and illness, I have compiled a list of bird diseases from Avian Web and put a link out beside each one so that you may link directly to any one of the diseases or illness's listed below for complete details and further research.

There are many diseases that birds can get. Some diseases may be transmitted at birth, by exposure from other birds, animals, even humans, that may be carrying a disease. Some of the diseases that birds can carry are transmittable to humans and other animals. This is why It Is Important for you Know and Understand what these diseases are, what the symptoms are, and what to do if you suspect your bird is ill. This is where I tell everyone that already has a bird; It is Important that you to Know Your Bird. Birds will not always show signs of Disease or Illness until it's Too Late. This is a Natural Defense Mechanism that is a Natural Instinct in Every Bird I have Ever Seen. Let me put it simply: If the bird was in it's natural habitat, the wild, it tends to hide it's illness until it's too late. Otherwise, It would be Prey, and that is just the facts of life.
So, for new birders, Do Your Research, find an Individual Breeder, an Aviary, or a Pet Store, that you are comfortable with and trust. You can even ask for References.(If they don't want to give a reference, maybe you should reconsider where your at!)Honest People Do Exist and they will give references if asked. If you purchase from a Pet Shop, find out how long they have been in business, ask about their policies, can you actually get close enough to examine the birds that they are selling?

*Some Aviaries and Individual Breeders will not allow you in their bird houses and that should be Respected. Why? Because most that do not allow strangers in their Aviaries or Bird Houses have that Policy to keep from upsetting the Pairs, and Preventing Exposure To Any Outside Illness and Disease. You should, however, have no problem looking at and examing the babies or other birds for sale, in a seperate area.

When purchasing a new bird, whether you are New to the World of Feathered Companions or not, whether you are looking at a baby or an older bird. Be sure to Examine the bird carefully. Look for any signs or symptoms that may indicate that the bird is ill. Check the eyes(should be clear and bright, feathers(should have a smooth coat,some babies are sold before they have feathers so examine the skin and be sure to examine the other areas mentioned here.),breastbone(sternum)(the muscles on each side should feel plump and firm, not hollow), vent and surrounding area,(should not be matted with droppings or stains), listen to the birds breathing(should not be able to hear any squawking or rasping sounds), the bird should be alert and cheerful. If the bird you want, passes on all of the above, you will most likely be on your way to joining in on One of the Best experiences there ever was; Being owned by a Bird. :)

(Most people that have, and, or, raise birds, do it for the Love of the Birds, and rarely for profit!)

Please... Don't stop searching and learning by visiting only one site. There are just too many respectable sites with loads of info. available at your finger tips. I do hope that this is a helpful start.
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Air Sack Mites: www.avianweb.com/airsackmites.html

Air Sack Rupture: www.avianweb.com/birdsafetytips.html#AirSacRupture

Aspergillosis: www.avianweb.com/aspergillosis.html

Avian Brain Disease: www.cnn.com/NATURE/9903/31/bird.disease.enn/

Avian Flu: www.avianweb.com/birdflu.htm

Avian Goiter: www.avianweb.com/aviangoiter.html

Avian Gout: www.avianweb.com/gout.html

Avian Influenza: www.avianweb.com/birdflu.htm

Avian Pox: www.avianweb.com/diseases.htm#AVIAN%20POX:

Avian Tuberculosis: (Mycobacterium avium) www.avianweb.com/aviantuberculosis.html

Bacterial Infections: www.avianweb.com/bacterialinfection.html

Baldness: www.avianweb.com/featherdisorders.html#baldness

Beak & Feather Disease: www.avianweb.com/PBFD.html