Q. Hello, I was given an Amazon parrot about a year ago. It's owner passed away and so Pedro went to several families before he came to me. I was told he is 47 years old. Pedro is a good old bird, but has some problems, he does not preen his feathers and his new feathers have sheeths around them, it's like he can not reach around to get them in his beak. His diet is mostly sunflower seed, I do give him vegetables and fruit but he likes seed best. I don't really know anything about birds and hope you might give me some tips on what would be the best thing for this bird in the way of introducing him to new food and possibly information about what to do with his feathers . I want to do the best I can for him so he will be confortable and taken care of properly. I hope you can give me some help about this. Thank you very much, Laura
A. For the seed, you really shouldn't be feeding him Sunflower. This is a very fatty seed, and this could also be the root of the feather problem. One thing I would strongly suggest is, if there is a local bird club, join up with it sometime soon, these clubs can be mountains of help to you.
I would suggest you take the bird to your local Avian vet as soon as possible. The vet can from there prescribe a better diet, and also make a diagnosis of the root of your birds feather problem. The vet will also be able to give you a conversion schedule and plan for switching to its new food. Another highly possible factor for his feather problem, is the stress incurred from moving between house to house, and not having time to settle down. Try going easy with your bird for a while, letting him feel at ease and comfort with his surroundings.
I hope this helps you, Yellow-heads can be great companions.
Q. I have found an abandoned waterhen chick and am trying to
rear her/him. Any tips? Diet currently mealworms and water
through an eye dropper. What shall I do with him/her later
or?
Or should I have left her stranded in the creek I found her
in?
A. The best thing would probably have been to have left it and let nature have taken its course, or else to have notified a local wildlife agency as soon as possible. Unless you know someone who has experience with this type of bird, and its raising, I would suggest you take the bird to your
