Holiday season tips for birds

The Crystal Parrot - Happy holidays from the Crystal Parrot! The holiday season can be very stressful and hectic and that can sometimes cause us to forget certain things when it comes to our feathered companions. We would like to give you a few seasonal reminders that could possibly save your bird’s life!

Always remember that a majority of the plants that are available this time of year can be toxic and/or deadly! Whether you are decorating or gift giving, some plants do not belong in a home with birds!  Poinsettias, Christmas cactus, most lilies and amaryllis and bulb flowers, ivy, juniper, holly, mistletoe, and pine needles are toxic! This is not by any means a complete list of toxic plants. If you are unsure of a specific plant, please call us!

Also be sure to keep your birds away from any and all decorations! Wires and power cords can shock a bird if chewed on or played with! Birds can be very curious and all the shiny and lit up things can be very tempting! Please remember that some birds can be affected in a negative way by new things in their environment. African Greys especially can have phobic episodes just by the mere sight of a tree or blinking lights. If you notice your bird is acting frightened as you are decorating, you may want to consider relocating or eliminating what is scaring them! They do not understand the concept of the holidays and all that go with them!

Most of us have guests and visitors. It is important that they understand it is not acceptable to feed your bird anything and everything they are eating. Make sure that all beverages are not accessible if your bird is out! It only takes a small amount of alcohol or any other beverage that is not bird safe to make them very ill or worse! Remember that most vet offices run on holiday hours and it can be hard to get an emergency appointment if needed. It’s best to be proactive and avoid the need for an emergency visit. However, no matter how careful we are, accidents do happen. It’s wise to check with your vet about their holiday hours just in case!

If you have any questions or concerns about safe and happy holidays for your birds, please call us! And don’t forget that we have many items available suitable for birdie gift giving!