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Do you treat all types of birds?
Yes. We provide medical care for parrots, cockatoos, budgerigars, lovebirds, canaries, finches, toucans, softbills, backyard poultry, waterfowl, and more. If your bird requires specialized treatment beyond our scope, we can refer you to a trusted avian specialist.
How often should my bird have a veterinary check-up?
We recommend annual exams for healthy birds and biannual exams for seniors or birds with ongoing medical needs. Birds hide signs of illness, so early detection is important.
How should I transport my bird to the clinic?
Use a secure travel cage or carrier with a towel or perch inside. Avoid using toys or loose dishes that could shift during transport. Keep the carrier out of drafts and away from extreme temperatures.
What are the signs my bird might be sick?
Common searches include: bird acting sick, signs of illness in birds, parrot sick signs, cockatiel sick, budgie sick symptoms.
Signs of illness in birds may include changes in droppings, appetite, activity level, vocalization, feather condition, posture, or breathing. Birds often hide illness until it becomes more advanced, which means even subtle changes can be important. If your bird looks or behaves differently than usual, an exam is recommended. Schedule an appointment.
Why is my bird plucking its feathers?
Common searches include: bird feather plucking, parrot pulling feathers out, bird losing feathers, cockatoo feather picking.
Feather plucking in birds can be related to behavior, but medical causes such as mites, skin disease, liver disease, nutritional imbalance, or hormonal changes are common. Because many medical conditions can look like behavioral feather picking, a medical evaluation is recommended before assuming the cause is behavioral. Schedule an appointment.
More information on feather-destructive behavior is available here: Feather-Destructive Behavior
Does my bird need its wings, beak, or nails trimmed?
Common searches include: bird nail trimming, bird beak trimming, wing trimming birds, parrot grooming.
Wing, beak, and nail length should be evaluated during regular veterinary visits. Some birds benefit from trimming to help prevent injury or improve comfort, but trimming must be done correctly to avoid harm. Grooming needs vary by species, age, and health status, and we do offer bird grooming services for established patients. Schedule an appointment.
Is it normal for my bird to sneeze?
Common searches include: bird sneezing a lot, parrot sneezing, cockatiel sneezing, bird nasal discharge.
Occasional sneezing may be normal in birds, especially after bathing or exposure to dust. However, frequent sneezing, nasal discharge, crusting around the nostrils, or changes in breathing can indicate illness. If sneezing becomes persistent or is accompanied by other changes, an exam is recommended. Schedule an appointment.
Why is my bird fluffed up and quiet?
Common searches include: bird fluffed up, bird sitting puffed up, bird quiet and not moving, parrot fluffed.
A fluffed, quiet bird is often ill. Birds mask symptoms until they are seriously sick.
This should be evaluated the same day. Schedule an appointment.
Why is my bird breathing fast or bobbing its tail?
Common searches include: bird tail bobbing, bird breathing fast, parrot open mouth breathing, bird breathing hard.
Tail bobbing, open-mouth breathing, or effortful breathing indicate respiratory distress.
These symptoms are emergencies and require immediate care. Schedule an appointment.
Why is my bird not eating or losing weight?
Common searches include: bird not eating, parrot not eating, bird losing weight, cockatiel weight loss.
Causes range from infection and crop issues to nutritional problems or organ disease.
If your bird skips even one meal, they should be seen promptly. Schedule an appointment.
Why is my bird falling off the perch or acting uncoordinated?
Common searches include: bird falling off perch, bird losing balance, parrot uncoordinated, bird wobbling.
Neurologic symptoms can indicate infection, toxins, trauma, or systemic illness.
Any balance problem requires immediate evaluation. Schedule an appointment.
Why have my bird’s droppings changed in color or consistency?
Common searches include: bird droppings abnormal, bird poop color change, parrot droppings watery, bird diarrhea.
Changes in droppings may indicate GI disease, infection, liver problems, or dietary imbalance.
If droppings look abnormal for more than 24 hours, schedule an exam. Schedule an appointment.
Why are my bird’s beak or nails overgrown?
Common searches include: bird beak overgrown, parrot beak too long, bird nails too long.
Overgrowth may be related to nutritional deficiencies, liver disease, or metabolic issues.
A veterinary exam is needed to determine the underlying cause. Schedule an appointment.
What kind of cage does my bird need?
Your bird’s cage should be large enough for full wing extension and flight within the enclosure. Bar spacing and materials must be appropriate for the species to prevent injury or escape. For more information, visit our Client Education Resource Center.
Does my bird need out-of-cage time?
Most birds benefit from supervised out-of-cage time daily for exercise, mental stimulation, and social interaction. For more information, visit our Client Education Resource Center.
Do I need special lighting for my bird?
Full-spectrum lighting (including UVB) can support natural behaviors and vitamin D synthesis, especially for birds without access to natural sunlight. For more information, visit our Client Education Resource Center.
How often should I clean my bird’s cage?
Spot-clean daily and change cage liners. Wash perches, dishes, and toys regularly, and deep-clean the entire cage weekly. For more information, visit our Client Education Resource Center.
What should I feed my bird?
We recommend a balanced diet consisting primarily of a formulated pellet, supplemented with fresh vegetables, some fruits, and limited healthy treats. Avoid seed-only diets; they can cause nutritional deficiencies. For more information, visit our Client Education Resource Center.
Do birds need vitamin or mineral supplements?
A balanced pellet diet usually meets nutritional needs, but some species or individuals may benefit from supplements. We can recommend based on your bird’s health and diet.
Can my bird eat human food?
Some fresh foods are safe, but avoid toxic items like avocado, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, and foods high in salt or sugar.
How can I stop my bird from screaming?
Identify the cause—boredom, attention-seeking, or environmental triggers. Provide enrichment, maintain a consistent schedule, and avoid reinforcing unwanted noise.
Why is my bird aggressive?
Hormones, fear, lack of socialization, or territorial behavior can contribute. Gentle training and environmental management can help.
Can I train my bird to talk?
Many parrots can learn to mimic speech with consistent interaction, but talking ability depends on the species and individual personality.
How can I tell if my bird is male or female?
Some species can be visually sexed, while others require DNA testing or surgical sexing. For more information, visit our Client Education Resource Center.
Do female birds lay eggs without a mate?
Yes. Unmated females of many species can lay infertile eggs, which still carry health risks such as egg binding. For more information, visit our Client Education Resource Center.
What should I do if my bird is laying eggs?
Provide proper nutrition, calcium supplementation, and a safe environment. Monitor closely and contact us if she appears weak, stops eating, or strains without producing an egg.
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