Clipping Wings

It is a personal preference whether or not to let your bird fly free in your home.  If you decide not to clip wings, you must be sure he or she is a competent flier and is able to avoid collisions.  You also need to keep your windows and doors closed to avoid possible escape and keep the home free from potential health hazards.

If you decide to clip your bird's wings, you should bring him or her to a veterinarian.  We suggest that you don't clip your birds wings if you have other animals (such as cats and dogs) in your home to allow for escape if necessary.

Potential Health Hazards

Birds are intelligent, social creatures who typically like to explore their surroundings.  Therefore, you must supervise your bird while out of the cage whether or not your bird's wings are clipped. Some potential hazards in your home to be aware of:

• Fumes from Teflon-coated pots and pans
• Air fresheners, including oils
• Open wires
• Wall paint
• Open doors and windows
• Bare, undraped, glass windows
• Accidentally being stepped on if not seen
• Scented, burning candles (beeswax is ok)
• Open toilet bowls
• Boiling water
• Open pots and pans full of oil
• Certain plants.  Some of these plants include: Philodendron, Poinsettia, Rhododenron, Azalea, Bird of Paradise, Aloe Vera, Apple seeds, and Hibiscus.  This is by no means a complete list.

Clipping Toenails

We recommend that you trim your bird's nails every 2-3 months or sooner if they are getting longer or are curling over the perches.  If you decide to clip your bird's nails, you should bring him or her to a veterinarian.  We suggest you don't clip your bird's nails if you have other animals (such as cats and dogs) in your home to allow for escape if necessary.

Bathing

Grooming is an important part of your bird's overall health and well-being.  Part of this process must include time for bathing.  Depending on the species and individual, he or she may want to take a bath anywhere from each day to once a week or longer.  All that is needed for your bird's bath is cool, clean water.

Your bird may be nervous around water at first, but he or she will likely learn to love taking a bath. Not all birds enjoy taking their baths in the same fashion so you may need to experiment with some of the methods to see which your bird will like the best.  Above all, be patient with your bird.  Some methods to try:

• Put a perch with a suction cup in the shower making sure that the water is mist-like and cool. You might even want to try taking a shower with your bird.
• Place a large bowl of water in a shallow basin. (Hint: try tupperware)
• Use a spray bottle to mist your bird.
• Run water in the sink and let your bird explore.
• Wet some sprouts as your bird may want to bathe in those.