Medium & large parrots

Feather plucking / self-mutilation

SignsPulls out chest or flank feathers exposing skin, chews skin until it bleeds, only the head keeps its feathers

PreventionReduce boredom, anxiety and loneliness. Several hours of interaction daily plus foraging toys. Rule out physical causes such as skin disease with testing

PBFD (psittacine beak and feather disease)

SignsDeformed or falling feathers, new feathers fail to grow, beak becomes soft and overgrown, repeated infections from weakened immunity

PreventionPCR test at adoption and again a few months later. Avoid contact with infected birds and quarantine newcomers. There is no cure, so prevention is everything

Aspergillosis

SignsChanged breathing sounds, open-mouth breathing, voice changes or loss, lethargy, weight loss

PreventionVentilation and a clean, mold-free environment. Do not feed old seed or damp food. Reduce stress

Hypocalcemia

SignsCommon in African greys. Unsteadiness, seizures, falling off the perch, tremors, fractures easily

PreventionPellet-based diet plus a calcium source. UV light (sunbathing or a bird lamp) to promote vitamin D synthesis

Cockatiel night fright

SignsSudden thrashing at night, striking wings or face and bleeding. Triggered by earthquakes, noises or lights

PreventionLeave a dim light on at night and reduce obstacles in the cage. During a panic, speak softly and turn on the lights

Ascites / liver disease

SignsSwollen abdomen, labored breathing, overgrown brittle beak and nails, feather color changes, appears to overeat

PreventionAvoid obesity and high-fat seed; base the diet on pellets and vegetables. Annual checkups with blood tests

Night-fright injuries

PreventionNight light, cage against a wall, fewer toys that wingtips can strike. Prepare for earthquakes and noises

First aidTurn on the lights and speak softly. Check for bleeding and apply pressure. If a wing droops or bleeding continues, see a vet the same day

Wing or leg fracture

PreventionClose windows during free flight; check cage mesh and toys for gaps that trap feet. Calcium supplementation

First aidDo not handle; place in a small box, dark and warm. Do not splint yourself. Go to an avian vet the same day

Beak damage / bleeding

PreventionAvoid overly hard metal toys and mesh that can be chewed apart. Keep nails properly trimmed to prevent falls

First aidApply pressure with gauze; soften food. A chipped or loose beak needs a vet the same day

Burns / electric shock

PreventionNo cooking or ironing during free flight. Cover cords and keep wiring out of chewing reach

First aidFor electric shock, cut the power first. For burns, cool with room-temperature water, apply no ointment, keep warm and see a vet the same day

Psittacosis

RouteInhaling dried droppings or feather dust; mouth-to-beak feeding

PreventionMist droppings before cleaning and wear a mask. No mouth-to-beak feeding. Tell your doctor you keep birds if you develop a fever or pneumonia

Cryptococcosis

RouteInhaling mold spores growing on droppings

PreventionRemove droppings daily; avoid damp buildup. Immunocompromised people and pregnant women should avoid cleaning

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis

RouteInhaling feather dust (heavy in African greys and cockatiels)

PreventionAir purifier, ventilation, frequent cleaning. See a doctor early for a lingering cough or shortness of breath

Bacterial infection from bites

RouteWounds from a large bird's powerful bite

PreventionWash wounds well under running water and disinfect. Deep wounds or swelling need a surgeon or dermatologist

Food

• Pellets as the staple (5–10% of body weight), twice daily morning and evening
• Vegetables and fruit once or twice a day; seed only as a small treat
• Go easy on nuts except for macaws (too much fat)

Water

• Change morning and evening; use a heavy ceramic bowl to prevent tipping
• Bottles clog easily, so use alongside a bowl and check water intake

Toys & play

• Use foraging toys to make them search for food
• Rotate chew wood, paper and rope toys weekly
• Limit metal to stainless steel free of lead and zinc

Nest, bed & hideout

• No nest box except for breeding. Stop them crawling into gaps or dark spots
• Two or three natural-wood perches of different thickness, on two levels

Bedding & litter

• Newspaper or paper towels under the grate, changed daily
• Wash the grate weekly; check droppings and dropped food daily
• Do not use sand or cat litter; they will eat it

Cage / housing material

Stainless or plated iron. Avoid flaking paint, zinc and lead

Size & space

Wide enough that spread wings do not touch the sides. Medium 60 cm, large 90 cm or more

Layout

• Place perches at different heights so droppings do not fall into food
• Food and water near a perch, positioned so droppings cannot fall in
• Cover at night to ensure 10–12 hours of dark rest

Placement notes

• Avoid the kitchen (cooking fumes), direct sun and air-conditioner drafts
• A room where the family is present, with a wall behind for a sense of security

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• At least 2–3 hours of free flight and interaction daily. Close windows and doors and stay in the room to supervise
• Before free flight, put away pots, water, houseplants and power cords
• Give large birds a play gym or stand for flying and climbing exercise

Temperature & humidity

Temperature22–28°C. Young, sick or elderly birds 28–30°C

Humidity50–60%. Dry air damages feathers and airways

Summer & winter

• Summer: avoid direct sun, keep below 28°C, change water twice a day
• Winter: heater plus thermometer, cover. Do not aim air-conditioner airflow directly at the bird

Nail trimming

About once a month, trim only the tip short of the blood vessel. Large birds are hard to restrain, so trimming at the vet is safer

Brushing, skin & coat care

Not needed. Remove feather dust with misting or bathing a few times a week. Deformed or falling feathers call for a PBFD test

Other care

The beak wears naturally; overgrowth is a sign of liver disease. Decide on wing clipping in consultation with your vet

Protection from predators

• Do not free-fly in the same room as cats, dogs or ferrets
• Balconies and outdoors carry the risk of crows, raptors and escape. Always use a harness
• Prevent mosquitoes and mites with screens and cleaning

Foreign-body ingestion

Jewelry, batteries, metal fragments and cord insulation cause foreign-body ingestion or heavy-metal poisoning. Put them away before free flight; if swallowed, see a vet urgently

Being stepped on

They play on the floor and follow behind you. Shuffle your feet when walking, and always check where the bird is before sitting or standing

Getting pinched

Crushing accidents happen in doors, sliding doors, folding chairs and sofa gaps. Do not open or close doors during free flight; always know where the bird is

Falls

Freshly clipped or obese birds fall and strike the chest or beak. Lay a rug and do not let them fly from heights. If it falls and does not move, see a vet immediately

Escape

Always close windows and the front door; use a harness outdoors. If it escapes, call its name and put the cage outside. Report to the police and public health center with the microchip or leg-band number

Safe release procedure

1. Stop moving, exhale and relax your hand
2. With the other hand press the base of the beak or blow on its nose
3. Gently set it on a perch or your arm and calmly return it to the cage
4. Review the cause (hormones, fear, territory, attention seeking)

After the release

Large-bird bites are deep. Wash under running water and apply pressure; if bleeding will not stop, it swells, or the wound reaches bone, see a surgeon

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Weight records, newspaper with droppings, type of food, copy of the CITES registration certificate. Confirm in advance that the clinic treats large birds

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Breathing: watch the chest rise and fall, open-mouth breathing or tail bobbing
• Heartbeat: place a hand on the chest and feel for a very rapid beat
• Consciousness: call its name and check for a response, eye and beak movement

Stopping bleeding

• Press the site with clean gauze for several minutes
• For nail or feather-shaft bleeding, press on styptic powder or cornstarch
• If it will not stop or feathers are widely stained with blood, transport while keeping pressure

Transport

• Line the carrier with a towel; place a hand warmer where the bird cannot touch it
• Cover with cloth to keep dark and quiet, avoid jolting, no direct heating or cooling airflow