All parrots deserve a 10-12hours of total darkness and undisturbed sleep every night. Parrots having a proper sleep and rest throughout a night can prevent possible health problem and behavior problems.

Currently, there are all sorts of cage covers available in the market. Some owners may like the idea of covering the cages, some may not. It’s much more depending on each individual preference.

For me, I use cage covers on Kermit’s and Kiki’s cage. Personally, I find the cage covers essential and useful especially in a busy household during the night. I live in a small apartment in Singapore and sharing a common space with my elder brother, thus space is pretty much limited. Worst I can’t provide a dedicated bird room for Kermit and Kiki.

The cage covers come in handy ensuring Kermit and Kiki have total darkness during bedtime, while family members and me still staying late night. This ensure Kermit and Kiki can easily sleep without the disturbance due to the bright light.

Many might wonder what wrong about birds sleeping under bright light, as long they get their rest what’s to worry? All birds and parrots are photosensitive creatures, a longer daylight may trigger them into breeding mode, potentially lead to behavior problems and health issues. Thus we should always limit the number of daylight hours, thumb rules ensuring at least 10-12hours of darkness and undisturbed sleep will prevent these potential problems.

Some might have heard about Ethoxyquin, but many aren’t aware about it and the impact to the avian health. I decided to start off this post about Ethoxyquin, hoping everyone reading this will make wiser choice in selecting the healthier and safer commercial diet for our feathered friends.

So what is Ethoxyquin? Ethoxyquin is a quinoline-based antioxidant used as a food preservative to extend shelf-life, and also a pesticide. It is commonly used as a preservative in pet foods to prevent the rancidification of fats (The explanation was quoted from Wikipedia). To add-on, Ethoxyquin is also use as a rubber stabilizer.

A chemical compound used in pesticide? You see what I mean. I’m sure no one will be happy to feed a chemical compound found in pesticide for their parrots, it’s like feeding poison.

A prolong intake with Ethoxyquin can cause great impact to the health, resulting in damage to kidneys and liver, and even possibility of tumors and growths. We shouldn’t put our parrots’ health and lives at risk, so whenever buying any commercial diet, read those labels on the packaging.

Most commercial seed mixes and pellets are preserved by Ethoxyquin, avoid these and stop offering to the birds. Why not considering other commerical pellets that are organic, naturally preserved by Vitamin C and other healthier natural preservatives? At least they don’t put our parrots’ health at risk, and give us a peace in mind.

I personally do offer Kermit little chopped garlic clove and he enjoys garlic as I do. I’ve always know that garlic provide numbers of healthy minerals and also known as a natural antibiotic. Offering our feathered pals garlic can promote another healthy element to their diet and can possible prevent any fungi infection.

Until recently, when I happen to come across a health magazine indicating the possible impact to human health when overly consumed. I stopped offering garlic to Kermit.

This does bring to my concern pondering whether is it safe to offer Kermit garlic clove. Will this lead to possible health problem in Kermit just like what may happen in human beings? There isn’t much information around highlighting that garlic or onion can be harmful. This leads me to research and find more about the possible impact of onion or garlic in the daily diet.

In a health magazine, it highlighted that when over consuming of raw onion or garlic can cause anemia. Anemia is actually a health term referring to low red blood cell count. It does sounds quite bad to our health.

I began to search through the web to find articles indicating the possible health problems caused by garlic consumption by birds. Interestingly, I found that onion and garlic contain a kind of sulfur compound which result in a health condition known as Heinz Body Hemolytic Anemia. This result in low red blood cell count which garlic or onion cause the red blood cells to rupture.

Possible symptoms of birds suffering from Heinz Body Hemolytic Anemia:

• Appear weakness (Frequently and easily fall of from perch/Weak foot grip)
• Lethargy
• May appear increase in heart rate.

Although small amounts of garlic clove or garlic powder to enhance flavor in the daily diet is possible, but I guess is to totally avoid so we do not put on feathered pals’ health at risk.

Have you ever thought of why parrots love to wipe their beaks on their perches and other hard objects?

I happened to capture another a short clip of Kiki, my lovebird wiping her beak after a water bath earlier on. It’s really funny to see her doing it.

All parrots do this. It’s a normal behavior and a natural thing to do, usually happens after eating and bathing. Wiping their beaks on the perch will help them wipe off foreign objects (like food) that stick on their beaks. They also do that to wipe off excess water when their beaks are wet.

I had read before an article highlighting that wiping of beaks can be an indication to mark territory for some parrots. It usually happens when parrots are introduced to new faces and new bird in their area.

Never knew that such simple action of beak wiping can interpret so much meanings.

By the way, did you notice something at the end of the video clip, when Kermit, my Senegal Parrot in the background?

He doesn’t seem happy at all, because the food bowl on the play-stand belongs to Kermit. Furthermore, Kiki is happily rewarding herself with the premium seed mixes on the play-stand. You can’t blame him for giving the stare. Poor thing!

What a deliberately “hijacking” of the food bowl by Kiki. That’s really daring stint from her. However, indeed an adventure for a hot sunny afternoon!

Related Post:
Warmer Climate = Frequent Water Bath

The weather has indeed changed a lot due to global warming. Not only the entire human race has realize the changes in climate, but animals like parrots also notice the big difference.

The frequency of water bath taken by Kiki has seems to gradually increase from one to twice daily. It’s a natural instinct, that Kiki will dunk herself into the water bowl once in the morning and the other time in the late afternoon. I have to change her water bowl frequently, couple of times a day, to ensure she has clean water all time.

I happen to capture Kiki bathing in action during the late afternoon after her “tea-break” treats to premium seed mixes.

Kiki initially was water bathing in the water bowl at Kermit’s play-stand. Soon after she was chased off by Kermit, and she gladly returned back to her own ceramic water bowl continuing her water bath.

I’m sure the water bath helps to cool down the rising heat. Kiki must have enjoyed it.