Hello, Frank Indiviglio here.  People have mixed feelings about teaching budgerigars, macaws, cockatoos and other parrots to perform tricks.  Some claim that such is somehow “degrading” (to the bird, I assume!) while others consider training to be vital in forging a good relationship with one’s pet.  My experience with captive animals of all types has [...]

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here.  Swollen eyes (Periorbital Abscess) are a frequently reported affliction of budgerigars, African gray, various Amazon and nearly all other parrots, but are also seen in canaries and other finches, mynas, toucans, bulbuls and a host of lesser-known pet species.  In most cases, a Vitamin A deficiency is at the root of [...]

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here.
Swollen areas and assorted growths are regularly seen on the otherwise hearty budgerigars (parakeets) and, less commonly, on other parrots, finches and softbills. Ranging from harmless to quite serious, these typically arise from trauma, abscesses, tumors, ruptured air sacs, hernias, cysts or egg-binding, but other -less obvious maladies may also be [...]

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here.  Please see Part I of this article for information on collecting insects for pet birds.  
Today we’ll discuss breeding invertebrates at home, and take a look at some useful insect products.  Please see the articles referenced below for further details on each of these topics.
Raising Invertebrates
In addition to being an interesting [...]

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here.I recently received a very insightful comment from Yvonne, one of our readers, concerning parrot medicine and nutrition. Yvonne raised an important point that sometimes compromises the medical attention given to parrots and other animals, and so I’d like to address her concerns in this article.
Identifying the Concern…”Red Herrings”
Yvonne mentioned that, while [...]

Please see Part I of this article for general consideration regarding cage size.
Canaries, Finches, Parakeets and other Small Birds
As mentioned in Part I of this article, the exercise needs of smaller birds are often overlooked…many are quite high strung, and need comparatively more space than do large, calm birds.
A&E Aviary Cages and Double Stacked Bird Cages are [...]

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here.  In contrast to most everyone I know, I enjoy feeding birds as much in the warmer months as in winter.  The question, sometimes raised, of the possibility of one “taking them away from their role as insect catchers” is far too complicated to address here but is, I can assure you, [...]

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Although much we know about feeding pet birds applies to a wide range of species, a great deal is specific to certain species, families or other groupings. Often, it is important to think in terms of specific bird – i.e. “Peter’s twinspot” as opposed to “finch” – if we are to [...]

Amethyst Starlings in Captivity
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here.  Please see Part I of this article for information about the natural history of the amethyst starling.  More popular with European than American aviculturists, amethyst starlings (Cinnyricinlus leucogaster) are none-the-less regularly bred in this country.  In my opinion, those looking to expand their collection can ask for no [...]

Insects, earthworms and other invertebrates form a surprisingly large part of the natural diets of many finches, and are essential foods for captive shama thrushes, white eyes and other popular softbills. Even zebra finches and other hardy species that fare well on seed-based diets benefit from insect nutrients. The provision of live insects is often [...]