Ask Ash

assisted by Crista Kangas
Spring 2003

Welcome to Ask Ash!
This is the place to have your avian questions answered. In every newsletter, Ash will answer selected questions submitted by you, our readers.

Welcome to Ask Ash!
This is the place to have your avian questions answered. In every newsletter, Ash will answer selected questions submitted by you, our readers. Please send your questions and comments to.... Ask Ash

Dear Ash
I have an African Grey who occasionally flips her wings and shakes her head. Does this mean there is something wrong with her?
Alex

Alex,
This is a very good question. It is good to remember that birds as well as humans have itches and twitches. Some of this movement is to be expected. Sometimes wing flipping and head shaking are signs of a serious illness. The best way to prevent worry and protect your birds is to have a good relationship with your avian vet. Regular exams and blood work are important. When there is a history of the bird’s health it will be easier to find out if anything is going wrong. Here are some web sites that give information on bird exams and tests.

www.ampersandcom.com/ampersandcommunications/wellbirdexam.htm
http://www.avianweb.com/NewBirdTesting.htm
http://www.wingwise.com/health.htm

Some other things to watch carefully are diet and bathing.

http://www.holisticbirds.com/Hbn02/febmar/pages/feeding1.htm
http://www.netpets.org/birds/healthspa/bathing.html

Best Wishes,
Ash

Dear Ash,
In the Winnter 2003 issue of the HBN Newsletter, why didn't you advise Tom, who is thinking of "getting a bird", to consider adopting a homeless bird through a bird rescue group rather than supporting a breeder?

I feel it is important to tell people who feel an affinity towards birds that there are free birds available and needing placement in most city animal shelters and through many bird rescue organizations.

Thanks,
-Cindy

Hi Cindy,
Thank you for the question. Because not all of Tom’s family was ready for a bird, I chose not to suggest a rescue and said to not obtain a bird at all. A rescue pet tends to have baggage from prior living situations and may not be healthy. These are just a few of the things that need to be considered. Rescue birds need a lot of extra love, attention and care. If the whole family is not ready for the commitment of giving a rescue bird a home the bird will not get the care and love it needs. These are some links to read before and while considering giving a parrot its forever home.

www.holisticbirds.com/hbn03/winter03/pages/rescue4w03.htm#forever
http://www.petbirdreport.com/articles/secondhand.html
http://www.itsagreysworld.com/articles/used.htm

Sincerely
Ash

Dear Ash,
I just wanted to say thank you to all of the HBN staff for making Holistic Bird Newsletter available.  Shauna always has valuable information and all the articles are wonderful. We're fostering a bird from TGF and Shauna helps me when I reach the end of my wits and need help. Please keep up the good work. It's some of the best reading available.

Andrea, Beaker & Jack