Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease Update - Dr. Ritchie recommends testing all birds. The last four birds sent in for necropsy were Amazons and Conures. Chris Davis recommends keeping parrot's heads at your heart level. Once you have control of the situation, the parrot can occasionally be permitted higher. She also recommends talking to your birds and questioning them.
Parrots have the intelligence of a five year old, but the emotions of a three year old.
If we deal with them at this level, a better relationship can be formed. But, above all, she says to love them for themselves. Tell your plucked bird how beautiful it is and explain how you don't approve of the plucking behavior, but that you love him just the same. Chris is a wonderful speaker and it would be tremendous if we could have her speak at our club. Check out the lectures that are advertised in our newsletter.