Hints on Parrot Care
Never give a pet parrot chocolate, caffeinated beverages, alcohol, avocado, or rhubarb!
Avoid using PFTEs (often referred to by the brand name of Teflon) around all pet birds. When PFTEs/ Teflons get very hot, they emit particulates into the air. Birds are more sensitive to particulates than humans are, and they can die suddenly when exposed to PFTE. PFTEs are found in cookware, hair dryers, irons, printers, and more -- check all labels before using electric products near your birds.
Also avoid using candles, air fresheners, etc. near birds. Their respiratory systems are much more susceptible to pollutants than those of most mammals.
Although some parrots are capable of reproducing by the time they are a year old, they should be prevented from doing so until they are at least two years old. This is especially important for female cockatiels: Laying eggs requires much calcium, and when a hen lays eggs at too young an age, the egg-laying can interfere with the calcium required by her bones.
Birds that lay eggs frequently -- especially cockatiels -- are extremely prone to a dangerous condition known as oviduct prolapse.
