BSTCustomer_Jane

Welcome!! Looking forward to hearing more about your feathered friend. Don't be shy about asking questions!

Can we start a support group for this? Because SAME.

Lol my Pionus does the exact same thing. I've just accepted that the bird runs the house now. I'm just the food delivery service.

I know how stressful this can be. Just know you're not alone and most of us have been through something similar.

I remember when my blue and gold macaw went through this phase. I was so worried but my vet said it's actually really common.

Oh man, this brings back memories. When we were dealing with this with Zazu, I thought we'd never get through it. Now it's just a funny memory. It gets better, I promise.

Check out a local bird shop — they have exactly what you need and the prices are reasonable for the GTA.

Oh my bird did this for about a couple weeks and I tried everything. Honestly, time was the biggest factor. They just grew out of it.

Birds are basically tiny dinosaurs with attitude. My Poppy has me completely trained at this point.

I got mine from PetSmart in High Park. Great selection and the staff actually knows about birds.

YES! This is exactly what I needed to read today. My Indian Ringneck and I have been going through the same thing!

Update: took everyone's advice and things are improving. Coco is slowly coming around. This forum is the best.

Hello! Been lurking on this forum for a bit and finally decided to make an account and participate. I've had my cockatiel Maple for about 18 months now. Always nice to connect with other bird people in the GTA — most people I know think I'm crazy for having a bird lol. Excited to be here!

I need to travel for a week and I've never left my parrotlet with anyone before. The separation anxiety is real — and it's MINE, not the bird's. What should I prepare? What info should I give the sitter?

New bird owner here. Can my umbrella cockatoo eat blueberries, strawberries, mango, and pomegranate? I want to offer fresh foods but I'm terrified of accidentally poisoning them. Where do you get organic produce in Newmarket?

So I had this exact problem about a year ago. Let me share what I learned. The key thing is putting a bird lamp on a 12/12 timer to simulate natural daylight cycles. A lot of people also recommend making sure there are no drafts near the cage. My avian vet in the Beaches also suggested checking for jealousy of a new person, pet, or even object in the home which can sometimes be an underlying factor. Good luck — feel free to DM me if you have questions!

Last year I had to find someone to watch my sun conure Sunny while we went on vacation. I made some mistakes and learned a lot. Sharing so others don't go through the same stress.

What to look for in a bird sitter:

• Experience with YOUR species (a budgie sitter might not be ready for a macaw)
• References from other bird owners
• A clean, bird-safe environment
• Willingness to send daily updates
• Knowledge of your bird's diet and routine

Red flags:

• "All birds are the same" mentality
• No experience but "loves animals"
• Won't let you see their space beforehand
• No plan for emergencies

Questions I now ask every sitter:

1. What do you do if my bird stops eating?
2. Do you have an avian vet's number?
3. Can you handle a bite without panicking?
4. What's your bird-proofing setup?
5. How do you handle out-of-cage time?

My experience with Bird Sitting Toronto: After the DIY sitter disaster, I tried BST in Mississauga and it was night and day. They knew exactly how to handle Sunny, sent me photos every day, and she actually came home in a BETTER mood. Professional bird sitters are worth every penny.

Cost range in Toronto (2026):

• Friend/family: Free but risky
• Pet sitter (general): $25-50/day
• Specialized bird sitter: $35-75/day
• Professional boarding (like BST): varies, but worth the peace of mind

Don't cheap out on bird sitting. Your bird's safety is priceless. What are your experiences?

How old is your bird? That might explain it — my blue and gold macaw went through something similar around 7 years.

Second vote for BST. They boarded my cockatiel last summer and I could tell Peaches was well cared for when I picked them up. Total peace of mind.

I went through this exact thing with my Senegal parrot Kiwi! It lasted about about a month and then resolved on its own. Hang in there.