ParrotPal_YYZ

LOVE this post! More of this energy please. The bird community needs more positive threads like this.

A friend who's had birds for 20 years told me to try stuffing paper towel rolls with treats for foraging. I was skeptical but it actually worked.

There's a great little shop in Brampton that specializes in parrot supplies. Way better selection than the big chains.

My vet in Ajax suggested putting treats inside paper cups, folded paper, or tissue for foraging and I noticed a change within the first week. Highly recommend.

Okay but counterpoint — what about birds that are the complete opposite? My Amazon parrot breaks every rule lol.

This happened to us last winter. I think the shorter days and dry heated air were the cause for my bird.

For this I'd highly recommend HARI Prime. My Hahn's macaw loves it and my vet approved it too.

Did this start suddenly or was it gradual? When my Amazon parrot did this it turned out to be jealousy of a new person, pet, or even object in the home.

So I had this exact problem about a year ago. Let me share what I learned. The key thing is adding a full-spectrum Arcadia UV light near the cage. A lot of people also recommend giving warm food (like a warmed mash) on cold Toronto mornings. My avian vet in Markham also suggested checking for hormonal season — spring is brutal which can sometimes be an underlying factor. Good luck — feel free to DM me if you have questions!

I struggled with this too until I started offering chop first thing in the morning when they're hungriest. Now it's like a completely different bird.

How long have you had them? Sometimes it takes a while for birds to settle into a new home.

I feel like my parrotlet either eats like a truck or barely touches their food depending on the day. What's a normal amount? I free-feed pellets and offer fresh food twice a day. Am I doing this right?

Canadian winters are brutal on our birds. My lineolated parakeet has been sneezing more and their skin looks dry. What humidifier do you use? I need one that's bird-safe (no essential oils!) and effective for a medium-sized room. What humidity level do you target?

Welcome to the forum! Great to have another bird lover from the GTA. Your green cheek conure sounds adorable — what's their personality like?

Great question! So in my experience with green cheek conure, this usually comes down to a few things. First, getting natural java wood perches from a specialty bird store. Second, make sure they're getting enough sleep — 12 hours of uninterrupted dark sleep is crucial. And third, pay attention to the cage being in a high-traffic or drafty location because that was a huge factor for my Oliver. Hope that helps!

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

Hmm, I'm on the fence about this one. Part of me agrees but then I think about my experience with Sky and it doesn't quite line up.

Hey everyone! I'm from Liberty Village and I just brought home my first bird ever — a canary named Captain. I'm equal parts excited and terrified. Been reading everything I can find online but there's so much conflicting info. Any beginner tips from experienced owners would be amazing! Looking forward to being part of this community.

Did this start suddenly or was it gradual? When my Hahn's macaw did this it turned out to be territorial behavior — especially common during breeding season.

What kind of cage setup do you have? Sometimes the environment is a factor.