Bird Care

What should I be feeding my bird?

Dietary requirement varies with the species of bird being fed. Parrots, poultry and waterfowl should be fed a diet consisting mainly of a commercially formulated pellet. Lorikeets and lories should be fed a dry or wet lorikeet mix. All birds should have access to fresh vegetables and fruit on a daily basis. Seeds, nuts and other food items can be offered as treats. Please refer to our Health and Enrichment Tips or our ‘Tips to Better Bird Health’ information sheet for further information.

What are the signs of a sick bird?

Any change in your bird’s behaviour can indicate that your bird is unwell. Please refer to the 'Tips to Better Bird Health' information sheet for further information.

Should I trim my bird’s wings?

Birds have evolved to fly. They find it enjoyable and it is a good source of exercise. Consequently, Brisbane Bird Vet does not generally recommend wing trimming. Wing trimming would be appropriate where there is a high likelihood of escape or misadventure within the home.

Please refer to our wing trimming handout before trimming your bird's wings, or alternatively you can contact BBV and make a consultation with one of our trained nurses.

How do I make my bird happier?

Good health plays an integral role in ensuring that your bird is happy. New bird and annual health veterinary examinations are recommended. The provision of toys and foraging aids help to keep your bird entertained. Please refer to our Health and Enrichment Tips or the 'Captive Foraging' information sheet for further information. If you are interested in watching some videos of foraging and parrot enrichment please view our Foraging Videos playlist on YouTube.

Should I feed my bird seeds?

A seed based diet is an unbalanced diet. It lacks many essential vitamins and minerals. A pelleted form of diet is a better choice for your bird. Our friendly staff is happy to discuss diet choices at consultation.

Why is my bird screaming?

It is likely that your bird has a behavioural problem e.g. separation anxiety or boredom. A behavioural consultation is recommended.

Should I make an appointment before visiting Brisbane Bird Vet?

Yes, this will ensure that you are seen in a timely fashion.

Why is my bird attacking me or another person?

Birds will attack people for a number of reasons. Territorial aggression can occur in the cage or in the home, e.g. in a bookcase. Birds that are strongly bonded to their owners can develop mate aggression. This can be against the owner or be directed towards another person in the household or visitors. Fear and pain and discomfort are other causes of aggression. A behavioural consultation is recommended if your bird is being aggressive.

How do I tell the sex of my bird?

Some birds can be sexed based on their plumage. These birds are referred to as being sexually dimorphic. DNA or surgical sexing can be performed in species which have identical feathering. Please contact Brisbane Bird Vet for further information.

Do you board birds at Brisbane Bird Vet?

Due to the fact that we often have ill birds on the premises, we are unable to offer bird boarding. Please contact Brisbane Bird Boarding should you wish to board your bird.

Why is my bird pulling its feathers out?

Birds will pull out their feathers for numerous reasons. Usually, the problem is multifactorial. Feather picking can be medical and/or behavioural based. Please refer to the 'Feather Picking and Self Mutilation' information sheet for further information.

What do I do when my bird escapes?

If your bird escapes, please contact Brisbane Bird Vet. Escapees are often presented to the clinic. Additionally, we will make a note of their escape and contact you should someone phone and inform us that they have caught a bird that may be yours.

There are various organisations which advertise lost birds. These include the RSPCA and Brisbane City Council - please refer to our Links page for more. We also offer a microchipping service which can greatly assist in their relocation.

Should I feed wild birds?

Brisbane Bird Vet does not recommend the feeding of wild birds. Should you wish to do so, we have an information sheet explaining what should be fed. Feeding an inappropriate diet negatively affects bird health and can lead to developmental defects in chicks and general unwellness in adult birds.

Why does my bird feather pluck?

Feather mutilation can be caused by various problems ranging from medical to behavioural such as boredom, fear, frustration and anxiety. We tackle these issues by performing a comprehensive health check and specific disease testing to rule out any underlying medical problems then moving onto the elucidation of any possible behavioural issues. The appointment is generally an hour long consultation, as we need to obtain a thorough history and try to "get into the psyche" of your bird. If you are experiencing these problems with your feathered friend please call to arrange an appointment.

What do I do if I find a wild baby bird?

Baby birds should be left in the wild wherever possible. The parents are the best at teaching them how to survive in the wild. An imitation nest can be constructed for babies that have fallen out of the nest. The baby can be placed in a bucket and hung in a tree so the parents have easy access. This bucket should have holes in the bottom for drainage and contain a leafy substrate. Ensure that the parents visit the bucket.

Fledgling birds are babies that have left the nest and are learning to fly. They will often be on the ground, but their parents will be supervising them. These babies should be left alone. You could place them on a branch if concerned for their safety. If baby birds have been injured or abandoned they should be brought into us. You should try to identify what species of bird you are dealing with. Some baby birds are altricial (raised in a nest), while others are precocial (mobile shortly after hatching). Some are independent of the parent shortly after hatching. Featherless babies need to be kept warm.

Please visit our wildlife page for further information.

How can I protect my pigeons from paramyxovirus (PMV)?

Pigeon paramyxovirus or PMV is an emerging disease in Australia. Cases have been found in lofts in Victoria and NSW. There is a very high likelihood that we will soon see the virus in Queensland. Vaccination is available and protective. Any flock vaccination must be supervised by a veterinarian, as the use of this vaccine is “off label”. It is essential that correct record keeping for all vaccinated birds is maintained. Below is a link to the current recommendations from the Queensland Government regarding pigeon vaccination.

Avian paramyxovirus type 1 in pigeons - Guidelines for veterinary practitioners (PDF)