Summertime Safety for Your Companion Bird - updated July 2008

Keep Your Parrots, Hookbills, and Softbills Safe and Healthy During Warmer Weather

Summer time, summer time,
Sum, sum, summer time...

Now that we have the grain/seed moth population under control there are other things to consider. It is finally Summer, Yayyy!

As great as the weather is, there are precautions that must be taken to keep our feathered friends safe, comfortable, and cool. The following tips will help keep your companion bird safe and cool this summer and into the fall.

Watch for these signs in your bird:

  • Panting or open mouth breathing
  • Drooping wings
  • Holding wings away from body
  • General weakness
  • Spending extended amount of time on bottom of cage with any of above symptoms

They may not like it but it is a quick way to cool them down. Use caution! If your bird is really agitated by misting and getting stressed out, STOP! If symptoms persist call you veterinarian IMMEDIATELY.

Take these precautions to ensure "Birdie" (your bird), is safe during the hot summer months at home:

  • Change drinking water more than once a day - hot water is for bathing people, not for Birdie to drink.
  • Fresh food will spoil within an hour or two in hot weather. If Birdie has fresh food as a main component of their diet, replace it two to three times a day. This decreases bacteria growth significantly and will prevent possible gastro-intestinal tract disruptions.
  • Always make sure you have a spray bottle handy for misting Birdie.
  • · Use freezable gel packs or frozen peas in a zip closure baggie wrapped in a towel as birdie coolers on the cage bottom.
  • Keep cage partially covered so Birdie has an area of shade
  • Keep Birdie away from direct sunlight and windows. Pull the blinds or drapes if you are going to be out and are unsure how hot will be.
  • However wonderful a Solarium is, it is NOT the place to keep Birdie unless you are in there with him/her. Solariums can get very hot and there have been instances where birds have died when left for the day in a lovely tropical setting and the temperature control system has failed - air conditioner crapped out and Birdie and buddies died
  • Have a national Safety Council approved fan on to circulate air in the room. Avoid having fan blow directly on Birdie's cage thus creating a draft.
  • NEVER leave your bird in the car, no matter how quick you think you will be; overheating can occur in a matter of minutes.

Travel

Whether you are going to the store or on a trip be prepared for anything. You are responsible for Birdie's safety and comfort.

Heres are supplies we suggest for summer trips in the automobile:

  • Adequate food and water supplies for the length of trip
  • Extra cool water on hand for hot weather travel
  • Spray/misting bottle
  • High water content foods as water source alternative to water in the dish
  • Favourite toys and creature comfort items
  • Cover for travel unit

And here are things to plan ahead and consider:

  • NEVER leave Birdie in the car, no matter how quick you think you will be; overheating can occur in a matter of minutes.
  • Cover unit so Birdie is not in direct sunlight.
  • Place unit so you can keep an eye on it at all times; either beside you or in the back seat where you can see it in the rearview mirror.
  • Always seatbelt Birdie's unit securely into the vehicle. This is to prevent the unit form pitching about in the event of a sudden stop.
  • Remove hanging toys from cage. Left in, they may swing about and cause injury to Birdie. If Birdie has favorite toys he can't do without, securely attach them to the outside of his cage. Ensure they are secured in place so as not to frighten Birdie by swinging and banging about even on the out side.
  • Be sure there is air circulation in the vehicle but remember to keep Birdie out of direct drafts.
  • Use extra caution when using the air conditioning in your vehicle to control the temperature. Ensure the temperature is maintained with no direct forced air flow on Birdie.
  • When using air conditioning, set the temperature to about 22° C or 72-74° F. This may be warmer than you like, but is a comfortable temperature for Birdie.
  • Carry an extra bottle of cool drinking water with you to freshen up Birdie's dish.
  • If your vehicle is not air conditioned equipped, have a small battery operated fan you can securely mount on the headrest or door handle to circulate air remembering to aim the direct air flow away from Birdie
  • A full water dish can be very messy in the cage and in the car as well. Fill deep water dish with ¼ to ½ inch of water. In addition, clip juicy wet pieces of romaine lettuce, a slice of watermelon, a juicy piece of pear, apple, well washed and dripping broccoli, a bundle of cilantro or parsley in the carrying cage or carrier so Birdie will have a water source.
  • Have a misting bottle handy for the occasional light shower if overheating symptoms are seen.
  • Use ice pack or frozen peas in a zip closure baggie wrapped in a towel as birdie coolers on the cage bottom.

Have a great summer and fall!