This is kind of an off topic post but I feel it’s important. It’s about conducting background checks on the individual(s) you’re turning your parrots over to. This is the internet and crazy things happen. Kiril (the other guy who helps with this site) actually lost a African Grey due to internet fraud. The person used a stolen credit card, a fake name and a fake address.

Once a parrot has been shipped getting it back is going to be next to impossible. And getting the authorities to do something about it is going to be just as impossible. Nothing against Law Enforcement (we love them), it’s just that finding a parrot is not going to be at the top of their list. Therefore there’s a couple things you can do to ensure you’re shipping to a person who is who they say they are.

People Search – You can use a free tool at http://peoplesearch.integrascan.com. This tool scans through over 1200 databases to find matches on the individual. It will give you their name, aka’s, current address and previous addresses. Simply enter the persons info and then match up what comes back with what they told you. You can even get creative and ask them a question like “What town did you live in, in 2004?” or “How old are you?” These types of questions can even be done in passing without raising any suspicion.

Criminal Records – If you want to go a bit further and pay a few bucks for a background check you can. A criminal record of an abusive person or a habitual drug user can tell you a lot about the type of enviroment you’ll be sticking your bird in. After doing the people search you can click a button to run a criminal record on them.

All of this information is considered public record. You do not need any signed releases not does the person you’re conducting background checks on know about it. I know this may sound extreme to some but it only takes once to understand that there are people who are more than happy to steal from you. Especially over the Internet. I hope you never have to find out first hand.

Ok. So you’ve decided on the color, age gender and type of parrot you want. And you’ve also decided where or who you’re going to purchase the bird from. Now it’s time to go about choosing a healthy one. There are some things that you need to pay close attention to when picking out your new best friend. These are:

• The Eyes – A parrots eyes should seem clear and bright. There should be no crust or discharge around them. They should seem alert just like a human.
• The Nose – The parrots nostrils are also knows as the nares. Just like the eyes there should be no crust or discharge anywhere around the nose.
• The Feathers – The feathers of a parrot should be shiny and tight. Ruffled, plucked or bald patches of feathers could be indicative of a problem. If the fathers do look out of sorts make sure the bird isn’t molting which is a completely natural process and can sometimes make them look a little funky. You’ll know they’re molting by seeing little white sheaths that look like pins mixed in with their feathers. Here’s a picture of a molting / blood feather on Stella my Macaw:
  

  Molting Feather on Stella - Click to Enlarge

• The Feet – The feet of the bird should be clean, free of debris and scaling. With some birds you’ll notice they may be slightly bow-legged. This is known as splay-legged. The breeder can actually correct this problem if they start to work with the chick in the first ten days after hatching. As long as the bird is able to get around this should not be an issue. If anything it adds more character to the bird. Another thing you may notice is a missing nail. This can happen when a momma hen grooms her chick a bit too much or too hard. She can end up taking the nail right off. Again, if the bird is getting around fine this is nothing that should stop you from getting him or her. Here’s a picture of a missing nail on a Eclectus:
  

  Eclectus Missing a Toenail - Click to Enlarge

• The Vent – This is where the feces, urine and eggs come out. It should be clean and not crusted with any other material.
• General Attitude – Watch out for any bird sitting on the cage floor with his feather ruffled and acting unresponsive. You want to look for a parrot who seems to be the life of the party. The one who is interacting with everyone in the cage.

One other thing I’ll mention here too is that not only do you need to pay attention to these things on your bird but you need to look at the other birds in the cage with him or her. Viruses are easily transmitted between birds and just because your bird isn’t sick doesn’t mean he couldn’t start showing signs shortly thereafter coming in contact with another sick bird.

After you’re satisfied with your general overview of your new bird get him a Avian Vet appointment right away. Any reputable breeder should offer a warranty on their birds.

If you own a Parrot or bird the chances of them getting hurt sometime in their life are pretty high. I’m not trying to wish bad karma on you but it just happens. Whether it be falling from a perch or flying into something. So there’s no time like the present to get together a first aid kit for your feathered friend. Here’s a picture of everything it should contain and I’ll list everything below.

Contents of a Bird First Aid Kit - Click to Enlarge

I’ll start from the top and work my way left to right moving downwards.

• A lighter – This is used to sterilize any metal objects or heat them up enough to cauterize a bleeding wound in an absolute dire emergency.
• A shoestring cut into two pieces – This is used to hold your Parrots upper and lower beak open if you need to get in to his mouth or crop.
• ThermaCare Heat Wrap – If you have to transport your bird to the vet you can’t plug in a heating pad in the car. This can work as a substitute during transport.
• Isopropyl Alcohol  -  This can be used to sterilize your hands or equipment. Please don’t pour this on any open wounds, get it in your birds mouth or in their eyes.
• Hydrogen Peroxide – This can be used to help sterilize open wounds. As with the alcohol don’t get this in your birds mouth or eyes.
• Tongue Depressor – As the name implies it can be used to hold your birds tongue down. It can also be used to immobilize a wing or give your bird something to bite on to instead of you.
• Hand Sanitizer – I don’t think I need to explain this one.
• Flashlight – Make sure it’s one you can hold in your mouth. Trust me on this.
• Eye Dropper – This can be used to hydrate your bird or administer liquid medicines.
• Syringe with no needle – Same as above.
• Hemostatic Pen – This is also known as a Styptic Pen. It’s what men put on their face to stop the bleeding when they nick themselves with a razor. They work by contracting tissue to seal blood vessels. You can pick this up at any drug store
• Nail Clippers
• Spray Bottle – Can be used to irrigate wounds. Just make sure you’re using sterile water. Five drops of bleach per half gallon of water will sterilize it. Use your judgment based upon your bottle size.
• Cotton Balls
• Heating Pad – Normal body temperature for a Parrot ranges from 103 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit or 39 to 40 degrees Celsius. These can also be used to regulate the temperature of a homemade brooder for a chick who may have fallen from a nest.
• Antiseptic Wipes
• Alcohol Wipes – As stated above please don’t apply this on any open wounds, get it in your birds mouth or in their eyes.
• Q-Tips – I really like the ones with wooden sticks. Not only can they be used to clean and apply antiseptic but the wood part can be used for immobilizing things like a foot.
• Tweezers
• Eye Wash
• Gauze Pad – This can be used to immobilize a wing.
• Nail File – You can either clip or file down those super sharp claws
• Burn Aid or Burn Spray – Parrots have been known to land on a hot stove or a halogen light.
• Wools Sock with The Toe Cut Out – This can be used to completely immobilize the bird (wings and feet) while keeping it warm. It can also be pulled over the head so it can’t see and it’s stress levels can be lowered. Wool socks are usually loosely woven so breathing for the bird shouldn’t be a problem. Just check on it to make sure.
• Baby Bird Formula – In the case your bird can’t eat normal pellets you can feed it formula to keep it hydrated and nourished.
• Bottled Water – You can use this to keep your bird hydrated. You can also punch a hole in the cap and use it as a wound irrigation tool by squeezing the bottle and making the water go through the punched hole with pressure.

This is everything I have in my kit. If you feel I’m missing something or have any additional ideas please please contact me and I’ll add it to this. Your suggestion could save a birds life. Think of all the good karma that’d bring you