Health Info.

If you choose to clip your birds wings you should clip no more than primary flight numbers 10, 9, 8, and 7 on both sides. - Have it done by your vet or a breeder the first few times. Watch carefully to be sure that it is done right.

Even reputed "professionals" have been known to damage a birds ability to flutter to the floor. A hard fall often breaks a bird's Keel bone and can kill the bird.

"Fids" are Feathered Kids

Bird Breeds

Alex


Wing clipping

	A bird has 25 vertebrae which allows them to turn their head 180 degrees. - Birds have no diaphragm, they breath in and out by using the muscles in their chest.

		Phalanges are toes.


	illnesses


	When a bird inhales the air is immediately circulated through the body. This is why birds are so susceptible to fumes.


	*abdomen - the belly.

*auriculars (ear coverts) - the feathers that cover the bird's ear opening (located behind the eyes).


	*breast - the area over the belly and under the throat.
	*cere - the waxy-looking bumps on the upper beak of some birds (including the parrots, pigeons, and some hawks).


	*claws - hard talons at the end of each toe.


	*crown - the top of the bird's head.


	*forehead - the area directly above the eyes.


	*lore - the area on each side of a bird's face, between the eyes and the upper bill.

*lower mandible - the lower part of the bill.

*nape - the back of the neck

Illnesses


	Birds get often fatal illnesses known only to their species. Here are four of them, but there are many more.


	PDD or proventricular dilatation disease is a wasting disease that almost always kills your pet. The cause of this disease is unknown. Microscopic examination of the ventriculus, proventriculus, crop or brain of affected birds is currently the only way to confirm the syndrome. There is no cure of this disease.


	Some reports, articles, and organizations regarding PDD

		http://www.mecca.org/~rporter/PARROTS/pds.html
		http://www.multiscope.com/hotspot/pdd.htm
		http://members.tripod.com/Grey_PoopOn/Ritchie.html

PBFD or psittacine beak and feather disease. This virus attacks cells of the immune system and those that produce the feather and beak. Diagnosis can be made only by a vetrinarian examination. A bird will lose it's feathers and develope beak difformities. Because of the virus' effect on the immune system a bird will succumb to other infections. The majority of birds od not recover from this disease. There is no cure.


	Polyoma death from this illness is most common in chicks. Diagnosis is made by DNA testing only. Polyoma is easily passed from bird to bird. A bird may be a carrier without having the illness himself. Visiting other birds, petstores, or birdfairs puts your bird at risk. The polyoma virus can live up to 6 months in the environment.


Some reports, articles, and organizations regarding polyoma
			http://www.parrothouse.com/polyoma.html
	http://www.parrotletranch.com/pbfd&polyomavirus.html
		http://www.blackstone-aviaries.com/polyom.html


	Psittacosis, also known as ornithosis, parrot fever , and chlamydiosis. This is an infection that does respond to antibiotics. The illness can be passed not only to other birds, but also cats, dogs, and humans. It can cause death in a bird within 48 hours and may be highly contagious.

	Some reports, articles, and organizations regarding psittacosis

		http://www.multiscope.com/hotspot/psittacosis.htm
		http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/diseases/psittacosis.html
		http://www.birdsnways.com/articles/psittico.htm


	There are so many that I can not list them all. If you want to research illnesses more go to http://www.avianweb.com/diseases.htm You will find not only a more extensive list of links for what I have listed, but you will also find more diseases.


	Kendi's Story


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