bird safety

[jimpierce7]

I hope this is ok. I swiped it from another e-mail group (from Land of Vos) its big enough that I have to use two posts.



The following precautions detail most household dangers to companion
birds.
Please add all warnings unique to your home and print the list for your
bird sitter.

*FOODS dangerous to birds include avocado, guacamole, chocolate,cocoa,
alcohol, caffeine, the pits of apricots, peaches, plums, prunes, and
seeds of
the cherimoya fruit, as well as foods containing large amounts of
salt, sugar, grease, preservatives, artificial coloring, and other
additives. Obvious dangers such as moldy foods and under-cooked or raw
meat
should be avoided. Parrots should be fed the same quality of food that
is
suitable for human infants.

*PTFE treated products, such as "Teflon" and other name brands of
non-stick
cookware, kill birds by releasing odorless, deadly gases when
overheated. PTFE is used in some space heaters, ranges, ovens,
stove-top
burner bibs or liners, heat lamps, irons, griddles, bread makers, woks,
waffle makers, electric skillets, crock pots, popcorn poppers, coffee
makers, roasters, curling irons, hair dryers, and more. Check labels
before
purchase.

*SELF CLEANING OVENS use extremely high heat to burn off oven debris,
and
in the process, toxic fumes that can harm or kill parrots are emitted.

*COOKING BAGS, especially those treated with PTFE emit harmful fumes
during
cooking that kill birds. Any substance that releases smoke and/or fumes
when heated should be avoided in bird homes.

*KITCHENS, especially when cooking is in progress, are unsafe for
birds. The obvious hazards of open flames, hot ranges, open pots of
hot
food or boiling water are as deadly as smoke or other toxic fumes, even
from dishwashers if a plastic item falls into a heating element during
the
dry cycle.

*CAGES should be made of safe metal with non-toxic paint, no sharp
points
that can cause injuries, proper spacing between cage bars to prevent
strangulation, and no empty cup holders. Birds have been injured or
killed
by getting stuck in empty cup holders in cages. Use empty dishes or
fill
them with toys or treats, but never leave empty cup holders in a cage.

*LEG BANDS can cause the loss of toes, feet, legs and sometimes bird
lives.
Microchips are a safer form of identification of lost birds. Leg bands
should be
removed only by a veterinarian.

*GRIT is not necessary for parrots and can cause impaction of the
digestive
system.

*IMPORTED CERAMIC CROCKS often contain toxic metals that can leach into
bird food and water. Stainless steel, Pyrex and other glass is safer.

*HALOGEN LIGHT FIXTURES such as torchier-style floor lamps create
extreme
heat and can kill birds that land on them. Choose only bird-safe light
fixtures for bird homes.

*LITTER made of walnut shells or corn cobs can cause life-threatening
impaction if ingested by birds. They also harbor fungal spores when
soiled
or wet. Newspaper is safer.

*METALS such as lead, zinc, copper, and iron can cause metal toxicosis
if
ingested by birds. Some sources are galvanized cage and aviary wire,
house
keys, (especially gold colored keys), lead-based paints, metallic
paints,
paints containing zinc, linoleum, vinyl mini-blinds, foil from
champagne
and wine bottles, lead weights, bells with lead clappers, stained
glass,
some improperly-glazed ceramics, costume jewelry, mirror backing,
copper
pennies, zinc oxide, artist paints containing cadmium, cardboard or
paper with high gloss inks, and magnetic business cards.

*QUIK-STOP and other styptic products should never be applied to avian
skin. They are safe for bleeding toenails when broken or cut too short,
but
they destroy skin. For broken or pulled blood feathers, either
cornstarch
or flour are safer. Aloe gel can be applied first to help the flour or
cornstarch to adhere to the wound and to help with pain and healing.

*CATS, DOGS, FERRETS (and many other pets) are a danger to birds. The
slightest cat scratch can infect birds with Pasteurella bacteria and
immediate vet treatment is required to save the bird's life. Never
allow
birds to interact with ANY pet without close supervision.

*PESTICIDE SPRAYS, NO-PEST STRIPS, AND FOGGERS poison the air and can
kill
birds. Safer solutions are roach traps, ant bait, and other solid
insect
poisons that can be safely secured in the back of cabinets and other
areas
that are inaccessible to birds.

*FLEA COLLARS AND SPRAYS emit toxins into the air and should not be
used in
bird homes. Lice shampoo also contains dangerous toxins and should
never
used on birds.

*STICKY STRIPS for flying insects should always be enclosed in old
cages or
other containers accessible to insects but out of the reach of birds
and
other pets. Citrus oil or peanut butter can be used to safely remove
sticky
substances from feathers.

*WING CLIPS should be checked on the first day of each month to prevent
flight-related accidents. Wing-clipped birds can often fly well enough
to
escape so they should be protected by a harness, leash, or carrier when
taken outside.

*TRANSPARENT AND REFLECTIVE SURFACES like glass windows doors, and
mirrors
should be shown to flighted birds. Many birds can be trained to avoid
large
expanses of glass by repeatedly holding the bird on your hand and
imitating
flight toward the glass and then lightly pressing their beak, feet, and
body against the surfaces. Decals can be used as a visible reminder.

*CEILING FANS should not be used in homes with flighted birds.

*OTHER DANGERS to birds are open windows and doors, hot pots and stove
burners, open containers of water (sinks, toilets, tubs, boiling
water),
poisonous or thorny houseplants, electrical wires, medication, insect
bait
traps, and many other toxic substances.

*TOYS, both new and used, should be cleaned and examined for loose
parts
that could lodge in a bird's throat. Loose strings and threads can trap
and
cut off circulation to necks, wings, legs, and toes. Use only stainless
steel (not zinc) "quick links" as toy fasteners and never use strings,
chains or ropes long enough to wrap around a birds' neck or other body
parts.

*WOOD SHAVINGS such as cedar and redwood are toxic to birds and should
not
be used in cages, aviaries, or nestboxes. Newspaper is a safer cage
liner
and pine or aspen shavings are safer nestbox substrate.

[jimpierce7]

*PRESSURE TREATED LUMBER, conventional plywood, and particle board
contain
a variety of toxic substances. Untreated pine boards are a safer
choice.

*HOUSEPLANTS and fertilizer including "fertilizer spikes" can poison
birds
so they should be kept out of their reach. Some of the most common
poisonous houseplants are azalea, oleander, castor bean, sago palm, yew
plants, dieffenbachia (dumb cane), asparagus fern, daffodils, flower
bulbs,
mistletoe, poinsettia, philodendron, and potato sprouts or "eyes".
Choose
only non-poisonous plants for bird homes.

*CIGARETTES, CIGARS, PIPES, AND OTHER SMOKING SUBSTANCES should never
be
used in air space shared by birds. Passive inhalation of smoke,
including
smoke from burning incense, damages the sensitive avian respiratory
system,
eyes and skin. Nicotine can settle on perches and other cage surfaces
and
cause the self-mutilation of feet and legs in sensitive birds,
especially
Amazon parrots.

*ESSENTIAL OILS and potpourri oils should never be used in the
breathing
space of parrots. Perfume, hairspray, and other aerosolized grooming
products also can damage the avian respiratory system.

*AIR FRESHENERS, including plug-in air fresheners and scented sprays
are
considered unsafe. Bird deaths from using Febreze in the home have been
reported so until new research proves it safe, do not use it in bird
homes.
To safely freshen the air, simmer spices like cinnamon, cloves,
vanilla,
and citrus rinds and provide fresh outdoor air whenever possible.

*SCENTED CANDLES release toxins when burned, so only unscented candles
should be used in bird homes. (Be aware of the open flame). Beeswax
candles
are generally safe and unscented unless they are imported and contain
lead
wicks.

*CARPET POWDERS AND SPRAYS such as Carpet Fresh, as well as similar
treatments for upholstery (like Febreze), often contain toxins which
are
dispersed into the air when they are vacuumed so they should never be
used
in bird homes. Carpets can be cleaned safely with solutions of water
and
baking soda, vinegar, or Grapefruit Seed Extract.

*CLEANING AND DISINFECTING PRODUCTS like pine oil, ammonia, mold and
mildew
cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, drain cleaners, furniture polish, oven
cleaners, dishwasher detergents, furniture polish, car cleaning
products,
and laundry products, including bleach, can irritate or burn the skin,
eyes
and respiratory tract of birds when used in their air space. Spray
starch
is also toxic to birds.

*HOME IMPROVEMENT PRODUCTS that create fumes include fresh paint, new
carpet, drapes, furniture and flooring that uses toxic glues. The
outgassing of toxic chemicals from new furnishings, paints, solvents,
adhesives, various finishes, and other building materials are sometimes
described as the "new smell" and can damage the avian respiratory
system.

*MEDICATION and natural remedies containing tea tree oil, which
contains
the oil of the melaleuca tree, as well as all over-the-counter
medications
should be kept out of the reach of parrots.

*MOLD on food or in the air is dangerous to parrots. Aspergillus mold
can
cause the deadly disease, aspergillosis. It can grow on improperly
handled
and stored foods, especially grains such as corn. Excessive moisture in
bathrooms promotes the growth of various molds in homes.

*CARBON MONOXIDE is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas produced by
furnaces and other heaters. Birds in poorly ventilated, heated areas
are at
high risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. It robs the blood of oxygen and
can
be particularly harmful to animals and humans with heart ailments when
inhaled at levels often found indoors.

*DRY CLEANED CLOTHING should be aired outside or in an airspace not
shared
by birds until there is no remaining odor. The chemical "perc"
(perchloroethylene) causes cancer in lab animals.

*MOTHBALLS and moth-repellent cakes and crystals contain
paradichlorobenzene. It also is found in toilet disinfectants and in
deodorizers, and it causes cancer in lab animals.

*HUMAN SALIVA contains pathogens that are deadly to birds. Never allow
a
bird to place its beak in your mouth or nose, nor to "clean your
teeth".

*CLEANLINESS is important to the prevention of bacterial infections.
Wash
your hands frequently when working with birds and preparing their food
and
dishes.

*BOARDING BIRDS with other birds of unknown health status is an
unnecessary
risk to healthy birds. It is safer to have a friend or relative come
into
your home or
keep your birds in their home during your absence.

*DISEASE EXPOSURE should be avoided by quarantining all new birds from
your
existing flock or companion birds for one to three months. Taking birds
to
pet stores, bird fairs, swap shops and other bird gatherings can expose
them to deadly, incurable diseases.

*EMERGENCY INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS should be left with your
caregivers
when you are away. Leave your vet's contact information as well as
hotline
numbers near the phone and advise your caregiver about potential
emergencies and what to do.

[willowbirdy218]

Thank you for posting this...it's very informative! I'm printing it right now!

[homebird]

Thanks I copied it too.

[Quito's Qage]

Thanks Jim! That's one of the most comprehensive lists I've seen.

[The Outlaw]

Ok. You got lucky. Carolyn is an expert here and I'm sure she won't object to your cross posting. However, in the future, please simply ask permission from the author. I agree, however, that Land Of Vos is the best parrot info group on the internet. It has been for many years. Carolyn rocks!

[Stacey32]

Thank you to Carolyn to writing this great list. Thank you to Jim for bringing it to my attention. I'll have to go check out her website. I did learn something from it. I didn't know that cooking bags are a no-no. Great info Carolyn!

[puffinp]

Thanks for the info , too bad looks like Puff will have give up the bong and the incense...

[Sugarcat]

I just took in Dh's ex-wife's Quaker parrot....feathers totally coated w/ waxy residue from plug in air fresheners, spray air fresheners, fabreze, cigarette smoke. And this is a bird I bird sat in February, and bathed daily to remove that
very residue...
She finally gave him up, and i think he's in worse shape now than when I bird sat :( Can you imagine what his little lungs look like?
Never mind what his food/water dishes looked like, or his bath tub. Looked like they'd never been washed :(
He'll be a year old in July...

Wendy