Avian & Exotic Pet Clinic of Roanoke

Did You Know....

• Birds with color mutation often have decreased disease resistance.
• Flight exercise in a safe supervised area can decrease the risk of atherosclerosis in birds.
• Appropriate diet and husbandry can more than double the average pet bird’s lifespan.
• Providing your bird with routine bathing can decrease feather picking behavior.
• The use of a water bottle rather than a water bowl helps to minimize bacterial contamination from feces.
• Direct sunlight or full-spectrum artificial lighting (with UVB) can help keep your bird’s bones strong.
• Grit is not necessary for digestion in parrots or parakeets because they ‘shell’ the seeds they ingest.
• Pet parrots most definitely need regular sleep at night and in fact most need about 12 hours good sleep, otherwise they can suffer in their health.

New Owner Corner

Here are documents to help get you started with your feathered friends

• Avian Care
• Bird Care Guide

And some links for you to investigate

• All About Birds (Cornell Lab of Ornithology)
• The Bird Channel
• American Federation of Aviculture
• Phoenix Landing
• World Parrot Trust
• Southwest Virginia Bird Club
• Association of Avian Veterinarians
• Mid Atlantic States Association of Avian Veterinarians
• The Bird Safe Store
• Our Feathered Friends
• American Raising Pigeons Union
• Department of Poultry Texas A&M
• Northwoods Falconry

F.A.Q

Maximum Lifespan:

• Amazon- (double yellow head)-75 years (avg. 15 years)
• Macaw- 50 years (avg. 15 years)
• Cockatoo- 60 years (avg. 15 years)
• African grey- 50 years (avg. 15 years)
• Eclectus- 20 years (avg. 8 years)
• Conure- 35 years (avg. 10 years)
• Lories and lovebirds- 12 years (avg. 4 years)
• Cockatiels- 30 years (avg. 6 years)
• Budgerigars- 18 years (avg. 6 years)
• Duck- 10-15 years
• Goose- 15-20 years
• Ostrich-80 years
• Emu- 30 years