Avian & Exotic Pet Clinic of Roanoke

Experienced Care for your Unique Pet!

Paul Stewart, DVM

hyacinth Bird Critter Corner hyacinth

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

And some links for you to investigate

F.A.Q

life 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
The relatively shortened average lifespan is most often caused by inadequate diets and husbandry
food Pelleted diets from Harrison and Roudybush are best for your avian friends.
cage Give your friend a cage large enough for them to spread their wings and to get some exercise.
cost Finches and parakeets can cost less than $100. Exotic parrots range into the thousands
no Do not overfeed your feathered friend. Obesity leads to suffering and a large percentage of deaths in our captive birds
healthHealth tips: fresh water, a balanced diet, and exercise will keep your bird buddies healthy.

 

Some of our Amazing Pet Patients