I just wanted to remind everyone that complacency around our birds, dogs, or any pets, can lead to heartbreak! All it takes is a few minutes, or one little lapse in concentration, and you could lose your pets.

I came close tonight. As most of you know, Flick can't seem to wait until his ring grows in properly, and loves wearing hairbands and things as necklaces. Unfortunately, he stole a piece of garden-twine this afternoon, and not only wrapped it around his neck, but caught it on his cage. If I had been out or even had I not heard the ruckas, he could quite easily have strangled himself.

Remember to keep your eyes open! Everything is a toy to a bird, everything is fair game. Even the most harmless item can become deadly in the beak of a bird.

And on a side note: when rescuing said birds from dangerous items, remember to be cautious and calm. Excitement and panic from you will only panic them more.

Very good reminder! Yes, human homes are FULL of dangers to birds and, if they are not kept in a completely birdproof birdroom, one should be ever vigilant!

How awful for you - so glad to hear everything is OK. Rio keeps his nails trim but Bow has really long nails and sometimes I hear him calling out in panic as he gets caught on the curtains - so far all is well and those nails are a constant worry [although I don't want to get back into trimming like I did with my older bird - then their grip isn't what they need].

You really have to keep on top of things. As you know babies are terrible at getting into things and so are pets. My Chihuahua is fond of bringing me stuff thankfully [same as my old cat did] - some we play 'you're naughty' and she runs around with it for a while - the rest go quickly back to the garbage and she's given a treat.

Flick's still going strong, no lasting damage except a slight aversion if I get my hands too close to him. I'm a little worried about my finger, though. He got in a couple of good bites, one big cut on my right hand, and one massive on my left. The finger he got on the left is still swollen and purple and very painful. Though, I must admit, I kinda feel like I deserved it, since I left out the twine.

It's always best to kind of 'wrap' their heads with the towel when you are going to be working around the neck or the chest area because even non-aggressive birds can panic and bite. I just put a fold of the towel around their heads (not tight, actually VERY loose so they can move their head all the way around inside the 'cocoon') and hold it in place with the same hand that is holding the back of the neck.

If the bite goes bad and you can't get to the doctor right away - try the old remedies if you can. I boil black tea and get it really dark. Then I immerse the swollen & red cut, as hot as you can bear. Reheating over and over. At first it can't be really hot but as the tannin pulls out the infection, you will be able to use hotter temps. When you see the swelling go down and it is no longer red and sore - it is OK. I have had to do this - takes a bit of pain and time but it works.

I agree about covering the head - it is nicer for the bird - less freak out and if you gently release them it can go well. I wrapped Laker a few times and I think he did better the more confined he was. i used a baby washcloth to wrap him up. If it is too bulky you can lose control. It is very hard when you have to work alone. I like it better if someone is holding and I am working.

I couldn't really wrap his head, he had it stuck lol. The finger is healing, finally. The worst one isn't really cut, he got his beak between the nail and the quick and actually removed the side of my nail from my finger. That's where the problem was. But it's slowly getting better. Doesn't help I've been sick with the flu all week, so overall it's been a pretty down week!

I've been able to wrap a bird's head in the past, but it has been a while. On a side-note, I learned last week how to splint a bird's broken wing. I'm starting to feel much more confident "fixing up" animals now.

I couldn't really wrap his head, he had it stuck lol. The finger is healing, finally. The worst one isn't really cut, he got his beak between the nail and the quick and actually removed the side of my nail from my finger. That's where the problem was. But it's slowly getting better. Doesn't help I've been sick with the flu all week, so overall it's been a pretty down week!

I've been able to wrap a bird's head in the past, but it has been a while. On a side-note, I learned last week how to splint a bird's broken wing. I'm starting to feel much more confident "fixing up" animals now.

I remember when Sophie's leg got caught in some rope. Poor thing was so scared. One of the worst bites I have gotten came from it. I just dealt with it until I got her untied.
Scary stuff!!

Yes, scary stuff is exactly what it is! I know I panic and actually have to tell myself to calm down and to do things slowly because my first reaction when I see one of them stuck, tangled up, hurt or whatever is to grab the bird and ran - I don't know where or for what but there you have it!

Let us know how the broken wing heals because, IMPE, they never do it right and the best you can hope for is a droopy wing.