Keep your Parrots Safe this Holiday Season
by Taylor Knight
Your Parrot Place

It's that time of year again. Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here before you know it. How time flies! Here is your friendly reminder to help keep your parrots safe as we enter another holiday season. Don't forget to share this with your friends!

A little planning, some supervision, and a few things to watch out for can go a long way toward both you and your bird having a happy holiday. If I have forgotten anything, please let me know and I will build on this article for next year!

Stress
We all know Christmas can be a stressful time for us humans. Our parrots must think we have lost our minds. New people around, strange decorations, etc. Stick to your bird's regular schedule as much as possible, don't forget the lovin' and playtime. Oh, and make sure there is plenty of time for a good night's sleep for both you and your bird.

Decorations
Be careful of Angel Hair, it's spun glass and that just can't be good for anyone that eats it. Tinsel and garland are another big concern, it can cause intestinal obstructions if ingested. I don't know what kinds of decorations you have at your house, but just be aware that they are unfamiliar to your bird and they may or may not panic at the sight of some of them. Many decorations are made of toxic or potentially toxic materials like different plastics, scented pinecones, hidden wires made of who knows what, stuff that is sprayed on so decorations look "fresh" longer. And don't forget the common everyday things lying around that could cause problems such as rubber bands, string, ribbon, tape, tacks, little nails, glue, etc.

Candles and Smelly Stuff aka Fragrances
Candles with lead wicks can be toxic, usually you will find them in cheap imported candles. Burning candles with fragrances is very irritating to your bird's sensitive respiratory system. Those candles with "essential oils" in them that smell great to you are HIGHLY TOXIC WHEN BURNED. Try 100% beeswax candles instead. They are more expensive, but burn five to seven times longer, are not scented and burn cleaner. One other word of caution - burns and wax spills have been known to happen when a wayward bird collides with a candle so ALWAYS watch your candles and your bird, don't leave either one of them without supervision. I have a rule, IF I light a candle it's 100% beeswax and the parrot gang has to be in their cages.

Potpourri, air fresheners, and a host of other smelly spraying things irritate the daylights out of your bird in so many ways. (They also irritate me, so it is not a problem for my birds because I don't use them in my home.) Try and go for something more natural if you feel the need to "scent" your house. Heat up some water in a pan on the stove and throw in a few organic cinnamon sticks, that smells yummy. Oh yes, can't forget this one NO SMOKING AROUND THE BIRDS - PERIOD!

Lights and Electrical Cords
Make sure these are concealed as well as possible so little birdie brains don't get any smart ideas and want to play with them. They could get shocked (as in probably killed) or burned by chewing on them. If they are loose, they could get tangled in them.

Plants
I think most people with parrots know by now that Poinsettias and Holly are dangerous if eaten, but did you know that Philodendron, Ivy and Mistletoe are also. In case you didn't there's is no excuse now. These plants have the potential to cause life threatening problems for your parrot if eaten!

Dressing up Birdie
Not that you would do it, but watch those little ones. They seem to think it's a good idea to stick bows on (ouch) or drape ribbon over and around birds. Talk about a strangulation hazard. Ribbon or string may cause intestinal obstructions if they eat it.

Food and Drink
Alcoholic drinks, hot chocolate, coffee, and the ever-present eggnog are popular drinks at Christmas time. If your place is anything like mine, there are yummy fattening human goodies everywhere like cookies, candy, cakes and deserts. Watch that your birdie doesn’t get into the holiday spirit this way! I like to put some water in a dark coffee mug (a duplicate of mine) and give the fids sips out of that. I don’t know what they think it is, but it’s in a coffee mug like mine and they are happy to drink it. Keep some nice fresh treats on hand for your birdies to munch on. I like pea pods, birdie bread, almonds and a little fruit. That way they won’t feel left out and I have to keep Zeke (African Grey) from saying "Mmmm, want some?" all night long.

Non-Stick Coated Surfaces
Be extra careful not to overheat any non-stick cookware or anything with a non-stick surface! Those toxic fumes can kill birds in no time flat. I know this warning has been around for a long time, but with extra cooking going on, I thought I would remind you all again.

People
Having guests over? I know you would never feed your bird anything it’s not supposed to have or subject it to extra stress, but watch your guests. Make sure they don’t give your bird anything to eat or drink that could cause a problem. Of course, for us bird lovers, it almost goes without saying to make sure they are not causing the bird any undue stress like poking their fingers in the cage or just generally annoying your bird. Show them where the acceptable bird treats and give them a rule run down about being nice to parrots.

Fire
Want a nice warm fire in the fireplace? Is your fireplace in good shape or is this the first time you will be using it this year? What type of wood are you burning? Is the damper open? Check those "instant fire logs" and make sure they do not contain lead or arsenic. DO NOT BURN WRAPPING PAPER OR PRESSURE TREATED WOOD EVER! It's fine to have a fire as long as your fireplace is working like a should, has some type of guard across the front, and is being vented properly.

Wrapping Paper
Wrapping "paper" is a stretch. Lots of these innocent looking colorful papers contain toxic substances. Do not allow your bird to eat it and DO NOT burn it in your fireplace. If you are going to wrap a present for your bird, please use plain paper. If worst comes to worst, use a sheet of a black and white section of a newspaper.

Trees
May scare the daylights of your feathered friend. Take it slow and never place the tree where your parrot can chew on it.

Artificial Snow or Flocking
I couldn't find anywhere that said these were definitely a hazard, but they are not meant to be ingested and I am pretty darn sure they are not good for your bird if they inhale the fumes of that stuff either. When if doubt, just skip it. It's just not worth it.

Open Doors / Windows
With all the extra commotion going on around the holidays a little extra precaution about open doors seems to be in order. People going in and out, packages and food being carried in and out, point is that your door will probably get a workout. Not only that, but new things like trees or big boxes, might startle your bird and they may panic and fly. Just make sure you little feathered friend is out of harm's way and not in the direct path of the chilly air.

Have a Safe and Happy Holiday Season
Please, I don't want to hear about any accidents this holiday season. You all know what to do. And a message to your bird: (It's not you. The humans really ARE out of their minds for a couple of weeks a year.) Remember, a little precaution and supervision go a long way in keeping everyone safe and happy!

Please share your Holiday safety tips or reminders.

__________________
~Karen

.............~Kady & Kita~............


Email: Karen_ParrotChatter@msn.com

Those are all good tips, Karen, and this is a great time for all of us to be reminded of holiday dangers for our birds.

I remember one year when I was hosting the family holiday dinner, Stella was then my only bird. I had read an article that suggested it best to put your bird to bed when company came over during the holidays. Being the overly-protective mommy, I followed instructions and put her in a separate room away from all the milling guests and curiosity-seekers. I thought no one would even know she was there. Boy, I was wrong!

You see, no one told Stella that she was not invited to dinner so, naturally, once everyone sat down around the dining table and started talking and laughing, Stella felt left out and began to yell funny things to us and mimicking our laughter. The darn dinner turned into a parlor game of sorts with members of the family throwing out a word or phrase to see if Stella would repeat it. She was a star!! Naturally, after this went on for a while, I brought Stella to the dining room where I set up a playstand and gave her a plate of her own! She was a happy camper being a part of the family!

Don't forget about those trick or treaters on Halloween.
If you open the door to hand out candy, make sure those birdies are in their cages.
I'm lucky...we sit outside to hand ours out because it will still be in the 80's.

What a great list! Thank you!
I am going to print this for all of my family to read.
Ok, I'll read it to Baby.
Mark

I'll be printing it out too. Thanks Karen.

Here's a few more Halloween safety tips;

The noise and confusion of costume parties are too extreme for most birds. Leave your bird at home if you’re invited out to a party; if you’re the host, move your bird to a quiet room during the height of the festivities.

Supervise your bird. Halloween staples, such as candy and wrappers, imitation cobwebs and apple-bobbing vats can be hazardous to errant birds.

Do not permit guests to share drinks, snacks or Halloween candy with your bird.

Protect your bird from frightening costumes and the eyes of predatory strangers. Put him safely inside his cage during trick-or-treat hours.

Candles are no-no, use small flashlights inside jack-o-lanterns displayed indoors.

Safe Snacks

Don’t forget to offer the pumpkin seeds which are good sources of protein, iron, B vitamins and vitamin E. They make yummy treats. Place seeds in a single layer on a lightly greased cookie sheet and bake at 250˚F for about 30 minutes, turning a few times while baking. The seeds can be sprinkled with cayenne pepper before baking.

I dressed up 2 of my toos last year for halloween and took them to 4 or 5 houses but not this year...the thought of someone grabbing them or stealing them with all the new neighbors around and it was just not a smart idea on my part...So I wont do it EVER again..That was def a lesson learned...and thankfully with no consequences