Pet Bird Care: Grooming

Topics: avian beak trimming, proper toenail clipping for birds, and correct wing-clipping techniques - do a Google search on any of the grooming topics above to find current articles online.
Web sites with links to numerous articles:

• drsfostersmith.com - grooming articles.

Select online articles:

• Clipped Birds CAN Fly - avianeducationandresourcecenter.org
• Feathers, Flight and Parrot Keeping - Pamela Clark
• Flight Feather Trimming: Physiology, Psychology and Philosophy - Layne David Dicker
• How to Take Care of Your Bird's Beak - drsfostersmith.com
• How to Clip Parrot's Nails (video) - Kelly Willey, eHow Presenter
• How to Trim Parrot Beaks (video) - Kelly Willey, eHow Presenter
• How to Trim Parrot Feathers (video) - Kelly Willey, eHow Presenter
• Proper Wing Clipping - Margaret A. Wissman, DVM
• Pros and Cons of Trimming Flight Feathers - avianeducationandresourcecenter.org
• Pros and Cons of Wing Clipping - Judy Leach's Parrots
• Standardization of Wing Clipping for Psittacines - Margaret A. Wissman, DVM
• To Fly or Not To Fly, That is the Question - Steve Martin
• Trimming Nails Safely And Successfully - Louise Bauck
• Wing Clipping: Why, When & How - Carol Highfill

For further reading, here are articles from various bird publications that you might be able to find at your local library. If none of these publications are available in your library, most libraries have an interlibrary loan service (may be a fee involved). Merely provide them with one or more of these citations.

• Gonzalez, Fran. "Wing Clipping Basics," Bird Talk, 14 (May 1996): 72-75.
• Kikuchi, June. "Grooming—Just Do It! Keep your bird safe and healthy with these simple grooming tips," Birds USA, (1997/98): 108-109.
• Mizera, Richard. "Small Birds: Time for a Trim—Here's How," Bird Talk, 19 (Apr. 2001): 72-73.
• Samuelson, Phil. "Clip Those Wings!" Bird Talk, 12 (Apr. 1994): 72.
• Wissman, Margaret A. "Proper Toenail Clipping," Bird Talk, 14 (Apr. 1996): 28-29.
• Wissman, Margaret A. and Bill Parsons. "Correct Wing-Clipping Techniques," Bird Talk, 11 (May 1993): 69.