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.

Conure Heath, Hygiene & Safety

• AvianWeb.com. "Bird Diseases / Common Health Problems."
• Barras, Wanda. "How Clean is Clean? Sanitation? Antiseptic? Disinfection? Sterilization?," Hotspot for Birds.
• Bauck, Louise.  "Tips from the Vet," HARI.
• Blanchard, Sally. "Companion Parrots   Household Dangers, Toxins and Hazards."
• Books and More.com. "Health Issues and Tips For the Bird Owner."
• Kalhagen, Alyson. "Hygiene and Pet Birds."
• Ladyhawke. "Avian First Aid Kit: Why Not Make Your Own?"
• Paul, Lisa. "The New Vet Exam," Winged Wisdom, (July 1997).
• PetMD. "Diseases A-Z: Bird."
• Sherwood, Lou and Sue. "Hotspot For Birds: Bird Care Guide."
• Sweat, Rebecca. "Common Bird Beak Health Problems."
• Wilson, Liz.  "Avian Medicine: Why Is It So Expensive?" upatsix.com.

Print Resources:

• Anderson, Sue. "The Bird Owner's To-Do List, Bird Talk, 17 (Apr. 99): 14-19.
• Beck, Louise. "Light Makes a Difference," Bird Talk, 17 (Feb. 99): 30-36.
• Chamberlain, Susan. "10 Steps to Bird-Proofing Your Home," Bird Talk, 19 (Feb. 2001): 44-49.
• Chamberlain, Susan. "Dealing With The Bird Mess Dilemma," Bird Talk, 14 (May 1996): 16-20.
• Chamberlain, Susan. "Spring Cleaning," Bird Talk, 13 (Mar. 1995): 108-119.
• Charette, Sally. "A Safe, Clean Sweep: Learn some helpful hints from a fellow bird owner on how to keep your home neat," Bird Talk, 14 (Dec. 1996): 76-83.
• Clark, Pamela. "A to Z Guide to Bird-Proofing Your Home," Birds U.S.A, 2002/03: 16-25.
• Clipsham, Robert. "Preventive Health Care," Bird Talk, 14 (Feb. 1996): 41-50.
• Corbett, Penny. "Ask the Experts: How Clean Is Clean Enough?" Bird Talk, 15 (Aug. 1997): 97-98.
• Downey, Christine. "Is Your Bird Sick? Take Action," Bird Talk, 16 (Dec. 1998): 72-79.
• Halvorson, Joy. "The DNA Analysis To Sex Birds," Bird Talk, 11 (Sep. 1993): 56,58-59.
• Hefton, Donna M.  "The Fundamental Aspect of Care: Bathing the Psittacine," Bird Talk, 15 (April 1997): 16-28.
• Higdon, Pamela L.  "Household Hazards," Bird Talk, 11 (Nov. 1993): 62-82.
• Huber, Barton C. "Avian Health Care: Environment and diet are the keys to your bird's good health," Bird Talk, 14 (Jun. 1996): 76-83.
• McWatters, Alicia. "Herbs For Health, Herbs That Heal," Bird Talk, 18 (Apr.  2000): 58-63.
• McWatters, Alicia. "Holistic Healing: Question and Answer," Bird Talk, 17 (July 1999): 54-63.
• Nickolin, Theresa.  "Avian Care Tips," Bird Talk, 13 (Mar. 1995): 16-26.
• Rossum, Sharon J. & Anderson, Elizabeth.  "Back Talk: Birds Left Together Leads to Injury," Bird Talk, 18 (Feb. 2000): 4 (mentions grey cheek).
• Smith, Jeanne.  "First Aid for Avian Emergencies: Learn how to react when your bird needs you most," Bird Talk, 14 (Jan. 1996): 32-36.
• Sweat, Rebecca. "The Air They Breathe," Bird Talk, 19 (Dec. 2001): 38-43.
• Wilson, Liz. "Sleep: How Much is Enough for a Parrot?" Bird Times, (Feb. 99): 11.
• Wissman, Margaret A. "Avian Medicine for the 21st Century," Bird Talk, 20 (June 2002): 22-30.
• Wissman, Margaret A. "The Avian Respiratory System," Bird Talk, 14 (Aug. 1996): 16-23.
• Wissman, Margaret A. "The Birds and the Bees," Bird Talk, 17 (Apr. 99): 50-60.
• Wissman, Margaret A. "Carbon Monoxide: Hidden and Deadly," Bird Talk, 18 (Apr. 2000): 94-95.
• Wissman, Margaret A. "Causes & Cures: Bathing Your Bird," Bird Talk, 18 (Aug.  2000): 76-77.
• Wissman, Margaret. "The Top 10 Bird Killers," Bird Talk, 17 (June 1999): 14-23.
• Wissman, Margaret A. "What to Expect During A Vet Exam," Bird Talk, 14 (Nov. 1996): 126-131.
• Wissman, Margaret A. and Bill Parsons. "Recognizing Signs of Illness," Bird Talk, 12 (Mar. 1994): 14-17.
• Wissman, Margaret A. and Bill Parsons. "20 Do's and Don'ts For Pet Bird Owners," Bird Talk, 15 (Aug. 1997): 88-93.