With the holidays right around the corner, we encourage all families with birds to take extra precautions in the kitchen and when relatives come to visit. In this post, we have a short list of things to consider. This list is not exhaustive! Everyone with companion birds should do a little extra research to make sure their feathered family stays safe. Read on to learn more about some of the things to watch out for.
Say "no" to lit candles and "yes" to battery-operated ones.
Bird feathers are extremely flammable, and birds are sensitive to scents.
Bonus: If you are missing classic holiday scents, you can safely simmer fresh herbs and spices on the stove.
Make the kitchen a no-bird zone.
There are many potential hazards to having your bird in the kitchen, including vapors, hot cookware, and unsafe foods.
Bonus: If your bird's cage is near the kitchen, consider moving it to a well-ventilated room farther away.
Be careful with holiday decor.
Shiny tinsel, sparkly ornaments, garlands, and electrical cables will attract curious birds, who may try to eat bits or could get tangled.
Consider making decorations from bird-safe materials like plain wood beads, raffia, and fresh pine cones.
Bonus: Carefully selected and prepared pine cones make great foraging toys!
Pick bird-safe holiday plants.
Poinsettias, holly, mistletoe, and many other seasonal plants are all poisonous.
Live pine trees can have sap that may get onto birds’ feathers.
Artificial trees may entice curious parrots to pull and chew at the plastic.
Bonus: If you choose to get a live tree, pesticide-free, soft-needled pines are the safest.
Consider giving your bird privacy away from the party.
If you will be having people over, doors to the outside might be opening and closing a lot–opportunities for escape.
More noise and activity in your home could also frighten even friendly birds, which might lead to screaming or biting.
Bonus: Prep your guests before they arrive about behavior around your bird.
Sometimes, despite our best preparations, accidents can happen. If your bird is experiencing an emergency, immediately call your avian vet. If you are unable to reach them, other local exotic vets may be able to assist.
If this information was helpful to you, or if EBR has made a difference in your life and you have it in your heart to give back, we are welcoming donations through the Give!Guide at https://giveguide.org/nonprofits/ebr.