Trips to the veterinarian are fascinating if you are there for a “well bird” visit.

Part of the experience is the reaction from other people. At one vet’s office there were two waiting rooms—one for large animals; I was waiting in the small animal room. There were only two “patients”—the other a small curly white poodle whose owner was a large man. I could hear him telling his dog that a “tweet-tweet” was in the other room.

My latest birds, a parakeet and a lovebird, share the same “travel” cage. It surprises people who assume that they may not be compatible.  At home they have their own. Three years ago the vet said they would outgrow sharing a cage but his prediction was wrong. They came home the same day as six week old babies and are accustomed to being a “team”. 

After acquiring a new bird it is advisable to take him to the vet for a base line analysis. The doctor will ask a lot about food choices and give recommendations for the specific breed. When my birds were a year old I learned from my vet that pellets were no longer recommended for my little guys (parakeets and lovebirds) even though the pet shops heavily market them for sale. I also confessed that I allow my birds’ free flight on my screened in porch and don’t like to keep their wings clipped. He said their personalities benefit from the exercise. Not everyone agrees about wing clipping.

For good advice from experts check out the following resources: