Going outdoors on walks with your parrot can be so fun, but also come with dangers. Over time, I’ve learned how easily birds can spook, try to fly off, get approached by adults/children/dogs, or even swooped down on by natural predators (like crows, ravens, gulls, and hawks).
You also have to be careful where you allow your bird to perch to rest, since many tree bark, sap, and flowers are toxic for parrots, as well as various plants and shrubs. Even allowing them to forage down onto the grass can expose them to insects such as biting ants.
Once you know all the possible dangers around you, it allows you to keep a proactive and protective stance with your bird when you’re outdoors.
Harness Tips When Outdoors
The reason I harness trained my birds (see previous Blog post on harnessing), is to keep them safe when we go outdoors. It allows me freedom to allow them to stay on a short leash or a long one.
I *always* keep the harness wrapped loosely around my hand so when needed, I can release it to allow my bird more length, or keep it short to give me more authority over where my bird can go. It allows me to see my bird the entire time and I can decide where to move my bird to (such as place them on a tree branch to rest on a hike).
You should *never* allow your bird to perch on your shoulder while outdoors, as this gives you less ability to see your bird if something happens. They can very easily fly off your shoulder, get tangled, get swooped down on by a predator and spook, or anything else in between.
You may notice as you walk around outdoors, that hawks, gulls, crows, ravens, and other avian predators are lurking around. You also should be looking out for children (loud screams can easily startle, as well as crying noises), dogs (very often will be off-leash at the park or on trails), and even adult humans (who often want to approach us in public to ask questions or take photos).
Things I Pack and Take on Daytrips
Whether I’m going for a 15 minute walk on the beach, or going on a multi-hour hike, I pack a handful of useful items for the boys. I bring a small bag that has a container with pellets, some treats (usually Nutriberries), and a bottle of water (that I can share with the boys). I also bring a small spritz bottle filled with water that has a mist pump feature (you can find these in the travel items section at Target), so I can spray the boys down when we are outside for long periods of time. This will help cool them down and allow them to take a break. Birds will begin “panting” when they become overheated, so be aware of their open/gaped beak, tongue visible, chest breathing heavy and rapid, etc. Always keep your bird in the shade between time in the sun to avoid overheating. I also bring a travel cage/carrier to keep in my car with food and water, so in an event the boys are tired or if there becomes a safety issue, I can place them in the carrier.
Toxic Plants for Birds
There are many toxic plants you can encounter when in the outdoors, so do your research and learn what they look like. There’s lots of resources out there, but here’s one you can check out as a starting point. Toxins can come from: tree bark, plant leaves, saps, flowers, etc.
**Did you notice the photo I posted with this Blog? What do you see? CHERRY BLOSSOMS- these are TOXIC, so I allowed my birds a quick photo “op” then they were immediately removed from the tree branch to avoid potential chomping on pretty flowers or bark.**
The level of poisoning will vary on the size of your bird, how much of the toxin your bird ingested, and how quickly you get them treated.
Signs of Poisoning
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Increased urination
- Blindness
- Tremors
- Excitability
- Depression
- Staggering or lack of coordination
- Falling from perch
- Convulsions
- Coma
First Aid for a Poisoned Bird
- Get your place to safety
- Call the closest Avian Vet or Exotic Vet with an Emergency room
- Let them know you are on your way, tell them what the bird ingested/touched (if known), how long ago the exposure to the poison was
- Prepare a comfortable transport “hospital box” to place your bird in for the ride
- Keep the box dark, with a towel at the bottom, no perches, ventilated top/side (with mesh/wire) to ensure your bird is comfortable and stays calm
- If the Vet gives you advice to not come in for the emergency visit, ask them how to prepare a hospital box for home use, other information on what to watch for and for how many hours, etc.
