Vet Care
Parrots, like people, need physical checkups. Once yearly is recommended by the Association of Avian Vets. Of course if the bird is ill or injured, you should take it as soon as possible. You must take your bird to an avian veterinarian. It could mean the difference in life and death. Regular vets that care for domestic animals are not qualified to care for birds.
(At the end of this booklet is a list of all the avian vets, including emergency after hours care, in the Kansas City area.)
Sleep Requirements
In the wild all birds, except for a few nocturnal species, wake at sunup and go to bed at sundown. Most avian experts agree that your pet parrot would do well to keep the same schedule. They recommend 10 to 12 hours a night. If your parrot is in your living area with the TV and children, etc., it might be wise to purchase them a small sleeping cage to put in a quiet bedroom somewhere else in the house. Covering it with a blanket or sheet will keep them warm and make them feel safe so they can sleep soundly. Constant sleep deprivation can cause irritability, sickness, and even shorten the parrot�s life.
Avian Diseases
Visit Judy Leach�s web site to learn about parrot illnesses and diseases
http://www.petparrot.com