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I offer a wide range of parrot behavior
consulting services and am privileged to consult with owners as
far away as Australia, Japan and Canada. Each consultation is
tailored specifically to meet the client's needs, and is conducted
in as thorough a manner as possible. In each case, I attempt not
only to target solutions to particular behavior problems, but also
provide up-to-date, accurate education regarding species-specific
nutrition, caging, social issues and environment. The following
are some typical consultation topics: |
- Pre-purchase consultations. Which species is right
for you? How do you find a good breeder? What preparations
should be made before bringing a new parrot home? Should I
even get another parrot? Can I expect the new parrot to get
along with my first parrot?
- Annual Check-Ups. Just as they take their parrot in
for his annual veterinary exam, many owners enjoy a yearly
care consultation. We review any issues or questions that have
arisen during the previous year, discuss any impending changes
in the home life and how to best handle them, and brain-storm
how to better provide for their parrot's needs. This practice
is especially helpful as younger parrots begin the transition
toward sexual maturity.
- Aggression (lunging, biting, etc.). The effective
resolution to this common problem depends upon many factors,
including the reason for the biting and the particular
species. It is important that methods used be appropriate to
the species involved.
- Screaming or repetitive calling. Once again,
effective methods will depend upon the age of the bird, the
species in question, and the reason for the excessive noise.
Learn how to reinforce desirable behavior and avoid rewarding
undesirable behavior.
- Phobic and fearful behavior. This is an area of
special interest for me, and I have come to have quite a
unique understanding of how this problem develops and how it
is best resolved. Owners will need to be prepared to take a
close look at how their own reaction to stress is impacting
their parrot.
- Feather abuse. This includes feather plucking,
barbering, over-preening, self-mutilation, etc. This too has
become an area of focused interest for me, and I have donated
many hours of time to owners through an Internet discussion
list dedicated to helping birds who abuse their feathers. This
has enabled me to develop a base of information that is
especially up-to-date and complete.
- Issues surrounding the keeping of flighted vs. clipped
parrots. Many owners now realize that there are times when
it is appropriate and correct to allow a parrot flight…
either for the first time, annually to rebuild strength and
cardiovascular health, or on an on-going basis. Flighted
parrots must be dealt with differently than are clipped
parrots, requiring more involvement overall on the owner's
part.
- Weaning or re-weaning. Unfortunately, many parrots
are still sold before they are weaned, or are weaned abruptly
and then sold, before they are truly food independent. The
dual shocks of suddenly having nutritional support withdrawn
and going to a new home result in a young parrot that does not
eat and may demonstrate obvious signs of distress.
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| When speaking with a client for the first time, we
determine together how best to proceed. For problems that have
been developing over a long period of time, or for more complex
problems such as phobia and feather picking, I will often suggest
that the client complete an extensive questionnaire prior to our
telephone consultation. This allows me to be most thorough in my
approach. In other cases, this is not necessary unless the client
would like to do so. There is no charge for this initial contact.
Telephone consultations are charged at the rate of $80 per
hour. Payment may be made by personal check, through the PayPal
website using a credit card, or by money order. References are
available upon request. If interested in discussing a consultation
regarding your parrot, please call me at (503) 606-0235. I
look forward to hearing from you. |
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