Holiday Tips For Bird Owners
The ASPCA has declared January to be Adopt-A-Rescued-Bird Month
(ARBM). Visit http://www.aspca.org after the first of the year to view ARBM
materials. And, in the meantime, please heed the following if
there's a feathered friend in your flock:

Companion avians are extremely sensitive to inhalant fumes, so
it's "good scents" to nix pine room sprays, potpourri, essential oil
diffusers and spray-type room deodorizers. The fumes from self-
cleaning ovens and Teflon pans, if overheated, can also be deadly to
birds--stick to non-Teflon dishes to be on the safe side.

Who doesn't love a colorful gift all wrapped up in ribbons and bows?
You'll want to open it, but your bird will probably want to chew it.
Cellophane and plastic wrap can suffocate birds, so be sure to keep
your pet in his cage while gifts are opened. And never give your
bird ribbon to chew--it could become entangled around his neck or, if
ingested, cause him to choke.

Got guests? Companion avians rely on routine, and the hustle and
bustle of the holidays can cause major stress. You may want to move
your bird's cage to a quiet room when visitors are over.

Polly may want a cracker, but she certainly shouldn't have the
following foods that are potentially harmful to pet birds of all
species:
Avocados
Alcoholic Beverages
Chocolate
Coffee
Onions
Potato Leaves And Stems
Rhubarb Leaves
Salt
Tea
Tobacco
Yeast Dough