Dangerous Toys

This toy may or may not be dangerous to a large parrot. See the little rings on top of the plexiglas? If they are solid wire they are safe and the Cockatoo in the photo can have a great time. If the rings are keyrings, the bird can force the ring open and get his beak trapped.

This danger is greater if you own a large parrot such as a Cockatoo or a Congo. One of our baby Congos, Phoenix, went home with his new parents a couple of weeks ago. They had placed some wonderful toys in his new cage to welcome him. A week later they came home to find blood near his beak and on his foot but they couldn't find a cut.

The next day they took him to Dr. Greg Rich in New Orleans for a checkup. Dr. Rich found that a keyring from a toy had pierced the soft skin under the beak and had entered his mouth. You could stick a q-tip through the hole. He closed the opening and kept Phoenix for a couple of days for observation.

Dr. Rich says that he sees 3-4 birds a year with injuries caused by this type of ring. They are especially dangerous for large birds. Do yourself and your bird a favor and discard this type of toy.
- posted by J-Birds @ 8:02 AM |