Parrot proofing your house.

[Weka]

Still seeking input... (see previous page) I'm wondering if the foyer lamp could just be taken down, or if there's a non-chewable alternative out there. Also, I may put up some sort of barrier film on the upper window, or look into using a set of "window alert" UV decals. Window strikes are a real concern, as we get quite a few from wild birds outside our windows, even with precautions.

[Graeme]

Thought I'd resurrect this thread instead of starting a new one.

As I mentioned in my intro, we don't have a bird yet but are in the process of researching and getting our home ready. There is one problem that I haven't found an answer for -- what do you do if your home plan includes a foyer like this?



The upper window's ledge is 12 feet straight up, and the lamp is hanging from a 20ft ceiling and has a chain (with intertwined cord) that says, "I'm a parrot toy!" Since the main part of the house is entirely open, basically one gigantic "L" shaped area, I'm wondering how this could work with a flighted bird. Also, I'm trying to figure out how to mitigate a likely escape route through the front door.

Any thoughts/ideas?

Thanks!

For the light that is by the front door or any light, you could use some corrugated tubing to cover the chain and cord. See CML's original post.

As far as the window is concerned, I don't think the bird would have issues with the one above the stairs, because it has those square frames across the whole window.

For the door, do you have a screen door on the outside? I am not sure if you own our house or rent, but you could extend the screen door away from the main door, this would create a small area that would allow for one door to be opened at a time.

I am hoping our baby Caique comes home today and I am in a similar situation in regards to doors. For me I rent and although I have been here for 22 years structural mods are out.

We do have lockable security screens on the front and rear doors, these will be locked at all times, I will also have a notice on the inside and outside to serve as a reminder to take care when opening the door.

[Weka]

Hi Graeme -- thanks for your thoughts. We looked at a black-headed caique the other day; she was an older bird, but adorable.

You're right; I could apply cml's idea to the hanging light. For some reason my brain didn't make that connection. However I wonder if a bird would still want to use the lamp as a perch, as it would only feel natural to land on a high, branch-like object out of our immediate reach.

The window is more of a concern because it has a large, sunlit ledge that would be extremely fun for a bird, as it is even higher and even more out of reach. Of course training might help for recall, but it really would be a bit of a pain to have to get out a ladder for when the bird decides it doesn't wish to come down during said training. (Even though it's been over 20 years, I remember how merrily my flighted budgie used to give chase when I was training him. I think he thought it was a game.)

We do not have a secondary safety door in place yet, but it's definitely on the list of things to do. We are very fortunate in that we do own our own home, so there are lots of things we can improve. One dream idea is to build some sort of specially designated aviary area on the to-be-built deck -- but parrot proofing the house comes first.

I like the idea of making signs for all the doors. You'll have to post pics of your setup, if and when you get a chance.


Best wishes for a smooth transition for you and your new bird,

Weka

[cml]

You're right; I could apply cml's idea to the hanging light. For some reason my brain didn't make that connection. However I wonder if a bird would still want to use the lamp as a perch, as it would only feel natural to land on a high, branch-like object out of our immediate reach.

Hi there!

You could use those tubes, but that hanging light seems like an obvious parrot toy, and I dont think it will be enough! The tubes arent 100% proof, especially if its in a place where the parrot is likely to keep biting on it. I would remove that lamp altogether, and replace it with a ceiling lamp, like this:
http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/20032415/?query=CALYPSO
Ive done that in all rooms in our house, for the safety of my parrots. I realise they arent as cool, but I think its a necessity. And there are better looking ones than the one I linked!

[Pajarita]

It depends on the species of the parrot whether it would even want to go up there by itself... I don't see a too, a gray, a zon, a jardine, a caique or a sennie doing it but it would be an issue with conures, tiels, linnies, budgies, etc. And I would not worry at all about the bird colliding with the window, none of mine do it - they all know what a window is and none ever panics so it's a non-issue.

To the guy who rents, you can always hang a net (screen material, voile or even tulle) in front of the door so, when you open it, you can go to 'the other side' and allow it to hang down to the floor behind you thereby preventing the bird from flying out.

[cml]

It depends on the species of the parrot whether it would even want to go up there by itself... I don't see a too, a gray, a zon, a jardine, a caique or a sennie doing it but it would be an issue with conures, tiels, linnies, budgies, etc. And I would not worry at all about the bird colliding with the window, none of mine do it - they all know what a window is and none ever panics so it's a non-issue.

Stitch would love it! He repetetly climps up floor lamps, table or chair legs etc !

[cml]

I am hoping our baby Caique comes home today and I am in a similar situation in regards to doors. For me I rent and although I have been here for 22 years structural mods are out.

Install an extra lock on the door, which you lock only when the parrot is out, making it clear its because of the parrot. If its only possible to unlock from the inside, thats a bonus so someone doesnt accidently let the parrot out from the outside when coming home etc.

Your landlord is probably unlikely to object to you making the door safer ^^, as long as you install it properly .
Ive put up an extra door chain on our appartment door (which leads into the stairs), and I highly doubt our landlord will mind.

[Weka]

Thanks so much for your thoughts, everyone.

Here's another question I'm researching, to no avail: I've read on several sites that any houseplant of the ficus (fig) genus is bad for birds...but don't some species hang out in fig trees and eat their fruit in the wild? So why would an indoor fig tree be poisonous? I feel like I'm missing something...

I have a LOT of houseplants (as in 40+) but am very willing to give some or even all of them up for safety's sake. I just want to be sure that people aren't just passing along a broad CYA list of "dangerous plants" based on hearsay and not evidence.


Off to read some more,

Weka

[Weka]

All this thinking about parrot-proofing got into my dreams last night. I dreamed I was painting and my new parrot (in this case, a pied budgie/parrotlet cross that doesn't exist in reality) flew over and ingested a gob of cobalt violet...and then promptly lost all of its feathers and convulsively died before I could rush over to the vet. Ack!

Suffice it to say, I would have to take some WAY serious precautions around my art studio, and my subconscious is sternly reminding me of this. I don't let children anywhere near this part of our house, and a parrot would be that much more in danger. I'm guessing in addition to the lock on the door, I will have to find a way to safely stow away all canvases, brushes, pigments, and other hazardous materials, just in case the bird somehow still gets in. Also, I will have to be even more mindful of residual fumes from adhesives, varnishes, etc. (I apply these in a specified outdoor location with a respirator mask, but sometimes there is a lingering smell when I take things in.)

I've already done away with the worst offenders, such as turpentine and cadmiums, but as my dream indicated there are still some materials that I work with that could pose a problem.

Not to be daunted however, I'll be sure to share my solutions and workarounds, should anyone be interested.


Still researching,

W

[cml]

All this thinking about parrot-proofing got into my dreams last night. I dreamed I was painting and my new parrot (in this case, a pied budgie/parrotlet cross that doesn't exist in reality) flew over and ingested a gob of cobalt violet...and then promptly lost all of its feathers and convulsively died before I could rush over to the vet. Ack!

Suffice it to say, I would have to take some WAY serious precautions around my art studio, and my subconscious is sternly reminding me of this. I don't let children anywhere near this part of our house, and a parrot would be that much more in danger. I'm guessing in addition to the lock on the door, I will have to find a way to safely stow away all canvases, brushes, pigments, and other hazardous materials, just in case the bird somehow still gets in. Also, I will have to be even more mindful of residual fumes from adhesives, varnishes, etc. (I apply these in a specified outdoor location with a respirator mask, but sometimes there is a lingering smell when I take things in.)

I've already done away with the worst offenders, such as turpentine and cadmiums, but as my dream indicated there are still some materials that I work with that could pose a problem.

Not to be daunted however, I'll be sure to share my solutions and workarounds, should anyone be interested.


Still researching,

W

Great that you are going to proof your studio further! I think its very sensible. Regarding the lingering smell of glue etc, maybe you can let such things dry in a garage if you have one? Glue often contains stuff very toxic to people as well, which you probably already know since you are using a mask . It could be very dangerous to birds. I'd say better safe than sorry.

Thanks so much for your thoughts, everyone.

Here's another question I'm researching, to no avail: I've read on several sites that any houseplant of the ficus (fig) genus is bad for birds...but don't some species hang out in fig trees and eat their fruit in the wild? So why would an indoor fig tree be poisonous? I feel like I'm missing something...

I have a LOT of houseplants (as in 40+) but am very willing to give some or even all of them up for safety's sake. I just want to be sure that people aren't just passing along a broad CYA list of "dangerous plants" based on hearsay and not evidence.


Off to read some more,

Weka

I would go by those lists, and I do. I dont keep plants that I dont know are safe, preferably according to several sources. If I see something as dangerous on even one source, its not getting into my home. Caution is great here, because parrots love biting in plants!