Ice?

[cstone01]

Our alexandrine has recently started stealing ice cubes out of empty glasses and chewing on them. The first time I saw it I thought he would drop it very quickly because of the cold but was shocked by how long he held it(maybe close to 4 min). is this bad? Should I prevent it? The ice has only been in water so he’s not licking anything flavorful off of it. I thought if it was super bad or uncomfortable he would simply drop it and wouldn’t do it againbut it has gone on for multiple days.

I know that eating ice can be a sign of anemia and other health problems in humans. My husband has fed him homemade Popsicles in the past( just let him eat off one while he holds it).he also may be more stressed out than usual we have a new bird in the home.

I’m mostly worried about him getting too cold from it.

[Pajarita]

I have read many reports and comments on parrots that like ice. Mine do not have any access to it so I have no personal experience with this behavior but I do not think it would harm them to munch on an ice cube. And I am sure that he dropped it when it got too cold for him to hold in his 'hand'. But, even if he did not, birds feet do not get frostbite. Nature gave them a special way of keeping their feet warm enough so they don't freeze even in very low temperatures by putting only a largish vein and the corresponding artery next to each other going into each foot so the warm blood that comes from the bird's body and goes down into the feet keeps the colder blood that is going back into the body warm enough to flow (it's called 'countercurrent exchange system). This is actually one of those things that are a double-edged sword because having only one source of blood flow going into each foot also means that, if this 'source' is damaged in any way, the foot loses blood circulation, withers and falls off.

[cstone01]

Thanks for the reply, I vaguely remember the countercurrent exchange blood system In duck feet from way back in University. I’m glad it’s not bad for him.

[cstone01]

Thanks for the reply, I vaguely remember the countercurrent exchange blood system In duck feet from way back in University. I’m glad it’s not bad for him. I know I get cold even drinking ice water and his body is so tiny it worried me.