Skinny Amazon, any advice? (update)

[Shelby]

Michael has an article on his blog about teaching his Cape how to fly because Truman had never flown before. You should look into it.

[Towee]

Please talk to your vet about cardio vascular disease. Our Blue front passed away last week after a year of tests and trying to get her to gain weight. She started having seizures over a year ago, and lost weight. We had her tested for everything and everything always came back normal. Her feathers started falling out and not growing back in, mostly on her head. We didn't find out until the necropsy what was wrong with her and have been told vascular disease is very difficult to diagnose in birds. I'm not sure if there is anything you can do for her if that is what it is but it's worth looking into. Good luck.

[greenfeathers]

Thank you for the information, Towee... I remember the vet mentioning the possibility of heart disease, and that was one of the things he was specifically looking for signs of in the X-rays. I certainly hope she doesn't have it... I'm sorry about your bird.

In other news, I just got the materials for the aviary this gloomy, wild-caught bird is going to have available for this summer. It will be either a 10x10, or 10x15, depending on a few factors I haven't decided on yet. I'm really looking forward to seeing how her health and personality might change over the summer, in this more natural environment. I'll post an update sometime.