Get Expert Advice About Your Bird From Omar
Omar loves talking to bird owners about how to care for their pets and teaching them training methods that lead to better behavior. If you have a question that you would like to ask Omar about your bird, click the Ask Omar button below, fill out the form, and then check back on this page for the answer to your question.
If your question is medical in nature, please contact your Avian Vet for advice.
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 My pin tailed Whydah is still afraid of people going too near him. He keeps jumping around. And when there's people in the room. He doesn't sing at all. What should I do? - Racheal
 If you only have one male, I would put a mirror near the cage, so he sees it as company and will have less fear. When he sings, he is calling out for a mate, so the buddy/competition will help ease his nerves of humans.
Thank you, Omar
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My 9 month old cockatiel was attacked by a dog a week ago. I took her in and she had no puncture wounds. They kept her over-night and gave her liquids. The Vet said they took 2 X-rays and no broken bones appeared. Only soft tissue dammage. Her right claw doesn't seem to be working. She is leaning on her other claw to hold on or uses her beak to balance in the cage. When she walks she hobbles across the floor. Very sad. This bird was so active. It can't sit on our shoulder anymore either. Plus she lost her whistle. It looks like her little foot is swollen up her leg. Not the foot itself. It also feels warm to touch. I don't want her in any pain. Could this be her new life with a gimpy foot/leg?? Is there anything I could do?? She goes for a re-check next Wed. She also doesn't eat much as well.
Thanks for listening. We all love this bird very much. I look forward to hearing your advice. - Candace, Garden Grove, CA
She is going through trauma. I'm surprised the Vet did not send you home with an antibiotic for any secondary infection that may have popped up. I believe, if it is only soft tissue damage, it will be fine within a couple of weeks. Give all her favorite foods to entise her to eat. Keep her warm and make sure she is drinking. With the swelling above the leg, you should also see bruising. If she had a break, it will set about 11 days later but she may have a deformation if it was not set. Once she starts whistling again, she feels better. Also, if she carries on a tune and even talks, she is a he. Girls just chirp.
Good luck. Omar
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What are your thoughts about adding a Ducorps Cockatoo to our family? I am married and have one bird already, a turquoise green cheek conure that I have had for a little over a year. I have no problems taking care of Aloha, financially or in regards to time. Currently, Aloha travels with me to work everyday (I am a teacher), where he has a very nice cage in my classroom. I live in an apartment, and do have room for a cage large enough for a cockatoo. I guess my main concerns are noise and compatibility with my current bird. I would be very upset if my current bird absolutely did not get along with a new bird. Thank you for taking the time to read this and offer your wisdom. Tiffany, Irvine, CA
Tiffany. It can work, but noise may be an issue in an apartment. If you do decide, you will need my Cockatoo book at www.readyourbird.com. This way, you would not overly spoil him and would keep the noise under control. On the other hand, your bossy little Green Cheek is just that and he would be the boss. He has a Napoleon complex and I'm sure you have noticed that already. He'll take anything on. They can get along, but at first there will be jealousy and I would only do it if you start with a baby DuCorp's rather than an adult. I'm not trying to talk you out of it since it can certainly work, but you will have to do some work on not spoiling the new baby and introducing them properly.
Hope this helps.
Thanks, Omar
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We rescued Luna about a month and a half ago from my uncle who had her outside in her cage for many many years. She loves me but she hates my boyfriend and we're trying hard on teaching her how to be a great bird but so far no luck and I know it takes time to teach them but he's sick of her already cause she bites him all the time. Is there a place that we can take her to be taught well or is there a place we can take her where she'll be taken care of if he decides not to keep her. I hope you're able to help me cause to be honest I DONT WANT HER GONE but its his decision over mine. Please help!!!!- Nancy, Bellflower, CA
Nancy, I totally understand. A bird is not fun if you cannot enjoy their personality and mesh with them. It can happen, but it will take time as you said. You say she loves you, but I'm not sure if the bird even steps up to you or if you can pet it, or is anyone able to hold her? If she is clipped, wings and nails, it will be easier to take her outside and have some one on one time with your boyfriend. She needs to be away from everything she knows to accept him. When she is vulnerable is when she will accept him since it is all she knows. If she is not clipped, then I would suggest you bring her to our Brea store since it is not too far from Bellflower and has us do it and guide you on training her. Make sure he comes in with you.
If for some reason, it does not work for you or you cannot talk him into keeping her, we can take her as a donation. We then will have her Vet checked and sexed and may find a mate for her if she cannot be re-homed.
Good luck with her.
Omar
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I've had my Senegal Parrot, Zeus, for around 2 years now, and he still attacks me like a stranger. I play with him regularly, and only put him in his cage when its night time, how do I get him to warm up to me faster? -Katt, Huntington Beach CA
Katt, take him our more often. To places he does not feel comfortable with and where he feels that the only comfort comes from you. When he tries to bite you if at home, around his cage where he is more protective, have a feather duster behind your back in the back pocket. If he starts to act out, then just show it to him. Snapping him our of the trance that he gets into, is the best way. As soon as he settles down or jumps to the floor to get away, put it away and pick him up and give him attention. You are now his savior. Just don't keep that feather duster where he can see it at all times, otherwise it will desensitize him and won't work any longer. It only comes out when he bites.
This should help.
Omar
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I need some help getting my Pineapple Conure to understand not to bite my skin. He's not trying to be mean he's just very curious . I've been to your shop and I heard you do training but since I live so far away I know you probably can't help but I thought perhaps you might know someone in San Diego county. I've called so many places no one seems to be able to help me. Any info would be much appreciated. Thanks. I'm willing to drive up if I have to. - Radhika, Carlsbad, CA
Radhika, there is probably a person that he prefers. Is that you? If not, then you should take him to a place that he is not familiar with and hang out with him. If you are the only thing that he knows, he will be more willing to be held by you and be protected by you from the unknown. He is probably trying to protect his cage or someone else or his domain and is being aggressive with you. Try this twice a day for about one week. It should get better. I have someone looking at one of our franchises in the Vista area, so hopefully there will soon be an Omar’s near you. Thank you, Omar
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Hi Omar, we have an African Grey that goes into seizures after grooming. We used to bring him to your store, and then it was suggested to take him to an avian vet. He did well for the first few times but then had a seizure which made him fall off his perch clenching his feet. He seems fine now but is in desperate need of a good grooming. He is full flighted. Is there anyone who grooms birds in their homes for a reasonable price? -Linda, West Covina, CA
Linda, he seizes after grooming, not during? I really would like to know how often you take him out of the house in a carrier, as when you bring him to the store or vet. You need to make it more often so that he does not always think it is a negative thing.I would also recommend you have his Calcium Level checked. Or if not, give him extra Calcium. Cuttlebone scraped on his food, Blair’s Super Minee Calcium powder, Liquid Calcium in the water, etc. Some Greys may have seizures from Calcium deficiencies.Increase her protein level too. Give her some pieces of cooked chicken when you eat. I believe that could also cause seizures. A vet, like Dr. Ann McDowell in Clairemont near you, can do a blood test and see if he is deficient in either of these.I will forward your email to Fran. She may do the in home grooming for you. Good luck, Omar
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How can I tell if the Yellow Crown Amazon I got is a baby? For some reason I feel like he is older. Is there a way to tell? - Wendy, Virginia
Yes Wendy. If your Yellow Crown is a baby, the eyes will be very dark Gray. The eyes start dark and then lighten as they age and are really bright orange and yellow at about 5 years old. If he is banded, the band may have the year he was born on it and the name of the breeding facility. Unfortunately, many un-reputable stores tell customers that the bird is young when he is not.
I hope this helps. Omar
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Hi Omar, Our 10-12 month old Green Cheek Conure has been pulling his feathers off and acting aggressive with my husband whom he used to love. He's also been very nippy and seems to constantly want to bite for the past month or so. He's even bit me hard a few times and caught me by surprise in pain. He is a sweet bird, loves attention and we all love him dearly. But feel that something needs to change soon. I have been trying to find more info online and understand that they go through some behavior changes while peaking sexually. I think there's more to it though. His beak is very, very sharp and he reminds me of a teething child who loves to bite because it feels good on the gums. He seems to also suffer from a more than usual dry flaky skin, and drops off flakes as he grooms himself lately. Any thoughts? - Ateka, Orange, CA
Ateka. He may be Molting. This would explain the moodiness from the new feathers coming in and irritating him when he is touched. Sounds like since his feathers are coming out and very noticeable, it is a very heavy molt. Usually happens during the first molt. The flaky things falling off are the new feather covers that he breaks apart to release them.You can take a finger nail file and give it to him to chew as you pull it across and away from him. This will take a tiny bit of sharpness off the tip of his beak. Give him a lot of wood to chew and this will keep it down.Bathing a lot will make a difference with how he feels. Daily if you can. He will love it now. Thanks, Omar
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