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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Buddy, my African Grey has been in a very large cage (3' x 2' x 5') his whole life (17 years) and a year ago (due to moving to a very small apartment) I gave him a new cage (2' x 2' x 2'). He has been very stressed and constantly breaking out of the new cage. His diet and personality is fine and his weight has not changed, but I am very concerned about his happiness. I still have the large cage. Do you think it would be best to put him back into his large cage? Like I said, he has been in the new cage over a year and has not adapted to it. I appreciate your opinion on this. Thank you! Skye, Pismo Beach, CA

Skye, I just don't quite understand how you know he is unhappy with the cage size.  It is smaller than I would like to see, but if he is just breaking out of it, he is probably doing it because he can, not because he is unhappy.  It is fun for them to use their brain and figure out how to escape.  Is he feather picking, or biting, or sad?  These things would lead me to believe that possibly he would be better off in the cage he had.  More so, does he still have his favorite toys in the new (one year old cage) that he had before? 
 
Another concern I have is if the cage is safe or not?  Is it a flimsy wire cage that is more for a smaller birds that he is breaking the bars to get out?  This surely would be unsafe incase he got caught.  If you have the room Skye, it may be best if you give Buddy his old cage back.  The more room the better.
 
One last thing.  When you moved into a smaller apartment, did other things also change, like the time you spend with him?  This would be more important for him for you to spend a little more time with him if you can.
 
Let me know.  Thank you, Omar

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First I want to say I wished your store was local to me. Looks like a lot of love for birds going on.

I jut have one question. The shop we got Paco, our White Bellied Caique from says to never let the bird get on your shoulder. I had a black headed Caique years ago and he went everywhere with me. I can't find anything that says this is not good. Only had him 3 days so want to start off right.Thank You!!! Peggy, AZ

Thank you Peggy. Maybe someday soon we will go out towards your area. But for now if you need anything, we can ship it. Come visit us when you are in the area. We'd love to see Paco.
 
As far as the shoulder thing.  You don't want to train a bird to just be on your shoulder because many times when you want to get hm off then he can avoid you, squawk or bite.  We tend to react when we get a nip and back off, having the bird win.  Another problem on the shoulder is misplaced aggression.  This is when someone comes near you and the bird gets protective and bites you thinking he is biting the person.  He is actually biting at you to have you retreat from what he sees as danger.  You don't understand and scold the bird and the bird was just being protective. 
 
That being said,  I personally do not have a problem with my birds on my shoulder once in a while, especially a small bird.  I just prefer my birds where I can see their actions at all times. But you know your bird and as I tell everyone, Read your Bird.  Just make sure that if you have him as a shoulder bird, that everytime you want him to come, you follow through and get him down.
 
You have had experience with your other Caique before.  It should not be very different for you.  Enjoy that baby and keep him where you're both the most comfortable.
 
Keep an eye out for our Caique Ebook coming out soon.  Good luck, Omar

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Good Day Omar. Do you ever sell Mynah birds either Greater Indian Hill or Java Hill? Or do you know any local breeders in California? Thank you for your time! Scott, Irvine, CA

Hello Scott.  Yes I know of a couple of local breeders.  You can call the Brea store at 714-572-8353 and ask for Rachel and she can give you a name of one breeder that sometimes has some Greater Indian Hill Mynahs.  Just so you know though, they are well over $1000. now.  If  you remember them when they were imported many years ago when they were $200. or so, those days are gone.  But if that is truly what you want, we can refer you.
 
Thanks, Omar

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Hi! Thank you so much for providing such wonderful stores first off. Phoenix my 10 year old female Sun Conure and I couldn't be happier with your selection of food and toys. I wanted to ask your opinion on bringing another parrot into my home. Phoenix was raised with my family's Nanday conure and Red-Lored Amazon so she is quite social and used to having other birds around. I have been doing my research and interacting with the different parrots at your stores and have narrowed my interests to caique, lorikeet, grey or electus.I love the friendly, playfulness of the caiques and their silly personalities. I have also read that purchasing a pair together that live in the same cage is fine and that they will not lose the bond or interest in their human companion. The lorikeet, especially the blue-mountain is absolutely beautiful, but I have read that they can be temperamental (especially females) and their nectar diet seems overwhelming to people. I am fascinated by the speakin!
g abilities of the Grey but worried that they may tend to only bond with one person and I always have guests over. As for the Eclectus, I love the striking beauty of the females but have been warned that they can be territorial. My home is not overly noisey and I mainly want a social bird that will get along with many people and Phoenix. I would love for them to talk but that is not a priority and dander is not a concern for me either. Which parrot(s) should I lean towards do you think? And, is it okay to potentially bring 2 new parrots into my household? Rose, Anaheim, CA

Hello Rose.  Well, those are lots of questions and I will try to touch on them all.  Let's start with Caiques.  If you bring two into your household in the same cage things will be good as long as you handle them a lot and they are socialized well to others in the household.  Naturally they will prefer each other since they are together 24/7.  Even in the breeding pairs that I have, the Apricot Heads seem to not be as territorial as the Black Heads.  So I would agree more with your statement about not losing the bond for the human companion if you go with the Apricot Heads.  With Caiques you will get a lot of pleasure just watching them play and wrestle with each other over and over again.  They are one of my favorite species and the clowns of the bird world.  Don't expect talking though.
 
African Greys.  Expect lots of talking.  Expect great loyalty. But they will tend to be their owner's bird and not be willing to go to others as easily.  In my E-books I talk about how to make them more sociable with others and the more you expose them to others, daily, the better they will be with others.  The best Greys I see are the non nervous birds that are exposed to outside stimulus over and over again.  You will enjoy the Grey's speech and mimicking over any other.
 
Lories are right up there with the Caiques as far as being clownish.  And two together will also wrestle and play for hours.  As you said they do have the different diet and if you don't mind the squirt once in awhile or the extra cleaning of the cage, they are fun, beautiful birds that can also talk some.  Usually fairly docile and if socialized well, will be pretty good with others.
 
The Eclectus female if a good bird.  Does not deserve the bad rap about being territorial or aggressive.  They can be that way to the males in a breeding situation though.  Good talkers, but usually of all these birds will probably be the loudest.  Usually from my experience though, once again if socialized well, very good birds that go to others well.
 
Introducing any of them to Phoenix won't be too bad especially if you start with a baby.  The Caique will be the closest in personality to Phoenix.  It is up to you if you want a like species or a different one.  Your birds can learn to hang out with any of them if introduced well.  And if you start with two birds to add to your family and you have the room, go with your gut and pick what you've always wanted or what you truly feel with be the most enjoyment for you.  Phoenix will love equally whichever one you get.
 
Hope this helps.  Omar

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Hi Omar, first off I just want to tell you how much I love your stores. They are by far the cleanest and best bird stores I have been in while in Southern CA. Approximately seven years ago I picked Levi, my Indian Ringneck Parakeet, out from a breeder. When he was 4, I went off to college and my parents kept him however, they did not play with him daily like I used to and interact with him which led him to become increasingly aggressive. He has now moved back in with me but he has lost all trust in me. He will strike at me and when given the chance, bites (and hard too!). I have talked to breeders and I have been told my only options are to leave him in his cage with toys so as not to stress him out and force handling on him or give him to a breeder. I'm at a loss for what to do. Please help point me in the right direction and what's best for Levi. Brittany, Orange, CA

Brittany, thanks for the compliment on the stores.  As far as Levi, all hope is not lost if you are willing to work with him.  It will take some time though.  Remember that he has not been handled for about three years now and he has forgotten how to be close to you.  I'm sure he is very protective over his cage too.  Just a note on Ringnecks.  It takes a lot of handling to keep them tame even if you had not gone off to college. 
 
Make sure that his wings and nails are clipped first of all.  If there is a mirror in the cage, take it out.  We want him to bond to you not the image in the mirror.  Open the cage door every time you want to handle him and let him climb out.  Wait until he does, then with a small stick, try to get him to step up to it.  If he jumps off the stick onto the floor, pick him up with the stick again and lift him up.  Walk towards a mirror in another part of the house.  Let him see himself and get excited for about two minutes.  Walk back to the cage, set him on top and walk away.  Repeat the process a few times within a 20 minute period until he no longer jumps away from you and wants to come to you to see his buddy in the mirror.  He will only see him through you.  If you do this twice a day, each time shortening up on the stick exposing more of your finger for him to climb on, he will begin wanting to come to you.  If a couple of weeks you should be putting your finger up to him and he will step up to go see his buddy.
 
Once this happens, try spending time sitting around different parts of the house with him for a few minutes.  Staying away from his cage longer and longer each day so he begins trusting you more.  In the evening when he is tired, just before he goes to bed, try to pick him up.  Sit on the couch with him and try to pet him on the side of his face where his ear is.  Come from the front, not over his head, and avoid him biting you but keep trying.  You can also try instead of petting, to give him some special treats of something he really likes to eat.  Very small pieces.  Continue gaining his trust and you may have your original bird back.
 
I know just reading this is going to be tough to follow, but hopefully you will be able to.
 
It's worth a try.  You both deserve it.   Omar.

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Hello, Omar. I bought my birdies from you 17 years ago in Laguna Hills. Have since been transferred to MI. Bizarre happenings with these two since I got here. Kelly (female) for the first time is starting to lay eggs....and Tabitha (male....ya I know, didn't' know that when he was a baby).....anywho, I can't go near him without him trying to hump me. And Kelly is constantly humping her toy bell. I know they're teenagers (having raised 3 human varieties as well) and the hormones are raging...but WOW!! Any relief for them to be found?? I feel sorry for them. They do not go near one another...they are doing this by themselves and individually. HELP!! Lori,St Clair Shores, MI

Lori, you're funny.  I'm still laughing since we will need to edit this before we put it up.  Glad to hear you still have the birds.  Teenagers, yes, you're right.  At least you're past the terrible two's.  I'm assuming that Kelly is the Macaw that is laying eggs.  What I can tell you is that if you have a box on the bottom of the cage or a cozy place she likes to go that stimulates her, get rid of it.  Her toy that she PLAYS with, has to go.  And if she lays an egg, don't pull it out until she is done with her clutch.  Let her sit for a few days, if she does, then pull them after she has not laid any more for 5 days.  Pulling them as she lays them just gets her to feel instinctively that she needs to replace them and if she is not getting enough calcium, it may be bad for her.  Scrambled eggs, not hers, with the shells in it is a good source of calcium and protein.  If not we have the Super Minnee that you can sprinkle on her food.  Just find the stimulation and take it away or replace it with other toys or other stimulus.
 
Ok, as far as the Cockatoo, Master.  Sorry I meant Tabitha.  Distract him every time he want to do that.  I have a little Cockatoo "Squirt", that loves to rub on my hand when I come around.  Right away, when he starts this, I distract him or start walking with him, go outside, play, run, bathe, anything to take his mind away from it.  The more you allow it the more he will want to do it.  It is better for him to find a toy or a perch to do this to, rather than you.  I'm sure you have had to explain it to many people that have come over when they ask, What's he doing?
 
They'll mellow some in the next 20 years.  Thanks for the laugh.  Omar