CARE Notes

Practical guidance for birds, reptiles and exotic animal care.

CARE Notes is where we share species-aware information, patient care guidance and useful observations for owners of birds, reptiles, rabbits, rodents and other exotic companion animals.

The aim is simple: to help you notice changes earlier, ask better questions and feel more prepared when your animal needs care.

October 02, 2026

Food diversity in companion parrots: more ingredients do not necessarily mean better nutrition

There is a common idea in bird feeding that a healthy diet should look impressive. Seven or eight vegetables. Several fruits. Seeds. Sprouts. Herbs. Flowers. Nuts. Everything chopped together into one colourful bowl. Social media has helped reinforce the idea that the more ingredients we can fit into...

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September 14, 2026

When the Sun Goes Down: Why Darkness and Day Length Matter for Companion Birds

Why darkness and day length matter For a companion bird, nighttime is about more than getting enough sleep. Light and darkness help regulate the body's internal clock. In many bird species, changing day length also provides information about the time of year and can influence seasonal reproductive physiology....

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July 13, 2026

More Than a Trim: Why Regular Bird Check-ups Matter

At CARE, we recommend that many of our bird patients visit the practice approximately every three months. For some birds, these visits include practical maintenance such as shortening the nails, carefully filing the beak where needed, or reviewing and maintaining an existing wing clip. But the appointment is...

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Practical guidance for birds, reptiles and exotic animal care.

Food diversity in companion parrots: more ingredients do not necessarily mean better nutrition

When the Sun Goes Down: Why Darkness and Day Length Matter for Companion Birds

More Than a Trim: Why Regular Bird Check-ups Matter

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