By Ann M. Bourke, DVM

Every day, there are traumatic injuries to cockatiels and other birds. Some are purely accidental, but others are oversights — tragedies that could be prevented if owners knew what kinds of problems to look for in the bird’s environment. So, what kind of dangers lurk behind the sofa, in the kitchen, or under the bed?

 

The Kitchen

This is the most dangerous room in the house. Most bird owners are aware of is toxic fumes from overheated Teflon. A Teflon pan, left on a stovetop to burn dry, emits fumes that are undetectable by human noses, but can kill every bird in the house within hours. Do not be fooled into thinking the only source of Teflon is non-stick cookware. Some drip pans on stovetops are Teflon coated, and these can heat to toxic levels with normal use. The same can be said for Teflon-coated irons.

Other fume-emitting evils in the kitchen are just as deadly as Teflon — for example, self-cleaning ovens, or oven cleaner itself. When cleaning your oven, whether manually or by pushing self-clean, get the birds out of the house or as far away in the house as possible to a well-ventilated area. Do not bring the birds back until the kitchen has been aired out, and the fumes can no longer be detected.

Other dangers on stovetops are boiling pots of liquids. A flighted bird, or a clipped bird on a shoulder, can easily fall into boiling liquid. Even if retrieved immediately, it can suffer extremely painful burns, or worse. We have all accidentally left the element on after cooking. If an unsupervised bird takes a stroll on a cooktop, burned toes can quickly result.

The kitchen sink can be another scary place, as birds can fly or fall into a sink of water and drown if unable to crawl out. Remember, just because he flew in doesn’t mean he can fly out. A water-saturated cockatiel flies as well as a brick. If that sink is full of dishes, a thrashing bird could suffer severe cuts from sharp knives. This is also a good reason not to let your bird play on the kitchen counter unless supervised. Knives are shiny and pretty, and to many birds, make nifty toys. I had a budgie that was fascinated with a little black paring knife and would fly right to it if she saw it. Remember, most accidents happen when we get too careless and let down our guard.

Under the sink lurk many cleaning fluids, disinfectants, etc. Many are harmful to humans if ingested or inhaled in a poorly ventilated area, so we should take the same care using these around birds. If in doubt about a particular product, err on the side of safety and don’t use it. Safe cleaning products are available.

Now, what about the refrigerator? Fairly safe, right? Wrong! I heard of a cockatiel that loved to play inside the fridge and would jump off his owner’s shoulder to be by the beloved milk bottle when the door was opened. Well, one day, the owner didn’t realize the bird jumped off, and you can guess the rest. Don’t fret; she found out in time, but what if she hadn’t? (The bird was fine.) In addition, some refrigerators have a fan behind them, which can do serious damage to a bird that falls behind there.

The Bathroom

This room is the next most dangerous in the house for birds. We already discussed drowning in full kitchen sinks. This can also occur in bathroom sinks, bathtubs, and toilets with the seat left up. The latter is particularly dangerous to flighted birds that try to land on the slippery edge and fall in the bowl. There are also the same kinds of nasty cleaning chemicals in the bathroom as in the kitchen. Make sure these are never used around your bird. Many other types of chemicals are frequently sprayed in a bathroom — for example, hairspray, perfumes, and deodorants. Make sure your bird is not around when you apply these products.

Bathrooms frequently have large mirrors. Remember, birds do not always recognize the things in a mirror as reflections. To many birds, this is just an entryway to another room. This is not a problem for clipped birds but can be a big problem for flighted birds. If there is enough room and a bird gains enough speed, he could fly straight into the mirror, resulting in a broken wing, leg, or collarbone — even fatal head trauma. Windows and walls are not strictly bathroom fixtures, but they can cause the same problems as mirrors. Again, this is not a problem for clipped birds, but a bird that flies may not see the window and slam into it. Remember, too, that not all birds with flight are super athletes, and some cannot maneuver well enough to avoid an oncoming wall.

 

The Living Room

This is a fairly safe room, right? Think again. Even your furniture can be dangerous to your adventurous little cockatiel. Rocking chairs are particularly nasty. Everyone has heard of a cat that got its tail caught under a rocker. If a bird gets caught as the rocker comes down, he can get more than a sore tail. Crushing injuries can be fatal. The same can be said for reclining chairs. An unsupervised bird can sneak under one of these and get caught as the chair comes down. There are many moving parts that can crush a bird. A bird could also get stuck inside the chair. If not found, it could starve to death. It’s a horrible thought, but it can happen. What about throw pillows on the sofa? Think of how inviting it must be for an egg-laying cockatiel to crawl underneath those pillows, only to be sat on and squashed.

Be wary of electrical cords. These are all over the place in most living rooms, and many birds find them to be pretty neat perches. That in itself is not harmful; however, the result can be shocking when a bird nibbles on that perch. Results may include electrical burns to the mouth or electrocution. Impaction or perforation of the stomach or intestinal tract can result if the bird ingests the wire or covering.

Fireplaces and woodstoves are pleasant but can be extremely dangerous to birds if allowed to fly or wander unsupervised. Obvious problems can result if a bird flies onto a woodstove or into a fireplace, or decides the screen is fun to crawl on. A fireplace that is not in use can be harmful if the bird decides to play in it and ingests ashes. If the flue is accidentally not opened or if the chimney has not been properly cleaned, smoke and harmful carbon monoxide can accumulate in the room. Even if you are careful and never allow you bird near the stove or fireplace, both can produce fatal results.

Many living rooms have ceiling fans, another source of potentially deadly accidents. In my practice, I have seen several birds that have flown into a moving ceiling fan. The impact from the blade is enough to fracture bones, cause head trauma, or fatal internal injuries.

 

The Family Room

The hazards in this room are usually a result of bustling activity. This is where everyone likes to gather, watch TV, party, and relax. Consequently, the loose bird may become forgotten. This is the type of situation where birds are accidentally stepped on, mainly because no one was supervising it, or everyone assumed someone else knew where the bird was.

We also tend to have other pets with us, and it takes only a second for a cat or dog to grab a bird. A cat scratch or dog bite can be fatal to a bird if medical attention is not immediate. Children can also be a source of danger to birds. Children tend to be quick and loud. Some cockatiels become agitated, try to fly, and get into trouble. In addition, it would be easy for a cockatiel to get stepped on if it drops to the floor in a room where active children are running about.

Doors are not unique to family rooms. Due to heavy activity, however, they are probably opened and closed here more than anywhere else. Open doors make nice, high perches for flighted birds (remember, they love high places). What happens if no one notices the bird is up there and shuts the door? Not all birds are quick enough to escape getting their toes or legs slammed in the door. I have seen many cockatiels with broken legs and toes and skin abrasions. I always get the same story: "I didn’t realize my bird was on the door when I closed it."

 

The Bedroom

Okay, there are not too many dangers here. However, things can happen if you are unaware of what your bird is doing at all times. Many cockatiel owners say how much their birds like to nest in open dresser drawers. There is no harm in this unless someone comes by and closes the drawer without knowing the bird is inside. The same holds true for laundry baskets. This is a favorite place for my umbrella cockatoo, particularly if everything is folded. If your bird likes to play in the laundry basket, please make sure he’s not in there before you toss the clothes into the washing machine or dryer. Be careful when opening the lid on a running machine when your bird is on your shoulder. If it falls in, it may become more than wet. Becoming caught on the agitator or in rapidly swirling clothes could be fatal.

So, what is the moral to the story? Be careful. Some accidents may seem obvious and easily prevented. We all get careless. We all believe our homes are bird-proof and never leave our birds unsupervised. All it takes is a second — a distraction like answering the phone or door, or quickly running into another room. This is when our feathered friends like to get into trouble — when no one is watching. We can’t be with our birds all the time, but we can do our best to keep them safe. If this means returning them to their cages when we leave the room or are stirring the pot of boiling spaghetti sauce, it is better to do so than to change plans and make a trip to the veterinarian.

Your home is the place where your bird feels most safe and secure, but dangers are lurking! Keep your eyes open and stay aware. You alone are responsible for your bird’s life and safety.