Avian vet or groomer?

Our avian vet is two hours away-one way. To our knowledge neither of our birds have ever had beak or claws done and they need it. We do have some local vets, not avian, that say they do claws and beaks. So the question is which should we do? Longer travel time to our vet and travel stress or close and not sure how much experience. I've talked to some local bird owners and most just do it themselves. I'm sure I could do it, I've done beaks and claws on chickens but we are just getting so they trust me and I don't want to damage it by restraining them. Any suggestions?

Do you have a pet shop specializing in birds nearby? When I was visiting my baby bird before he was weaned I saw a few birds brought in to the shop for beak and claw trimming.

Beautiful area you're in, by the way! Mom has a condo in Petoskey and we like to visit when we can

I would personally never trim a beak myself - too much potential for damage. Nail clipping is a cuddle-fest with some, others will not allow it short of restraint.

While many pet-shops offer nail services, I am paranoid about disease transmission in an environment of shared towels and clippers. A veterinary practice should offer more sanitary conditions, though a non-avian facility may not have the best trained staff to safely restrain a parrot. Unless it is a serious imposition, an avian practice is IMHO best.

Claw nails are a little more straight forward. Therefore, a local Vet's office is an option, especially if they have and are working with Avian clients. What you're really looking for is a comfort level that they have in Toweling/holding your parrots. I have seen both clippers and Dremial tool used on claw nails. Either is fine.

Beak's are a totally different thing (wow, that was insightful ). As you know, parrots use their bill to also investigate the World around them. Lots of nerves along the base of the beak structure that message. So, I am less comfortable with just any Vet (or Vet Tech) working on the Beak. With rare exception, this is Dremial tool work and the placement is very important so that the parrot's mouth (and therefore Air Sacks) are not filled with grinding dust. Lot more training than just claw nails.

Verify that your parrots do, in fact, need their beaks trimmed. Healthy, active parrots rarely need trimming. An overly sharp beak point could be blunted with a finger nail file at home. What you are looking for is: Rapid or ongoing over-growth of the upper and/or lower beak, a miss-aligned upper and/or lower, and/or a damaged section of the beak structure. Since, these are possible signs of medical or underlying medical problems, an Avian Vet is the proper direction.

Trimming claw nails at home. I recommended that every parrot owner should know how to properly maintain claw nails. It allows the owner to closely inspect the parrot's legs and claw structures, including the bottom pads. I can trim nails, but have chosen not too. As part of normal play and with my Amazon thinking we are playing count the piggies, I'm doing my inspections.

I would rather have the Vet or Vet Tech be the target of my Amazon's discord and reserve the status of saving hero for myself. So, if you are comfortable trimming claw nails, have at it. As always assure that you have the proper chemicals available to stop a bleeder, which is more common with parrot with black (dark) nails. As you know, a little to long is much better than a little to short!

Buzz isn't too bad.


I'm more concerned with Ziggy. You can't see his claws but they are starting to curve under. Of course Ziggy is the one I can rarely even get out of his cage so it is going to be rough no matter what we do.

It always seems to be that way. The one that needs the most is the one that is hardest to do. Depending on how long they are, you may have to revisit them every 6 to 8 weeks until you get them back where you want them.

Ziggy is definitely looking sharp beaked.
I have no immediate advice but long term if you haven't already I'd suggest getting ziggy (at least) a cement perch. Just position it high in the cage, somewhere he'll use it regularly but not rest on it too much (they can cause sore feet if the bird uses it too much). Although my bird uses it to sleep on no matter where i move it to and he's got good feet. Maybe increase the number of wooden toys he has? That can help keep his beak down.