Dusty Birds & Non-Dusty Birds

[missylynn]

I know some birds are allergic to another bird's dust... Like Macaws can get health problems by breathing in the dust from a 'too or grey. But what other birds can have this issue? I'm getting a Cape soon, and my husband wants a grey... Is that bad news for the Cape? And we currently have some Conures and Cockatiels. Could the 'tiel dust cause problems for the conures?

 

[Enjru]

Pulmonary Hypersensitivity Syndrome affects mainly macaws, but CAN affect all neotropical species (ie, Central and South American species). For example, sun conures have been reported as being affected by this condition. Parrots known to produce lots of feather dust include African greys, cockatoos, lovebirds and cockatiels. This is not a common condition. Many people keep neotropical species with dust-producing species WITHOUT problems, BUT, if your parrot is one of the unfortunate ones which develops this condition, it will be VERY debilitating for him/her. If you DO keep neotropical species together with dust-producing species, then make sure you implement preventative measures. Preventative measures include housing the parrots far apart in separate rooms, preferably in opposite ends of the house, making sure there is lots of ventilation (ie, open windows and fresh air), using HEPA air filters (do NOT use the ionizing air filter option), and living in a warm and humid climate.

 

[roxynoodle]

Aren't Capes and Greys both Afrrican birds? I would think they will be fine together. Strangely, the little Red Belly at my vet's office knows when other African birds come in and comes to see them and try to make friends. They told me that's consistent behavior on her part. When I brought in my amazon she flew into the room to see what he was, then promptly left again. When I come in with my Grey, she lands on the door of the carrier or on the table in front of us, and sticks around the whole time.

The funny part was my amazon was also kind of afraid of her, but not of the Quaker who was attacking my shoes. So now I'm wondering, do other S. American birds recognize each other? The Quaker, too, is a lot more likely to bother me if I'm there with one of the S. Americans, but not the Grey.

 

[Spiritbird]

If you get both birds I would invest in a quality air filtration system such as RabbitAir.

 

[roxynoodle]

Yes, I think Spiritbird's suggestion is a good one. I would not be the least bit surprised if the Cape is dusty as well.

As for the conures, my understanding is the only ones who are very sensitive to 'Too and "Tiel dust are the Blue Crowns. And for some reason it is the B&G macaws most likely to be affected as well. I do keep my conure on the other side of the room from my Grey, and will be getting a Rabbit Air cleaner very soon.

 

[MikeyTN]

As long as you have air movement like a ceiling fan and a filtration system you'll be fine. Wille have been kept with Dixie for the past 7 years then came the tiels for 3 years. Everyone is fine here!!! JoJo and Gracie plus Malachai is kept with Java, the door is open at all times plus filtration system. No issues there!

 

[missylynn]

Aren't Capes and Greys both Afrrican birds? I would think they will be fine together.

Yes, Capes and Greys are both African birds, but Greys are dusty and Capes are not, so I was not sure.