Riverside Aviaries: Titchfield

13/11/2025

🎯 Important Update for Bird Keepers in England 🐦

Here’s a helpful breakdown of the latest on Avian Influenza (bird flu), what the recent regulations mean for you, and how to keep your birds safe and stress-free.

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🔍 What’s new?

- The government has renewed the nationwide Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ), meaning all bird keepers across England, including those with pet and aviary birds, must follow enhanced bio-security and housing measures.
- If a suspicious or confirmed case of bird flu occurs, specific disease control zones may be enforced around the premises (such as 1 km, 3 km, 10 km zones) in order to prevent spread. - The risk to human health remains very low, but the rules apply to all birds (pets, captive collections, aviaries) and it’s essential to stay vigilant.

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✅ What you can do to protect your birds

- Keep outdoor aviary birds secure and separated from wild bird**s** — minimise contact, cover where possible.
- Follow strict bio-security practices: disinfect footwear, clothing and equipment; restrict visitors; avoid bringing in wild bird droppings or water sources.
- Monitor your birds carefully for any signs of illness — unexplained deaths, lethargy, changes in droppings or respiratory signs — and report any concerns.
- Check if your area has special restrictions or housing orders and comply with them immediately.
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📝 Need more detailed info?

We’ve got you covered — check out our blog post: “All You Need to Know About Bird Flu” on the Riverside website for full guidance, checklists and support.

With the recent news coverage and wide spread concern on… Read more

11/11/2025

While many of our birds are winding down for the winter season… some of them have other ideas 👀🍐
Yep — it’s that time of year when a few of our feathered friends start getting a little too fruity!

Take a look at these star tips to help keep your bird from getting saucy this winter.

1. Create a Neutral, Non-Cozy Environment 🏠

Avoid making your parrot’s cage too cozy or dark. While they need a restful sleep area, make sure it’s not too enclosed or “nest-like.” A neutral space helps reduce territorial instincts and keeps them calm.

2. Limit Petting and Avoid Kissing✋💋

During hormonal times, avoid excessive petting, especially around the back or tail. Physical contact, including kissing, can overstimulate your parrot. Stick to head scratches and let them come to you for affection.

3. Offer Mental Stimulation 🧩

Keep your parrot busy with puzzle toys, training sessions, and foraging activities. A mentally engaged bird is less likely to focus on hormonal behaviors.

4. Maintain a Healthy Diet 🥦🍏

A nutritious diet plays a significant role in regulating hormonal behaviour. Avoid fatty foods, and offer a balanced variety of fresh fruits, veggies, and lean proteins.

5. Provide Regular Breaks ❄️

Sometimes, a bit of time away from social interaction can help reset hormonal cycles. Give your bird moments of quiet time to regain balance.
Hormonal behavior is natural, but with these tips, you can help your parrot stay calm and comfortable. Patience and consistency go a long way!

🐦 Got any tips of your own? Drop them in the comments below!

10/11/2025

🎄🦜 HELLO NOVEMBER… IT’S TIME TO GET FESTIVE! 🦜🎄

The countdown to Christmas has officially begun, and we’re making sure your feathered friends don’t miss out on the holiday magic! ✨

Pop in-store and explore our brand-new Christmas display, packed with:

🎁 Christmas-themed toys for parrots big and small

🎄 Festive enrichment, shreddables & foraging fun

🧸 Bright, colourful decorations your birds will *love*

And yes… they’re back! 👀

❤️ CHRISTMAS TREAT BOXES — returning due to popular demand!

Perfect for spoiling your bird with safe, seasonal indulgence and making their Christmas morning extra special.

So come on down and make sure there’s a parrot present under your tree this year! 🎅🦜

Your bird deserves a little holiday cheer too!

09/11/2025

🦜✨ FUN FACT TIME! ✨🦜

Did you know that Celestial Parrotlets may be tiny… but they come from the Amazon family, home of some of the boldest parrots on the planet? 🌿💚

That’s why these little featherballs have such BIG personalities packed into their pint-sized bodies! Brave, cheeky, curious, and full of attitude — they act like they’re 10 times their size. 😆

It’s no surprise they earned their adorable nickname…

🌟 “The Pocket Parrot!” 🌟

Small enough to fit in your hand, but confident enough to rule the room.

If you’ve ever owned a parrotlet, you already know — they might be tiny, but they bring Amazon-sized energy into any home!

Share your pocket parrot stories or photos below! 🥰🦜💬

08/11/2025

🦜💚 Meet Sherbie! 💚🦜

This colourful character has stolen the hearts of their family (and now ours too!). Sherbie is full of personality — always ready to cuddle.

✨ What makes Sherbie unique?

- Loves: Hanging like a bat, being a hair stylist and his adopted brother nuggie
- Dislikes: Being told no & Nuggies boyfriend 🫢
- Special Talent: Being an esteemed gentleman - some of the time 😏

It’s easy to see why Sherbie is such an important part of the family. They bring laughter, love, and plenty of chatter every single day. 🥰

Sherbie and his feathered family are full of characters and most of them come from here at riverside! if you want to follow along with Sherbie and his friends make sure to follow them on instagram

Want your feathered friend to be in the spotlight next?

📸 Share a photo of your parrot + a short description of:

1️⃣ Their likes

2️⃣ Their dislikes

3️⃣ What makes them special to your family

Comment below, and your parrot could be featured! 🎉🦜

07/11/2025

ALL PAIRS SOLD

Calling all conure collectors and aviary enthusiasts — this is not one to miss! 👀✨

We’re thrilled to announce that White-eared Conures — one of the smallest and rarest conure species in captivity — are now available right here at Riverside!

💚 £325.00 per pair

💚 £595.00 for both pairs (special offer!)

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🏞️ About the Species:

Native to the lush forests of eastern Brazil, these beautiful little parrots call the regions of Rio de Janeiro and southeast Bahia home. In the wild, they live in tight-knit colonies of 15–20 birds, with pairs forming strong lifelong bonds. 💞

At just 21–23 cm from head to tail, the White-eared Conure may be small — but don’t be fooled! These lively, intelligent birds are bursting with personality.

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🪶 Why Aviary Keepers Love Them:

✔️ Rare in captivity — a true gem for collectors and breeders

✔️ Curious and energetic — they love to explore, climb, and fly

✔️ Social and intelligent — quick to bond and mimic sounds

✔️ Quiet companions — generally soft-voiced, apart from their cheerful calls

✔️ Playful and charming — always up for enrichment and interaction

Whether you’re looking to add a standout species to your aviary or simply appreciate the joy of keeping something truly unique, these White-eared Conures are a must-see opportunity! 🌈

📞 Call us to enquire today — opportunities like this don’t come around often!

06/11/2025

🆕✨ NEW PRODUCT ALERT! ✨🆕

Say hello to Harkers Duramitex — the latest must-have for keeping your aviary birds happy, healthy, and mite-free! 🐦💚

This clever innovation gives your birds protection from red mite by tackling the source and breaking the life cycle — keeping both adults and babies comfortable and safe. 🌿

💪 Product Highlights:

✔️ 100% safe and pesticide-free

✔️ Features a unique “sticky trap” silicone formula

✔️ Eliminates airborne allergens for a cleaner aviary

✔️ Safe to use with birds in situ — no need to move them!

Keep those pesky red mites away the smart way with Harkers Duramitex — your birds will thank you for it! 🐣💚

📍 Available now in-store!

Pop in today and chat with our team about how Duramitex can help protect your flock.

05/11/2025

🎆🦜 Firework Night Tips for Your Feathered Friends 🦜🎆

Bonfire Night can be exciting for us — but for our parrots, it can be downright scary! 💥😢

Loud noises, flashing lights, and sudden bangs can all make our birds feel stressed or frightened.

Here are some helpful tips & tricks to keep your feathered companions calm and comfortable during the celebrations:

💚 1️⃣ Keep them indoors:

Bring outdoor aviary birds inside if possible, or move them to a quieter, more sheltered spot for the evening.

💛 2️⃣ Close windows & curtains:

This helps block out the loud bangs and bright flashes — creating a cozy, safe environment.

💙 3️⃣ Play calm sounds or soft music:

Gentle background noise can mask fireworks and soothe anxious birds. Try soft music, a TV, or nature sounds. 🎵

💜 4️⃣ Offer familiar comfort:

Give your parrot their favourite perch, toy, or treat to distract them and create positive associations.

🧡 5️⃣ Stay calm yourself:

Birds pick up on our emotions! Keep your voice relaxed and movements gentle — it helps them feel secure.

💚 6️⃣ Cover cages (partially):

Drape a blanket or cover over part of the cage to make a safe little hideaway while still allowing airflow.

✨ Bonus Tip: If your parrot is especially nervous, plan a quiet bonding activity like gentle talking or preening time — it reassures them that everything’s okay.

Let’s make sure our feathered family stays calm, comfy, and cared for this fireworks season. 💫

Have your own fireworks night tips? Drop them in the comments — we’d love to hear what works for your birds! 🦜💬

04/11/2025

🦜✨ STANDARD FEATHER VS FANCY FEATHER — WHICH STYLE WINS?✨🦜

It’s time for a little budgie showdown! 😍

On one side, we have the Classic Standard Budgie 🐦 — the timeless look we all know and love!

💚 Sleek, simple, and full of personality, these little charmers are a staple in any aviary.

And on the other side… the Fancy Feather Budgie 🌟 — like our stunning crested friends!

💎 Unique feather patterns, quirky crests, and that extra *wow factor* that turns heads wherever they go!

Now it’s your turn… 👇

✨ Which budgie style would you choose?

Drop your vote in the comments with an emoji:

🐦 for Team Standard

🌟 for Team Fancy

And don’t forget to tag a fellow budgie lover to settle the debate! 😆

02/11/2025

🎅✨ 🎄 CHRISTMAS OPENING HOURS 🎄 ✨🎅

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!🎁🦜

As we get ready to deck the halls and spoil our feathered friends with festive treats, here are our Christmas opening hours so you can plan your visit:

📅 Christmas Week Opening Hours:

🎁 Monday 23rd Dec: 9:00am – 5:00pm

🎄 Christmas Eve (Tues 24th): 10:00am – 2:00pm

❌ Christmas Day (Wed 25th): CLOSED

❌ Boxing Day (Thurs 26th): CLOSED

🎉 Friday 27th Dec: 9:00am – 5:00pm

🎉 Saturday 28th Dec: 9:00am – 5:00pm

🎉 Sunday 29th Dec: 10:00am – 4:00pm

🎆 New Year’s Eve (Tues 31st): 9:00am – 5:00pm

❌ New Year’s Day (Wed 1st): CLOSED

🕊️ Back to normal hours from Thursday 2nd January!

01/11/2025

🦜💚 Meet Bondi! 💚🦜

This colourful character has stolen the hearts of their family (and now ours too!). Bondi is full of personality — always ready to sing.

✨ What makes Bondi unique?

- Loves: His mum 🫶
- Dislikes: Noisy crisp packets
- Special Talent:Looking handsome all the time

It’s easy to see why Bondi is such an important part of the family. They bring laughter, love, and plenty of chatter every single day. 🥰

Want your feathered friend to be in the spotlight next?

📸 Share a photo of your parrot + a short description of:

1️⃣ Their likes

2️⃣ Their dislikes

3️⃣ What makes them special to your family

Comment below, and your parrot could be featured! 🎉🦜

31/10/2025

🎃🦜 HAPPY HALLOWEEN, BIRD LOVERS! 👻💚

Trick or treat… or tweet?! 😆🕸️

It’s that spooky time of year again — have you stocked up on treats for your feathered friends yet? 🍬🪶

If not, don’t worry! Pop by in-store and check out our spook-tacular selection of bird-safe treats and goodies — perfect for keeping your parrots and aviary birds happy this Halloween! 🦜🧡

🎃 Bonus Tip:

Don’t throw out those empty pumpkins just yet! They make amazing enrichment toys — perfect for shredding, foraging, or even a Halloween photo shoot. 📸✨

We’d love to see your birds getting into the spooky spirit!

🧡 Drop your pumpkin playtime pics or Halloween-themed bird photos in the comments below — let’s see who’s got the best spooky style! 👀🕷️