Exotic Bird Hospital

Exotic Bird Hospital We are open for client appointments Monday through Saturday from 8:00 AM until 6:00 PM. Please call 904-256-0043 to make an appointment. We are avian-centric!
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The Exotic Bird Hospital is dedicated to excellence in avian and exotic animal health care. The hospital opened its doors in 1995 with the purpose of providing full and expert veterinary services for birds. We also specialize in small mammals including rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs and mice. Our practice is staffed, designed and equipped for every avian and small mammal need, from a basic wellness

exam and grooming to the most complicated and life saving surgery. Our veterinarians and support staff focus and specialize in avian and small mammal health, medicine, husbandry, and regularly enhance their skills and experience with cutting edge continuing education and training. The hospital's facilities are laid out and outfitted with the comfort and well being of our avian patients in mind. Our exam rooms, hospitalization units, in house laboratory, surgery suite, boarding facilities and product offerings are all for the birds.

08/06/2026

Juliette the African Grey boarded with us recently, and while she was here, her owners wanted her to know they missed her. Our tech Shayna gave her that message, and sweet Juliette responded with the cutest little sound!

African Grey parrots like Juliette are well known for their sounds and speech capabilities. Not only can some parrots mimic people and even switch between different voices, tones, and accents, but most of them thoroughly enjoy copying sounds like ovens and microwaves beeping, doorbells, phones, smoke alarms, water, wild birds outside, barking dogs, and meowing cats.

African Grey parrots also enjoy when their amazing ability to mimic these sounds causes confusion in the people around them, lol.

Studies show that these incredibly smart birds also link meanings to sounds, and if spoken to in context, they can communicate accurately and even demand what they want when they board here.

We have had some African Grey boarders let our techs know they want grapes, juice, crackers, and various other demands, lol.

Not all African Grey parrots talk, and many can be shy, secretive talkers who like to talk when no one is looking. Although greys are known to be quieter than other large parrots like cockatoos, macaws, and amazons, they can still be vocal and make sounds like all birds, and some are louder than others.

New studies specifically about African Grey parrot intellect and speech are drawing compelling conclusions that emphasize the importance of socialization in the context of learning to speak and communicate.

With this in mind, speaking to your pet clearly, simply, and in context is the best way for your pet to develop an understanding of what your words mean.

Isn’t Juliette adorable? What words or phrases does your pet know and understand the meaning of?

Health Certificate Info:Are you planning to travel or relocate with your exotic pet? Make sure you research the requirem...
08/04/2026

Health Certificate Info:

Are you planning to travel or relocate with your exotic pet? Make sure you research the requirements for bringing your pet to your destination well in advance, and don’t wait until the last minute to book a health certificate appointment because it can take some time.

Things to Know:

It can take anywhere between 1-6 months to arrange international travel documents depending on the country’s requirements and any import permits that may be needed. This is something you need to research.

For travel or relocation to another state, some states have different import permits and testing requirements, so obtaining health certificates can take 2-4 weeks.

The validity of a health certificate for travel ranges from 10 to 30 days on average, so some planning is necessary to get the timing right.

Dr. Borger, pictured here with an adorable young parrot patient she recently saw, handles health certificates. Since our appointments can book out a couple of weeks in advance, that is another thing to consider when you need a health certificate.

Here is a government website to search for travel restrictions and import rules: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel -link-cdc-alert

Have you ever traveled or relocated out of state or out of the country with your pet? Where have you and your pet traveled to?

07/31/2026

Dr. Smith visited our Exotic Boarding Suite and noticed Nimbus, our adorable rabbit boarder, had fun stacking cups to play with.

So Dr. Smith put pellets into some of the cups and covered those with other cups to create a foraging enrichment opportunity.

Did you know that rabbits in the wild spend a large portion of the day foraging for food?

Pet rabbits still retain the natural instinct to search for food. Without having a reason to engage in those natural behaviors, rabbits can get bored. When rabbits forage for food, they spend time and expend energy searching, and they eat more slowly and intentionally.

Stacking cup sets are great for busting bunny boredom. You can place pellets in a cup and cover them with another cup, as Dr. Smith did. You can cover pellets or a healthy treat with upside-down cups and build a tower for your rabbit to knock over, or hide pellets under cups in different places so your rabbit has to hunt and explore to find them.

As you can see by watching Nimbus, rabbits also love to play by tossing and flipping the cups, especially when they don’t want to share with the doctor.😂🐰

Stacking cups are easy and affordable toys. If you would like to try stacking cups with your bunny, make sure the cups are made of non-toxic, BPA-free, phthalate-free plastic. Make sure you keep the cups clean and wash them with warm, soapy water after each use.

Supervise your rabbit to make sure he or she doesn’t chew and ingest bits of plastic from the cups. If your rabbit chews and removes plastic pieces, take away the plastic stacking cups.

Stacking cups is a good activity for rabbits, encourages natural behavior, and can help them slow down and enjoy their food.

Nimbus loves her stacking cups. Do your rabbits enjoy stacking cups? Do you have other enrichment ideas for buns?

🤗Happy Reunion and Advice for Pet Owners❤️Is your pet microchipped? Did you know microchips aren’t only for cats and dog...
07/27/2026

🤗Happy Reunion and Advice for Pet Owners❤️

Is your pet microchipped? Did you know microchips aren’t only for cats and dogs? Most birds, reptiles, and small mammals can be microchipped too!

You may have noticed that we take in many found birds that have gotten lost outdoors. After posting a recently found Quaker, we were contacted by owners with a lost Quaker. However, the date and address of their lost bird lined up with a found Quaker turned into our hospital in March, a bird we still had here.

We advised them to come in to see this bird, and when they did, this little Quaker we have had here for several months lit up. The owner said “kisses” in Spanish, and this bird, who we learned is named Betty, immediately responded with kissing noises and preened the owner as soon as she was picked up.😍🥹

We never want anyone to experience the pain of losing their bird outdoors. We wish that all lost birds were reunited this way, as this is the outcome we always hope for.

❗️There is a lot of luck involved in someone with a lost pet seeing the right found-pet post or poster, and we are grateful to all of you who share our found-bird posts. You help make reunions like this happen!❤️

One way to make a reunion much easier is to microchip pets, including exotic pets like birds, reptiles, and small mammals.

Microchips are small, permanent identification for your pet and are simple and safe for your pet’s veterinarian to place with a needle. Birds do not need to be anesthetized for the microchip to be placed. We can microchip most birds, including budgies, but we cannot microchip finches or canaries.

Microchips are a safe and smart investment. They help reunite lost pets and also act as irrefutable proof of ownership should the need ever arise.

Many pets, even those who primarily stay indoors, are accidentally lost every year, and a microchip makes it much easier to reunite those pets with the people who are desperately searching for them.

If you have any questions about microchips or want to schedule an appointment for your pet, give us a call at 904-256-0043.

UPDATE: Our software is back up and running. 🤗We are doing our best to respond to texts and voicemails as fast as we can...
07/27/2026

UPDATE: Our software is back up and running. 🤗We are doing our best to respond to texts and voicemails as fast as we can while trying to get caught up. 🏃‍♀️🏃

If you need help right away, give us a call.☎️ Otherwise, we are doing our best to get back to everyone. Thank you so much for your patience!❤️😊

Good morning! We are experiencing some technical difficulties with our phone system. We currently still have the ability to make and receive phone calls, but we don’t have access to our texts or voicemails. We want to get the messages but can’t at the moment.☹️

We are waiting for an update on a resolution, but it is unknown when that aspect of our systems will be back up and running like normal.

If you need us or have sent us a text or left a voicemail, please give us a call as we want to get your message. You can also message us here.❤️😊

(Jacksonville, FL) FOUND QUAKER PARROTThis Quaker was found 7/23/26 on San Pablo between Beach and Atlantic.This bird is...
07/24/2026

(Jacksonville, FL) FOUND QUAKER PARROT
This Quaker was found 7/23/26 on San Pablo between Beach and Atlantic.

This bird is safe and receiving care at Exotic Bird Hospital. Please contact us by phone or text at 904-256-0043 if you think this might be your bird.

Please share this post to reunite this bird with the rightful owner and feel free to share to lost and found pet pages. ❤️

Exotic Bird Hospital is located at 11744 Beach Blvd, Suites 107-108, Jacksonville, FL 32246.

07/24/2026

Fun Friday Post- Our Double Yellow-Headed Amazon boarders know how to have a good time! Like all parrots, personalities vary, and each is an individual, but most DYH Amazons aren’t shy. Many of these beautiful birds enjoy being the life of the party.🥳🦜

Do you know how to distinguish a Double Yellow-Headed Amazon from other Amazons?

The DYH Amazon has a lot of yellow on the head and face, extending to the back of the head; the shoulders are a gorgeous red, and the rest of the body is green. They have a light horn-colored beak and a white ring around their eyes.

However, when DYHs are young, they have small amounts of yellow feathers mainly on the forehead and crown, with some on the cheeks, and the upper beak is dark grey, and the eyes are a darker brown. As they mature, the amount of yellow feathers expands with each molt, and they come into full yellow around five years of age.

Although not every bird talks, DYH are generally known for their speaking ability, and some are quite lively, boisterous characters.

A bored bird is an unhappy bird, so these birds need plenty of space, activity, enrichment, and attention. A bored bird can also be a loud bird, but it is important to know that even a happy DYHs can be quite loud, especially at dawn and dusk. Since daily enthusiastic yelling is a natural behavior, it is one people must be prepared to live with for a very long time!

To make an important distinction, a parrot vocalizing intensely during specific times of the day, especially in the morning or evening or when being fed, when excited by you walking into the room or during playtimes, or other stimulation, is normal. Incessant screaming throughout the entire day or evening is not normal and should be investigated to determine the cause.

Hormones can affect vocalizations and behavior. A bird may become louder and more temperamental and territorial due to hormones. Any major changes in behavior are best discussed with your pet’s veterinarian, as there are ways to minimize hormonal behavior with changes to the environment, diet, or, if those measures don’t work or hormones are leading to egg-laying, there are other options your veterinarian can suggest.

For the right home, DYH Amazons are amazing birds. We enjoy having them stay with us!

For questions about boarding or to schedule a reservation, give us a call at 904-256-0043.😊

Dr. Smith’s adorable ferret patient, Mazie, took her exam in stride and opened wide to show everyone her cute tongue.Maz...
07/22/2026

Dr. Smith’s adorable ferret patient, Mazie, took her exam in stride and opened wide to show everyone her cute tongue.

Mazie was originally found outdoors, which is an important reminder of how critical it is to supervise your pet and ferret-proof your home. Ferrets are mischievous and can fit through small holes and crevices and escape outside. They can also scale furniture and will steal and ingest small objects, which can lead to life-threatening emergencies.

When she was found outdoors, Mazie was thin and had fleas, but she is now a happy girl at a healthy weight.

Another aspect of ferret care is that adrenal disease is very common. It stems from an overproduction of s*x hormones, thought to be linked to the early spaying and neutering of ferrets.

Once ferrets are spayed and neutered, chronic stimulation can lead to a tumor on the adrenal gland.

Did you know that a deslorelin implant can prevent adrenal disease when given to juvenile ferrets on a preventative schedule?

Since such a significant portion of the ferret population is affected, the deslorelin implant is recommended for juvenile ferrets to suppress the overproduction of s*x hormones that lead to the tumor on the adrenal glands.

The implant is also used to manage symptoms in ferrets that have adrenal disease.

Bringing your pet to see their veterinarian for routine care is the best way to stay on top of proper care, nutrition, enrichment, and preventative measures to keep your pet healthy.

Isn’t Mazie cute? Do you have pics of your pet’s tongue sticking out?

🐾

Are you looking for a rewarding job in exotic pet medicine? Are you located close to Jacksonville, Florida?Exotic Bird H...
07/17/2026

Are you looking for a rewarding job in exotic pet medicine? Are you located close to Jacksonville, Florida?

Exotic Bird Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida, is currently seeking caring, compassionate, detail-oriented, and dependable people to join our team!

If you are passionate about caring for exotic pets, we want to hear from you.😊

We have multiple openings and opportunities, so feel free to stop by and fill out an application during our regular business hours, Monday through Saturday, from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm or email [email protected] for more information or to request an application.😊

Feel free to share this post if you know anyone who might be interested in joining our team.❤️

As Info About Cyclospora:Regarding the current Cyclospora outbreak linked to fresh produce, there have been cases here i...
07/16/2026

As Info About Cyclospora:

Regarding the current Cyclospora outbreak linked to fresh produce, there have been cases here in Florida, so we wanted to address concerns pet owners might have.

Since many of the exotic pet species we see as patients require fresh produce, including vegetables, greens, and fruits, we wanted to let everyone know that current research indicates this parasite is species-specific and causes illness only in humans.

Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite currently contaminating some raw, fresh produce, especially items with rough rather than smooth surfaces that are more difficult to thoroughly wash. Think raspberries (difficult) versus blueberries (smooth and easier to clean).

The parasite is too small to see without a microscope.

Since this parasite is human-specific, even if pets were to ingest it, it would pass through their digestive system without causing any illness.

However, fresh vegetables, greens, fruits, and other produce can carry pathogens like E. coli or Salmonella that can harm pets. Produce may also contain residues of pesticides, herbicides, waxes, dirt, and sand, so…

Washing is a must!

Always rinse produce under cool, running water before cutting or peeling, as the knife can drag contaminants from the skin to the flesh.

Scrub firmly with your hand and use a clean produce brush on thicker-skinned produce.

Avoid commercial produce cleaners, soaps, detergents, and other cleaners unless your veterinarian has looked over the ingredients and deemed them safe for your pet.

Cut away damaged or bruised areas of produce.

Because we don’t want you or your pet to get sick, follow the guidelines above and make sure to wash your hands after handling produce.

For produce you plan to ingest yourself, health officials have not pinpointed a specific source. Some recommendations are:

Buy whole heads of lettuce, not pre-washed bags. Wash and gently rub snow peas and other vegetables with your hands or a brush. Consider avoiding fresh fruits like raspberries that are difficult to wash.

Consider cooking your veggies, as Cyclospora can’t survive temperatures over 158 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cyclosporiasis in humans affects the GI tract and causes extreme, prolonged watery diarrhea, nausea, fatigue, cramps, loss of appetite, and weight loss. It is spread by food or drinking water contaminated by human f***s. If left untreated, cyclosporiasis may cause dehydration and symptoms may last for weeks. It can be treated with a combination antibiotic.

Historically, most outbreaks are traced to raspberries, basil, cilantro, and salad mixes. It is not usually life-threatening and is not considered contagious from person to person.

It takes between 2 and 14 days after exposure for symptoms to begin. The source has not been identified, and there are 7,000 confirmed cases nationwide across more than 30 states, including Florida.

In essence, make sure you wash your produce and wash your hands after handling it. If your pet develops diarrhea, it is not from cyclospora, but diarrhea, especially for an exotic pet, does indicate a serious issue that your pet’s veterinarian needs to be aware of and investigate.

We hope this info helps and that everyone can avoid this nasty parasite. Feel free to share this info so other pet owners are aware.

Address

11744 Beach Boulevard
Jacksonville, FL
32246

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 6pm
Tuesday 8am - 6pm
Wednesday 8am - 6pm
Thursday 8am - 6pm
Friday 8am - 6pm
Saturday 8am - 6pm

Telephone

(904) 256-0043

Website

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