01/24/2026
Some great tips for pet bird owners.
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It is dangerously cold right now. We were at -24° wind chill earlier and it’s currently -3°. If you lose heat or power, your birds are at real risk. Parrots, in particular, do not tolerate cold well, and hypothermia can happen fast.
Here are practical, real-world things you can do to keep your birds warm if the heat goes out:
1. Create a heat pocket.
Fill clean soda bottles with hot (not boiling) water, screw the lids on tightly, and place them at the bottom of the cage. Drape the cage with blankets or towels to trap that warmth inside. Leave a small opening for airflow.
2. Move birds into a smaller space.
Bathrooms, closets, or small bedrooms hold heat better than large open rooms. The smaller the space, the easier it is to warm.
3. Bring them close to you.
Body heat matters. Let them perch on you, sit on your chest under a blanket, or keep them near you while you’re bundled up.
4. Use carriers or travel cages.
Smaller enclosures are easier to insulate. Line the bottom with towels and cover most of the carrier with a blanket to hold warmth.
5. Layer the cage.
Towels, blankets, jackets, hoodies – anything that traps heat can help. Just make sure there is some airflow and that fabric can’t be chewed through and ingested.
6. Warm food and water.
Offer slightly warm (not hot) food and fresh water. Warm mash, cooked grains, or softened pellets can help maintain body temperature.
7. Avoid drafts at all costs.
Move cages away from windows, doors, and exterior walls. Even a tiny draft can drop their body temperature fast.
8. Use safe heat sources if you have them.
Battery-powered hand warmers wrapped in towels, heated rice socks, or microwaved corn bags can act as temporary heat sources inside a covered cage.
9. Watch for signs of hypothermia.
Fluffed feathers, lethargy, weakness, closed eyes, shivering, or sitting low in the cage are red flags. Warm them immediately and seek help if possible.
If you are in Michigan and close to us and you lose heat or power, please know this:
We are willing to host your birds in our quarantine space until the storm passes and your heat is restored. No bird should freeze because of a utility failure. Reach out if you need help.
Your birds rely on you to be their thermostat. A few simple steps can mean the difference between life and death in weather like this. Stay safe, and keep those tiny dinosaurs warm. 🦜💙
