Fears and phobias
Together we can help your parrot overcome their fears
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As a parrot owner, watching your feathered friend struggle with fears or phobias can be heart-wrenching. You long to provide a safe, comforting environment, but sometimes, despite your best efforts, your parrot may exhibit signs of fear or develop specific phobias.
These fears and phobias aren’t a reflection of your care; they’re usually manifestations of past traumas, sudden changes, or lack of exposure to certain elements during their early life stages. As intelligent creatures, parrots can have strong emotional reactions to these stressors, and it’s crucial to navigate these issues with sensitivity and understanding.
Here to help
As a parrot behaviourist, Zoe’s goal is to help you decode these fears, understand their root causes, and guide you on ways to gently reassure your parrot and reduce their anxiety. This could include techniques like controlled exposure, comfort conditioning, or even changes to their environment to make it more reassuring.
Remember, overcoming fears and phobias takes time and patience. But with consistent effort, professional guidance, and a lot of love, we can help your parrot feel more secure and confident. Together, we can work towards a happier, more peaceful life for your precious companion.
“My parrot was grappling with intense fears to a wide range of stimuli, causing us both distress. The expert guidance we received helped unravel the underlying causes and provided gentle, effective strategies to alleviate his fears. The progress is astounding; he’s noticeably more confident and less fearful. This journey of healing wouldn’t have been possible without Zoe’s help.”
Zoe Demery
Clinical Parrot Behaviourist
I have a doctorate in parrot cognition and I am so far the only independently accredited clinical parrot behaviourist in the UK (CCAB). I am also a Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society, registered with ABTC, and certified by IAABC as a parrot behaviour consultant. I am moreover very happy to be recognised as an Allied Professional Member of the Association of Avian Veterinarians.
I am a proud committee member of FAB Clinicians. I have given talks and published about these fascinating birds to a wide range of audiences around the world. Since starting practice in 2012, I have helped dozens of birds and their caregivers around the world better understand each other. I also mentor budding avian behaviourists.
Comprehensive support
- Zoe will visit you at your home in person or online, for an initial assessment generally lasting 2 hours and ideally, everyone in the household should be present.
- Zoe will take a full and detailed case history. Together with you, Zoe will work out a treatment plan that is realistic and tailored to you and your flock’s needs.
- You receive relevant information sheets, which tie in with the behaviour plan for your bird.
- Soon after the consultation, a report is sent to you, which is later copied to your vet. This outlines the reasons behind the problem and highlights the key steps of the plan.
- Your vet is kept informed of how your bird progresses.
- Plans are updated with new material for you to work on.
- Zoe will schedule one 1-hour follow-up session about a month later, which is conducted via an online video link.
- Zoe is available for optional weekly check-ins for 6 weeks after your initial consultation. Each week you can book a 15-minute call through our online calendar, or send us an email or WhatsApp message.
- If during the development of the case, the additional expertise of a veterinary behaviourist is required, then Zoe will integrate their advice into the plan. Zoe works closely with select, independently accredited avian vet behaviourists, who will review and discuss your parrot’s case with your vet.
- More follow-up support available as needed.
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Skye’s story
Skye, a timid African Grey, developed a fear of sudden movements down low. His owner, Aaron, reached out for our help. Through careful observation, we concluded that Skye’s fear was likely due to past trauma. We slowly introduced a plan, involving gentle, gradual exposure and reward-based reassurance. Aaron’s unwavering patience played a key role, and over time, Skye began showing less fear. Today, Skye is much more comfortable with movement in his environment. He’s more confident and less reactive to sudden changes, demonstrating the power of patient, empathetic, and customised approaches in managing parrot anxieties.
Next steps
1. Vet referral
Fears are sometimes due to hormonal or other physiological issues, so we need to address these first
3. History form
Give us some background about your bird and your relationship
4. Consultation
Let’s get started on the plan to dealing with your parrot’s behaviour
Recommended
by vets
you may be able to
claim on insurance
As an avian vet, I’ve observed significant improvements in parrots guided by Zoe’s advice. Her approach is tailored, understanding avian needs and behaviours. The resulting changes in my patients’ overall health and happiness are remarkable. I wholeheartedly recommend her services to any parrot owners facing behavioural challenges with their companion birds.”
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FAQ
Have a more general question? Check out our general FAQ.
Prefer to chat things through a bit more?
Contact Us!
Give us a buzz by email or phone
(+44) (0) 121 299 0188.
Can I just get some quick advice about my parrot? It’s not a very big problem.
Parrots are very complex for such little creatures. They’re very intelligent and social animals that require a lot to keep them busy. Even small behaviour issues can turn out to be at the root of something greater, so they take a while to resolve. Unfortunately, we do not offer telephone or email consultations, but you can certainly come along to one of our clinics if you don’t want a full home visit consultation. It is not necessary to bring your parrot to the clinic, but please bring with you all the recordings requested. If following your questionnaire, our behaviourists think a more in-depth investigation is required, we will let you know before your appointment. Also, have a look at our general enrichment service.
My parrot isn’t registered with any vets – what should I do?
It is still very important to obtain a referral from a vet, but it should be from an avian vet, or you can look for vets advertising exotic pet care. In the Birmingham area, you could consider Amicus Vets in Solihull, or the Manor Vets branch in Edgbaston.
If you are looking to make your parrot’s anxiety a thing of the past, contact us to get started.
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