A curious parrot can easily get into trouble in the kitchen. Here are some tips to help keep them safe:

Sharp Objects

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Many birds enjoy spontaneous baths, and they aren’t picky about where. They may bathe in anything that holds water without regard for their safety. Anything containing hot, dirty, or large amounts of water should be kept out of their reach. This includes other rooms, as birds can fly and land in unexpected places.

Wing-clipping isn’t the solution here. Focus on prevention by modifying the environment instead.

Stovetops and Ovens

Know where your birds are before using the stovetop or oven. Birds can be curious and may get too close to hot surfaces, leading to chaotic and dangerous situations. Additionally, heated products can release fumes that, while typically harmless to us, can be deadly to birds.

Never use the oven’s self-cleaning feature while birds are in the house, as it emits toxic fumes. Likewise, when you get a new stove, run the broiler a few times to burn off any chemical residue before allowing birds in the area.

The Dangers of PTFE & PFOA (Teflon™)

The well-studied dangers of PTFE & PFOA products is not common knowledge to the general and even bird-loving public. The problem lies when these types of product are heated.

"Non-stick cookware, when heated either under a broiler or on a stovetop at medium-high heat, can, within six minutes, get to temperatures that will release toxic particles and gasses."

-Dr. TIM KROPP (Toxicologist, Environmental Working Group) | NPR 

Also see Last Week Tonight with John Oliver's full episode on it in regards to these "forever chemicals" and the number they're doing on us and the environment. 

Get yourself some stainless steel (there's always some at the thrift store), or look for items that are both PTFE & PFOA Free.

Teflon can be found in numerous heated items such as

• Air fryers
• Toasters and toaster ovens
• Electric griddles
• Waffle makers
• Rice cookers
• Sandwich presses
• Baking liners/sheets
• Oven bags
• Certain brands of Heavy-Aluminum foil
• Ironing boards

Reading labels carefully for terms like "PTFE-free" or "PFOA-free" will help ensure bird safety, especially when heating these products in your home.

Bath Time in the Kitchen Sink

Oldman Amazon Louie gets in on the action.

It’s generally fine to let birds bathe in a clean sink. Just remove any big objects like soap or dishes to keep the area safe in case they get too playful. If your sink isn’t regularly cleaned, close it off to your birds. In open kitchens, embrace regular cleaning to keep the space safe.

For more info about bird care.

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