James Harris, DVM
Parrots are comfy at same temps we are
 My fiancée and I are very new at owning our 4-year-old blue-and-gold macaw, B.J. It seems as though he has developed a bit of a stuffy nose and he sneezes once in a while as well. One of his nostrils seems to have become plugged up overnight, too. It's not wet and slimy, but harder and dark. He's not acting sick or anything. I'm concerned about our house being too dry and maybe too cold. What is the ideal indoor temperature and humidity for a macaw? If you could also suggest any books specifically on avian health, that would also be great.
-- Carla Gianini, Auburn, Wash.
 Although most parrots live in tropical climates that are warm and humid, the birds are quite comfortable and thrive in the same ambient temperatures and levels of humidity that we live in. There is no reason to live in a hothouse or steam up your windows to make your bird comfortable. A stuffy nose with dry discharge may be signs of upper respiratory tract irritation or infection; please have your bird seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible. An excellent book for bird owners is, The Complete Bird Owners Handbook by Dr. Garry Gallerstein.
James Harris, DVM is owner and medical director of the Mayfair Veterinary Clinic in Sandy Bay, Tasmania, Australia. He founded Montclair Veterinary Hospital in Oakland, Calif., and has served as medical director and chairman of the board for the International Bird Rescue Research Center in Berkeley. Dr. Harris' numerous professional honors include California and National Bustad Companion Animal DVM Awards.
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