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Beak-to-mouth contact isn't safe
I have a 2 1/2-month-old Quaker that is very enthusiastic about "preening" the side of my face when he's seated on my shoulder. He will strain and stretch to reach my mouth as well. I was told that human saliva is toxic to a parrot. Is this true?
--Jo Anne, mybelovedsub@aol.com
Human saliva is not in itself toxic, of course. And your bird cannot catch a human cold from you. However, all mammalian saliva carries bacteria that could make your bird sick with infections of the sinuses, throat, lungs, air sacs, gastro-intestinal tract or internal organs.
Therefore, never let your bird make contact with your mouth--even for a quick "peck"--and do not bite off food for your bird.
ParrotChronicles.com
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