Human Health Issues
Common Misconceptions about birds
Birds in an Oak Creek Aviary pose no unusual health risk. This conclusion is supported by bird
veterinarians and the Center of Disease Control. Don't be surprised to hear at least one comment
from someone regarding diseases carried by birds that affect human health.
There are diseases transmitted from birds to humans. In particular, Psittacosis can be a life
threatening illness especially for those who are already ill.
Psittacosis is transmitted by Psittacine birds, parrots, parakeets, and cockatiels, which are common
carriers. certainly not every Psittacine will have an active case, but because it has the potential, Oak
Creek Aviaries does not deal with these types of birds.
Our work is with Passerines, small finches, such as those which we sell with our aviaries. There has
never been a documented case of a disease being transmitted to humans through Passerines. When
questions arise regarding human health issues please contact us for assistance.
Weekly Care
Weekly Bird Care
Water: Changing the water should be done quite often. The water in a large aviary needs to be
changed at least every other day. Smaller aviaries can go three to four days before changing the
water. Please use your own judgement. However, the water jar does need thoroughly washed and
sterilized at least once a week.
Feed: Feeding the birds is done on an as needed basis. We usually recommend that you add to the
feed when it gets low. On a weekly basis, completely empty and disinfect the feed dish and refill to half
full. The birds will pick through the seed and throw it around so it is wasteful to empty it every time you
feed. There are however, a few things to be careful with regarding the seed.
* Please use the provided tub to store seed. We also recommend that you keep it in the sack and
store inside the tub to ensure that it stays fresh.
* Grain weevils are part of grain and seed. However keeping the seed stored in a cool dry place will
prevent this.
Weekly Aviary Care
Bedding: The bedding used in the aviary is made of ground up corn cobs. The corn cob bedding is
used because it will absorb the droppings and moisture. If you would like, you may skim off the top
layer of bedding once a month. Just skim the very top layer, as to not remove too much of the
bedding. Also, remove wet clumps of bedding especially after bath time or around the water jar.
Aviary: The aviary is made of solid oak or the wood you specified at the time of ordering. To keep it
looking beautiful, it is recommended that you clean the wood with a furniture polish. Be careful not to
get the polish on the glass, as it is hard to get off.
Windows: All aviaries are built with double strength Plexiglas. Plexiglas is used for your safety. If the
Plexiglas is hit hard it will not break, but pop out. If this does happen, don't worry the glass is easy to
reinstall. Place the rubber edging around the window and push back in so that it fits snug again. We
recommend that you only use the Plexiglas cleaner provided for the aviary. We use Novus Plastic
Polish to clean the glass, but if you are out of Novus you may use a light mixture of soap and water with
a soft cloth. NEVER USE WINDEX OR PAPER TOWELS, this will streak the windows and leave them
cloudy looking.
Common Misconceptions about birds
Birds in an Oak Creek Aviary pose no unusual health risk. This conclusion is supported by bird
veterinarians and the Center of Disease Control. Don't be surprised to hear at least one comment
from someone regarding diseases carried by birds that affect human health.
There are diseases transmitted from birds to humans. In particular, Psittacosis can be a life
threatening illness especially for those who are already ill.
Psittacosis is transmitted by Psittacine birds, parrots, parakeets, and cockatiels, which are common
carriers. certainly not every Psittacine will have an active case, but because it has the potential, Oak
Creek Aviaries does not deal with these types of birds.
Our work is with Passerines, small finches, such as those which we sell with our aviaries. There has
never been a documented case of a disease being transmitted to humans through Passerines. When
questions arise regarding human health issues please contact us for assistance.
Weekly Care
Weekly Bird Care
Water: Changing the water should be done quite often. The water in a large aviary needs to be
changed at least every other day. Smaller aviaries can go three to four days before changing the
water. Please use your own judgement. However, the water jar does need thoroughly washed and
sterilized at least once a week.
Feed: Feeding the birds is done on an as needed basis. We usually recommend that you add to the
feed when it gets low. On a weekly basis, completely empty and disinfect the feed dish and refill to half
full. The birds will pick through the seed and throw it around so it is wasteful to empty it every time you
feed. There are however, a few things to be careful with regarding the seed.
* Please use the provided tub to store seed. We also recommend that you keep it in the sack and
store inside the tub to ensure that it stays fresh.
* Grain weevils are part of grain and seed. However keeping the seed stored in a cool dry place will
prevent this.
Weekly Aviary Care
Bedding: The bedding used in the aviary is made of ground up corn cobs. The corn cob bedding is
used because it will absorb the droppings and moisture. If you would like, you may skim off the top
layer of bedding once a month. Just skim the very top layer, as to not remove too much of the
bedding. Also, remove wet clumps of bedding especially after bath time or around the water jar.
Aviary: The aviary is made of solid oak or the wood you specified at the time of ordering. To keep it
looking beautiful, it is recommended that you clean the wood with a furniture polish. Be careful not to
get the polish on the glass, as it is hard to get off.
Windows: All aviaries are built with double strength Plexiglas. Plexiglas is used for your safety. If the
Plexiglas is hit hard it will not break, but pop out. If this does happen, don't worry the glass is easy to
reinstall. Place the rubber edging around the window and push back in so that it fits snug again. We
recommend that you only use the Plexiglas cleaner provided for the aviary. We use Novus Plastic
Polish to clean the glass, but if you are out of Novus you may use a light mixture of soap and water with
a soft cloth. NEVER USE WINDEX OR PAPER TOWELS, this will streak the windows and leave them
cloudy looking.
Aviary and the birds
The aviary will come with pairs of birds, however if there is a bird loss do not worry too much about the
mate. The birds are paired together, but the birds do cuddle or perch with other birds. The canaries
will usually be by themselves. A male canary will sing more when it is alone than with a female.
Molting
Most birds will molt during the summer time, but because the aviary is a constant environment the
molting times may vary. Molting will last about two months, and its feathers may look a little scruffy.
Sometimes you will not even be able to tell, but notice the excess of feathers at the bottom of the
aviary.
Lifespan
The smaller finches live from 4-5 years, and canaries can live up to 9 years. In nature birds seldom
live, but 2-3 years at the most.
Bird coloring
Only a few birds in nature are of bright coloring and some of those are only colorful for a short period
of time. Birds that do change color do that during mating season as to attract a mate. The bird that
changes color is most often the male. A female birds color remains consistent through out the year.
The natural colors of most birds are to protect them in the environment from predators. Some different
species of birds do not even change at all. Some birds coloring is more distinctive depending on the
birds diet. For example, a canary which includes a diet of carrots will have more coloring that a canary
that does not. Feeding your finches a diet which contains carotene will give the bird a brighter
coloration.
The design of the aviary
The aviary is designed to meet the needs of the birds. In nature birds will perch to the top of the tree.
They spend very little time on the ground, mostly to eat or search for food. Branches are placed in the
aviary to be at eye level for viewing. Birds will go to the highest level to rest or perch. The lowest level
of the aviary is used for feeding and watering. This keeps the birds active on all levels of the aviary.
Feeding and watering the birds on the bottom of the aviary allows children or residents in wheel chairs
to view the birds closer.
The aviary will come with pairs of birds, however if there is a bird loss do not worry too much about the
mate. The birds are paired together, but the birds do cuddle or perch with other birds. The canaries
will usually be by themselves. A male canary will sing more when it is alone than with a female.
Molting
Most birds will molt during the summer time, but because the aviary is a constant environment the
molting times may vary. Molting will last about two months, and its feathers may look a little scruffy.
Sometimes you will not even be able to tell, but notice the excess of feathers at the bottom of the
aviary.
Lifespan
The smaller finches live from 4-5 years, and canaries can live up to 9 years. In nature birds seldom
live, but 2-3 years at the most.
Bird coloring
Only a few birds in nature are of bright coloring and some of those are only colorful for a short period
of time. Birds that do change color do that during mating season as to attract a mate. The bird that
changes color is most often the male. A female birds color remains consistent through out the year.
The natural colors of most birds are to protect them in the environment from predators. Some different
species of birds do not even change at all. Some birds coloring is more distinctive depending on the
birds diet. For example, a canary which includes a diet of carrots will have more coloring that a canary
that does not. Feeding your finches a diet which contains carotene will give the bird a brighter
coloration.
The design of the aviary
The aviary is designed to meet the needs of the birds. In nature birds will perch to the top of the tree.
They spend very little time on the ground, mostly to eat or search for food. Branches are placed in the
aviary to be at eye level for viewing. Birds will go to the highest level to rest or perch. The lowest level
of the aviary is used for feeding and watering. This keeps the birds active on all levels of the aviary.
Feeding and watering the birds on the bottom of the aviary allows children or residents in wheel chairs
to view the birds closer.
Oak Creek Aviaries
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