Category: Resources

Monitoring the Health of Avian Scavengers on the Pacific Coast

A 2012 report on research conducted with Coastal Raptors into health parameters of bald eagles, common ravens, and turkey vultures on the coasts of Washington and Oregon.

Poultry Raising Manual

Posted by Dr. Scott Ford Citation: Cox, Bill, ed. Small Flock Poultry Health. BC Ministry of Agriculture, Abbotsford, BC. 2011. 251 pp. “This manual covers all the elements of poultry production with the goal of helping thesmall flock owner keep their birds as healthy as possible. It covers areas including housingand management, basics of poultry […]

Free Lafeber Webinar About Flight in Pet Birds

LafeberVet will be hosting an online, RACE-Approved seminar for veterinarians and support staff about the ethical and medical concerns regarding flight in companion parrots. Title: Flight Mechanics & Ethical ConcernsInstructor: Todd Driggers, DVMDate: Sunday, May 31, 2020 at 3 pm Eastern TimeDuration: 1-hourCE: RACE-approved for 1 hour of continuing education Flight in Companion Parrots – The Conflict:  […]

Dr. Ford Authors New Chapter on Wild Bird Flight Conditioning

Medical Management of Wildlife Species is a new book wherein Dr. Ford has written a chapter on pre-release conditioning of wild birds.

Raptor Gastroenterology

By Dr. Scott Ford Citation: Ford S. Raptor Gastroenterology. J Exotic Pet Med, 19:2 (April), 2010: pp 140-150. Abstract: Birds of prey have developed talons, a hooked beak, and a tongue and oral cavity replete with pronounced hooks and papillae for prehending large boluses of food. The size of the proventriculus in relation to the […]

2003 Raptor Care Manual

A self-published medical manual for care of birds of prey.

Raptor Research Foundation Publications

Check out Raptor Research Foundation’s techniques manual and other materials helpful for those working with birds of prey.

Color Atlas of Avian Anatomy (Free PDF)

By John McLelland Avian anatomy focusing primarily upon poultry. Includes histology and some pathology images.

Color Atlas of the Diseases of the Domestic Fowl & Turkey (Free PDF)

By C. J. Randall Required reading for avian medicine board certification. The book is dated but the information and images are still relevant as all of these diseases are still around.

Dr. Ford holding a wood duck

Care of Ducks, Geese, and Swans

Dr. Ford’s care recommendations for waterfowl (ducks, geese, swans).

Woman holding huge Victorian pigeon

Care of Pigeons and Doves

Dr. Ford’s care recommendations for columbiformes (pigeons and doves).

Avian Surgical Anatomy of the Thoracic & Pelvic Limbs

By Susan Orosz This resource has been removed at the request of the author. They will be releasing a new, co-authored book titled Surgical Anatomy and Orthopedic Management by Susan E Orosz, M Scott Echols and Patrick T Redig, in 2022. I’m excited to see this new book released– it’s been many years in the […]

A chicken in a pen

Care of Chickens and Turkeys

Dr. Ford’s diet recommendations for pet chickens and turkeys.

Birds: Their Structure & Function (Free PDF)

By A. S. King and J. McLelland A long out-of-print, fact-packed book of avian anatomy. It is required reading for those seeking board certification and is highly recommended for anyone in the avian medical field. Used copies can be acquired on eBay but their price has steadily risen and they are harder to find. I […]

Healthy Choices for Your Parrot

Dr. Ford’s general care recommendations for pet parrots.

Diet for Eclectus Parrots

Dr. Ford’s diet recommendations for eclectus parrots.

Diet for Small Ground-Feeding Parrots

Dr. Ford’s diet recommendations for small ground-feeding parrots.

Diet for Small Tree-Feeding Parrots

Dr. Ford’s diet recommendations for small tree-feeding parrots.

Diet for Large Parrots

By Dr. Scott Ford These are my diet recommendations for large parrots such as Amazons, gray parrots, cockatoos, and macaws. Free free to download and share the handout. Recommended Diet For most pet psittacines (parrots) I recommend a diet consisting of: 80% formulated commercial diet (e.g., “pellets” such as Zupreem, Harrison’s Adult Lifetime, Lafebers, Roudybush, […]

Helping A Wild Bird

Finding help for an injured or ill wild bird.