DISEASES & ILLNESSES AFLATOXIN Peanuts are known carriers of Aflatoxins. Aflatoxins can cause liver damage, increased infections, cancer & death in various types of animals. Because parrots take a "nut shell" into their mouths that are at high risk.....peanuts are of particular concern, however, any nut can have aflaxotins. Look for clean "mold free" shells on all nuts. If you choose to feed peanuts (actually a legume) there should be no dark mold on them---they should have a nice fresh and clean shell. http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/toxicagents/aflatoxin/aflatoxin.html#Aflatoxicosis http://www.ams.usda.gov/Science/TSB/Background.htm USDA Technical Services Peanut Aflatoxin Program http://www.ams.usda.gov/Science/TSB/background.htm Science Daily High aflatoxin levels found in bird feed http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/index.php?feed=Science&article=UPI-1-20061220-12455400-bc-canada-wildbirdseed.xml 1995-2007 ScienceDaily LLC     Dr. Weil Perplexed about Peanuts? http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/QAA115491     Avian Biology---Everything you wanted to know about birds and more!   Department of Biological Sciences Eastern Kentucky University by Gary Ritchison   To read all the information, view all the photographs and watch all the video clips would take literally hours! Awesome site! http://people.eku.edu/ritchisong/avian_biology.htm Avian Fatty Liver Disease   The condition is almost universally confined to caged birds fed high-energy diets, and is most often seen in summer months.   http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/202400.htm&word=fatty%2cliver     Avian Respiratory Diseases   http://www.vet.gla.ac.uk/vetscape/vet-x/redrobe/index.htm   The Top Ten Bird Killers   http://www.exoticpetvet.net/avian/topten.html Margaret A. Wissman, D.V.M., D.A.B.V.P. www.exoticpetvet.net     Dealing With Vitamin A Deficiency in Birds http://www.multiscope.com/hotspot/vitamina.htm   Psittacine Beak & Feather Disease (PBFD)   http://www.manauspbfdiseasesite.com/ A story about a very special bird, a courageous owner and a terrible enemy ---Psittacine Beak & Feather Disease (PBFD).   RESOURCES   Veterinary Clinics:     Quakertown Veterinary Clinic Quakertown, PA http://quakertownvetclinic.com/exotic.html/ The Medical Center for Birds - Oakland, CA http://www.medicalcenterforbirds.com/index.html Avian First Aid Link http://www.nipsparrot.org/Educational%20Articles_files/Avian%20First%20Aid.htm   Avian Skeleton Diagrams & Descriptions   http://people.eku.edu/ritchisong/RITCHISO//skeleton.html Avian Anatomy & Biological Functions A Diagram of a Parrot’s Muscles http://www.zoobooks.com/newFrontPage/animals/virtualZoo/animals/p/parrots/muscleview.html   Anatamy of the Beak         Poopology Dr. David Kersting, DVM (the poop that 'is' fit to print!) http://www.doodleproducts.com/poopology.html   A normal "poop!" (Above photo courtesy of Harrison's Bird Food web site)