Cockatiels
Cockatiels are one of the most popular companion birds in Richmond Hill, and for good reason. They are social, affectionate, and relatively easy to care for. However, they are also sensitive to environmental changes, which makes boarding preparation important.
Boarding considerations: Cockatiels thrive on routine and can become anxious in unfamiliar settings. We maintain their established sleep schedule, including proper light cycling and cage covering at night. Many cockatiels are prone to night frights, so we position their enclosures in calm, low-traffic areas with a dim nightlight available.
Diet during boarding: A balanced mix of high-quality pellets supplemented with seeds, fresh vegetables (especially leafy greens and carrots), and occasional fruit. We follow your established feeding schedule and dietary preferences precisely.
Enrichment: Cockatiels enjoy mirrors, swings, bells, and shredding toys. We rotate toys throughout the stay and provide supervised out-of-cage time with whistling and vocal interaction, which most cockatiels love.
Budgies & Parakeets
Budgies are small but incredibly active and social. They are among the most commonly boarded birds at Avian Haven, and their compact size does not mean they need any less attention or enrichment than larger species.
Boarding considerations: Budgies are flock-oriented and can become lonely without social interaction. If you board a single budgie, we ensure regular vocal interaction and enrichment throughout the day. Pairs are kept together in their familiar cage. We monitor for signs of stress such as feather fluffing, reduced vocalization, or appetite changes.
Diet during boarding: Quality seed mix or pellets as the base, supplemented with fresh vegetables (broccoli, spinach, carrot), sprouted seeds, and occasional millet spray as a treat. We avoid avocado, chocolate, and other toxic foods as standard protocol.
Enrichment: Budgies love climbing, swinging, and exploring. We provide varied perch heights, foraging toys, and mirrors. Many budgies enjoy music, so ambient sounds are part of their daily enrichment.
African Greys
African greys are among the most intelligent companion birds and require a high level of mental stimulation. Their sensitivity and cognitive ability mean they form strong bonds with their owners and can be particularly affected by changes in environment.
Boarding considerations: Greys need gradual acclimatization to new settings. We recommend a pre-boarding visit whenever possible so your grey can become familiar with our space. We pay close attention to their body language — pinning eyes, feather position, and vocalization patterns — to gauge comfort levels. Greys prone to feather plucking receive extra enrichment and monitoring.
Diet during boarding: A pellet-based diet with extensive fresh food variety: sweet potatoes, peppers, beans, leafy greens, berries, and nuts (particularly walnuts and almonds in moderation). African greys have higher calcium needs than many species, so we ensure calcium-rich foods are included daily.
Enrichment: Complex foraging puzzles, training exercises, and verbal interaction are essential. Many greys enjoy music, podcasts, or having someone talk to them throughout the day. We provide multi-step foraging devices that challenge their problem-solving abilities.
Conures
Conures are energetic, playful, and often described as the clowns of the parrot world. Green cheek conures, sun conures, and jenday conures are among the most commonly boarded species at our facility.
Boarding considerations: Conures are generally adaptable and handle new environments better than some species, but they are also highly social and can become vocal when seeking attention. We provide regular interaction throughout the day and monitor for over-preening, which can indicate stress in conures. Some conures can be nippy with unfamiliar handlers — we use patience and positive reinforcement to build trust.
Diet during boarding: Pellet base with abundant fresh fruits and vegetables. Conures enjoy sweet foods like grapes, apples, bananas, and berries alongside nutrient-dense vegetables like sweet potato, corn, and peas. We limit seed treats to appropriate amounts.
Enrichment: Conures need physically engaging toys — swings, ladders, and hanging toys they can wrestle with. They also enjoy shredding activities and benefit from out-of-cage play sessions with supervised climbing and exploration.
Cockatoos
Cockatoos are among the most demanding companion birds to board due to their intense social needs, powerful beaks, and emotional sensitivity. They form exceptionally strong bonds with their owners and can experience significant distress during separation.
Boarding considerations: Cockatoos require more hands-on interaction than almost any other species. We schedule multiple dedicated interaction sessions daily, including supervised cuddle time for cockatoos that are comfortable with handling. We watch carefully for signs of stress including excessive screaming, feather destruction, and loss of appetite. Cockatoo enclosures use heavy-gauge materials that withstand their powerful beaks.
Diet during boarding: A low-fat pellet base is important, as cockatoos are prone to fatty liver disease. Fresh vegetables should make up a significant portion of the diet, with fruits limited due to sugar content. Nuts are given sparingly as enrichment rewards rather than diet staples.
Enrichment: Heavy-duty destructible toys are essential — cockatoos need to chew, shred, and destroy. We provide large wooden blocks, thick leather strips, and coconut shells. Budget for regular toy replacement, as cockatoos go through enrichment materials quickly.
Macaws
Macaws are the largest commonly kept companion parrots and require significant space, robust enrichment, and experienced handling. Their intelligence, size, and volume make them a species that truly requires specialized boarding.
Boarding considerations: Macaws need spacious enclosures that allow them to spread their wings and move freely. Our facility accommodates large parrots with appropriately sized enclosures. Macaws are intelligent enough to learn the boarding routine quickly and often settle in well, but the first 24 hours require close monitoring. Their vocalizations are loud, so we position macaw enclosures to minimize stress on other boarded birds.
Diet during boarding: A varied diet is critical. High-quality pellets, a wide range of fresh fruits and vegetables, cooked legumes, and a moderate amount of nuts (macaws can handle more fat than smaller species). We follow your specific dietary instructions and note any food preferences or aversions.
Enrichment: Large, indestructible toys for manipulation and large destructible toys for chewing. Foraging activities, puzzle feeders, and regular out-of-cage time with supervised flight or climbing are part of every macaw's daily routine at Avian Haven.
Lovebirds
Lovebirds are small, colourful, and full of personality. They can be fiercely bonded to their owners or their mate, which makes boarding an experience that requires sensitivity and patience.
Boarding considerations: Bonded pairs should always be boarded together. Single lovebirds that are closely bonded to their owner may need extra social interaction and enrichment to compensate for the separation. Lovebirds can be territorial about their cage, so we handle cage maintenance with care and respect their personal space.
Diet during boarding: A seed and pellet mix supplemented with fresh fruits and vegetables. Lovebirds enjoy leafy greens, apple slices, and sprouted seeds. Fresh water is changed multiple times daily, as lovebirds tend to bathe in their water dishes.
Enrichment: Shredding materials are a must — paper strips, palm leaves, and soft wood toys keep lovebirds engaged for hours. They also enjoy swings, ladders, and small foraging toys sized appropriately for their beaks.
Finches & Canaries
Finches and canaries are generally low-maintenance boarders, but they have specific environmental needs that many generalist pet sitters overlook. Their small size does not mean they require less expertise.
Boarding considerations: Finches and canaries are sensitive to temperature fluctuations and drafts. We maintain stable room temperature and ensure their enclosure is positioned away from windows, vents, and doors. These species are typically non-handleable, so care focuses on environmental quality rather than direct interaction. We monitor for signs of illness closely, as small birds can decline rapidly.
Diet during boarding: Species-appropriate seed mix (finch mix for finches, canary mix for canaries) supplemented with egg food, fresh greens, and cuttlebone for calcium. We maintain fresh seed and water throughout the day.
Enrichment: Varied perch types and heights, swings, and visual stimulation. Canaries benefit from hearing other canaries sing, and we can provide ambient bird song recordings if appropriate. Flight space within the enclosure is prioritized over toys for these species.
Amazon Parrots
Amazon parrots are charismatic, vocal, and can be strong-willed. They are wonderful companions but require handlers who understand their body language and respect their boundaries, particularly during hormonal seasons.
Boarding considerations: Amazons can be territorial and may test boundaries with unfamiliar handlers. Our team is experienced with Amazon body language — fanned tails, pinning eyes, and raised nape feathers all communicate specific emotional states that guide how we interact with each bird. During hormonal periods, we minimize triggers and handle with extra caution.
Diet during boarding: Pellet-based diet with plenty of fresh vegetables and limited fruit (Amazons are prone to obesity). Chili peppers are a favourite treat for many Amazons and provide excellent nutritional value. We keep fatty foods like sunflower seeds to a minimum.
Enrichment: Amazons are vocal and many enjoy singing, talking, and interacting with music. We provide verbal interaction, foraging opportunities, and toys that encourage physical activity to maintain a healthy weight during their stay.
Indian Ringneck Parakeets
Indian Ringnecks are elegant, intelligent parrots known for their exceptional talking ability, long tail feathers, and wide range of colour mutations. They require experienced handlers who understand their unique behavioural phases.
Boarding considerations: Ringnecks go through a notorious "bluffing phase" between ages 1-3, where previously tame birds become nippy and avoidant. Our handlers are trained to work through this with patience and positive reinforcement. Ringnecks can be initially withdrawn in new environments but typically settle within 24-48 hours. Their long tail feathers require spacious enclosures to prevent damage.
Diet during boarding: High-quality pellets supplemented with fresh vegetables, fruits, and sprouted seeds. Ringnecks enjoy peppers, pomegranate, leafy greens, and corn. We limit fatty seeds and avoid diet changes that could cause digestive upset.
Enrichment: Foraging toys, talking interaction (many ringnecks expand their vocabulary during boarding), and supervised out-of-cage time. We provide natural wood perches of varying diameters and shredding materials appropriate for their beak strength.
Eclectus Parrots
Eclectus parrots are stunning birds with extreme sexual dimorphism — males are bright emerald green while females are vivid red and purple. Their dietary needs are unlike any other companion parrot, making specialized boarding essential.
Boarding considerations: Eclectus have unusually long digestive tracts, making them highly sensitive to artificial vitamins, dyes, and preservatives found in many commercial pellets. Toe-tapping and wing-flipping are signs of vitamin toxicity, not behavioural problems — our team knows to adjust diet immediately if these appear. Eclectus tend to be calmer than cockatoos or macaws but can become stressed in chaotic environments.
Diet during boarding: Primarily fresh foods — a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and cooked grains. Pellets must be free of artificial colours and vitamin additives. This is the single most important aspect of eclectus care and we take it seriously.
Enrichment: Low-stimulation environment with gentle foraging activities, natural wood toys, and calm interaction. Eclectus appreciate routine and consistency over novelty and excitement.
Parrotlets
Parrotlets are tiny parrots (just 4.5-5 inches) with enormous personalities. Often called "pocket parrots," they pack the attitude of a macaw into the smallest parrot body. Their small size demands specialized safety precautions during boarding.
Boarding considerations: Parrotlets can be fiercely territorial and aggressive despite their size — they will challenge birds many times their size. They must be housed individually, never near larger parrots who could injure them. Cage bar spacing must be no more than 3/8 inch to prevent escape. Parrotlets can revert to untame behaviour quickly without daily handling, so we maintain interaction routines during their stay.
Diet during boarding: Small pellets, finely chopped fresh fruits and vegetables, and limited seed mix. Parrotlets are prone to fatty liver disease if their diet is too seed-heavy. We monitor food intake carefully as changes in eating are an early indicator of stress in small birds.
Enrichment: Appropriately sized toys (many "small bird" toys are still too large), shredding materials, and supervised out-of-cage time in a parrotlet-safe room with no gaps or escape routes.
Senegal & Poicephalus Parrots
Senegal parrots and their Poicephalus relatives (Meyer's, Red-bellied, Cape, Jardine's) are known for their calm demeanour, strong one-person bonding, and relatively quiet nature. They make excellent apartment birds but require careful handling during boarding transitions.
Boarding considerations: Senegals are typically one-person birds and may be initially wary or aggressive toward boarding handlers. They are known for biting without obvious warning — their body language is more subtle than other parrots. Our team is trained to read the subtle signs: slight feather raising, eye pinning, and body tension that precede a Senegal bite. We build trust gradually and never force interaction.
Diet during boarding: Pellet-based diet with fresh vegetables, moderate fruit, and occasional nuts. Senegals have a strong chewing drive and enjoy food-based enrichment like whole nuts in shell and vegetable kabobs.
Enrichment: Wooden toys and foraging blocks that satisfy their chewing instinct, plus consistent daily routines. Senegals are prone to Aspergillosis (fungal respiratory infection), so we ensure clean air circulation in their boarding area.
Lorikeets & Lories
Lorikeets are among the most unique companion birds to board due to their specialized nectar-based diet. Their brush-tipped tongues are designed to extract pollen and nectar — they cannot eat seeds or standard parrot pellets. This makes them one of the most demanding species for boarding facilities.
Boarding considerations: The liquid diet means liquid droppings — this is completely normal for lorikeets, not a sign of illness. Cages require splash guards, frequent liner changes, and daily deep cleaning. Lorikeets are also extremely active and playful, needing constant enrichment to stay happy. They love hanging upside down and playing on their backs.
Diet during boarding: Commercial lorikeet nectar or wet mix prepared fresh multiple times daily, supplemented with fresh fruits (apple, grape, melon, berries). NO seeds, NO standard parrot pellets. We also avoid high-iron foods like spinach and kale, as lorikeets are prone to Iron Storage Disease (hemochromatosis).
Enrichment: Daily bathing or misting (lorikeets love water), swings, climbing ropes, and interactive toys. Lorikeets are social and vocal — they thrive on interaction and play sessions with their handlers.
Pionus Parrots
Pionus parrots are the hidden gem of the companion parrot world — calm, quiet, gentle, and less demanding than amazons or cockatoos. They make excellent apartment birds and are ideal for owners who want a medium-sized parrot without the noise or behavioural intensity of more popular species.
Boarding considerations: Pionus are extremely prone to Aspergillosis, a fungal respiratory infection, so air quality is our top priority. We also understand their species-specific stress response — Pionus wheeze and pant when anxious, which sounds alarming but is normal for the species, not a respiratory emergency. They may also emit a musky odor when stressed. Our handlers recognize these signs and respond with patience rather than panic.
Diet during boarding: Pellet base with fresh vegetables and fruits. Pionus are prone to obesity like Amazon parrots, so we manage portions carefully and limit fatty seeds and nuts. Active diet management is essential during boarding stays.
Enrichment: Moderate enrichment in a calm, quiet environment. Pionus do not need the intense stimulation that cockatoos or conures demand — they appreciate consistent routines, gentle interaction, and a peaceful atmosphere. Wooden toys and foraging activities satisfy their chewing needs.
Doves & Pigeons
Doves and pigeons are gentle, quiet birds that make wonderful companions. They are less commonly boarded than parrots, but they deserve the same level of attentive, species-appropriate care.
Boarding considerations: Doves and pigeons are ground-dwellers by nature and need enclosures with flat perches and accessible floor space. They are generally calm and non-aggressive, making them easy boarders. We provide a quiet environment and monitor for signs of respiratory issues, which can affect pigeons in particular.
Diet during boarding: A quality pigeon or dove seed mix, supplemented with grit for digestion and fresh greens. Clean water is essential and changed frequently throughout the day.
Enrichment: Shallow bathing dishes, gentle ambient sounds, and a calm environment are the primary enrichment needs. Some doves enjoy mirrors or gentle interaction with their caregivers.