The hustle and bustle of the holiday kitchen can be frightening, even dangerous, to your bird. While some birds will want to join in the holiday ruckus, others birds can become nervous and skittish around strangers or with sudden changes in their environment. For your bird's safety, keep her away from the commotion and dangers in the kitchen.

With all the buzz in your holiday home, you may not notice your bird slip outside until it's too late. Doors or windows opening and closing offer many opportunities for a frightened bird to escape. During any kitchen gathering, the best place for your bird is in a separate room. This will keep her away from cigarette smoke, hot sauces and gravy, and glasses of liquid (alcoholic drinks are toxic to your bird). Many of your visitors will be fascinated with your bird and want to meet her. Remember, an upset bird may nip and bite strangers, even someone whom she knows. She may also injure herself as she frantically tries to get away from a guest she perceives to be predator!

Your bird might smell something delicious in a bowl of hot sauce or gravy, and come over to investigate. Although she may be cute attempting to eat like the human she thinks herself to be, she may get stuck in bags or containers, scald herself or even drown. Remember to cover any pots you're using for cooking, particularly those containing hot oil.

Thanksgiving is a time for lots of cooking and food. Check turkey roasters and other cookware for nonstick coatings before using these items in your kitchen. The fumes from appliances and cookware coated with polytetraflouethylene (the toxic substance in Teflon and other nonstick cookware) are deadly to your bird.

Dangerous cookware includes:

• Turkey roasters
• Electric frying pans
• Hot food servers
• Cake pans
• Drip pans
• Coffee makers
• Broilers
• Bread makers
• Food warmers