How to get a hair tie off my feisty bird's neck without getting bit?

Poor bird! If the foot is at all infected, trying to find a vet that can help in person is best. However, until you can find one, it is a good idea to separate the bird from any cage mates to keep from being picked on, and move him to a warm hospital cage with larger, flat perches that will make perching easier on his feet. Keeping the foot clean and dry and using an ointment such as Blu-kote (most feed and pet stores carry this for use in poultry and other birds) can help prevent infection. You can also Google how to make a bird-sized Elizabethan (cone) collar to put on the bird so that he can't get to his foot and bite it while it heals.

If she isn't picking at it or holding the foot up all the time, it likely does not hurt her. The nail does look a bit long. You can use a nail clipper to clip the point off. Avoid the pink area (or quick). This is the blood supply and it will hurt and bleed if you clip into it. Wrap her gently in a wash cloth and expose her feet to clip the nails. She will scream and holler but you can do one foot at a time with a rest in between. Concrete perches can help promote healthy nails and feet.

You can put an Elizabethan (cone) collar on Birdy to keep her from scratching the spot - googling how to make a bird sized one with a paper plate is a great at-home thing you can do, however with the severity of that injury and how rapidly it is spreading, I would seek out a veterinary exam in person ASAP. It is possible there is an infection, or other nutritional/disease process going on that requires additional treatment such as flushing the affected site, giving antibiotics, etc, so seeking vet care is best.

Set out some food Callie really likes such as chicken (no bones or skin) or tuna in spring water in the bathroom. Wait nearby the room, and when she goes to it, quietly go in and shut the door. That will trap her in a small room to enable you to get the hair clip off. I hope this helps.

Thanks for reaching out about Tweety. It really depends on if there is damaging being done. Grooming is normal, but if chewing to the point of wounds or bleeding, then a veterinary visit is needed. The feet and legs can be cleaned with warm water and a gentle soap. Good luck.

Check his feet and toes for injury, irritation or long nails. Check the perches for condition and cleanliness. Replace or clean them if necessary. If there are toys hanging near the perches, relocate or remove them. Make sure his cage is big enough and consider a cage cover at night to provide security for him.

Poor Peach! You can try to make a makeshift e-collar out of a paper plate to fashion around and prevent her from scratching at the wound if she is making it worse. or trim her toenails down some to make them less likely to worsen the wound. Treating the wound by keeping it cleaned with a washcloth and keeping the area dry can also help it heal. If it's very bothersome and she is scratching a lot, it is worsening, or it appears infected, bring her to a vet to have it treated is best so that it can heal more quickly.