Specialty pets need specialty care
Anyone can show up, change a cage and throw some pellets around. I bring bird expertise and a level of care rivaled by no one else.
Most pet sitting companies are built around dog walks and cat visits, with birds added somewhere between fish and snakes. Birds deserve someone who knows them inside and out.
Parrots are prey animals, wired to hide when something is wrong. The early signs are small, and you catch them when you know the bird and know birds. That's what I bring to every visit.
- 3,000+in-home visits
- 6 yearscaring for birds
- 5.0stars on Google
What I'm reading on every visit
Two people can stand in front of the same cage and see completely different things. Here's what a generalist tends to see, and what I'm actually looking at.
Fluffed up and dozing at midday
A cute, sleepy bird.
A bird holding in body heat during the day. If it pairs with a quiet appetite, I'm calling you that day.
The tail bobs with each breath
Nothing. It's easy to miss.
A bird working to breathe. That's a vet-today sign, not a wait-and-see one.
Pupils flashing big and small
An excited, friendly bird and reaches in.
Eye pinning. With a tight posture or raised nape it means "back off," and I respect it before anyone gets bitten.
Soft grinding sounds at night
Something wrong with the beak.
Beak grinding, the sound of a relaxed bird settling in to sleep. A good sign.
Droppings look a little different
Mess to clean up and throw away.
The best daily health report a bird gives. I check color, volume and consistency before the liner goes out.
New barbering or plucked spots
A bit of molting.
A possible stress response to your absence. I adjust enrichment and attention, and I tell you about it.
A sitter who does birds vs. a bird pro
| Pet sitter who "does birds" | David's Parrot Care | |
|---|---|---|
| Who they care for | Dogs and cats first, plus a dozen other species | Only birds |
| Who shows up | Whichever sitter is on the schedule | Me, with Michaela as my trusted backup |
| Experience | Mostly dogs and cats | 3,000+ in-home bird visits over 6 years |
| Lives with birds | Sometimes | Yes. I'm a bird owner myself |
| Reads body language | Basic, if trained at all | Posture, eyes, feathers, breathing and droppings, every visit |
| Standing in the bird world | Rarely | Published professional in the field |
| Everyday details | Follows a general pet checklist | Bird-specific habits that keep your bird healthy and comfortable |
| If something looks off | Often noticed late | Caught early, you're told right away |
Little habits that help birds thrive
Great bird care lives in the details. These are second nature to me, and they keep your bird healthy, calm and comfortable while you're away.
- Clean, fresh airBirds have remarkably sensitive lungs, so I keep nonstick cookware, aerosols and scented candles well away from them.
- Safe, happy out-of-cage timeDoors, windows and ceiling fans are checked before anyone stretches their wings.
- A healthy, familiar menuI serve your bird's own diet the way they're used to, with bird-safe treats only.
- Cozy and comfortableCages stay out of drafts and away from sudden temperature swings.
- Restful sleepLight and bedtime routines stay steady, with extra gentleness for cockatiels prone to night frights.
- Ready for anythingYour avian vet's details are confirmed at the intake, so there's a plan in place from day one.
I don't just care for birds. I live with them.
Birds aren't a line on my services list. They're my life, at home and at work.
I'm a bird owner myself, so I know what it's like to hand your bird over to someone and hope they get it right. I also work professionally in the bird world, and my writing on bird care has been published in [publication names].
Over the last 6 years I've made more than 3,000 in-home visits, caring for everything from budgies and lovebirds to Senegals, greys and Amazons. I'll put my bird care up against anyone's, and it's the standard your bird gets on every visit.
- Bird owner
- Published in the bird field
- 3,000+ visits in 6 years
- 5 stars on Google
David DePino
Meet Michaela
Michaela is part of the David's Parrot Care team, and she brings her own bird expertise to every client she cares for.
When I'm unavailable, Michaela steps in. She works from your bird's care plan, follows the same routine I do, and holds herself to the same standard. Your bird is in experienced hands either way.
Your bird stays home. I bring the expertise.
Why home is best for a bird
- No stressful tripCar rides, carriers and strange rooms are hard on birds. Staying home skips all of it.
- No exposure to other birdsBoarding puts your bird near birds it doesn't know and the illnesses they may carry.
- Routine stays intactSame cage, same perches, same light, same sounds out the window.
In-Home Parrot Care
- Fresh food and water, served the way your bird is used to
- Cage changeover
- A full body-language and health check
- One-on-one time and social attention
- Photo and video updates sent to you
"It's difficult to find someone who truly knows parrots and can care for them. A few days before we left for our trip, David came over to meet Eleanor and get acquainted." Anne and Kevin G. · Client review
Questions bird owners ask me
Who will be caring for my bird?
Me. If I'm ever unavailable, Michaela steps in. She's part of the David's Parrot Care team, brings her own bird expertise, and follows your bird's care plan exactly as I would. There's no rotating staff and no stranger at the door.
My regular pet sitter says they can handle birds. Why pay for a specialist?
For the routine parts of a visit, they may be fine. The difference shows up on the day something is slightly off. Birds hide illness, and the window to catch a problem early is short. That's the day you want someone who knows what they're looking at.
What happens if I notice something worrying during a visit?
You'll hear from me right away with what I'm seeing and photos or video. We'll decide together on next steps, and your avian vet's details are already on file from the intake.
What kinds of birds do you care for?
Parrots of all sizes, from budgies, lovebirds and cockatiels to conures, quakers, caiques, Senegals, Amazons and African greys.
How do I get started?
Book a free intake appointment. I'll come meet your bird, learn its routine, diet and quirks, and walk through your home before your first care visit.
Where do you visit?
Within 7 miles of Uptown (60640), from Evanston down to the Gold Coast along the lakefront. Not sure if you're in range? Text me your cross streets.
Give your bird a sitter who speaks bird
Every new client starts with a free intake visit. I meet your bird, learn its routine, and you decide if I'm the right fit.