We did it over 4 days but If you had nothing to do one Saturday afternoon and actually wanted to build this first aid kit all at once you could start out with coffee and order all the medical supplies from us. Then go through your cabinets and drawers (something you’ve been threatening to do for a year anyway) to find things that would be useful in your kit.
Now hop in the family jalopy and go to Walgreen’s – CVS/pharmacy – Target – Starbucks (for more coffee) the Container Store, Menards & Ace Hardware. Your choice of retailers may be different but you get the idea.


for Bird Medical Emergencies
Why you need this
Pediatric Dual Head Stethoscope for Bird Care & First Aid
Why you need this
4-3/8 Inch Surgical Scissors for Bird Care & Bird Emergencies
Why you need this
Why you need this
Why you need this
Why you need this
Small Bird Avian Scale
Why you need this
3 Each 3 Inch 2 mL Glass Droppers
Why you need these
Squeeze Wound Irrigation Bottle
Why you need this

Why you need this
You may already have this
Bought at a Target store: 33.8 oz $2.99
Why you need this
Coming back from a summer art fair with all the new art work you have no place to put, you find the air conditioner has failed and your bird is overheated, stressed and dehydrated.
You may already have this
Why you need this
“Toweling” is the easiest way to restrain your bird. An accident is not the time to introduce your bird to “toweling.”
Learn how to towel a bird here
You may already have this
Why you need this
For general clean up. “Toweling” is the easiest way to restrain your bird. Paper towels are acceptable to restrain small birds like Cockatiels and Parakeets
You may already have this
Ambient air thermometer
Bought at my local Ace Hardware: $2.99
Why you need this
Your bird needs to stay warm to conserve energy for healing. It’s important to know what the ambient (air) temperature is.
It needs to be in the high 70’s low 80’s. The only way to ensure this is with, you guessed it, a simple back yard thermometer. EZ to hang on the outside of the cage with a pear link.
Bought at a Walgreens store: 8 oz – $11.49
Why you need this
Can be used as a surgical hand scrub/wash or to use directly on the bird’s wound. The active ingredient is Chlorhexidine gluconate, the same active ingredient as Nolvasan.
Chlorhexidine gluconate has been shown effective against Megabacteriosis in exhibition budgerigars when placed in their drinking water
Why you need this
Allows you the freedom to work with both hands, important even when working with a partner. 3 levels of magnification let you “dial in” the view of the project at hand. Magnification is critical to administering accurate first aid care to you bird.
Great for the hobbyist too.
Why you need this
Allows you the freedom to work with both hands, Important even when working with a partner.
Precise magnification let you view the project closely at hand. Magnification is critical to administering accurate first aid care to you bird. Great for the hobbyist too.
Makes you look cool.
I pay from $1 – $3 for these
Why you need this
I can hold one in my mouth and work hands free. Accidents can be caused during night time power outages.
Ball cap LED light
Bought at my local Ace Hardware: $3.50
Whether you’re trying to clean out a birds wound or finding your way down a campground path at night, this is a welcome help.

Got these in a yard sale
Why you need these
Wounds need to be bandaged after they are cleaned and antiseptic has been applied.
A few in the purse or pocket next time you stop for coffee and no one will ever know.
Why you need these
Use for temporary splints on (larger) bone breaks and fractures. Stabilize bird until the vet visit. Great foraging toy too 🙂
You may already have this
Look in the junk drawer
Why you need this
Remove a “bump” from a beak or a rough nail tip.
You may already have this
Why you need this
A bird can get caught on a piece of metal from a toy. It may be prudent to cut the piece off the toy and then remove it from the bird.