Whether you are a seasoned professional or a recent graduate, when it comes to examining newly purchased birds, what you, the veterinarian, advise a bird owner and how you assess a new bird's health can make or break the relationship this owner forms with his or her new pet. Recommendations you make at that first visit can have a lasting impact on the habits this owner establishes when it comes to feeding, behavior, and basic care. Thus, it is critical during this examination that you choose the words you use and the tests you perform wisely. Maximizing the value of this time with an owner is crucial. Therefore, it behooves all veterinarians who see birds to periodically review the advice they give new bird owners to ensure that it is up-to-date, concise, and practical.

To help reach this goal, I have invited a group of avian veterinarians who regularly see new birds to explain the recommendations they make at this first visit. The veterinarians are Jerry LaBonde, MS, DVM, Avian & Exotic Animal Hospital, Homestead, CO, USA; Frank Lavac, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian Practice), VCA Wilshire Animal Hospital, Santa Monica, CA, USA; Brian Loudis, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian Practice), All Pets Animal Hospital, Encinitas, CA, USA; Susan Sattler-Augustin, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian Practice), Bayonet Point Animal Clinic, Port Richey, FL, USA; Tracey Ritzman, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian Practice), Palm Glen Animal Hospital, Phoenix, AZ, USA; and Laura Wade, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian Practice), Broadway Veterinary Clinic, Lancaster, NY, USA. I believe that their combined expertise in advising and guiding new bird owners will help both experienced avian practitioners and those just starting to see birds in practice. I thank them all for their participation.