It is with a massive amount of sadness that I say goodbye to my “baby beak”: Cheekers the cockatiel.

Many of you have seen her picture on the Help page of my website. She is listed as my ’secretary’ who helps me with all of my email. Cheekers could also be heard inserting her opinion in the background of many of my podcasts at RoyaltyNow!.

She was a good little friend who is sorely missed. My other two buddies, Percy and Feathers, will miss her, too.

For anyone who has female birds: get them checked regularly to prevent the possibility of egg binding. Egg binding is the inability of a female bird (hen) to pass a developed or partially developed egg. The inability to pass the egg quickly could result in the death of the hen.

Even if your bird has been laying eggs just fine, keep in mind that egg-laying could pose just as many complications for a bird as any human pregnancy. It’s a big deal for one’s body to go through, so keep an eye on your little hen.