What surprises most people is learning that the best way to deal with a tick on a bird is to leave it alone. When the tick is engorged it will fall off and that should be that. The cures and removal tricks can stress the bird out, introduce an infective agent to the broken skin, causing more serious problems – and for the most part – it’s not the trick that works, it’s just that the tick is going to go away anyway.
There are, of course, exceptions. Some ticks are exclusive to a bird and all ticks have the potential of carrying disease. When the tick you see falls off or is removed by any other means, drop it into a small vial or other container and contact your local health department for guidance in having it examined for possible threats. Normally this is done without any cost to you since it’s their obligation to the public anyway. If you have any problems, call the CDC (Center for Disease Control) and ask them your next step. Enough calls will likely get the end result you need.
When you see more than one or two ticks on a bird, chances are that there is a problem with the bird that is not caused by the tick. Birds are pretty meticulous about feather preening and removal of these parasites in quick time, but a bird with disease or illness may not be doing a fair job of self-checking and maintenance. Have the bird checked at the vet. Insist on a blood chemistry and cultures from mouth and vent (or droppings).
If you have the inclination and the property, some savvy farmers introduce Guinea fowl to their property for natural tick control. These are ground birds that often work well in outdoor aviaries with tree dwelling birds (parrots) as long as the area is large enough. The Guinea fowl do require their own food though, not the parrot’s food. They will still eat ticks even if well fed. They also need a roosting area that’s elevated, just in case they prefer that, but they don’t want a perch like your parrots, they’d prefer a wider selection like a beam.
http://www.guineafowl.com/fritsfarm/guineas
For my property (a rescue org and natural habitat) - keeping the perimeter well trimmed and watered (prevents fleas), as well as encouraging natural pest control like lady bugs and mantids has been very successful.
Good luck
Certified Avian Specialist
Cert. Avian Specialist; Int. Assoc.Animal Behavior Consult; Pet Ind. Joint Advisory Council; author