With their striated muscle iris, birds do not respond to classical mydriatics used in mammals such as atropine. Following previous research successfully using topical neuromuscular blockers as mydriatics in birds of prey, this study investigated d-tubocurarine, pancuronium, vecuronium, atropine and phenylephrine in three psittacine species with and without surface acting penetration enhancers. As previous researchers had documented in the kestrel, vecuronium without penetration enhancers was found to be the most efficacious mydriatic in these birds. Systemic effects leading to death were noted in one bird given vecuronium and saponin while birds given atropine and phenylephrine with saponin, d-tubocurarine with saponin and pancuronium alone developed weakness and shallow breathing. Ocular irritation was marked in some cases with saponin-containing preparations although this was seen in cockatoos and not in African gray parrots.