Types of Parrots – Which Ones to Chose As Ideal Pets?

The first step to ensure that pet owner and the parrot companion are well-suited for one another is to get as much parrot information as possible starting with the types of parrots ideal for him. There are several hundreds of parrot species all over the world and it is a must that a prospective pet owner should get to know the different types of parrots before choosing the apt pet for himself.

The parrot information included here is very basic but will already give you an overview of the diverse types of parrots suitable for pet keeping. Getting g to know the characteristics of each of types of parrots will give you the opportunity to choose from among the parrot species the best and the most complementary parrot companion for you with regards to your lifestyle and living situation. The caring and maintenance of your parrot pet will by design depend on the time, space and care you can offer. There are types of parrots that need space and a lot of care while other types of parrots are easily maintained and do not require lot of training.

The scientific taxonomy of the parrot species is a bit controversial among scientists right now since earlier classifications have been found to be inconsistent with modern method. One classic example is the use of physical appearance as basis for grouping the types of parrots. DNA tests have shown that some parrot species included in one type do not share the same DNA traits. So for purposes of aiding in pet selection, the parrot information which will be used here are the types of parrots classification commonly used by breeders and parrot enthusiasts.

Basically, the term ‘parrot’ encompasses all the types of parrots known to man; roughly 372 parrot species in 86 genera. This is a generic name for a family of intelligent birds that share a strong physical appearance: strong, distinctive curved beak, bright and mostly multi-colored plumage, upright stance, strong legs, four-toed feet with two pointing forward and the other two backwards; similar dietary needs: fruits, seeds, vegetables and other human food; and, the ability to mimic sounds (some types of parrots can even hold short conversations). Most parrot species are from the tropical region but quite a few of them can be found in sub-tropical and temperate zones.

The parrot lover circuit uses these eight types of parrots classification to aid in pet selection:
a. parrots, intelligent large talking birds that need a lot of training before they can become good pets;
b. parrotlets, small parrot version but with bigger personalities and charming disposition;
c. macaws, feathered pets who need authoritarian training with a one word description — flamboyant;
d. conures, parrot species of different hued variety with gentle personality;
e. budgies (parakeets), green and yellow native Australian timid birds that need a lot of bonding with owner to become more sociable and entertaining;
f. lovebirds, a tiny playful that cannot mimic sound but have sweet entertaining chirps;
g. cockataiels, good captive breeders perfect for first time owners;
h. cockatoos, sociable and highly intelligent playful pet that can easily be trained to talk.

Popular parrot species commonly kept as pets are cockatoos, conures, cockatiels, lovebirds, buggies, macaws, Amazons, African greys, Caiques, Pionus and Poicephalus. Different types of parrots would have varied temperament, ability to talk and mimic (in fact this depends more on individual bird’s ability), trainability, care needs and sociability.

Gathering parrot information will give you the familiarity and understanding of the several types of parrots available and compatible to your way of life and personality.
Want more great information and a free e-course on types of parrots and parrot care? Come visit my http://www.parrotcare-tips.com website. I’m Eva Aubin, a parrot care expert, and I’ll be thrilled to share my knowledge about these great birds and help you and your pet to have a long lasting, fulfilling relationship.

Why Parrots Stop Talking

Why parrots stop talking is not always the problem. Some people long for their parrots to stop talking, simply because they talk incessantly once they have learned a few phrases. Parrots are very sociable, and want to communicate with other members of their “flock” – which means the people with whom they live. So a talking parrot is probably more common.

There are times, however, when parrots stop talking, and then the worried owner wants to know why parrots stop talking.

Reasons Why Parrots Stop Talking

There are several reasons why parrots stop talking. We cannot give a complete list here, but one of the following may apply to your parrot.

1. Some talking parrots stop talking for a few days when they arrive in a new home. They are adjusting to the change. They find themselves suddenly with a new “flock” in a new environment. Even a talking parrot will take time to sort things out in its mind before it feels comfortable.

2. Sometimes talking parrots stop talking when they are feeling ill. If your parrot has been talking, and stops with no apparent reason, consider health issues. You may need to take it to an avian veterinarian.

3. Talking parrots will “pout” and stop talking when they are unhappy with a change you have made. It may be you have moved the furniture in the room where the parrot spends most of its time. Maybe you are wearing an article of clothing the parrot does not like.

4. Another reason talking parrots may stop talking is the introduction of a new family member, either human or another pet. The parrot must work through the change, and stops talking while adjusting.

5. Sometimes a talking parrot has been frightened, perhaps by a prey animal. The animal may be outside, but visible from the parrot’s cage.

6. Finally, a talking parrot may stop talking if it becomes bored with its own chatter, and hears few words from you. Remember that your parrot talks to communicate with you. It is in a “foreign” land, away from those that speak its language, and is trying to learn your language to communicate.

What to Do When Parrots Stop Talking

There are several things you can do to encourage a talking parrot that has stopped talking.

If your talking parrot is in new surroundings, make it as comfortable as possible. Give it time to adjust, but while it’s adjusting, talk to it gently and frequently. As soon as it decides the new surroundings are safe, it will probably begin talking again.

If you suspect your talking parrot’s sudden silence is an early sign of illness, look at its eyes and feathers. If you detect dullness in either, you may need to have an avian (bird) veterinarian check your parrot.

Sometimes the answer is as simple as finding a change you have made in the previous few days or week. Did you move a vase that used to reflect the light? Did you move the parrot’s cage a few feet one way or another? Try to remember what may have changed and put it back the way it was. Your talking parrot may quickly speak up to thank you.

Check for predators, even though you know they cannot reach the parrot. A large, predatory bird flying past the window, or sitting in a tree outside can be the reason a talking parrot stops talking.

The best solution to helping a talking parrot find its tongue is to spend more time talking to and around the bird. Take it into other rooms with you and the family so it will feel like being a part of the conversation.

Talk to your bird as much as you would talk to a family member or very good friend, and before long, it should begin talking again.
©2007, Anna Hart. An avid reader and researcher, Anna explores many parrot species, and offers other interesting parrot information at http://www.parrots-of-the-world.com If you would like to learn more about how to train your parrot, you won’t want to miss Anna’s advice.

How to Handle Noisy Parrots

Parrots are noisy birds and if you have made a decision to keep a parrot, you have to learn to adapt to the squeaky sounds that they make. Yes they can talk beautiful words and entertain you. They can also sing like Bing Crosby. But there is also the other side, where they scream and squeak until your eardrums fell out.

Even the quietest of parrots can scream loud enough and often enough to make you wish you had kept a cat instead. The incessant screams can lead to complaints from your neighbors so be prepared to handle that.

So how do you get your parrots to shut up? You can’t use a scotch tape to tie the bird’s beak. The answer to that is to understand how parrots communicate and why they make all those noises. It is normal for a parrot to squeak or squawk and you have to accept that there is no such thing as a quiet parrot. Parrots can squawk for hours just like humans talk and chat non-stop. Then at the right time when the parrot has had enough, it will be quiet.

As in humans, the more comfortable a parrot is with its surroundings the more it will squawk. That’s why when you first take your parrot home it will be fairly quiet as it begins to adapt to its new home and surroundings. Once that is settled, be prepared for parrot noises.

However, parrots don’t squawk all day long. They usually do so early in the morning and then quiet down. They will then start the process again around sunset. They will also get a little active vocally after a nap. This is normal behavior which you should not worry about. It is an indication that your parrot is happy with its environment. If you feel that your parrot is noisier than usual, then it is quite possible that you have chosen a species that is more vocal than others. A Macaw can scream at ear piercing decibels for up to ten minutes at a time as compared to an African Grey or a Cockatoo.

As a parrot owner, you need to learn to identify between happy chirping and upset squawks. This is not hard to do once you have lived with your parrot after sometime. Upset squawks have a tone of desperation and unhappiness about them.

Once you’ve determined the cause of the noise, you can make your parrot quiet by giving it something to do. Like a baby, bored parrots scream more. Give them different parrot toys to amuse themselves and play with. You will notice that the sound will become less noisy and less frequent once the toys are placed in their cages.

Another thing you can look into is your parrot’s diet. Make sure that the food is fresh and has not expired. A healthy parrot is not going to be as noisy as one that is being fed with a proper meal.

Also look at the cage and ensure that the parrot has enough space to move about. Parrots squeal more in smaller cages. Let it out of the cage often so that the bird can feel the open space.

As a parrot owner, you have to accept the fact that parrots are noisy. But your love for parrots and their companionship means more to you than little noise inconveniences. What you can do is to look out for factors that cause your parrots to scream more and address that so that the noise can be minimized.
Azmi Adnan is a writer and a parrot enthusiast. Subscribe to his newsletter for interesting articles on parrots at his website http://www.power-to-live.com/parrot.html

Information on Parrots

Pet birds have now become the fourth most popular pet, behind dogs, cats and fish; and parrots are often the first birds that spring to mind when you think of pet birds. The types of birds that are included under the group name of parrots are: parrots, cockatoos, amazons, macaws, conures, lovebirds, parakeets, cockatiels and budgerigars.

Parrots have been extraordinarily favored among pet owners and it’s not hard to grasp why. Two of the preferred reasons why they make entertaining and lovable pets are due to their high intelligence and their power to talk. Although there is little evidence to suggest that they understand the words they are using, it is still quite amusing to the owner to hear pet parrots repeat the words they’ve been taught. As pets they are delightful, but they can become extremely moody and temperamental.

African Grey parrots have been said to have the intellectual capacity of a 5 year old child with the emotions of a 2 year old. Because of this higher intelligence, they can be demanding pets, and rightly so. African Greys have been kept as pets for over 4000 years. The Egyptians are thought to be the first to keep the African Grey as pets, as depicted in their hieroglyphics.

Because these birds are so popular, there is a large and thriving trade in smuggling the animals out of various countries, with many dying in transit. There are also moral questions about the keeping of such reportedly intelligent and wide flying birds in cages.

Parrots are again flying wild in the United States; even if they are not native to the states they now inhabit. These populations are made up of abandoned and escaped pet birds, and there are differing opinions on whether this is a good or bad situation.

Due to their popularity, parrots are following in the footsteps of cats and dogs in that they are also facing homelessness. There are over 150 rescue organization in the United States, and many overseas to face this growing problem. Sadly, many of these organizations are now full, and there are not enough caring individuals who are able to open more rescues. We are now beginning to see the use of euthanasia to control their numbers. Most birds living in animal shelters and avian rescue facilities are under the age of five! This is startling considering that some species of parrots can live to over 60 years in captivity.

Parrots are very intelligent birds and can provide us with many years of loyal companionship. It is up to us to provide everything these beautiful birds need when we make them part of our home and our lives.
Respectfully submitted by Idaline Hall. For more insider secrets in the areas of home & garden, pets, health & fitness, business, sports and recreation, natural and alternative healing, visit: http://QuickHelpTips.com

Stress Eased by Connecting With Wildlife – In This Case – Wild Parrots

Are you looking for a way to deal with life stressors? Many studies have shown that nature can help you improve your well being and health. It’s something you just know when you experience it. It worked for me.

After I moved from San Jose to LA County 8 years ago, I felt home sick. Besides keeping in touch with my family, what helped me the most was observing wildlife and shooting photos and videos of animals. For instance, in the early morning, I stood waiting and watching on my roof deck for the sun to break over the horizon. I waited for the wild parrots of Redondo Beach to wake up. Then, shortly after sunrise, stillness gave way to chatter in a gently swaying palm tree. Soon, about 50 parrots emerged from their roost, squawking as they circled above me in the early morning sky. Thirty minutes later, they divided into smaller groups to forage throughout the city. 

When I returned to Santa Clara County, I  discovered Mitred Conures on Saratoga Sunnyvale Road in Sunnyvale in a flowering Eucalyptus Tree. There they drink the nectar of the pink flowers, sprinkling the discarded petals on the sidewalk. After following the flock in the late afternoon, I discovered their roosting site at  Las Palmas Park. They sleep above the children’s playground in tall palm trees. 

These birds measure 15 inches in length and are green with red spots on their wings, small patches of red on their head, and yellow spots on their breasts. They have never flown at elevations between 1000-2700 meters in their native neotropical habitat of Peru, Bolivia or Argentina. Instead, these naturalized parrots forage, roost, and breed in Sunnyvale,  California. 

Originally, Mitred Conures were imported for the pet trade. But pet owners either let them go, or the parrots escaped, making their home in non-indigenous surroundings. Yet, they have thrived because they have grown accustomed to the temperate climate and have found an abundance of tropical plants, including evergreen trees in the winter and deciduous trees in the summer. Conures and other parrots can eat a variety of fruits, seeds and nectar.   Wild parrots have been observed in other cities, such as San Francisco. And in Southern California, Temple City has provided an urban habitat for more than 1,000 Red-crowned parrots.  If you want to view the parrots at the park, the best time is shortly before sunset.

Las Palmas Park is located at 850 Russet Dr, Sunnyvale, CA
Diana Clarke is a certificated teacher and health educator. Her articles have appeared in magazines and newspapers, including the San Jose Mercury News. Visit her website at http://yourskinandsun.com

Secrets About African Parrots

Those who are fond of keeping pets at home will find African Parrots to be a wonderful choice with some fascinating features. The origin of these birds can be traced back to the parts of Central and Western Africa among the rainforests, which can found in the form of two major sub species. These include the Congo Grey Parrot and Timneh Grey Parrot, which can be distinguished based on their size and color. The Congos are larger and come with light grey feathers characterized by dark red tail feathers along with a black beak. However, Timneh is relatively smaller with a charcoal grey body along with a tinge of maroon and grey found on its tail feather.

Some Secrets about Grey parrots

Most of these African grey talking parrots enjoy feeding on fruits, berries, nuts, grains along with seeds and vegetables among others. One of the secrets of African Parrots is that they possess good climbing skills. They get on to the uppermost branches of the tree to gather different kinds of food. These species usually tend to have their nesting places among the trees and palms or water based regions like the rivers and the islands. They possess a unique quality of mimicking the sounds of humans, birds and mammals including pets like owls, cats and other kinds of animals.

Besides, African grey talking parrots also have the most incredible cognitive abilities along with the capability to even mimic the sounds exactly as they hear. They can even replicate the sounds of telephone ringing, microwave, doorbells among other familiar sounds. they can learn repetitive tasks by associating them with some common phrases. Besides, they tend to develop a strong bond with the owners and require their attention most of the time as they get bored very easily and display their boredom by plucking their feathers.

The average lifespan of an African Parrot is about 40-60 years and some of them even manage to survive until the age of 75. Most of the male birds are larger than their female counterparts and you can notice some differences such as a narrow head and a more slender neck among the females.

You can find these African Parrots for sale but they do not come cheap and would cost you more than a thousand dollars but it is definitely worth investing in them for owning such household pets. These intelligent creatures can help in removing the monotony in the house and create a more friendly and interactive environment. You can check out some of the best parrot breeders available in your area who keep African Parrots for sale. African Parrot can be your best companion with whom you can spend your free time.
Ryan H. Grizzard is a parrot care expert. For more great information on African parrot visit http://www.parrotstalking.com

Some Parrots Can Be a Real Challenge

There are hundreds of different parrot species all different in size, color or temperament.

Speaking with word association comes to mind when one thinks of parrots, but they aren’t all equal in their ability to talk.

What really sets the different species apart is how hard each is to tame, and care for.

Some of the most challenging parrots are the cockatoos, the macaws and the amazons.

Cockatoos

Cockatoos are highly loyal, cuddly and affectionate parrots, but it comes with a price. They need attention and a lot of it.

If you are thinking of getting a cockatoo be prepared to spend the best part of your day keeping it company. A cockatoo that is ignored for most of the day will become a real terror. Most noticeable will be screaming.

A screaming cockatoo can be heard for blocks. Not only will your neighbors hate you, but you won’t be able to stand being in the same room as it.

If you are willing to spend the time they demand with one, a cockatoo is a very devoted parrot, but they aren’t for anyone that doesn’t have the time to socialize with them.

Macaws

First of all with all but a few exceptions, macaw birds are big.

All macaws, including the mini macaws can be extremely loud.

These birds need almost as much attention as the cockatoos do or they will turn into real terrors that scream and bite.

They don’t usually bite hard, but if they do they can easily break a finger.

With proper training macaws don’t bite, but if you don’t know the bird use a little caution.

Macaws may not be ideal for everyone, but they are fantastic pets in the hands of someone who is willing to spend the time and energy to tame and train one.

Amazons

If they have enough room and toys to play with amazon birds can be left alone longer than the other two. What makes them a challenge is their aggressive nature.

For someone that doesn’t have experience with parrots their aggressive nature can present a real challenge.

As with the other two parrots, if they aren’t properly trained they can be loud and noisy.

Amazons need a firm hand when they get aggressive, but they are great parrots that are almost as good at talking as The African Gray parrot.

If you educate yourself about what you are getting into before buying one, any one of these parrots will make a good choice for a pet parrot.
Did you know that cockatoo birds are consider the most cuddly of all the parrot species.
Even though they may be a challenge macaw birds are considered the gentle giants of the parrot world.
Find out more about the different parrot species at Pet Parrots Web.

Grey Parrots – Talented Mimics and Friendly Pets

Grey Parrots can be found in the wild in Central Africa, the Guinea islands, Tanzania and Kenya. They can be up to 33 cm (13 in) in size. They are widely loved as pets because of their outstanding ability to mimic household sounds and voices. They are easily tamed, especially if they are acquired when they are young. They will often be faithful and even lifelong pets as they can live several decades. They are fairly demanding as youngsters so you should make sure you have time to devote before obtaining one.

Grey Parrots tend to be rather timid and nervous. Often they hesitate to talk when in the presence of strangers and untamed birds may even make a hissing sound if they are approached by someone they are not comfortable with. When they no longer feel endangered they generally return to their normal behavior.

Breeding grey parrots is possible but not simple. Though sometimes males will have darker wings, there is not a reliable or obvious external gender difference between males and females. However, surgical gender differentiation is possible to form breeding pairs. Generally, Grey Parrots do not begin nesting until they are about 4 years old. Sometimes birds that are normally tame can become hostile during breeding. If you are attempting to breed Grey Parrots leave them alone as much as you can and feed them a diverse diet to increase the chances of success. The incubation period for these birds is approximately 4 weeks and most young parrots are able to fly around 3 months of age.
Do you have a Parrot? Check out this web store with a variety of bird cages for sale including large bird cages.

Parrot Toys – Everything You Need to Know

This article is for you if you own a parrot or are thinking about getting a parrot.

1 – Why Do Parrots Need Toys

You already know that you need a LOT of toys to keep a parrot entertained if you have a parrot or several parrots. If you’re thinking about getting a parrot then get ready to hire a staff of Santa’s Elves because you’re going to need them. Most parrots love to destroy toys. This is a healthy, necessary, and required behavior. After food, water, and your attention, toys are probably the next most important things in your parrot’s world. Toys are not an optional accessory for you parrot; they are essential. Toys provide mental stimulation, physical stimulation, and keep your parrot’s beak trimmed.

Parrots spend a lot of time searching and foraging for food in the wild. This entertains them and stimulates them. In your home, the toys provide the necessary means for your parrot to entertain itself. Toys also provide the mental stimulation required by your parrot. Some experts say that the parrot’s emotional level is similar to a 2 year-old child. They also say their intelligence is similar to a 3 year-old child. So stimulating toys are just as necessary for you parrot as they are for a 2 or 3 year old child.

There is also another more tangible reason for providing toys for your parrot. Toys are required to keep your parrot’s beak trim. The beak is always growing much like out fingernails. Your parrot’s beak will become overgrown without something to chew on. This will require a trip to the vet, toweling, and filing of the beak. This is stressful to the parrot and can be avoided by providing toys for your parrot to chew up and destroy.

2 – What Are the Types of Toys?

There are several types of toys. These are general categories and some toys fall into several of the categories. Some are designed to give your parrot mental exercise such as Puzzle Toys. Some are designed to give your parrot physical exercise such as Exercise Toys, and Grasping Toys. Finally, some are designed to give your parrot a healthy beak and healthy feathers such as Chew Toys and Preening Toys.

• Puzzle Toys – These are typically puzzles with treats inside them. They encourage the parrot to solve the puzzle to earn the treat. Some are simple lids on boxes and some are complex and require the parrot to unscrew nuts from bolts to open a treat holder.
  
• Exercise Toys – These are typically rings or ladders that encourage your parrot to climb, hang, or swing.
  
• Grasping Toys – These are “hand” held toys and other toys that encourage your parrot to hold them while playing with them. This encourages your parrot to exercise its “hands”.
  
• Chew Toys – These are for shredding. They keep your parrot’s beak trim.
  
• Preening Toys – These are typically hanging toys that encourage your parrot to preen them. The theory is that if your bird preens it’s toys then it will be encouraged to preen itself. Preening is necessary for your parrot to maintain healthy feathers.

3 – Important Toy Safety Issues


There are several things to avoid when buying or making toys. These include safety issues with your parrot consuming the toy and other physical safety concerns. Some materials to avoid include toxic inks, staples, rubber, Styrofoam, soft plastic and costume jewelry. These items are potential dangerous items if your parrot ingests them. There are also items that pose a physical danger. These items include key-chain rings, frayed ropes, and a crowded cage. Key chain rings can potentially get caught on you parrot’s beak or their nails. Frayed ropes are also potentially dangerous if your parrot’s feet get tangled in the frayed ends. Finally, a crowded cage can be dangerous if your parrot doesn’t have room to spread its wings.

Leather strips are often used to tie toy parts together. If you’re using your own leather strips then make sure they are not dyed, tanned, or treated in any way. If there is a doubt then don’t use it. Glue is often used to glue toy parts together such as Popsicle sticks. Make sure you use a non-toxic glue such as Kid-Safe glues if you use glue and use as little as possible.

Glues should be avoided when making toys unless necessary. A “Kid-Safe” glue that is non-toxic should be used if required and you should use as little as possible.

One final consideration regarding safety is toys mixed with food or treats. Some toys have treats in them or fastened to them. This is acceptable and this type of toys is one of the parrot’s favorite toys. However, flavoring toys with food can be dangerous and should be avoided. This happens when some people make toys and want to color the toys. The coloring should be non-toxic and food free. If it tastes like food or a treat then your parrot may consume it. If you want to dye wood blocks then use a nonflavored coloring for the same reason. Some people recommend food coloring or unsweetened Kool-Aid to color your wood blocks.

4 – What Makes a Toy a Good Toy?

There are several factors that make a toy a “Good Toy”. The most important factor is that the toy must be safe. The previous section listed some materials to avoid. This section lists some characteristics that make a toy a “Good Toy”.

• Colorful – Parrots can see colors.
  
• Chewable – This will help keep their beak trim.
  
• Different Textures – Parrots “feel” with their beaks and can distinguish different textures.
  
• Appropriate Size – Buying or making your toys the appropriate size is a key consideration.
  
• Mentally Challenging – The toys should be mentally challenging such as Treats inside Toys.
  
• Quick Links – Also called “C clips” or “C clamps”. They have a screw fastener and are shaped like a “C”
  
• Moving Parts – Parrots love a lot of moving part and swinging parts.
  
• Makes Noise – Parrots love bells and musical toys.
  
• Puzzles – Some “puzzles” are simple (lid on a box) and some are very complex.

5 – Where Can I Get Toys?


Now we know what makes a dangerous toy and what makes a good toy. There are a few places/means to get toys. You can purchase them at pet stores or on the Internet. This is the easiest and most convenient way to get toys. You can also build your own toys. These are referred to as DIY (Do-It-Yourself) toys. This is the cheapest way to get toys. Finally, you can do a combination of buying, building, and recycling which for most people is a happy medium.

Buying toys at pet stores or online is very convenient. There are two key considerations necessary before buying the toys. These are material and size. Toys come in a variety of materials and are often a mix of the following materials. The common toy materials are wood, rope, leather, acrylic, and metal. All of these materials are safe. However, you should check each toy to ensure that there aren’t other hazards such as entanglement (frayed rope or clips) or ingesting hazards (small parts). The size of the toy is also a key consideration. Most pet stores recommend what toys should be purchased for what size of parrots. However, there isn’t an industry standard in “sizing”. Check the size of the toy and match the size of the toy with the size of your parrot. A general sizing is small (Conures & Pionus) , medium (African Greys & Amazons), and large (Macaws & Large Cockatoos).

Buying toys is often how parrot owners start out getting toys for their parrots. After buying parrot toys for a while you will soon realize that the cost is very high. You will find yourself spending $10 for a toy with nothing to show after a couple hours of your parrot chewing on it. It’s very similar to feeding money into a shredder. Some parrots are better at destroying toys than others so some parrots require a lot more toys than others require. You will soon begin to realize that you can build your own toys a lot cheaper than you can buy them. Building your own toys is the cheapest way to get toys for your parrot. DIY (Do-It-Yourself) toys are a cost effective means to provide your parrot with toys. This does require some knowledge and experience using tools but only very basic tools. You might need a wood saw to cut wood, a drill to drill holes, and possibly a pair of pliers. You can purchase the wood at a local hardware store, bring it home and cut it up, then hang it from your bird’s cage using rope, wire, cloth, or leather strips. The DIY method also requires some creativity on your part. However, after looking at other toys at pet stores or online, you can come up with your own ideas about building your own toys. While this is the cheapest way to get toys, it does require a lot of cutting and drilling. There is a third option for those of you who don’t have the energy or inclination to dedicate this much effort. This option is a combination of buying toys and making toys.

The third option for getting toys is to combine the buying and making methods. In this case you purchase toy parts and make your own toys. These toy parts come in toy making kits where all the pieces are included and you just have to assemble them. These toy parts also come in packages that just include wood blocks or just include plastic blocks, or just include other parts. In this case, you may want to purchase several different packages of toy parts and mix and match them. This requires very little work because the toy parts are ready to assemble and don’t require cutting or drilling. And these DIY kits are often cheaper than the fully assembled toys. This option is how most long time parrot owners get toys for their parrots.

6 – How Can I Save Money on Toys?

There are several ways to save money on toys. The first option is to use common household materials to make toys and to supplement toys. Here’s the “Top Ten Cheap Materials to Use to Make Parrot Toys” It actually has sixteen items but who has ever heard of the “Top Sixteen List”?

1. Unscented Toilet Paper rolls and Paper Towel rolls – Most parrots love to shred these. You can put them with other toys or just hang them from their cage. Some recommend that you not use these items due to the glue on the rolls containing Zinc. You may want to watch your parrot the first time to see if they’re eating them or just shredding them before turning them loose to shred these.
   
2. Chinese Finger-Cuffs – That may not be the politically correct name for these. They’re the tubes that you put your fingers in and they tighten as you pull your fingers out. These can liven up any toy or be used alone and hung from the cage bars..
   
3. Magazine Inserts – You know those annoying things ads that fall out of magazines? Guess what your parrot thinks of them. They love to shred them. Some warn against giving these if they have ink on them but just watch your parrot the first time to see if they’re eating them or just shredding them before turning them loose to shred these.
   
4. Baby Key Rings – Baby toys usually make an excellent toy for parrots too. The baby key rings are a lot of fun and provide long lasting entertainment to your parrot.
   
5. Paper Cups, Plates, Straws – All of these are inexpensive and easy to chew for your parrots. Cut them and tie them together. The more creative you are, the more your parrot will appreciate them.
   
6. Ping Pong Balls – These provide good “hand” toys or if you poke a hole through them you can hang them in their cage or on their play-stand.
   
7. Pine Cones – If you have these available, they make a great toy. Make sure they’re clean before giving them to your parrot.
   
8. Newspapers – Just make sure the ink isn’t toxic. Roll the paper up into a tight roll and tie it together. A paper-log can provide hours of fun to your parrot or just minutes depending on what type of parrot you have.
   
9. Cardboard boxes – Small boxes can provide fun to your parrot and you as you watch your parrot experiment.
   
10. Ink Pens – Those plastic pins with the clicker button make an excellent toy. Just make sure you remove the ink part and the inside parts (clicker,spring,etc) before giving it to your parrot.
    
11. BONUS!–Wooden Clothes Pins – If you have any, these are great chew toys for parrots. Just make sure they’re the old style without the metal springs.
    
12. BONUS!–Worn Shoe String – Make sure they’re clean and use them to tie other toy parts together. Watch for frayed ends, which may get tangled in the parrots talons.
    
13. BONUS!–Rag Strips – Cut old (clean) rags up and tie them in knots. Just make sure they’re clean and watch for frayed ends, which may get tangled in the parrots talons.
    
14. BONUS!–Unscented Paper Towels – Just tie them around their cage bars or around toys and watch them shred these. This is also a good way to encourage a parrot to play with a new toy.
    
15. BONUS!–Coffee Filters – Just the plain cheap paper filters. Cut a hole through a bunch of them and tie them together with string or a leather strip. This is cheap and will provide a lot of entertainment.
    
16. BONUS!–Food Stuff – Some people use Cheerios and raw pasta to supplement their toys. They tie the Cheerios or raw pasta onto toys or just hang strings of them from the cage. I personally don’t like to mix food and toys but it’s just a personal preference.
    
17. BONUS!–Popsicle sticks – You can buy these at craft store at reasonable prices. If you use them after eating the Popsicle then rinse it thoroughly.

The second way to save money is to reuse and recycle old toys. It is important to regularly clean and rotate in new toys to keep your parrot healthy and stimulated. This is the perfect opportunity to clean and disassemble old toys and use the old parts with new parts to make new toys. This recycling saves money and also provides some familiarity to your bird when you rotate in new toys. This familiarity will encourage your bird to play with the new toys. Getting your parrot to play with new toys is sometimes a challenge. This topic is covered in the next section.


The third way to save money is to go to “Second Hand” stores such as “Goodwill” and “Salvation Army” stores. They probably don’t have bird toys but they do often have baby toys. Most baby toys are also safe for parrots. Be sure to heed the safety warnings earlier in this article. Most toys like wooden blocks use toxic free paints that make them usable by parrots. Also some of the toys such as the hard plastic baby key rings make excellent toys for parrots. There are excellent values to be found in these stores and these stores provide another way for you to save money on your parrot’s toys.

7 – How to Get Your Parrot to Play With Toys?

So either you spent $20 on a new toy or you spent 20 minutes making a new toy and you show it to your bird. Your anticipation and excitement level is about 10 on a scale from 1 to 10 but your bird’s excitement level is about a 1 on a scale from 1 to 10. What happened and how can you fix this problem? Some parrots are afraid of new things, some are afraid of certain colors, or just afraid of the way some objects look. These fears or your parrot’s shyness can challenge you and your parrot. Here are some ideas to overcome these fears and to encourage your parrot to play with toys.

• Introduce new toys slowly.
  
• Try new location in the cage
  
• Tie paper towels around the new toy
  
• Put a dab of peanut butter on it but make sure you wash it off later.
  
• Try the toy again in a couple months
  
• Recycle old toy parts into new toys
  
• Regularly rotate new toys into your bird’s environment

The first idea, “Introduce new toys slowly”, will vary depending on your parrot. Use the following process for very shy or frightful parrots.

1. Start with the new toy several feet from the cage but within sight of the bird.
   
2. Every other day move the toy closer to the cage
   
3. Put the toy in the bottom of the cage for a couple days.
   
4. When your parrot plays with it then hang it in the cage.

If you notice fear in your parrot at any point in the process then you should back up a step in the process and proceed slower.


8 – Top Ten Cheap DIY Toys

There are thousands of possible DIY toys that you can make your parrot. Here are ten ideas that require no tools and very little time.

1. Wrap a treat in a paper towel and tie both ends.
   
2. Use a clean cloth glove as a piata.
   
3. Take a piece of paper towel roll and put a treat inside it and crimp both ends.
   
4. Tie Paper Towels onto a string with wood blocks and hang it.
   
5. Poke holes into nuts and make a string of nuts and wood blocks.
   
6. Roll up a newspaper into a tight log, tie it in the middle, and hang it.
   
7. Poke holes into a stack of Magazine Inserts, thread them on a string with wooden blocks and hang it.
   
8. Glue Popsicle sticks together and hang it.
   
9. Put a Ping Pong ball inside a closed paper cub and hang it.
   
10. Any combination or mix of the 9 ideas above.

9 – Concluding Remarks


Hopefully this article has been a useful introduction to toys for your parrot. The topics in this article will help you save money, help you make entertaining toys, and help you provide your parrot with the stimulation and entertainment that it requires. The Internet is a good source for ideas. Check out the commercial toys for sale on the Internet and try to duplicate them. Have fun, be creative, and save some money.
The Author is the creator of the InfoSuperFlyway.com. It’s a webpage dedicated to Kibibi a Congo African Grey Parrot with parrot recordings, funny parrot videos, top ten lists, parrot jokes, clicker training info and a large database of parrot articles.

Parrot Care Tips: Choosing the Best Parrot Cage on the Market

The cage is your beloved parrot’s home. Any living being should have good home so you have to be sure that you can provide your parrot with the best conditions. Also if you choose the parrot cage wisely than you will avoid some parrot care problems that can appear in the future.

The parrot cage should be the largest expense after practically buying the parrot. So if you are going to spend some money then be sure to spend them on a good deal.

The parrot is going to spend a lot of time in the cage so you’ll have to choose the right one for your pet. There are three parrot care issues that you should take in consideration when you are decided to buy a parrot cage. The most important parrot care issue is you bird’s safety. There are many cases where parrots got injured or killed because of their cage.

I will try to discuss al this three parrot care points that you should have in mind when you are going to buy a parrot cage.

Safety – Like i already said safety is the most important thing when choosing a parrot cage. You can find Knock down cages on the market. You you buy one of those than you’ll have to examine it very good to see if there are any pieces that can be easily removed by you parrot. If there are than i don’t advice you to buy this kind of parrot cages because the little pieces can be swallowed by you parrot.

The majority of parrot cages i saw in pet stores are built from different metals like wire, stainless steel, zinc. From what i found so far the wire parrot cages are the most economical. but you mustn’t forget to inspect the cage regularly for broken welds or broken wires.

You can find metal parrot cages at a medium prices on the market. This parrot cages are built in a variety of metals shapes and colors.

The most expensive parrot cage that you can find in your search is the Stainless steel cage. The advantages of this type of parrot cages is that they will never rust or cause metal poisoning. So i think that if you are ready to make a good deal, buying a stainless steal parrot cage would be the perfect choice. Even if it’s expensive i can ensure you that you’ll never have to replace it.

One important safety issue is the bar spacing. When you buy a parrot cage make sure that the bar spacing is smaller than you parrot’s head. This way you can be sure that your pet’s head won’t get stuck between the bars.

Size – another important aspect for a parrot cage is it’s size. The best thing you can do is to go to a pet store and buy the largest parrot cage that you can find in your budget range. A big parrot cage gives more freedom to your parrot and it will have a happier life. Keep in mind that the width of the parrot cage is more important than the height. Mostly, your parrot will fly from side to side.

The components of the parrot cage is the last but not least of the important aspects when buying parrot cages. Swing out feeders are a good way to feed your parrot especially the aggressive ones.

You can also buy food dishes for you parrot cage. This accessories also come in different styles and colors.

Try to find a parrot cage that has an entry door big enough to get the bird out easily. Remember that parrots are very smart so they can learn how to open the cage doors. If this happens then you will have to take some security measures and ad some new components so the parrot won’t be able to open the door anymore.

Also try to look for a parrot cage with removable litter trays. This way You will clean the cage with no effort and your bird won’t reach the old left over food.

In conclusion if you want a happy and healthy parrot you must provide him with a good home. If the parrot cage meets all he parrot care aspects that i mentioned above then you can be sure that your pet will live healthy in peace.
Looking for great information on parrot care problems? Then you must visit us at the best parrot care site on the Net and don’t forget to check our parrot cages section.

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Parrot Adoption: What You Need To Know

December 12, 2009 by jimjimith

Two years ago, you simply could not resist those two brightly colored parrots in the pet store window. What a mistake! Now you want a new home for your parrots, and are thinking of selling them. If you place a short ad in the local newspaper, how will it read?

1. Virginia parrots for sale

2. Quaker parrots for sale

There are many ways to advertise, even with as few words as that, but do you really need to “sell” your parrots? Might you find a better home through parrot adoption?

What Is Parrot Adoption?

Parrot adoption is very much like baby adoption. Those who have parrots they cannot care for offer them to people who want a parrot. The adoptive parrot owners may not be able to afford the initial outlay, or they may simply want to give a good home to a parrot that must be relocated.

Parrot adoption does not always mean “free” parrots. The term is also used for inexpensive parrots purchased from former owners.

Finding Interested Homes

Parrot adoption requires good homes, of course, but how do you find them? One way to begin is to place a newspaper ad, as you would if you were selling. You might write: “Parrots for adoption” or “Quaker parrots for adoption to good homes” or “Adopt a parrot”.

If you are unsuccessful with ads, try contacting a parrot rescue foundation or parrot adoption organization. They may be able to put you in contact with someone wanting parrots like yours. They may have someone on their waiting lists.

Evaluating Prospective Homes

“But it’s just a parrot!” you squawk. Not really. It is a creature that will live many years. During those years, it will need health, safety, love, and happiness. You will want to try your best to provide those by asking a few questions of prospective owners – getting to know them a little. You will want to try, also, to ensure your parrot will not have to move soon again. For proper parrot adoption, begin with these questions.

1. Why do you want a parrot? One wrong answer is, “My child has been begging for one, and I think it would be cool to have a talking pet.”

2. Does anyone ever smoke in your home? Smoking can kill a parrot very rapidly, and you want assurance that yours will go to smoke-free homes.

3. What other pets do you own? Parrots have natural predators, and will not be safe or healthy if they share a home with one of them.

4. Can you afford to take the parrot to a veterinarian when necessary? Your parrots have a long life expectancy, and will need occasional visits to a veterinarian.

5. For other important questions, you should contact a parrot adoption group and get advice.

Delivering an Adopted Parrot

Once you have found good parrot adoption homes, you will want to do your best to make the transition smooth. Take your parrot’s cage (It’s his home, and you won’t need it.), his toys, perches, and the food to which he’s accustomed. Take time to get the parrot settled before you leave him. Be available to visit now and then during the first week, if asked.

The Other Side of Parrot Adoption

The flip side of parrot adoption is the adoptive family. Parrot adoption can be preferable to purchasing a baby parrot from parrot breeders or a pet store.

Your parrot will be far less expensive, in most cases. It will likely have a cage and accessories, as well, which will save money and time for you. Parrot adoption lets you skip the toddler and adolescent stages, and your bird will likely have a vocabulary, with knowledge of how to add to it. In some cases, an adopted parrot will know some tricks. It will be accustomed to human handling and – hopefully – enjoy it.

The Downside of Parrot Adoption

The upside outweighs the downside of parrot adoption, but there are things you should know.

1. How does the parrot behave? Parrot adoption is often initiated by an owner who does not want to deal with behavioral problems. The parrot may have become aggressive: biting and screeching. You will want to observe the parrot in its home before agreeing to adopt it.

2. Has the parrot ever been injured or struck with anything? You will have a lot of work to overcome this problem and get the parrot to bond with you.

3. Is the parrot healthy – and can you talk to his veterinarian? If the parrot has never been taken to a veterinarian, there may be hidden health concerns. If he has been taken, the veterinarian will be able to tell you about potential problems. Any prospective parrot adoption should include consideration of health information.

Finalizing Parrot Adoption

When you adopt a parrot, you adopt a long-term commitment. It will be your responsibility to care for the bird throughout its lifetime. It will give you affection, and will expect the same from you. Before you enter into parrot adoption, think it through carefully. Then enjoy your parrot fully.
©2007, Anna Hart. An avid reader and researcher, Anna explores many parrot breeds and offers more parrot adoption information at http://www.parrots-of-the-world.com If you have a pet parrot you can no longer keep, or want to find a parrot to adopt, you won’t want to miss Anna’s advice.

Keep Your Parrot Happy with Safe Parrot Toys

You are the proud owner of a parrot and you are looking for a toy for your pet. The offer of parrot toys on the market is huge, so how do you know which parrot toy is safe for your pet? Because you should be aware that some of them are dangerous for pets as they may hurt them. Therefore, an important parrot care issue is its toys.

The first aspect you should take into consideration when buying a parrot toy is the size of the toy and the size of the pet. Basically the parrot toy should fit the size of your parrot. Why is that? Well, because a big size parrot is strong and can easily break a small toy into pieces which can be easily ingested by your pet. Therefore, try to avoid small parrot toys if your pet is big. You should know that nowadays there is a large array of big parrot toys which are made from thick plastic, perfect for a big strong-beaked parrot.

Things aren’t easy with small parrots wither. A small size parrot can be afraid of a big toy so try to fit the size of the toy to the one of the pet. If you can’t tell which parrot toy is good for your pet, look at the label or ask for more information.

Another important aspect is the type of the parrot toy. You should avoid buying parrot toys which are made out of small pieces as the parrot can remove them and, consequently digest them. Remember that a parrot has a strong beak therefore any piece which is bite-size for the parrot should not be on the toy.

A parrot toy is usually hanging on some chains. These chains can represent a possible danger for the health or life of your pet. How is this possible? Well, chains come in two types: the chains with welded links (which are safe for your parrot) and the chains with closed links (which are not safe). The parrot may try to open up the link which is not weld and its beak would get stuck in that space. The parrot may get hurt while trying to release itself. Consequently, examine carefully the chains attached to your parrot toys.

But the chains are not the only dangerous pieces of a parrot toy. Parrot toys made out of wood may also be dangerous. Therefore, wood is another important aspect to think of. Parrots are birds which love to chew wood. They do this to find bugs hidden inside the tree bark in the woods. So a parrot will always start chewing a toy made out of wood. Some types of wood are not good for parrots, so you should check the internet for a list of parrot-safe wood.

Parrots are also birds which enjoy preening and grooming. Their instinct is telling them to constantly pick or even chew their feathers. This is not a healthy habit for your pet. So you should buy a chew rope, which is a very useful parrot toy as it allows your pet to exercise its habit every day without causing any problems to itself. But pay attention to the deterioration of the toy as it gets extremely ragged and worn out. Replace it with a new toy as the clumps may cause accidents to your pet. Your parrot could catch its feet into the clumps and could get hurt while struggling to escape.

In conclusion, there is only one rule to apply for this parrot care issues: whenever shopping for a parrot toy use the common sense rule. If you look at a parrot toy and it doesn’t seem safe, don’t buy it. Don’t buy any parrot toys which can get ingested or which can get a foot or a beak caught inside them. And always examine the parrot toys carefully before putting them into your pet’s cage.

And if your parrot is ignoring its new, shiny toy, don’t worry. It doesn’t hate it, it is just being cautious. Parrots don’t like change, like most pets. And a new toy represents an unexpected change for their habitat. Therefore, the toy must be put under strict observation to make sure it is not a possible enemy. After two or three weeks of monitoring the intruder (the toy) the parrot will gain confidence into its new toy and it will start playing with it!
If you have a parrot and you want to know all the parrot care secrets that you need too keep him happy and healthy then you have to join us at the parrot care information center. You will find out useful things about parrot food, parrot health, parrot breeding and best parrot toys suggestions.

Parrot Care is the Key to Having a Happy, Healthy Parrot

Learn How to Care For Your Parrot

You might have adopted a parrot because of your fancy for it. But proper care for this pet is very important. You should know what is good and harmful to him/her.

Adopting a parrot can be very exciting, but it brings with it the responsibility of providing your parrot care. Parrot care needs to be thought about and acted upon, to make sure your pet parrot remains happy and healthy.

Parrot Care

Parrot care is a huge responsibility of the owner. While there are no guarantees that your parrot will never suffer from an illness over its lifetime, preventive measure such as vaccination and good diet will give your parrot the best chance for a healthy lifestyle.

As a parrot owner, you have to give more time and attention to your parrot. Also, you have to give more consideration to commitment to your parrot’s needs. A parrot is a social animal. When left alone in a cage for long period of time, your parrot could become depressed, lethargic, and lose confidence. Have patience and give the care and attention he/she deserves.

Parrot Health

To prevent the possibility of health problems or you notice signs of illness in your pet parrot, take him/her immediately to the vet. If your parrot fears the vet, you can take some of your parrot’s favorite foods to help them overcome initial fear.

Also, if you have to keep your parrot healthy, keep the cage and surrounding areas clean all the time. An unclean environment is a perfect breeding place for all sorts of germs that can make your parrot ill.

Parrot Diet

As parrot owner, you have to feed your parrot carefully to ensure proper development and growth. For best and longer life, a well balanced parrot diet is mandatory. But what should be considered in choosing a good parrot diet? Seek your avian vet’s advice, guidance and any information you need to ensure that you provide the best diet suited to your parrot’s special needs. Remember to choose food wisely because poor nutrition can damage your parrot’s health. Giving your parrot good and a proper diet even at an early stage will give them significant growth.

A key to having a healthy parrot is the giving them a daily balanced diet. This can prevent not only health problems but behavioral problems as well. Unbalanced diet can cause disease in your parrot and at worst result in death.

Parrot Cage

If you want to produce a happy parrot, you have to place your pet in a good cage. Parrot cage is not only useful for your parrot’s relaxation and comfort but also necessary for parrot breeding. Always consider that when you buy a parrot cage, your parrot can freely move in the cages.

In buying a parrot cage, consider the size of the parrot and the size of the parrot cage. Get the right kind of cage size for your parrot.

Parrot Tricks

Parrot’s are highly intelligent and can learn really fast. With proper training and care your parrot can learn all sorts of tricks as well as possibly talking. Some things like step up can aid in their care.

Make sure that the training area is free from distractions in order that your parrot can give more attention. Less distraction means more attention. Also, consider that the training area is far from the parrot’s own cage.
For more great information on parrot care visit http://www.myparrotcare.com.

How Many Toes Does a Parrot Have?

Parrots come in many colors: gray, brown, red, green, yellow, blue, white, black, and various shades of all of those. Parrots can be very small, 4 inches (10 centimeters) – or very large, 40” (100 centimeters). Some parrots learn to talk well, while others never talk at all.

There are certain things, though, that all parrots have in common. They all like to live in warm places, for one thing. In addition, consider the following four similarities.

1. Beak: Every parrot has a curved, hooked beak. The beak is very strong, and able to inflict a deep wound. Its primary purpose, though, is to crack open strong nut shells or tear apart other food. A parrot uses its bill for “transportation” at times, too, pulling itself to a higher branch or perch with the strong bill.

2. Body: Every parrot has an upright body. Most birds, by comparison, have a horizontal body. Parrots’ bodies are upright like humans.

3. Legs: Parrots have 2 short legs.

4. Toes: How many toes does a parrot have? All parrots have 4 toes on each foot. Parrot toes are zygodactyl. That means the first and fourth toes are turned backward. The second and third toes turn forward. Song birds also have 4 toes, but they have 3 toes forward and 1 toe backward.

Useful Parrot Toes

Parrot toes make for awkward walking, but they are very useful tools. Parrots can use the 2-forward, 2-backward combination as humans use a thumb and finger, grasping objects tightly between back and front toes.

The 4 parrot toes produce a foot pattern that lets them grasp branches and move along a branch. Progress is always sideways in slow, deliberate steps.

The 4 parrot toes also enable a parrot to grasp food in its foot. Using its 2 front toes and 1 of the back toes, it holds the food tightly as it bites off pieces with its beak. A parrot usually holds the perch with its right foot, and lifts food to its mouth with the left foot.

Parrot toes are useful for tricks, too. Many parrots delight in showing off for your praise by dangling upside down from a perch or the ceiling of their cage, often by only 1 toe! In the wild, this trick helps them reach food.

Parrot Toes in Training

The first step in training a parrot is to acquaint the parrot with your touch. Its 8 parrot toes can be your bridge to success in this. Gently touch those parrot toes for a moment, and then withdraw your hand. Wait a few second, and then reach into the cage to touch the toes again. Let your parrot see that nothing bad happens when you touch its toes. When it accepts this touch, move on to touch its legs, and work your way up the parrot. Be sure other family members also touch the bird frequently so it does not become a one-person parrot.

When you are ready to finger train your bird, those parrot toes will again be important. Choose the evening, when your parrot has eaten and is less lively. In a quiet room, open the cage door slowly, and put your index finger into the cage. Slowly touch the parrots’ abdomen and it will hop onto your finger, clinging with its toes to maintain balance. Do not remove it from the cage the first few days. Simply repeat your finger training. When it is at ease with the action, slowly pull your finger with the parrot on it toward the cage door where you have placed a treat. With patience, your parrot will soon respond to a “Step Up” command and get on your finger when asked.

Always remember that a parrot will never step down – only up. Always hold your finger or a perch above the parrot’s toes.

A clever trick that is quickly learned by a parrot is a cute wave of those 4 parrot toes. You can also teach it to put its foot to its beak on command.

Parrot Toes and Toys

It is important to keep parrot toes busy and exercised. Parrot foot toys are an answer that provides entertainment as well as exercise. Parrot foot toys are small enough for a parrot to hold with its foot. The parrot will then chew the toy, getting great enjoyment out of its destruction!

How Many Toes Does a Parrot Have? Exactly the right number to walk, climb trees, move along branches, eat food, learn tricks, and play.
©2007, Anna Hart. An avid reader and researcher, Anna explores many parrot species, and offers other interesting parrot information at http://www.parrots-of-the-world.com If you would like to learn more about how to train your parrot, you won’t want to miss Anna’s advice.

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Parrot Types

December 12, 2009 by jimjimith

You walk by a bird shop, or visit the aviary at the zoo, and there may be several types of parrots. You study them, and begin to wonder, “What types of parrots are there anyway? How many types of parrots are there?”

Actually, there are more than 350 parrot types when you consider every species and sub-species in the group. Many of the most common parrot types are from Australasia and the tropics.

Parrot Families

All parrots, of whatever parrot types or breeds they are, belong to the scientific order Psittaciformes. That scientific order is further broken down into two different parrot families: Cacatuidae and Psittacidae.

The Cacatuidae family includes only the Cockatoo, a bird that is native to Australia and islands near that continent.

The second parrot family, the Psittacidae, includes all of the true parrot types.

Cockatoos

To most people, the cockatoo is a large white parrot with a feathered head crest that it can lift high in regal splendor. That is, however, only one of the parrot types in this family. There are 21 different cockatoos, and not every one is white.

1. The palm cockatoo is mostly dark gray, with red cheek patches below the eyes – cheek patches that change to a deeper red when the bird becomes excited or alarmed.

2. The male gang-gang cockatoo is dark gray with a cherry red head and red crest. This parrot type is often called the red-headed cockatoo.

3. The Major Mitchell’s cockatoo is often called a pink cockatoo due to its soft pastel pink shade.

4. The cockatiel’s plumage is mid-grey on top, lighter grey underneath. It has an orange cheek patch, and a prominent white blaze on its wings. It has a much longer tail than the other cockatoos have.

So Cockatoos are not always a white parrot type, and not all cockatoos are the same in build.

True Parrots

This family includes all of the other commonly-known parrot types. The list that follows is not intended to be exhaustive, but in this family, you will find parrot types such as these:

1. African Greys: This is said to be the most intelligent of all the parrot types. A large gray parrot with a red tail, some of these bird have vocabularies approaching 1,000 words or more.

2. Amazons: This popular parrot type includes about 27 sub-types. Most are large, affectionate, and predominantly green.

3. Budgies: Officially known as a parakeet or budgerigar, this parrot type is small and colorful. It is one of the most popular parrot pets.

4. Conures: This parrot type seems to be a group of large parakeets. With long tails and strong beaks, these “clowns” come in a variety of colors.

5. Eclectus: Eclectus Parrots are unusual in their coloring. On the one hand, males are bright green, with beaks like bright candy corn, tails and wings of blue or red. Females, on the other hand, have red heads, blue breasts, and the same red or blue wings and tails. In place of the candy corn look, they have black beaks.

6. Lovebirds: Lovebirds are a small, stocky parrot type – among the smallest in the world. Many are green, sometimes with red faces or eye rings.

7. Macaws: Native to South America, this is the largest parrot type in wingspan and length. The blue and gold macaw is especially beautiful.

8. Parrotlets: These may look like parakeets at first glance, but this small parrot type has a broader body and tail than the parakeet.

9. Pionus: There are many parrot types under the name Pionus parrot, and this larger, quieter parrot comes in many varieties of color.

10. Quakers: This parrot type is often called a Monk Parrot or Grey-breasted Parakeet. It is a name that comes from facial feathering that resembles an old-fashioned Quaker costume.

There are many more parrot types than this article can list or discuss, even in a surface manner. You will find muc more information in your library or bookstore.

Best Parrot Types for Children’s Pets

A final question is this: “What types of parrots are there that would make good children’s pets?”

Many children are drawn to large parrots because of their colors or their reputation for talking well, but the large parrot types are not good pets for children. They require firm handling and training, and do well as pets only when the owner has had experience first with smaller parrots.

The best parrot type for a child’s pet is the Budgerigar, aka budgie or parakeet. The small Budgerigar requires the least amount of care, and is easily trained to talk and do tricks. Budgies that are young, or those that have no cage mate, will learn most readily.
©2007, Anna Hart. An avid reader and researcher, Anna explores parrot information, and offers her gleanings at http://www.parrots-of-the-world.com If you want to read more about a specific parrot type, you won’t want to miss Anna’s articles.

Pet Parrots

I have never been much of a bird person. I think either myself or one of my brothers or sisters probably owned a parakeet when I was younger. We definitely did not own a pet parrot. I know that one of my college buddies did own a pet parrot and and as I recall he was quite a character. I remember how intelligent that parrot was and I must say I was impressed how well my friend had trained his pet parrot. There was quite a commitment on the part of my friend, because the pet parrot required some care and my friend took his responsibility quite seriously.

If you are considering adopting a pet parrot, it is important to understand as much as possible before taking that step. You always hear people talk about responsibility when you adopt a dog or cat. If you have young children, you can’t expect them to be responsible for the pet parrot.

It is probably not a good idea to try to get that information from the seller unless you know them very well. There are people who breed parrots just like dogs. There is no American kennel club for pet parrots, so it is important to get your information from a reliable source so you can make an informed decision that is best for you and the pet parrot. Parrots are not inexpensive so the decision to adopt a pet parrot should be made with full knowledge of what to expect.

There is a good eBook on Pet parrots that you can find on my website.
Grab a copy of “You and Your Parrot” BEFORE you buy and you, too, will agree to spread the word that parrots make the perfect pet!
I am a Board Certified Ophthalmologist who has been in practice for 30 years. You are welcome to visit my website. If you have any problems finding what you are looking for, please use my Site Search.

Amazon Parrots

Amazon parrots (Amazona sp.) originate from Mexico, Central America, South America and the adjacent islands of the West Indies.

There are several species of Amazon Parrots.Some of the most commonly species are the double yellow headed amazons, yellow napped amazons, yellow or blue fronted amazons, orange winged amazons, green cheeked amazons, and lilac crowned amazons.

A healthy Amazon can be expected to have a life span of around 50 years or even longer with good nutrition and care and their size can range anywhere from about 10-20 inches in length.

The affectionate and loyal nature of the Amazon make this bird a wonderful pet for those experienced with companion parrots. Amazons are highly intelligent and require a devoted owner who is willing to provide significant and meaningful attention, as well as stimulus such as chewing toys to keep them happy and healthy.

Some males can become aggressive when they reach sexual maturity. Gentle dominance training is essential. It is a good idea to teach amazons to step up on a stick on command for those times when they are “over-stimulated.” These birds require strong, patient owners who understand their moods. Do plenty of research on behaviour and training before buying one so you can build a strong foundation with the young bird.

The best talkers tend to be the double yellow heads, yellow napes, and blue fronts. Many of these birds can also become proficient singers. They are not shy and will often perform for strangers. Because of these characteristics, these parrots are often selected as performers in bird shows and at zoo’s.

Generally, they do not develop feather picking problems the way many parrot species do, but they can if they are neglected, confined in small cages for long periods of time, and not stimulated with interaction and/or toys.

Caging

Amazons are quite active and very prone to obesity if they do not get exercise. The cage provided should be large enough to ensure that they get adequate room for play and exercise. Spacing of bars depends on the size of the species and care should be taken for smaller amazons to ensure that the spacing is not large enough for them to get their head through.

Diet

A diet that is about 25-50 percent pellet based, with the rest made up of a variety of healthy fresh foods is generally accepted as a good guide. Seeds are too high in fat for Amazons and while they can be fed as treats, they should make up no more than 10 percent of the whole diet. Nuts are a good treat, also in moderation.

Feather and Skin Health

Amazons should be showered regularly for feather and skin health. They can develop a musky odour that bothers some people, but most owners will need to get used to it. Regular shower’s keeps the smell from getting too strong.

Noise

Most birds purchased young and properly trained and socialized will rarely vocalize to the point of disturbing neighbours, but generally they do vocalize at least once a day with loud screeches.

Some amazons can be very loud resulting in many older birds being sold because of the noise becoming a nuisance factor to others. They are not great pets to be kept in apartments for this reason and generally, the larger the bird, the louder the call. Amazons that have been kept with other amazons tend to be the loudest.

Sleep

At least 10 hours of dark, quiet sleep time each night. Amazons that do not get enough sleep can be very grouchy and aggressive.

With lots of love, care and an occasional trip to the vet (where flight feathers should be trimmed), an Amazon parrot will be a beautiful and entertaining companion animal for many years.
Website : http://www.colourfulparrots.com
Blog : http://www.colourfulparrots.com/blog
Vijai Sharma

Breeding African Grey Parrots – A Guide For African Grey Breeders

There are 2 species of African Grey parrot of interest to breeders.   The Timneh Parrot which is small and somewhat dark in colour and the Congo African Parrot, which is bigger than the Timneh and lighter in colour.

Breeding African grey parrots can prove to be a daunting task, especially if you are not familiar with the entire procedure. You will need to gradually introduce your African grey parrot in a cage with another of the opposite sex, so as to give them enough time to get to know each other. African grey parrots need to become companions slowly, so do not try to force things as it will only lead to frustration. In the wild, the African greys choose a small area on a tree so as to breed; this means that you do not need provide them with a large and open space in order to breed them successfully. They do however some privacy in order to breed, so a well hidden next box is essential.

You should buy a nestbox which is large enough. They might not require an open space so as to breed, but they definitely need to be comfortable enough.  A nestbox  which is at least twenty five inches high and wide is ideal.  Boxes shaped as a capital L can work really well for them and is highly recommended for breeding. A bedding of wood shavings should be provided in the box, so as to keep both the bird and the eggs as safe as possible.

While breeding African grey parrots is not difficult with the right breeding stock and good husbandry, the Congo parrots are generally considered the easiest.   The Timneh on the other hand are a little more difficult to breed and since they are less popular and less common as pets are best left to experienced breeders.

If you decide to buy an African parrot for breeding, it is strongly recommended that you check accredited African grey breeders first. The birds should be medically tested by a vet – even a DNA test can be done – so as to determine the reproductive ability and maturity of the particular bird. Potential African grey breeders are also advised to use some scientifically proven methods so as to determine the sex of the bird, rather than base their assumption on morphological characteristics, such as the size of beaks.

While breeding African grey parrots you will see that the eggs need hatching for a month; in most cases the birds lay a clutch of two to five eggs. African grey breeders should be very careful when removing the chicks, because the African grey can become very aggressive and attacking so as to protect the newborns, and can give a nasty bite with their sharp and powerful beaks.
For more information about breeding african grey parrots visit http://www.parrot-care-center.com

What Attracts People to Parrots?

Parrots are popular pets for a variety of reasons, not the least of which are their natural beauty, the high level of their intelligence and their sociable natures. Nearly 15 years ago, USA Today, the national newspaper conducted a poll, discovering that some 11 million birds were kept as pets in this country. While the article didn’t specify, you’ve got to believe that a large number of them were parrots. In fact, the most popular of all the pet bird species in the country today is a species of parrot, the domesticated Budgerigar.

If you adopt a larger bird, then he’ll ultimately need a larger cage (which by the way needs cleaning regularly). Many of the larger birds can be on the destructive side when they get bored.

Parrots also need some form of exercise as well as social interaction (and if you can’t provide your parrot pet with this interaction, then you’ll need to make sure that he can get this from another parrot).

Now take into account that if you adopt a large parrot like a Macaw, his odds are actually in his favor that he’ll out live you! Just who are you going to bequeath this guy to? The smaller parrots, by contrast have only a lifespan of 15 to 20 years. But that’s still an impressively long time!

Think about this long and hard: if you buy a parrot, you’re making a lifetime commitment. While you’re not going through that wedding ceremony, or the nine months of waiting for your baby to be born, it’s a commitment that requires work, time, effort and expense on your part.

If you’re ready to make that kind of promise to a feathered friend, then you’re ready to choose your ultimate parrot. If you have any kind of second thoughts, it’s absolutely necessary then that you, at the very least, postpone your decision. You may also want to just choose another type of pet.

The desire and love of parrots goes far beyond their beauty. A parrot is a quite wonderful companion to a human. The two can form a close, affectionate bond with its owner. And if you adopt a parrot who has been bred specifically for being a pet, you’ll be delighted with the ease you can hand feed him. Your parrot has been interacting since nearly birth with humans. You can also be confident that your new member of the family will be tame and come to trust you – and others in your family – in a relatively short amount of time.
For more parrot information visit http://www.parrot-care-center.com

Parrot Cages Buyers Guide and Other Things to Consider

You put a lot of efforts and time into your research and finally chose the bird that perfectly matches your personality and your life style. Now it’s time to make your home a cozy and safe place for your new family member – let’s choose a cage!

The cage has to be comfortable and safe for the bird and your home, it should have plenty of room for your bird to stretch and play, be easy to keep up, so your bird will be happy and healthy camper and great company to enjoy for all your family.

Size and Bar Spacing, Shape, Style, Upkeep and Construction Elements, Cage Materials, Accessories and Cage Location need to be given special consideration. Bird Cage Size and Bar Spacing

General rule of thumb – choose the biggest safe cage you can afford with appropriate bar spacing for your bird.

For small birds bar spacing should be less then ½ in, for medium birds – ½ in to ¾ in, for larger birds – ¾ in to 1 ¼ inch. Too narrow bar spacing will limit visibility for you and your bird, but too wide spacing may allow your bird’s head to slip between bars and get stuck.

Here is suggested bar spacing and gauge guidelines for the Parrot species:

Small Parrots – Badgies/Parakeets, Lovebirds, Meyers, Parrotlets Bar spacing – Up to ½” Bar gauge – > 2.3mm

Medium Parrots – Caiques, Cockatiels, Conures, Lorikeets, Pionuses, Quakers, Cape/Un-Cape Parrots, Red-Bellied Parrots, Senegals Bar spacing – ½” to ¾” Bar gauge – 2.5mm to 4mm

Large Parrots – African Greys, Amazons, Cockatoos (small to large – Goffin – Umbrella), Mini Macaws (Hahn’s, Noble, Illeger’s, Severe, Yellow-Collared) Bar spacing – ¾” to 1″ Bar gauge – 4mm to 5mm

X-Large Parrots – Cockatoos (Lg – Glossy Cockatoos, Moluccans, Palm Cockatoos, Red tailed, Carnaby’s White-Tailed Black Cockatoos, Sulphur Crested), Macaws (Lg) – Blue & Gold, Catalina, Green-Winged, Harlequin, Hyacinth, Scarlet Bar spacing – 1″ to 1 ¼” Bar gauge – >=5mm

Remember your bird’s tail feathers shouldn’t touch side or bottom of the cage when it sits on the perch, as it may damage its feathers. One and a half of your feathered friend wings span is a minimum measurement for the width of the cage (or diameter if the cage is round) – it will basically allow bird to stretch. Suggested Cage Width Minimum within safe Bar Spacing:

Small Parrots – Badgies/Parakeets – >=18 in, Lovebirds, Meyers, Parrotlets >=20 in.

Medium Parrots – Caiques, Cockatiels, Conures, Lorikeets, Pionuses, Quakers, Cape/Un-Cape Parrots, Red-Bellied Parrots, Senegals >=24 in.

Large Parrots – African Greys, Amazons, Cockatoos (small to medium) >=32 in; Mini Macaws (Hahn’s, Noble, Illeger’s, Severe, Yellow-Collared) – >=36 in.

X-Large Parrots – Cockatoos (Lg – Glossy Cockatoos, Moluccans, Palm Cockatoos, Red tailed, Carnaby’s White-Tailed Black Cockatoos)>= 40 in, Macaws (Lg) – Blue & Gold, Catalina, Green-Winged, Harlequin, Hyacinth, Scarlet >=48 in.

The best bird’s fly cages are ones that wide rather than tall – since naturally birds fly in horizontal direction from side to side of the cage not up and down. For breeding, small and larger birds and/or warmer climates – Aviary is good and happy place for your parrot to catch fresh air and stretch its wings. Even if your bird was born in a cage its feathered ancestors were wild once – and they had all the freedom to fly, forage and play in their native environment. In its new cage the bird will spend lots of the time – eating, stretching, playing, so make it easy on your friend, for its health and sanity – invest as much as you can to make its home spacious and comfortable.

Shape

Cage shape is often gets overlooked – generally people tend to choose what they like or what they think will fit in the house – but your feathered friend has its own needs:

Better to choose rectangular cage than round one. In round cage bird fills unprotected – naturally it needs a corner to escape if it gets frightened or startled. But if you still tend toward round – good alternatives are octagon cages or ¼ of circle corner cages (a space saver as well).

Style

Dome top or play top cage. If you have play top style cage it will eliminate the necessity to buy a parrot’s play-stand and headache where to put it if you have a space constriction, but on the other side of equation are play-stand maneuverability (you can move your beloved parrot and enjoy its company anywhere in your home), higher cost of play top parrot cages and some inconveniences on using cage cover over the play tops.

Upkeep and useful construction elements

Your life would be much easier and you will enjoy your parrot company more if its’ cage wouldn’t demand a lot of time and effort to keep it clean and safe.

Bar placement: Bars should be parallel – NO divergent bars – entrapment hazard.

Horizontal bars in your bird’s cage let your feathered friend climb up and down so it gets plenty of natural exercise. Vertical bars’ placement on front panel of the cage allows better view for you and your bird. At the same time cages with cross wire may catch feathers and may also restrict good grip for the larger birds to climb. A cage with elaborate decorative elements may look cool (especially antique ones) but bird can get caught in their ornate elements and hurt itself. Another big NO for antique cages – as they very well may contain toxic metals or may be constructed from materials that can be easily chewed.

Bar attachment: Look for well, smooth welded or casted (molded) bar placement as drilled holes that hold bars on the frame collect moisture and bacteria.

Wire cages may be strong enough for the small birds, but larger parrots need wrought iron or stainless steel cages to sustain their avian curiosity – look for specific bar gauge guidance for your particular species. Almost all wire cages have some kind of covering (plastic or metal plating – usually with nickel, chromium, zinc, copper or brass) – to protect bird from bare metal and to protect metal from oxidation and corrosion. Some parrots could manage to shave-detach pieces of wire covering – be aware that some of these metals could cause heavy metal poisoning in birds.

Tray – Removable tray is a must.

Grate – Look for removable grate. If you have an escape artist on your hands it’s better also to have a spare grate to put in place of removed for cleaning. Another important thing is the placement of the grate. It should be high enough not to let your bird to pick its droppings from the bottom tray.

Feeding doors – swing solid doors for feeding cups are very convenient options too. It keeps most of the food spitting inside of the cage and protects you from beaky parrot.

Access doors – Look for full swing full size (from top to grate) access doors for easy handling your bird and preventing toes pinching – some parrots love hanging on open doors. If cage has several access doors – it gives you flexibility of cage placement and access to your bird.

Perch and toys placement – Assess your future cage for desirable perch(es) and toys placements – it’s better if cage has enough options where you can put perch(es) and some hardware that allow you safely to attach bird’s toys (one for small cages, 2 or more for larger cages).

Seed skirts proved to be very useful in keeping your parrot forage inside the cage. Look for rounded corners for your own protection.

Padlocks should be parrot-prove to keep inside even advanced escapee. Also see warning below regarding padlocks’ materials.

Cage Materials

You should approach your parrot safety in your home with the same care as you would for your child. It became apparent that there are many health issues for birds with materials used in cages and many other common household items. Please check our detailed article about heavy metals and other toxic substances that your parrot may get accidentally exposed to. Here we give only short summary of materials that you bird can access in its cage. Commonly agreed toxic metals (alloys) Substance: Lead – Highly toxic to birds. Can be found: Cage paint, Household paint, paint primers, in soldering metal – soldered joints in cage (distinguished from welded joints), foil on wine bottles, champagne wire Exposure: Beak activity – scratching, chewing, climbing on its cage with beak

Substance: Zinc – Highly toxic to birds Can be found: Cage paint, Household paint, paint primers, galvanized cage wires and mesh of outdoor aviaries (galvanization – term used only for zinc plating) Exposure: Beak activity – scratching, chewing, climbing on its cage with beak

Substance: Copper (especially Oxidized) Can be found: Copper plating, copper food containers, copper plumbing Exposure: Chewing on its cage decorative copper plated elements, ingesting acidic food stored in copper food containers, drinking water from your home water supply if you have copper plumbing and your water is slightly acidic.

Substance: Brass (alloy of copper and zinc)

Can be found: Usually used in padlocks, in soldering metal – soldered joints in cage (distinguished from welded joints), and some cage hardware as well

Exposure: It’s probably OK for small bird who is unlikely to chew a padlock, but should be avoided around larger parrots

Substance: “Galvanized tin”(misused term for sheet metal -galvanized steel; and small galvanized containers) Can be found: May be used in aviaries (especially self made – to withstand the elements and self made cages – trays), small galvanized containers Exposure: Beak activity – scratching, chewing, climbing

Substance: Iron, Oxidized iron (rust) Can be found: Cage wires, frame, hardware Exposure: After coating wears off (paint, powder coat or plating) – it exposes underlying iron to oxidation and can be ingested by your parrot during his usual beak activity

Substance: Chromium (III and VI) Can be found: Plating, colored leather (Chromium salts) Exposure: Beak activity – scratching, chewing, climbing on its cage with beak

Substance: Cobalt Can be found: Electroplating, ground coats for porcelain enamel, batteries Exposure: Beak activity – scratching, chewing, climbing on its cage with beak

Potentially toxic metals (alloys) – some experts listed them as safe, but there are publications documenting wild birds toxicity in polluted habitats and poultry toxicity as well with elevated level in food intake (please investigate to your own satisfaction and make your own decision)

Substance: Nickel Can be found: In plating – cage wire and hardware (screws, padlocks, hinges) Exposure: Beak activity – scratching, chewing, climbing on its cage with beak

Substance: Tin Can be found: In soldering metal – soldering joints in cage (distinguished from welded joints), in pewter, in cans Exposure: Beak activity – scratching, chewing, climbing on its cage with beak

Substance: Aluminum and its salts Can be found: Aluminum foil, soda cans and parts in birds toys, food containers Exposure: Beak activity – scratching, chewing, climbing on its cage with beak

Most of parrot aluminum toxicity cases that were documented connected to heated aluminum foil – which is mostly attributed to fumes from its non-stick polymer additives Nontoxic metals (alloys) Substance: Stainless Steel Can be found: Cage wire, frame, hardware Exposure: Very hard metal alloy almost impossible for your parrot to scratch, chew or detach with usual beak activity

In short – ingesting any paint, any kind of metal or any not-food item is never a good thing – doesn’t matter how safe it is. There are no standards for safe levels of toxic metals and other toxins established for birds. Birds’ digestive system with gizzard (pH 2.0, and 42C) allows some non-food items sit there for prolong time releasing toxins or causing obstruction, impaction, bleeding and death (like corn cobs that absorb moisture and swell and could stay in gizzard for years!). If you noticed that your parrot is using its cage as a chewing toy – strongly consider buying a stainless steel cage – there is nothing to detach and to ingest.

Lead and Zinc – highly toxic for birds and the most common source of poisoning in parrots associated with cage materials. If your cage paint, material or hardware contain these metals it more likely will cause heavy metal poisoning in your parrot. The bigger the parrot the bigger the danger – the larger bird can easily scratch, shave or detach by chewing up some pieces of softer metals or paint.

Paint – always check with manufacturer regarding Lead and Zinc content. Powder coating is much stronger than regularly applied paint that easily flakes (can be ingested), and let the cage rust. Structured surface of powder coating also provides better grip for bird. If you decided to restore an old cage, please, make sure you use safe methods to clean the rust, and use not only bird-safe paint, but bird-safe primer as well.

Plating – process used to coat one metal (alloy) with other metal (alloy) to prevent underlying metal from oxidation and to make it look better – used on cage wires, wires or mesh in outdoor aviaries, hardware and some metal parts of bird’s toys. Nickel plating considered by many to be safe, but be aware and distinguish it from Zinc plating – galvanization. The danger of any plating – it could chip or peel (bird could ingest the particles) exposing underlying metal to oxidation and rust which is not good either.

Play it safe – check all metals in your bird cage and on your birds toys regularly for chipping, peeling, rust & oxidation.

Accessories

Toys – happy parrot beside your company needs lots of toys. It will keep bird from feathers plucking out of simple boredom, and also to prevent other health and behavioral issues. You need to consider how much space the toys will take from the cage interior when choosing the cage. Look for toys made by reputable manufacturer rather than artisans. Even though it’s not a guarantee but much probable that toys from manufacturer will have consistent safe structural elements as well as safe materials you can inquire about.

Feeding & drinking bowls – for your bird’s health invest in stainless steel bowls – they are easy to clean too.

Cage covers – to cover or not to cover. In nature most of the parrots live in tropical latitude – their native day and night are approximately 12 hours all year around. So unless you live in the same place and function in a similar manner cage cover will encourage 10 to 12 hours of sleep for your parrot, in some circumstances it also can help stressed bird to relax.

Cage Location

Parrots are highly sociable creatures they love to be with family, they need to socialize with their owners. This usually determine cage placement where family gathers – living room, family room or your office if you spend most of your day time there and your profession allowed your parrot vocalization.

Never place the cage in kitchen or any room with direct conjunction to the cooking area (open style family rooms) – most of the cooking vapors dangerous to parrots gentle respiratory system. Also there are dangers of bird flying into some hot pots, pans, oils; eating something not intended/toxic for parrot, Teflon vapors, sharp cutlery and so on…

Place cage against the wall or in a corner allowing your bird interact with family and feel secure – not in the middle of the room where it will be always in people’s way and bird can easily be startled with sudden movement or agitated with excessive activity around it.

In their native environment birds dwell in trees high above the ground, the best height for the bird in a house is human chest level – place your cage on a stand rather than directly on a floor – your parrot will feel more secure and relaxed – it may even cure some behavioral problems.

Location should allow enough natural light and view if possible (birds love look outside of the window) but never against the window. Direct sun may raise temperature substantially and dehydrate the bird as it can’t escape.

Avoid position in direct draft area or under the conditioner as well as heating outlet.

Bird shouldn’t have access to power outlets and power wires – parrots may use outlets holes to climb and chew on wires.

Household plants can create lovely canopy around your bird’s cage but consider their safety to your parrot.

This simple consideration will make your parrot right and comfortable in its new home – enjoy its company!

* – All the information provided is collective from many sources over the Internet, birds owners, breeders and other public sources. It’s provided for your convenience only and does not represent any warranties or promises. If in doubt – always contact your avian veterinarian and manufacturer of the product in question.
Parrot Cages Want to buy new cage visit our website at http://www.BestParrotCages.com