Lovebirds are intelligent birds that kept as pets in most homes. If we ask a person what a lovebird is, then the most common answer you are likely to get is that. Lovebirds are friendly, energetic birds from the parrot family which is kept as pets by many people. These birds are tiny that look like the parrots. However, these birds come in many different colors. Their faces are big with strong beaks and the color of the face is generally brighter than the rest of the body. There are many different kinds of species and their color also varies accordingly. Most often, young lovebirds have a black band on top of their bill and this fades away as they grow older.
Lovebirds belong to the genus called the Agapornis, which is derived from the Greek word ‘agape’ which means love and ‘ornis’ means bird. There are nine kinds of species in love birds and all of these belong to the native of Africa, except one. The Grey-headed lovebird is the only one which comes from the island of Madagascar. The black-collared lovebird is the only forest-dwelling bird. Apart from this, all the other kinds live near the equator in the dry Savannah regions. The lovebirds like most birds also live in flocks that range from a few to more than eight hundred birds. Larger flocks are formed around areas where there are food and water available during the dry seasons. They eat a wide range of foods from the wind like leaves, fruits, nuts, twigs, seeds, and occasionally insects and small animals as well.
Out of the nine species three of them are kept as pets. However, it is very difficult to differentiate male and female in this species. However, both of them can make up to be very good pets. Three species which can be kept in our homes are Fishers Lovebird, Masked Lovebird, and Peach-Faced Lovebird. The Fishers Lovebird has a bright white circle round his eye making him one of the ‘eye ring’ species. His wings are dark green in color although he has a light green color body. Its beak is orangey red in color with a piercing voice.
The Masked Lovebird is also one of the ‘eye ring’ species. It has a black color face and head making it look like a mask. The body and wings are green in color while its chest and neck are yellow. This is a very playful and affectionate pet for many. The peach-faced lovebird is the most commonly kept lovebird. It has green wings with a blue color on edges of its feathers and tail. The color of the face and neck are a variant peach to pink color and a pale pinkish tan beak. This bird is also an energetic and devoted lovebird.
However, there is a wide variety of lovebirds found by the pet industry and from the breeders. Some of them are Abyssinian Lovebird, Albino Lovebird, Black Masked Lovebird, Dutch Blue Lovebird, Fischer’s Lovebird, Lutino Lovebird and Peach-faced Lovebird. The breeders also provide guidelines and best ways to keep your birds healthy. Also, today you find different kinds of housing facilities available for your birds depending on the space required. These are also named differently like a bird cage, bird perch, bird hide or nest box, Aviary. My friend Cody has an Aviary just in front of his house where he breeds about 50 lovebirds. He spends most of his day with them. When I tried entering into it, an alarm went off and discovered that he had attached the birds' nest to the ADT Security Systems installed in his house. I was very Inspired by the varieties of lovebirds that Cody had in his aviary.
The Kea parrot is among the very few members of the species that live in lofty mountains, particularly in New Zealand. But this does not mean they are not suitable as companion birds. This kind of parrot can actually adjust to any environment. While they have been known to live in windy and cold conditions, wild Keas often fly off to low lying forests and grasslands. They can even be seen wandering the coastlines. It is during the summer months that Keas go back to forested highlands that can go as high as 1,900 meters in elevation. They can be found mostly in burrows, riverbanks, and even in places that have plenty of large tree roots.
A Kea parrot can eat almost anything that you can throw at its mouth. They have known omnivores. A typical diet for this parrot includes plant leaves, flowers, roots, fruits and seeds. They definitely love berries, but they can also gobble up worms and insects. Keas also eat garbage and dead and rotting flesh. They used to be hunted for bounty because they attacked livestock, specifically sheep. In zoos and as pets, Keas can be fed with the usual parrot mixes, nuts, fruits, and vegetables. You can also put in eggs, live worms, and even dog biscuits as special treats. If the climate in your area is extremely different from the natural environment of Keas, do not forget to give your pet some vitamins and other supplements to keep it healthy.
In the wild, a Kea parrot is estimated to have a lifespan of 15 years. But in zoos, many Keas have lived for more than 20 years. This can only mean that Keas can be your companion parrot for a long time. Taking a closer look at the physical features of this bird, you will see that Keas are primed for survival. For one, their feathers are thick and can provide ample protection against harsh environmental conditions. Next, they have long and bony beaks that allow it to reach into or pry open difficult food sources. They even have sharp claws that allow them to root out underground food such as worms.
On top of its survival instincts, the Kea parrot also oozes with inquisitiveness and intelligence. Experts have been fascinated by this parrot's strong interest in newly found items. Keas have also been observed to apply a fixed social structure, where each member of the group (called a pandemonium) cooperates in finding food. Truly, all these characteristics make Keas some of the best companion parrots to care for.
Parrots are very interesting birds because of its mimicking abilities. When petting bird is your concern, it takes a lot different than getting other domesticated animals for a household companion.
A parrot is a noisy bird, more unpleasant if not given due attention and care. It is subject to emotional fits depending on how its instincts and traits developed from former habitat; to compliment or conform, to the lifestyle of the adopting family it embraced.
Reasons People Get Pets into their Households
1. When a person is alone in the house a pet companion is the solution. Individuals find it comfortable to select bird or animal pet because it emits trust. You'll likely distrust more individuals from your own peers than pet animals.
2. Many people choose parrots because they could easily communicate and could return back conversations as they have instinctive qualities to mimic.
3. Pets, regardless of kind have therapeutic implications to the aged, or desperate.
4. A parrot helps to usher the presence of somebody thru noisy enthusiastic antics to welcome a friend it recognize.
5. Birds are nature-groomed, tidy, beautiful, and attractive because of its colorful feathers.
6. Unlike any other pet, parrots never get contaminated easily being caged and are not able to stray on grounds.
TYPICAL PET PARROTS
There are many parrot classifications from so many kinds in various countries of origin. But there are more to a dozen of species for each type mentioned in all those actively trainable birds. To illustrate a few from among the types "Conures," will tell that each one comes from a certain wild place of origin, almost all from the wilds of South America or South and Eastern Africa where vast virgin forest still abound.
- Sun Conure - A type of Conures parrot it is a very beautiful bird in a mixture of yellow, orange and red with a slight touch of green on its wings. Green is more dominant in the young suns and colour become brighter in a series of moults. An adult sun weighs 100 to 120 grams. Gender can't be detected easily except when one observes closely. Female birds are more rounded and smaller than the males that are square, flat and larger. Known for being loud and noisy, are possibly easy to train. Comes from the wilds of Brazil (Northwestern), Venezuela, and Guyana.
- Green Cheek Conure - Originated from South America. Body and wings are of olive green colours, and tail of crimson hue. The throat is of grey-green with small flecks of green. Sex can't be distinguished easily.
Things common among parrots regardless of species are loudness in noise, multi-coloured, gender are hard to detect, trainable but need attention, otherwise, it'll go naughty. Parrots' lifespan is mostly average.
Potential parrot owners need to do plenty of research about parrot facts before taking that final plunge. Of course, because there is so much to know about these beautiful pets, lots of it is just plain fun. Be careful not to get so caught up in the fun, though, that you ignore the serious aspects.
1. Parrots have to be parented, especially the larger, smarter ones. They require as much attention and care as a three-year-old human child. They need love, persistence, and patience, too.
2. Parrots need huge amounts of exercise. In the wild, they forage for more than 50 miles every day, so in captivity, they have tons of energy that must be burned. If they don't get it, the owner will be more than a little sorry.
3. Parrots need a lot of entertainment and stimulus to their intellect. The larger ones can be almost brilliant, among the smartest of all the animals, along with magpies, ravens, and jays. They can copy sounds, and everyone knows that many can imitate the human voice. African Grays have even been taught simple sentences and how to answer simple questions. To keep them entertained when you can't, make sure they have several parrot toys in their cages at all times, and rotate them every week or so.
4. The larger birds whose beaks are huge, strong and sharp, and who have talons as well, are not good pets for young children who don't realize the bird might not be friendly. You should supervise them with guests, as well.
5. They can live a long, long time. Macaws and other larger parrots can sometimes live for up to 80 years. Even little parakeets, lovebirds, and cockatiels can live from ten to fifteen years, longer than many breeds of dogs. Even small birds need a significant commitment from prospective owners.
6. Parrots' beaks are curved and they have 4 talons, two pointing back and two pointing forward. This is known as zygodactylism. Obviously, parrots need strong feet that can grasp since their only physical position is sitting on a branch.
7. Of all the parrots, most people think the African Gray is the smartest. Two, in particular, Einstein and Alex, were able to speak as many as 1000 vocabulary words.
8. In order to breed parrots, all you need is a cage big enough for two and a nesting box. They pretty much take care of the rest themselves.
There is so much to know about parrots, but you must know the parrot facts from fiction. Maybe you know some things about those famous African Greys you've seen on television, but there is so much more to know about the parrot family in general. Coming in amazingly different sizes, shapes, colors, and intelligence levels, they still share some things in common.
1. Those beautiful birds known as parrots that come in green, blue, red, yellow, orange, even hyacinth, are made up of 350 species.
2. Almost all parrots are monogamous. This is somewhat unusual in the bird world. Even birds that mate for a season is known to be "promiscuous." Laying white eggs, parrots like nesting in tree holes or cliff cavities when in the wild. When living with people they must be provided with nesting boxes.
3. They are some of the most intelligent creatures in the animal kingdom, and the most brilliant of birds, in addition to ravens, crows, and jays. African Grays, particularly one bird known as Alex, can associate words with meanings and speak in simple sentences. They can calculate and answer brief questions with up to 80% accuracy. Experts disagree whether this comes from the bird's understanding or not. Some think the trainer, consciously or not, signals the bird in some way to give the desired response.
4. Without the vocal chords that mammals have, they make their sounds by blowing air over their tracheas that have 2 halves.
5. Strangely enough, their beaks are unhinged. This is not the case with any other kind of bird.
6. At least one parrot, the New Zealand Kea, is able to skillfully work with tools.
7. Parrots in the wild spend huge amounts of their day foraging, requiring large amounts of energy, and for this reason, they require an enormous amount of stimulation when kept in captivity. They require as much attention as a three-year-old human child, more than many pet owners are prepared to offer.
8. Almost all parrots, except Lorikeets, eat nuts, fruits, seeds, and small insects. Lorikeets, on the other hand, eat only fruit and fruit nectar.
9. They can live a very long time, with some of the larger birds living up to 80 years. Even the small budgies and lovebirds can live for 10 or 15. Many of these birds outlive their owners, making it necessary for more and more bird rescues to take place.
10. Almost half are endangered because of poaching, pest control, or capture for sale. In so many places in the world parrots are slaughtered because of destruction to crops.
Now that you know some parrot facts, have fun getting to know a real parrot.
Happy parrots enjoy training every day. Parrot potty training is one of the easiest things that we can learn.
If you want to be a happy bird like me you have to train your parents to spend time and invest in training you. Let's face it we don’t like to be stuck in a cage or on our stands all day screaming our heads off. We are going to live a long time so we might as well be happy. Read on to learn how I was parrot potty trained.
If you’re not a happy bird like a lot of us are or were at one time, tell your parents to just start spending time with you. One of my favorite things to do is to sing with my parents. They’re not that talented so I enjoy training them how to sing.
For you parrots out there who like to come out once and while but you get put right back because of you poop on the floor or the furniture, tell your parents to start parrot potty training you. It’s very easy to learn. Here is how my Papa taught me. He waits for me to poop in my cage while saying to me "sit" because sit sounds nicer than go poop.
Then when I do he takes me out and plays and cuddles with me for a short time. Then he puts me back in my cage and tells me to "sit again" and when I do (so to speak) he takes me out and plays and cuddles with me again. After a short time the only place that I want to "sit" is in my cage or on my play stand. Tell your parents potty training parrots is much easier than potty training dogs, cats or even children.
A Monk Parakeet (also known as the Quaker Parrot) in Brooklyn, New York, USA. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The Quaker Parrot is a medium-sized bird that makes an excellent pet. They are the best talkers out of all mid-sized birds and are relatively inexpensive. Quakers do require lots of time and dedication though.
Quaker parrots originate from South America. They are also known as Quaker Parakeets. They are mainly found in Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay, and Bolivia. However, today there are even some Quakers that live in the United States. The ones living wild in the United States have escaped birds that have established themselves there. There are many Quaker parrots living in Florida.
The average Quaker is around eleven inches long and weighs around 90 to 120 grams. They are about the size of a cockatiel but are much stockier. The predominant color of these birds is green, but other mutations such as albino, pied, cinnamon, lutino and blue-cinnamon are available. They also have very beautiful blue and green tail feathers. Their bill is either light yellow or horn colored.
In some places, Quaker parrots are illegal, so be sure you make sure that you can own one before trying to bring one home. They are prolific breeders and if the birds escape, they can form very large populations. This could become a problem, so this is why some states have laws against them. States in which they are illegal to include California, Tennessee, Kentucky, Wyoming, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and Hawaii.
It is very important that you put your bird on a good diet to maintain their health. The base diet should be pellets, not seeds. Other foods such as vegetables, fruits, bread and grains should also be offered. Variety is always good on a diet. You should not feed too many seeds. Some things you should never feed are caffeine, chocolate, alcohol, and avocado. These are toxic to all bird species. Food and water need to be in the cage at all times.
The minimum cage size for Quakers is 18 inches long by 18 inches wide by 24 inches tall. Try to get the biggest cage you can for your bird. Some Quakers tend to get territorial around their space, which is their cage. You can usually prevent this by having a "bedroom" in the cage. A sleeping box works great for this. You should also get many different types of toys to keep your bird busy.
You will need to keep your bird's wings clipped and their nails trimmed. Almost all Quakers also love baths. Just fill a dish with about an inch of water and let your bird take a bath. Try to provide bath water as often as you can. You should at least let them take a bath once a week. This will really help their skin and feathers, as well as provide entertainment for your bird.
Quakers are very sweet birds that always want to be around you. They are very loyal to their owners and playful but can be stubborn as well. They have a great talking ability and are very entertaining birds.
Be aware before you purchase a Quaker parrot that they are noisy birds. They love noise and this is what makes them such good talkers. Talking isn't their only noise though. They will often make loud screeching noises that can be very annoying.
Quakers do best in homes that spend plenty of time with them. You need to realize that these birds need lots of love and attention. Be sure that this bird is what you want before you get one.
Eclectus Parrot - Male (left) and Female, Singapore Zoo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Eclectus parrots are extremely beautiful birds. The males and females look so different that is used to be thought that they were entirely different species! They are wonderful birds that make great pets if you care for them properly.
This extraordinary bird originates from the South Pacific. There are six subspecies of the Eclectus available in the United States presently: Red-Sided, Grand, Solomon Island, Vosmaeri, McGillvary, and Biaki. The Red-Sided, Vosmaeri and Grand subspecies are the most common.
The male Eclectus is translucent green with red under his wings and a yellow or orange beak. The Vosmaeri male also has a yellow band on his tail. The female Eclectus are usually red and mauve, but some are red with a blue-violet belly and underwings. Also, the female has a black beak.
The minimum cage size for keeping one Eclectus parrot is three feet long by two feet wide by two feet tall. This is very small for this bird though. You should try to get a much larger cage. You will have to let the bird out of the cage a lot so they get the activity they need. They need to be let out at least an hour each day.
In the wild, the Eclectus eats mostly vegetables, fruits, and legumes. They don't eat seeds, so don't get a diet with seeds. For the primary diet, get a pellet based one. They will also need to get fresh fruits and vegetables each day. This bird is deficient in many nutrients and also has a very long digestive tract. Because of this, it is imperative that they are fed a good diet. Try to limit the amount of fat they get so that they don't develop fatty tumors. This doesn't mean to take fat entirely out of the diet though, they still need some.
The Eclectus parrot has excellent talking capabilities. They love to mimic every sound they hear, even the dog, doors opening, microwaves, and sneezing! You will be amazed at how much they sound like the real sound. Your bird's speaking ability will depend on how much time you spend with the bird, how much you talk to the bird and how much of a bond the bird has with you.
This bird is also very curious and loves to explore new things. They are extremely playful and really enjoy playing with people, other birds, and toys. They are very smart birds and can even be potty trained. Another great thing about them is how tidy they are. They don't throw food everywhere like many other bird species do.
Unlike many other birds, the Eclectus doesn't produce feather dust. They have an oil gland instead of a dust gland. You won't see dust on their beaks. A healthy bird's beak will appear clean and shiny.
The female Eclectus is the dominant sex of this species. For this reason, many people notice that their female bird gets slightly aggressive when they reach puberty. Just make sure she has her space whenever she gets a mood swing. She is not being mean, it's just her hormones. Most females will calm down as they get older and as you spend more time with them.
The main thing to remember with the Eclectus parrot is that you will need to spend plenty of time with it. If you don't, they will do anything to get your attention, such as making extremely loud screaming noises. You have to be prepared for the amount of time this bird takes. Your bird could live to be fifty years old so you will have it for a very long time if you take good care of it.
African Grey parrots are not the most colorful among parrots of the world, as the name indicates. Whether your African Grey is the Congo or Timneh subspecies, the bird will be predominantly grey in color. The Congo African Grey will have a bright, cherry red tail, while the Timneh African Grey's tail will be maroon.
African Grey parrots are very intelligent. It has been said that they have an intellect similar to that of dolphins and chimpanzees. African Grey parrots have the ability to mimic up to 2,000 different sounds. They can understand the use of many words they learn and are known to be the best talking parrots.
Einstein, a talking African Grey, is living proof of this. Einstein has been talking up a storm in a Knoxville, Tennessee zoo. Einstein's trainer, Stephanie White, says that it is natural for African Grey parrots to enjoy mimicking sounds. Einstein, though, seems exceptionally good at mimicking. White believes Einstein can make more than 200 different sounds, many of which are English words.
"If she hears a sound that she likes, she'll start to repeat it over and over. Then we'll put it on cue," says White.
Is Einstein Male or Female?
African Grey parrots of both sexes look the same, so no one knows whether Einstein is male or female. The zoo's veterinarians could tell with a blood test, but the zoo has decided not to do it. Einstein lives happily with the name of a great male scientist, and a feminine pronoun.
Einstein – a Talking African Grey's Bio
Einstein, the talking African Grey parrot, hatched in California in 1987. He did not live in a zoo at first. He lived with a California couple. Not for sale, the Congo African Grey was donated to the Zoo in 1992 at age 5.
When Einstein arrived at the Knoxville Zoo, she soared from unknown African Grey parrot to star status. Einstein was an immediate hit in the zoo's new Bird Show. Visitors loved the show, which features free-flight, natural behaviors of about 14 birds and a few other animals. However, the African Grey quickly became the star.
Einstein does not stay at the zoo every day. Nor does she limit her vocabulary to words and sounds her trainers want her to learn. One day, the African Grey was riding in a car on the way to a school show-and-tell. Suddenly, she began to sing "Happy Birthday" to her shocked trainers. No one knew when and how she learned the song, but she knew it.
Einstein is not only the star of Knoxville Zoo's Bird Show. She is also a popular "spokesbird" for the zoo and for Knoxville tourism.
Although Einstein is about 22 years old as I write this (early 2007), she will never behave or understand as a 22-year old human. African Grey parrots have the intellectual capacity of a 5-year old child. Emotionally, they are more like a 2-year old human. Those who live with African Grey parrots are constantly reminded of this.
African Grey – the Right Pet for You?
Einstein, the talking African Grey is amazing. You should be aware, however, that not all African Greys are like Einstein. The Knoxville Zoo has another African Grey parrot named Allie. Allie has learned only a handful of words. Perhaps Allie is shy of talking because Einstein is so good. Perhaps Allie is just not motivated.
Certainly, many African Grey parrots do learn to talk. A privately-owned, 10-year old African Grey in Texas – also named Einstein - is credited with knowing 122 words, 94 phrases, and 21 sounds.
If you purchase an African Grey parrot and patiently work with it, you will probably be able to teach it to talk.
Anna Hart, a career educator, and writer has researched African Grey parrots carefully for you. Anna invites you to read more of her articles about parrots of the world at http://www.parrots-of-the-world.com. If you would like more information on African Grey parrots, you won’t want to miss Anna’s articles.
A pet juvenile White-bellied Caique (Pionites leucogaster xanthomeria) in a harness. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
If you are looking for a pet that can live and last for so many years, then you should consider buying a parrot for a pet. Because of their friendly nature and interesting personalities, a wide variety of parrots have been in the pet trade for parrot lovers to enjoy.
But, owning a parrot entails great responsibility. You must be able to give proper care and attention so your pet parrot will enjoy long and healthy life.
Taking care of parrots
Parrots are known for creating close bonds with their owner or the ones who handle them. If there were one person that must understand the bird well, that should be the parrot breeder.
Parrot breeders are significant figures in the lives of parrots because they play a major role in taking care of them. In the lives of parrots, the parrot breeders are foster parents because they take care of the bird from the beginning.
Since the parrot breeders are the ones who look over the well-being and welfare of parrots since birth, the overall health and personality of the parrot depend on the methods of breeding they use. Future behavioral patterns, ability to relate, levels of socialization and emotional health of the parrot will also greatly depend on the kind of care it received from its breeder.
One of the major responsibilities of parrot breeders is feeding the parrot. Since there are different parrot species, parrot breeders will have to learn how to respond properly in feeding in each kind. Aside from knowing the kinds of food and the right diet for each kind of parrot, the proper way of feeding should also be paid attention, too. Parrot breeders should know the proper way of feeding each kind so as not to put the baby parrot in danger.
Aside from feeding, “weaning” and “bathing” are other major responsibilities of parrot breeders. Because of the great responsibility a parrot breeder must take into consideration, not everyone can be a parrot breeder.
Time, energy, commitment, patience, and resources should be considered to be successful in this endeavor. Since time and dedication is quite crucial in obtaining healthy, non-hybridized specimens of parrots, interested parrot breeders should prepare themselves for this tedious but rewarding task.
There is actually a long list of parrot and tropical bird breeders available online. Whether you are located in United Kingdom, Europe, Canada, Australia, or in any of the states of United States, there is a directory of seasoned parrot breeders who understand the needs of the parrots very well. You might want to visit these sites in order to ensure the well-being of your parrot.
Toys and ropes for pet parrots on a plastic tree. A lovebird and a Cockatiel are on the structure - Photo: Wikimedia
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 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 to 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.
Because of their impressive nature, people buy parrots to become their pet on pet stores on impulse. Popular choices are amazons, macaws, and cockatoos because of their adorable traits and characteristics.
But, better be careful in choosing and buying parrot pets on impulse because caring for them can be an overwhelming and stressful task for you. Before you bring home a parrot to become your pet, make sure that you do a little research on its types and caring procedures so you will know what is the most suitable parrot species for you.
Parrot shopping guidelines
Every parrot—or any pet or animal for that matter—is different. Thus, they require special needs and caring. You must know by now that choosing a parrot for a pet is a lifelong commitment so it’s advisable that you do not make hasty decisions in buying one. Since buying a parrot requires a good decision-making, here are some things that can get you started:
1. A parrot’s “noise” is one of the major considerations in choosing any pet parrot. Majority of the Conure species and Quaker Parakeets produce ear-piercing screeches that you might not tolerate.
Amazons, Macaws, Cockatoos, and African Greys, one the other hand, give out information about you that can smear your reputation while Pionus, and some medium-sized Poicephalus like Senegals and Meyers, are known to create lesser noise compared other parrots. Budgies, Lovebirds, and Parrotlets, on another hand, are famous for not having very loud screeches because they do not possess a real ability to scream.
2. The next basic thing to consider when you’re pondering over buying a pet parrot is the mess the bird will create. Don’t be shocked if you see at least one-third of the food you give to the parrot will end up scattered on the floor.
This “food-scattering” is just part of a parrot’s nature of being experimental or just being naughty. Aside from food particles, feathers will also be present everywhere. If you are not used to having pets as messy as parrots and you are about to have one, you might want to consider placing its cage where cleaning materials are accessible.
3. You should also consider the attention you can give and the attention your parrot pet will need. Being social flock animals, parrots are known to enjoy the utmost attention. You must know when to pay attention to your pet parrot because they become easily depressed, lazy, and untrusting. Give them enough freedom to explore and interact with you.
4. You also be prepared to maintain the cleanliness of your pet parrot. No bird—or any pet for that matter—will be happy and healthy if they are confined to a soiled, dirty cage. Putting newspapers under their cage is the easiest way to get rid off soiled perches but make sure you don’t use colored papers because they contain toxins that can be harmful to your parrot pet.
5. Lastly, contemplate on feeding your parrot pet. Far from common perception, birds—especially parrots—cannot live in birdseed alone. Daily pelleted or seed diet combined with a variety of dark green, orange, and yellow vegetables or cooked brown rice, pasta, and beans are best for your winged pet.
Let me introduce you to Lambeau our Hahn’s Macaw parrot (also known as the Red-Shoulder Macaw Parrot). She is the smallest of the Macaw parrot species. Though some say it is the Noble Macaw parrot. There is that debate. Lambeau is quite comical and extremely sweet. She doesn’t talk, she chatters. Lambeau is quite intelligent and is very attentive when being spoken to. We call her the human leech because she wants to be on your shoulder all the time. She thinks she is one of the large Macaw parrots and has no fear. Lambeau has a great disposition and I wouldn’t trade her in for the world.
Now we are going to talk of the genus of the Macaw Parrot. There are about 17 different species within the Macaw parrot genus. They are all on the CITES index, which means that Macaw parrots, like Amazons, Pionus, Caique and Cockatoo parrots all protected exportation out of the wilds like Brazil, Central and South America and the likes of Mexico; also including Australia. On what is called the CITES Treaty; CITES stands for Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna. The CITES also known as the Washington Convention was created by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. It was adopted in 1963, the convention then opened for signatures in 1973 and entered into force on July 1, 1985.
Macaw parrots are on the CITES appendix ranging from extinction to vulnerable. Of the 17 species of Macaws, there are two that are extinct in the wild; they are the Spix Macaw and the Glaucous Macaw. The reason that Macaws have been placed on the CITES Index is that of the deforestation of the Amazon and the illegal trapping of these majestic creatures. There are many conservation acts that have been put in place in the last 20 years.
There are the large Macaw parrots such as the Blue and Gold, Scarlet, Green Wing and Hyacinth that are known. There is the Mini-Macaw parrot and they behave just like their counterparts with big personalities, affection and yes their vocalization; may not be as loud but just as vocal. The several types of mini-Macaw parrots they are the Severe, Yellow-Collared, Illeger’s and of course the Hahn’s, to name a few.
They are just as social, animated and loyal to their owners like the larger Macaw parrots. If you your house cannot fit a larger Macaw and you have always wanted one of these majestic animals; I highly recommend a Mini-Macaw parrot. You will not be disappointed. You get all the benefits of a large Macaw parrot just in a small package. They may not be as colorful but their shades of green are breathtaking.
Macaw parrots vocalize with screams and squawks; these are ways of communicating with flock (family). Identifying each other and marking their territory. You may believe that this behavior is only displayed in the wild; no, this is also their way to speak in a domesticated situation in your home. They are loud so I do not recommend getting one in an apartment situation. Macaw parrots are good talkers not just mimicking speech.
Their diet consists of seed, I advocate a type of pellet included, fruits such as apples, oranges, mango, papaya, banana, berries, and veggies like squash, sweet potatoes, green beans, baby carrots (they can hold like a toy), red peppers and many more. Remember that all fruits and veggies need to be washed as there are pesticides on them and they will pass through their small kidneys. Dehydrated fruits and veggies are great because they don’t spoil. They are perfect when you are going on a trip. That is if your parrot will eat them. Just like humans, they prefer the real thing. NEVER give your parrot alcohol, avocado, and chocolate as they are toxic. They can kill your parrot. Also avoid asparagus, eggplant, cabbage, caffeine products, junk food, milk and cream, raw potato and rhubarb (including the leaves).
Macaw parrots are like a feathered 3-year-old child you are going to bring into your home. They are very cuddly and animated; an excellent choice to have in any home, as they form very strong bonds within the family dynamics. They are very playful, sweet, the class clown and extremely social. They are smart and inquisitive which leads them to trouble. They are chewers and will chew anything. Like I said they are inquisitive by nature and may wander into your dining room and see that antique dining set your grandmother gave you. They don’t see it as a family heirloom they see it as a toy and oh boy, it is something to chew. I recommend if you have anything important that you do not want to become kindle for the fire, keep it out of their way.
They wander around the floor like your dog following you from room to room. It is so they can be with you and with their inquisitive nature, to see what they can get into. The nice thing about Macaw parrot is that many can stay on a playpen or stand while you are gone and will stay put. Though like any parrot they should have a cage to retreat to for food or just to take a nap.
If you decide to cage your Macaw parrot, you need to adhere to the guidelines of caging your parrot. You need to get the largest cage possible! The large macaw parrot has a wingspan up to 3½ feet and from head to tail they can measure at 4 feet. They need to have the space to move around from perch to perch, play with toys and climb their cage. Their cage must be twice the size of their wingspan and twice the size of their tail. If you do not follow these simple guidelines you will have an unhappy or injured parrot. A wrought iron or steel cage is highly recommended; a Macaw parrot’s beak is very powerful and can break open nuts like a can opener. Like I mentioned they are chewers and can chew through many perches you purchase. I suggest Manzanita or Iron Wood. They will eventually get through it but not as frequently. It is best to have dishes that are attached to the cage or you will find them on the floor. When you put dishes in their cage, get one for food, water, and fruits/veggies/ treats and put them next to their perches. They are escape artists so get a cage with a lock on the door.
Toys are very important as it will occupy your parrot while you are out and they are caged. Like any parrot, if boredom sets in you will get behavioral problems. I highly advise you to get toys, toys and more toys. Get them toys they can throw, thrash, chew, and make noise with. I like to get toys with wood blocks, plastic chain link, and bells. They love to destroy so allow them to do so with toys. It is a difference between a happy healthy parrot and an unhappy parrot with behavioral issues.
When you place the cage in your home with the new baby, put in a high traffic area so your Macaw parrot can interact with the family and socialize with people when they come over. Be sure to not put in an area without a draft. They love to interact with people so keep it where your parrot can see all that is going on in the household. These are not pretty birds to stick in a cage for a conversation piece or decoration, they are a new addition to the family and need to be treated as just that.
Macaw parrots are very endearing and bring much joy to your household. When they reach about a year to 18 months they become more boisterous and mischievous. This is a fun time and but you have to set the limits with your Macaw parrot. All macaw parrots are very loud and get cranky like your toddler. They can throw temper tantrums. Keep this in mind; they are a big bird with a big beak. You could easily be in a situation that requires stitches or worse could lose a finger. This is not to scare you but you need to know what you are dealing with. Your Macaw parrot will probably be sweet 99% of the time; you just need to be able to read their body language to avoid disaster. A parrot will generally bite out of fear or anger. Each macaw parrot is different; so spend time with your new baby before it comes home. A hand-fed baby is going to be a great addition to your family as you now will have a companion for life.
Your Macaw parrot is a unique individual. Their eye patches are like our fingerprints, each one is different. They are majestic in stature and their colorful plumage only adds to that. The large Macaw parrot is quite striking in an awry of colors like a rainbow. The Mini- Macaw parrots are generally green with coloring on their wings or around their neck. Their tail is probably as long as their body. That is why I highly advise you to get a cage as large as you can get it. Take into consideration that Macaw parrots are very good at staying in their playpen or stand when left alone so this may be another option you may want to consider.
People have begun to breed hybrid Macaw parrots. People reported the overabundance of female Blue and Gold Macaw parrots which differs from the general rule of other captive Macaw parrots and parrots in general, where the males are more abundant; which explains why the Blue and Gold Macaw parrot is the most hybridized Macaw parrot. The only difference with a hybrid Macaw parrot is the true genetics and coloring. Male offspring take on the traits of their mother and the females take on the traits of their father. Yes, they have beautiful coloring but you need to be careful as there may be some behavior issues you will not find in a true genetic Macaw parrot.
I want to point out is that Macaw parrots are not for the first time parrot owner. They are time-consuming and require a lot of attentive attention. They are very social and strong-minded. You need to give them the time and energy they deserve and also be able to set the boundaries for your new baby. This commitment is one for life and Macaw parrots do live beyond 35 years. You need to keep in mind; as to who will care for your Macaw parrot if anything should happen to you. They are not known for great talkers but they make it up in character, how cuddly they are and being a parrot you can easily train. This is only true of any parrot that is socialized, handled properly and fed a proper diet.
Having a macaw is going to be one of the greatest joys you will ever experience. They are majestic, captivating and endearing. My wife used to walk to downtown Santa Barbara with Qazi, a Green Wing (one of the largest of the Macaw species) on her shoulder like a pirate. He would just hang on her shoulder ever so gently and they would cruise State Street telling everybody about her step-mother’s bird store. He was a great conversation piece. When we were in Mexico we went into a restaurant that had a Military, the Macaw was just hanging out and came over to our table ever so curious, he climbed up and sat on my wife’s Louis Vuitton purse and started chewing. This Macaw did not see it as an expensive handbag; he saw it as a new toy to chew. As we were sitting there the owner of the restaurant would put the Macaw on his shoulder and run down the street with him.
From the largest to the smallest Macaws, each one is fascinating and grand with their own individuality. I hope when you decide on a parrot you consider a macaw. You need to ask yourself, “Am I ready for this big commitment.” They are not for the weary at heart; they are for a strong person who wants to take on that responsibility. If a large Macaw wouldn’t fit into your lifestyle, getting a mini-Macaw is just as rewarding and you will get the same satisfaction. Whichever you decide on, know it is going to love you unconditionally and depend on you for life.
are very intelligent. It has been said that they have an intellect similar to that of dolphins and chimpanzees. African Grey parrots have the ability to mimic up to 2,000 different sounds. They can understand the use of many words they learn and are known to be the best talking parrots.
