SENEGAL PARROTS - Feed and Nutrition

A juvenile Senegal Parrot. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I have a 6 yr old Senegal parrot that I hand fed.  My Senegal is named Sunni and he has a vocabulary of about 6 words. He can imitate many noises such as the microwave, smoke alarm, running water and telephone. He has a sweet little personality and has bonded very well with me. I am able to handle him anytime, day or night, and he has only bitten me once when he was a few months old. He will let others handle him, but has bitten on quite a few occasions. Most Senegal parrots are as friendly as Sunni. I have learned a lot about parrot feed and nutrition while caring for my Senegal parrot.

The most important thing in raising a parrot is their nutrition. Most people are led to believe that a diet of just seeds is adequate for these birds, but it is not. In wild Senegal's will eat different foods such as fruits, vegetables, and nuts. I feed a variety of foods to keep my Senegal parrot healthy. His main diet consists of commercially made parrot pellets. There are a few different brands of pellets out there is different shapes, colors, and flavors. Some parrots will take to one kind and not another.

Check out this website Caring for a Senegal Parrot for a list of companies that sell parrot pellets to get free samples. Care must be taken when switching over from a regular diet to pellets. You should only change their diet by about 10% each week.

I supplement my Senegal parrot's pelleted diet with fresh fruits and vegetables. Avacodos and chocolate are POISONOUS to parrots and should never be fed. Sunni's favorites foods are grapes and apples. It is very interesting watching a parrot eat a grape. Sunni "unzips" it with his beak, sucks out the inside, and drops the skin. This also keeps him pretty busy. Parrots like to "forage" for their food so it is recommended that you put bowls in various positions in the cage.

Senegal parrots are drawn to colorful foods and also like things in different shapes and sizes, so experiment!! You can cut up carrots into sticks or squares. Some birds will only eat cooked or steamed veggies and some like them fresh. I like to stick some broccoli in his cage bars and make it look like a tree. Sunni has a blast picking through it!

Noodles and grains are also good for parrots. I do give him meat every once in a while and he eats that heartily! I feed cornbread, wheat bread, whole wheat or white noodles, and white or brown rice. An easy way to get a parrot to eat some veggies is to puree them in a blender and use the liquid with a little water to make a batch of cornbread according to the box directions. I cut these in little "bars" and freeze half for easy thawing.

Seeds and nuts are an important part of a parrots diet but should be given in moderation as treats since they are high in fat. They love sunflower seeds! I also give some spray millet as a treat.  I have also purchased some treat dispensers for birds where they have to work a treat through a maze before they can eat it. It is very important for parrots to stay busy and not get bored as they tend to develop bad habits such as feather picking.

By Erin Kurwicki - Article Source: EzineArticles

---

---

Adopt a Smaller Pet Bird - POICEPHALUS Meyeri

"Mohrenkopfpapagei1 Licensed via Wikimedia Commons.

The bird with the scientific name Poicephalus Meyeri originated from the wilds of Central and Eastern Africa. Meyers have gone through countless hybrids without having to consider instant look "standard" in plume color and other features. Meyer parrots appear to be of six sub-species; each looking perfectly similar with the rest, resulting to lack of dominant marks to distinguish each from the others.

It is believed that breeding has started from the wilds where the bird originated, and gone through with disregard in the proper manipulations and considerations on the bird's total breed. Meyeri parrots are inferior in size compared to other birds, a preferred choice for household pets. Being small saves you from preparing a large cage, conducive to smaller space in its foster home.

Like other parrots, there's no assurance that the Meyer will talk. It takes a lot of patience and determination to let it mimic in return to efforts done in training. The disadvantage of its having gone through unprecedented hybrid processes is believed to have started while on captives in the forests; original breeders, mindless to focus on basic colors.

Later breeders have difficulty in their assessments; as to whether they could still resolve to come up with the desired feather color combinations, that may under mind a fixed determining appearance of the bird. They are less capable to detect how many species are scattered, making for a whole population of confusing inter hybrid in captivity.

Six Sub-species of the Meyer Parrot (Poicephalus Meyeri)

1. Poicephalus Meyeri Meyeri

2. Saturatus

3. Reichenowi

4. Matschiei

5. Damarensis

6. Trasvaalensis

It takes a very knowledgeable observer to detect which this and that, of its sub-kind because of the complicated spread in overall plumage. It's a general vague overview on the breeding approach; and presenting today a big controversy what touch in a hybrid to concentrate, if only to settle to one image. Meyers' bird breeding has similarities to what was done with the Senegal bird; kind of "mind twist" run-down observation tests which, and what sub-species.

Plumages' dominant hue is of gray and brown. Back part is gray, and bills are dark gray. Thighs, wings, crown, and shoulders are yellow. Heads and beaks determine what apparent sex it belongs. Males obviously have flatter heads, but to get the total assurance of its sex is through operation or DNA test.

Mature Meyers weigh 100 to 135 grams, measure between 7 to 9 inches (20 to 22 cm.), and length of wings spread to full span is 5 to 6 inches (14 to 14.9 cm). It reaches sexual maturity from age three to four years old, and lay 3 to 4 eggs, hatched after a period of 3 months (12 to 13 weeks) but could leave the nest after 9 weeks.

By Low Jeremy Low Jeremy has been writing articles on science, sports and internet marketing for a few years. - Article Source: EzineArticles

---

---

Binocular for Bird Watching

---

How To Take Care Of Your PET PARROT

Eye of a female Eclectus Parrot (Eclectus roratus), seen through the wire mesh of its cage. - (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Parrots make wonderful family pets because they are great companions, they are beautiful birds with colorful feathers and you can teach them to talk. But you must have a strong level of commitment to your parrot because he will need daily and weekly maintenance, as well as plenty of attention.

What a Parrot Needs

When you consider how to take care of your parrot, you will have to consider what you will need to get started. The first thing you will need is a large cage for your parrot to live in. Make sure it is big enough for him to move around a bit and be comfortable. To occupy his time and make him feel comfortable you should place a mirror, a swing and a toy in the cage. You will also need something to properly line the cage.

What To Feed Your Parrot

A parrot should have a healthy, well-balanced diet. It should consist of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, meat, and grains. Peanut butter and cooked eggs are other sources of protein that are good for parrots. Pre-packaged parrot food is certainly another valid option. It takes the guesswork out of feeding your bird a wide variety of balanced nutrition. 

As with most pets, avoid feeding your parrot caffeine, alcohol, chocolate and salty foods.

Teaching Your Parrot To Talk

One of the most attractive features of this type of bird is that you can teach them to talk and whistle. Most people get a lot of enjoyment out of it. It does require a lot of time and repetition though and training should begin when the parrot is young. New words should be introduced with an activity so the parrot can link the two. He may even pick up on words you don’t really want him to learn just because he hears them often.

Whistling may come more natural for the birds and maybe encouraged after you have trained him to talk.

Provide Exercise

Your parrot will need to get daily exercise. Let him out of the cage for a small amount of time, starting with fifteen minutes at a time. Let them fly around the house and tire themselves out. See a professional for wing clippings when necessary.

Beak Care

Never try to trim your parrot’s beak at home. Seek a professional’s help when needed. Some things you can do at home to help your bird with beak care is to provide a concrete perch or a cuttlebone for him.

Maintenance

The basic things you need to commit to for taking care of your bird are quite simple, but they do require some effort on the owner’s part. In addition to never leaving his food bowl empty, you will need to provide him with fresh water twice a day. You will need to clean his cage on a weekly basis. You will also need to groom him 2-3 times per week. This can include a full bath given in a sink or washtub or by simply misting the bird and using specialized bird shampoo on him.

When all the work is done, you will have a beautiful pet that will provide hours of entertainment and joy.

---

---

ECLECTUS PARROT - The Ideal Parrot Type For Beginners

Eclectus Parrot - Photo   by    Kurayba  (cc)

The Eclectus parrot is an Asiatic parrot type that is widely bred in Europe and the United States. This bird, which is endemic in New Guinea, is ideal for people who are looking for their first parrot pet because it can adapt well in a cage and can be easy to care for in comparison to other parrot species. But before you go to your nearest pet store to buy this type of bird, you might want to know the unique characteristics of an Eclectus parrot. Here they are.

One of the things that set this parrot type apart from other birds under the same species is the huge difference in the appearance of males and females. An adult male Eclectus parrot generally has a bright green plumage with some tints of deep blue on its wings and tails and a patch of crimson on its side. The upper bill of the male Eclectus is coral with a bright yellow tip, while the lower part of its bill is black. The eyes of this small parrot, which can grow to as large as 14 inches, are brown. The female Eclectus, on the other hand, has bright red plumage. You will notice that the back, base of the tail, and the wings of the female are deep red. Moreover, you will also find a purplish blue band on the body and tips of the auxiliary wings. Lastly, the mandibles of the female are black.

The temperament of this Asiatic parrot type is quite calm and peaceful when it is inside the cage. In fact, many parrot owners say that the Eclectus is one of the quietest of all parrot breeds. Even when this parrot is dispirited and lonely, you will not hear it complain or make irritating cries. However, make sure that it does not become too lively or agitated so that you won't hear its infamous "Crrah" sound that some people say can be ear piercing.

Another reason why an Eclectus parrot type is good for beginners is that it can easily adapt to its new owners and even crave for their attention and pleasure. Once you have hand-tamed this bird, you can already teach it with tricks and pet it on the head and wings. In fact, you can even expect to hear it mimic a few words. Feeding an Eclectus is simple. Aside from giving it fruits and nuts, you also need to provide it with fresh vegetables regularly.

By Gideon Williams Gideon Williams is an expert on different parrot types. Article Source: EzineArticles

---

---

---

Essential Guide to Buying The Best Pet PARROT !!

Imperial Amazon (also known as the Imperial Parrot and Sisserou Parrot)
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

All bird lovers listen up!! Do you know how many bird species are there in the world?

Answer: Over 9000 species. And out of which the parrot group itself consists of about 330 species and are particularly popular with pet owners.

If you are also thinking of keeping a pet parrot, read below for the tips I am going to provide for selecting the suitable parrot for yourself and the family.

Parrot Buying Tip (1) -- Buy a young parrot

Rearing a new parrot from young helps to facilitate taming. An older parrot can also be tamed just that it takes more time and patience. However, the tricky part is in determining the age of the bird. However, some basic things to look out for are the scales on its legs, the color of the eye and the color of the body. A young parrot often has a dark gray iris that becomes white or brown when it grows up. The scales of young parrots are also much smoother than that of mature birds. Their body color also appears initially to be much duller than when they are matured.

The best option is to buy one which is newly born which is independent of its parent.

Parrot Buying Tip (2) -- Choose the right species of parrot

Do you know the characteristics of the parrot you are interested in buying?

Do they

• -make tremendously loud voices which can cause huge disturbance to the neighbors?
• -have powerful beaks that can damage your personal belongings if let free in the house?
• -need special nutritional foods? Some birds such as the lorikeets need special foods since they feed on nectar. This also relates to cost.

Parrot Buying Tip (3) -- Check the condition of the parrot

If possible, ask for a certified health certificate by the veterinary so that you have an assurance of buying a healthy parrot home. If that is not available, don't worry, you can check out the below factors for some tell-tale signs of the conditions of the bird.

i) Inspect the living conditions of the bird. Dirty or poorly maintained perches, food, and water containers, excess fecal wastes in the cage, all show poor management of the birds leading to bad health. The eyes should also be clear and not showing any discharge. Also look out for any swelling signs which will indicate rising health problems.

ii) The bird feathers should be tidy and clean. Any bald areas on the parrot body could indicate an infection which is very unsightly and may not be able to cure, or it may also be due to the parrot being a feather plucker which means it is getting very boring. This activity may stop when you start to show it more attention. Then again, it is better to stay clear of such birds, since they could be carrying diseases on their bodies which you don't want it to spread to your family members.

iii) Support the bird on its back and check the vent for cleanliness. Also, check for any crusty appearance on and around the beak which could indicate a mite issue subjecting from unclean environments.

iv) Also feel the flesh on both sides of the breastbone, and ensure it is solid and not hollowed. If protruding, it also indicates a nutritional deficiency and should be avoided.

v) Ensures all claws are there. There should be 2 toes pointing forward, 2 facing backward. Check for any protruding leg scales as they could be potential sources for leg mites.

vi) Beware of birds that act aggressively towards you when you try to approach it. Symptoms include fluffing up feathers and eyes dilating when you try to move your hand close to it. These birds are probably not young birds, and they will likely bite you if you cross its safety zone.

Parrot Buying Tip (4) -- Buy from reputable, reliable sources

Buying from well-established and reputable pet shops assures you the best quality services, and often the pets you are buying through them have been certified to be in good health before they release it out for sale.

Avoid open markets, and buying through mail order. It is always good to see and feel what you are buying so that you don't regret your buying decisions later. If you don't, how do you implement parrot buying tip 3?

Conclusion

To summarize, it is great to have parrots as pets, as they can be a good source of fun and companionship. However, it is important to know some essential tips on selecting and buying the right parrot, and this can be categorized into 4 great tips namely to buy a young parrot, choose the desired parrot species, check the condition of the parrot, and always buy from reputable pet shops.

---

---

Advantages and Disadvantages of CONURE Parrots As Pets

Tingo helps with computer - Photo  by    Makuahine Pa’i Ki’i  (cc)

In general, conure parrots are a group of small to large-sized parrots. They are natives of the Central and South America and sometimes they are called parakeets although they are really two different entities. However, the term Conure has already existed far long before parakeet did. The term really meant cone-tailed. Among all the parrots, they are the ones that adapt to changes in the weather and diet the most.

Before going to the advantages and disadvantages of Conure Parrots as pets, let's look at some useful facts first.

1 - Size

These birds size is determined by measuring the length from the tips of the beak and tail. Usually, their average size is about 11.8 inches (30 cm). On the average, their weight is about 2.2 lbs or equivalent to 1 kg. When you measure their tails' length, they are usually as long as their bodies.

They are active birds and so they will usually need larger cage so that they will be able to exercise even when inside. The necessary spacing for the cages should be 1/2 to 7/8 for them to be able to climb with no worries of escape or caught in between.

2 - Life Span

They usually have a lifespan of around 35 years or more. This depends on how well you take care of them.

Advantages as Pets

One of the advantages of these birds as pets is their majestically colorful plumage, which is really pleasing to the eye. They are full of affection and can really accommodate just about anyone in the family. They breed well and can produce great offspring. They are easy to handle because of their uncomplicated nature especially their diet, which consists mainly of organic pellets, fruits and vegetables, and seeds. They are highly intelligent and are capable of learning tricks.

Disadvantages as Pets

Since they are highly social birds, attention and regular social interaction are needed. They are considered best only for people who have time to spend at home for their supervision, training, and exercise. The latter two are essential so that you can keep your bird from boredom otherwise, the birds will develop bad habits. They need a lot of activities but to counter this, you can give them toys as well as let them out of the cage every once in a while.

As long as you have the patience and persistence to put up with them, they could make excellent pets for you.

By Gary Caine For the most part, conures share similar personalities and it's more the color and size of the different species that is the deciding factor on which parrot to buy. See pictures and learn more about the unique characteristics of these conures. Green Conure - Green Cheek Conure - Jenday Conure Article Source: EzineArticles

---

---

---

CAIQUE PARROT - The Clowns of the Parrot World

Black-headed Caique - Photo: Wikimedia

Caique - Strange name for a parrot isn't it. The correct pronunciation of Caique is: "ky-eek" or "kah-eek." Yes, this word also means a sailing vessel and darned if we know what that has to do with birds (not to be confused with Kayak). They are intelligent, curious, stubborn, affectionate, fearless and devoted. They are sometimes referred to as "clowns" because of their amusing antics. There aren't many parrots that have the same personality with the exception of the Lorikeets/Lories.

A Caique may not be the bird for you if you are looking for an excellent talker. Many do learn to talk but they tend to speak in a low almost whispering voice, but; do learn to use words properly, Like-Good Morning, How are you, etc. They do learn to whistle tunes quite well. They are not verbally interactive like Quakers or African Greys, for example.

These little birds (either the Black-Capped or White Bellied Caique) are just little playing machines. They love to lie on their backs and play with whiffle balls or other foot toys. They are agile and interactive. They love to be loved and are not noted to be screamers, squawkers or nervous birds. Once introduced to bathing or showering, they absolutely adore it. They will splash and cavort in a glass cake pan or perform their acrobatics while on a birdie shower perch. Showering time can be a great bonding experience for your Caique. Take them in the shower with you. All you need is a good shower perch. Make sure the water isn't too hot and have fun. They love drying off time, just as well. Wrapping them in a fluffy towel before letting them preen is the highlight of their day.

Caiques sleep in tree cavities in the wild, and while our pets are several generations from the wild, that need is still there. Provide them with a Birdie Bungalow or a roosting box to sleep in and they will be happy campers. Because these little acrobats love to climb, their cage should be one with more horizontal than vertical bars. The spacing should be no more than 3/4 inch and the cage no less than 24x24x24. They need to move around and enjoy lots of very well supervised out of cage time. A tree made of manzanita or java wood with lots of branches is ideal for them. They benefit from lots of hanging toys and swings to play on.

By Kimberly Santor  -  http://www.birdcagesgalore.com   -    http://www.yourparrotcage.com  Article Source: EzineArticles

---

---

All About Common PARROT Diseases

Photo   by     budi javas  (cc)

There are some diseases that parrot owners should stay aware of so that they can catch early signs of any trouble in their birds. Pacheco Disease (PVD), Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD), Feather Plucking, Avian Salmonella, Escherichia coli - E. coli, Avian Tuberculosis, Avian Chlamydia, Avian Polyomavirus and Proventricular Dilation Disease (PDD) are among types of parrot disease that are common.

Good hygiene and healthy nutrition are the basic requirements for a healthy parrot but being aware of the more common types of parrot disease will be useful in being a proactive pet owner. A prompt visit to the vet is recommended as well.

Pacheco's disease (PDV) is visible through symptoms such as lethargy, diarrhea, ruffled feathers, sinusitis, anorexia, conjunctivitis, and tremors in the neck, wing, and legs. The bird's fecal material may become discolored with urates becoming green suggesting possible liver damage.

Birds generally die from massive liver necrosis characterized by an enlarged liver, spleen, and kidneys. However, some birds die suddenly with no specific or observable symptoms.

Infected birds can start shedding the virus in the feces and nasal discharge as early as 3-7 days after infection. This viral disease is classified as highly contagious.

Pacheco's disease is often fatal and affects parrots of all ages. New World parrots are seen as more susceptible to PDV than Old World psittacines. Asymptomatic birds can be carriers of Pacheco's virus. Birds that have survived an outbreak of PDV can be possible carriers.

PDV appears to be reactivated when the parrot is under stress during times such as breeding, loss of a mate, or other environmental changes.

Avian Chlamydia, also known as Psittacosis, Parrot Fever or chlamydiosis is when parrots are infected by intracellular parasites. These are sometimes called energy parasites because they use ATP (a crucial energy containing metabolite) produced by the host cell.

Dull plumage, drop in body temperature, lethargy, conjunctivitis and yellow to greenish droppings or grayish watery droppings are among the symptoms. Sometimes there is no outward evidence of an infection.

This is an airborne bacterial disease. The bacteria can be shed by an infected bird through its bodily secretions, fecal material, and feather dust. The organism may remain relatively stable outside the host body and can dry into a dusty substance and contaminate the air.

Incubation periods in caged birds vary from days to months although most often this is 3 to 10 days. The incubation period is hard to gauge because chronically infected birds sometimes develop persistent and asymptomatic infections.

Parrots in overcrowded settings are particularly susceptible to the disease. A significant detail about Avian Chlamydia is that it is a zoonotic disease which can be transmitted from animals to humans.

Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD) is the disease in which we see a loss of feathers, development of abnormal feathers, new pinched feathers, shedding of developing feathers and loss of powder down.

Overgrown or abnormal beak, symmetrical lesions on the beak and occasionally nails are other likely signs. Immunosuppression, dramatic weight loss, and depression are also seen as the disease progresses.

PBFD is caused by a virus that also sometimes affects the liver, brain, and immune system. Secondary infections stemming from this sometimes lead to complications and death.

Transmission is through direct contact and the infected environment has to be thoroughly cleaned as the viral particles can persist in the environment even after the infected bird is removed.

PBFD is supposed to be specific to psittacines and some species that are particularly vulnerable to it are Cockatoos, Macaws African Grey Parrots, Ringneck parakeets, Eclectus Parrots, and Lovebirds.

PBFD can be fatal for young birds and even adult birds that survive can become carriers. Others feel that those survivors develop an immunity which can be genetically transferred to their offspring.

Feather Plucking can be a traumatic problem for the parrot and the pet owner as it seems to indicate more deep-rooted problems. The broad reasons for feather plucking are improper diet or inadequate nutrition, emotional stress and bacterial or fungal infection.

Owners should ensure that the bird is not kept in too small a cage and if the bird is molting special nutritional attention should be paid. Also keep an eye open for fleas, lice or ticks. While these are rare they can be the cause of skin irritation also.

A well-balanced diet, a mentally stimulating environment, adequate physical space and good hygiene are among things that can help with this problem.

Escherichia coli (E. coli) are manifested as ruffled feathers, diarrhea, listlessness, and shivering. Baby birds, with less developed immune systems, are more susceptible to disease.

Chronic infections in adult birds can lead to abscesses, failure to hatch eggs and cause changes in eating habits. The extent to which a bird is affected will depend on the age and immune system of the bird and on the potency of the bacteria.

Clean feeding bowls and water and antibiotics can help most birds recover fully from the infection of common parrot-disease.

By Karla Deacon - Article Source: EzineArticles

---

---

---

New PARROTS - The Discovery of New PARROT Species

A pet Mitred Parakeet (also known as the Mitred Conure).
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Many in aviculture will tell you that nothing compares to the satisfaction of raising a healthy, loving bird, but there is one bigger thrill that the parrot enthusiast can enjoy - the discovery of a new species. There is no need to travel to the uncharted territories of space to find unidentified life forms, but on the other hand, discoveries are few and far between. This article introduces a couple of new species discovered in 2006.

Study of new species contributes to the knowledge base of microevolutionary patterns and processes of parrot evolution and can be used to test the relative contribution that different microevolutionary forces have in shaping species.

Camiguin Hanging-parrot, Loriculus (philippensis) camiguinensis

This parrot was first described in 2006 and is found on the island of Camiguin in the Philippines. It was identified as a separate species from the Philippine Hanging Parrot (Loriculus camiguinensis). It is a mostly green bird measuring around five and a half inches. It was discovered in Camiguin's forest in the coconut plantations, and there are thought to be a population of around 2,000.

Tucuman Mitred Conure, Aratinga mitrata tucumana

First described in 2006 this is one of the Mitred Parakeet (Aratinga mitrata), a species of parrot in the Psittacidae family. It has mainly green plumage and measures up to 15 inches. It was discovered in its native habitat in Tucuman in Argentina but is thought to be in Peru also. It likes to stay in dry areas of tree and forest. It can be distinguished by its green cheeks and red coloring that is limited to its forehead.

These new species are not suitable parrots as pets, and it will take time for aviculture to lead to domestication.

By Danny Oakes At http://parrotcare.tropicalpets.com/ Danny Oakes writes about all aspects of keeping parrots as pets. Article Source: EzineArticles

---

---

---

Sexing PARROTS - How to Tell If Your Parrot is Male Or Female

Male and female Golden-shouldered Parrots in an aviary at the Queensland Museum (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The parrot's lack of sex organs makes it very difficult to distinguish between males and female simply based on the way they look. Some species have different colorings between male and female that enable them to be distinguished, and some have different eye colors. However, for the vast majority of parrots, scientific sexing is required. Some pet owners do not take this step, but it is vital for breeders.

We describe birds where sexes cannot be determined by their markings as monomorphic, and a number of methods have been used to determine the sex of such birds including: vent sexing (the posterior opening known as the cloaca serves as the only such opening for the intestinal and urinary tracts), laparoscopy, steroid sexing (measure the levels of steroids in excrement or blood plasma), and DNA analysis.

With DNA analysis the sex of is determined by looking at the genes located on the sex chromosomes. The difference is that male birds have two Z chromosomes and females have one Z and one W. This is considered the least intrusive of the methods as it simply involves taking a sample of blood to send away to a laboratory. The laparoscopic surgery approach, however, involves a minimally invasive surgery, where an incision is made in the parrot's abdomen and the gonads are inspected.

DNA analysis is not as simple as it may at first sound, and involves chromosome isolation and karyotyping. It can be difficult to get the cells needed for analysis, and there is a time delay in getting the results from the cytogeneticist. The more invasive laparoscopy gives instant results and allows the vet to inspect the general condition of the reproductive organs at the same time, which can provide valuable information for breeding.

People often use feathers for the DNA testing instead of collecting blood, but it should be pointed out that this is highly unreliable. If you keep a male and female together then the female's W chromosome, which is in every cell on the female, could contaminate the feathers of the male.

Once you have determined your parrot's sex does it have any implications beyond making it easy to select breeding partners? Well, it is fair to say the difference between male and female pet parrots is nothing like the difference between a bitch and a dog. There is no difference in their ability to mimic or any notable difference in the way they will interact with their human companions.

By Danny Oakes Danny Oakes writes about the wide range of parrot issues, including Parrot health care along with advice on which species make the best talking parrots. Article Source: EzineArticles

---

---

---

PARROT Species - An Overview of the Different Types of PARROT (Part II of II)

In the first part of this article, we explained the groupings of parrot that we use, and that this is distinct from the scientific classification. We went on to consider four groupings in detail: Budgies, Cockatiels, Cockatoos, and Conures. In this article we will look at the remaining groupings:

A Red-shouldered Macaw at Parque das Aves, Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil.
This subspecies is also known as the Noble Macaw.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

• Macaws
• Parakeets
• Parrotlets
• Parrots
• Lovebirds

Macaws

Often when people think of parrots they have a Macaw in mind since these colorful birds are often used in TV and films. There are in fact six genera that make up the grouping we refer to as Macaws: Ara, Anodorhynchus, Cyanopsitta, Diopsittaca, Orthopsittaca, and Primolius. Most scientists and aviculturists consider that there are 18 species of macaw. With its preferred habitat being the rainforest macaws have faced threats of extinction from deforestation in recent years, and in fact, six species are extinct. One interesting thing about macaws is that they like to eat clay, and it is thought that this helps them process other poisonous food that they enjoy.

Parakeets

This term is often used interchangeably with a budgie, but this is incorrect as a parakeet is used to group together a number of small and medium-sized birds. And we must also consider that conures (discussed in part one of this series) are part of the parakeet grouping. Other species that we call parakeets are Brotogeris parakeets, Monk Parakeets, and Lineolated Parakeets.

Parrotlets

These tiny, stocky parrots grow to around five inches and are the smallest parrots in the world. A common choice of companion is the Pacific Parrotlet, which is predominantly green with a blue head, other good pets are the Mexican, Spectacled, and Yellow-Faced Parrotlets. These birds pack a lot of personalities, and although they are quite quiet they are reasonable mimics and can pick up a dozen words.

Parrots

There is a classification known as true parrots which are made up of the Psittacidae family and excludes the Cacatuidae family, which includes cockatoos, thus when we speak of true parrots we refer to 330 species. Some well-known examples are the Meyers Parrot, Amazon Blue Fronted Parrot, and Senegal Parrots.

Lovebirds

Lovebird is a term used to group the nine species that make up the Agapornis genus. Native to Africa and Madagascar these stocky parrots grow up to 17 centimeters and live up to 15 years. The Fischer's Lovebird and Black-cheeked Lovebird are amongst two of the best-known lovebirds.

By Danny Oakes Danny Oakes is a keen aviculturist who writes on a range of parrot species, including Senegal Parrots and the Amazon Blue Fronted Parrot. Article Source: EzineArticles

---

---

PARROT Species - An Overview of the Different Types of PARROT (Part I of II)

A male Cockatiel. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In terms of taxonomy (the scientific classification of animals) parrots belong to the Psittaciformes order, within which there are two families: Cacatuidae and Psittacidae. The Cacatuidae family consists only of the Cockatoo, with all other parrots belonging to the Psittacidae family. However, taxonomy aside, we tend to group parrots under the following headings:

• Budgies
• Cockatiels
• Cockatoos
• Conures
• Macaws
• Parakeets
• Parrotlets
• Parrots
• Lovebirds

In looking at these groupings we will explore beyond the more well-known examples of parrot such as the Meyers Parrot and Amazon Blue Fronted Parrot.

Budgies

The budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) is also referred to as the parakeet, shell parakeet, budgie, and common pet parakeet. However, it is not correct to refer to the budgie using the broader classification of parakeet as the budgie is, in fact, a particular type of small parrot native to Australia. These little birds grow to around 7 inches and a weight of up to 40 grams. They have a green body with black and yellow markings on their back and wings. They have distinctive yellow heads with blue beaks. In captivity, they have been cross-bred to create small parrots with an amazing array of colors.

Cockatiels

The Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus), also referred to as the Quarrion and the Weiro is native to the aridest areas in Australia. Many variations of cockatiel plumage have been bred in captivity, but the standard is a grey cockatiel, with some white markings on the edge of each wing, orange markings around the ears, and a yellow head. One interesting thing about cockatiels is that they mimic sounds such as whistling far more easily than voices, and when frightened they hiss like a 

snake.

Cockatoos

There are 21 species of cockatoo, one of which is the cockatiel described above. The cockatiel, as the smallest and most popular of the cockatoos, is usually described separately. The cockatoo belongs to the Cacatidae family. This bird hails from a diverse geography, which includes Australia, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Cockatoos are very popular and loving pets and are revered for their skills in mimicry. Some cockatoos face extinction due to illegal trade, and it is recommended that you only consider buying a captive bred specimen.

Conures

Conures is not a scientific classification but are used to group together a number of small and medium sized parrots. Some of the common characteristics of this group are that they are small with long tails and strong beaks. Some conures are Aratinga, Carolina Parakeet, Enicognathus, Gold-Capped Conure, Golden-plumed Conure, Golden Conure. Jenday Conure, Nanday Conure, Patagonian Conure, Pyrrhura, and the Yellow-Eared Conure.

By Danny Oakes Danny Oakes is a keen aviculturist who has written detailed care sheets for the Meyers Parrot and for the Amazon Blue Fronted Parrot. Article Source: EzineArticles

---

---

---

Teaching Your PARROT to Talk

Are you talking to me - Photo   by      jinterwas

Introduction

Having talking parrots as pets go way back to at least the time of Ancient Greeks. By the time of the Roman Empire, it was even more common and courses were given to teach people how to get their birds to mimic human speech. The material covered in this article is much more effective than those courses of ancient times and the training myths of ancient times have been omitted. One of the craziest myths was that the parrot should be placed in a completely dark room during training.

As the following joke suggests, having a talking bird is one of the reasons that people purchase parrots.

One day a man went to an auction. While there, he bid on an exotic parrot. He really wanted this bird, so he got caught up in the bidding. He kept on bidding but kept getting outbid, so he bid higher and higher and higher. Finally, after he bid way more than he intended, he won the bid - the fine bird was finally his!

As he was paying for the parrot, he said to the Auctioneer, "I sure hope this parrot can talk. I would hate to have paid this much for it, only to find out that he can't talk!" "Don't worry", said the Auctioneer, "He can talk. Who do you think kept bidding against you?"

If you're interested in having a talking bird, this introductory article is for you. This article will cover which birds are good "talkers" and will cover some techniques for encouraging your bird to be a "talker". Whether parrots mimic or communicate using human speech has been fodder for debate for a long time. The Alex Studies by Dr. Pepperberg goes into great detail regarding this subject. Alex is a Congo African Grey Parrot that Dr. Pepperberg studied extensively. Some consider her studies, training techniques, and discoveries the foundation of modern avian cognitive understanding. If you are interested in the cognitive abilities of parrots and their "speech" capabilities, I recommend that you read her book. Though technical at times, I'm sure that you will find it a fascinating book. If you ever find yourself looking at your parrot and wondering what it is thinking or how much it understands then check out the links at the end of this article to her book.

Mimicking, Speaking, or Communicating

Let's start with some ground rules for this article and a quick disclaimer. The terms used in this article may not be universally accepted. The terms that I use in this article are defined just to delineate the different categories of "Talking". The word "Talking" has several meanings and depending on your level of technicality it also has several different implications. In my opinion, there are three basic categories of "talking". The first and lowest level is "Mimicking". This is simply the echoing of a word. In this case, the parrot doesn't associate the word with any object or action. A common example is when a parrot vocalizes "pretty bird". Unless it's a really vain parrot or there's another pretty bird in the area than the parrot, in this case, is just vocalizing something that it has heard. The term "talking" in this article usually refers to mimicking but may also refer to "Speaking" or "Communicating" as defined below.

The second category of "talking" is "Speaking". For the purposes of this article, it means interacting appropriately with human speech. An example would be the parrot responding with its name when it is prompted with the question "What is your name?" At first glance, this appears to be communication and it may be but it doesn't prove communication. The parrot may have simply been conditioned to respond with its name when it hears this question. The parrot's responsive behavior suggests a higher level of "speech" beyond simply mimicking. Since it is responding appropriately and not just mimicking, it is referred to as "speaking" in this article. This is much harder to teach than mimicking. One technique to teach "speaking" is to form the question using a boring tone and then provide the response in a more interesting tone. For example, you may say "How are you doing today?" in a quiet calm tone than say "SUPER DUPER HOW ARE YOU?" in a louder more interesting tone. The parrot is more likely to begin saying "SUPER DUPER HOW ARE YOU?" in response to your question "How are you doing today"" just because it is more appealing. This is at least "mimicking" and maybe "speaking" depending on who you ask.

The third category is "Communicating". In this case, the parrot actually has an understanding of its vocalizations. This is sometimes referred to as cognitive speech. An example of this would be to show the parrot a red key that it has never seen before and ask the parrot "What color is this?" If the parrot responds with "red" then it is communicating. There is a subtle difference between "Speaking" and "Communicating". For example, if the parrot is conditioned to say "red" when you show it a particular red key then it doesn't necessarily have an understanding of red. It may just be conditioned to respond with "red" when it sees that particular object. Whereas, "communication" uses an unknown object so the parrots could not have been conditioned to respond with a particular word when presented with the object. As mentioned before, The Alex Studies by Dr. Pepperberg is an excellent source of information on this topic. You can find a link at the end of this article to her book.

What Birds Talk?

So what birds talk? As the buyer in the above joke correctly suggests, not all parrots talk. This is true of different species and different birds within a species. For example, African Grey Parrots are known to be excellent talkers but that doesn't mean that all African Grey Parrots will talk. Hopefully, your only reason for purchasing a parrot is not because it can talk. Parrots have so much more to offer than talking and you would be cheating yourself and your parrot if that is your only reason for getting a parrot. Talking should be considered a bonus and not a requirement. However, if "talking" is important, the only way to make sure that you are getting a parrot that will talk is to purchase a parrot that already talks. Having said that, there are certain species that are known to be more inclined to be good talkers. Here is a list of some parrot most likely to "talk" with the better-known groups in parenthesis.

• African Grey
• Mynah (Greater hill)
• Amazons (Yellow-naped, Yellow-fronted, Double Yellow-headed, Blue-headed)
• Budgerigars
• Macaws (Blue and Gold)
• Cockatoos (Bare-eyed)
• Cockatiels

As mentioned previously, not all birds in the list will talk and not all birds that talk are on this list. The order of the list is a good approximation from best talkers (African Grey) down to not-the-best talkers. This list isn't perfect and is just a basic guide with no guarantees. For example, there are some Cockatiels that talk better than some African Greys.

Three General Training Techniques

So you have a parrot that is capable of talking and you want to teach it to talk. This section will cover three basic techniques. These three techniques are Audio Recordings, Parent-Parrot teaching, and Modeling. The first two methods use useful for teaching your parrot to mimic. The second and third methods can be useful for teaching your parrot to "speak". And finally, the third method is most useful for teaching your parrot to communicate.

Technique #1 - Audio Recordings

The first technique is Audio Recordings. This may be an Audio CD or tape that you purchase or create that is capable of looping over and over. You can purchase these on the Internet or create them yourself with your home computer. Most people use this method for long periods of time when the parrot is alone. But does this technique work? The jury is still out on this one. Some people with some parrots have had some success with this method while others have not had success with this method. It is certainly not the best method to use but in some cases, it can be effective. This is probably the most common technique used to teach the classic Andy Griffin Theme Song. However, the same thing played over and over will quickly become very boring. Parrots just like people will eventually tune out the boring stuff in their environment. For this reason, it is recommended that you keep the sessions short. Sessions should be about fifteen-minute sessions 2 or 3 times a day. This technique is used to teach "mimicking" as defined earlier. This is a cheap and easy way to teach your parrot to mimic. As with most things in life that are cheap and easy don't be surprised if it doesn't work.

Technique #2 - Parent-Parrot Teaching

The second technique is Parent-Parrot teaching. This is where you talk to your parrot. This method is effective because it provides your parrot with a very important need. That need is to bond with its "flock" and to communicate with it's "flock". In most cases, you'll find that the more you talk and communicate with your parrot, the more it will respond and talk back. Most parrots are very social and thrive on this kind of attention. This method will never get boring to your parrot and can be fun for you and your parrot. If properly rewarded for talking, your bird will happily talk and talk and talk. You should talk to your parrot while feeding, cleaning, doing dishes, preparing meals, watching TV, walking through the house, etc, etc, etc. You can maximize this method by using your speech in context. If you're putting food in the bowl then tell your parrot that you're giving it food. If you're cleaning the cage then tell your parrot that you are cleaning the cage. This method is useful for teaching "mimicking" and "speaking" as defined earlier.

Phrases that indicate mimicking are phrases such as "want to peanut?" or "Watcha doing?" In these cases, it is just mimicking things that it has heard you vocalize. This method can also be used to teach communication as defined earlier. In this case, you should use the same word in several different contexts. Examples would be "Do you want this peanut?", "Here's a peanut", "This is a good peanut", "is that peanut good?" Initially, your parrot will mimic you and use the word out of context much like a child learning to speak. You can take the mimicking to the speaking level by simply correcting the parrot-like you would a child. By doing this, you will eventually teach the parrot to use the word in context. For example, it may begin to vocalize "this is a good peanut" when you give it a peanut. This technique can be used for teaching your parrot "mimicking" and "speaking" as defined earlier. This technique can also be used to a lesser degree to teach "speaking". The third and final technique (Modeling) is more effective for teaching "speaking" and "communication".

Technique #3 - Modeling

The third technique is "Modeling". This is the method that Dr. Pepperberg discusses in her book The Alex Studies. This method involves two trainers (usually two humans) and the parrot. Though not practical for most of us, it can be very effective if you have the means to use this technique. The parrot takes turns being the "trainee" with the other human. An example would be to have the Trainer human and the trainee human demonstrate what is required while the parrot watches. For example, the Trainer may ask the trainee "what color is this" while holding up an object. The trainee will respond with "blue" and the trainer will respond with "no, the color is red". The trainer will repeat the question and the trainee will respond with "red" and the trainer will reward the trainee for the correct answer. The reward may be verbal ("good girl") or the reward may be a treat. Then the parrot will assume the role of the trainee while the human trainee watches and the process repeated. This method has been shown to be very effective in teaching birds, other animals, and humans with learning disabilities. This modeling technique was used to teach Alex the Congo African Grey for Dr. Pepperberg's studies. This method is effective at teaching "mimicking", "speaking", and "communication" as defined earlier.

As you may guess, the second technique is the most common technique used to teach pet parrots how to talk. This technique is more effective than using Audio Recordings and it only requires one "trainer" compared to the third technique. More importantly, the second technique provides the perfect opportunity for the Parent to bond with the Parrot. This is a win-win technique because bonding is essential to the parrot's well being and it provides a means to teach the parrot to talk. The next section covers some miscellaneous Tips, Do's and Don'ts. Most directly apply to the second technique of Parent-Parrot teaching but also apply to the other techniques.

Tips, Do's and Don'ts

• Be patient.
• Make your vocalizations interesting.
• Have fun during talking training sessions.
• Keep training sessions short (10-15 minutes)
• Talk, Talk, Talk to your parrot.
• Talk in context to your parrot.
• Use diction, drama, and inflection to make your speech more interesting.
• Phrase your talk from the parrot's perspective. "Give me a peanut" instead of "Do you want a peanut?"
• Reward your parrot when it talks with treats, praise, and/or attention.
• Start when your parrot is young (though not necessary).
• Communicate while out of site to simulate contact calls.
• Sing songs to your parrot.
• Tell stories to your parrot.
• Read stories to your parrot.
• Repeat phrases at appropriate times. For example "I want water" when giving fresh water.
• Start with words and work up to phrases.
• Pronounce words clearly.
• Don't say words that you don't want to be repeated.
• Create verbal cues such as saying "Good Morning" in the morning.
• Place the cage where your parrot hears family communication.
• Don't teach whistling before teaching talk.
• Use interesting-sounding words.
• For some reason, words with "tt" seem to be favorites such as "pretty" or "kitty".
• Use the word in different phrases "This is a peanut", "Do you want a peanut", "I like peanuts"
• Don't put the parrot in a covered cage during training. This myth goes back to ancient Greek times.
• Do speech training early in the morning and at dusk if possible when most parrots are very talkative.

Summary

If you've ever heard a parrot joke, most likely it involves a talking parrot. The parrot's ability to "talk" has captured our imagination for thousands of years. I'm sure that you will agree (if you own a parrot) that its ability to talk is just one of the many characteristics that make parrots fascinating companions. A lot of people purchase a parrot for their ability to talk but eventually learn that with or without its ability to talk, it is an awesome pet and companion.

Hopefully, this introduction to teaching your parrot to talk has been useful. Check out some of the book links below if you're interested in learning more. "The Pleasure of Their Company" by Bonnie Munro Doane and The Alex Studies by Dr. Pepperberg are two good sources to start with. You will be amazed by the Dr. Pepperberg's successes and fascinated with her findings. Though technical at times and not necessarily a required reading for all parrot owners it is a fascinating book.

By David B Weber - Article Source: EzineArticles

---

---