| Accessories For Birds and Other Pets, Bird Toys, Educational Parrot Care Information, Toys For Pets, Pet Education, Gift Baskets For Birds and Pets, Parrot Food, Bird Cages, Parrot Photos, Parrot Pet Sitting |
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- Parrot Care
| Full of spectacular colors and personality, parrots are highly intelligent creatures. Caring for them in a home environment can come with many challenges, but when cared for properly they are amazing pets. Depending on the species of bird you choose, the type of parrot care will vary. In general, smaller birds will have a lifespan of 15 to 30 years, and larger species can live anywhere between 40 to 50 years. Parrots form strong bonds with their owners. A "hand-fed" bird, which was separated from it's parents at an early age and raised by human surrogates, makes a wonderful member of the family. Making the decision to purchase a bird is a life long commitment. It cannot be stressed enough, "it is having a baby for a really long time that never grows up". Proper nutrition and socialization is vital in maintaining a high quality of life for parrots. For most species, a parrot diet consists of a fresh fruits, vegetables, parrot pellets, and a high quality vitamin enriched parrot seed mix. Fresh water should be offered daily, with periodic water changes as contamination leads to harmful bacteria. There are a number of formulated pellet mixtures to fit the needs of any picky parrot. Our parrots particularly enjoy Zupreme Avian Maintenance Natural Diet Parrot Pellets because of the similarity in color and taste of handfeeding formula. They also are crazy about Pretty Bird Daily Select Parrot Pellets. Each bird will have their own preference with size and color. Patience and consistency are key in switching your parrot's diet mainly over to pellets. Check out the fresh foods you should be feeding your parrot on our fresh food list. Parrots have short legs and feet with two toes pointing forward and two pointing backward. This arrangement of the toes is called zygodactyl (pronounced zy guh DAK tuhl). Keep in mind your birds size of toes and feet when choosing the cage bar style and perches. Parrots like to climb around, a cage with too many vertical bars will not allow him to do this safe and comfortably. Perches that are too wide in diameter will hinder there toes from perching properly. A proper cage is vital in your parrot's well-being and quality of life. Your feathered friend should be able to spread its full wing span to each side of the cage. There should be plenty of space to hang 2 to 4 safe parrot toys. A parrots cage should be placed in an area where the family spends the most time. The kitchen is not a good area for housing due to the dangerous toxins while cooking and other safety hazards. We highly recommend purchasing an acrylic cage or your bird to be housed in. Parrots are playful, silly, and super smart. In fact, parrots have been tested for their intellectual abilities and are proven to have the intelligence level of a small child. With this in mind, a parrot owner has to understand the extreme importance of providing safe, colorful, stimulating toys for their companion parrot on a daily basis. In the wild parrots like to chew, shred, and nest various materials. These consist mainly of wood, clay, and grassy materials in their environment. This is " fun work" in birdie life and keeps their emotional and physical well- being alive. Providing them with chewable toys will greatly fulfill their "wild" desire and help to keep the beak trimmed. Just as toddlers get bored with playing with same toy, so does your bird. To ensure your parrot's happiness, rotate their toys every two or three weeks. A parrot's nails and beak continue to grown on a regular basis, so it is necessary to groom your bird's nails and wings every 3 to 4 weeks. If you are unable to properly groom your bird, it is advised that they be taken to your avian vet or experienced avian specialist every couple of months. Accidents can occur if you allow the nails to overgrow. They can easily get caught up in perches and loose rope and toys. Always check the bird toys for threads that your parrot could catch themselves on and get stuck. It is natural for parrots to preen their feathers to keep them in tip top shape. They take rain showers in the wild, so it is essential to mist your bird daily with clean, fresh water. A small water bottle or pet mister from a reputable pet store will work great. If your parrot is fearful of getting wet, start out by talking to them in a soft and calm voice while slowly misting them. If after repeated bathing your parrot is still very fearful, consult your avian veterinarian for other helpful techniques. Take the time to know your parrot and their likes, bathing is part of who a bird is. Parrot care can be practiced correctly everyday even for busy families with the proper organization in preparing foods and upkeep of cleaning. For helpful suggestions on keeping a daily clean up routine contact us. |
Quick Find Parrot Species Guide Macaws Cockatoos Amazons African Greys Eclectus Pionus Parrots Conures Quakers Caiques Lorikeets Cockatiels Lovebirds Parrotlets Rosella Parakeets Budgies Finches |
| Specials For April |
Parrot Education
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| Fun Feather Fact The word parrot means a large group of colorful birds found in warm, tropical regions. |
| Bringing Birdie Home A new bird owner's check list |
* Spacious, non-toxic
bird cage, large
enough for your bird
to expand it's full
wing span.
* Good, sturdy
perches that are of
proper size for you
bird's feet,
different textures
will keep feet
healthy.
* Three to four
colorful and safe
bird toys that will
challenge your bird's
mind and body.
* A non-toxic bowl
for you to put fresh
fruits and veggies in.
Your cage should
supply you with one
water dish and one
dry food dish.
* A safe, non-toxic
birdie cleaning
solution for cleaning
the cage and
accessories. We
recommend "poop
off".
* An educational,
species specific
parrot book. You will
never know
everything about
your bird, but this
will help you
understand their
behavior better.
* A safe, non-dusty
bedding for the
bottom of the cage
tray. We recommend
yesterdays
newspaper pellets.
* A proper balance
of bird pellets, good
quality parrot seed
mix, and of course
lots and lots of
fresh fruits and
veggies!
* Last but not least,
book an appointment
with an avian
veterinarian for a
parrot check- up.
Establish a
relationship with
your vet, you will
need his/her
guidance when you
have questions about
your bird.
