Caring For Parrots

Parrots have been living in UK homes for more than 500 hundred years although the Romans kept them long before we did.

Because of the longevity of most parrots, they're not only pets but often also wonderful lifelong companions that will require constant care and attention. Luckily, as long as you're committed to your parrot, giving him the kind of care he'll need doesn't have to be difficult.

Choosing Your Parrot

With an incredibly wide variety of parrots available as pets, it's important you choose the right bird for the environment you can provide.

Consider first the amount of space you have available. A large Macaw isn't a practical choice for those with limited space whereas a Cockatiel would be perfect in the same situation.

Do you have neighbours living on the other side of a wall? If that's the case, you'll need to think about the amount of noise that some parrots are likely to make. Senegal and Meyers Parrots are among the quieter birds.

If you want a parrot that will learn to talk, one of the best choices is an African Grey although it's fair to say that they're not amongst the most impressive parrots when it comes to Eclectus Parrotplumage. It's also important that you bear in mind that parrots are very much individuals and where one may be a wonderful talker, another may only manage a few words.

Consider the average life span of the bird you're interested in as some larger birds can outlive humans, meaning a greater commitment will be required than if you choose a bird whose life span would make him a mere teenager in comparison.

Hand-reared parrots generally make the best companions and are the preferred choice over untamed individuals. Wild caught parrots, although cheaper, rarely make good pets and should be avoided.

If you have small children in the house, it may be worthwhile choosing a parrot that has a smaller, less dangerous, beak. The larger the bird, the larger the beak and the more damage that can be done to small fingers.
The Cage

For a parrot to thrive, it's important that his cage is large enough for him to move around comfortably and that it's properly cleaned and maintained.

How large the cage needs to be depends on the type of parrot you intend to keep and the amount of space you have available. Obviously, the larger the parrot, the larger the cage should be. The absolute minimum dimension of the floor should be twice the span of a the bird's wings when fully expanded with the minimum height being one and half times his length from his head to the tip of his tail. If more than one bird is being kept in a cage, the minimum dimensions should be increased by at least 50 percent.

Cages designed for parrots and other large birds generally have larger spaces between the bars. Ensure, when choosing a cage, that the bars are not set too wide apart for the parrot of your choice. The head of the parrot should never be able to fit through any opening as this can be extremely dangerous. The thickness of the bars themselves must also be taken into consideration - remember that strong beaks can easily bend or break flimsy bars.

If at all possible, choose a cage with horizontal bars as these are far better for climbing on than the vertical bars that are often seen in parrot cages.

Most cages come complete with perches although you'll probably find that your parrot will be far happier with perches made from natural branches because, not only do they provide a place to chew, they give more exercise to the feet too.

Water and food dishes should ideally be made of stainless steel and a variety of toys, a very important addition to your parrot's cage, should be added to help keep the parrot amused. Toys will provide stimulation and amusement during times when there is little else to do but because parrots can easily become bored, toys should be changed on a regular basis to add Cockatielmore variation. Parrots kept without regular access to toys and other stimulants will often become stressed, a problem that may result in feather plucking and other diseases.

Naturally, the cage and everything it contains should be kept free from droppings at all times and perches should be changed regularly.

Parrots are sociable birds so it's important you position the cage such that the bird can see the family and watch their activities but well away from draughts. If your parrot is kept in a temperature between 21-27 degrees, you should have few problems.
Feeding Your Parrot

There are plenty of suitable parrot mixes on the market so finding something your parrot enjoys shouldn't pose too much of a problem. Do remember, though, that parrots are individuals and what one likes may be ignored by another.

A piece of washed fruit or vegetable should be offered daily with apple and grapes being at the top of most parrot's wish list. Carrots are excellent sources of vitamin A and most birds will enjoy peas, beans and corn on the cob.

Parrots need grit to aid their digestion and cuttlefish bone is an essential source of calcium. Millet sprays are not only tasty treats, they're also entertaining for parrots to eat.

Because cleanliness is of such importance, food and water bowls should never be positioned below perches and both the seed and water bowls should be cleaned and changed every day.

By giving your parrot the kind of care he deserves, you'll be repaid by many years of companionship from an intelligent pet that will quickly grow attached to you. What more could anybody ask for?

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