Parrot Care

Although, taking parrots out of their natural environment and into the home can present some interesting challenges, people have been doing it for ages.  And why, you might ask.  Actually the answer is simple.  These magnificent birds are intelligent, beautiful, and very caring.  With intelligence and proper care these gorgeous birds can provide one with a pet companion for many many years.

Of course, each species will have some differences in the way they need to be cared for but the most common element in caring for all parrots is their nutritional needs.  Good diet and nutrition is a basic requirement for all parrots.  The most basic diet for them is a mixture of fresh fruits and vegetables, a very good quality seed mixture enriched with vitamins and minerals and of course, parrot pellets.  Fresh water is also critical to the good health of your bird.

In the world of "birds as pets", parrots are considered to be on the dirty end of the spectrum.  Therefore, its very important that the owner be responsible for seeing that the cage is cleaned every day.  That means that the perches, dishes, toys, etc. should be cleaned daily with a very mild soapy water solution.  Household cleaning products that contain ammonia or bleach should never be used as these can cause harm to the parrots skin, eyes, and respatory tract.  As important as it is to keep the birds cage and surrounding clean it's equally important that the owner  have very clean hands when touching the bird and everything in it's cage.  Owners must think of their bird exactly as they would if handling a baby or small child.  Cleanleness and safety are critical.  The birds cage must be inspected for sharp pointy objects that could possibly injure the bird.  "Kissing" is a no-no.  Human saliva has a great deal of harmful bacteria that would not tell your bird that you love him/her.  Another important factor is the size of the cage.  There must be enough room of the bird to fully extend its wings inside the cage.  There also needs to be enough room for the bird to easily play with 3 or 4 parrot toys.

Just like a child, parrots can/will form very strong bonds with its owner/parent.  And this bond will last for a very long time.  Smaller birds have a life expectancy of between 15-30 years while the larger birds can live for between 40-50 years.  Once you get your bird, you've got it for a very long time.  And just like a child, communication and socialization is a critical part of not only its development but your relationship with the bird as well.  Bird cages should be placed in an area of the home where most of the family spends most of its time.  "Family" room is ideal.  Kitchens are NOT!  Kitchens carry the risk of the bird breathing in cooking fumes and cleaning fumes which could prove to be toxic and endanger the birds wellbeing.

One of the requirements of good bird care is the grooming of the bird.  Parrots do not groom themselves very well and their beaks, naild and wings grow continually throughout their entire lives.  Manicures and pedicures need to be done at least once a month.  Wing clipping may need to be done a little more often to prevent them from flying.  And once again, just like their human owners, daily showers is a very good thing.  In the wild, parrots take rain showers to keep their feathers shiny and in good condition.  In the home, a daily spraying with clean fresh water can replace their bath practices in the rainforest.

Finally, owners need to understand that parrots are very smart.  They are loving and playful pets.  If owners understand the importance of the needs of these wonderful birds and if they understand how to meet those needs, they will have a wonderful pet that will provide many years  of friendship and joy.