Parrot Care

BEHAVIOR CONCEPTS:
 
Everything we do has purpose. Your bird’s behavior is no different. Look closely at your environment to understand why your bird acts in certain ways. Often we do things that cause a bird to act in negative ways. If we change, our birds will change. Birds are not naturally mean or constantly “hormonal” so take caution in using labels. If you place blame on the bird, you won’t look further at the situation and find other ways to solve problems. Some important concepts to remember:
 
  • We get what we reinforce. Reward your bird for the things that work in your household and never take good behavior for granted. “Accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative.”
  • Punishment rarely works. It is hard to deliver in a timely manner and only destroys trust. Trust is the most important commodity to have with your companion bird.
  • Never use aggressive behavior. Most birds will respond with aggression (like biting) in defense. This is natural.
  • ALWAYS ignore the behaviors that do not work in your home. If you or any member of your family responds at ANY time, this behavior is likely to continue.
  • Try to replace undesirable behaviors with desirable ones. For example: give your bird a healthy appetizer (like a stalk of broccoli or a nut stuffed in a straw) while you are making dinner so they won’t be tempted to scream; give a treat for going into the cage so they will associate this with a positive experience; and say “Good!” or give a small treat when your bird steps onto your hand.
  • Discover trick training like: turning around, pulling up the bucket, or waving. This is a healthy way to maintain a positive relationship with your companion that does not include over-petting. Birds are really intelligent and they will appreciate your efforts to acknowledge this.

  • Respect your bird’s personal space. Ask them to step-up but give them room to come to you, try not to use force. Learn to read your bird's body language and give them the opportunity to make decisions and have choices.
  • Respect your bird’s house (cage). Many birds are territorial, nature has equipped them with strong survival skills in the wild. These instincts are still at work in our homes. It is not essential to pick your bird up from inside the cage if they are protective of it. Let them exit the cage and then engage in interaction. Service the cage when they are away from it.
  • Learn more about how your bird’s species lives in the wild, this may explain certain behaviors in your home. Is your bird a ground feeder or a canopy feeder? Does this species fly in large flocks or small groups? Does it mingle with other species or is this a single-species bird?
  • Birds are prey animals which means they naturally seek safe places, and being high can also help them feel safe. We do not need to dominate our birds, so allow them to seek higher ground for comfort. Train them to come to you upon request by using positive reinforcement and rewards.
 
A CAGE IS A PARROT’S CASTLE:
 
Birds have complete choice over their lives in the wild and they have evolved by making wise decisions. Give your parrot the largest, most spacious cage you can; fill it with things that give them “places to go and things to do.” Outfit a cage like a house, with many different rooms, a wide variety of perch textures and sizes, lots of things to hide behind, a wide variety of things to shred, rattle, bounce on, figure out, and reach for in out-of-the way places. Try to put a new foraging toy in the cage every day, make it your parrot’s puzzle palace. Encourage independent play, and praise them lavishly for enjoying their space and ability to stay occupied.
 
Our recommended MINIMUM cage sizes are:
 
  • Parakeets, Cockatiels, Lovebirds, Quakers: 27w x 24d
  • Ringnecks, Conures, Pionus, Lories, Meyers, Senegals, Multiple Small Birds: 32w X 23d
  • African Greys, Small Cockatoos, Eclectus, Amazons, Small Macaws: 36w x 28d
  • Larger Cockatoos, Scarlet, Military or Blue and Gold Macaws: 40w x 30d
  • Greenwing or Hyacinth Macaw: 48w x 36d
 
Make sure the bar spacing is appropriate for the species. Place the cage in an area that feels safe for a bird, like a corner or alongside a wall; away from heavy traffic and vents.
 
In addition to a parrot’s delightful house, they share their home with a flock - and that means your family. Make sure your bird has ample time out of the cage, so they have fun places to go. Perhaps a playstand for dinner; or an atom or boing hanging from the ceiling to encourage exercise. A safe outdoor cage is also a great idea, make sure it includes a partially covered top and things to hide behind to minimize fear if they see predators like hawks. Also ensure they can get out of the hot sun and have plenty of fresh water. Many birds savor the opportunity to take a shower in the rain.
 
 
FORAGING and ENRICHMENT:
 
Parrot Island Toys Bird Haven
  • It is estimated parrots spend 50-70% of their day in the wild foraging for food. This involves searching for available sources, choosing the most desirable items, and then manipulating the chosen food with their feet and beaks. How does your parrot spend the day? To get your bird started foraging, try using skewers or placing bowls in different locations. Cover bowls with butcher paper, put treats in paper bags, or hide that special nut in a puzzle toy.
  • Go organic and give your parrot a job. When produce is free of pesticides and fertilizers, then your parrot can do the peeling. Food that is free of growth hormones or antibiotics is also safer for your parrot’s long-term health. Teach your parrot to try new foods in addition to daily staples. Make mealtimes a flock-family occasion and enjoy fun times together. Just being together without over petting is one of the best ways to enjoy companionship with each other.
Parrots need stimulating interaction from their environment. They also benefit from activities which promote exercise.
 
Try teaching your bird to:
 
  • Spread their wings, jump, whistle or wave on cue.
  • Eat with a spoon, drink from a cup, or other fun behaviors that also help come medicine time.
  • Flap, turn somersaults, dance or jump for much needed, good exercise.
 
 
To encourage your parrot to interact and have fun, try to:
 
  • Play peek-a-boo behind a towel to make the towel less threatening to your bird; or playing “where’s parrot?” with a small mirror.
  • Sing to them, especially songs with their names; imitate each other, copy what your bird says.
  • Whisper things like “parrot” which helps reduce screaming too.
  • Play a catch game. Many birds will throw objects back to you with little training.
  • Play real estate: take your bird around the house and show her each room. This helps decrease anxiety by exploring the surrounding “territory.”
  • Spend mealtimes together. For birds in the wild, this is their most social time.
  • Train husbandry behaviors like going into a carrier, filing nails or going onto a scale.
  • Go for a walk in the neighborhood in a safe travel carrier, or for a fun ride in the car.
  • Visit a friend and take your parrot along for the outing and some social interaction. Fresh air and sunshine is good for all of us.
 
 
HEALTH and SAFETY:
 
  • Find a good avian vet. Dog and cat vets are not adequately trained to treat birds. Check www.aav.org for a vet near you. Since birds are prey animals, they do not show sickness until they are very ill. Try to visit the vet every year for a routine visit.

  • Invest in a small, gram scale and weigh your bird weekly at the same time of day. A 5-10% or gradual drop in weight could signify a problem.
  • Keep emergency supplies on-hand, a travel carrier ready for emergencies, and make sure bird-sitters know how to call your vet.
  • Feather health involves access to regular bathing or showers, a quality diet comprised of a wide variety of wholesome foods; and lots of activities to keep that brilliant bird brain challenged and the body busy.
  • Make sure your bird has access to 10-12 hours of sleep in a quiet area away from the TV and other family activities.
  • Be aware of dangers such as ceiling fans; open doors; Teflon pans; chemical sprays, cleaning agents and perfumes; dangerous plants; and other pets.
  • Avoid toxic foods such as chocolate, caffeine, sugar, greasy foods, avocado, liquor and all junk food in general.
  • Learn to read your bird’s droppings to help track potential health problems. Avoid using bedding materials like corncob in the cage, these can be serious sources of bacteria.
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