African Grey Parrot Centre

5 Super Foods For Your Parrot

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 00:26:36 GMT

African Grey Parrots like humans need a good healthy diet if they are to live to their potential lifespan of up to 70 years, you are what you eat as they say!!

So we thought we'd put together a list of five super foods that it is essential that you parrot gets in it's diet if you are to achieve optimum health status from a diet aspect, there's other factors involved in lifespan but lets not look at those in this article, we don't want to complicate things too much.

So lets take a look at those super foods in a little more detail:

1. Super Foods For Your Parrot: Pulses

Pulse are often greeted eagerly by African Grey Parrots. These should be cooked. Homemade mixtures would consist of several varieties of legumes along with rice and grains. The mixture should be soaked for at least 6 hours, then boiled for 10 minutes, and simmered for 20 more minutes and cooled before serving.

Legumes, grains and potatoes are cooked to neutralize enzymes that inhibit digestion and also to neutralize toxins. You can find many of these bean and grain mixtures available premixed, look for the low fat ones.

If you cook your own bean and grain mixture, using equal amounts of each, your mixture will contain approximately 2% fat and 10% protein.

Pulses should include:

Pinto beans, black-eyed peas, adzuki, green and yellow split peas, garbanzo, black beans and lentils.

2. Super Foods For Your Parrot: Fruit

It’s worth remembering that most of our fruits are bred for appearance and sweetness now-a-days (sadly). This is often to the detriment of vitamins and minerals as well as fibers and I therefore favour feeding vegetables. Still, a parrot’s diet should not be without fruit. Tropical fruits are best - Try and get organic if you can.

Good fruits to feed are:

Apples, oranges, pears, apricots and peaches (stone removed), pineapple, passion fruit, bananas, mangos, melon, cantaloupe, papaya, coconut, plums, cherries, strawberries, blueberries, cranberries and blackberries are good for your parrot.

Pomegranate is a great favourite when in season.

3. Super Foods For Your Parrot: Vegetables

Other than avocado you can feed your pet parrot pretty much any vegetable that you can think of. Try feeding the nutritional things such as greens, tomatoes and peppers. Salt is a killer for parrots so stay clear of things such as olives (usually preserved in salt). Although garlic and onions are full of goodness they are really rather aggressive on the tummy so that’s another 'no-no'.

Apart from providing some fibre and carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables provide much needed vitamins and also minerals.

Parrots are much more reliant on vitamin A to maintain a healthy immune system than they are on vitamin C.

In vitamin supplements vitamin A is present in a complete form. This means that if too much vitamin supplement is added to a bird’s diet it is possible to overdose vitamin A. On the other hand, this is not possible when fresh fruit and vegetables are fed. Beta-carotene is a precursor to vitamin A and is changed inside the body into the essential vitamin A. As soon as the bird’s system has ‘produced’ enough vitamin A it will simple discard any excess beta carotene without any harmful effect.

Fruits and vegetables high in beta-carotene are:

Carrots, sweet potatoes, apricots, winter squash, pumpkin, cantaloupe and mangoes. Dark green leafy vegetables such as kale, collard greens, spinach, Swiss chard and broccoli.

Other good vegetables to feed are:

Beans, cabbage, sprouts, broccoli, tomatoes, sweet corn, green peas, cauliflower, red and green peppers, celery, zucchini, tomatoes, cucumber and cooked white potato

Greens: dark leaf lettuces, dandelion greens, collard greens, mustard greens, kale, beet greens

4. Super Foods For Your Parrot: Seed

Although seeds are a source of nutrition, some can be high in fat.

Here is a table showing averaged fat percentages of some common seeds.

	Fat	Protein	Carbohydrate
Canary Seed	5.6	15.6	65.6
White Millet	4.1	14.3	67.5
Groats	6.6	14.3	67.5
Sunflower (Stripped)	33.9	21.7	41.5
Sunflower (White)	47.0	24.0	20.2
Sunflower (Black)	49.0	24.0	20.2
Safflower	34.6	15.2	43.2
Pumpkin	42	32

Sprouted seeds:

Seeds can be an important part of the diet, but must be from a clean source and be fresh. Seeds can provide vitamins such as niacin, riboflavin as well as essential amino acids and minerals.

When you sprout a seed, it comes to life, changing its entire chemical composition. The fatty oils found in the seeds are converted to essential fatty acids.

Sprouts are an ideal source of protein that can also help the body to cleanse itself. Besides providing protein, sprouts are rich in almost every nutrient, vitamins (especially vitamin A, B vitamins, C, D and E), enzymes, essential fatty acids and minerals (including iron, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, zinc and chromium) all of which are natural antioxidants that strengthen the immune system and protect against toxic chemical build-up. The few calories that are found in sprouts come from simple sugars, which make them a quick source of energy.

5. Super Foods For Your Parrot: Cheese

Cheese I hear you say? ... yes cheese, it's really important that your African Grey gets a good dose of calcium to help keep it's bones nice and strong just like a human, a REALLY good source of clacium is dairy products ... now you could try and give you parrot a pint off milk but I doubt it would 1. drink it and 2. drink enough of it if it did, the other solution is to add Calcivet which is a powdered form of calcium to it's food (Ideally the fruit & Veg), there's two problems with that, 1. it's an expensive way of doing things and 2. it's not really for every day use with your pets because it's pure calcium and can have the adverse effect of too much calcium (It's used for breeding parrots that need more calcium for the egg laying process).

So the best and most ideal way to get calcium into your pet African Grey is to give it a block of hard cheese (Not cheddar or soft cheese) once or twice a week, about an inch square should do the trick, the best part is that African Greys LOVE cheese with a passion so it's the ideal way to get the calcium into it!!

About the Author

Written by Paula Dansie of African Grey Parrots

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African Grey Parrot Diet: The Key To A Healthy Grey - African Grey Parrot Centre

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 15:48:47 GMT

One of our biggest concerns is how to feed our Greys the most balanced, healthful diets. With the field of avian nutrition being new, especially relative to human nutrition which has been around for nearly one hundred years and with new revelations continuing to pop up almost daily in that field, there is no EXACT formula for feeding our parrots.

A diet that is as organic and preservative/processed food free as possible is best. Also, there needs to be a balance of vegetables/fruits, seeds/nuts/grains and pellets, if you’re not doing the total holistic route of the Mash Diet. A diet that is as varied as possible is best, as a diet that focuses JUST on seed is not nutrient sufficient. In contrast, one that focuses mostly on pellets may also prove to be detrimental, as the synthetic nutrients in them can act more like drugs than nutrients, potentially resulting in physical damage or disease (see "Why Food is Better than Pellets" article in African Grey Facts Section). If you do feed your Grey a pelleted diet, Avian Holistic Health Consultant Alicia McWatters recommends the following general guideline: vegetables 30%; legumes 20%; pellets 20%; seeds/nuts 15%; fruits 10%; and grains 5%. The FACT is that the avian nutrition field is too new and NO ONE knows all the answers, so please look at it conservatively.

Our Greys are individuals with individual dietary needs, so a blood chemistry profile to determine nutritional needs/deficiencies and discussion with a competent avian nutritionist would be beneficial. Please note, however, that when you do get a blood profile on your Grey, make sure the avian veterinarian technician doing it has had sufficient experience because the process can be very traumatic for your parrot. The following is a chart to give you ideas on the nutrient content of various foods:

Be sure to consult your vet or avian nutritional consultant to create an optimal feeding program for your Grey. The following provides an outline of foods "rich" in certain nutrients. The list of nutrients and foods is NOT exhaustive, as the chart is meant only as a guide.

Nutrient	Function	Food
Vitamin A/Beta Carotene	Maintains tissue lining, respiratory, reproductive, digestive and urinary tracts.	Yellow/winter squash;; sweet potatoes/yams; carrots; egg yolks; alfalfa sprouts; endive; kale; cod liver oil; collard greens; mustard greens; turnip greens; broccoli; beet greens; chicory; chard; green peppers; chili peppers; red sweet peppers; pumpkins; dandelion greens; parsley; mango; cantaloupe; persimmons; apricots; papaya; brussel sprouts; asparagus; zucchini; peas; fish-liver oils. (The darker the flesh, the higher the vitamin A/beta carotene.)
B Vitamins*	Participates in metabolic reactions and energy at cell level and other internal growth.	Eggs; cheese; nuts; sunflower seeds; millet seeds; green leafy vegetables; cereals; grains; asparagus; broccoli; lemons; bananas; wheat germ; yogurt; brewer’s yeast; brussel sprouts. * This list is only partial as there are eight B vitamins that work as a team.
Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)	Most important for stressful situations, an anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, antioxidant and anti-stress nutrient.	Potatoes; broccoli; red peppers; green peppers; tomatoes; asparagus; peas; radishes; swiss chard; zucchini; guavas; kiwi fruit; oranges and juice; papayas; cauliflower; strawberries; cantaloupe; brussel sprouts.
Vitamin E	Antioxidant protecting cell membranes	Egg yolk; green leafy vegetables; alfalfa sprouts; oats; wheat germ; almonds; cashews; corn; lima beans; sunflower seeds.
Protein	Provides amino acids (the body’s building blocks).	Egg yolk and white; soybean meal; low fat plain yogurt; low fat cheese; low fat cottage cheese; well-cooked chicken and chicken bones; fish; turkey; water packed tuna; brown rice; enriched pasta; nuts; quinoa; amaranth; rice/bean combinations; peanut butter; tofu.
Calcium	Maintains growth and support of bone structure (particularly important for Greys).	Egg shells; low fat cheese; low fat yogurt; mineral block; collard greens; turnip greens; mustard greens; chicory; kale; dandelion; broccoli; almonds; brewer’s yeast; buttermilk; oats; kelp; cooked dried beans and peas; sesame seeds; tofu; oranges; berries; parsley.
Vitamin D3	Promotes proper calcium and phosphorous absorption and utilization.	Egg yolk (boiled at least 15-20 minutes); sunlight; Vita-Lites; fish-liver oil; salmon; sardines; sweet potatoes; dark leafy vegetables; cold water fish.
Phosphorus	Important for RNA/DNA synthesis, nerve health, heart/muscle contraction, kidney function, as well as many other functions. Phosphorus should be in equal amount to magnesium and both half that to calcium.	Foods high in protein, such as hard boiled eggs; brown rice; yogurt; cheese; well-cooked chicken; legumes.
Magnesium	Involved with many metabolic processes; helps regulate acid-alkaline balance and promotes absorption and metabolism of other minerals, particularly calcium. Magnesium should be in equal amount to phosphorus and both half that to calcium.	Whole grains; dark-green vegetables; corn; apples; legumes; seeds; nuts; almonds; natural feeds; wheat germ.
Iron	Combines with protein and copper to assist in hemoglobin production and is required for stress and disease resistance.	Legumes; eggs; green leafy vegetables; kelp; seeds (sesame/sunflower/pumpkin); nuts (almonds); grains; raisins.
Vitamin K	Promotes blood clotting, and is useful for normal functioning of liver and maintenance of strong bones.	Kelp; alfalfa; green leafy vegetables; eggs; soybeans; beet greens.
Zinc	Assists with enzymatic reactions, carbohydrate digestion, facilitates the action of the B vitamins, circulation, liver function, immune system function, protein synthesis and cell growth, skin, bone, joint health, wound healing and growth of reproduction organs.	Peas; legumes; nuts; leafy vegetables; seeds (sesame/sunflower/pumpkin); egg yolks; whole grains (sprouted).
Selenium	It’s an important antioxidant, commonly combined with vitamin E. It protects the immune system from damage by preventing the development of free radicals.	Eggs; sesame and sunflower seeds; whole grains; vegetables; garlic.
Iodine	Necessary for normal cell metabolism, metabolism of excess fat and thyroid function.	Kelp; sesame seeds; soybeans; summer squashes.

About the Author

Source: Sound Nutrition: the Key to a Healthy Grey By Margaret T. Wright

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Parrot Stopped Talking? - African Grey Parrot Centre

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 18:56:44 GMT

Why parrots stop talking is not always the problem. Some people long for their parrots to stop talking, simply because they talk incessantly once they have learned a few phrases. Parrots are very sociable, and want to communicate with other members of their "flock" – which means the people with whom they live. So a talking parrot is probably more common.

There are times, however, when parrots stop talking, and then the worried owner wants to know why parrots stop talking.

Reasons Why Parrots Stop Talking

There are several reasons why parrots stop talking. We cannot give a complete list here, but one of the following may apply to your parrot.

1. Some talking parrots stop talking for a few days when they arrive in a new home. They are adjusting to the change. They find themselves suddenly with a new "flock" in a new environment. Even a talking parrot will take time to sort things out in its mind before it feels comfortable.

2. Sometimes talking parrots stop talking when they are feeling ill. If your parrot has been talking, and stops with no apparent reason, consider health issues. You may need to take it to an avian veterinarian.

3. Talking parrots will "pout" and stop talking when they are unhappy with a change you have made. It may be you have moved the furniture in the room where the parrot spends most of its time. Maybe you are wearing an article of clothing the parrot does not like.

4. Another reason talking parrots may stop talking is the introduction of a new family member, either human or another pet. The parrot must work through the change, and stops talking while adjusting.

5. Sometimes a talking parrot has been frightened, perhaps by a prey animal. The animal may be outside, but visible from the parrot's cage.

6. Finally, a talking parrot may stop talking if it becomes bored with its own chatter, and hears few words from you. Remember that your parrot talks to communicate with you. It is in a "foreign" land, away from those that speak its language, and is trying to learn your language to communicate.

What to Do When Parrots Stop Talking

There are several things you can do to encourage a talking parrot that has stopped talking.

If your talking parrot is in new surroundings, make it as comfortable as possible. Give it time to adjust, but while it's adjusting, talk to it gently and frequently. As soon as it decides the new surroundings are safe, it will probably begin talking again.

If you suspect your talking parrot's sudden silence is an early sign of illness, look at its eyes and feathers. If you detect dullness in either, you may need to have an avian (bird) veterinarian check your parrot.

Sometimes the answer is as simple as finding a change you have made in the previous few days or week. Did you move a vase that used to reflect the light? Did you move the parrot's cage a few feet one way or another? Try to remember what may have changed and put it back the way it was. Your talking parrot may quickly speak up to thank you.

Check for predators, even though you know they cannot reach the parrot. A large, predatory bird flying past the window, or sitting in a tree outside can be the reason a talking parrot stops talking.

The best solution to helping a talking parrot find its tongue is to spend more time talking to and around the bird. Take it into other rooms with you and the family so it will feel like being a part of the conversation.

Talk to your bird as much as you would talk to a family member or very good friend, and before long, it should begin talking again.

About the Author

Anna Hart. An avid reader and researcher, Anna explores many parrot species, and offers other interesting parrot information at www.parrots-of-the-world.com If you would like to learn more about how to train your parrot, you won’t want to miss Anna’s advice.

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Foraging Toys For Your Parrots - African Grey Parrot Centre

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:20:38 GMT

Diet plays a major role in a parrot's life. Diet promotes good behavior, health and longevity! Here are some fun food toys to offer your bird which may even tempt the finicky birds who need to be on the road to better health!

Foraging Toys : Pouch Surprise

Take a washed, large leafy green (i.e. Kale, Mustard Greens, Beet Greens) and take some leftover Brown Rice (brown rice is more nutritional than white rice) and pour it into the center of the leaf. You can add some Cranberries, Sprouts, Raisins, or Blueberries. Try not to over fill the leaf. Grab all the ends of the leaf and tie them together to form a pouch. If you would prefer to make a veggie or fruit mash: Take some of their favorites and throw them in the food processor and use that in your Pouch Surprise! Use something that you know they love and can smell. Some birds like a whiff of cinnamon or the smell of parsley. Our flock seems to enjoy fresh garlic. Take about a foot of 100% Natural Cotton Rope and tie a knot and make a loop at the end to affix it in the inside of your bird's cage. Vegetable tanned leather strips can also be used to string up the Pouch Surprise. Note: Keep the rope very trim so your bird cannot get caught in the dangling rope strands and knotted tightly. They will be very curious of this new fun and healthy toy you placed in there and will rip apart the leaf and find the little surprises you have tucked within.

Foraging Toys : Weaving

If you are having trouble getting your bird to try some of those high vitamin items you desperately want them to eat. Try taking them and weaving them through the bars of your bird's cage. Start with a small leaf if your bird is afraid of new items within their cage domain. Perhaps washed Carrot Tops, Beet or Dandelion Greens would be a wonderful place to start.. Remember to be enthusiastic about these items. Parrots are very curious by instinct and will wonder what "all the fuss" is about. Before you know it, he will be ripping apart the leaves. The first step on the road to better eating is forming a taste for it. By ripping apart the leaves, your bird will be ingesting some of the nutrients. My flock loves to rub their feathers on the freshly washed leaves then tear it to shreds! You will see your bird will enjoy eating the stems of the leafy greens which is where most of the nutrients are!

Foraging Toys : Pick-Up Stix

I remember playing Pick-Up Stix as a youngster. Well this fun foraging game can be just as much fun for your avian companion!

Take some carrots, kohlrabi, beets - whatever you can find and cut them into long sticks. (Maybe 1/2 the size of a Chop Stick in length.) Here is where the fun begins. Just you and your avian companion at the kitchen table or counter. My flock loves to be on the counter and play with food items. Note: Remove all objects from the area so that nothing is around to "distract" those curious beaks. This will keep them focused. (for a moment or two at least). Start placing the "veggie stix" out and making a pile out of them. Watch your bird come over and pick up the sticks along with you. He may throw them off the counter - be warned! Put some newspaper down to catch whatever may go falling down.

Our greatest challenge as parents to these wonderful feathered creatures is constantly finding new and exciting way to keep them interested and intrigued. No doubt you will come up with your own ideas for your and your pet bird.

Note: There are many foraging toys on the market today which help to hide treats and make life more interesting for you and your avian companion. Feel free to visit Grey Feather Toy Creations to see our new line of Stainless Steel Foraging Toys.

About the Author

This article was written by It's a Grey's World

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Entertaining You & Your Parrot With Toys

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 21:00:38 GMT

If your parrot seems bored and depressed, then parrot toys just might cheer them right up. Some parrots get bored and depressed when their owners aren't around. For these birds, giving them parrot toys can keep them busy all day and prevent them from becoming depressed or acting out trying to get your attention. Parrot toys aren't just fun for the parrot, but also the owners that get to watch their birds play with the toys. It's interesting to see how your bird will interact with the toy and respond to the problems set before it.

Parrot toys range in functionality and there are a wide range of toys available on the market. From simple chewing ropes to puzzles containing treats inside, these toys will mentally challenge your parrot and encourage it to be more active.

Some things to be careful of when buying your parrot toys are the durability and cleanliness of the toys. Less durable products that may break and dismantle easily can be dangerous to your parrot if swallowed. You should check to make sure that the product does not come apart easily into small parts that the parrot can accidentally swallow and choke on. Also be careful of the cleanliness of the toy. Toys that are not packaged can have bacteria and harmful chemicals on them that can cause disease or illness in your parrot. Be sure to clean your parrot toys regularly to ensure that they are clean. If these simple things are considered, you can instantly add more fun to your parrot's life.

About the Author www.parrots-i.com

Baby Doing Well And Growing | Baby Grey Diary | Ant& Makosi

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 14:04:10 GMT

20/04/08 Update - Baby doing well and growing.

Quick update as it's been a month since our last one, we're bad I know but hey we've got four kids and thousands of parrots to look after (Ok not thousands but it feels like it at times!!)

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There was only one baby the other eggs failed to hatch but we finally brought the baby into the house a few weeks back, as promised here are a few pictures if you want to see more of these baby grey pictures follow the link to the official gallery for this baby which will be constantly updated as it grows.

This hand reared baby is extremely friednly and LOVES attention I think out of all the babies we've had so far this is the most loving so far, lets hope it stays that way, I guess it will as there's no real competition like as it's on it's own, saying that we have Marlene and Boycee's baby in the nest box at the moment which is due to come into the house in a week or so so who knows what will happen then, it will be a fair while before they are both at the age to interact with each other properly.

We have kind of sorted our technical issues out in terms of getting pictures from the nestboxes though we still have to refine a few things to get REALLY clear pictures as you can see, but here's some pictures of this baby in the nest box.

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22/03/08 Update - One of the eggs has hatched ... we have a baby!!!

Firstly apologies for not updating earlier but things have been pretty hectic with one thing or another, the joys of four children and lots of parrots means less time than most!!

Well we've been waiting tentativley for the eggs to hatch and we can confirm that as of a week ago one of the eggs hatched, mother and baby are doing well for those of you concerned, unfortunately there is no sign of the other two hatching, one looks like it may have started but we can't tell for sure, not right now anyway.

Both parents are taking it in turns to feed the chick and they are doing a good job, the chick has grown already ... wow they really do grow quick.

Unfortunately we still haven't managed to sort our technical issues out but as I sit here writing we have the multi plexer out all over the floor looking at how to install the blooming thing looks frightening but I'm sure it's not as hard as it looks on first sight.

We will get things sorted if not in time for this baby it will be for others in the future, in the event the multi plexer isn't sorted in time we will bring you the first pictures as soon as we bring the chick in which will be in about 2-3 weeks ... till then hold tight!!!

24/02/08 Update - Aproximately 21 days to go till eggs hatch

Unfortunately we haven't sorted the technical issues out to bring you any further pictures of Ant & Maksoi sitting on their eggs or anymore of the eggs, obviously we don't wish to disturb them anymore than we have to.

All we can say is that things are going as they should be, they are both being great parents and sitting the eggs as they should, Makosi is crossing her legs as long as she can do and nippin gout of the nestbox when things get too much to relieve herself before dashing back in like the doting mother that she is, Ant is being the perfect husband and pampering Makosi by feeding her and sprucing up her feathers.

Not much more we can tell you right now, any news or pictures we can bring you we will do as soon as we can ... till next time!!!

17/02/08 - Approximately 28 days to go till eggs hatch

Exciting news today, finally Makosi has finished laying her batch of three eggs today on 17th February 2008, in fact these are the first clutch of fertile (We think) eggs of 2008, so well done Ant & Makosi, this is the first diary to be added to the site, we hope the other pairs will follow suit sometime soon.

So what to expect from this diary is a step by step diary of the incubation peiod to the hatching of the eggs to the removal of the babies from the nest to the up bringing until the birds and weaned and ready to go to their homes, hopefully it will be interesting!!

So the first photo we can offer you is the three eggs in the nest, we have a few technical issues to get around before we can bring you more updated photos but rest assure we're working on it :o)

Baby Grey Diary | 10 April 2008 | Boycee & Marlene

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:45:32 GMT

13/04/08 - Egg hatched chick squeaking in the nest.

Today we were out cleaning the cages and doing some minor maintenance work after dealing with a small rat epidemic (One of the joys of breeding birds in the country) and we could here some squeaking, at first it didn't register because the only pair we knew were sitting on eggs were Marlene & Boycee, and seeing as Marlene was an ex pet that we recently replaced her predecessor (Marlene) with after dying suddenly we didn't expect the eggs to be any good let alone for her to know what to do so soon.

Well after much deliberation and discussion we ran inside to look at the camera inside the box, low and behold there was a cute little pink chick in the nestbox and three unhatched eggs (We know they'll never hatch as we candled them and they were unfertile).

We believe the chick was about 3 days old so we estimate it's 'birthday' is 10th April 2008 which means it should be ready to come into the house on 1st May 2008, pictures to follow shortly, I have some on my phone with a few videos, in the meantime you will have to take our word that the chick is doing well and Mummy and Daddy are doing a great job of looking after it!!

The Joy Of Having A Pet Parrot

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 23:07:46 GMT

Because of their impressive nature, people buy parrots to become their pet while visiting pet stores on impulse. Popular choices are amazons, macaws, and cockatoos because of their adorable traits and characteristics.

But, better be careful in choosing and buying parrot pets on impulse because caring for them can be an overwhelming and stressful task for you. Before you bring home a parrot to become your pet, make sure that you do a little research on its types and caring procedures so you will know what is the most suitable parrot specie for you.

Parrot shopping Guidelines

Every parrot--or any pet or animal for that matter--is different. Thus, they require special needs and caring. You must know by now that choosing a parrot for a pet is a lifelong commitment so it's advisable that you do not make hasty decisions in buying one. Since buying a parrot requires a good decision-making, here are some things that can get you started:

Noise - The Joy Of Having A Pet Parrot

1. A parrot's "noise" is one of the major considerations in choosing any pet parrot. Majority of the Conure species and Quaker Parakeets produce ear-piercing screeches that you might not tolerate.

Amazons, Macaws, Cockatoos, and African Greys, one the other hand, give out information about you that can smear your reputation while Pionus, and some medium-sized Poicephalus like Senegals and Meyers, are known to create lesser noise compared other parrots. Budgies, Lovebirds, and Parrotlets, on other hand, are famous for not having very loud screeches because they do not possess a real ability to scream.

Mess - The Joy Of Having A Pet Parrot

2. The next basic thing to consider when you're pondering over buying a pet parrot is the mess the bird will create. Don't be shocked if you see at least one-third of the food you give to the parrot will end up scattered on the floor.

This "food-scattering" is just part of a parrot's nature of being experimental or just being naughty. Aside from food particles, feathers will also be present everywhere. If you are not used to having pets as messy as parrots and you are about to have one, you might want consider placing its cage where cleaning materials are accessible.

Attention - The Joy Of Having A Pet Parrot

3. You should also consider the attention you can give and the attention your parrot pet will need. Being social flock animals, parrots are known to enjoy utmost attention. You must know when to pay attention to your pet parrot because they become easily depressed, lazy, and untrusting. Give them enough freedom to explore and interact with you.

Cleanliness - The Joy Of Having A Pet Parrot

4. You also be prepared to maintain the cleanliness of your pet parrot. No bird--or any pet for that matter--will be happy and healthy if they are confined in a soiled, dirty cage. Putting newspapers under their cage is the easiest way to get rid off soiled perches but make sure you don't use colored papers because they contain toxins that can be harmful to your parrot pet.

Food - The Joy Of Having A Pet Parrot

5. Lastly, contemplate on feeding your parrot pet. Far from common perception, birds--especially parrots--cannot live in birdseed alone. Daily pelleted or seed diet combined with a variety of dark green, orange, and yellow vegetables or cooked brown rice, pasta, and beans are best for your winged pet.

About the Author

This content is provided by Low Jeremy. For more information on Pet Parrot & other useful information, please visit http://pet-parrot.articlekeep.com

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Eclectus Parrot Secrets And Facts You Didn't Know

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 20:32:57 GMT

The Eclectus parrot is rivaled as one of the most brilliant parrots. Both male and female are full of beautiful colors from red contrasted by and almost electric blue to green contrasted by bright yellow. These colors make them among the most sexually dimorphistic birds. The female of the species boasts a fire engine red head with electric blue chest and a black beak where as the male is covered with a bright jade green and bright yellow beaks.

Eclectus parrots are native to Solomon Islands, New Guinea, northeastern Australia and the Maluki Islands. In New Guinea many of the people consider Eclectus parrots to be pests because there numbers are so great which leaves the people and birds competing for the same fruits and berries. Often times the people of New Guinea will shoot the parrots with sling shots and the use there feathers as decoration.

Eclectus parrots are very strong fliers, flying high above the canopies in small groups as they search for food. Just before roosting at night Eclectus parrots will perform in display flights, almost like dancing in the air.

Eclectus parrots have two distinctive calls they use. One is used during flight and is a more screech like call that is repeated several times. The other is used during feeding and is more of a cry mellow call. They also have a very well established ability of speech imitation. They are able to learn a vast vocabulary that rivals the African Grey parrot, on top of that they can learn songs and love to sing.

Interesting facts about Eclectus Parrots

Feeding the Eclectus parrots fortified foods such as pellets, and breads can lead to the phenomena known as toe-tapping and wing flapping. This is because they have a longer than normal digestive tract that is very sensitive to food additives. This may become a problem in Eclectus parrots kept as pets.

The eclectus parrot, like all parrots, eats fruits, seeds, and nuts but there favorite fruit is the pomegranate. The pomegranate is an almost peach looking fruit that is filled with seeds held together by a fleshy white meat. The pomegranate is a seasonal fruit and is only available for a very limited amount of time making it difficult for Eclectus parrot owners to acquire, however Eclectus parrots are very partial to corn which is almost always readily available. It is thought that they enjoy corn so much because of its bright yellow color and that corn can be an interesting food to peel.

About the Author

If you want to know more about everything parrots including free information, course reviews and much, much more, then please visit ParrotTrainingReview.com.

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Babies - 17/02/08 - Diary - Ant & Makosi

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 20:30:18 GMT

22/03/08 Update - One of the eggs has hatched ... we have a baby!!!

Firstly apologies for not updating earlier but things have been pretty hectic with one thing or another, the joys of four children and lots of parrots means less time than most!!

Both parents are taking it in turns to feed the chick and they are doing a good job, the chick has grown already ... wow they really do grow quick.

24/02/08 Update - Aproximately 21 days to go till eggs hatch

Not much more we can tell you right now, any news or pictures we can bring you we will do as soon as we can ... till next time!!!

17/02/08 - Approximately 28 days to go till eggs hatch

So the first photo we can offer you is the three eggs in the nest, we have a few technical issues to get around before we can bring you more updated photos but rest assure we're working on it :o)

How to Correct Badly Behaved Birds

Sun, 16 Mar 2008 22:44:36 GMT

Gentle and Effective Training Tips

When asked why she believes that birds are descended from dinosaurs, an acquaintance of mine who owns a Scarlet Macaw will readily reply: "Would you like to see the scar on my arm?"

Beliefs about the origins of birds aside, most can agree that some parts of a bird's anatomy can deliver quite painful attacks if our pets become angry with us. Indeed, the instincts and inherently wild nature of our avian companions can bring forth many behaviors that are undesirable in the home. Dealing with these issues can be especially trying for bird owners, given that their feathered friends are such highly sociable and emotionally sensitive creatures. Read on for tips that will help you gently but effectively convey your displeasure toward undesirable behavior in your pet bird.

The Rules of Avian Discipline Although at times your pet may behave in a way that annoys you or makes you downright mad, it's important to remember these rules when responding to the transgression:
Never hit a bird. Birds are extremely fragile creatures and even the slightest force can cause severe injury or death. Physically abusing a bird can also lead to irreversible psychological problems, and can promote aggression and viciousness.
Don't hold a grudge. Birds are extremely intelligent, but also very sensitive creatures. When you express displeasure with your bird's behavior, make the lesson short and sweet. Prolonged negative attention can cause undue emotional stress for your pet.
Never compromise your bird's health. "Punishing" a bird by witholding food or neglecting cage cleaning is never a fit way to deal with a behavior problem. Such actions are not only cruel, but can cause serious physical and emotional damage for the pet.

How to Correct Badly Behaved Birds : Responding to Bad Behaviour

In order for your bird to understand you when you catch him acting up, it's necessary that you remember the correct way to respond. While a normal "human" response to an unpleasant discovery would be to loudly declare your grievance, a bird can interpret this reaction and body language as excitement -- meaning that he may actually think you are praising the behavior. Conclusively, dealing with a bird's behavior problem can be just as much about training yourself as it is about training your pet.

In order to respond properly to undesirable behavior, it's helpful to keep the following steps in mind. With consistency and patience, you may find that it won't take long for your bird to catch on.

Have the bird step up onto your hand. When your bird misbehaves, have him step up onto your hand and hold him at eye level.
Be very expressive. Don't be afraid to frown at your bird. Avians are capable of picking up on facial expressions, and most get the idea if your body language expresses your distaste for his actions.
Speak softly, but sternly. Use a tone of voice that is low but not loud when you tell your bird that he has done wrong. Be as "matter of fact" as possible, but keep it short. You will be amazed at how effective it can be!
Place your bird on his cage or perch. After you've conveyed your dissatisfaction, have your bird step off of your hand and onto his cage or perch. Allow him to stay there for a few minutes to reflect on what happened, and then go back and interact playfully with your pet -- he should know that you are no longer upset with him, and that he is now being a good bird.

How to Correct Badly Behaved Birds : Consistency is Key

All birds are individuals, and some may catch on quicker than others. Don't get discouraged if your pet's behavior doesn't change overnight. As long as you stay consistent with your training methods, your bird will likely understand you sooner rather than later.

Remember that positively reinforcing good behavior is just as important than pointing out and modifying bad behavior. If you notice your bird acting exceptionally well, don't miss the chance to lavish praise on your pet. Birds respond much more readily to training techniques that focus on the positive rather than the negative, so don't forget to incorporate lots of fun and praise into your training methods.

With a little work, patience, and love, your bird should be acting like an angel in no time. Your effort will be rewarded with a beautiful, intelligent, and well-behaved pet -- and who could ask for anything more?

About the Author

From Alyson Burgess

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Creating A Healthy Parrot Diet

Sun, 09 Mar 2008 17:28:50 GMT

Giving your parrot the wrong bird diet can result in the death of your feathered friend. Yes, this is a fact. Feeding your parrot the right bird diet, however, can help ensure health and longevity for your beloved bird. Only in the last few decades has research revealed which foods are deadly to parrots and which are the best choices for them.

The main benefit of making sure your parrots diet contains the right foods is longevity. Just as people can live longer when eating a healthy diet, so can your companion parrot. It was only come to light in recent decades that parrots can live long lives if properly fed a wide variety of foods.

Healthy Parrot Diet : Seven Deadly Foods

There are many bird diet selections which humans consume that are great for your parrot. However, there are seven foods that can provide deadly to your pet. These are: chocolate, alcohol, avocado, fruits seeds of any type, uncooked eggs, raw meat, or spoiled or moldy foods. There are some other foods over which there is some debate such as onions or garlic cloves. A parrot is extremely unlikely to eat enough of those items to cause a problem.

Healthy Parrot Diet : Parrot Diet Items You Should Limit

There are other human foods which a parrot should have only small amounts included in their bird diet. While a small bit of these foods will not cause harm, allowing the parrot diet to contain large amounts of these can impact the parrot's health. You will see these foods are also those which healthy humans limit in order to remain at optimum health.

Any food which is high in fat must be limited. Wild parrots diets include very little fat. Think of your parrot diet much as you would the diet of a three year old child. A child could have a few potato chips even though they are high in fact, but you would limit the quantity. In a parrot's diet, you could allow a bite or even two from the edge of one single potato chip once in a while. Just do not let it become a habit so that every single day the parrot expects and gets potato chips. The golden adage "everything in moderation" is a good guideline to follow about parrot diet items to limit. Examples of foods in this group include: potato chips, fried foods, buttered vegetables or bread, ice cream, and cake or cookies.

Salt is another important item to limit in parrots diets. People should not over-consume salt either, but if you consider how small the parrot body is, you can see what a little salt can be harmful. When cooking any vegetables or other foods, remove a small amount to share with your parrot before adding any seasoning. In this group of foods are: salted meats such as bacon or ham, popcorn with salt, vegetables cooked with salt, and many types of pre-packaged foods such as microwave-ready entrees.

Foods with high sugar are also poor choices for parrots. Diet choices can include very small quantities of added sugar, but use prudence, limiting the parrot to only a bite or two. These foods include items such as: soft drinks with sugar, sweetened cereals, fruit juice with added sugar, cookies, cakes, ice cream, and sugar-coated cereals.

Healthy Parrot Diet : Good Parrot Diet Choices

You may wonder what foods are good to include in your parrot diet. The answer is, basically, everything not listed above! A bird diet should include lots of different foods in order to ensure that a wide range of vitamins and nutrients are consumed. The more choices your parrot diet includes, the better health your parrot will enjoy and the longer life span your companion parrot can expect.

Some of the good foods for parrots' diets that are really great for parrots are also the foods which are great for health-conscious humans. Vegetables, either raw or lightly cooked are healthy choices. Bits of pasta, cheese, rice, mashed potatoes or boiled potatoes, well-cooked eggs, and bits of well-done meats, poultry, or fish add variety to a bird diet. In fact, many parrots love to chew on a bone from cooked meat and even dig the marrow from the inside of the bone. Let your parrot's diet include lots of healthy foods.

About the Author

Nora Caterino Mississippi 'Bird Lady' finally exposes her proven bird diet.

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How To Disinfect A Bird Cage - African Grey Parrot Centre

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 23:52:08 GMT

Before setting the bird into its lodging you should disinfect the cage to ensure there are no unwanted germs.

Even if your bird cage is new, and the perches are ecologically clean, they should be disinfected carefully. This operation is called carbonation, because a disinfectant gas for burning is used, gas for cigarette lighters can be used but it can be quite expensive.

How To Disinfect A Bird Cage : Now lets to proceed

Wash both the bird cage and the wooden sticks with soap and hot water.
Leave them to dry well, especially the sticks because they get soaked with water and drench.
Prepare the gas and a cloth with which to put the gas over the perches and the bird cage. It is compulsory to put gloves (surgery or household gloves), otherwise you hands will smell awful.
Slightly damp the cloth and carefully rub the bird cage and the perches everywhere. Now the bird cage and the perches are absolutely ready to be completed and to put the bird inside.

The disinfection is very useful for the bird because when it steps on the carbonated perches, a part of the gas gets soaked into its legs and then when scouring themselves it goes on their feathers.

It is good at least once or twice to clean the perches with gas and to change them. That is why I told you in the beginning to provide yourselves with wooden sticks.

To clean the bird cage with gas is more difficult, because you are supposed to have a spare lodging for the bird, where to put it temporarily. Nothing prevents you from cleaning the bird cage periodically with a cloth damped with gas without washing it with soap.

About the Author

Written by Paula Dansie of African Grey Parrots

Othe bird cage related articles

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Pros And Cons Surrounding Parrot Toys

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 22:47:52 GMT

We love to give our birds toys, they are intelligent, curious creatures, add a toy to their cage, and they will amuse and delight us. Toys keep them happy and involved. Behaviorists often advise owners with a bird who plucks his feathers to make sure they give their pet plenty of toys and rotate them regularly to prevent boredom. Wooden toys can keep beaks trimmed and prevent your favorite dining room chair from becoming the chew toy of choice. However, many toys contain hidden dangers. If these toys are used improperly or without appropriate supervision, they can cause injuries and even kill your pet birds.

Pros And Cons Surrounding Parrot Toys : Bird Safe Or Veterinarian Approved?

If a toy's label says it is safe and approved by bird experts, it must be absolutely safe. Right? Wrong. Many toys with these labels have proven to be dangerous. The number one issue seems to be picking a toy that is appropriate for your bird's size. Chain toys can be extremely dangerous if the links are large enough for a bird's head. A trapped bird will quickly panic. Toys with hanging ropes and strings can easily become nooses for birds. They should be trimmed short so they cannot get their head in any length of rope. Loose strings on rope toys and rope perches can also entrap a bird's foot. A panicking bird will go as far as to chew off its own toes to free itself from this trap. One of the solutions is to allow your bird to use these risky toys only while you can supervise their play.

Pros And Cons Surrounding Parrot Toys : Fabric

Happy Huts or other fabric-covered sleep tents for birds are generally quite safe. However, some birds develop a taste for this fabric and will eat the fuzzy coverings. If fluff appears to be disappearing from your Happy Hut, remove it. This material can cause obstructions and death. On necropsy, such birds have been found to have large amounts of the fluffy material in their digestive tract.

Pros And Cons Surrounding Parrot Toys : Clips And Fasteners

The clip used to attach a toy to the bird's cage can also cause problems. Make sure the clip contains no zinc. It is also advisable to replace lanyard clips with quick link type connectors. The latter are more difficult for a bird to open. Lanyard clips can get trapped on a small bird's beak. Larger birds can loosen "S" hooks that have been pinched shut with pliers. They can get their beaks caught in them. While this might not seem that dangerous, a panicking bird can seriously injure itself and severely damage its beak.

Pros And Cons Surrounding Parrot Toys : Fruity Wood

Fruit-flavored blocks of wood have become very popular toys. Be sure that your bird is merely chewing these toys and not ingesting the wood. The fruit flavoring may encourage them to actually swallow the wood pieces, which may be too sharp for the digestive tract and cause perforations.

Pros And Cons Surrounding Parrot Toys : Size Matters

It is important to emphasize that the size of the bird often determines which toys are appropriate. If you give an amazon parrot a toy intended for a cockatiel, the amazon could end up swallowing the small parts. Certain plastic toys will be easily broken by the large beaks of cockatoos and macaws, which could result in damage to their gizzard or digestive tract if they swallow the broken bits.

Pros And Cons Surrounding Parrot Toys : Beware Of PVC

Consumers have also become aware recently of the dangers of PVC in toys. Toy companies have discontinued many baby toys that use polyvinyl chloride. If you have bought children's toys for your birds, make sure they do not contain PVC.

Pros And Cons Surrounding Parrot Toys : Monitor Your Bird

The best way to gauge a toy's level of safety is to monitor your bird with the toy for the first few days. Remove the toy when you go out and put it back in the cage when you are home. With certain toys, it is best to always remove them when you are not supervising the bird. Use common sense when deciding which toys are safe for your pet, and if you have any doubts about a toy's safety, remove it immediately. If your bird ever does have an incident in which he is injured while playing with a toy, it is important to document the injury and notify the manufacturer. Bird toy companies have proliferated with the rising popularity of birds as pets. Many of these companies need feedback on which of their toys could pose a danger to companion birds.

About the Author

This article is courtesy of www.parrotparrot.com

Training Your African Grey Parrot

Sun, 24 Feb 2008 23:01:31 GMT

Training your grey African parrot requires patience, understanding, knowledge, and a lot of discipline. As with any animal (or human being), if you teach something today and consider your job done, you’ll find that whatever behavior you were attempting to teach will be forgotten much quicker than it took you to teach it.

Consistency and discipline are of paramount importance when training a grey African parrot.

The African Grey Parrot is a medium-sized parrot of the genus Psittacus, and is native to Africa, as the name states. Also as the name states, they are predominantly grey, and have some white accents under their wings, around the eyes, and on their torso.

Some of their feathers are very dark grey, while others are of a lighter grey color. Their tail has a very contrasting red or maroon tails depending on the subspecies.

There are two subspecies, the Congo African Grey parrot and the Timneh African Grey parrot.

Training Your African Grey Parrot : Intelligent Species

The african grey parrot may be counted as one of the most intelligent of birds, therefore training grey African parrot is much easier (for the most part) than training another species of bird.

The difficulties the arise in training a grey African parrot will mostly be subject to the interactions you develop with an intelligent bird that may not always want to do what you want him to do.

The phrase “repeats everything like a parrot” or when referring to someone who mimics it is said that they are “parroting”, is not as fitting when it comes to the African grey as it is with other parrots. The African grey is not only great at mimicking, but is known and esteemed for its cognitive abilities as well.

Research and observation of the African grey parrot has led to the conclusion that these parrots are capable of associating human words with their meanings, at least to some extent.

Some birds have been known to form and speak in sentences and not just use isolated words. Although these attributes have been given to a small number of African grey’s under observation, it is a fact tat this bird is among the elite in speaking birds.

Speaking is not the only thing you can teach when training your African grey parrot. In fact, because the African grey is well known for its speaking abilities, there is much disappointment when a person happens upon a quiet African grey.

Getting upset with the breeder will lead the person nowhere, because getting a quiet or very vocal African grey parrot is like trying to get a child with certain characteristics – designing the ideal animal or child is not an exact science.

In training a grey African parrot there are a few key points that should be kept in mind in order to maximize your chances for success. They are:

Training Your African Grey Parrot : Simple Steps To Remember

Never teach something you know they don’t want to learn

Try to understand your bird and read into their body language – work with them!
Reward good behavior
Find a reward in the form of a treat, but don’t forget to praise!
Take baby steps in training and reward in small doses to encourage learning
Be consistent and repeat training to reinforce

And remember, a well behaved parrot will bring much happiness for both you and your bird, for many, many years.

About the Author

This article was taken from www.birdtricks.com/

Why Some Parrots Are Red

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 23:32:14 GMT

Red has been long known as the color love. It also signifies love and passion but also danger. People associate the color red with love, Valentines, danger, desire, speed, strength, violence, anger, emergency exit signs, stop signs, and blood. Its usual attributes are strength, force, power, control, and leadership. Stimulation, warmth, excitement, good health, physical energy, love, sex, passion, courage, and protection are also associated with this strong color. But in pet birds especially in parrots--being red is an entirely different story.

Why Some Parrots Are Red : The red in parrots

When it comes to colors in parrots, the most common is green. But did you know that there is no pigment or tinge of green present in parrots' feathers? According to experts, although parrots appear green, only pigments present in parrots' feathers are red and yellow.

Red parrots becoming popular pet parrot preferences because they exude mystical beauty. But did you know that some parrots are red because of their melanin chemistry and feather structure?

Studies show that some parrots are red due to Tyndall Effect. During Tyndall Effect, light scatters, thus, reflecting off the feather structure. This process also results to the illusion of a variety of colors.

Why Some Parrots Are Red : Pigments (psittacin or carotenoids)

Another reason why some parrots are red is because specific kinds of this bird have pigments in their feathers called psittacin or carotenoids--the ones that gives carrots and yellow squash their respective colors. These are usually influenced by certain environmental factors and elements like food intake or diet. Experts found out that red parrots emerge because the colors of the nutritional elements of the food they take are intensified. Although foods don't usually influence a parrot's color, it is quite significant in the process because good food will result to good health shown in the sheen of a parrot's feathers.

Since feathers are parrot's--generally birds'--most distinctive characteristic, on-going studies about the coloration of parrots are conducted worldwide. Most of these studies have found out that a parrot's color can mean several things like assertiveness and other behavioral contexts.

The most popular red parrot in pet trades today is the Red-Breasted Senegal. Although is has a moderate talking ability, many parrot enthusiasts purchase this red parrot because they are playful and independent Always climbing, chewing and playing with their toys, red-breasted Senegals are among the favorite selection of parrot pets because they have friendly nature and their ability to learn and perform tricks. Since they create very low noise, this red parrot is suitable as a family pet bird especially for those who live in city apartments. Although it has a friendly nature, this red parrot should be handled and trained regularly so they will remain tamed.

About the Author

This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included. For more information on Pet Parrot & other useful information, please visit http://pet-parrot.articlekeep.com

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How To Select The Right Parrot!

Sun, 17 Feb 2008 21:50:41 GMT

Pet parrots are very common today in family households. People are drawn to their lovable nature, their curious facial expressions and of course their amazing ability to talk. Before making a choice to buy a parrot you first need to find out all there is to know about them.

How To Select The Right Parrot : Cleanliness

Are parrots clean animals? All that needs to be said is that a parrot is an animal that eats and then makes waste. Unfortunately parrots do not have the ability to clean up after themselves, otherwise they would make a great investment. It is important to make sure that the parrot cage is kept clean most of the time as when left unclean your parrot may become subject to infectious diseases.

How To Select The Right Parrot : Noise Factor

Another trait that all parrots have in common with one another is their sometimes unbearable screaming. However this like many other things can be trained and in time eventually controlled with a series of hand signals and gestures. This will take a lot of time but there are parrot training courses out there to help you along the way. Also it is better to start your parrots training while they are still young as parrots like humans learn faster during their younger years.

How To Select The Right Parrot : Interactivity

Parrots are very intelligent and social animals. If you keep the bird alone in his cage it will get bored and develop behavioral problems. It is suggested that you are better off purchasing more than one parrot for this reason alone. Remember if you are attempting to train your parrot, behavioral problems are the last thing you want to have to deal with.

How To Select The Right Parrot : Age

How long do parrots live for? Some can live for up to 75 years. It is amazing to think that such a small animal like a parrot can have this kind of lifespan. It must be because they are always happy! In fact in many cases parrots have out-lived their owners and therefore needed a new place to stay. Try to take this into consideration before bringing that new parrot home to the kids because more than likely one of them will be taking over the duties of cleaning and caring for it when you are gone.

Remember a parrot is an animal and therefore should be treated like an animal. No matter how well you train it to speak, it will never have the ability to understand what it is saying. However with all this said if you decide to go out and buy a parrot as a pet, you are making a very sound decision indeed.

About the Author

Dane Stanton is the owner of ParrotTrainingReview.com which is an extensive review of the top parrot training courses on the internet. Find which course is best for you and your parrot!

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Why Feathers Fall Of Birds

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 22:51:05 GMT

The natural fall of feathers of birds is called languishing . This is a physiological process that reveals generally in the end of summer and the beginning of autumn with all birds species.

During the period of languishing consecutively all feathers fall off birds and are replaced with new ones . A change of all feathers occurs with old birds and with young ones this starts at the age of about 2 months and is called baby - languishing.

During this they change only a part of their feathers that means only the small cover - feathers without the tail and helming feathers . For the growth of new feathers, the organism of birds uses up lots of energy. To be able to compensate this in due time it is necessary to provide favorable zoo - hygienic conditions of breeding, rich food full of vitamins and minerals, fresh air and warm.

When breeding birds properly, languishing proceeds easily and fast. Incorrect feeding, dry undiversified and of poor quality food before languishing , leads to disturbance in metabolism, painful and long - lasting change of feathers. That is why it is necessary to provide various fresh and full of vitamins food ( fruit , vegetables ).

After completing the languishing, the bird restores its vitality, mobility and lively type.

Feathers fall off because of other reasons (unnatural season - Winter).

Partial fall of feathers as well as their violent wrenching away by the birds themselves , which is a very common phenomenon and mostly in home - cultivated birds. This might be due to many reasons:

Sudden temperature changes
Insufficient feeding with undiversified food - especially only oil - bearing seeds
Damp and warm stuffy air - for example kitchen rooms
Lack of enough movements
Decrease of the continuation of daylight in the room
Invasion of parasites
Nerve disorders
Lack of attention

In such cases it is recommended to provide nourishing feeding with foods rich in animal proteins, minerals and vitamins.

It should be considered that regular as well as irregular languishing create conditions for predispositions towards diseases, because of which special care and hygiene are necessary in this period.

About the Author

www.kokkada.com

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Choosing The Right Parrot Food - 23/01/08
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Hints And Tips For Buying Your Parrot Cage

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 23:22:48 GMT

Where to start on this topic!! There is so much information out there on parrot cages of all shapes and size’s, colours and styles I will just tell you a little on this matter a few hints and tips and the basic's how I see them just as a small out look on the subject which may help you decide which cage is best suited to your parrot and your home.

Hints And Tips For Buying Your Parrot Cage : Size Counts

Firstly the most important factor is the size of the cage the best rule to go by and that is the bigger the better and where you are planning on keeping your parrot, the cage needs to be big enough for your parrot to be able to freely spread it's wings and be able to have a flap about and exercise but saying that too big can also cause a problem to smaller parrots in a cage for a macaw the bar spacing will be too big and your smaller bird can get its feet and head caught, any good pet shop that sells cages can help you with information on the size of the cage you should be buying to suit your parrot,

Hints And Tips For Buying Your Parrot Cage : Maintenance

Also to consider when buying a cage is it easy to keep clean and maintain. The best type to look for are the ones with a pull out tray to make cleaning the bottom of the cage a lot easier. Also another great feature which make life a lot easier are food and water bowls that are replaced without opening the main door of the cage, these have their own small doors and really is a great feature

Hints And Tips For Buying Your Parrot Cage : Positioning your Cage

The cage should also be kept in a position where your parrot will feel safe which is away from drafts such as windows which can also get the parrot too hot if in direct sunlight and also another factor to think about is if you put your parrot cage in front of the window you could be leaving yourself wide open for being broken into and your parrot stolen, there is lots of money to be made from a thief stealing your parrot probably more so than stealing a TV, you may think that it would be hard to steal a parrot but once covered over with something a parrot becomes quiet and still.

Also to consider on a place to put your parrot cage is somewhere that you and your family will pass and visit a number of times a day, parrots love to be part of the family and have contact with you and the family so the living room would make a good place to gain this ideally the cage placed in a lighten corner of the room so the parrot has some security of knowing that it can't be approached from the back of it's cage and/or one side which gives it the safe feeling of knowing it has it's own corner safety area.

Hints And Tips For Buying Your Parrot Cage : Toys & Amusements

Also you need to think about what you are going to put in the cage, African greys love playing with toys and can amuse themselves with toys for a long time simple things like a rope can keep them happy for many hours and a wooden toy they can chew maybe with a bell on they will highly enjoy, there are so many toys out there you just need to make sure that they are safe and can't get caught round you birds neck or have tiny bits that can be swallowed, check any toy you buy carefully and if your not 100% sure it is safe DON'T buy it. Once you have some toys you can always rotate them in the cage to keep them amused and as soon as one becomes damaged such as a rope being shredded into bits remove it, our African grey Reggie must have been going for his rope toy once when we was out as i came home and he had it all tied round his feet and was sat on the bottom of his cage so i now remove any toy that gets a little tatty.

Hints And Tips For Buying Your Parrot Cage : Perches

Next you need to think of perches the ones that normally come with the cage are not really idea and should be replaced with some java branches or branches from fruit trees such as pear or apple, hazelnut tree's or willow tress can all be used as long as you wash them down and let them dry before lacing the in the cage, this will provide your parrot with different thickness of perches, I also highly recommend a concrete perch which will help to keep your parrots nails trimmed and the beak as they like to rube this on the perch also, I use more than one and you can get them in different colours and sizes, these are sold at most pet shops and each pack should have what size bird it is most suited too.

If your planning on having your bird out of the cage a lot you can consider buying your parrot a play gym, there are many good play gyms out there on the market the one we use is the Java parrot tower which is great as it is on castors and has a big tray that catches all the dropped food and droppings and best of all the java branches can all be taken off for cleaning and also you can move them about and add rope and sandy perches to help keep the parrots nails down, Our African grey Reggie sometimes stay out for days on end, he is very good and will just sit and play on his parrot tower have a fly about and go back to his tower, he hates going back in his cage I would not recommend you leaving your African grey out unless your 100% sure it will not get into trouble or fly down and chew things (Read the home hazards for Greys article), I am home all day long so am never far away in such cases, if we go out at all and no one is home then we put him away. Reggie has been trained over the 12 years we have had him and even now sometimes he gets over excited and keeps flying down on the odd day when he wants extra attention!

About the Author

Written by Paula Dansie of African Grey Parrots

This article may be duplicated in its full state but the above link must be retained, if this article is found duplicated anywhere on the web without the link preserved then legal action will be taken and your ISP will be contacted.

Information On Buying Your Parrot A Cage

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 22:37:57 GMT

Buying your parrot a cage is not just something that you do on a whim. A cage is important especially with this kind of pet, who can be really restless and messy in the house. Besides, the cage will have to also depend on the kind of parrot breed that you have.

For instance, breeds that are bigger will of course need a bigger cage. This will not only ensure their safety but also your things safety as parrots can get really wild when they are out of their cages. They will claw on your sofa and chew on everything that they can get their hands on.

Information On Buying Your Parrot A Cage : How big will it be?

The size is one of the most important consideration when buying a cage. You don’t just buy a size that will fit the current size of your pet parrot, you will also have to think about the other things that you have to put in there. Will he be able to move freely? Will he be able to fit in there when he grows?

Owners actually recommend that you buy the largest that you can find on the market. Some pet shops will recommend some cage sizes but remember that these are minimum sizes. If you want your pet to be comfortable and have peace of mind (which will also leave you with a peace of mind), then buy something bigger.

Also, make sure that the cage you will buy have bars that your parrot will not be able to get through. For instance, for large parrots, spacing that are wide can be good to minimize the feeling of being caged in but try to also see if they can fit into it. Small spaces in between bars are recommended for parrots that are small like doves and finches.

Information On Buying Your Parrot A Cage : What’s the shape?

Although some people think that the shape of the cage is purely for aesthetic pleasure. It is not. The shape of the cages will depend on the kind of parrot that you have. For instance, if you have a small parrot, they will be doing some flying from side to side so the length of the cage is more important than the height.

The case is not the same with large parrots, which need the height of the cage for climbing, stretching and playing. Still, you also have to make sure that the width of the cage is enough for the parrot.

About the Author

This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included. For more information on Pet Parrot & other useful information, please visit pet-parrot.articlekeep.com

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Make Your Own Parrot Toys - Keep Your Parrot Happy

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 22:05:17 GMT

A parrot with toys is a happy bird! Birds need to be taught to entertain themselves. A good place to start is with toys. Toys can help in keeping their beak nice and trim but also aid in preventing behavioral issues such as screaming, biting, and plucking. Toy-making can be relaxing and also can be quality time spent with your flock while making their toys. Let them be your guide. Knowing your bird is a big part of it. Analyzing what their likes and dislikes are. My birds like excitement in their toys!! Makes toy making for me all the merrier

It is always good to rotate your toys periodically. Rotating toys every other week will help pattern your bird to readily accept new toys without fear, and helps them to retain interest in toys that were stored. Keep an eye on toys and check them daily to ensure they are in tact, safely attached to the cage and no loose parts. When giving your bird a new toy, watch to see if he/she is chewing or eating the toys. Remove the toy if your bird is eating the parts. Watch for the fraying of material or rope and cut it back immediately. Your bird could get entangled (leg, wing, or their toe). Close supervision is always highly recommended.

Make Your Own Parrot Toys : Playbox

Utilizing a spare Food Cup that affixes to the side of the cage (near a perch or on the bottom), fill the toy box with toy parts. Wood toy parts (rings, spools, shapes, blocks, etc), small strands of bird safe vegetable tanned leather and cotton rope, marbella beads and rings. Remember to use the right size toy part for your bird. Never give a Parakeet toy part to a Macaw or an African Grey and visa versa.

I can not express enough the enjoyment my flock has with their toy box. Oliver, my eldest Grey, had the attention span of about 10 seconds. He literally spends **hours** playing in his toy box. He takes two parts at a time and tries to fit one inside the other. This also aided in keeping his mind occupied pro-actively and made time spent in his cage more enjoyable.

Make Your Own Parrot Toys : Toy Parts (wood/acrylic)

Who knows their birds best? You do! You are their moms and dads. You are closest to them and know their likes and dislikes.

Always be sure to purchase bird safe products. Never using painted or lacquered wood parts (certain paints/lacquers contain zinc and other harmful chemicals/additives). A helpful tip would be to order a few items if you are not sure your bird companion would enjoy it as much as we would like them to.

It is my opinion, dyed toy parts are more for humans than it is for birds. However, birds that are already accustomed to colored toy parts may need more "convincing’ but can be patterned to like the undyed toy parts easily. Dye free toys are a natural stimulus to birds and are readily accepted by birds. It is my experience, that phobic/inhibited birds shy away from colored toys. You can save yourself a lot of time and energy by not coloring wooden parts. Please take note when your bird is chewing dyed wood, some of it may be ingested. Warning: Never use flavorings to color your toys. This will encourage them to eat the wood parts.

Some safe woods are: Pine, Maple, Apple, Arbutus, Aspen, Beech, Birch, Cactus, Cottonwood, Crabapple, Dogwood, Elm, Hawthorn, Larch, Manzanita, Ash, Poplar, Willow, Ribbonwood, Grapevine wood. Warning: Never use pressure treated woods or Oak.

Helpful Tip: Popsicle Sticks can be purchased at Craft Stores. They are very handy easy toys and can be used to distract your bird. For small to medium sized birds only.

Make Your Own Parrot Toys : Vegetable Tanned Leather

Shop around and find a place that has the right type of leather. There are various widths and thickness of vegetable tanned leather strips. Be sure to purchase what is most suitable for your bird and the size of the hole that is drilled. Be sure it is bird safe leather and not treated with any chemicals or dyes.

Make Your Own Parrot Toys : 100% Cotton Rope

There are several different types of rope. Two popular types are solid braided rope and twisted rope. Some are harder to find than others. Some birds enjoy unraveling the rope, then they can preen it. Be sure all the frayed ends are trimmed so that your bird does not get caught. Warning: Unraveled rope poses as a serious threat to birds. As the rope frays it becomes a trap for your bird. Ensure the rope is 100% cotton. Any alternatives are not considered bird safe.

Make Your Own Parrot Toys : Cotton Material

100% Cotton Material can be cut into short strips and tied onto toys to encourage preening. Colored material can be purchased and using a Pinking Shear will discourage fraying but always be sure to trim the frayed ends back daily.

Make Your Own Parrot Toys : Toy Attachments

Quick links are the most common form of attaching toys. Parrots are naturally inquisitive, always be sure to check that Quick Links are always secured tightly to the cages. Some folks like to utilize leather strips and cotton rope to affix toys to cages and playstands. With my flock, I am in the habit of attaching toys half in and outside the cage. This way if they happen to be on top their cage playing they have toys inside and out (two toys in one). Remember: stainless steel is the best method and is zinc free. Brass and some quick links contain zinc. Be sure to ask for stainless steel to ensure they are bird-safe.

Not Recommended: Key Chain Rings, Clips. Birds can get their beaks and/or talon nails caught in them.

Make Your Own Parrot Toys : Chains

Chains come in various sizes and metals. Same as quick links. They come in various sizes. Always buy the right size for your bird. Too large or too small can be harmful. Be wary of chains made of brass or zinc. Zinc poses a serious threat to birds. Stainless steel is zinc free.

Make Your Own Parrot Toys : Sisal Rope/Jute

Similar to cotton rope, sisal rope comes in various widths. Be sure to know your source when purchasing it. Some places that sell Sisal/Jute may apply chemicals and/or harmful oils in the processing. Take note if the rope has a smell to it, it may be harmful to your avian companion.

Things to avoid: Colored Magazines and Colored Newspapers, Felt, Toothbrushes, Cardboard, Toilet Paper and, Paper Towel Cardboard Tubes, Plastic Bags, Cellophane and Plastic Coated Wires. For a more in depth look at toy safety, read our Toys Frequently Asked Questions article.

Colored magazines contain harmful inks and chemicals, when ingested can cause harm. Cardboard and Cardboard Tubes contain harmful glues which contain Zinc. Toothbrushes contain nylon fibers and some contain lead metal parts to hold the bristles in place. Plastic Bags, Felt and Cellophane can be ingested and will not pass through bird's digestive system. It may cause a blockage and much harm to your feathered loved one.

Now the fun begins… assembling them. Be creative, let your flock be your guide. If your bird loves toys with dangling parts ~ make an octopus toy. If your bird loves thin wood parts, be sure to try 3/16" thick toy parts and measure what the proper width should be. I have found that for medium sized birds (Greys to small Cockatoos) the best width of rope is 3/16", it is easily made into knots and threading through holes. If your bird happens to love the color pink, buy some pink marbella beads to encourage him to play with it. If your bird is a bit phobic, make simple toys that have only one long string with simple parts hanging on it with knots to separate in between. Dye is not needed to attract a bird, you can accent a toy with high impact plastics like marbella or other acrylic parts.

You can also make some fun talon toys. My birds LOVE to climb around the cage with a talon toy in their beak.

Toy Tips for birds with behavioral issues: Toys can be a great distraction for birds who are bored. Take a sheet of plain white paper and a small piece of cotton rope or jute. Tie the rope around the paper and let your bird shred it. Another tip would be to thread "Leafy Green Vegetables" through the bars. Nutrition and Toy in one! Read our Foraging Toys Article for more tips. Sometimes simplicity in a toy can be fun for your bird. Take a piece of cotton rope, jute or Vegetable Tanned Leather ~ tie knots in it every 1.5 inches. This can be a toy for when you sit with your bird or in the cage. I have met some pretty great Houdini's with undoing the knots! Food for Thought: A bird interested in toys will be less likely to pluck or pick at their feathers.

Let your bird sit with you while you are making the toys. They will get extremely curious of what you are doing. Allow them to wander through the pools of toy parts (of course making sure there isn’t anything dangerous nearby like scissors, needles, plastic wrappers, etc). This will encourage them to explore the toy once it is complete and placed in their cage. P.S. Be cautious of what your birds may get into when toy-making. They are always getting their little talons into something :) As you can see from the photo to the right.

More importantly, have fun with it. I find my flock helps me relax and release up some of those built up energies of day-to-day life.

About the Author

This article is courtesy of www.itsagreysworld.com

Untold Secrets of Parrot Adoption

Sun, 03 Feb 2008 20:21:58 GMT

Parrot adoption, like all forms of adoption, is an essential service needed for parrots that need a good home. Sometimes parrots are put for adoption simply because the previous owners are unable to care for them any more be it financially or simply an issue of time to nurture the parrot.

Occasionally though the reason a parrot is put up for adoption can be more malice. There is always those select few pet owners who miss treat or neglect there pets. Like those who buy pit bulls and train them, through abuse and starvation, to be aggressive toward everyone and everything. Parrots to, occasionally are mistreated, usually through poor living conditions. These animals need the people who work for adoption service to find them a good home where they will be treated well.

Today, parrot adoption centers are connected to prospective adopters through the internet. Many of the centers have very lengthy websites containing all sorts of valuble information including detailed information about parrots as well as a list of parrots they offer for adoption.

Parrot adoption organizations are usually not for profit. Parrot adoption centers are usually formed out of the need of a certain geographic area that may have a high number of mistreated parrots, or parrots whose owners simply can't care for them any more. Thus making parrot adoption centers not only crucial in the general well being of parrots but also helps keep down the number of that are released into the wild.

Untold Secrets of Parrot Adoption : Helpful Parrot Adoption Organizations

Feathered Friends Forever Rescue/Refuge is a nonprofit avian rescue/refuge that offers a adoptions and other valuable avian adoption resources. They were established in 1998 and are known as one of the best places to find parrots for adoption.

Parrot Education and Adoption Center (PEAC) is an adoption center ran out of San Diego, CA in the United States but also has chapters in Chicago, IL, Anchorage, AK, Cleveland, OH, and Pittsburgh, PA. They are not for profit and will accept unwanted or found parrots where they will care for them until a qualified applicant is found.

Parrot Chronicles is an online magazine for parrot lovers. It offers a wide range of information from species information to pet owner stories to medical answers for parrots and include a list of adoption centers sorted by countries and states. The are known as being the premier magazine for for everything parrots.

There is of course a lot more Parrot adoption and rescue centers out there, but they are all striving for one goal, the safety and well being of all parrots alike.

About the Author

If you want to know more about everything parrots including free information, course reviews and much, much more, then please visit ParrotTrainingReview.com (Reccommended) or for more free articles all about parrots visit Parrots

Interacting With The Amazon Parrot As A Pet

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 23:47:01 GMT

More and more people want a parrot for their pet. But not everyone fully understands how complicated it is to have a parrot in your house, especially if it's an Amazon parrot. You must have a lot of patience and a lot of spare time to rightly breed and socialize your new pet. And of course, you must have a very good financial condition to properly maintain an African grey parrot in good conditions.

Interacting With The Amazon Parrot As A Pet : Early training is key

First of all you must know that Amazon parrots can be very aggressive pets. They can not be compared with cats or dogs. Why is that? Because Amazon parrots have very strong personalities. For you to have an obedient pet you must control him by setting rough rules and limitations. Of course these aspects are not true when we talk about a 3-month-old Amazon because at this age they all are sweet and cute. The attitude problems will develop later when hormonal changes will appear. This will happen when the parrot is 4 or 5 years old. The hormone level changes at this age because the parrot reaches sexual maturity. Because parrots are flock animals they will consider you their flock and will become very possessive with you and his territory if you will let him. So if your pet was not well bread when he was young, you will have lot of difficulties when he has reached his sexual maturity.

If you want to discipline your pet you must be very strict with her and you must handle the bird every day. If your pet is a baby parrot you will not have any problem handling her. You just have to be very patient at the beginning and handle him very careful every day, slowly, as to allow you to touch him all over. If your parrot is afraid of you, don't rush him. Go slowly, with patience, from where he will let you to be touched. The toes are in many cases a good place to start. One thing is for sure: he will let you to touch him when he will begin to adapt to the environment. This can take weeks. You must be very patient and not push him more than he lets you. This can be a long process. Sometimes it can take weeks until he will let you touch one toe.

When you succeed touching him every where, you must go further. If you don't want your new pet to become a one person bird, you must present him to every person in your family or friends and encourage every one to slowly touch him. In this way he will integrate perfectly in to your family. Also show him his new territory: the entire house, room by room. It is also recommended to let him alone a few times a day so that he gets used to being alone.

If he is your only bird pet, you will represent for him his new family or his new flock. You must become his new parent and show him how to behave, how to play with toys. Also, in the same time you must show him his place in the flock. As a baby the Amazon will slowly begin to chew you finger. At first it will be like a tingle but as he grows it will turn into full bites. So my advise to you is not to encourage him to bite your finger by telling him"No bite". Do not expect your Amazon to react immediately to your request. Do not forget the Amazons are very stubborn birds. You must be very convincing and very patient in the same time.

Interacting With The Amazon Parrot As A Pet : Avoiding being bitten

An Amazon parrot should also be stick trained because they have a very powerful personality and he is very hard to handle especially if is a mature parrot and is during the breeding season. In this way you will avoid some very bloody bites on your hand and arm.

You must show your Amazon parrot his place into the flock. Do not encourage him to dominate you. For example do not encourage him to climb on to your shoulder. If you will do this, your parrot will think that that is his territory and he will protect it from any person will try to approach. Also if you will want to get him off your shoulder, he will respond aggressively and even bite you from your shoulder or even worse from your eyes. So be very careful and show him who has the controls.

What You Should Know Before Buying A Pet Parrot

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 22:24:31 GMT

Parrots are great animals. In fact, as a pet, parrots can be pretty entertaining especially with children who just love their mimicry. But like other kinds of pets, parrots are not all sweetness and light. They can also be a bother especially when you are not really much into pets.

Here are some things that you have to take into consideration before buying a parrot for a pet. Read on and think long and hard about each item. Remember that parrots are not exactly cheap. Once you buy them, you won't have any choice but to take care of them.

1. What You Should Know Before Buying A Pet Parrot : Parrots are noisy

Mimicries may seem cute for a while but after several weeks of non-stop noise, it would eventually become a bother. If you are the kind of person who values your peace and quiet at home, parrots are not the pets for you. Their songs are not the same as the musical sounds that some birds make. The larger the parrot bird that you have, the louder the sound that they will produce.

Do you know that they can even scream so loud, you'd be running for cover? Your neighbors will even hear it. A normal parrot will probably scream at least two times a day. A screaming match will probably last for about five to fifteen minutes.

2. What You Should Know Before Buying A Pet Parrot : Parrots love to play with things

Remember that parrots cannot tell the difference between a wooden toy that they are allowed to play with and a priceless wooden furniture that your great great grandparents bequeath you. They can chew at it and you won't be able to do anything about it.

And sometimes, they won't even be content with furniture. They can also chew computer and electric cords, books, papers and virtually everything that they can get their claws on. Wallpapers, clothes can also be clawed on. So, be very careful.

3. What You Should Know Before Buying A Pet Parrot : Parrots can bite

They may seem docile creatures but they are actually not. Parrots can bite and they can claw. Even small birds can do this like the parakeet. And this is not just the ordinary bite that will not result to a big wound. They can actually draw blood and rip the skin.

Some who bite really hard can even break the small bones. This is not to say that parrots are mean creatures. They are just scared of people they do not yet know. Their defense mechanism is of course to bite.

Choosing The Right Parrot Food

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 21:47:18 GMT

What is the best parrot food and why? There is no single answer to this question as many different types of parrot food are good for different reasons. However it is important to find out which foods are good and why because you never know what really goes into certain products. So what are the benefits and disadvantages of particular food groups?

Choosing The Right Parrot Food : Seeds
Seeds are a great source of nutrition for parrots. They are designed especially for parrots so the ingredients are not harmful in any way. Regular seed mixes of parrot food usually contain just plain old sunflower seeds which are high in fat and it is recommended that you try to stay away from these. More expensive mixes however, contain a large variety of seeds that are highly nutritious and very beneficial to your parrots diet. It is recommended that when buying seeds, always check to see the exact content of sunflower seeds.

Choosing The Right Parrot Food : Pellets
Another type of parrot food commonly used and perhaps more nutritious than seeds are pellets. Pellets contain many more vitamins and minerals that will help your parrot stay healthy, live longer and have more overall energy. There is very little fat in most pellets found on the parrot food market but always check with someone if you are unsure of the ingredients. This type of parrot food is best mixed with fresh vegetables, which brings us to our next point.

Choosing The Right Parrot Food : Fresh Vegetables
Fresh vegetables are definitely the best type of parrot food there is. Combining vegetables with vitamin rich pellets can make a huge difference to the health of your parrot. It will give him/her a great deal more energy and vibrancy than any other type of parrot food. So go out there and buy some fresh vegetables, chop them up finely so your parrot can eat them and mix in some specially designed pellets. Changing a parrots diet can do wonders for its personality!

The last point to make note of is this, parrots are like children, they will eat anything they can get their beaks on. Some people believe that parrots are smart enough to know what is best for them to eat. Do not believe this as this is the first step to having a very unhealthy bird that will only live for half as long as it is suppose to. In the end it comes down to this, parrots must eat parrot food not human food!

Quaker Parrots - All The Amazing Secrets

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 23:24:43 GMT

The Quaker Parrot is more formally known as the Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) and is native to the temperate areas of Brazil, and Argentina. They average a twenty nine centimeter length with a forty eight centimeter wingspan and an average weight of one hundred grams with females usually 10%-20% smaller than there male counterparts.

Quaker Parrots are usually bright green with a grey to white breast. Its flight feathers are a brilliant dark blue that are very contrasted by its green upper body. They have a curved orange beak which is very common among parrots.

Quaker parrots are very intelligent birds. Like most parrots Quaker Parrots are able to 'imitate' human speech and when kept as pets they will often times develop very large vocabularies.

The Quaker Parrot was introduced to the United States from South America in the late 1960's to be sold as pets, many of these escaped into the wild or were purposefully released by bored pet owners. By the year 1995 it had colonized 15 states and holds a population in Florida believed to be 100,000 birds. Some debate, primarily in the United States, that feral Quaker parrots and harmful to crops and resident species, this however is an ongoing debate with few conclusive answers. If damage did occur it would most likely be light.

Because of there intelligence and rather small stature Quaker Parrots make great small cage pets. They are also very popular as pets so more than likely your local pet store will have some for a reasonable price.

Some interesting facts about Quaker Parrots:

Quaker parrots are very social sometimes building colonies with one large nest. These nests can reach the size of a small car and are made almost entirely of sticks.
Quaker parrot colonies have been found as far north as New York City, Chicago, and Rhode Island, but are usually isolated to the urban enclaves of these areas.
The Quaker Parrot Lifespan is 15-30 years respectively, some say 15-25 years while others say 20-30 years, it's a wonder if a standard lifespan will ever be named.
Due to the spread of the feral populations of Quaker parrots through the spread of demand for them as pets, they can now be found wild in Europe, Bermuda, Puerto Rico, Canary Islands and Japan.
The Quaker Parrot is the only parrot that builds its nest out of sticks on tree or human structures instead of a hole in a tree.

Disadvantages Of Having Parrots For A Pet

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 19:06:57 GMT

Parrots can be pretty hard to take care of. Unlike other pets that can be left alone in their cages, parrots are restless creatures who you have to check up on a couple of times every day. Here are just some things that parrots can do to your home.

1. Disadvantages Of Having Parrots For A Pet : Parrots can be pretty messy

If you are the type that would like the house to be spotless, try to reconsider getting a parrot or any pet for that matter. Parrots can be really messy, even a small parakeet.

Their food can be flung everywhere even when they are inside the cage. Your floor can be filled up by pellets, seed, and nutshells. Sticky foods may also be plastered on the walls, on the bars of the cage and even at the ceilings. Foods will literally be everywhere.

Another problem that you may have are their poop, which you really have to clean everyday. And they are not that disciplined to only poop in one place. They actually poop everywhere, in bars, in their food dish and even with the toys that you give them. They may even poop in between bars, which may end up on the floor and sometimes even on you.

If you have a cockatiel variety or the grey breed, you will also have to contend with the powder that they have on their feathers. The feathers will stick everywhere. So, you really have to dust everyday.

Because of this, you have to scrub the cage, their dish and the whole of the area at least once a day to prevent bacteria from settling in and of course the bad smell.

2. Disadvantages Of Having Parrots For A Pet : Parrots chew on everything

Parrots love chewing wood. In fact, owners of parrots often give them wooden toys to play and chew with inside their cages. Parrots however are not satisfied with just these toys. When they get the opportunity, they will chew on everything that they get their hands on. They will puncture your clothes, your furniture, even your books.

This can be really frustrating especially if you are the type of person who wants a clean house. Parrots are not recommended in homes that have dainty and fragile furniture. They should also not be placed in areas where they can break things and chew on antiques.

Be careful with wearing jewelry because they will sure to grab it or chew it. Parrots love shiny things. They can claw the stone right out of your favorite jewelry

About the Author

By: Low Jeremy

This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included. For more information on Pet Parrot & other useful information, please visit pet-parrot.articlekeep.com

Keeping Your Parrot Happy with Safe Parrot Toys

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 13:04:12 GMT

You are the proud owner of a parrot and you are looking for a toy for your pet. The offer of parrot toys on the market is huge, so how do you know which parrot toy is safe for your pet? Because you should be aware that some of them are dangerous for pets as they may hurt them. Therefore, an important parrot care issue is its toys.

The first aspect you should take into consideration when buying a parrot toy is the size of the toy and the size of the pet. Basically the parrot toy should fit the size of your parrot. Why is that? Well, because a big size parrot is strong and can easily break a small toy into pieces which can be easily ingested by your pet. Therefore, try to avoid small parrot toys if your pet is big. You should know that nowadays there is a large array of big parrot toys which are made from thick plastic, perfect for a big strong-beaked parrot.

Keeping Your Parrot Happy with Safe Parrot Toys

Things arn't easy with small parrots either. A small size parrot can be afraid of a big toy so try to fit the size of the toy to the one of the pet. If you can't tell which parrot toy is good for your pet, look at the label or ask for more information.

Another important aspect is the type of the parrot toy. You should avoid buying parrot toys which are made out of small pieces as the parrot can remove them and, consequently digest them. Remember that a parrot has a strong beak therefore any piece which is bite-size for the parrot should not be on the toy.

A parrot toy is usually hanging on some chains. These chains can represent a possible danger for the health or life of your pet. How is this possible? Well, chains come in two types: the chains with welded links (which are safe for your parrot) and the chains with closed links (which are not safe). The parrot may try to open up the link which is not weld and its beak would get stuck in that space. The parrot may get hurt while trying to release itself. Consequently, examine carefully the chains attached to your parrot toys.

But the chains are not the only dangerous pieces of a parrot toy. Parrot toys made out of wood may also be dangerous. Therefore, wood is another important aspect to think of. Parrots are birds which love to chew wood. They do this to find bugs hidden inside the tree bark in the woods. So a parrot will always start chewing a toy made out of wood. Some types of wood are not good for parrots, so you should check the internet for a list of parrot-safe wood.

Parrots are also birds which enjoy preening and grooming. Their instinct is telling them to constantly pick or even chew their feathers. This is not a healthy habit for your pet. So you should buy a chew rope, which is a very useful parrot toy as it allows your pet to exercise its habit every day without causing any problems to itself. But pay attention to the deterioration of the toy as it gets extremely ragged and worn out. Replace it with a new toy as the clumps may cause accidents to your pet. Your parrot could catch its feet into the clumps and could get hurt while struggling to escape.

Keeping Your Parrot Happy with Safe Parrot Toys

In conclusion, there is only one rule to apply for this parrot care issues: whenever shopping for a parrot toy use the common sense rule. If you look at a parrot toy and it doesn't seem safe, don't buy it. Don't buy any parrot toys which can get ingested or which can get a foot or a beak caught inside them. And always examine the parrot toys carefully before putting them into your pet's cage.

And if your parrot is ignoring its new, shiny toy, don't worry. It doesn't hate it, it is just being cautious. Parrots don't like change, like most pets. And a new toy represents an unexpected change for their habitat. Therefore, the toy must be put under strict observation to make sure it is not a possible enemy. After two or three weeks of monitoring the intruder (the toy) the parrot will gain confidence into its new toy and it will start playing with it!

If you have a parrot and you want to know all the parrot care secrets that you need too keep him happy and healthy then you have to join us at the parrot care information center. You will find out useful things about parrot food, parrot health, parrot breeding and best parrot toys suggestions.

About the Author

Article written by Ispas Marin other articles written by Ispas Marin can be found here http://www.ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ispas_Marin

Buying a Parrot Cage

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 18:54:41 GMT

The cage is your beloved parrot's home. Any living being should have good home so you have to be sure that you can provide your parrot with the best conditions. Also if you choose the parrot cage wisely than you will avoid some parrot care problems that can appear in the future.

The parrot cage should be the largest expense after practically buying the parrot. So if you are going to spend some money then be sure to spend them on a good deal.

The parrot is going to spend a lot of time in the cage so you'll have to choose the right one for your pet. There are three parrot care issues that you should take in consideration when you are decided to buy a parrot cage. The most important parrot care issue is you bird's safety. There are many cases where parrots got injured or killed because of their cage.

I will try to discuss all this three parrot care points that you should have in mind when you are going to buy a parrot cage.

Buying a Parrot Cage : Safety

Like i already said safety is the most important thing when choosing a parrot cage. You can find Knock down cages on the market. You you buy one of those than you'll have to examine it very good to see if there are any pieces that can be easily removed by you parrot. If there are than i don't advice you to buy this kind of parrot cages because the little pieces can be swallowed by you parrot.

The majority of parrot cages i saw in pet stores are built from different metals like wire, stainless steel, zinc. From what i found so far the wire parrot cages are the most economical. but you mustn't forget to inspect the cage regularly for broken welds or broken wires.

You can find metal parrot cages at a medium prices on the market. This parrot cages are built in a variety of metals shapes and colors.

The most expensive parrot cage that you can find in your search is the Stainless steel cage. The advantages of this type of parrot cages is that they will never rust or cause metal poisoning. So i think that if you are ready to make a good deal, buying a stainless steal parrot cage would be the perfect choice. Even if it's expensive i can ensure you that you'll never have to replace it.

One important safety issue is the bar spacing. When you buy a parrot cage make sure that the bar spacing is smaller than you parrot's head. This way you can be sure that your pet's head won't get stuck between the bars.

Buying a Parrot Cage : Size

Another important aspect for a parrot cage is it's size. The best thing you can do is to go to a pet store and buy the largest parrot cage that you can find in your budget range. A big parrot cage gives more freedom to your parrot and it will have a happier life. Keep in mind that the width of the parrot cage is more important than the height. Mostly, your parrot will fly from side to side.

The components of the parrot cage is the last but not least of the important aspects when buying parrot cages. Swing out feeders are a good way to feed your parrot especially the aggressive ones.

You can also buy food dishes for you parrot cage. This accessories also come in different styles and colors.

Try to find a parrot cage that has an entry door big enough to get the bird out easily. Remember that parrots are very smart so they can learn how to open the cage doors. If this happens then you will have to take some security measures and ad some new components so the parrot won't be able to open the door anymore.

Also try to look for a parrot cage with removable litter trays. This way You will clean the cage with no effort and your bird won't reach the old left over food.

In conclusion if you want a happy and healthy parrot you must provide him with a good home. If the parrot cage meets all he parrot care aspects that i mentioned above then you can be sure that your pet will live healthy in peace.

About the Author

Article Source: www.kokkada.com

All The Facts About The African Grey Parrot

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 09:31:16 GMT

The African grey parrot is one of the most popular pet parrots available. Many people get the name of the parrot wrong and in fact spell African grey parrot as 'African gray parrot'. This is indeed wrong but if you made a mistake then don't worry about it! This article will endeavor to explain everything there is to know about the African grey parrot or the African gray parrot!

All The Facts About The African Grey Parrot: What Do They Look Like?

As you would have probably guessed already, the African grey parrot is mostly grey all over with a shade of grey around the facial region. Their beaks are generally black and they have a tinge of red underlying beneath their tails that help them to stand out from many other grey parrots. They come from the Congo region in Africa and are constantly hunters by traffickers due to the fact that they can sell for quite a lot of money in Western parts of the world.

Efforts are being made to stop this from occurring and in recent history there seems to be a reduction in the number of birds being trafficked overseas. This has also sparked a revival in their overall numbers in the wild which means things are starting to look up for the African grey.

All The Facts About The African Grey Parrot: What Are They Like To Train?

African grey parrots are one of the most brilliant breeds on Earth and are said to be one of the best speakers out of all the parrots. They have the ability to put together whole phrases and can actually learn quite fast. This is one of the major reasons why so many parrot owners choose to own African grays.

All The Facts About The African Grey Parrot: Is There Anything I Should Know Before I decide To Buy An African Grey Parrot?

Yes actually there is a lot you need to learn before you going out and buy your own. First of all you have to make sure you know where you are getting your parrot from as many of them are trafficked into the country as was discussed previously in the article. Secondly if you have no experience whatsoever in parrot handling, I would recommend starting off with a bird that is much easier to handle such as a budgie for example.

Lastly African grey parrots are animals that thrive on enthusiasm and attention. If you know you aren't going to be able to spend enough time looking after and training your parrot then do the right thing and let someone who does have a go. There are too many people out there abusing the privilege of owning such magnificent creatures just so they can tell their friends that they own a parrot. I'm not trying to put you off buying one, all I'm saying is that you need to sum up your life and make sure there is room for an African grey parrot in it and if there is, I hope you enjoy many years of great success and happiness with your parrot!

About the Author

By: Dane Stanton of www.parrottrainingreview.com

Choosing the Best Parrot Cage on the Market

Sun, 06 Jan 2008 09:46:55 GMT

The cage is your beloved parrot's home. Any living being should have good home so you have to be sure that you can provide your parrot with the best conditions. Also if you choose the parrot cage wisely than you will avoid some parrot care problems that can appear in the future.

The parrot cage should be the largest expense after practically buying the parrot. So if you are going to spend some money then be sure to spend them on a good deal.

The parrot is going to spend a lot of time in the cage so you'll have to choose the right one for your pet. There are three parrot care issues that you should take in consideration when you are decided to buy a parrot cage. The most important parrot care issue is you bird's safety. There are many cases where parrots got injured or killed because of their cage.

I will try to discuss al this three parrot care points that you should have in mind when you are going to buy a parrot cage.

Safety - Like i already said safety is the most important thing when choosing a parrot cage. You can find Knock down cages on the market. You you buy one of those than you'll have to examine it very good to see if there are any pieces that can be easily removed by you parrot. If there are than i don't advice you to buy this kind of parrot cages because the little pieces can be swallowed by you parrot.

The majority of parrot cages i saw in pet stores are built from different metals like wire, stainless steel, zinc. From what i found so far the wire parrot cages are the most economical. but you mustn't forget to inspect the cage regularly for broken welds or broken wires.

You can find metal parrot cages at a medium prices on the market. This parrot cages are built in a variety of metals shapes and colors.

The most expensive parrot cage that you can find in your search is the Stainless steel cage. The advantages of this type of parrot cages is that they will never rust or cause metal poisoning. So i think that if you are ready to make a good deal, buying a stainless steal parrot cage would be the perfect choice. Even if it's expensive i can ensure you that you'll never have to replace it.

One important safety issue is the bar spacing. When you buy a parrot cage make sure that the bar spacing is smaller than you parrot's head. This way you can be sure that your pet's head won't get stuck between the bars.

Size - another important aspect for a parrot cage is it's size. The best thing you can do is to go to a pet store and buy the largest parrot cage that you can find in your budget range. A big parrot cage gives more freedom to your parrot and it will have a happier life. Keep in mind that the width of the parrot cage is more important than the height. Mostly, your parrot will fly from side to side.

The components of the parrot cage is the last but not least of the important aspects when buying parrot cages. Swing out feeders are a good way to feed your parrot especially the aggressive ones.

You can also buy food dishes for you parrot cage. This accessories also come in different styles and colors.

Try to find a parrot cage that has an entry door big enough to get the bird out easily. Remember that parrots are very smart so they can learn how to open the cage doors. If this happens then you will have to take some security measures and ad some new components so the parrot won't be able to open the door anymore.

Also try to look for a parrot cage with removable litter trays. This way You will clean the cage with no effort and your bird won't reach the old left over food.

In conclusion if you want a happy and healthy parrot you must provide him with a good home. If the parrot cage meets all he parrot care aspects that i mentioned above then you can be sure that your pet will live healthy in peace.

Looking for great information on parrot care problems? Then you must visit us at the best parrot care site on the Net and don't forget to check our parrot cages section.

About the Author

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African Grey Parrot Einstein Talking Up A Storm

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 18:28:03 GMT

African Grey parrots are not the most colorful among parrots of the world, as the name indicates. Whether your African Grey is of the Congo or Timneh subspecies, the bird will be predominantly grey in color. The Congo African Grey will have a bright, cherry red tail, while the Timneh African Grey's tail will be maroon.

African Grey parrots are very intelligent. It has been said that they have an intellect similar to that of dolphins and chimpanzees. African Grey parrots have the ability to mimic up to 2,000 different sounds. They can understand the use of many words they learn, and are known to be the best talking parrots.

Einstein, a talking African Grey, is living proof of this. Einstein has been talking up a storm in a Knoxville, Tennessee zoo. Einstein's trainer, Stephanie White, says that it is natural for African Grey parrots to enjoy mimicking sounds. Einstein, though, seems exceptionally good at mimicking. White believes Einstein can make more than 200 different sounds, many of which are English words.

"If she hears a sound that she likes, she'll start to repeat it over and over. Then we'll put it on cue," says White.

Is Einstein Male or Female? : African Grey Parrot Einstein Talking Up A Storm

African Grey parrots of both sexes look the same, so no one knows whether Einstein is male or female. The zoo's veterinarians could tell with a blood test, but the zoo has decided not to do it. Einstein lives happily with the name of a great male scientist, and a feminine pronoun.

Einstein - a Talking African Grey's Bio : African Grey Parrot Einstein Talking Up A Storm

Einstein, the talking African Grey parrot, hatched in California in 1987. He did not live in a zoo at first. He lived with a California couple. Not for sale, the Congo African Grey was donated to the Zoo in 1992 at age 5.

When Einstein arrived at the Knoxville Zoo, she soared from unknown African Grey parrot to star status. Einstein was an immediate hit in the zoo's new Bird Show. Visitors loved the show, which features free-flight, natural behaviors of about 14 birds and a few other animals. However, the African Grey quickly became the star.

Einstein does not stay at the zoo every day. Nor does she limit her vocabulary to words and sounds her trainers want her to learn. One day, the African Grey was riding in a car on the way to a school show-and-tell. Suddenly, she began to sing "Happy Birthday" to her shocked trainers. No one knew when and how she learned the song, but she knew it.

Einstein is not only the star of Knoxville Zoo's Bird Show. She is also a popular "spokesbird" for the zoo and for Knoxville tourism.

Although Einstein is about 22 years old as I write this (early 2007), she will never behave or understand as a 22-year old human. African Grey parrots have the intellectual capacity of a 5-year old child. Emotionally, they are more like a 2-year old human. Those who live with African Grey parrots are constantly reminded of this.

African Grey - the Right Pet for You? : African Grey Parrot Einstein Talking Up A Storm

Einstein, the talking African Grey is amazing. You should be aware, however, that not all African Greys are like Einstein. The Knoxville Zoo has another African Grey parrot named Allie. Allie has learned only a handful of words. Perhaps Allie is shy of talking because Einstein is so good. Perhaps Allie is just not motivated.

Certainly many African Grey parrots do learn to talk. A privately-owned, 10-year old African Grey in Texas – also named Einstein - is credited with knowing 122 words, 94 phrases, and 21 sounds.

If you purchase an African Grey parrot, and patiently work with it, you will probably be able to teach it to talk.

How To Train Your Parrot To Stop Biting

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 11:08:21 GMT

"Why is my parrot biting me?"

This is a question asked every day by parrot owners who thought they would never own a bird that bites.

Once you have been bit, it is hard to return comfortably to the biter. At least that's what most people say. It does take a positive mind set and it is best to return with some understanding of the parrot's needs.

Common Causes For Biting : How To Train Your Parrot To Stop Biting

Consider what may be happening from the bird's point of view. Has there been a change in their environment? Is there something in the parrot's recent or distant past that scared him or caused him not to trust you or other humans? Are there unexpected noises or sudden movements when the biting occurs? Could the parrot be jealous of someone or something at the time? Could the bird be angry at you, someone else in the room or even a situation?

Most of the time, the bird will warn you by giving you clues with their body language. The problem is, we don't always speak parrot so we don't recognize the clue they are trying to send to warn us.

Depending on the parrot, they may fluff up their feathers and slightly raise their wings while pining their eyes, they may make a particular noise that sounds like growling or hissing, they may scream, they may open their beak and lunge a warning, and some will just run away.

Besides considering the above, you have to consider the possibility that when one of the things above has happened that the biting behavior has been reinforced by improper responses. The biting may have become a habit that you have to break.

Fear : How To Train Your Parrot To Stop Biting

Fear is the most common reason a bird will attack. You must consider the environment from the parrot's perspective. They don't think like humans and they don't understand our language for us to explain to them why things are the way they are. They didn't ask to come live with us, so the burden is on us to accommodate them.

There are many obvious reasons your parrot could be afraid. A common reason would be if you just brought the bird home and it doesn't know you or where it is. It could be afraid because it was abused or ignored in its previous home or worse, homes.

Imagine someone coming and taking you to their giant home and a bunch of big and little giants moving about your cage, making noises in all kinds of decibels and pitches. They even stare at you and try to put their giant claws on you! Nothing in your cage is the same. The look and smell of this home is even different. And maybe you were hurt by one or more of these giant looking creatures in the past. Are you going to be comfortable? Might you be scared??

Now there is a similarity in humans and parrots in that there are no two alike. Just as some people are outgoing and some are shy. Some people are nervous and scared of everything, and some seem to be brave from birth.

You can help the brave child learn to make wise decisions and respect others, and you can help the nervous child to come outside of themselves and enjoy life, but the core personality will always be there.

We have to do the same with our parrots. We have to help them see the world differently, but we can't make them change their core being. We can train them and encourage proper responses to their environment, but we have to respect them in the process.

Frustration : How To Train Your Parrot To Stop Biting

Many parrots bite because they are frustrated. They want attention and you aren't giving it to them. Maybe they want to play or eat and you won't leave them alone. You may have trained them to be in a particular routine and now you have changed it.

They may be bored in their cage and would like out to play or be with you. Make sure you allow your parrot time out of its cage and give the bird quality attention daily, just like you would want if you were the one locked up in a cage all day. This is even more important if your parrot only has human friends.

There are more possibilities than I will mention. You need to spend the time to figure it out. You owe it to the parrot that you forced into your home. Always keep that in mind.

Hormones : How To Train Your Parrot To Stop Biting

You can sit and think about this one. Both humans and animals have hormonal times, and they all have them at different ages. Some people have more personality difficulties during those times than others. I won't get personal here; just ponder it if you will. Will you accept that your parrot has to go through this too? How did or do you like to be treated when you are going through an emotional time? Enough said??? OK

If your parrot screams because he wants you and then lunges because he's whacked out, then be sweet and talk nicely or give him his favorite treat when he has calmed down. Don't reward the bad behavior, but don't punish the bird for being hormonal. Keep up the relationship as best you can. It won't last forever.

Molting : How To Train Your Parrot To Stop Biting

In order to get you to put yourself in this one, let's pretend that you have to get new teeth every few months. You may not remember how uncomfortable it is for teeth to come in, but you probably have been around a baby that was teething. Again, some take it better than others. Some like their gums rubbed and some don't want you within ten feet of them. Actually they cry because they want you and then they cry because you come. I have never molted, but it does NOT look comfortable. Let's give these guys a little break if they are grumpy.

"Teething" or rather Beaking : How To Train Your Parrot To Stop Biting

Young parrots will often go through a stage where they beak everything. They don't know what we feel when they beak us. We have to communicate to them that it hurts and encourage them not to bite or beak us.

Don't allow your parrot to nibble when it is young and you will deter biting when they are old. There are many ways to deter this behavior.

When my Green Cheeked Conure nibbles me, I squeak like he does when I touch one of his pin feathers coming in that is sensitive. This doesn't work for my husband, because he can't squeak, his voice isn't high enough. He gives the little guy the "earthquake" instead. (The "earthquake" is a very gentle movement of the finger or arm that distracts the bird.)

Now if your little buddy likes the "earthquake" routine, he will bite just to get the ride. You will have to try one of the many other methods.

Some people blow in their faces, I personally don't like that one, but some say it works for them. If you keep a chew toy with you, you can tell them "no" and encourage them to bite the toy. Mine doesn't usually want the toy, he likes the way my finger or neck feels, so this doesn't work for me. He can be distracted by food however.

Make sure you aren't teaching the bird that if he bites you he gets a toy or food! We are talking about a bird that is exploring their environment, not biting you for attention.

Don't give up too fast on any method you choose. Some parrots take a long time to change, again just like kids and adults. Some parrots are more stubborn than others. Patience, love and understanding is the key here.

Selfishness : How To Train Your Parrot To Stop Biting

In humans, selfishness is a character flaw. In parrots however, it is just what they are. We can not expect them to act or respond like humans, even though they do sometimes.

If your parrot is trying to communicate to you "I don't want to come to you, I'm busy right now" then leave him alone unless you have to interact with him. Watch his body language and respect his wishes.

If you miss the signal and he bites you, then try not to react in an excited way. Stay calm and speak sternly. If you entertain the bird with your response, he might selfishly choose this entertainment more often. Think about it.

We put our parrots back in their cage, shut the door and walk out of the room. Some people cover the cage too. My cage takes so long to cover that he would probably forget why he's in there by the time I could get it covered.

If they aren't screaming for our return, we come back in a few minutes and give them another chance...if they want one. We don't force them to come back out.

It is very important that you don't give the bird any attention at all during the "time out" period. Don't talk to the bird, don't look at the bird, act as if the bird doesn't exist. When the time out period is over, give your bird a chance to do something right and reward him. Even if it is that he quit screaming or that he came to the side of the cage when you talked to him.

NEVER EVER hit your parrot or sling your parrot when it bites! It can harm your parrot both physically and emotionally. The bird may never trust you or like you again. He may have a hard time trusting any human again.

If your parrot likes you but bites others, you can help the parrot accept the other person. When your parrot attempts to bite or in fact does bite the other person, you be the one that disciplines them. They don't care if the other person dislikes them, but they do want to please you.

Conclusion : How To Train Your Parrot To Stop Biting

Take the time to study your parrot and learn the nature of its personality. Study its body language and learn its moods. Be sensitive to when they need attention and when they need time alone. Give them the opportunity to just be with you and not have to interact with you if that is what they want.

Take the time to expose your parrot, slowly, to new people, places, objects, sounds and environments. It is unlikely that a parrot that will live 20 to 80 years will never have to leave home or have a different routine. Help your beloved parrot now to prepare for the unexpected changes later.

About the Author

Articles Source - Free Articles

About the Author Tracie has an informational parrot website and discount supply store for parrot lovers. See pictures and read stories written by parrot owners.

Drop by http://www.parrot-and-conure-world.com to read information on most species and view her extensive Parrot Comparison Chart. Send her your companion parrot pictures and stories to her site. Who knows how many birds you will save from being re-homed!

Choosing Safe Parrot Toys

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 16:24:57 GMT

You are the proud owner of a parrot and you are looking for a toy for your pet. The offer of parrot toys on the market is huge, so how do you know which parrot toy is safe for your pet? Because you should be aware that some of them are dangerous for pets as they may hurt them. Therefore, an important parrot care issue is its toys.

The first aspect you should take into consideration when buying a parrot toy is the size of the toy and the size of the pet. Basically the parrot toy should fit the size of your parrot. Why is that? Well, because a big size parrot is strong and can easily break a small toy into pieces which can be easily ingested by your pet. Therefore, try to avoid small parrot toys if your pet is big. You should know that nowadays there is a large array of big parrot toys which are made from thick plastic, perfect for a big strong-beaked parrot.

Things aren’t easy with small parrots wither. A small size parrot can be afraid of a big toy so try to fit the size of the toy to the one of the pet. If you can’t tell which parrot toy is good for your pet, look at the label or ask for more information.

Another important aspect is the type of the parrot toy. You should avoid buying parrot toys which are made out of small pieces as the parrot can remove them and, consequently digest them. Remember that a parrot has a strong beak therefore any piece which is bite-size for the parrot should not be on the toy.

A parrot toy is usually hanging on some chains. These chains can represent a possible danger for the health or life of your pet. How is this possible? Well, chains come in two types: the chains with welded links (which are safe for your parrot) and the chains with closed links (which are not safe). The parrot may try to open up the link which is not weld and its beak would get stuck in that space. The parrot may get hurt while trying to release itself. Consequently, examine carefully the chains attached to your parrot toys.

But the chains are not the only dangerous pieces of a parrot toy. Parrot toys made out of wood may also be dangerous. Therefore, wood is another important aspect to think of. Parrots are birds which love to chew wood. They do this to find bugs hidden inside the tree bark in the woods. So a parrot will always start chewing a toy made out of wood. Some types of wood are not good for parrots, so you should check the internet for a list of parrot-safe wood.

Parrots are also birds which enjoy preening and grooming. Their instinct is telling them to constantly pick or even chew their feathers. This is not a healthy habit for your pet. So you should buy a chew rope, which is a very useful parrot toy as it allows your pet to exercise its habit every day without causing any problems to itself. But pay attention to the deterioration of the toy as it gets extremely ragged and worn out. Replace it with a new toy as the clumps may cause accidents to your pet. Your parrot could catch its feet into the clumps and could get hurt while struggling to escape.

In conclusion, there is only one rule to apply for this parrot care issues: whenever shopping for a parrot toy use the common sense rule. If you look at a parrot toy and it doesn’t seem safe, don’t buy it. Don’t buy any parrot toys which can get ingested or which can get a foot or a beak caught inside them. And always examine the parrot toys carefully before putting them into your pet’s cage.

And if your parrot is ignoring its new, shiny toy, don’t worry. It doesn’t hate it, it is just being cautious. Parrots don’t like change, like most pets. And a new toy represents an unexpected change for their habitat. Therefore, the toy must be put under strict observation to make sure it is not a possible enemy. After two or three weeks of monitoring the intruder (the toy) the parrot will gain confidence into its new toy and it will start playing with it!

About the Author

Article Source: www.kokkada.com

Home Hazards For African Greys

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 14:31:04 GMT

Home Hazards For African Greys : Water

Water can be a big hazard also such as an open toilet, washing up bowl/sink, saucepan full of food/water, bath tubs, fish tanks...An African grey that is allowed to fly around the house could easily fall into any of these and can drown as they can not swim treat them as a toddler and keep all hazards out of the way so they don't get hurt or die.

Home Hazards For African Greys : Household plants

Household plants can also be very toxic to your African Grey that are found about the house these include Daffodil and Iris bulbs ,Poison ivy, Dieffenbachia, Tulip, Philodendron, Sanseveria (or Mother-in-law-tongue),Christmas cactus, Poinsettia, Oleander a couple to look out for around Christmas that you may bring into your home are Holly berries and Mistletoe. Safe plants that are very common in the house are Spider plants also most ferns are safe for parrots, best rule to follow is if your unsure do not let your parrot near the plant better to be safe than sorry! .This is just a very small list of toxic and safe plants and you will find many more on the lists.

Home Hazards For African Greys : Chemical pesticides / Insecticides

Chemical pesticides / Insecticides such as Flea Bombs, Fertilizers, Fungicides. Cleaning solvents, Aerosol Sprays of any kind, Air Fresheners, Carpet Fresheners, Oven Cleaners, Furniture Polish, Tub & Tile Cleaners, Cleaning Supplies, Bleach and Ammonia fumes, Oil-based Paint and paint product fumes If you are re-painting a room make sure you take the parrot out of the room and don't bring them back in until the room has been aired and the smell of the fumes has gone completely. The same applies to Spray-on Deodorants, Hair Spray, Perfumes/aftershaves, do not have your parrot in the bathroom if you are spraying any product and anything that gives off fumes can cause problems for your parrot and sometimes can even kill your parrot so keep everything away from your parrot and keep rooms well aired that you are using sprays or bleach in and your parrot as far away as possible.

Home Hazards For African Greys : Cigarette, Cigar, and Pipe smoke

Cigarette, Cigar, and Pipe smoke, Marijuana smoke, Nicotine on hands and clothing, any smoke and fumes can be dangerous to parrots. If you have Nicotine on hands this can cause contact dermatitis, especially foot problems which would get the most contact with the nicotine on your clothes/hands also Ingesting tobacco products or Marijuana can make birds sick so if you have to smoke makes sure you do it outside or in a well ventilated room as far away from the parrot as possible.

Home Hazards For African Greys : Plug-in Air Fresheners

Plug-in Air Fresheners can be toxic to your parrot as they give off vapours from the oils which can be toxic to your parrot or even fatal Scented Candles, Incense, Potpourri also have the same effect and best avoided

Home Hazards For African Greys : Burning rubber or plastic

Burning rubber or plastic and non-stick cooking utensils are all dangerous to parrots as they give off deadly fumes.

Home Hazards For African Greys : Non stick pans

Non stick pans like Teflon T-fall and other non-stick coating used in Cookware, Bread Makers, Stove Drip Pans, Irons, Ironing Board Covers and other household appliances like hair dryers, irons/curlers all become deadly to parrots when the get over heated as they can give off fumes which are toxic and can be fatal to birds. You best to stick to the normal non stick cookware might mean a little more work cleaning them but much safer for your feathered friend.

Home Hazards For African Greys : Electrical cords

Electrical cords need to be away from parrots as they love to chew everything in there reach and a cable is just as much fun as one of there toys in your parrots cage, they can kill your bird if it chews the cable so best kept away from them.

Home Hazards For African Greys : Other pets in the house

Other pets in the house such as Cat’s and Dogs should be watched with your parrot and NOT left alone with your parrot at any time as they could cause your parrot serious injury or even death.

Home Hazards For African Greys : Windows, patio doors

Windows, patio doors are dangerous in two ways your parrot could fly into them and do themselves serious injury and it can even be fatal as they do not see them and think they can fly through them, also if they are left open your parrot can fly away and be at all sorts of danger from the big outside world, i lost my family pet grey Reggie this way but was very lucky to have him returned by a very honest lady who lived 25 miles away! Keep windows and doors closed or your parrot away when they are open.

Above are just some of the things i can think of that may help you, but that is no way a full complete list and should only be referred to as a small guide to dangerous items, you will find many more in books and on websites, you should always have to hand the number of a local Avian vet to you and directions on how to get there and a small towel, a pet carrier to take your parrot there in should you have to rush your bird to the vets, having these to hand means you can get there much quicker.

About the Author

Written by Paula Dansie of African Grey Parrot Centre

This article may be duplicated in its full state but the above link must be retained, if this article is found duplicated anywhere on the web without the link preserved then legal action will be taken and your ISP will be contacted.

Six things to consider before buying a parrot

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 12:00:00 GMT

1. How much will the bird cost?

The price of a parrot varies in large bounds in dependence with the species. You can buy for example a budgie for less than £10. The price of the cockatiel varies between £15 and £25. An Amazonian parrot and grey parrot can be purchased for about £300 - £600, cockatoo for £500 ...... and the price of some parrots reaches £8,000! This is one of the initial questions which you have to answer.

2. How much space will the bird need? : Six things to consider before buying a parrot

Larger birds and even some of the small ones are very active physically and need big cages and space in which to play.

3. Is there any free time for the bird? : Six things to consider before buying a parrot

Probably this is the most important question. Birds are intelligent, playful and mostly "social" creatures. Will you have time to play with your bird? To care properly of it? Will it have the chance to be a part of your family? Consider the fact that birds live fairly long. A small parrot cockatiel lives for 20 years and more! Amazona or African grey parrot can live for 50, 60 and there are documented cases for birds that lived up to the respectable age of 100 years! Can you devote to this? It is not unusual to inherit birds for previous generations. Don't buy a bird if you think that you will soon get bored of it.

4. How noisy is the bird? Will the neighbours murmur? : Six things to consider before buying a parrot

Budgies and cockatiel are comparatively quiet. They are suitable to look after in a flat. Moluxco cockatoo could live in flat just if you have neighbors around you and six floors above / below you that like listening screams to cracking their ear - drums. The African grey parrot tends to be one of comparatively non-noisy parrots. Certainly, there are individual differences between birds. Somewhere there could be cockatoo, that don ' t make noisy to heaven. If really there could be found such, an enterprising person could make a fortune of it. Remember that noise is a subjective and relative sensation. A bird can be considered as "non-noisy" only at the background of another one,considered as noisy.

5. How "destructive" could a bird be? : Six things to consider before buying a parrot

Do you possess peerless old furniture? Rare books? Remember that these birds have strong beaks,. Some of them are less inclined to "nibbling" than others, but nibbling is completely natural behaviour for them.

6. Does the parrot need special food? : Six things to consider before buying a parrot

Lory parrots, for example, need a specialized diet. Do you have an opportunity and means to provide it? Once you have made a preliminary investigation and have decided what kind of parrot you want, you can go looking for it and buy it. NEVER, NEVER BUY A PARROT IMPULSIVELY!

About the Author

Article Source: www.kokkada.com

Caring For Your Pet Parrot

Sat, 29 Dec 2007 14:02:57 GMT

Parrots are a lot different from dogs and cats as pets. Unlike dogs and cats, parrots do not need blowdrys or spa treatments. Grooming a parrot should maintain clipped nails and wings and a beak in perfect shape.

Parrots are a lot different from dogs and cats as pets. Unlike dogs and cats, parrots do not need blowdrys or spa treatments. Grooming a parrot should maintain clipped nails and wings and a beak in perfect shape. But this is not something easy to do. A pet parrot owner should be trained by a professional avian veterinarian to make sure that they know what they are doing. If not, never attempt on grooming your parrot because it might cause serious injuries.

Caring For Your Pet Parrot: Beak

Be cautious certain types of conditions like an upper or lower beak growing off to the side is one. This can be defect acquired during birth or an injury from an accident. Cleaning and caring the beak might prove to be difficult in such a condition. Some illnesses might also cause problems in growing your parrot's beak such as mite or fungal infections.

Caring For Your Pet Parrot: Nails

The first thing to know in cutting your parrot's toenails is to identify the desired length that the nails should be cut. For this procedure, you will need an effective bird holder or a method of safe restraint, a cutting device and a styptic powder. Never attempt to cut the nails if you are unsure and not properly trained to do it. In case you are, you will only get used to the right length as time progresses. The cutting device should be appropriate to the size of your parrot. For smaller ones, human nail trimmers will do but for larger ones, a pet nail trimmers or the guillotine-style nail trimmer is most appropriate. If in any case you cause your parrot's toenail to bleed, be ready with the styptic powder but be cautious because this is very painful when applied to an open wound so you have to restrict your parrot from moving wildly effectively.

Nails are important to be cut because this can cause injury to your parrot. Long toenails might get caught in rugs, carpets, toys and cages and can be the cause of a broken toe.

Caring For Your Pet Parrot: Wings

A properly clipped parrot's wings can prevent a serious injury to your pet parrot. In an attempt to fly during play sessions, parrots can avoid falling to the ground hard with correct clipped wings. Not only that they will also not be prone to serious wing, leg and head injury because of crashing into doors, mirrors, windows and ceiling fans.

True, full-winged parrots are very nice to look at and add to the beauty of the parrot but keep in mind that your parrot is a pet and not left out in the wild where they can boast off their wings while looking for food, flying to safety, protecting their young and shelter or finding companionship. You would not want your parrot to wander and fly off just like that would you! So be sure to trim the wings of your parrot and trim it correctly. Never attempt to trim the wings for the purpose of style and wild appearance because this might cause your parrot to fall hard on the ground and go circles in the air. Aim for wings that will help your bird flutter harmlessly to the ground.

Caring For Your Pet Parrot: Feeding your parrot

Like in grooming, perhaps the one important thing you have to keep in mind is that your parrot is a pet and you do not compare or imitate the lifestyle of the parrot in the wild because the environment is totally different.

In feeding the parrot, you have to make a total conversion of the parrot's diet. Do not be carried away by books or petshop owners who are saying that seeds are the best diet your parrot could ever have.

Parrots like humans need to have a well-balanced diet. Seeds are great for wild parrots because they are high in fat and protein. But wild parrots activities are not similar to pet parrots. Wild parrots get much exercise out there, flying here and there to look for food and find a shelter. They need all the weight, energy and fats they can get to do these activities. Pet parrots just stay home and only get exercise during very limited time of play sessions.

The acceptable diet to home-bound parrot pets is 70-80 percent "pelleted" diet and with the remaining 20-30 percent composition of fruits and veggies diet. It will also help if you go and ask your avian vet to make you a list of foods to avoid by your parrot. Some examples are raw onions, guacamole, chocolate or any milk products, avocado and rhubarb.

Caring For Your Pet Parrot: Cages and accessories

Parrots need a big cage so that they can have enough space to swing their wings fully and cling and hang as much as they want to. The best cages are those that are made of stainless steel, no paint chip off or rust that your bird might feed on. Plus they are great for cleaning considerations. They can be easily cleaned by a bleach solution and rinsed.

Feeding bowls that are stainless steel are ideal too. The perch should be thicker in size so that your bird can avoid toenail injuries and do not feed on it.

Caring For Your Pet Parrot: Parrot safety

Having a parrot at home means you have to make your home much safer for your bird companion. Toxic fumes released by appliances with non-stick surfaces are deadly for your pet parrot. So use them with caution or do not use them at all. Other dangerous household items that can cause serious damage to your parrots are scented candles, incense, cigarette smoke, cooking smoke, sprays, aerosol fumes and carpet powders, metals made of lead and zinc, toxic plants, electrical cords, hot and boiling foods and other pets.

Make sure that you have all the necessary information from your avian veterinarian before having a pet parrot. Ask him for a list of things you need to remember and avoid while having a bird companion. It may not be easy but you will get the hang of it later on.

About the Author

Lee Dobbins writes for http://pet-birds.pet-breeds.com where you can learn about parrots and other pet birds.