Caring for your Parrot

Here you will find some basic rules for caring for your parrot. We don't claim to be the last authority and if you are considering bringing a bird into your family for the first time we suggest that you peruse all the information you can find on the subject of the care and health of your bird. Subscribing to a magazine that is dedicated to Parrot care, like 'Bird Talk' is also highly recommended.

The Bird's Room

Think of your Parrot's cage as the bird's room. This is the place where your bird can retreat when he needs to take a nap, wants to entertain himself or simply wants a little privacy. It's also the safe haven that he must spend his time in when his human family cannot supervise him outside of his room. Parrots are very curious creatures and can (will!) get into things that are potentially dangerous, so all time outside the cage must be supervised in the same manner that we supervise our toddlers while they are exploring their world. It's your responsibility to make sure that his cage is safe as well as an interesting place to spend some time in.

The following are guide lines to purchasing a safe cage that is appropiate for your parrot.

Cage size for a hand tame Poicephalus can be a bit smaller than what an untame bird would like. This is because they are not likely to feel intimidated by nearby humans and because they will spend time outside of the cage. We recommend a cage of about 20 X 20 X 28 inches with horizontal bars. Bar spacing should be 3/4 inches to avoid injuries. Smaller birds(quakers or cockatiels for instance) will need the bars spaced closer together. Basically, you want to make sure the bird cannot stick his head out between the bars which could cause stranglation.

The cage should be made of non-corrosive metal like steel, or chrome plated. Powder- coated cages are generally safe. Keep in mind that Parrot's can remove and possibly eat paint from the bars of a painted cage, so make sure that a painted cage is not painted with a toxic paint. Shiney welded wire has zinc in the coating and this is toxic. You can render a shiney welded wire cage safe by scrubbing it with a strong detergent and wire brush or by leaving it outside, exposed to the elements until it becomes dull. Wooden cages are useless and will be broken out of in record time. Make sure the cage bars are strong enough that the bird cannot bend or break them.

The cage should be easy to clean with a removable tray and grate.

Toys, like daily attention, are very important for your Parrot's mental and emotional health. Parrot's are very intelligent and keeping some safe toys in the cage will help them to avoid boredom.

Having various sized perches will help keep the Parrot's feet in good condition. Make sure that none of the perches are too big around for the bird to grip. It is important that the perches are sturdy and attached in such a manner that they do not wobble. Giving a baby bird an unsturdy or wobbly perch can cause the bird to become fearful of falling.

Keep the cage in a place that will help the bird feel safe and secure. Most hand tame poicephalus prefer to be able to watch their human family. However a heavy traffic area could promote nervousness as the bird is continually surprised by people suddenly walking into the room. A cage placed where they can watch the area from a safe distance is a good idea. Against a wall (open spaces don't feel safe) across the room from entrances where they can see whats going on usually suites a companion parrot just fine.

Cleanliness

Cleanliness is important for your bird's good health, just like it is for any other creature(humans included). Change the paper in the cage tray often. Parrots tend to wipe their beaks off on thier perches and cage bars so scrub these surfaces with a mild detergent(be sure to rinse) and wire brush whenever they become soiled. Wash and scrub the food and water cups daily. A Parrot is very intelligent and will quickly learn that you are taking care of his room. He may show his appreciation by making contented sounds(like little kissey noises). He will put this together very quickly if his cage is kept in an area where he can see you cleaning other parts of the house.

Many birds enjoy a nice bath. This is very important for their feather condition and overall health. Provide your bird with a shallow dish of water that is large enough for him to bathe in. Some birds like a gentle spraying with a fine mister and some larger parrots even enjoy having a perch in the family shower. The Poicephalus species are too small to handle the pressure of a shower. Some individuals do enjoy a fine mist while others are frightened by it. You'll have to get to know your bird to discover his preferences.

Nutrition

A good diet is very important to your bird's over-all health. Much research has been done on this subject over the last few decades and it's a well known fact that a seed only diet can be detramental to a parrots health. Use the following as a guide line to your parrot's diet and talk with your avain veternarian about anything that concerns you.

Pellets - Use a good, organic pelleted diet made by a manufacturer you can trust.

Fresh Food - Offer bits of fruits, vegetables and dark leafy greens(collard, chard, spinache, etc) as treats. An occasional nut or small bit of cooked(non-greasy) meat is okay too.

Water - Always have fresh, clean, non-chlorinated water available.

Avoid - Avoid chocolate and avacado as they can be toxic to birds. If your bird has not been introduced to seeds, don't offer them. If you have a bird that has been on a seed-only diet, gradually wean him off the seeds while introducing pellets. A good way to get a bird to switch from seeds to pellets is to put pellets in the food cup during the day and only add a small amount of seeds a few hours before bed time and then removing the seeds first thing in the morning.

Socializing - Parrots are very social critters and like to partake in meals with the family unit. If your bird's cage is in a place where he can see you eating, offer bits of fresh food to him at meal times.