How To Take Care Of Your Pet Parrot?

Parrots make wonderful family pets because they are great companions, they are beautiful birds with colorful feathers and you can teach them to talk. But you must have a strong level of commitment to your parrot because he will need daily and weekly maintenance, as well as plenty of attention.

What a Parrot Needs

When you consider how to take care of you parrot, you will have to consider what you will need to get started. The first thing you will need is a large cage for your parrot to live in. Make sure it is big enough for him to move around a bit and be comfortable. To occupy his time and make him feel comfortable you should place a mirror, a swing and a toy in the cage. You will also need something to properly line the cage.

What To Feed Your Parrot

A parrot should have a healthy, well-balanced diet. It should consist of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, meat and grains. Peanut butter and cooked eggs are other sources of protein that are good for parrots. Pre-packaged parrot food is certainly another valid option. It takes the guesswork out of feeding your bird a wide variety of balanced nutrition.



As with most pets, avoid feeding your parrot caffeine, alcohol, chocolate and salty foods.

Teaching Your Parrot To Talk

One of the most attractive features of this type of bird is that you can teach them to talk and whistle. Most people get a lot of enjoyment out of it. It does require a lot of time and repetition though and training should begin when the parrot is young. New words should be introduced with an activity so the parrot can link the two. He may even pick up on words you don’t really want him to learn just because he hears them often.

Whistling may come more natural for the birds and may be encouraged after you have trained him to talk.

Provide Exercise

Your parrot will need to get daily exercise. Let him out of the cage for small amount of time, starting with fifteen minutes at a time. Let them fly around the house and tire themselves out. See a professional for wing clippings when necessary.

Beak Care

Never try to trim your parrot’s beak at home. Seek a professional’s help when needed. Some things you can do at home to help your bird with beak care is to provide a concrete perch or a cuttle bone for him.

Maintenance

The basic things you need to commit to for taking care of your bird are quite simple, but they do require some effort on the owner’s part. In addition to never leaving his food bowl empty, you will need to provide him with fresh water twice a day. You will need to clean his cage on a weekly basis. You will also need to groom him 2-3 times per week. This can include a full bath given in a sink or washtub or by simply misting the bird and using specialized bird shampoo on him.

When all the work is done, you will have a beautiful pet that will provide hours of entertainment and joy.

By : Naldo Camarones from Resources about Parrots with lots of Information

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Providing Bird Houses for Feathered Friends

Many people enjoy animals of avian nature. There’s something about the natural ability to fly that captures the human imagination. Birds come in many colors, arrayed in nature’s beautiful, and sometimes extravagant, plumage. Whether you want to provide bird houses for non-domestic birds, or whether you provide bird cages for the accommodation of birds in your home, there are many ways to provide a comfortable place for birds to live or visit.

Different varieties of bird prefer different types of bird houses. Deciding what type of house to place in your yard can impact which species of bird you attract to your backyard. There are plenty of books on the subject of birds, and bird houses. These books can help you understand what certain birds look for in the way of a resting place. Most hobby and craft stores provide kits and patterns to allow those inclined to working with their hands to build their own bird houses. Not only can this be a fun solo activity, but it can also provide a couple of hours of family togetherness.

For those who prefer to have birds in the home, there are many types of bird cages available for purchase. When choosing a bird cage, it is important to ensure that your bird will have enough room. Many companies manufacture luxury bird cages for pampered birds. While a luxury cage isn’t necessary, there are a few things a good bird cage should have to allow maximum comfort for the pet. Perches located at various heights inside the cage are necessary, as are a few colorful toys. A bell can also add an element of amusement for the bird.

Birds are beautiful creatures. It can be a very enjoyable experience to observe them, and play with them. Bird houses in the backyard can attract many different species to right outside your window, and you can make your feathered pet more comfortable in a nice bird cage.

By: James Hunt

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Keeping Parrot As A Pet

Parrots are becoming more popular as pets with each passing day. This is evidenced by the proliferation of Internet discussion lists which provide access to information regarding parrot care and behavior. This upsurge in the number of parrots in homes and the amount of information newly available does not alert the companion parrot owner to a very important and pertinent fact - that parrot keeping is a relatively new phenomenon.

The parrot will live in a cage, so you will need to buy one that is large enough so that the parrot can spread his wings fully. It should be made of wire preferably since the parrot would eat through a wooden one. Make sure the door is large enough so that the parrot can fit through it, and also ensure that the door can't be opened from the inside. Parrots are very smart so you will need to use a complex door closing mechanism. Remember the bigger the cage is, the happier the parrot will be, so buy the largest one you can afford.

The parrot will want some toys in the cage, such as a swinging perch or a squeaking toy. Make sure that the toy isn't harmful to the parrot if it is gnawed on.

The bottom of the cage needs to be lined either with shredder paper, sawdust, straw or sand. The sand will serve as a double purpose since the parrot can gain some minerals from it, and can also use it to shape his beak better. The beak will keep growing like our fingernails and the sand will help filing it to the correct size.

Clean the cage very thoroughly at least once a month. All the metal bars and the bottom tray should be washed out thoroughly with a mild detergent and disinfected as well. Make sure that you clean out the feces of the parrot and leftover food is cleaned up periodically at least two the three times a week. The parrot will not like to live in a dirty area and his life cycle will decrease if he feels stressed all the time.

The parrot likes to be fed in many small meals instead of having one large meal a day. Pre-packaged parrot food is good for the parrot too since it will contain the correct mixes of minerals and vitamins. Make sure that you give the parrot fresh food at least twice a day and keep it clean and bacteria free. Seeds and nuts should be fed to the parrot sparingly since these foods are fatty and contain few nutrients. The parrot will also need a water bowl with fresh water supplied twice a day. You need to clean the water and the food bowl each time you refill it to keep your parrot healthy and happy. The parrot will eat fruits, nuts, vegetables and grains. Make sure you give him a balanced diet and give him healthy snacks only.

If you want to teach your parrot to talk, start when he is young since he will then pick up the language much faster. Keep trying the same word or phrase on the parrot at the same time of each day, such as hello! or "how are you?". Make sure the bird is looking at you and paying attention. Try repeating the words and phrases you want the parrot to learn and try to say the words when you do a certain activity so he can learn to associate an activity with a word. If your parrot already knows some phrases, encourage him to use them so he doesn't forget them. Whistling is also a great thing to teach a parrot, since he will know how to whistle entire tunes. Even playing records can help your parrot learn words but do not play the same word all day or the parrot will be very bored.

The parrot will also need to be groomed at least once a week. You can do this by misting him carefully with a spray bottle, or even bathing him in a lined sink. Use water that is lukewarm and use a shampoo that is especially designed for birds. Parrots love to be in the water, so do not startle him by splashing water into his face, or he will not want to bathe anymore. If he does seem to be afraid of water, be gentle and persist, and soon he will love water as much as you do. Use a towel to lightly dab your bird dry a little bit but do not rub him and do not blow dry your bird. Just let him sit in a sunny corner of your house to dry naturally and make sure he is warm so he doesn't catch a cold. The wings should be clipped to prevent flight, and the nails need to be groomed as well. Do small amounts of clipping frequently to avoid injury and to keep the bird well groomed all the time. Make sure you observe the vet or groom the first few times and have him teach you the proper techniques before you attempt this, since improper cutting could hurt the parrot.

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Let your parrot move around your apartment at least half an hour every day. As he becomes more tame and potty trained, you can even leave him out all day, and put him back into the cage only to sleep and feed. Enjoy your beautiful, intelligent pet for many years to come as some parrots can live up to 70 years and above! More information can be obtain at www.petsfanatics.com

About the author: Parrots are becoming more popular as pets with each passing day. This is evidenced by the proliferation of Internet discussion lists which provide access to information regarding parrot care and behavior.

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Making Your Own Bird Feeder

There is estimated to be over 100 billion individual wild birds on earth, and each one needs to eat certain amounts of food on a daily basis in order to survive. That�s where we come in! Birdfeeders are fun to make and are essential in order for birds to live. Bird houses can be made out of practically anything and are usually hung in different locations around your yard for birds to enjoy. Purchasing a bird feeder is another option, however this can be expensive and both methods serve practically the same purpose.

The following is a fun and easy way for children (or adults) to make a bird feeder:

What You Will Need:

- An empty milk or juice carton (any size will do) String (must be strong) Scissors Stapler - Hole punch 2 small sticks or wooden rods Bird seed Markers, paint or anything which can be used to decorate the carton. Ensure the paint is water based not to hurt your feathered friends and try not to use anything that can be potentially dangerous to swallow.

Directions:

1.Wash and dry the carton thoroughly.

2.Decorate your carton however you would like.

3.Using your scissors cut a square in each side of the carton (a square big enough to fit at least the head of a bird).

4.Using your hole punch (or your scissors) make a small hole below each square.

5.Push your sticks or rods through the holes from one side of the carton to the other .

6.Fill the bottom of your carton with bird seed.

7.Punch a hole (or two if you like) in the top of your carton.

8.Hang your finished feeder to a tree branch with string.

Although these bird feeders will not last forever (or even close), they are a fun, inexpensive way for children to learn about birds and the importance of caring for our wildlife.

About the author: Greg Pilson is an avid bird watcher who also dabbles in freelance photography of his favorite subjects. When he's not working full time in the engineering industry, he writes as a freelance writer for http://www.birdfeedersdirect.com a site that offers information about bird feeders, bird houses and more.

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Bird Watching Guide - Cedar Bird Feeders

We all have a soft spot for birds. This means that we try and ensure that their environment is ideal for their needs. A bird house is a good way to provide an instant nesting site or home for any visiting birds. A bird bath placed near a bird feeder provides a source of water for drinking, splash bathing and just having fun. The many types of feeders make sure that there is a ready supply of food for the birds. However Cedar Bird Feeders go beyond being just a bird supply item. They bring a level of sophisticated beauty to the garden.

Cedar Bird Feeders from Woodlink will give you the rustic look that you desire and yet this is combined with a practical usage. These feeders can be used anywhere it's necessary to feed large amounts of birds. They're also good for bird feeding sanctuaries.

Keeping this large sized feeder in your garden is an invitation for lots of birds to dine there. The Cedar Bird feeders are in the classic Hopper feeder style. Both sides of the feeder have lots of perching space in front of the feeding stations and there are clear plastic panels on both sides that show you the reservoir of seeds inside of the feeder.

An internal seed baffle design makes sure that any empty seed shells are emptied out on to the platform below. This design feature ensures that no residue is left in the Cedar bird feeders. The feeding platforms are green metal screens that can be removed. For the ease of cleaning and easy refilling the roof of the Cedar bird feeders are hinged.

These large Cedar bird feeders can hold 18 quarts of seed in them. This means that you don't have to continually refill the feeder and if you need to go on your holiday you won't be worrying about hungry birds.

Many bird species like to use this type of feeder. These include Wrens, Towhees, Sparrows, Jays, Grosbeaks, Blackbirds, Cardinals, Doves, Flickers, Redpolls, Woodpeckers, Titmice, Kinglets, Bluebirds, Goldfinches, Starlings, Finches, Chickadees, Nuthatches, Grackles, Siskins, Mockingbirds and Juncos.

These huge Cedar bird feeders are made in America from kiln dried Inland Red Cedar. They are hardy and durable. Their appearance will complement not only your garden but also any bird sanctuaries where they are needed. Due to the size of this feeder it may be best to pole mount it.

The best types of seed to use in this feeder are sunflower seeds, mixed seeds, cracked corn, sunflower kernels, safflower seeds and peanut chunks. The use of these varied bird seeds will bring different bird types to your Cedar Bird Feeders.

With the purchase of any Cedar Bird Feeders you can be assured of getting a good value and there are many years of enjoyment to be had from watching birds eating from the bird feeders.

About the Author

Author's Sites:Natural Pet Care Cat Foods Dog Food Recipes.

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Quaker Parrots

Whether you know them as Quaker parrots or Monk parrots, these little green and grey birds are the subject of a lot of controversy in the U.S. Quakers are illegal to keep in many states. The worry is that escaped individuals will form large wild populations and become a major pest. Whether these laws are based in reality or not, the issue is being hotly debated between parrot welfare groups and governing agencies. You can get more information about this from the internet--I like quakerville.com--but be sure to add the word "parrot" in your search or you will get a bunch of websites about the Quaker religion! This article is about the Quaker as a pet, for those of you who are allowed to have one. Those who can't are encouraged to become active in the efforts to overturn the restrictive laws so that everyone can enjoy Quakers. Or you can check out this great site for training your quaker parrot.

Quakers are a small parrot native to South America. They are a very affordable bird compared to other parrots their size. Beautiful color mutations like powder blue and yellow are available, too. They're more expensive than the normal greens, but as they become more established, the prices become more reasonable. A Quaker's size makes him easy to accommodate if you don't have a lot of space, but if you live in an apartment, you may want to check to see how "soundproof" your walls are. Noise is often one of the biggest behavior problems reported by Quaker owners. Nipping is another. These birds are outgoing and active, and their energy levels can be hard for some people to manage. If you're a patient person, and know how to provide a sense of authority without being a bully, you're more likely to get along with a Quaker than someone who's either too hesitant or too aggressive. Overall, the Quaker is a feisty but lovable little parrot. One thing that makes them so cute is their lively, bouncy bob. When you see it, you can't help but be drawn to the bird.

Snuggles and kisses are activities Quakers like to engage in, but they're also playful and like to show off. Their talking ability can be quite impressive, and they tend to be enthusiastic learners. Games and trick training are good ways to provide needed physical and mental exercise, as well as giving your bird some structure to his daily life. Appropriate activity helps the bird channel his energy in a way that's not as likely to get him into trouble. When behavior problems do occur with Quakers, boredom is a common contributor. Keep your Quaker busy, and you'll keep him happy.

Because Quakers are very social, they're eager for attention, and will usually want to hang around with you. Encouraging independent play is very important so your Quaker can be by himself when he needs to. You'll also want him to meet and be handled by other people, and set consistent rules so he knows what he can and can't get away with. If children are going to handle him, they'll need to know the rules, too, so they don't accidentally encourage bad habits. A Quaker may quickly take advantage of a person he thinks isn't going to make him mind.

Some Quakers may be reluctant to step up onto people's hands. We had one like this. It wasn't that he didn't' want to come to us, but he would rather be picked up like a ball than step up. At first we thought he had a physical problem, or was mentally not too bright, but we eventually realized this wasn't the case. He just liked being picked up. The people who had him before we did probably took the path of least resistance and never worked on stepping up since it was easier to pick him up. Having talked to other Quaker owners with a similar problem, I think this may be more common in birds that came from large breeding facilities, or any place where the hand feeder didn't have time to wait for the young bird to figure out the hand thing. Quakers are smart, but they're also on the stubborn side, which can be part of their charm. That, and their little bob.

About the Author

This article was co-authored by Chet Womach and Kim Bear. Kim Bear is a parrot behavioral specialist who has helped people around the world with their quaker parrots.

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