Want to Keep Him Healthy? What Do Parrots Eat for a Long, Happy Life?

How many times have you gone into your local pet store looking for pet care items and you are greeted by a whistle or simple "Hello there." You look around to return the nice gesture but cannot find the person that it came from. What you see is this beautiful bird staring at you and again you hear "hello there!" It came from the beautiful parrot in the cage next to you. You tell yourself that you want to take him home. But what must you buy for him? What do parrots eat? So many questions!
You are so taken by this little fellow that you spend the next 10 minutes talking to him forgetting just why you are there in the first place. Sound familiar? Wondering how much he costs to take home with you? Now that you've spent the next half hour talking to the salesperson about him and finalizing the purchase, you think that you are done. Nope! Not yet! He will need to eat once you get him home. But there are so many different bird foods in that aisle. There are seeds, peanuts and many different colorful pellets.
Although your parrot would probably eat many of the wide selection there, you must think about the health and wellness of your new friend if you want him to live to his full life expectancy. As you may have heard, parrot species can live anywhere from 10-80 years depending on which parrot type you choose. 
You will need to feed your parrot a variety of foods from the seed selections, pellet diet to fruits and vegetables. The different varieties of food available mostly have different ingredients that are essential to your parrot's good health. For example, a diet made up of only seeds does not give your parrot the proper nutrition needed to live long and healthy. 
The pellet food available is a more balanced diet that when added to the fruits and vegetables you will provide him will give him what he needs to be happy and healthy. You will choose the food that best suits your parrot's size and weight requirements. A parrot is a wonderful friend that can be a lifelong companion for you if you know how to properly care for and feed him so he can live to his full life expectancy. Taking the time to educate yourself on the basics of companion bird care before you actually go out and purchase one will only set you up for success and give your new family friend a head start to good health and a happy life.

African Grey Parrots - Are They The Smartest Parrots?

There are numerous beautiful birds that exist today; some sing or talk more than others, some are more intelligent than others and some make great pets. One particular parrot is called the African Grey Parrot. This African parrot is one particular bird that is not only beautiful, it is very smart, has the ability to speak many words and makes a good pet for bird lovers.

In addition to their high level of intelligence within bird species and their ability to have a big vocabulary, the African Grey is also admired for their coloring. The colors are not vibrant like many parrots you may find in the jungle or zoo, but this parrot is sleek and elegant. African Grey's are of two different families, one is the Congo African Grey and the other is the Timneh African Grey. As the name states the bird is of a grey color but the Congo has a lighter grey compared to the Timneh whose grey is darker. Both types do have a colored tail, the Congo's is red and the Timneh's is maroon.

The African Grey's Characteristics

The African parrots are considered to be medium sized and their length can be 10 to 14 inches. Within many bird species, the male usually has more vibrant colors than the female but this parrot the coloring is the same for both the males and females. There is one physical characteristic between the males and females and that is that the female has a narrower head as well as a slender neck. The life span is quit long and they can live around 60 years in age.

When choosing this African parrot for a pet, it is best to keep in mind its long life span as well as its intelligence level. Are you willing to commit to this responsibility for a very long period of time? In regards to the parrots intelligence, just like a human, it needs constant interaction otherwise it will be bored. If a human becomes bored, they can have behavior problems and this is the same for the African Grey. Understanding the needs of this African parrot is very important so that it will receive a quality of life that it deserves as it won't be living in its natural environment.

Knowing the history and behaviors of the African Grey, it will help you to provide both physical and mental activities so that your parrot will maintain a healthy life and have a good behavior pattern. Although the parrot is relatively easy to care for, it does require discipline to keep up the good behavior. If there is no discipline or interaction with the African parrot to keep its mind occupied in a positive manner, the parrot might begin to be cranky or even show negative behavior such as feather picking, chew on its cage or even bite. If the African parrot is left unattended to for too long without positive interaction, the parrot may also begin to cause self-infliction; this can lead to very serious physical complications.

The beak is extremely hard and strong as it is used as a tool to not only search for as well as other uses. By nature, African Grey's are extremely social birds; they tend to group together and will show affection for one another. In captivity, the parrot's owner tends to be considered the parrots flock and the parrot will show certain signs of affection to the owner. The African parrot may not prefer a lot of cuddling from its owner but it does enjoy having its head petting or scratched. One deep sign of affection is when the parrot will regurgitate and may even try to "kiss" the owner's mouth (the human mouth has many bacteria that could harm the bird) so try to prevent the "kiss" of possible.

Getting to Know the Adorable Chinchillas

Keeping a pet is a common hobby. When you are with your dog, cat, rabbit, parrot or even snake, you will as if you are unloading your stress and throwing your worries away. Indeed pet keeping has many therapeutic effects that people who are keeping animals as their pets will often find it hard to continue living when parted with their pets.

Aside from hamsters, Chinchillas are also popular pets that take the form of rodent-like built. The scientific name of Chinchilla is Chinchilla lanigera. They often live up to 15 years although it is not uncommon for them to reach an extended life of 18 to 20 years. At first look, they may be mistaken as hamsters but considering their slimness as opposed to chubby hamsters, Chinchillas stand above. Their body length can reach to 10 to 14 inches while their tail can reach to 5 to six inches. Chinchillas vary in color but the most common ones are those that have grey coats. They are just too irresistible that an audience may find it hard not to squeeze it.

Chinchilla keeping presents unique requirements. In terms of their cages, they must be wide enough for them to move around. The cage must not be a boring one. It should posses structures like platforms, ramps, perches and even wheels where they can play around like that of white mice. Aside from that, Chinchillas also love to have toys. This is necessary for their incisors to develop well as they tend to chew the toys when they play.

With regards to their habit, they usually are nocturnal in nature. They are most active at night and less playful at daytime. That is the reason why they are sometimes they are called crepuscular referring to animals whose activeness peaks at dawn and dusk. They should be kept in a quiet area during the day so as not to disturb their rest. Since they are so vigorous and playful, chinchillas need a larger cage for all their activities. The temperature that they love will depend on their variety although most love to be around a cooler temperature.

When it comes to feeding, Chinchillas require a lot of fibre. Their diet should mainly consist of a good quality grass hay along with pellets especially made for chinchillas. A total of one teaspoon per day is a usual amount given to them since their digestive system are fairly sensitive. Diet changes should by all means made gradual.

Chinchillas are very active and playful. However, there are instances when they do not like to be cuddled or touched. They can get close with their owners easily so that the owner himself will quickly grow fond of the pet in no time at all. They can be tamed easily and can be kept either in singles or with pairs for mating. Choosing one will surely be an enjoyable moment for a future Chinchilla owner. Before buying any Chinchilla, just be sure that you can give time to take care of it. Otherwise, your pet will suffer from loneliness and malnourishment.

Top 10 Most Popular Types of Parrots

Parrots are becoming more and more popular as pets in captivity. People love to train them and teach them tricks and to speak phrases. In the wild, these birds have been admired because of their beauty, intelligence, and outgoingness. They have similar characteristics as humans, as they replicate human words and sounds. Parrots have very childlike behavior and thinking, with some behavioral scientists demonstrating they have the intelligence and communication skills of a 3 year old. This is why these birds make fantastic companions and pets.

There are many kinds of parrot types in the animal kingdom with varieties based on size, shape, and feather colors. The following outlines the top 10 most popular types as pets and in the wild:

1.) Parakeets - Parakeet parrots are known by their long tails, and tend to be a more favored parrot type compared to the Cockatiel for example. Known as a small parrot, the parakeet has bright feather colors. Their behavior is typically energetic and they crave human interaction.

2.) Cockatiels - Cockatiels are smaller parrot types typically identified by their notable head and tail feathers. Males have great speaking abilities, while the female Cockatiels are quieter, but are more aggressive. The females also are more likely to bite and hiss. The Cockatiels are good pets in captivity, as they are very sociable and love to interact.

3.) Lorries & Lovebirds - These birds are from South America and have been an inspiration to many as they are extremely peaceful birds with bright feather colors. They do not require much space, are able to maintain great health, and love to be with other parrots.

4.) Conures - The Conures are more playful birds that are large parakeets, which have a slightly smaller build with longer tails. These parrots are from Central and South America, and have friendly personalities, sometimes leading to louder squawks.

5.) Macaws -These birds are mostly recognized for their large frame and bright rainbow colored feathers and beaks. Originating from the tropical regions of South and Central America, the macaw shows great intelligence with fantastic speaking abilities.

6.) Amazon -Also known as green parrots (since most have an overwhelming green feather color), Amazon parrots are very smart, talkative, and friendly. These parrots are easier to train than other parrots, and can duplicate the human voice of their owner.

7.) Cockatoo -Most known by their standing head crest and arched bills, these parrots types are larger than many other parrots but have less color in their feathers. These parrots are both friendly and talkative with frequent squawking and screaming.

8.) Caiuges - This parrot type is regarded as both smart and attractive in the parrot world. These parrots have an array of different feather colors, and have been referred to as the seven-colored parrot from their vast feather colors.

9.) Poicephalus Parrots -Originally from Africa, these birds are usually on the shy side but have endearing personalities. Ranging in size from small to medium, this parrot type demonstrates good and social behavioral traits.

10.) Parrotlets - These types are also known for their smaller size. With energetic, enjoyable, and courteous attributes, they can duplicate human voice and words, but are harder to understand. In the wild, these birds travel in flocks.

Parrots can be a fun and rewarding pet to own and care for. It is important to ensure your parrot receives proper training and love with much time devoted to their parrot. Remember this is a long term commitment, since parrots can live literally decades.

Parrot Feats

Ever wonder how parrots look so wise and lovable? This is because of their learned feats that parrot enthusiasts teach their pets. Teaching parrots how to acquire feats and traits are quite tricky. We do these to gain a play time with our pets and share wonderful experiences with them. It could also lessen some of the parrot's distasteful attitude sometimes.

As we do the teaching, we need to consider where we hold this important moment for our pets. The space needs to have a sense of restfulness in the air to gain the bird's undivided concentration to what we are teaching them. It would also be best for them to eliminate too much things that are not needed when teaching the bird some feats. As an enthusiast, be aware that you need a stress free environment and trusting relationship with your pets so that no bad effects would be produced in your parrot's experience of your teaching. You must also have a strong will to maintain your positiveness in teaching them feats.

A favored feat that parrots do is when they come forward to you. You need to say "step up" for them to do this. Give them a gift like a piece of food for good behavior once they follow your directions. This feat basically has rewarding outcomes when the parrot learns eventually, as well as for their breeders. In the case of small birds, you need to place your fingers in front of them to do this feat and entice them with a piece of food. As for the larger parrots, you need to place your arm in front of them or where they perch and hold out a gift as reward.

Once the parrot learns to come forward, how them how to turn in their place. These is done by holding out example, a fruit in front of them and simply go towards your pet's back for them to trail on the fruit with their eyes and give them a fruit or pellet as a reward for good behavior. Some pets easily trail on their back and grab the fruit with their beak while others need more convincing as it is for them do the feat. Now once, they accomplished this feat correctly give them food as a gift.

Do your parrots scream in the middle of the night which often bothers you? If they do you need to teach them the feat of talking. Talking could basically improve their well-being as your pets. Their vocal chords are exercised and they would be very playful with your and your family. You need to start them with some normal common words like, "hello" or "goodbye". Carefully say the word over and over again until you hear them make some kind of sound as a response. At times, family members are also encouraged to speak to the bird using the word you taught over and over for your parrot to learn that word naturally. In turn, your pet would adapt to the word and repeat them correctly.

The Beauty and Brain of the African Grey Parrot

The "Cadillac of Parrots" is definitely the African Grey Parrot, which it is referred to often among the parrot community. This beautiful parrot is adored for both its beauty and its brains. The African Grey not only has a mixture of beautiful colors they have a mixture of extensive words. Among the parrot family, the grey bird can learn the most extensive vocabulary. Aside from their extensive vocabulary, they are quite the entertainers, as they can learn to play toy instruments such as a baby piano and mimic sounds like the car motor, providing their owners much enjoyment.

The African Grey Parrot is intelligent, observant and focused. They can learn and teach themselves many things and are able to think in a cause-and-effect manner. Which, often times just as in a child, can result in a manipulation to the owner. It is important to train this parrot to ensure the happiness of the bird and that you are not faced with troublesome behavior. This bird has the strongest ability to bond with humans of birds in the bird kingdom.

Of the African Grey Parrot, there are two different families- the Congo African Grey and the Timneh African Grey, with the difference being their color. The Congo African Grey is distinguished through a lighter grey color with a red tail and the Timneh African Grey has a darker charcoal grey with a cherry-red tail. These parrots grow to 12 to 14 inches in size with a lifespan of up to 60 years of age. So, obviously, the African Grey Parrot is an addition to the home that will be among you for many years.

Because of their ever curious and intelligent personality, the gray bird needs the surroundings of an interesting and challenging environment. If you are unable to provide the parrot with a stimulating environment, you should not consider the parrot.

With such a highly intelligent nature comes the risk of stress and depression. This bird does run the risk of becoming stressed when all their needs are not provided. Signs that the birds are becoming stressed can be an eating disorder, picking at their feathers, attitude, or trouble behavior, such as chewing at cords.

This creature is a fast learner and requires attention and companionship. It is very easy to train this bird to perform tricks, and talk. Their vocabulary can actually become quite large, and they are capable of learning words on their own.

Although the bird does enjoy and need petting and affection, it is not a big admirer of overly endowment. This by no means ignores the bird, daily petting and affection is needed. Your home should provide this creature with much affection, compassion, enjoyment, training, and care. With proper care and love for the parrot, you should have a happy long companion in your pet.

Where to Start When Looking to Purchase a Parrot

Parrots have always held a special magic. With a humanistic personality- and eyes that can relate to you, the parrot has been admired in pet stores, story books, and in nature for centuries. Not only is the parrot beautiful with pastel and bright colors, they are intelligent, and they are one of the few animals in the animal kingdom that can talk- just another of their many wonderful qualities to admire.

If you have been considering purchasing a parrot it is necessary to purchase this bird that has had the proper introduction to life. Parrot breeders are the best place to begin. The parrot breeder is often a much better choice than a pet store, due to the fact that the parrot is receiving "specialized" parrot care with the surroundings and time spent just upon these birds instead of divided among many animals and the fact that a good parrot breeder will know much more about the birds needs and health requirements than the pet store often times.

Parrot breeders are the beginning introduction to the human in your future bird. Therefore, it is necessary to select a breeder that has the knowledge and has cared for your pet animals in the necessary manners. The parrot breeder should have provided an optimal diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, and pellets, a sanitary and safe environment, weaning between 10 to 12 weeks, an introduction to bathing when the birds feathers begin to develop, time to fly free each day, plenty of interaction and handling and love and affection, and how to diagnose and treat illnesses. These will provide your bird with the attributes that will ensure a quality pet.

When searching for a breeder, you should begin looking for a breeder that is close to home. Parrot breeders will be someone that you will want to depend on in the future, for when concerns arise and when you need support and advice. You will also want to ensure that the bird breeder is will to provide you with, and sign, a purchase / contract agreement.

These are all factors that will help ensure that the breeder is reputable. Discuss with your breeder how future needs will arise and what role they are willing to play in support. When you think you have found the "perfect parrot" visit this bird randomly before you purchase and make sure that the parrot is as fond of you as you are of him this is extremely important the parrot can live to 60 years old, and a relationship that "fits" is extremely important for the both of you. Select a parrot that is good with you, and select a parrot breeder that you are not only comfortable with, but you know has met the qualifications and cared for your parrot properly. With the right ingredients you will enjoy a long well-balanced life together.

Plucking Parrots

Daily Diet

Lots of raw and well washed vegetables and fruits which are full of vitamins (for example: broccoli, carrots, red peppers, papaya), reinforced by additional purposed vitamins which can be added to the bird clean water such as 'Feather up', 'Calcivet' and 'Spark' (spark is a very gentle anti-stress type medicine).

You can also give your bird meat such as well cooked steak, it is good for them!

Psychological problems

Do you know what type of disturbance your bird's life has suffered from, may be the lost or sickness of its partner, change of home, location of the cage, jealousy, lack of 'things to do', left alone all day every day would most certainly trigger this type of behaviour.

I have found that reading a book to your bird for one hour each day helps in gaining back the trust.

If you have no time for your bird then it is obvious you should try to find somebody who has, the alternative, if accepted by your bird, would be to get your bird a special partner, one of its own type and opposite sex, however this does not always work especially if your bird is a cockatoo. Parrots are very much like children and you would not leave your child all day by itself would you?

There are, of course, other types of trauma such as a parrot used to fly free in an aviary then confined into a cage having to share a room with people it fears so much, in this latest case the bird would be better in an aviary with a mate.

Illness

A parrot feeling unwell might pluck itself. It could also pluck when its mate is unwell.

Some of the illness might be due to breathing difficulties due to a dusty, smoky, perfumed, damp, very hot or very cold environment.

Though the signs might not be obvious an un-well parrot would look sad, not to confuse with the ups and downs of the breeding seasons.

If your parrot is not subjected to any of the above then it might be time to consult an avian vet. Do you know you can collect the poop of your bird for analysis; it is less stressful for the parrot than been seen by a vet.

Parrot Toys

Before purchasing a toy for your bird you need to consider the use of the toy, the size of the toy, the place/cage where the toy will be, the material/safety of the toy, the preferences and/or any fear it would cause to your bird.

The use of the toy (what am I buying the toy for?)

There are so many different types of parrot toys on the market today it is difficult to choose which one would be the right one for your bird.

Your bird needs at least one toy to trim its beak with, though a budgie would prefer a beak conditioner mineral type block than a wooden toy. A single budgie or a cockatiel probably also needs a mirror, it is not advisable to put a mirror into the cage of a large parrot.

an over preened parrot might needs a good shred able toy so it spends more time preening the toy than itself.

In your bird cage there should be, at least, a toy to chew (wood) and a toy to preen.

The size of the toy versus the size of your bird

You need to choose a toy your bird can play with.

It is just common sense not to purchase a budgie toy for a large parrot and not to choose a large wooden toy for a budgie as he would not be able to shred or play with that toy, though he could use it to perch and attack it occasionally, what great fun for a little budgie!

The size of the place/cage where the toy will be

Some owner put too many toys in their parrot cage, the bird cannot move anymore for fear of bumping into one of its toys. Your bird cage is not a toys store.

The material and safety of the toy

Any wooden toy should only be fruit or vegetable painted. You can test this by passing a wet finger on the wood; if the color is printed on your finger then it is surely fruit or vegetable painted.

Zinc is poisonous, however all metal have trace of zinc, to be poisonous a high level of zinc would have to be present.

Most parrot toys have a chain attached to them to be able to hang the toy in the cage. The chains with welded links are safe for your pet, while those with closed links are not safe. The parrot can open up the (un-welded) closed links where its beak could get stuck. While attempting to free itself, the parrot may get hurt. So, you must carefully examine the chains attached to the parrot toys.

There are also some toys with 'soft bells' which are dangerous to large parrots, you need to remove those bells as your bird might shred them and swallow bits of metal.

Rope type toys are good fun, however if the rope is for your bird to perch then make sure it is not too soft so your bird does not tangle itself in loose bits.

Personally I would not purchase rope type nets (cargo nets), they look nice and probably fun but they are very dangerous as your bird's neck can become trap.

The preferences and the fear of your birdLike children some parrots prefer playing with wood, some other with cotton type material. Birds are also extremely sensitive to colours.

You need to observe your bird to see what its preferences are; else the toy will stay in the corner of the cage untouched.

Many birds are fearful of large objects and certain colours, they are birds after all and live in fear of been caught by predators, and it surely is no fun to see your mum or dad accepting a predator into your home. If this is the case then you might need to place the toy at a distance for the bird to see it for few days until he knows there is no danger. It might also help if you play with that toy yourself to prove to your bird it is ok, that is if you do have a close relationship with your bird.

Personally I think one of the best toys, is one you can both, your bird and yourself play with. Remember when you were a baby how much fun it was to play puzzle with your mum and dad.

It is no good getting paranoid about parrot toys though; the best way is to observe your bird while it is playing with the toy for few days to make sure it is safe.

Senegal Parrot - 5 Personality Traits That Make the Senegal a Great Pet Parrot

The African Senegal Parrot has worked its way up on the list of top picks for pet birds. Here are 5 of its best personality traits that help make it a great choice for a pet Parrot.

Quieter Than Many Parrots-Sometimes the Senegal is listed as a quiet bird which is absolutely true, except when it's not. Even though they are not prone to making screaming and screeching sounds as frequently as some parrots, when they want to be heard they have no problem making it happen. In their defense, they are not usually noisy except when excited or wanting attention. And as always, a lot will depend on your individual bird.

Can Entertain Themselves-These are pretty independent birds that do well without another bird sharing the cage with them. With a variety of toys that are rotated in and out of the cage frequently, they are happy spending their days exploring, swinging, climbing and chewing their toys for stimulation. They still will need to spend several hours out of the cage each day for proper exercise. They will also need several hours of human interaction daily to remain tame and to continue to foster trust and affection between caregiver and bird.

Talkers-Many learn to speak well, while others tend to sound mechanical when speaking. There are still others who never learn to speak at all but enjoy whistling, and imitating household sounds such as doorbells, alarm clocks, or microwaves. There are a number of videos and books written about the best way to get your bird to talk, but ultimately they are no guarantee that the bird you've chosen will do so. The best way to insure that your bird will talk is to hear it talk before you buy it.

Highly Trainable-Senegals enjoy short, but regular training sessions for tricks with the outcome being great tricks and a stronger bond between you and your bird. Remember to go slowly, be consistent, and reward with a treat when they have done a good job for you. Never, ever, scold or punish your bird if it does not meet your expectations. This will only injure your relationship with your bird and lessen the chances of getting your Parrot to learn the trick.

Fun and Entertaining-With proper toys, perches, ropes, and a swing or two they are energetic birds that are highly entertaining. Watching them can be a lovely way to unwind any time you have a minute to watch the show.

So You Want a Pet Parrot? Consider These 5 Pitfalls First!

So you want a pet parrot but have you thought it through? Yes parrots look like wonderful pets and Polly looks really cool sitting on pirate Long John Silver's shoulder or Johnny Depp's for that matter. The thing is, parrots are not pets you should get involved with either lightly or on impulse. There are some far reaching factors to consider and I have listed some of these pitfalls below. Parrots are fast becoming the world's number one unwanted pet so serious consideration of the following pitfalls to parrot ownership would make sense.

1. Parrots, depending on which type you get, can live for a very long time. Some live for up to 70 years. Will you still be around or is your parrot to become an heirloom bequeathed to one of your nearest and dearest?
2. Noise. Parrots can make an awful lot of noise. What about your neighbours? Do you live in a detached house or an apartment block? What about you, will you be able to handle the noise? At dawn and dusk your parrot will call out to his flock. He will also probably do a fair bit of calling in between times as well!
3. Mess. Parrots can make a whole lot of mess. Anything chewable can and will be chewed. Your furniture will be fair game and believe me the damage inflicted by a parrot can be great.
4. Behavior Training. Believe it or not your parrot needs to learn social graces. They need to learn how to behave, not just with you the owner, but also in the company of strangers. Are you prepared to do this? This is not something you can delegate and if you don't do it you WILL end up with a juvenile delinquent for a pet. That won't be fun!
5. Food. Feeding your parrot properly takes effort. You won't get away with just seed. Your parrot needs more than that. Fruit and veggies and occasionally some meat. My African Grey Parrot really enjoys his chicken bones. But not all food is suitable or even safe, so are you prepared to learn what is and is not suitable and are you prepared to prepare food each day for your bird?

I would not want to put you off having a parrot as a pet. Parrots make fantastic pets BUT they do take a lot of time and effort and it is better to go in to owning a parrot with your eyes wide open, rather than blinkered and then end up having to find another home for your parrot because you are unable to cope.

Keep Your Parrots Safe this Holiday Season

It's that time of year again and Christmas will be here before you know it. How time flies! Here is your friendly reminder to help keep your parrots safe as we enter another holiday season. Don't forget to share this with your friends! A little planning, some supervision, and a few things to watch out for can go a long way toward both you and your bird having a happy holiday. If I have forgotten anything, please let me know and I will build on this article for next year!
Stress

We all know Christmas can be a stressful time for us humans. Our parrots must think we have lost our minds. New people around, strange decorations, etc. Stick to your bird's regular schedule as much as possible, don't forget the lovin' and playtime. Oh, and make sure there is plenty of time for a good night's sleep for both you and your bird.

Decorations

Be careful of Angel Hair, it's spun glass and that just can't be good for anyone that eats it. Tinsel and garland are another big concern, it can cause intestinal obstructions if ingested. I don't know what kinds of decorations you have at your house, but just be aware that they are unfamiliar to your bird and they may or may not panic at the sight of some of them. Many decorations are made of toxic or potentially toxic materials like different plastics, scented pinecones, hidden wires made of who knows what, stuff that is sprayed on so decorations look "fresh" longer. And don't forget the common everyday things lying around that could cause problems such as rubber bands, string, ribbon, tape, tacks, little nails, glue, etc.

Candles and Smelly Stuff aka Fragrances

Candles with lead wicks can be toxic, usually you will find them in cheap imported candles. Burning candles with fragrances is very irritating to your bird's sensitive respiratory system. Those candles with "essential oils" in them that smell great to you are HIGHLY TOXIC WHEN BURNED. Try 100% beeswax candles instead. They are more expensive, but burn five to seven times longer, are not scented and burn cleaner. One other word of caution - burns and wax spills have been known to happen when a wayward bird collides with a candle so ALWAYS watch your candles and your bird, don't leave either one of them without supervision. I have a rule, IF I light a candle it's 100% beeswax and the parrot gang has to be in their cages.

Potpourri, air fresheners, and a host of other smelly spraying things irritate the daylights out of your bird in so many ways. (They also irritate me, so it is not a problem for my birds because I don't use them in my home.) Try and go for something more natural if you feel the need to "scent" your house. Heat up some water in a pan on the stove and throw in a few organic cinnamon sticks, that smells yummy. Oh yes, can't forget this one NO SMOKING AROUND THE BIRDS - PERIOD!

Lights and Electrical Cords

Make sure these are concealed as well as possible so little birdie brains don't get any smart ideas and want to play with them. They could get shocked (as in probably killed) or burned by chewing on them. If they are loose, they could get tangled in them.

Plants

I think most people with parrots know by now that Poinsettias and Holly are dangerous if eaten, but did you know that Philodendron, Ivy and Mistletoe are also. In case you didn't there's is no excuse now. These plants have the potential to cause life threatening problems for your parrot if eaten!

Dressing up Birdie

Not that you would do it, but watch those little ones. They seem to think it's a good idea to stick bows on (ouch) or drape ribbon over and around birds. Talk about a strangulation hazard. Ribbon or string may cause intestinal obstructions if they eat it.

Food and Drink

Alcoholic drinks, hot chocolate, coffee, and the ever-present eggnog are popular drinks at Christmas time. If your place is anything like mine, there are yummy fattening human goodies everywhere like cookies, candy, cakes and deserts. Watch that your birdie doesn’t get into the holiday spirit this way! I like to put some water in a dark coffee mug (a duplicate of mine) and give the fids sips out of that. I don’t know what they think it is, but it’s in a coffee mug like mine and they are happy to drink it. Keep some nice fresh treats on hand for your birdies to munch on. I like pea pods, birdie bread, almonds and a little fruit. That way they won’t feel left out and I have to keep Zeke (African Grey) from saying "Mmmm, want some?" all night long.

Non-Stick Coated Surfaces

Be extra careful not to overheat any non-stick cookware or anything with a non-stick surface! Those toxic fumes can kill birds in no time flat. I know this warning has been around for a long time, but with extra cooking going on, I thought I would remind you all again.

People

Having guests over? I know you would never feed your bird anything it’s not supposed to have or subject it to extra stress, but watch your guests. Make sure they don’t give your bird anything to eat or drink that could cause a problem. Of course, for us bird lovers, it almost goes without saying to make sure they are not causing the bird any undue stress like poking their fingers in the cage or just generally annoying your bird. Show them where the acceptable bird treats and give them a rule run down about being nice to parrots.

Fire

Want a nice warm fire in the fireplace? Is your fireplace in good shape or is this the first time you will be using it this year? What type of wood are you burning? Is the damper open? Check those "instant fire logs" and make sure they do not contain lead or arsenic. DO NOT BURN WRAPPING PAPER OR PRESSURE TREATED WOOD EVER! It's fine to have a fire as long as your fireplace is working like a should, has some type of guard across the front, and is being vented properly.

Wrapping Paper

Wrapping "paper" is a stretch. Lots of these innocent looking colorful papers contain toxic substances. Do not allow your bird to eat it and DO NOT burn it in your fireplace. If you are going to wrap a present for your bird, please use plain paper. If worst comes to worst, use a sheet of a black and white section of a newspaper.

Trees

May scare the daylights of your feathered friend. Take it slow and never place the tree where your parrot can chew on it.

Artificial Snow or Flocking

I couldn't find anywhere that said these were definitely a hazard, but they are not meant to be ingested and I am pretty darn sure they are not good for your bird if they inhale the fumes of that stuff either. When if doubt, just skip it. It's just not worth it.

Open Doors / Windows

With all the extra commotion going on around the holidays a little extra precaution about open doors seems to be in order. People going in and out, packages and food being carried in and out, point is that your door will probably get a workout. Not only that, but new things like trees or big boxes, might startle your bird and they may panic and fly. Just make sure you little feathered friend is out of harm's way and not in the direct path of the chilly air.

First Aid for Parrots

Unfortunately, accidents can - and DO happen, so it's always a good idea to be prepared! While accidents usually produce obvious injuries, illnesses are often kept well hidden by birds. In nature, if you're sick you pose a threat in making your whole flock vulnerable to predators, so parrots have become adept at masking signs of illness. This is one reason that it's vital to have a "well bird" check-up annually. Needless to day, once a bird is showing obvious signs of illness, he's often very sick and needs immediate vet attention. First Aid is intended to help you get by until you can see the vet, or in treating minor injuries.

It's helpful to have a "hospital cage" for emergencies - a smaller, easily portable cage where you can isolate a sick or injured bird and easily move him to a warm, quiet, area of your home. It's advisable to have a quarantine area as well - for new birds coming into the home, as well as sick birds recovering from an infection. This area should be well separated from the rest of your birds to prevent air-borne transmission of germs, as well as those spread by direct contact.

Some of the signs of possible illness include: more time on cage floor, talking and playing less, fluffed feathers, lack of appetite, drinking more water, personality changes (such as becoming bitey or not wanting to come out of the cage), tail bobbing, puffy eyes, sleeping on both feet with head tucked, droopy wings, sneezing or coughing, "clicking" in chest, vomiting, diarrhea, soiled vent, etc. I won't go into specific diseases here, but hopefully you get the general idea - if things are "different," get to the vet! Other problems include broken blood feathers or egg binding.

5 Ways to Pamper Your Parrot

We are all busy these days and I know it’s hard to meet all the demands in your life. But, it’s time for a breather. Take an some time with each of your feathered kids and give them the royal treatment. I know some of you out there have multiple birds, so it doesn’t have to be all the parrots in the same day! Get into the habit of doing at least a short version of this regularly. Your parrots will thank you!

Some birds are more 'social' than others. Two of mine I can pick up and snuggle with without fear of needing stitches. The other one I have to be really careful with. I use a stick as his main form of transport. No matter what level of 'snuggliness' your parrot prefers, you can adjust each step to your parrot’s comfort level.

I hope both you and your feathered kids have a great time. Not only is this a great time for your bird, but you get a relax a bit as well. For an added bonus, turn the phone off!

Spend some quality one-on-one time

Just hang out together. Let them help you pick up around the house. My cockatoo likes to help me fold laundry. One of my African Greys prefers to chat in English back and forth. My other African Grey likes to sit on me and get scratches while
I lay on the couch.

He runs up and down me, the couch and sometimes perches on my knee and just sits there. You could put on some rainforest or classical music and just sit quietly together for a little bit. There are no rules, the point is just to give your bird your undivided attention.

Share a meal

Fix up some nice vegetables, fruit, pasta or any other bird-safe dish that pleases your parrot’s palate. Share with your bird, heck, eat off the same plate. One bite for you, one little bite for them. Of course, remember to give them their own spoon or fork so you don’t give them your icky human germs.

Interactive Play

Hand toys like birdie bagels, barbells or marbella shapes; a piece of rope, a popsicle stick, a towel, even a wadded up piece of paper can be really run interactive bird toys.

There are hundreds of safe and fun things to play with. Lighten up and show your bird a good time. One of my African Greys loves to play catch with a wadded up piece of paper. When catch time is over, he loves to shred it up. It doesn’t have to be expensive, it just has to be fun!

New Toy

Give your parrot something new to do when hanging out in inside the cage! Remodel a little. Rearrange the toys that are in there and purchase a new one. Parrots get board! Why not buy an extra toy or two for later while you are at it. You could rotate the toys when your parrot loses interest in it. I have a birdie toy box that all my toys go into. Periodically, I pull their current toys out and put some from the box in. The others go back into the toy box for later use. If the toys are damaged quite a bit, see if you can use the parts from several toys to make a new toy. Rotating and recycling toys prevents boredom, saves you money and gives your parrot a change of scenery regularly.

Shower

What pampering session would be complete without a nice shower or bath? Depending on your parrot’s preference, let them splash around in the sink or tub. Mist your bird with a squirt bottle or for a finer water spray you could use a birdie mister like Mr. Mister. I use a Mr. Mister for all my parrots, in fact they have their own shower perch. Whatever they prefer, make it fun!

African Grey, the Popular Talking Parrot

The African Grey is the most popular talking parrot, made famous in part by Einstein, the well known talking parrot. If you are thinking of keeping a parrot as a pet, you might want to consider an African Grey. They mimic sounds better than the other species, and are considered more intelligent. They can live up to 65 years of age, so you have plenty of time to teach it new words or sounds as they become your lifelong companion.

The African Grey is a social bird that needs a fair amount of interaction with humans to stay emotionally healthy. You should place the cage in the area of your house where there is human activity or interaction, like the living room or the dining room. Let the bird out of its cage and be handled by different people so that it will get used to being with humans and not be wary of them or be timid.

When not in the company of humans, provide your bird with a variety of toys to stimulate itself with. Purchase only toys from reliable brands that are safe from any lead content, because the bird does a lot of biting. You don't want any toxic material to get into the bird's system and harm its health and its ability to talk and sing. Use also natural wood perches for the bird to bite and chew. You will need a large cage for the bird's comfort and movement, so be generous when you purchase one. There are plenty of models and sizes to choose from at the pet store, so consider the space that you have in the house or apartment, and choose the best that suits you and your bird's needs.

The diet plan for an African Grey is fairly simple. Give your parrot a daily offering of fresh fruits and vegetables, and the usual pellets and seeds from the pet shop. Avoid giving your bird processed, fat-laden food such as cakes, pies, or chocolate. And give it a constant supply of water.

Bathe your bird frequently for good hygiene and look out for signs of diseases or feather plucking. Join an African Grey owners club if there's one in your area, or if not, on the internet and share experiences. You will find a lot of help and tips from like-minded individuals. But do find out the nearest veterinarian and take your bird there for a yearly check-up.

Parrotlets

Male Pacific parrotlets are olive green with a greyish wash over their backs and chests. They have a striking deep cobalt blue rump, blue eyestreaks that curve back and down from their eyes, and deep blue primary and secondary wing feathers. The hens may have some blue on them, similar to the males except for the wings, but their colouring won't be as deep and pronounced. Or they may be entirely green. Both have pink legs and beaks. They have a stocky, almost pear-shaped build, and weigh from 28-32g. Many colour mutations of Pacifics are now available. The most common ones here in the US are blue, yellow, fallow and lutino, along with the double mutations of white, blue fallow and albino. Many more colors have been developed in Europe and are slowly making their way into U.S. aviculture.

The green-rumped parrotlets, as their name implies, have green rumps, except for one subspecies in which the male does sport a blue rump. As in the Pacifics, their beaks and legs are pink. The males have turquoise blue on their wings, while the females do not. Their green is a slightly brighter, more emerald hue than the olive green of the Pacific, and they do not have the greyish wash. The hens have a touch of yellow just above their cere. Green-rumped parrotlets are just a bit smaller, weighing from 20-26g, and have a more slender build than the Pacific.

Male spectacled parrotlets are a deep forest green, and sport a brilliant blue eye ring, as well as blue rumps and wing feathers. The hens are a lighter shade of green, and do not have the blue colouring, although the ring around the eye is still visible as a different hue of green in natural lighting. They are similar in size and shape to the green-rumped, and have pink beaks and legs.

Blue-winged parrotlets are a bit larger than Pacifics, weighing in at 35 or more grams. Males have blue-violet rumps and wings, while hens have a yellowish tint to their faces. Their beaks and legs are grey.

Mexican parrotlets are also larger, weighing 36-40g. They are a brighter green than the Pacific, and the blue on the males' rumps and wings is a stunning electric turquoise that fairly glows under natural lighting. The feet and legs are grey, with the beaks turning to a greyish colour when they are mature.

Yellow-faced parrotlets are the largest of the Forpus family, weighing around 50g and measuring closer to 6 inches in length. Both males and females have blue on their rumps, wings and eyestreaks, but much more pronounced in the male. As their name implies, their faces are yellow, and their green colouring is more yellowish and greyish than the Pacific. They have a pronounced vertical dark streak on their upper mandibles.

Parrot's family.

Parakeet Parrots

Origin: India, Bangladesh, Burma, Andaman Islands ( Bay of Bengal ), Nepal, Pakistan, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Assam, Kampuchea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.

In Indonesia, it is usually called "Parkit". This birds is including in parrot's family.

Lovebirds Parrot

There are several species of lovebirds (genus Agapornis and but the most commonly found species in the pet trade include peach faced lovebirds (Agapornis roseicollis, masked lovebirds (Agapornis personata) and Fischer's lovebirds (Agapornis fischeri). There are many color mutations found in peach faced lovebirds and several mutations in some of the other species, so there are many color variations of lovebirds available.

This is one kind of parrot birds.

Conures Parrot

Conures - A few listed of this large family - Green cheek, Blue Throated, Black Capped, Maroon Bellied, Slinder Billed.

Conures is one kind of parrot.

Cookatoo Parrot

This is cockatoo parrot.