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.

Cockatiels As Pets - Best Practices to Prepare Yourself For New Cockatiel at Home

One of the popular birds preferred for a pet is the cockatiel. Pet enthusiasts have given consideration on cockatiels as pets primarily because of these birds' behavior and qualities. They are also known as little parrots with diverse color patterns and of course, a crest. Cockatiels are attractive, easy-to-tame and affable. With their size, some are convinced that they are easy to handle.

Any pet aficionado will adore raising cockatiels as pets because they simply are entertaining because of their specially ability in mimicking speech that they hear or taught upon. Quite the opposite, these birds are comparatively good in whistling several melodies that they either hear from or get taught as well. With these, you now know what type of talking parrots appear in some shows.

Should you choose cockatiels as pets, single out a hand-fed cockatiel that you can also supervise regularly. The prices of cockatiels differ depending on its color. Well, you can expect to shell out more amount of money for a cockatiel from decent breeders than getting from a pet store. But then, any expenditure of a good handled cockatiel is worth it.

Cockatiels as pets are obtainable from pet shops. Preferably, choose an active one. A cockatiel which quietly sits might be feeling sick and should be passed up by buyers. Their feathers should be supple, shiny and lays flat on their body. Feathers should be clean and dry. Look at their feet as their feet scales ought to be smooth. Their nails and nostrils must be in great condition and their beak should be well-shaped.

A proper cockatiel cage is another major thing to think about cockatiels as pets. Because of their playfulness, they have to be endowed with an ample-spaced cage. It should be at a minimum of 26 inches height and 20x20 inches width. Its spacing should not go over æ inches. Horizontal cages regularly provide a great way them to keep fit and climb perches. Few spaces should be provided as perches.

Cockatiels as pets entail giving suitable nourishment. Bird seeds are beneficial aspects of a cockatiel's diet. The problem is that they have high fat content. So, seeds must be given moderately. Experts can suggest a mere 30% of it. Conversely, pelleted diets are typically fine choices for birds as they are balanced and best of all, birds don't pick a favorite seed to eat a favorite kernel then just put down the remaining seeds.

Cockatiel Diseases - A Description of 3 Pet Cockatiel Illnesses

Cockatiels are generally hardy birds which helps make them one of the most popular pet birds. However, there are illnesses that are specific to the species. Getting to know what is normal for your bird (and normal is different for birds even of the same species) will help you to know when there is a problem and allow you to get help quickly. Here are 3 descriptions of diseases and their symptoms.

Pacheco's Virus has proven to be nearly 100% fatal because of its hard to detect symptoms and aggressive attack on the bird's system. Caused by the herpes virus, it is generally spread from one bird to another through spoiled food, water, and droppings; and birds that are stressed seem more susceptible. There has been some success in treatment with the use of a vaccine, but it causes side effects that are almost as problematic as the disease itself, mainly tumors at the injection site, paralysis, and death. It is the larger parrots that seem to have most of the negative reactions to the vaccine. The best defense seems to be a powerful offense on the owner's part by staying alert for any changes in your bird's eating patterns, elimination, energy level, or onset of discharge of any kind and then getting your bird professional help immediately.

Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease often abbreviated as PBFD is cause by a virus--psittacine circovirus 1 (PsCV-1), that attacks the immune system that presents with loss of feathers, deformed development of beaks, nails, and claws. Birds showing any of these symptoms should be immediately tested for the disease as early detection increases the chance of survival exponentially. This disease spreads through airborne dander, feather, dried fecal matter and secretions from the infected bird, easily infects other birds, but cannot be passed to humans. The good news is that often young birds survive and form a natural immunity to the disease.

Psittacosis sometimes referred to as Parrot Fever or Bird Fancier's Lung (BFL), is a disease that all species of birds are susceptible to, and one that can be passed to humans as well. Pet birds are the most frequent transmitters of the disease especially many types of Parrots. Because it is caused by virus-like bacteria, it can be effectively treated with antibiotics when detected early. There is a good recovery rate for birds and humans. Spread from minute particle of infected fecal matter that dries and becomes airborne, it is a menace to other birds as well.

How to Buy Cockatiel Cages

Cockatiels, small parrots with a crest available in a variety of color patterns, are quite popular birds. If you're looking for a cage for your cockatiel, there are a few things you need to consider. Cages designed for other types usually aren't suitable. This article will share with you some of the things you need to consider when buying cockatiel cages.
Size

One of the most important decisions you'll have to make is about size. Your bird will likely be very active, so you should provide him with a relatively large cage. It should at least be wide enough so that he can fully spread his wings without hitting the side of the cage. At a minimum, the cage should be 20 inches x 20 inches wide.

The height of the cage is also important. There should be enough space for you to erect two perches in the cage at different levels. With this in mind, look for a cage that is between 16 and 26 inches tall.

Bars

You also need to pay attention to the spacing between the bars when buying cockatiel cages. It's important that the bars are spaced no more than 3/4 inches apart. If the spacing is any wider, your bird may get his head stuck in between. You or your bird certainly don't want that. Also, look for a design that also has horizontal bars. Your cockatiel will enjoy climbing on them which counts as exercise.

Floor

It's also a good idea to look for a cage that has a floor grate. Cockatiels spend a lot of time on the floor of their cages. A floor grate will help you clean up droppings easily.

Signs of a Sick Cockatiel

Like most birds, cockatiels are very good at masking signs of health problems. Most diseases aren't detected until they have already reached an advanced stage. Therefore, you need to keep a close eye on your bird so you'll know when there's something wrong. Here are a few signs of a sick cockatiel that every owner should know.
Weight

If possible, you should try to weigh your bird on a daily basis. Sick cockatiels will slowly lose weight everyday, so you'll easily be able to detect the loss. Losing weight means that your bird isn't eating as much as usual, a sure sign that there's something wrong.

Vomiting

One of the more obvious signs of a sick cockatiel is vomiting. This is one of the most serious symptoms that your bird can develop. It can be a sign that he has a crop infection, blocked gizzard, or is suffering from heavy metal poisoning. You should seek veterinary help as soon as possible if your bird experiences recurring episodes of vomiting.

Sneezing

Another common symptom is sneezing. This is usually caused by a sinus infection. However, sinus infections can be due to various reasons, so a veterinarian will have to determine the cause. Bacterial infections, fungal infections, or conditions such as Psittacosis are usually to blame.

Feather Picking

One of the next common signs of a sick cockatiel is feather picking. This can be caused by a parasitic infection or an underlying disease. Sometimes, it's just the result of behavioral problems. In some cases, it can be a combination of both. The vet will have to rule out disease as the underlying cause.

Screeching

If you've kept your bird for a while, you should know how much noise it usually makes. Excessive screeching is a sign that something is wrong. Like feather picking, it can be caused by parasites, disease, or just a behavioral problem.

Expert Tips For Training Cockatiels to Talk

Although cockatiels are a bit more difficult to train than other members of the parrot family, it can be done. If you're thinking about training your bird to talk, there are a few things you should know to make the process a little easier. Here are a few tips for training cockatiels to talk.
Interest

You should be aware that these birds will only try to repeat words that they're interested in. If they show little interest when you say the word, then it's pretty much guaranteed that they won't try to say it. You can easily tell if he's interested when you say something.

Simplicity

When training cockatiels to talk, it's best to start out very simple. Don't try to teach them big words or phrases from the start. Instead, begin with a word that has only one syllable. Keep repeating this word during every training session. Don't move on to a new one until your bird has learned the first one.

Sex

You also need to consider the sex of your bird when training it. If you want a talking cockatiel, then it's best to get a male as opposed to a female. Male birds can mimic human speech much easier than their female counterparts. It's pretty hard to tell what sex your bird is if he's young, so you may need outside help in determining the sex.

Treats

It's best to have treats handy while training cockatiels to talk. If he shows interest in what you're saying, then you should give him a treat. This will encourage your bird to listen better and try to mimic the word.

Cockatiel Care by an Expert

Cockatiels are beautiful creatures that are amazing to look at, they are also very clever and can make one of the most fantastic pets, that is if you know how to look after one properly. Often people buy a bird such as a cockatiel without any knowledge of what it actually takes to care for one correctly and this can cause massive headaches to the owners. You might not be aware of it but there is a heck of a lot more to owning a cockatiel than buying a cage, some food and letting it get on with life. You need to know about what size of cage your bird needs to be in, what food is good for it and what isn't and what signs to look out for if you suspect that you cockatiel is ill. In short you need to be an expert in cockatiel care.

So how do you go about this? I'm guessing that like the majority of cockatiel owners you don't have the time to spend hours and hours reading book on the subject, you want to know the basics and then have some point of reference that you can look at when you need to know something specific. Unfortunately most books on cockatiel care tend to be very basic and do not cover a great deal in the, meaning any behaviour problems or health concerns you might have about your cockatiel are not fully addressed. For a comprehensive and detailed ebook on cockatiel care which is written by an expert you must read "The Easy Parrot" by Sapphyre who is an avian specialist with 25 years of experience. This is a must have book that every cockatiel owner should have if they want to do away with costly vets bills and so on.

Cockatiels

The Basics of Pet Cockatiel Care

Cockatiels are among the most popular pet birds. Small parrots with a variety of colour patterns and a crest, they are attractive as well as friendly and easy to tame. Because of their small size, cockatiel care and taming is easier than some other parrot species. They are capable of mimicking speech, although they can be difficult to understand. However, they are quite good at whistling and can often be taught to whistle tunes.

Parrots As Pets - 8 Parrot Species Described

Parrots are wonderful creatures with their stunningly beautiful colors, super intellect, and their show-stopping ability to speak words and imitate sounds. If you are considering adopting a Parrot here are brief descriptions of eight types. Most have considerable life spans, so knowing what to expect will go a long way towards helping you choose once and well.

African Greys are medium size birds that are grey and sometimes have a red tail and or red wings. Many speak using a large vocabulary of words, and imitate sounds they hear, but there is no guarantee that every Grey, and more specifically, your Grey will speak. Buying the bird for this feature is not a good idea. They can be very loud, and sometimes even scream. They are demanding in terms of the human attention they need, but will more than reward your attention with love and loyalty.

Cockatiels are gentle natured birds that are generally less expensive than most other parrots. They are a great choice for a first time bird owner because they are non-aggressive and adapt very easily to their humans particularly if they have been weaned, hand fed, and adopted when very young. They are a hardy birds with a usual life span of between 15 and 20 years. Normally grey in the wild, there is a huge color selection available ranging from white to cinnamon with many mutations in between, but are most often thought of as cream-colored with a yellow plume.

Cockatoos look very similar to Cockatiels but are much larger and can be aggressive and even bite if caution is not used. This is a generalization, but making sure you choose one that is gentle will make a better pet that can be enjoyed by you and children in the family as well. They are much more costly ranging upwards of $1,000 as opposed to Cockatiels which range in the $100's to purchase. They are quite loud, but can learn a wide variety of words which is one of the reasons for the added cost to purchase.

Conures are small in size by parrot standards with long tails and a wide variety of vivid colors available. They are highly intelligent and love to play and clown around. They can be taught to do tricks, and may learn to speak. An experienced owner who is home a lot is best because they need a minimum of several hours each day of socialization to avoid behavior problems and biting. Providing lots of toys can cut down on their natural tendency toward excessive chewing. Their screeching is a well-known trait, and whereas it is not desirable to totally eliminate it, early training can keep it from becoming a problem.

Lovebirds are generally only 5 to 6 inches long and come in a variety of colors. If you have a lot of time adopting one will work; if not, getting 2 at the same time will provide the social interaction that they need, but be prepared for them bonding more to each other than to you. Though small in size, they have big personalities and need daily training and handling to keep them tame. They can bite and be territorial so they are not for the faint of heart. But with proper care they can be cuddly, loyal companions that live 15 years or longer.

Macaws are the largest birds in the Parrot family and can live on average up to 50 years. Know that adopting a Macaw means a commitment for life. Because of their size they need a lot of space inside the cage, and need to be allowed outside the cage daily for a minimum of several hours. They have strong beaks and can chew excessively to the point of destroying furniture. They need daily human interaction and training, and a wide variety of toys that are rotated on a regular basis to provide constant stimulation.

Parakeet literally means long tail and serves as an excellent beginning to the description of this medium size member of the Parrot family. Available in a wide variety of colors, they range in size from 7 to 18 inches long. Their personalities are generally friendly, social and energetic making it a popular choice for those who want a bird as a companion. They are quite intelligent and in many cases can learn to speak.

Parrotlets are miniature size parrots that offer the same wide spectrum of colors generally associated with the Parrot family, only they are usually less than 5 inches long. Though small, they are fearless and will often attack other bigger birds and animals. They, as any bird, should be constantly supervised when out of the cage and kept separate from other birds and animals. With proper care they can live 15 years or more.