Help and advice for Parrots
Mention "Pretty Polly" and a squawking, gregarious brightly coloured parrot springs to mind. The world over parrots are celebrated for their fast talking and keen wit. From the moment intelligent Man came to appreciate the world, he kept company with parrots. Undisputedly the most intelligent birds in the world, parrots are also the most long-lived of the species living to over thirty years. Today, these birds grace the lives of many people, all of whom are humbled by the parrot's inordinate intelligence, emotional sensitivity and sense of fun.
Types
Parrots belong to the family of Psittacidae, of which there are more than 326 species in the world's tropical and subtropical belts. The range is huge - the Amazon parrot from South America, the clever grey parrots, charming lovebirds from Africa as well as the parakeets from East Asia, Indonesia and Australia. The largest parrots are macaws 39 inches (1 metre) while the smallest are the pygmy parrots measuring just 4 inches. Despite the contrast in size and colour most parrots have the ability to talk (or at least whistle) and have similar characteristics.
Characteristics
Parrots are wasteful creatures and will regularly drop half nibbled on the ground. In the wild parrots have an abundant supply of food, which encourages them to be wasteful.
Parrots are highly emotional, loyal birds that bond for life with their mating partners - and their human owners! If a pair of parrots are separated, the stress and grieving could bring early death. By the same token, if a pet parrot is separated from its owner the bird may fall ill and never recover due to the pain of separation. Parrots are generally peaceful and contented birds, who woo owners with their capacity for expression, fine memory and droll personality. Yet with this level of intensity there are inevitably drawbacks for the owner: parrots demand a considerable level of care, especially on an emotional, interactive level.
Cage
Parrots need considerably large cages, measuring at least 16 x 16 x 31 inches.
The cage should not be round as this can cause circling disease in parrots.
It should have horizontal bars because parrots love to climb.
The cage door should be large and securely fastened, preferably with a break proof fastening. Parrots have strong beaks and are notorious for smashing the sturdiest of items by chewing.
Cages should be made from steel as wood is easily chewed. The bottom of the cage should have a removable tray for ease of cleaning.
Perches
Parrots benefit most from natural perches as these give greater exercise to the bird's claws. Natural bark acts like a natural exfoliation by maintaining nail condition. Bark also provides an excellent source of nutrition. Always be sure that branches are free from pollutants. Parrots will need several perches in their cage as they are highly active birds and need to be on the move.
Feeding bowls
Parrots need chute feeders or those attached to the side of the cage. These prevent the bird from soiling the food with its droppings or scattering its food wastefully around the cage. Spouted drinkers are also advised because parrots will soak their cage if water is left in a bowl. Parrots need four feeders in the cage - one for grains, water, fresh fruit and vegetables.
Cuttlefish Bone
This belongs in every cage. It is usually clipped to the cage wire. The bird uses it for beak trimming and a source of calcium and phosphorous.
Grit
The cage bottom should be lined with sand or grit. Like all seed eating birds, parrots require gravel if they are to properly digest their food. Having no teeth birds need gravel mixed with their diet of seeds. This mixture enters the gizzard where the friction of gravel on seed effectively grinds the food so it is absorbed more completely at a later stage.
Toys
Parrots have very active minds so they need constant distraction. Parrots need three hours of quality time with their owners every day. Failing this, the best approach is to provide a range of interactive toys - mirrors, solid plastic balls, swings, bundles of twigs tied between bars of the cage, thick hemp rope with knots, empty cardboard boxes and tubes, etc.
Feeding
In the wild parrots will have a magnificent array of foods at its disposal: grains, nuts, fruits, grasses, roots and bark. Some owners expect their parrots to survive on a diet of grains and the occasional piece of fruit but this can cause vitamin deficiency and possible liver damage (which is the most frequent cause of death in pet parrots). Therefore a varied, balanced diet cannot be stressed enough.
Grain is obviously a main constituent in a parrot's diet but various combinations of grain should be offered. The biggest and best seeds are: sunflower seed, rape seed, oats, canary seed, budgie seed, grass seed, millet, wheat, etc. Parrots can be encouraged to eat healthily if the food is made exciting. For example, some owners hang green peppers from the top of the cage or put quarters of apples between the rungs of the cage.
Parrots need fresh vegetables and fruit but don't feed the following foods: cabbages, raw potatoes, green beans, grapefruit, lemons, plums and rhubarb. Parrots will eat mostly in the morning and late afternoons, so food should be available especially first thing in the morning when the bird needs to build its energy reserves. In winter parrots may need a multivitamin supplement which contains Vitamin A, B complex, and Vitamin C. Parrots cannot digest spicy, salty, fatty or sugary foods - so don't feed the bird human left-overs.
A fresh supply of water should be available at all times for parrots and it must be changed daily.
Location of cage
The budgie should feel safe and comfortable at all times so keep the cage away from direct sunlight, in a draught free place. The cage should also be slightly elevated - preferably at the same level as the human head: parrots crave eye contact with their owners.
Having adapted to tropical temperatures, parrots are very sensitive to fluctuations in temperature within the home. If there is a considerable drop in temperature during the night the parrot's cage should be covered with a sheet to trap heat.
Cleaning
The bird's cage should be cleaned on a weekly to kill bacteria and ensure the continued health of the bird. Perches and containers should be cleaned and leftover seed removed. The cage should be completely dry before the bird is returned.
Health
A healthy parrot will have smooth glossy feathers, lying smoothly on the body.
Ruffled feathers are a sign of sickness: the bird is trying to keep warm. A parrot's temperature (109F) is considerably higher than that of a human, but with only a thin layer of fat and a small body a parrot has to manipulate its feathers for heat.
A healthy parrot is alert and interested in its environment. It will take pride in its appearance by regularly preening itself, drinking and eating, and resting with one leg on the perch. Perching with both feet on the perch indicates an unhealthy bird.
An unhealthy parrot will be indifferent to its surrounding and stare vacantly ahead.
The anus should be clear from mucus or discharge. Diarrhoea can indicate disease which should be treated rapidly if dehydration is to be prevented.
In a healthy bird the droppings are dark and firm in consistency. Watery, foamy or red droppings can indicate a serious disease.
Eyes and nostrils should be clear from discharge.
Feather plucking
This is a disturbing problem in parrots which experts believe results from emotional disturbances. Parrots will pluck themselves until the only remaining feathers are on the parrot's head - and therefore out of reach. Causes include separation from owner or mate, lack of mate at the peak of sexual maturity, lack of exercise, dietary imbalances, stresses occasioned by change in routine. Sometimes the symptoms disappear if the bird is paid enough attention. It is best to consult the vet.
Talking
Parrots are great mimics and are often heard imitating the bark of a dog, the miaow of a cat or the crying of a baby. They also say complete sentences and are likely to repeat everyday expressions or commands - people's names or directives like "close that door." To teach your parrot to talk simply wait until the room is empty and still so there are no distractions. Then repeat certain words very slowly and clearly. Patience will be required and remember that if a parrot is stressed or ill it is unlikely to talk. If the bird fails to talk over a prolonged period, encourage it to sing or whistle instead. Simply play intelligent tunes and melodies on the stereo or CD player or hum your favourite songs as you go about the home.
Free flying
Some pet parrots have their wings clipped, which prevents them from flying around the room. If letting a parrot loose in a room check that all methods of escape are barred and that the curtains are pulled: frightened birds will head towards the brightest light coming through the window. But being unable to spot the glass in the window they could seriously injure themselves.
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