Today we are going to give you Being a Good Parrot Parent. A few weeks ago we did a talk, You Are Thinking of Getting a Pet? This starts our upcoming Pet Series. We plan to have a talk on caring for dogs, cats, fish, birds, reptiles, and other kinds of household pets. There will be helpful info for choosing a pet, caring for that pet, tools, treats, recipes, checklists, and logbooks for these pets. Please stick around for all the pet stuff to come.

Being a Good Parrot Parent is by no means a complete list of things you need to know, do, or have to keep a happy pet parrot but it is a good place to start. We always recommend you if you are interested in something, anything no matter what it is, do your research. Do not jump in without having the correct info or all the facts, this will set you up for failure and disappointment. But Here are the basics of parrot parenthood.

Being a Good Parrot Parent:

A. 10 Things To Consider Before Becoming a Parrot Parent

So you want to get a parrot? Pet ownership is something no one should ever go into lightly. When it comes to exotic animals and birds there are probably some things you want to educate yourself on before you commit to one. And make no mistake about it, adopting a parrot is a lifelong commitment. Here are 10 Things To Consider Before Becoming a Parrot Parent.

1. There are over 350 species of parrots. So before you get a parrot you’ll want to know exactly what species it is and exactly what will be required for that parrot’s care. You’ll also want to know what behavioral issues you might be getting yourself in for. Just like any other type of animal, each kind of parrot has it’s own personality, needs, and quirks.

2. Parrots live a very long life. Some species can live for 60-80 years. That means a truly lifelong commitment. If you think your bird is going to outlive you, then you’ll want to consider what might happen to your parrot after you’re gone. This could mean putting the parrot in a will and leaving it to a family member or friend or possibly leaving it to a zoo.

3. These are highly intelligent birds. Some are even as smart as a 3-year-old. Because of this some parrots will require a lot of interaction and time outside of the cage. When you’re not able to entertain your parrot you’ll need to provide it with other ways to entertain itself. Whether it’s with safe toys, television or radio, or another parrot they will require that stimulation.

4. Parrots can be messy birds. You’ll need to clean up around the cage, in the cage, and whatever play area they have throughout the day. Just like with kids, a kid playing happily makes one kind of mess but an unhappy kid makes a totally different kind of mess.

5. You will need to be mindful of a parrot’s diet. They require a strict diet of dry pellets, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. It will need to be prepared fresh for your parrot. It is best to do your research to be sure you know exactly what you kind of parrot can and can not eat before you start. As with may animals what one can eat another can not.

6. A parrot needs to stretch its wings. You don’t want to keep it caged up. Part of its daily play should be in an open area in your home where he can take flight. This area will need to be made parrot safe before you let your parrot out into it. Ceiling fans, window blinds, electric cords, and things like that can be dangerous or even fatal to your parrot. Be sure that there is nothing in the “flight” area that your parrot can hurt itself on.

7. Owning a parrot can be very much like having a child in your home. Play time and back talk might be part of your day to day with a parrot much like a child, but you’ll also have to give your parrot a safe environment to roam in. Parrot proofing is going to be important. You’ll have to figure out what things in your home could be toxic to your parrot. Chlorine bleach and ammonia are some things that even just the fumes can be toxic to parrots so you won’t want these things in your home. Even aerosol products can be dangerous to your parrot so you’ll need to watch out for these things in your home. Even consider the kinds of pots and pans you cook with, “non-stick” coating fumes are toxic to birds and will kill your parrot if it is exposed to this kind of dish.

8. A smoke-free home is a happy home with a parrot. Even just passive inhalation of common smoking devices can cause parrots to have eye problems, skin problems, and respiratory disease. And you absolutely do not want to smoke marijuana around a parrot because this will cause the bird to regurgitate and to suffer from severe depression. Overall, it is best to avoid any kind of smoke or drugs around parrots, any bird actually. Birds in general have very bad reactions to these kinds of exposures and can easily get sick or die.

9. Even though parrots come from a tropical climate, domesticated it’s best to keep them at a temperature before 60 and 80 degrees. They are comfortable with that temperature, but they can handle temperatures up to 90 degrees and as low as 40 degrees. But be cautious, any drastic increase or decrease in temperature up to 15 degrees either way in a 24 hour period can be dangerous for your parrot. This kind of change can also cause your parrot to get sick. A parrot with a respiratory infection can be hard to handle. Just like with a sick child, they feel bad and they do not want to take their medicine. But unlike a child, hopefully, some parrots can bite your finger off when they are upset.

10. Parrots are very vocal. You can help keep the noise down by providing plenty of stimulation and entertainment for it, but they have a loud squawk and will continue to use it especially if you don’t give him enough attention. Again, like bored kids, a bored parrot can be loud and quite something to handle.

So as you can see parrots require a lot of work. It really is like having a child. They live a long time, make messes and lots of noise, and need lots of attention. So you will have to ask yourself, can you provide the kind of environment that a parrot can thrive and be happy in?

Being a Good Parrot Parent:

B. 10 Most Common Kinds Of Pet Parrots

With some 350 different species of parrots out there you might be thinking, what are the most common types of parrots? And what makes them different from each other? Well, we have compiled a list of the ten most common types of parrots out there. You’ll probably recognize a lot of the names, but now you’ll know what makes them different.

1. Cockatiels. These are small parrots that come in many different colors. They can be sweet, personable, and easy to care for. They make a great family pet. They are good whistlers and the male cockatiels can be taught to talk. They can be very loyal birds and become very attached. Good for a first time bird owner and families with small children.

2. Love birds. Another small bird. They are quiet and so suitable for apartment living, but not great for small children. They require a lot of handling to not become nippy. Contrary to what you might think it’s best to only have one love bird. If you get two they will bond to each other and not you.

3. Small Parakeets. Obviously a small parrot. Parakeets really encompass a lot of different breeds of parrots. They all have long tail feathers. They range in size and each with a very different personality. The most common parakeet is Budgrigar. This is the green and yellow parakeet.

4. Parrotlets. These are just as the name suggests. A very much parrot like bird only the size of a love bird. The are mostly green in color, but some have blue, especially the males. They are similar in personality to the great Amazon parrots, but much smaller making them easier to care for. They are entertaining and playful while also being easy to teach tricks and even how to talk.

5. Amazon. The class clown of parrots. The talkative large birds have quite a sense of humor about them. They have a beautiful singing voice and are very playful. However, they can also be on the aggressive side. They might not make the best pet with a family but can make a better one-on-one companion.

6. African Gray. This is probably the most popular parrot. Probably also the most intelligent and talkative of the parrot family. They make great companions and can learn a large vocabulary (possibly over 1500 words). They can even mimic other voices. They require a lot of interaction and stimulation.

7. Hawk Headed Parrot. These are unique parrots who like hawks raise the feathers on the nape of their neck to make them look larger. They make for a great pet for the experienced parrot owner. They are loyal, curious, and affectionate, but they can become aggressive if not handled enough, or properly.

8. Mini Macaw. Another very intelligent parrot that can learn to talk and do tricks. Teach him to play dead, do somersaults, and even dance. Make sure they have a lot of toys though as they can be chewers. They are many different colors like green, red and green, red and yellow, blue, and blue and gold. Smaller than the Macaw, but still a larger bird with a powerful bite.

9. Cockatoo. These parrots are not lacking in the love department. They are a bit of a needy bird. They require a lot of attention. So be prepared for cuddles. They are very loud. Mostly white or black with crests of different colors. They do not like to be left alone and will let you know if they are not pleased.

10. Macaws. The largest of the pet parrots and also very popular. They come in many different colors much like their smaller counterparts. The have the intelligence of a 3-8 year old, but emotionally can be more like a 2 year old. They are high maintenance. Also able to learn to talk and do some tricks. They require a lot of intention and interaction to keep they happy and friendly.

These are the most common species of parrot that people tend to keep as pets. Smaller parrots are generally better suited for inexperienced bird owners while the larger ones do best with an experienced owner. Keep that in mind when choosing a parrot. Of course, these is not all the kinds of parrots but this is the common ones that can be found at pet stores and reputable bird breeders.

Being a Good Parrot Parent:

C. 5 Ways To Keep a Happy Parrot

It’s important to keep your parrot happy. A happy parrot makes for a happy home. If you have an angry parrot, then everyone’s just going to be miserable. So here’s how to keep your parrot happy in your home.

5 Ways To A Happy Parrot

1. Flight space. Your parrot needs to be able to stretch his wings. Remember, this is an exotic bird that used to roam free. Even if you have a domesticated parrot he needs to spread his wings. A large cage is nice, but even better is an area indoors that you can regularly let him out to soar. He can feel free and that will make him happy. Give him his own perch or even play trees or stands to make your parrot feel more like he’s in his natural environment. A good four hours of flight time a day will be great for your parrot.

2. The proper diet. This is very important to a happy parrot. Proper seeds, pellets, and fruits and vegetables for your parrot will not only keep him healthy, but happy as well. Don’t you feel happy when you have a well-fed belly? And to go along with this you’ll want to make sure your parrot has a nice bowl of fresh clean water. Change it out daily and make sure the dish is clean. Many kinds of parrots like to dunk their food in the water kind-of like cereal. Or they like to bath themselves. Both of these things can make for nasty water and a parrot will not drink nasty water if it can be avoided.

3. Cage placement. You want to make sure the cage is in an area with plenty of natural sunlight. But watch for drafts, especially if you live in cold climates. Parrots are tropical birds so they need to be kept warm. Make sure it’s placed in a room that is full of activity. A family room or the kitchen where the family congregates the most is great because your parrot is a social bird who loves interaction. But he’ll need his rest as well, so make sure he’s in an area where he can get ten to twelve hours of sleep. Be careful to avoid areas with overly loud noises like the kids tv room or video game area. This may be too loud and upset your parrot. They like to be included in family activities but not have their senses overwhelmed.

4. Toys. Parrots need the stimulation of toys. Have plenty of them and rotate them out so he doesn’t ever get board. Be careful what he plays with though. Make sure they are safe for parrots and inspect them to make sure they are not broken when you give them to him. There are many different kinds of bird toys to be found at pet stores, just be sure you get toys safe for the size of bird you have. Just like with a dog, you need to have the right size toy or they can swallow it or break it and swallow the pieces.

5. Interaction. You don’t have to pick up your bird, but talking to your parrot will make him happy. Some of them might even begin to talk back. Making parrots a fun companion all around. There are kinds of parrots that like to be held but be sure you “offer” your arm, so do not just grab a parrot or any bird, that can result in a nasty bite and hurt feelings for you and your parrot.

Another way to make things run smoothly is to establish yourself as the flock leader. Your parrot needs to know to respect you and you can achieve this by working on teaching him tricks and interacting. Know your parrot and know what his screams mean. This is how parrots communicate so you will need to know if he’s screaming out of unhappiness, fright, or joy. This will help you to keep your parrot happy. In time you will get to understand what your parrot is saying to you. Each trill, scream, squak, and beak click means something, the trick is to know what.

There is nothing worse than an unhappy parrot. It leads to aggression or self-mutilation and lots of screeching. Worst case scenario an unhappy parrot can cause itself injury or even death. So do what you can to establish order and happiness within your family with your parrot and you should live a very long and happy life together.

Being a Good Parrot Parent:

D. 3 Requirements For Caring For Your Parrot

Parrots can make a really great domestic pet, but you’ll need to know how to care for them. Caring for an exotic bird like a parrot is not like a dog or a cat. So if you’re looking for the how to in daily care of a parrot, then you’ve come to the right place. Here is some basic parrot care which will help your parrot live a long and happy life with you.

1. Diet

We have mentioned this one before but it is truly a very important part of having a happy, healthy parrot.

Your parrot has got to eat, just like you. It’s not as simple as some bird seed though. There’s not enough nutrition in seeds and pellets. You will also want to make sure you feed your bird fruits and vegetables, pellets, nuts, and seeds, and don’t forget about the water.

Watch out for sunflower seeds and peanuts. These are too fattening. These are some mainstays of a parrot diet:

* Apple

* Bananas

* Berries

* Broccoli

* Carrots

* Cauliflower

* Cheese

* Chilies

* Collard

* Greens

* Corn

* Grains – whole wheat breads

* Grapes

* Green Beans

* Kale

* Mango

* Melon

* Orange

* Papaya

* Pasta (raw or cooked)

* Pear

* Peas

* Popcorn

* Spinach

* Yogurt

Food pellets can be used well in conjunction with these basic foods. But seed can be good as well. Make sure it’s a good mixture of seeds and you provide enough for your parrot to eat daily.

Don’t be afraid of cooked foods. If you’re having mashed potatoes, beans, eggs, rice, etc then go ahead and put it in your parrot’s food dish. Parrots can not eat just any human or cooked foods so be sure to do your research on this area so you do not accidentally poison your parrot.  Stay away from seasonings with your parrot, they can enjoy some herbs but things like salt, pepper, and heavy spice they can not tolerate.

Wash bowls and dishes daily in soapy hot water. Keep the water fresh and not placed under the birds perch or near his favorite toy. No one wants to drink nasty water and some parrots will simply refuse to do so and this can cause them to become dehydrated. Like people your parrot can get sick from germs in dirty water.

You should never feed your parrot things like chocolate, avocado, caffeine, or heavily salty and greasy foods. No fruit pits either. These can be toxic for your bird. Again, do your research into what your parrot can and can not eat, some things are ok in small amounts while others will make your parrot sick right off.

Just remember, like a child a well balanced diet is important with lots of variety.

2. Bathing

Baths are not required daily, but it should be done regularly. Two to three times a week is good. Your parrot will likely love it. If at first he doesn’t like it, don’t give up. The more he is bathed the more he will get used to it and before you know it he’ll be begging for bath time. Once your parrot get used to baths, it may want to take a bath on its own. A larger tub can be put into the birds cage or even in the flight area so the parrot can bath at it leisure.

Here’s how to give your parrot a bath:

* Fill a spray bottle with tepid water and holding the bottle 18 inches from your parrot and spritz, or take him in the shower with you, or a shallow bowl or sink filled with about 2 inches of water will go.

* No soap required. Just get the wings wet with a little water and the rest happens naturally.

* You can then towel dry your parrot. You can blow dry, but set the dryer to warm and keep it 18 inches away. It’s important that you keep your parrot warm after a bath as they are tropical animals. Note, many parrots do not like the blow dryer and will become upset with it. In this case, do not use it.

Parrots can’t swim so always supervise them around the water. But baths in general are great for a parrots skin and feathers so doing it regularly is important for a healthy parrot. If you are going to leave a tub in the cage or flight area be sure it is large enough for the parrot to bath itself but not deep enough for the parrot to drown or get stuck in. A soggy parrot is not good.

3. Other Daily Reminders

Your parrot needs plenty of attention and nurturing on a daily basis.

Playtime and interaction are very important. If left alone too long or too often parrots can get depressed and withdrawn.

Allow him to stretch his wings as well. Even parrots need to stretch and exercise their muscles.

Cleaning out his birdcage on a daily basis is important. No one wants to have to sit in a dirty cage but parrots can get depressed if they are left in unhealthy surroundings.

Plenty of playthings are going to be important for your parrot as well. You can even use household items like paper towel rolls, empty bottles, cardboard boxes, etc to create playthings for your parrot to keep him occupied.

Watch out for toxic things or things he can hurt himself on when you let him out to play though.

Parrot ownership is a great thing so long as you remember a good daily diet, regular bathing, and plenty of interaction. You are going to have your parrot for a long time, so you want to make it good times. Having a parrot can be a similar responsibility as having a child. So remember that when you are deciding if you are ready for parrot ownership.

Being a Good Parrot Parent:

E. 7 Steps To Training Your Parrot

Everyone who sees a parrot wants to get it to talk. Some are more talkative than others and of course it will depend on the species of parrot. But even beyond that just teaching tricks to your parrot will all lead to good behavior on your parrots part. Parrots require a lot of attention and interaction so the more time you spend interacting and teaching the better. But who doesn’t want a parrot to do parlor tricks at your next get together? So here’s how to train our parrot to do tricks (even talking if that’s something the species has the ability to do).

First of all keep in mind positive rewards are key when it comes to getting a parrot to do what you want. Praise is great, but Polly really does want a cracker. So when you’re trying to train your parrot make sure you have plenty of treats on hand. When you get an undesired reaction out of your parrot just ignore it. Parrots often are about as smart as a 2 year old, so think of it like you would with a child. Sometimes negative attention is better than no attention so you don’t want to get your parrot into that mindset. Once you are prepared with your positive reward you can follow these steps to train your parrot.

1. Work with your parrot when you’re in a good mood. This will make it easier to provide the positive award and not snap at your parrot.

2. Consider your parrot’s mood as well. If it’s time to eat or a time he usually likes to sleep, then you’re probably not going to get the desired behavior out of him.

3. Short and sweet training sessions are great, but do it a lot and consistently. Attention span will likely be much like a 2-year-old. Parrots, like kids are easily distracted so keep other activities to a minimum. And do not try to teach more than one thing at a time, the parrot may get confused as to what you want if you are giving multiple commands.

4. Once he begins to get the trick start switching your reward to praise instead of what you used to get the desired reaction. This way there won’t be that expectation every time he does it and you are more likely to get him to do the trick sporadically.

5. Always end on a high note. If you get the desired reaction or something that’s close enough, then it’s a good time to end the day and move onto something else.

6. Always keep training sessions upbeat and fun. You don’t want it to become a chore, or a task to just get through like homework.

7. Teaching your parrot to step up on your your finger or porch and step down on command is a great way to start training your parrot. It’s simple and stepping up is something very natural for a bird. Step down might be a little harder to teach, but it’s a good thing to start out with.

If you keep these basics in mind when it comes to training your parrot, then you should really have no problem achieving the desired outcomes. Just remember, know your parrot’s limits and capabilities. Start small and work up with plenty of positive reinforcement and you’ll have a parrot doing tricks before you know it.

One last thing to consider is the Veterinarian cost of keeping a parrot. The vet bills can be high for a good Exotic Vet, not all vets can or will treat exotic birds. Parrots can come down with some odd things and a good vet and the medicine to treat the parrot can be higher than with other pets. If you are planning to get a parrot be sure, again, to do your research and find a vet in your area who will treat your parrot if there is a need.

As we said at the beginning, Being a Good Parrot Parent is not all you need to know, have or do but it is a good place to start. This should give you an idea as to if you think it will be worth getting into parrot parenthood or not. Not to discourage you from getting a parrot but to help you understand a parrots’ needs and let you make the best choices for you and your parrot. Having had parrots and other pet birds, we believe a parrot can be a lot of fun, a great addition to a family, and a valued member of the family.

Think things over and decide if a parrot is right for you and if you are right for a parrot. We hope you have enjoyed this talk on Being a Good Parrot Parent.

This is a picture of our family parrot, Jeepers. She is an African Grey.

Thank you for visiting and please come again for another edition of Out Standing in the Field.