by 3 people |
Learn more about parrots!
A growing number of people around the world are discovering that parrots make the ideal pet. They are truly fascinating, beautiful and super smart creatures. Keep in mind though that you still need to learn about caring for the parrot before running out to the nearest breeder or store and buying the first bird that you see.
You can learn more about parrots and sign up for my FREE mini-course by visiting www.ParrotBirdCenter.com
p.s. maybe your bird is a female, maybe you have more than one _ for the sake of legibility, I'll use 'he' and the singular. Please don't feel slighted!
You can learn more about parrots and sign up for my FREE mini-course by visiting www.ParrotBirdCenter.com
p.s. maybe your bird is a female, maybe you have more than one _ for the sake of legibility, I'll use 'he' and the singular. Please don't feel slighted!
Parrot Socialization
We cannot dissociate education and socialization. Let's always keep in mind that the parrot is fundamentally a wild bird, and even when hand raised by humans, he retains all of his natural instincts.This is the reason why you should start the socialization process as soon as possible. This means having all the members of your family handle him with caution, and also introducing him to your friends and even people he won't meet frequently.
Do not insist if the parrot doesn't want to step up on an unknown person's hand. And in particular don't scold him, respect his choice, otherwise it might result in a bite for that person. Certain parrots are more sociable than others, some are very timid, and that's the reason why this socializing process can make a big difference in the way they apprehend humans.
Accustom him from an early age to be transported in an adequate
transportation cage, as well as to traveling by car. Concerning car transportation, cover his cage with a dark cloth, to reduce your parrot's anxiety because of new noises, unknown surroundings, etc.
Every new experience can be a factor of anxiety. Socialization doesn't mean that your parrot must obey you or do all you ask from him, it's necessary to remember that even if your parrot is very well trained and very well socialized, he's nonetheless a wild animal, that will do what he wants when he wants, driven by his instincts, and his own rules.
You need to be aware that it's only to please you that he'll do some tricks, or perform a little routine in front of your friends. It's important to bear this in mind in order not to to be disappointed or expect too much from your pet.
Just when you thought parrots were so amazing they couldn't surprise you anymore...
Wow, eventhough I've been dumbfounded more than once by the intelligence parrots display, this has to go into my top five amazing parrot stories. Forget about Lassie!
"March 25, 2009 · Willie the parrot: A pet parrot is credited with saving a toddler from choking. Willie's owner performed the Heimlich maneuver after Willie yelled for help, alerting the owner that a little girl she was babysitting was choking on her food. The parrot shouted "Mama, Baby" and flapped his wings until his owner ran back just in time. Colorado's governor is among those honoring Willie as a hero."
from http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102322618
from http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102322618
Youtube Dancing Parrot Video
Those crazy African greys... :-)
Training Your Parrot
To build a great relationship with your bird, think consistency and persistence
You are your parrot's educator and trainerWe are used to act, to react or to interact with animal who are predators, with whom we share the same instincts. However educating a parrot isn't easy since our own instincts are at the opposite of those of the parrot since he's a prey in the wild.
Training a parrot is in a way similar to educating a child, with limits, trial and error, with plenty of explanations, and most of all by keeping it all a game.
Knowing that we're dealing with particularly sensitive beings, endowed with of a high intelligence, our relationship will require a good deal of understanding, a lot of patience, respect and love to be fruitful. Again one should try to refrain
from projecting human frames of reference onto a parrot.
As a responsible educator, you must provide him with a good quality of life, a safe environment, and develop your "avian knowledge" to avoid applying human rules of thumb that may not be the most appropriate for your bird.
In the animal kingdom there are basic laws and hierarchies whose secrets haven't all been uncovered.
Let's try to come close to the most fitting truth for our pet, to offer a pleasant life in captivity, knowing all the while that we'll never be quite able to replicate what goes on in the wild.
If you want to learn effective training techniques you might be interested in these free videos:
When it comes to your feathered friend(s), are you a loner or a flocker?
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Pet Parrot News
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Protect Your Pet Parrot From Perfumes
The sense of smell is the least developed in parrots. Their nostrils do play the role of olfactory organs, but it seems that their nasal pits prevent the respiratory flow to reach these organs.
However, the respiratory system of your parrot is extremely sensitive to all the perfumes that delight you, and these smells could even kill him. To protect him, you'll have to get rid all the incense, pot pourris, perfumed candles, air fresheners and other essential oil diffusers. This may be a sacrifice, but your parrot's life is at stake here.
However, the respiratory system of your parrot is extremely sensitive to all the perfumes that delight you, and these smells could even kill him. To protect him, you'll have to get rid all the incense, pot pourris, perfumed candles, air fresheners and other essential oil diffusers. This may be a sacrifice, but your parrot's life is at stake here.
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Recommended Parrot Care eBook
If you feel like my lens only scratches the surface of Parrot Care, you might be interested in my recently released eBook, "The Essential Parrot Guide". In this up-to-date, beginner-friendly manual, you'll learn:- How to setup your cage properly;
- How to maintain quality conditions in your cage;
- How to feed your parrot proper not only to avoid health conditions, but emotional problems as well;
- The 5 things you must do before placing your parrot in his new home;
- What to feed your parrot - and what not to give him! There is a ton of inaccurate info out there. I'll tell you the truth so you never have to wonder again!
- How to care for a single parrot and more than one!
- Why your parrot is squawking at you! You may be surprised to learn the answer to this;
- The surefire signs of parrot illness that will tell you if your parrot needs medical attention;
- What species of parrots are more likely to learn to talk than others;
... and a whole lot more!
Check it out at http://www.ParrotBirdCenter.com/tips/
Fun Parrot Fact
It seem that YELLOW is the favorite color of parrots. According to a scientific study their favorite color is unanimously yellow, followed in second place by orangy colors and green nuances. Colors based on blue, pink, red, fushia and mauve do not seem to catch the attention of our birds!
Parrot Rescue News
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Education Basics for Parrot Parents
How to start on sound bases with your pet parrot
This is a vast and very complex subject, so we're just going to talk about the essentials. A good education is first of all to know and respect the bird's needs, to develop good behaviors by reinforcement (rewards), and when talking about rewards, I don't simply mean food.
It also implies sorting out bad behaviors by appropriate "sanctions", but never, EVER hit your parrot or send him to his cage as a punishment, since his cage should solely be associated with the bird's security. Also don't lock him in his cage and cover it because you think he's screaming without causes, or spray him with water to get him to be quiet. You may think I'm talking to you as if you were a cruel owner, but I've seen it happen, and sometimes the people doing these things aren't aware they're harming their bird psychologically.
Besides, you should teach him some basic notions, such as "step up", when you want him to perch on your hand, or on the contrary to "step down". Always use with a soft and audible voice.
Help the young parrot by gently approaching your hand and placing it horizontally against his chest. Don't push insistently though, as you don't want to inadvertently coerce him. He'll automatically place a foot and then the other one and step up onto your hand. Just softly lower your hand to oblige it to make him step down.
As soon as the parrot perfectly associates an action with a specific word, make sure you don't switch to another one!
Your parrot must be integrated as a full member of your family and should let your spouse, children and friends handle him (cautiously of course!).
It also implies sorting out bad behaviors by appropriate "sanctions", but never, EVER hit your parrot or send him to his cage as a punishment, since his cage should solely be associated with the bird's security. Also don't lock him in his cage and cover it because you think he's screaming without causes, or spray him with water to get him to be quiet. You may think I'm talking to you as if you were a cruel owner, but I've seen it happen, and sometimes the people doing these things aren't aware they're harming their bird psychologically.
Besides, you should teach him some basic notions, such as "step up", when you want him to perch on your hand, or on the contrary to "step down". Always use with a soft and audible voice.
Help the young parrot by gently approaching your hand and placing it horizontally against his chest. Don't push insistently though, as you don't want to inadvertently coerce him. He'll automatically place a foot and then the other one and step up onto your hand. Just softly lower your hand to oblige it to make him step down.
As soon as the parrot perfectly associates an action with a specific word, make sure you don't switch to another one!
Your parrot must be integrated as a full member of your family and should let your spouse, children and friends handle him (cautiously of course!).
Parrot Feeding Tips
Make sure your parrot's food is squeaky clean
Wash the fruit and vegetables you give your pet parrot... This will make sure you get rid of the dirt and residues such as wax or pesticides. Studies have shown that a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid diluted in a gallon of water makes a great mix to wash our fruit and vegetables. Just spray, scrub, rinse and that's it!
"Vegetable broth"
Keep the water in which you cooked your vegetables in the fridge (carrots, turnips, cabbage, peas, broccoli, cauliflower, but not the water you used to cook potatoes). Once or twice a week give it as an alternative to drinking water to your birds. It will be a good extra source of vitamins.
Wash the fruit and vegetables you give your pet parrot... This will make sure you get rid of the dirt and residues such as wax or pesticides. Studies have shown that a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid diluted in a gallon of water makes a great mix to wash our fruit and vegetables. Just spray, scrub, rinse and that's it!
"Vegetable broth"
Keep the water in which you cooked your vegetables in the fridge (carrots, turnips, cabbage, peas, broccoli, cauliflower, but not the water you used to cook potatoes). Once or twice a week give it as an alternative to drinking water to your birds. It will be a good extra source of vitamins.
Check out these links to a selection of my parrot articles
... and don't hesitate to give me your feedback! Thanks :)
- Homemade Parrot Toys
- Toys are crucial to parrots as they help attain two goals: they mentally stimulate your bird and they offer some kind of exercise that allows the parrot to use his or her stored up energy. .../...
- Choosing the Right Parrot Breeder
- If you buy your bird through a breeder you'll be able to learn about its history and to understand the methods the breeder uses to raise their birds. Bringing up a healthy and happy bird depends a great deal on these methods. .../...
- The African Grey Parrot
- The African Grey Parrot is among the most popular, beautiful and easy to live with species of parrots. Extremely clever and renowned for its special talking abilities. Greys are able to acquire an impressive vocabulary and potentially to communicate easily with their owner. .../...
- Socializing Baby Parrots
- Responsible breeders realize the importance of socializing the baby birds they sell with humans and also with other birds. The initial socializing by the breeder should be followed by suitable training and further socializing by the new owner. .../...
- Giving Your Baby Parrot a Bath
- Babies haven't yet learned to clean their beak before they groom, and so frequently carry over quite a lot of food from their beak to their feathers while acquiring their essential preening skills.
Baby birds are going to require a few baths before weaning. Unlike adult birds, they can't rely on a plentiful supply of powder down to trap dirt and then fall off their body..../... - Weaned or Unweaned?
- There are many things people need to learn before they choose to buy a baby parrot, such as important information on caring for their new pet, including feeding, hygiene and training. If you're ready to take your baby parrot home, the first thing you should take into consideration is whether or not to buy a weaned baby..../...
- What are the Best Parrots for Beginners? Part 1
- First part of a series of articles I am writing on how to choose your first pet parrot.
This one focuses on looks, intelligence and vocal talents. - What are the Best Parrots for Beginners? Part 2
- The second part of the series discussing how to choose your first pet parrot focuses on size and socialization.
Reader Feedback
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- motorpurrr motorpurrr Apr 7, 2009 @ 4:37 pm
- Hi! Nice parrot lens. I'll forward it to my friends with parrot. My favorite is the Blue &Gold Macaw. I used to work with one, she was so sweet. Thanx
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- PetMemorialWorld PetMemorialWorld Apr 3, 2009 @ 7:38 pm
- Wow, you certainly have a lot of great information about parrots. Thanks for sharing.
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- niño niño Apr 2, 2009 @ 6:53 am
- cool lens :)
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- MyChildCreatesowner MyChildCreatesowner Apr 2, 2009 @ 2:26 am
- What a terrific lens, very informative and interesting...well done.
Have fun squidooing!
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by LaureneA
Hi everyone! I've been a parrot enthusiast for a while now, and I've created this lens to share information about caring for your parrot and about pet... (more)
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