Insuring Pet Birds' Health - 5 Best Gifts To Give Your Bird

Pet birds count on their owners to provide a happy and healthy life. Here are 5 essential things your bird needs in order to live a good life.

Clean Water---After visiting a pet shop recently and seeing 20 birds in a cage with no water, it's at the top of my essentials list. There were 10 beautiful blue and yellow parakeets in a cage that was way too small (we'll get to that in a minute) and no signs of water. I am still haunted by that.

Your bird should have access to fresh clean water all the time. This is an easy way to help maintain health, and increase your bird's life span. Imagine being thirsty and not knowing if or when you'll ever be given water. Providing fresh water means your bird never, ever has to go thirsty.

Properly Sized Cage---Your pet should have a cage that is big enough for it to fully expand its wings and tall enough for it to fly. This keeps their wings healthy and your bird emotionally happy.

The cage size will vary according to the type and number of birds. Asking the breeder or your veterinarian about the best cage for your bird will allow you to buy once and buy right. It will also insure that your bird is happy where it lives.

Healthy Diet---Your bird should be given a variety of sprouting seeds which offer the most nutrition. Also include fresh veggies and fruits (organic if possible), and an occasionally treat or two. Your bird's thoughts about your selections will be very obvious. And since birds, like us, eat with their eyes too, making the food visually interesting and colorful will keep them engaged at meal time.

There are of course some foods that you should stay away from such as chocolate, caffeine, foods high in salt and sugar, macadamia nuts, avocado, and alcohol. Use your veterinarian as a sounding board for questions about dietary needs your specific individual avian friend may have.

Freedom To Fly---It is really important to allow your bird daily time outside of the cage. This gives them their much needed freedom to literally stretch their wings and fly. This time out insure both physical and emotional well-being.

The space where this happens needs to be safe from chandeliers, cords, mirrors, water (such as toilet bowls), hot pots and pans, windows, doors that lead to outside, and other pets that may cause harm. Children and birds should be mixed slowly and gently. This will keep every one safe.

Clean Air---One of the biggest health hazards for these pets is polluted air. Their airways are small that it doesn't take much to cause them to become blocked. Clogged air passages are often the start to disease and infection.

Since instinct causes them to hide symptoms of illness, they usually don't symptoms until the condition has progressed to a point where it often cannot be reversed.

Using a high efficiency particle arresting (HEPA) filter to continually clear the air of bird-related particles as well as more normal household irritants can increase your bird's quality and longevity of life. Clean air can also increase your longevity as well.

Article By Debbie Davis

Investigations Of Parrot Sounds

Have you ever wondered whether or not those marvelous parrot sounds, human words for example, actually mean anything? Some researchers absolutely think they do. One African Grey parrot expert, Irene Maxine Pepperberg, has worked with two very famous parrots, the first whose name was Alex. Because of the huge vocabulary, of over 1000 words, she was able to teach him, and because he could work identically with other trainers, those in Pepperberg's camp believe that the more intelligent parrots are able to genuinely communicate.


Pepperberg and her colleagues use something called the Model Rival Technique, which requires two trainers, one to give the commands, the other to exhibit the desired behavior. The trainer, or parrot's rival, models both the desired and undesired behavior, and then the parrot is enticed to compete with the trainer for the commander trainer's attention. A deeply-seated animal instinct, rivalry can elicit lots of behaviors, and these behaviors, Pepperberg believes, prove that the brilliant birds have the ability to communicate.


Alex proved a marvelous student. Not only was he able to answer questions for his primary trainer, Ms. Pepperberg, but he was also equally able to answer other trainers as well. But not everyone is convinced. They base their disagreements on a case that occurred in 1907 and a phenomenon that came to be called the "Clever Hans" syndrome. A horse was seemingly trained to do arithmetic problems. At first the results seemed astonishing. But then it was discovered that the trainer was giving subtle clues that the horse picked up. Whether or not the clues were intentionally given, it was proved that the horse really couldn't do low-level math. The difference with Alex seems to be that he can answer the questions given by more than one trainer, and he can do it simply through sound without the trainer even being visible. So at this point you'll just have to decide for yourself!


Alex didn't live the long, full life he was expected to, and no one really knows what caused his demise. On September 6, 2007 he was found dead, but he has not been forgotten. Pepperberg created the Alex Foundation to make money to support her research with other African Grey's.


No matter what you believe about the parrot's ability to truly communicate, there can be no doubt about its intelligence and beauty. With a lot of patience, training, and love, they can do many things in addition to just making parrot sounds.






Article By Alan Stables

Do You Know How To Make Finch Cages Perfect For Your Finches?

The perfect finch cages give your pets the perfect home. You have probably found that your pet finches make lively, interesting, and cheerful companions. Caring for them is a pleasure, and when you make their cage perfect they love their home and make really great pets.

Finches aren't as demanding as parrots and don't require a lot of interaction. When you have a busy schedule, a finch bird is an ideal pet for someone who likes birds but doesn't have much time. Regardless, we as pet finch owners need to supply the right home for them.

These small, beautiful and active finch birds need a cage that is at least two and a half feet in length. Because finches are small birds, the bars of the cage need to be close enough together to prevent injury or their escape. Finches get their exercise by flying so it is recommended that the cages provide enough room for these extremely active birds. Short flights are the norm for the day. You might even want to actually have two cages. One to place the birds in while you are cleaning the other cage.

FINCH PROVISIONS: You'll need to provide separate finch feeders for food and water in the cage at all times, plus extra dishes that can be placed in the cage for short periods of time for things like treats and grit. The finches will need a small dish to bathe in several times a week, plus a nest box to sleep in. As you've probably seen in stores and catalogs, pet finches need perches of various sizes to rest on. The perches for the cage provide exercise for the birds' feet. Cement perches are good for keeping their toe nails trimmed, but they can be hard on their feet. Natural perches can be made from tree branches such as elm, poplar, maple, pear, or cherry. In the bottom of the cage should be paper sprinkled with grit, or you can actually buy grit paper. A completely optional item is a "bird protector" disk you put to the side of the cage that can prevent mites..

And, of course, finches need toys in the cage. They often like plastic rings, bells, and other shiny objects that they use for entertainment. You might want to consider other toys for birds that are available in pet stores and retail outlets like swings, ladders, beads and mirrors. You can start them out with a couple of toys at a time and then change them often to keep things interesting.

Clean the cages at least once a week. It is a fairly simple process where you use hot, soapy water to thoroughly clean the cage and accessories. Afterwards, they need to be rinsed and dried. Lining the bottom of the cage with paper towels, newspaper or brown paper bags, cut to size, makes cleaning Finch cages easy.

You have now learned how to make the perfect finch cages for your beautiful little Finches.

Article By  Scottie Monroe

Birdwatching Secrets and Tips: Encouraging Birds to Your Garden

It is relatively easy to encourage birds to any garden as long as it provides the three essentials of food, shelter and water. The most important rule is to make sure food is available throughout the year and not just in the winter. Nuts, seed mixtures and fat balls are all welcome but do make sure any feeders and bird tables are cleaned regularly to prevent the spread of viral diseases. Avoid chemical cleaners and instead use using boiling water. Equally important is to provide the right ecologically friendly environment to encourage insect food. Cutting back or eliminating chemicals and pesticides used in the garden will help and birds and other predators will make sure there will be very few problems with pests.


Although an open, well-maintained lawn will give a clear view and offer a perfect hunting area for birds but flower beds, neat borders and an over tidy garden do not offer much of interest. A bird friendly garden should ideally include plants that offer a good source of food and if you allow the seed heads to stay on plants, it offers an alternative source of food for birds in winter. Cut back these seed heads in early March as new shoots are emerging. Most trees and shrubs attract and support insects and shrubs that produce berries will give food in the colder months, although it is worth noting that many yellow berries remain uneaten and it is probably best to concentrate on plants producing red or black berries.


The best bird garden boundary is a hedge left untrimmed in the summer. An untrimmed hedgerow offers a variety of benefits. Hawthorn or hazel are ideal but almost all hedges will offer a good habitat for birds to shelter, nest and feed. Aside from any berries the hedge produces, dead leaves and debris shelter spiders, woodlice and centipedes and in the hedge itself, leaves stay attached to offer warmth and cover in the colder months. A word of warning. It is best to avoid thick leaved evergreens such as laurels and rhododendrons because they take too much light from the ground and there are too few insects underneath.


Finally, a few notes on providing water. All birds need water and get some through the food they eat. They don't sweat but lose water mainly through excretion and they need to replace this. Many garden birds also need water to take care of their plumage which, apart from its obvious use in flight, provides insulation and regulates body temperature. The battle to maintain plumage is a constant one and bathing is an important element in their attempt to keep their feathers fully efficient. Most birds prefer shallow water for bathing, placed in the shade with a reasonable amount of cover.


Follow these tips and you will encourage birds to your garden all year-round.






Article By  Linda M Bedson

Cockatiel Parrot Air Cleaner - 5 Safest Features To Have

If you own a Cockatiel Parrot you've got a bird with big personality in a little body. You've also got a bird that can produce a heck of a lot of dust. And as adorable as these birds are, the white powder that they produce can trash their room and your home pretty quickly.


The right air purifier is the best and safest way to keep the dust down. An air purifier that has these 5 features indicates that it is both safe and effective.


Numerous Filters For Particles----Dust is composed of many different sized particles, so a variety of different sized filters is necessary. Pre-filters trap particles that you can see and save the HEPA filter for microscopic filters such as bird dander, bacteria, and viruses.


Carbon cloth is also an excellent filter to have in a cleaner for your bird because it can remove noxious gases, chemicals, and odors that have the potential to be lethal to your pet. And because it is woven like cloth it has the ability to remove additional particulates as well.


No Ozone---The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that any amount of ozone produced indoors is harmful. Unfortunately, in order for ozone technology to be effective the level would need to be so high that it would become deadly. Clean air is great but for most people (smile), that is too high a price to pay..


Split Capacitor Motor-This type of motor allow will allow an air purifier to clean 24 hours a day safely and effectively without needing time to cool off. Make sure the technical specifications of the cleaner have this feature listed.


The advantage to you and your Tiel is that the air is kept clean. This helps prevent your bird's air passages from becoming clogged. Clear air passages give your bird the best chance of remaining healthy with a high quality of life.


Steel Case---Because you want a unit that can run all the time, you definitely want a case made of steel. Plastic cases often emit noxious fumes when the heat from the motor makes it hot. Steel will not emit noxious odors.


Long-Life Filters---A unit that needs you to go inside to clean, wash, spray, or recharge makes it hard on your bird in several ways. Most importantly, if the unit has to be stopped, particles remain in the air. And anytime the air is not being cleaned the dust is accumulating in the air making the air unhealthy for you and your bird to breathe.


And secondly, by having to do anything inside the unit exposes everyone to the very pollutants that you are trying to minimize. Opening the unit can send the powdery white stuff right back into the air again.


A cleaner that only needs to be vacuumed on the outside, and that has a filter life of at least 5 years is best. This means maintenance can be performed without any interruption in cleaning, and operation of the unit is only interrupted once every 5 years for the 10 minutes that it should take to change the filter.


The Bird Dust Air Purifier is safe and effective and can insure clean air for your Cockatiel every day of its life.






Article By Debbie Davis

Decorative Cage for You Pet Bird

A decorative cage can be particularly gifted to couples within their weddings. The cages for birds are easily obtainable and are extremely beautiful, as well as small and should not need a lot of space. Therefore many of the wedding presents of bird homes are in demand by a majority of people.

A majority of decorative items could be bought to charm up a wedding hall. Uniquely made wedding items could be used or some couple's may love a simplified theme. The decorative bird cages of various kinds are out there on the market and the ones that are mostly utilized or gifted will include the white, small round wedding bird cages, as well as the white, large round wedding bird cages.

The decoration of a cage could be done if you follow easy, as well as simple steps. A round and white bird cage could be taken and painted to provide it a fresh appearance. You can purchase all of your artistic and decorative supplies at a craft store and they are very affordable. Craft stores are also very helpful at supplying step-by-step instructions for the decoration of these types of cages. Since these types of cages make a popular gift, the directions should not be difficult to find. Other directions can also be found on the Internet. The paint could be selected according to the wedding theme that was used. The painted cage then can be bathed in glitter of the color scheme of the wedding event then permitted to dry.

A colored ribbon can be added and the ribbon can be wrapped around the wires of this cage and silver ribbons, or a color scheme that matches the wedding event can be wrapped around the base of this cage. Scented flowers ought to be added to the top of the cage. And for the finishing touch, a couple of colorful petals could be hot-glued to the top of the bird cage and table crystals, as well, can be added around the cage.

At receptions, a lighted, hanging cages can be the center of attention. When choosing the size of the decorative cage, it is ideal to become familiar with what type of bird the host has so you can buy the right size cage. Birds enjoy flying and individuals do not want to cease the natural right of a bird to fly, and therefore it is best if you buy the bigger cage to allow for an adequate amount of space for the bird to stretch his wings. The space must be large enough to permit them to do their natural activities.

Bird Cages Australia is a specialist Australian online business. They have extensive experience in their field and are highly regarded as providing quality products at affordable prices buy buying direct from suppliers and selling online. Bird Cages Australia focus on providing quality bird cages to the public.

Article By John William Allen

What To Do If Your Parrot Has Picked Up The Wrong Words

Teaching a parrot to talk is a tough job. It requires a lot of time and patience and the tips and tricks that promise to help you achieve success within less than a month do not always work. It may take months for a parrot to finally say that "hello", "pretty bird" or whatever you are teaching him to say. And just when you think that you are starting to make progress with the parrot talking thing and begin to show off to your friends with your talking bird, he says something he should not. Yep, it is embarrassing when your bird does that to you. And when the embarrassing moment passes and you finally start enjoying the conversation with your friends, he does it again.


It is not funny at all to hear those ugly words coming from a parrot. Most parrots learn to speak only a few words and do not pick up the wrong ones as easily as seen on TV, however, it is a good idea to watch your language in the presence of your bird because it is not impossible for him to like the sound of the wrong word and start using it. If you already have a problem with your parrot speaking the wrong words, it is obviously too late for prevention measures but this does not necessarily mean that he will continue to embarrass you in front of your friends in the future as well.


Ignoring your parrot when using those ugly words is the best thing you can do because you really cannot prevent him. There is no guarantee that he will eventually stop but if you pretend that you do not hear him and much less give him a reward for it while rewarding him for other words, there is a great chance that he will stop one fine day. The thing is that parrots quickly figure out that mimicking human sounds is normally rewarded with a treat or special attention. However, if they see that some words are never followed by a treat and that they do not even attract your attention, they will rather use the ones for which they are always rewarded one way or the other.


If you do not want your parrot to continue to use the wrong words, you should stop using them too at least in the presence of your bird. Simply ignoring your parrot while he is using those words and continuing using them yourself will not help. It is important to be aware that parrots pick up the words they are exposed to on a regular basis. This means that your bird is more likely to pick up an ugly word if he hears it often from you or other members of your family. So do not use the words you do not want him to pick up in front of him. If you have kids, make sure that they understand that it is not "cool" to teach a parrot to say swear words and to curse.






Article By Alana Wickman

The Regent Parrot - A Little Known But Beautiful Parrot

The Regent Parrot, or Australian parakeet as it is sometimes called, is primarily found in southwestern and southeastern Australia. They can found in heavily wooded areas and have a strong preference for eucalyptus groves.


The bird goes by several different names including the Regent Parakeet, the Regent Parrot, the Australia Parakeet, the Rock Peddler, the Black-tailed Parakeet, the Smoker, and the Marlock Parakeet. It's hard to imagine that such a small bird has acquired so many names.


The male of the species are a yellow color with an olive-yellow crown and nape. The female is more of an olive green with a dull olive-yellow on the head and breast. The back on both sexes is a dark olive green with a red band across the middle of the wing area. The outside of the feathers are yellow underneath and bluish-black on top. The beaks are a reddish color and the legs are grey. There is some evidence that the locale of the bird has some bearing on the colors as the eastern Australia birds seem to be more colorful than the western birds. The juvenile birds resemble the female in color and will gain their final coloration by 14 months of age.


The birds can range in size from 14.5-16.5 inches in length and, like so many other parrots, have a long life and have been known to live 25 years in captivity.


Their food mainly consists of seeds, fruits, nuts, and berries and for the most part they feed on the ground rather than in the trees.


These birds make excellent pets as they have a very pleasant nature and seem to enjoy human companionship. As a matter of fact they have been known to follow their humans around the house when let of their cages. When first introduced to humans they are very trusting and are easy to train as they are quite intelligent. They also exhibit good talking skills.


They do like to fly and are known as very good fliers. Because of this they are very suitable for aviaries and prefer a large cage for that same reason. The birds are very energetic in their nature and should have plenty of toys and things to chew on such as perches and wood.


A breeding pair will produce one brood per year. The female will normally lay from 3-6 eggs which will hatch in roughly 21 days. The chicks will be ready for flight in 40 days and will leave the nest shortly thereafter. There are import restrictions on the bird. However, they have been cross bred with a number of other breeds.


Normally the Regent Parrot is a very hardy bird and easy to keep healthy. However, if they are kept in an aviary caution must be taken that they do not become ill with intestinal worms from feeding off the ground. If maintained in an aviary, regular trips to a veterinarian may be in order to check for worms. Other than that, they should provide years of enjoyment.


These birds are not highly available in the marketplace, but can be found at some pet stores and breeders.






Article By T Charles

Bird Feeding - A Cheap And Enjoyable Hobby

As the economy continues to deteriorate, families find themselves having to find entertainment and hobbies that they can afford and yet, still enjoy. As a result, more and more families are rediscovery birding or feeding birds as a fun inexpensive hobby.


Bird watching or birding, which is already one of the more popular past times in the country, is destined to become even more popular. Feeding birds has always been a hobby that many people without a lot of money enjoyed. Walk to any city park on a nice day and you may see city residents sitting on the park benches and dropping bread crumbs for the visiting birds. If you own a home, you can do the same thing in your back yard.


Feeding birds is a fun activity that the entire family can enjoy together - the adults as well as the children. You don't need to buy special expensive equipment, you don't have to spend a lot of money traveling to far away places, and you don't have to build your schedule around the timing of specific events. Birds are pretty much active at some sort of activity practically all times of the day giving you plenty of time to enjoy your past time.


The key to attracting birds to your yard is providing them with food. You can even aim towards attracting specific species of birds by placing their food favorites it your back yard feeders. When birds discover that your yard has food, which they eventually will, you may find your yard turning into a virtual aviary.


And, if you have trees or suitable nesting places nearby, you may even find some taking up residence in your back yard to be near the new source of food that they have discovered. You may find that watching some of these bird families are as much enjoyable a attending the latest romantic or action film in the movies.


Finding nourishment to give to the birds is not expensive at all. In fact, you can make quite a few of the recipes yourself. And, you don't have to provide all of the food that the birds eat, you are only supplementing it. It only takes a little food to attract them to your garden or yard.


Introducing your kids to feeding birds teaches them how connected we all are to nature and teaches them to respect it. Feeding birds is also an activity that brings the family closer together. If history is a guide, your kids will look back on this time you spent with them as some of the best times of their lives.






Article By Ken Lawless

Senegal Parrots: Five Things They Love Doing and Some Other Behavioural Traits

It is a pleasure for me to write in detail about five things which our Senegal parrot loves to do after many years of close observation of his antics. Some things, I hope, may still surprise other owners and I hope that I can, at the most, encourage people to own a Senegal and, at the least, add to the overall collective knowledge in praise of these little rays of Senegalese sunshine.


Firstly, if I may, a quick background note as to how we came to own our green and yellow feathery-beak of fun, aka Choi, for 15 years. He was the type of case wherein he was passed from owner to owner until my partner brought him home one day as the result of a rescue mission. No cruelty involved, fear not, but he had seen him (and we call him 'him' because to this day we still don't know what sex he is) at his friend's flat, whistling and walking upside down in his cage. He knew there and then that he would be the one to give him his final home as he had been passed 'from pillar to post' more often than any parrot should be and, fortunately, his friend gave his consent as he was really too busy to care for him properly. As it happened, I could not believe this was the same parrot I had seen in a cage hanging up in a fruit shop in the high street (in yet another previous ownership), whose legs were constantly shaking (now I realise with cold or fright, for they never shook once he was ours) and earned him the 'then' name of 'Shaky'. Little could I have imagined at the time that we would end up owning the very same little parrot. So, in short, our ownership of him was quite serendipitous.


Here are Choi's five fun things that he loves doing:


1. Getting Up Early On Sunny Mornings He instinctively knows it is a bright sunny morning despite being covered up in a dark room overnight. Just in the same way, he knows when it is a cold, dull morning and his enthusiasm to come out is as damp as the day. He absolutely loves sunny mornings, no doubt because he is from Senegal, so get out of bed, let him out fast and let him whistle, screech, fly around like a helicopter for all he is worth! He will dive-bomb you incessantly with his exuberance of greeting the bright day, so watch out, but it is all great fun and he will raise your spirits too. Garden birds at the window are at their liveliest in the morning too, so there is quite some 'party' going on what with all the noise from him and 'his' birds.


We decided early on that he was going to have a lot of freedom out of the cage during the day so we never have a problem with him flying around the room. Actually, we have found that he does not excrete all over the place as you might expect, but has his 'favourite' few perches where he lands with old newspaper placed on the floor at the ready, of course. It is worth giving him the freedom of the room to fly around and, actually, I would be concerned if someone owned a parrot that was confined to a cage all the time.


2. Chewing Cardboard He adores chewing through small boxes of cardboard - his favourite is an egg box. It must be that particular chewy consistency. We make a tent on top of his cage, like a sort of 'house extension', by putting his feeder pole in the middle to form a peak and then hanging his night blanket over it. He often walks in there like a Tyrannosaurus Rex (and those of you who have a Senegal will be familiar with that particular gait!) and lurks in the shadows, hiding behind residual bits of other cardboard. If you so much as tentatively touch a bit of cardboard box with the end of a pencil he will 'crash out' at you like a T Rex as well - yes, you know he can be very scary! One particular time, we noticed he was 'on a roll' with his cardboard chewing and kept bringing him in an ever-so-slightly bigger box to chew than the last time we came in, which he continually made an enthusiastic grab for.


They started to get beyond the bounds of what you would expect he could cope with chewing. It actually got to the point where we came in with quite a substantial size of cardboard box and we knew when he eyed it up in readiness that this had gone too far! He was actually prepared and waiting to take this huge thing on board and start dismantling it! Suffice to say we diverted him with a monkey nut as you will appreciate when we discuss that much-loved item further down the list below. He also loves these heavy-duty whiskey bottle cardboard containers. If you dislodge the end bits it gives him the toughest chew ever and, even better, a tunnel to run through back and forth. It adds a particular challenge for him if you put your face at the other end of the tunnel and gives him extra impetus to 'charge'! This leads nicely onto his next fun thing to do...


3. Looking into Dark Tunnels I would never have believed how hypnotised he becomes with the sight of a dark tunnel. In this instance, I mean a certain 'shaping into a dark hole' of the neck or sleeve of a jumper you can achieve while it is innocuously lying on the back of a settee. If you open up the neck of an idle black sock into a shape of a tunnel or manage to shape a dark entrance to a hat when not in use, he will fly down and approach them with stealth, rattling into entrance of said dark holes and tunnels and stand guard by them ferociously. We can't get near these items when this obsession has overtaken him! He has absolutely no fear of dark tunnels. There could be all sorts of beasts lurking inside for all he knows but it makes no difference. We have only discovered this peculiarly fun trait in him in the last couple of years and it is something we would never have dreamt would turn out to be so absorbing for him. Now we enjoy propping up hats, jumpers and socks in tunnel-shaped formats for his amusement (so long as it amuses us enough at the time too!)


4. Eating Monkey Nuts If we were to put three parrot-type tantalising foodstuffs in a row, let's say, a slice of tangerine, a monkey nut and any other kind of nut or fruit - there is no question that he would pick the monkey nut - the monkey nut wins hands down every time! It would not matter what the choices were, it is the monkey nut or nothing! I have tried to offer him all sorts of luxury nuts from Christmas packs but nothing else will do. He is very fond of cashews but, you guessed it, monkey nuts rule supreme.


5. Looking at Mirrors He has an extraordinary obsession with mirrors and he will roost beside his reflection contentedly for hours on end, after an introductory fight or flight session with his reflection of course. He has his own mirror noises. If we were blindfolded we would know by the noises that he makes that he had landed on a mirror in the room somewhere. Word of warning here though - don't let him land on a big vanity mirror on your wall for long or he will start chewing the frame. The same warning goes for pictures as he is attracted to the reflection of the glass within the frame, so beware. One of these fun activities that has to be supervised, I'm afraid.


It has to be mentioned at this point that if it had not been for his love of the last two items we would grievously not got him back down out of the trees when he flew up one branch too many one fateful day. It was actually Midsummer's Day - the shortest night of the year thankfully - when we took him down the country lane on a picnic with us. Stupidly, we were delusional about how well-behaved he would be with regard to staying close to his cage in our company. Of course, he was only used to the closeness of a room in the house and didn't know that he could really - really - stretch his wings out here. He had been sitting on top of his cage for a short while, not knowing any better than to do such, but when we leveraged a branch-type stick at him to climb on, it 'spooked' him a little as it was unfamiliar material and he flew up onto a nearby branch above us. Of course, he flew on up to another, then another until he positively revelled in the fact that we couldn't even see him through the thick greenery of the high-summer tree foliage.


It was the longest remainder of the day - a nightmare situation. There were endless periods of him ignoring our entreaties to come down when we did catch sight of him, then horror-filled moments of crows chasing him and I could not believe the number of birds of prey that were nesting about the trees at that time. We actually had to leave him overnight, believing him to have crossed over the river and never believing that he would cross back again. However, I heard him screech very early in the morning, after a blessedly short night, from far down in the field again and we hurried there with his cage. Suffice to say, after relentless flashing upon flashing with mirrors and long held-out monkey nuts he circled precariously downward towards us from the very tree I had last seen him in. God knows how he crossed back over the river to it and, seriously, God does know because I do consider it a miracle when I think about the horror of seeing some crows chasing him.


The point of this cautionary but thankfully uplifting tale is that, again, if it had not been for his love of mirrors and monkey nuts it would have been doubtful if he could have trusted his perspective to fly from the tree down to the cage again. Luckily he was extremely hungry. With one foot in the cage and the other holding onto the door he had the cheek to act as if we were the Monkey Nut Men and he would just fly on upwards again after he had eaten his fill. A swift, smooth, firm, forward pressure manoeuvred him into the cage, however, and a similarly swift, smooth, firm closure of the cage door followed forthwith - as you can well imagine! He spent a full night and day asleep up on the curtain rail to recover. We remain humbled and chastened by the event to this day as to how we could have endangered him so by our stupidity. May I also add what an extremely brave little bird he proved to be by outflying his pursuers and surviving this episode, finding himself so suddenly out of his comfort zone? Such incredible courage. How on earth did he find his way back over that river? It made me believe in miracles.


Two final endearing factors... I don't know of a better 'Sir Jimmy Savile OBE' impersonation given by bird or mammal. You know the gorilla-thumping-chest type 'uh-ah-uh-ah-uh-ah' noise he used to make on 'Top of the Pops' (UK residents only perhaps!)? We still intend to shoot a video of it if we can ever get him to do it on cue.


Also, he never, ever gives up trying to land on my partner's head or back, while flapping his wings furiously (very funny to watch!) when he sees a good 'strike' opportunity. It's taken in good spirit because actually he is a one man parrot and my partner is the only one who can stroke him behind the ears, under his chin and is generally the hand that feeds him and 'feathery' knows it. However, I love the way you can actually see him plotting and thinking, 'I'm going to get him today..yes, today...'


Suffice to say, I could never go back to a 'budgie' (budgerigar) after a Senegal parrot. We have no idea how old he is but we feel blessed to have him in our lives for however long we all shall live!


Article By Gillian Naismith

Bird Allergies - Relief With HEPA Filtration

One of the biggest triggers for allergies is dust and dander from pet birds. One of the easiest and most effective ways to get relief is to use HEPA filtration to remove the allergens. Here is a discussion about how and why it works.


This overreaction causes a variety of symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, watering eyes, congestion and more. All of these are ways that the body tries to flush out and/or eject the offending substance.


Bird dust and dander contain a protein that is a highly potent allergy. And since dust and dander are a fact of life if you live with a bird, the solution needs to be a continuous one.


Yes, it's true that you can take a pill to reduce symptoms, but medications often trigger other symptoms. But wouldn't it be lovely to reduce the symptoms and the need for medication?


Experts all have differing opinions about how to treat allergies, but one of the few things they agree about is that the most effective and non-invasive way to get relief is to avoid the trigger.


Continually filtering the air of dust, dander, feathers and other bird-related triggers can drastically reduce your exposure to these irritants, and will help you get more enjoyment out of your bird and your life.


HEPA filtration is the same technology that hospitals use to insure clean air. This type of filter can trap and remove particles as small as .3 microns in size. HEPA filtration can easily eliminate visible particulates such as dust and feathers as well as the invisible ones like bird dander.


Typically those with allergies are allergic to a variety of irritants many of which are always present indoors. These triggers often work in concert with the bird-related irritants and create chaos for your body.








Airborne irritants are present in every indoor space regardless of how clean it is kept. These chronic irritants include household dust, dust mites, mold and mildew spores, and dander from other pets, seasonal pollens, bacteria and viruses.


Reducing the dander starves the dust mites which reduces their numbers. And that's a good thing.. Pet dander is so sticky stuff so it can and does adhere to all sorts of airborne particles making it available to be constantly inhaled by all who live there.


Now let's consider how much your bird's quality of life will be improved by breathing air that is fresh, and clean.. Birds that are constantly forced to breathe air that is filled with particles will result in clogged airways. Restricted air passages are often the start of disease and infection that are nearly impossible to reverse. Clearing the air can add longevity and quality of life for your bird as well as its owner.


Don't let bird allergies stop you from enjoying your avian friends. 


Article By Debbie Davis

Parrot illness and symptoms

It is important to be an observant guardian, make an effort to get to know your bird's everyday, healthy behaviour so that you'll be able to tell when something is wrong. Parrots are masters in hiding an illness, they do this so that they wont be picked out by predators. This is why it is very difficult to tell when a bird is sick until he is very sick and often too late to be saved.


An observant owner will be able to see early signs of illness:


Excessive Sleeping: A parrot that is feeling ill may sleep too much, especially during the day. Sleeping on the bottom of the cage is a significant symptom. Look out for any odd changes in sleeping patterns.


Sleeping on two feet: A healthy parrot normally sleeps with one foot tucked inside against the belly.


Fluffed-up Appearance: A fluffed-up parrot may be trying to maintain his high body temperature and fight off an illness. Or it just may be too cool in the room.


Loss of appetite: You should know what food and how much your parrot eat each day. If you notice that your parrot is not eating or eating far less than usual then it could mean that the parrot is sick.


Change in attitude: If your parrot seems listless and not behaving normally or has become very cranky or limp then it is good to see a vet.


Lameness: If your parrot cant use his feet or hold up his head then there is something very wrong.


Panting or Laboured breathing: It can be sign of respiratory illness or overheating.


Discharge: If you notice runniness or discharge on the eyes, nares or vent then the parrot is ill.


Change in droppings: Your parrot's droppings should consist of a solid green portion, white urates and a clear liquid. If the droppings are discoloured and there has been no change in diet then there is a problem. If there is a pungent odour or the droppings seem far more liquid than usual then it is good to see a vet.


Debris around the face or on feathers: Indicates poor grooming or vomiting, potential signs of illness.


Bobbing tail: A bird sitting on the perch and panting will have a bobbing tail. This is often a sign of respiratory illness.


Messy vent: If the vent is crusty or damp with droppings then there is a problem.






Article By  Keny Lewis

Tips For Bird Feeding on Winter

You don't have to wear binoculars, an anorak and a dodgy hat to appreciate the beauty of birds.


A simple bird feeder in your garden will attract many different breeds like the Robin, Greenfinch, Blue Tit, Chaffinches and many more. You will have continual visits from your winged friends if you can provide them with the right bird food for winter.


Water is another necessity for birds that people tend to forget in winter. With the cold weather we all assume water will be readily available but cold winters can mean dry winters and water of course freezes. So make sure there's a fresh, ice free, bowl of water in the garden every day for them to drink from and bathe in. Never feed them milk as they can't digest it. However cheese (grated if possible) is perfectly fine for birds and may attract new varieties of wildlife to your garden.


Selecting the right bird stand is your first job. Not all birds will use the perches on the stand, some will prefer to peck at fallen seeds or feed from individual hanging feeders. The more attention you pay to your visitors the more you will find out their habits and favourite feeding areas.


If you do buy a bird stand then I would suggest a sturdy one that isn't going to wobble. Birds tend to fly off at the first sign of an unstable stand. Place your table away from fences and walls, birds won't thank you if a feline intruder pounces whilst they're eating. Their survival instincts will alert them to any danger of movement and they will be unsure of returning.


Next is the food.


As insects aren't available to birds in the winter, seeds become their staple diet.


There are a lot of mixed bird seeds on the market which are bulked up. I tend to avoid anything with unnatural coloured lumps in them as they're usually dog biscuits which can't be eaten unless softened by soaking. A good mixture should contain millet, sunflower seeds and flaked maize. I also like to feed the obvious choice of peanuts as they are high in fats but don't feed them salted peanuts, it could kill them. As small birds can choke on whole peanuts, I usually crush them before putting them out.


Black sunflower seeds are fantastic all year long as well and they have a higher fat content than the striped sunflower seeds. It's advisable to put the richer seeds like Nyger and sunflower in feeders as they will be more expensive and you will lose a lot to the weather and other animals if you just scatter them on the ground. The Nyger seed contains more oil than your average seed and is high in calories, so perfect for winter feeding. As they aren't a cheap variety of seed you can always mix them in with others. You should find the number of Goldfinches in your garden increases with Nyger seeds.


Wet dog and cat food is a good substitute for earthworms in the cold weather and kitchen scraps can be used as they contain fats and carbohydrates that won't be found in bird seeds. However don't feed them cooking fat that has hardened from your Sunday roast as it will contain bacteria and salt that is unsuitable for birds. Instead use lard or beef suet. It's strongly advised from the RSPB not to leave the suet fat balls in nylon meshes as birds can get themselves caught. Instead put them in hanging feeders and keep them off the ground as you may attract unwanted mammals.


 we understand how important it is to not only have the latest cat toy, or the trendiest dog collar, but also to make sure the boring bits are covered. That's why we have a variety of flea, worming and fur treatments.




Article By Alex Kelly

Why Do Parrots Sneeze?

Parrots have very sensitive respiratory systems and like humans, sneeze when something "gets up their nose" or cere, in their case!


There are many different reasons why your bird may sneeze and I will list some of the more common ones below along with possible remedies.


Artificial fragrances:


Air fresheners are very dangerous to birds due to their sensitivity. These should be avoided at all costs. Scented candles can also cause respiratory problems and sneezing. Instead, try to fragrance your home with some fresh flowers, mint leaves or a small dab of essential oils on a cotton pad behind a radiator. I personally make my own "freshener" by putting fragrant flower petals such as rose and mint leaves into some distilled water and spraying it on my curtains.*WARNING* May attract parrot to curtains LOL


Furry pet hair:


Just like humans, birds can find pet hair uncomfortable and if it reaches high levels then the sneezing will commence! Vacuum as often as you can.


A change in the season:


Wet to dry, dry to wet....your birds nostrils could be affected by either! At the turn of the season it is quite normal to find your bird with a nail up it's nostril itching away! If the weather is warm and the air is dry, try taking him into the bathroom with you while you bath or shower to give him some humidity. Regular baths will help also. The same is true for the reverse and a dehumidifier can work wonders!


Dust:


Again, dust will get right up your birds cere if he is sensitive! Birds create their own dust also, especially birds such as the African Grey. When your bird moults, the sheaths that contain his new feathers will be disintegrating and causing dust continuously. Vacuum and dust as often as you can, air your home and quickly wipe over your birds cage daily with a damp cloth to help alleviate this. Air purifiers can be bought to help filter the air.


As I have said, there are many causes for sneezing and only you can be observant in your home to get to the source!


If there is nothing obvious and your bird is fluffed up, losing balance, has unusual droppings, nasal discharge or isn't eating or drinking, then you must get him to an avian vet immediately.


It is worth remembering that we all sneeze and as long as your bird is perfectly normal in every other way, then this should pass as quickly as it came on! It is also normal to find your bird releasing a small amount of CLEAR fluid from time to time during a sneeze is nothing to worry about either!




Article by Keny Lewis

Why Parrots and Birds Need More Than Seed and Pellets

                                                   
Did you know that malnutrition and under nutrition is the leading causes of illness, disease and early death in birds? Do you want your birds to be healthy, have beautiful feathers and a wonderful disposition? If these things are important to you, then they need to consume hundreds of nutrients everyday. This means they need to eat foods that are much more nutritious than seeds, pelleted diets, fruit, vegetables and nuts. When I first began caring for birds, in 1998, all the nutritional guidelines encouraged us to feed a wide variety of foods. However, since then I've discovered that the foods most people feed their birds are missing vital and essential nutrients.


What are these required nutrients? The vital and essential nutrients that a bird needs to eat every day includes complete protein, enzymes, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, carbohydrates, and fresh water.


Before I explain the importance of these nutrients, let's discuss the imbalances in foods most commonly fed to parrots and other birds.


In 2002 a research paper, 'Estimated Nutrient Content of Diets Commonly Fed to Pet Birds', by L. Hess DVM, G. Mauldin, DVM, MS, and K. Rosenthal, DVM, MS, that was published in the March 30, 2002, issue of "The Veterinary Record" the short comings of the typical avian diet were identified. The variety of foods eaten by the birds in this survey included formulated diets (pellets), seeds and human foods. The results of this study revealed that 80 percent of the birds consumed less protein than recommended for basic maintenance, nearly 58 percent consumed less than recommended amounts of Vitamin A. With vitamin D3, 98.5 percent consumed less than the recommended amounts for maintenance. Nearly 96 percent of the birds consumed calcium levels below those recommended for proper maintenance while nearly 93 percent had phosphorus levels below recommended levels.


Typical Foods = Limited Nutrients


Seeds. Avian veterinarians will agree that feeding a seed based diet is one of the leading causes of malnutrition in birds. Seeds do not provide compete protein, they are an incomplete protein source. Just imagine if you ate rice, and only rice, every day all year long, you'd become malnourished and undernourished just like birds who are fed seeds as their main staple. Seeds are very high in fat and carbohydrates. They do contain significant amounts of vitamin E, but generally lack other vitamins and have very few minerals. They do not contain enzymes or antioxidants.


Pelleted and formulated diets were created to contain more of the essential nutrients that are missing in seeds. But they still fall short of providing all of the hundreds of nutrients our birds need. Formulated diets are usually formulated to provide a source of complete protein from plant sources. They also may contain select minerals, and some added vitamins, usually vitamin A and D3. The main concern to be aware of regarding formulated diets is the nutrients they are missing. Formulated diets are limited to the vitamins that have been added, they completely lack enzymes, have no antioxidants - unless a small amount of vitamin E has been added. Vitamin E is a common food preservative known for its antioxidant properties.


When fresh fruits and vegetables are fed raw these foods do contain some vitamins, minerals, some enzymes and may contain antioxidants. These foods also contain carbohydrates. Any proteins in these foods are incomplete.


Nuts contain fats, including essential fatty aids. However they do not contain balanced amounts of essential fatty acids for each species of parrot.


So if pellets, seeds, fresh fruit, vegetables and nuts do not provide adequate nutrition for the birds under your care, what else should you feed? Before discussing the ideal diet for your birds, let's have a brief refresher on why certain nutrients are so important and must be include in your bird's diet every day.


Nutrients Vital for the Avian Body


Proteins - the proteins, from plant sources, that your bird eats must contain the proper balance of all the essential amino acids to make the food a complete protein. Complete proteins are essential to life, they provide the body with the basic nutritional building blocks that form healthy cells and nourish all body functions.


Enzymes are required by all bodily functions. Although raw fruits and vegetable contains some enzymes, our birds do not consume nearly enough of these vital nutrients. Heat, temperatures over 118 degrees, destroy enzymes.


Antioxidants have developed the reputation for healing a wide variety of diseases and ailments. This can occur because antioxidants neutralize and protect the body from free radicals. Free radicals break down and destroy delicate body tissues and cells. Free radicals have been identified as causing disease, illness and even the aging process itself. For disease prevention it is vital to consume a wide variety of antioxidants. There are many categories of antioxidants and thousands of them have been identified. Raw fruits and vegetable contains some enzymes, most birds do not consume nearly enough enzymes in their daily diet. Heat destroys antioxidants.


Vitamins are essential to life. They regulate the metabolism and facilitate numerous biological processes. They are micronutrients because the body needs them in small amounts when comparing them to carbohydrates, proteins, fats and water. Heat destroys vitamins.


Specific vitamins that have been identified as being essential for birds are vitamins A, D3 and E. When discussing vitamin A we must make the distinction between rentinol vitamin A (the fat soluble vitamin) and beta carotene (the vitamin A precursor that can be converted to vitamin A in a healthy liver). Vitamin A (rentinol A) is essential for normal disease resistance. It improves and supports the immune system by increasing the production and differentiation of immune related cells.


Vitamin D3 is important for maintaining the balance of calcium and phosphorus levels in the body. D3 is also known as the sunshine vitamin because is produced in the skin of birds after exposure to ultraviolet light from ether direct sunlight or indoor full spectrum lighting.


Vitamin E is an antioxidant known for being important in preventing cancer, cardiovascular disease and prevents cell damage by preventing the formation of free radicals. This vitamin improves circulation, is needed for tissue repair and promotes normal blood clotting.


Other vitamins required by birds are vitamins B complex, C, K, P (bioflavonoids) and coenzyme Q10.


Minerals, every living cell in a bird's body depends on minerals for proper functioning and structure. Macro-minerals must be consumed in larger quantities, while trace minerals are required in smaller amounts. The chemical balance of a bird's body is directly dependent on its balance of minerals. The minerals most commonly discussed in avian nutrition are calcium and phosphorus. Calcium is vital for strong bones, maintains proper blood coagulation, membrane permeability, maintains heart beat regularity and normal functioning of the nervous system. Phosphorus has the widest range of biological functions in the avian body, more than any other element. The ideal calcium to phosphorus ratio for birds is 2 to 1.


Other minerals required by birds include magnesium, manganese, iron, zinc, potassium, iodine, selenium, chlorine and sodium.


The avian body also needs essential fatty acids (EFAs). They are required by every living cell in the body. EFAs cannot be made by the body, balanced amounts must be consumed in the diet. They have many desirable effects on a variety of disease conditions. Heat destroys EFAs.


Carbohydrates - the most commonly available nutrient, supplies the body with the energy it needs to function.


Water, many people provide tap water for their birds. The water you and your birds drink should always be of high quality. Either filtered at home, or purchase a good quality bottled spring water. Do not drink or give your birds distilled or RO (reverse osmosis) filtered water. Distilled and RO water is completely void of all minerals and must be re-mineralized before drinking. I have done extensive research on this topic. The World Health Organization has complied a comprehensive data base, consisting of several hundred pages, that discusses the problematic effects that drinking RO or distilled water has had on various human populations worldwide. These waters can cause a variety of serious, debilitating health conditions in people, birds and other animals. The body's water supply is responsible for and involved in nearly every bodily process. We and our birds must consume good quality spring or filtered water.


After reading about all these important nutrients you may be thinking about rushing out and buying a multivitamin and mineral supplement - stop. I'm going to teach you how to select foods to ensure you're feeding a nutrient rich diet to your birds.


The Ideal Avian Diet


You can begin improving the level of health and wellness right away by feeding your birds the most nutrient dense food on the planet - sprouts. Sprouts? You may ask... like alfalfa sprouts? There's more to feeding sprouts than this. Let me explain.


When parrots and birds joined my family I began looking for a food that was comparable to the home made, organic, holistic foods I fed my own dogs and cats. I was lead to sprouts. Well nourished birds have a natural resistance against disease and illness and handle stress much better than those who are missing key nutrients in their diet.


Vital Nutrients in Sprouts Every Bird Needs


When any seed, nut grain or legume is sprouted the entire chemical composition changes. Soaking triggers germination. At this phase a sprout's growth has just begun, Germinated seeds, grains and legumes must be allowed to grow for at least two to three days in order for them to reach their peak nutrition.


Properly grown sprouts contain two qualities not present in any other food. First, sprouts are alive. They contain life force energy. Once any other fruit or vegetable has been picked or harvested, the nutrition it contains begins to decay. Sprouts are alive right up until the moment they are eaten. Secondly, because sprouts are alive they are brimming with a rich assortment and volume of nutrients not found in any other single food or combination of foods. The nutritional value in fresh fruits and vegetables is limited when compared with what sprouts offer.


The germination and sprout growing process transforms whole foods into a superfood. Sprouting causes the formation of vitamins and an increase in all vitamins present. Because of this they are a rich source of beta carotene (the vitamin A precursor), C,E and the B complex.


During the sprout growing process any minerals that are present become chelated, making them easier for the body to assimilate and use.


Sprouts also contain an overwhelming abundance of antioxidants. Important antioxidants found in sprouts include vitamins beta carotene, C and E, flavonoids and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Bean and legume sprouts contains anthocyanins, a powerful flavonoid. More than 4,000 flavonoids have been identified in nature.


When sproutable foods are germinated and allowed to grow they become an abundant source of enzymes. By nature enzymes are catalysts - substances that induce hundreds of thousands of biochemical processes in the body. In fact, enzymes make every single biochemical process in the body possible. The brain, nervous system, vascular system, cell regeneration, growth, immunity, the digestive system, and al the vital organs - the liver, kidneys, heart and lungs all depend on enzymes to function. Although all raw foods contain enzymes the amounts present in sprouts can be 10 to 100 times greater than the amounts that are present in raw fresh fruits and vegetables.


Like enzymes, proteins are also essential to life. Proteins form the structural basis of the chromosomes. Each DNA strand contains the genetic code that is the formula for making that cell's unique protein chain. Proteins are the primary building blocks that make up every cell in the body. In order for proteins to be able to build healthy muscles, blood, skin, feathers, nails and vital internal organs they must be complete proteins - they must contain all the essential amino acids in the proper amounts.


So where can you find a fresh supply of sprouts that provides a balance of all the essential nutrients your bird needs? The best source of fresh sprouts for your birds is to grow them yourself. And if you're new to sprouting it's important to learn how to grow them in a manner that is right for your climate and the unique conditions in your kitchen.


The Benefits of Feeding Sprouts


Some of the health improvements being documented from feeding a sprouting blend that has been formulated to contain complete protein include the complete reversal of avian cataracts, the prevention of arthritis and arteriosclerosis and indications that the immune system of these birds is significantly supported so that bacterial and candida infections have been eliminated.


Sprouting Blend Essentials


Since birds joined my family I've come to understand that there are certain qualities to look for in a sprouting blend if you want to nourish good health and wellness in your parrots and other birds.


1. The blend must have been formulated to provide complete protein.


2. The blend must have a compatible germination rate, so that it can grow and reach optimal nutrition levels.


3. For optimal nutrition, the blend must be allowed to grow for 2 to 3 days. If you've seen the claims that 'Soaked is More Nutritious", please know this statement is false.


4. The blend should be a USDA Certified Organic sprouting Blend. Research continues to link pesticides in our food and water to illness and disease.


5. Look for a blend formulated by a person who is knowledgeable in avian nutrition.


Now that you know what to look for in a good, quality sprouting blend you should be able to start feeding your birds this super food right away.


Putting it All Together


After you've found a sprouting blend that meets the criteria outlined here, and learned to sprout then you can begin creating health producing meals for your parrots and other birds. I suggest that the complete protein, properly grown, sprouting blend make up 50 to 80 percent of your birds diet. This will vary depending upon the type of diet your bird has been on, and their overall condition. Their overall condition should be determined by your avian vet.


After you have a freshly grown batch of sprouts then you can add some fresh fruit, raw or steamed vegetables, and a few nuts, appropriate for your species of bird. I suggest that parrots be weaned off of seed because of their poor nutrient content. I also suggest that you avoid feeding your parrots pasta, breads, and some of the other cooked foods available for birds. These items contain very little nutrition, mostly carbohydrates. I do suggest that a good organic pellet can make up a portion of a parrot's diet.


As far as portion sizes, if you feed 50 percent sprouts, then the remaining 50 percent can be a combination of fresh fruit, vegetable, nuts and pellets. In the beginning it's a good idea to measure the amounts of food you serve so that you gain a realistic view of how much of each food to feed. For example, if you feed 1/4 cup of sprouts then you can combine other healthy foods to measure 1/4 cup, and then you have a highly nutritious and well balanced meal for the birds under your care.


In Health & Healing for Parrots and All Birds.


Enjoy Sprouting!


Leslie Moran is an internationally recognized expert in avian nutrition and holistic and natural care. She provides personal consultations for parrots and all birds and has been using food choices to create healthy companion animals for nearly 30 years. Leslie has a monthly column, "The Holistic Parrot", that appears in Parrots magazine . This publication is published in England with distribution in over 60 countries. Because she understands the value of feeding nutrient rich foods, Leslie has created her own bird food line, the Best Bird Food Ever! Sprouting Blends. These have been especially formulated to enrich the health and well being of parrots and all birds. They are USDA certified organic, contain compete protein and have a compatible germination rate so they can be properly grown for 2 - 3 days for optimum nutrition.


If you are new to sprouting learn to sprout for your unique climate in Leslie's book, "The Complete Guide to Successful Sprouting for Parrots". This book contains a wealth of information and covers more than just sprouting. Many people consider it their avian nutrition bible


Article by leslie Moran

Parrot Care and Behavior

Parrots are beautiful and majestic. They can nearly bowl you off your feet with their stunning beauty... but there's more to it than good looks. A bird won't sit in a tweety bird cage all day eating seed saying "Polly want a cracker?". First off, I'll give you a little glimpse of parrot care needs...


Cage size and shape is a big factor here. Parrots, as well as all birds, cannot be housed in a round cage. They need corners to feel secure in. The cage should be kept against a wall or in a corner, not in the middle of a room. The cage should be *at least* 2 times the width of the bird's wing span. Bigger is much better. Those "parakeet cages" and "cockatiel cages" that you see in pet store would not be suffice for a single canary or finch, let alone a budgie or cockatiel. The cage should be on a stand. The cage should not be set on the floor (for small birds). The cage for big parrots have wheels on the bottom and are very tall, and do not need to be on a stand.


Toys and perches are also needed, of course. At least 5 toys would be good. Wooden toys and paper toys are ideal. Plastic toys aren't very fun for birds because they can't really chew on them. My lovebird, my only bird, loves to shred paper and dixie cups. Birds need wood AND rope perches. Different textures for their feet. Wood alone can become hurtful to the bird's feet! You may also choose to give your bird swings and ladders, for even more fun.


Diet... oh diet. A parrot just can't eat seed. They need pellets, good seeds, fresh fruits and veggies, and if you can, cooked foods and sprouts. You can look up toxic food lists for birds on Google. Parrots seem to love eggs, and whole wheat pasta. My lovie loves to eat off of my plate.


Attention! Parrots need attention. Some more than others. That's why, if you work long hours, don't get a large parrot! They need much more attention than the small guys. I mean, hours and hours of attention per day. Not 20 minutes.


Noise, beautiful noise! Not.. Well, birds make noise. It's inevitable. If you have a quiet bird, you have a sick bird. Budgies chirp, macaws scream. Even little Aratinga conures (suns, jendays, cherry heads.. etc) can pack a noise punch. It's amazing how such a loud screech can come from a little bird, really! Even my lovebird can chirp quite loud! And he's only a baby... and I mistakenly taught him the "come here" whistle. Which he uses all the time! The big guys can knock you off your feet with their screams and squawks. I heard a macaw squawk at a bird expo and it nearly stopped my heart! Very, very loud. Cockatoos and macaws especially! Oh, and Amazons! Oh, and.... Well yea, there are a LOT of loud birds.


Now; to the behavior part. Ready for it?


Parrots are mentally confusing animals. They can learn to pluck their feathers and other bad behaviors quite easily. Whether it be a bad diet, not enough attention, or other problems, such as arguments in the household. They can develop screaming problems, too. Whether it be their owner screaming or learning that screaming means attention. A bird can become aggressive and untrustworthy with a mistake from you, like using violence with your bird when he does something wrong. Negative reinforcement does *not* work with parrots. Only positive reinforcement does. Reward them for doing everything you like them to do. And they will learn to please you. But boy, do birds love drama! If your bird bites or lunges, don't pull away or yell. That's a reward! Carefully remove the beak from your hand, place your bird somewhere else, like on a perch, go into the bathroom, tend to your wound and scream if you need to! Let all your anger out! Then you can approach your bird again.


Parrots need new toys every once in a while to keep them stimulated and happy. Whether it be a wad of paper, or a $50 wooden toy, they will be happy. They need plenty of toys, and new toys to be happy and healthy. You should bring the bird out of his cage often and have play sessions, like peak a boo, or maze (Google it). There are plenty of ideas. Birds love to forage for food and treats, so you can try doing things like hiding food and letting your bird find it. Remember, parrot's don't have a sense of smell, so don't make it too hard! (They smell with their tongue. That's why something they gently grab onto your finger and "smell" it!).


Please don't think I'm trying to scare you away from parrot owner ship! The pros can sometimes outweigh the cons, but sometimes they can't, so expect that! Do your research research research, please! There are way to many homeless parrots as it is.

Article By Stacy Marie Streily