If the idea of welcoming a parrot into your family crosses your mind, think first about this: Parrots can live up to 80 years! This means that these playful and affectionate creatures are a long-term commitment. Full of life and personality, a parrot will become part of your family in no time if you use the tips and tricks we have listed below. By learning to care for a parrot, you can ensure that your new pet leads a comfortable and joyful life.
How to take care of a parrot
Buy a safe and spacious cage
Your new parrot will need a cage to feel at home. Cages come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. When you shop for one, the most important thing to keep in mind is that the cage must be wide enough for your parrot to spread its wings. This is where your bird will spend most of its time, so you don’t want to buy a cage that is too small. You will also want to choose a small padlock for the door. Birds are incredibly smart and clever creatures, and if you’re not careful, your parrot might find a way to escape from the cage. A padlock will keep your bird in its cage, where it will be safe when you’re not at home. You can also add paper bags, boxes, and small towels to the cage to give your bird something to hide under. Security is important for most birds. By giving them something to snuggle under, you help them feel at home in their cage.
Place the cage in a good location
When it comes to learning how to take care of a parrot, one of the most important things to determine is the best location for the cage. Birds are sensitive to temperature changes, light, and fumes, and they require good ventilation. Even fumes from cleaning products, cigarettes, cooking gas, and new paint can be harmful to your bird. That’s why you should not place your bird’s cage in the kitchen. You may spend most of your time in the kitchen, but cooking and cleaning fumes could be fatal to your feathered friend.
Another place to avoid is close to a window. This may seem like a lovely spot with a nice view, but direct sunlight can cause overheating for your bird. Drafts can also be an issue, which is why you need to keep the cage away from fans, windows, and doors.
But birds are social creatures, so place the cage in a busy room, like a living room where you can spend plenty of time with your parrot.
Clean the cage often
It is important to keep your bird’s cage clean, and the easiest way to do this is to clean the cage every two days. The best option for this is paper; it is inexpensive, readily available, and easy to clean. Newspaper, paper bags, paper towels, or shredded paper all work well. Be sure to choose a cage whose bedding is covered with a grid; you don’t want your bird to have direct contact with its bedding, as it can harbor bacteria and mold.
Provide your parrot with a nutritious diet
For a happy and healthy parrot, feed your bird at least once a day. Consult your veterinarian to determine how much food your parrot needs. Remember that parrots require a good amount of fresh fruits and vegetables to complement their mixed diet as well. Use nuts and seeds as treats to reward good behavior.
Note that birds have sensitive digestive tracts. Foods that seem healthy can actually be harmful or even lethal to your parrot. This topic is so common that a well-known bird food brand has created a list of foods that can harm your bird, including:
- chocolate;
- avocado;
- onion;
- garlic;
- fruit pits and apple seeds;
- high-fat foods;
- high-sodium foods;
- high-sugar foods;
- and sugar-free candy.
Another tip for taking care of a parrot: Carefully choose where you place the food bowl. Like humans, birds tend to eat when they are bored, so place your bird’s food as far away from its perch as possible to encourage it to exercise regularly.
Provide toys and chewable treats
Birds are playful by nature, which means they love toys. Toys can help alleviate boredom if your bird is home alone for long periods. They can also encourage exercise. Birds love to chew on toys and food, and chewing helps keep their beaks in excellent condition. Therefore, it is important to provide your parrot with plenty of chew toys. It is important to provide your parrot with plenty of chew toys, such as pine cones, rawhide to chew, natural fiber ropes, and tree branches. Some birds even enjoy tearing up cardboard and corn cobs.
Help your parrot groom itself
The good news is that most parrots don’t require a lot of grooming. For many of them, trimming nails and wings is sufficient. Organizations specializing in parrot care suggest that you trim your bird’s nails when they become sharp or uncomfortable to handle. Before trimming your bird’s wings, consult your veterinarian. Some owners choose not to trim their birds’ wings to allow them to fly freely. If you choose not to trim your bird’s wings, make sure its flying space doesn’t allow it to escape.
Finally, let your bird bathe often. Most birds enjoy splashing in a bath to keep their feathers in top condition, but each bird is a little different. Some prefer to shower in a sink or under a faucet, while others like to be misted with a spray bottle or splash around in a shallow dish of water. Give your bird ample access to water to see which bathing method it prefers.
This is a great start to caring for your precious flying being and companion who has just joined your home. If by chance we have missed points or made mistakes, please feel free to discuss them with us in the comments below.
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