Buying Secrets For a Parrot Cage By Omri Dotan

If you are lucky enough to own a parrot, you will know that this type of pet requires a great deal of love and pampering. One of the many ways you can show your pet parrot love is by choosing the proper parrot cage for them. There are many different types of bird cages out there, but the right cage has to be selected according to your individual bird's needs. Below you will find some tips on how to choose the right parrot cage for your parrot.

1. When choosing the right cage, you should pay attention to the size of your bird. Parrots come in many sizes and so do their cages. Be sure to select a parrot cage that gives your parrot plenty of room to move. Birds need enough space to jump around and spread their wings. Bird cages that are too small for your bird are not safe and can result in injury.

2. Choose a cage that is tall. Parrots are very playful and enjoy climbing around their cage, jumping around on their perches and other fun activities. Wide cages are appropriate for larger parrots while cages with dome tops are a good selection as well. Your parrots will enjoy flying around their cage and climbing across the dome.

3. Parrots need their exercise, especially if you do not allow your bird outside of it's cage. This is where having plenty of toys to keep your bird busy is important. Things to consider including in your bird cages would be swings, ladders, steps, perches, bells and even java trees. If your parrot is already hand trained, you can even include mirrors in their parrot cage to give them a "friend" to play with as well.

4. Include at least three different types of perches for the health of your parrot's feet and trimming of their nails. Some possibilities are rope, hardwood and cement.

5. Choose bird cages that are made of stainless steel and avoid the cages that are painted or have toxic finishes such as zinc which can cause serious illness in your parrot.

6. Add feeder cups made of steel, ceramic or reinforced plastic, as chewing on these cups are also a part of play for your parrot and can be destroyed easily.

7. Just like you would pull down the shades at night before turning into bed, you need to cover your Parrot Cage as well. This is where a cage cover comes in handy and are easily found at any pet store.

Parrots can make the best of friends and you want to treat them as such. Showing them the proper love and attention, letting them out of their bird cages for a bit of exercise, giving them proper nutrition and choosing the right parrot cage for them is important and beneficial to a long and healthy life of your parrot.

For High Quality Bird Cages visit Parrot Cage World.

Finding the Perfect Parrot Type That Fits You By Stan Hawke

With a wide selection of parrots to choose from, deciding on which parrot type to adopt can be quite a task. Fortunately, there are some parrots that have already established themselves as popular household pets around the world.

African Grey

The African Grey parrot is regarded by experts as one of the most intelligent birds. They are considered to be the most talented talking parrots and their lovable nature and ability to mimic human speech have made them very popular pets. Einstein and Alex are two of the most famous talking African Greys.

Amazons

Amazon parrots, like African Greys, are also known for their remarkable ability to mimic speech and other sounds. They are predominantly green, having accenting colors that can be quite vivid, depending on the species. Amazons are popular as pets or companion parrots.

Budgerigar

There are two types of Budgies commonly seen in aviculture, Australian (often called American parakeets) and English budgies. Both types make excellent pets and can be taught to step up in just a few hours when they are young. Like Amazons, Budgies come in a variety of colors. You can usually find American parakeets in pet stores while English Budgies are the birds typically seen in shows and exhibitions.

Cockatiels

The Cockatiel is the smallest and genuinely miniature cockatoo endemic to Australia. It is also known as the Quarrion and the Weiro. Cockatiels are relatively easy to breed and make prized household pets. Most Cockatiels enjoy looking at themselves in the mirror and will engage in this activity for hours.

Cockatoos

A cockatoo is any of the 21 species of birds belonging to the family Cacatuidae. Cockatoos are popular birds in aviculture, not only for their appearance and their ability to mimic human speech but also for their remarkable intelligence and engaging personalities. Cockatoos are diurnal, which means that they require daylight to find their food. They are versatile eaters and consume a wide range of mainly vegetable food items, in addition to seeds. Being monogamous breeders, Cockatoos can have pair bonds that can last for many years.

Conures

Conures are either small parrots or large parakeets that are found in the western hemisphere. All conure species are found in Central and South America. Conures are often called "clowns" of the parrot world due to their constant attention seeking behavior. A Blue-Crowned Conure was the star of the family movie Paulie, a picaresque tale about an intelligent parrot and his long quest to return to his owner.

Eclectus

Large populations of this parrot exist in Papua New Guinea, where they are sometimes considered pests for eating fruit off trees. The Eclectus parrot is unusual in the parrot family for its marked sexual dimorphism of the colors of the plumage. Some native tribes people use their bright feathers as decorations. Eclectus parrots are one of the more popular birds kept in captivity and are relatively easy to breed. They are, however, difficult to hand feed.

Macaws

There are 18 species of Macaws, including extinct and critically endangered species. Some of the popular choices for pets include the Red Shouldered Macaw, the Yellow-Collared Macaw, and the larger Scarlet Macaw. The decision to adopt a Macaw as a pet should be considered as a life-long commitment. Macaws thrive on frequent social interaction and intellectual stimulation. They also require a lot of toys on which they can chew.

Stan Hawke is a parrot expert. For more information on different types of parrots, visit http://www.totalparrotcare.com

How to Teach and Train Your Parrot a Few Simple Tricks By Patrick Dell

There is a wide variety of parrots available to choose to own as pets. However, many choose parrots specifically for their ability to mimic, speak, and accomplish tricks. To best entertain, choosing the right breed, providing it with a loving, stable environment, and keeping training sessions short, but routine will allow owners to make their parrots the best trick performers they can be.

Specific breeds can easily be taught to accomplish tricks are: Conures, Macaws, Cockatoos, Parakeet, Budgies, and Lovebirds. Other breeds are able to learn tricks, but these particular breeds can accomplish trick training at a faster and easier rate. Choosing one of these breeds will allow for less trick training frustration and greater chances for success.

It's also important when purchasing a parrot to choose one that has been hand reared by a reputable breeder. Hand rearing allows for routine owner and parrot contact to occur from birth. This routine contact while feeding will ensure that the bird you purchase will have been used to being held, handled, and touched. The bird must trust their owner enough to take food directly out of an owner's hand. It must be tame and ready to be handled before any trick training routine can commence.

Next, it is necessary to establish a training room. The training room must be a room that the parrot has previously been allowed to explore, a room he feels comfortable in. This room must be a quiet room, free from distractions such as other parrots, children, television, or phones. A room that is quiet and comfortable is important. When trick training, an owner will need their parrot's complete attention. Eliminating stress like excessive noise will aid in having its complete trick learning attention.

Training sessions should be kept short. Parrots are curious creatures that can bore easily. Keeping trick training at a routine time, for a short period of time, will increase success rates. It will also decrease the risk of frustration for both parrot and owner. Tricks such as "Step Up", "Turn Around", and "Bow" are basic tricks that can be learned quickly. There are many comprehensive videos, CDs, and books available to assist in the trick instruction process.

Parrots have wonderful memories and can learn easily if their owners are prepared to fully commit to trick training. Trick training requires a tame breed foundation, followed by educated owners, and a stable, quiet learning routine and environment. When all these aspects of trick training are combined, parrots will excel with their learning abilities. This will create a strong parrot/owner bond that will be a wonderful basis for lifelong companionship.

Patrick Dell is a parrot trick expert. For more great information on parrot tricks, visit http://www.myparrotcaresecrets.com

Basic Problems & Solutions When Owning a Pet Parrot By Patrick Dell

When not properly cared for, socialized or trained, parrots can develop behavioral problems such as screeching, aggression, and self mutilation. Owners can easily remedy these problems with proper research, care, and patience. With any relationship, sticking through the tough times always results in a stronger, lasting friendship.

Depending on your companion's background, there may be behavioral problems already in place. Purchasing a parrot from a reputable breeder rather than a pet store or shelter will lower the chances of receiving a bird with already learned poor behavior. Most breeders are well educated and provide for the needs of their particular breed. Providing loving, stable care from birth will increase the chances of receiving a happy, healthy, well adjusted parrot. Choosing to purchase from a breeder is an easy solution to troubleshooting many behavioral problems.

However, problems may still arise. Because parrots are such intelligent and sensitive creatures, they can become easily stressed. From one cage to another or from one home to another, they require slow and calm transitions. Providing it with similar sized cage with similar toys and perches will allow your bird to ease into their new home. This rule applies with diet changes, as well. If a new food needs to be integrated into its diet, ease a new food into their meal plan a little at a time. Large changes, executed quickly will cause unnecessary problems that could easily be remedied with proper transitioning practices.

Aggression problems such as biting and chewing can also be solved by providing a parrot with adequate chew toys and foods to gnaw on. Biting can be a reflection of boredom or a the birds instinctual need to taste the world around them. Large chunks of fruits and vegetables can be hung on strings from the top of the cage, woven between the bars, or placed inside of toys. This will not only stimulate the bird physically, but mentally as well. Keeping their interests creatively held will solve many biting and chewing behavior problems.

Most breeds are naturally vocal. Without proper speech training, they may screech and scream as a way to express themselves. Vocal exercising and trick training may serve as an outlet for their socialization and vocal needs. Patient, routine vocal exercises should solve most screaming or screeching problems.

Whatever the behavioral problem maybe, often times the remedy is troubleshooting before the problem occurs. By researching and becoming educated about the particular parrot species chosen, many problems can be solved before they've even begun. However, if problems do occur, patient, well researched, and loving correction can easily remedy most problems, turning a feathered foe into a lifelong friend!

Patrick Dell is a parrot problem and solutions expert. For more great information on common parrot problems and solutions, visit http://www.myparrotcaresecrets.com

Caring For Your Parrot Through Proper Nutrition By Patrick Dell

Proper nutrition is an extremely important aspect of proper parrot care. Because of their need to explore the world around them with their beak and claws, a varied, well balanced diet that is both nutritional and exciting is necessary for a parrot's health and happiness. By providing him with the right balance of protein, fruits and vegetables, and seed and nut mixes for their specific breed, owners can be assured they are doing all they can for the nutritional well being of their pet.

A parrot's dietary needs will vary depending on their breed. It is important that owners be aware of their diet requirements when purchasing a companion. Doing research and discussing with the breeder the dietary recommendations for a particular breed and the previous owner's nutritional plan is important. Depending on the bird dietary classification, parrots can either be a florivore, granivore, frugivore, omnivore, or nectarivore.

Parrots such as the military, gold, blue, and red macaw are considered to be florivores. This means that in addition to a diet of protein pellets, they enjoy seeds, nuts, berries, bark, and roots. A cockatiel's diet classifies them as granivores. This means that they enjoy grains and seeds. The blue throated and green winged macaws are considered to be frugavores, meaning their diet consists mainly of fruit and flowers and some seeds and nuts. Cockitoos and red tailed Amazon parrots are omnivores, which means their diet consists primarily of seeds, insects, invertebrates, and some fruits. And, lastly, the lorikeets are known for having a diet that consists mainly of nectar, pollen, some insects, and seeds. So, as one can see, each classification of a parrot's diet varies considerably.

Formulated foods, such as protein pellets should make up a large portion of a parrot's diet. In addition to protein pellets, fruits and vegetables should be integrated to provide both physical and mental stimulation. Depending on the research acquired and classifications as shown above, dietary requirements even within the classifications will vary. Research must be done on the specific breed to ensure a proper balance of formulated foods, fruits and vegetables, and seed mixes.

Depending on the breed, the fruit and vegetable diet will be slightly different. However, regardless of parrot breed, the diet should never include avocado, caffeine, chocolate, alcohol, fruit pits, persimmons, table salt, mushrooms, apple seeds or onions. These foods are considered to be toxic to all parrot breeds. For the health and safety of your bird, they should be avoided entirely.

Regardless of the bird breed chosen, the diet is a very important, very large aspect of their lives. Proper research and open communication with a veterinarian is key in ensuring that the diet is what it should be. A proper diet plays a major role is a parrot's health, happiness and longevity.

Patrick Dell is a parrot diet expert. For more great information on the parrot diet, visit http://www.myparrotcaresecrets.com

5 Tips For Training Your Parrot By CS Swarens

If you have a pet parrot, chances are pretty good that you will want to teach it how to do a few tricks. Whether you want your parrot to talk or to engage in other specific behaviors, following a few basic training tips will help you get the results you are after. In addition, while working on training with your pet parrot, the two of you will enjoy some bonding time that will help your relationship grow stronger. Here are the things you need to keep in mind when training your parrot.

Tip #1: Stay Positive

The number one rule to training your parrot is to stay positive. The more positive your interaction with your pet bird, the more it will enjoy its training sessions. In addition, remaining positive will help your pet learn the new tricks much faster.

In order to stay positive you need to keep a few things in mind. First, if your pet parrot does something that you like, be sure to give it a reward. Even if it performs the desired reaction without a signal, rewarding your parrot will help it realize that the behavior is desirable. This reward can be in the form of praise, playtime or a food treat.

The next step to remaining positive is to never punish your parrot for failure to perform the desired action. In fact, rather than punishing your parrot for performing the undesirable action, you should simply ignore it. By not giving the behavior a reaction, you will help to extinguish the behavior.

Tip #2: Remain Patient

Training your parrot can be a time consuming and sometimes frustrating experience. Remember, you are shaping your bird's behavior, which means you have to take small steps toward achieving your final goal. If you become overly anxious, your pet will sense it and progress toward achieving the desired behavior will be slowed.

Tip #3: Choose the Right Time

To help you with remaining patient and keeping your emotions under control, you should only engage in training sessions at a time when you are feeling relaxed and when your parrot is in an attentive mood. In other words, don't attempt to train your parrot while it is preening, eating or engaging in any other household activity.

Tip #4: Train Frequently

Your goal should be to engaging in training sessions on a regular basis. Rather than engaging in long training sessions a few times a month, it is better to have several short training sessions per week. This way, your bird will be more likely to maintain its attention and your training sessions will be more effective.

Tip #5: Wean Away the Treats

If you are giving treats to your parrot as reward, you should work on weaning away this reward over time. In other words, once your bird starts performing a certain behavior on a more frequent basis, start providing rewards in the form of praise and playtime. This way, your bird won't expect a treat each time and will still perform the trick even if you don't have a treat on hand.

CS Swarens is the CEO of Find a Pet Online. 800 998-7065

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