Parrot Care Tips

It is no mystery why people love parrots. These birds have gorgeous colors, friendly personalities, and are smart to boot! While raising a bird in captivity does pose some challenges, it is certainly not impossible. With the proper knowledge, you can care for a parrot in your home and have a wonderful lifelong companion.

Depending on your parrot’s species, he will have different care needs. However, proper nutrition is similar for most varieties of parrot. A high quality, vitamin-enriched seed mix and parrot pellets serve as the base of the diet. You can supplement this with vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts, and berries. A bowl of fresh water completes the picture of perfect parrot nutrition.

Some people consider birds a “dirty” pet since they are usually kept in a cage. Keeping your parrot’s cage clean is an important part of parrot care. Make it a daily habit to clean food dishes, perches, and other cage surfaces daily, using only a mild cleanser and water. Chemical cleaning products will irritate your parrot’s skin and eyes and make it painful to breathe, so avoid using them in or around the cage. Also avoid putting your bird’s cage in or near the kitchen due to the amount of chemicals and other hazards there.

Check your parrot’s cage daily to be sure no bits of pointed metal are exposed that could hurt your bird. Your parrot’s cage should be large enough for the parrot to spread his wings and roomy enough for two to four parrot toys to entertain your bird while he is caged. Remember to wash your hands before and after caring for your parrot. Never let your parrot put its beak in your mouth because your saliva contains a bacteria that is harmful to the bird.

Though they do not have fur like other pets, parrots still need grooming as part of their care. Their nails and beaks are always growing and should be clipped about once a month. If nails become overgrown, they can get snagged in perches or toys and cause pain. Most owners choose to get their parrot’s wings clipped to prevent them from flying away. This must also be done about once a month. Keeping feathers in top shape is easy:  just mist your parrot with a water bottle to emulate the rain showers in the wild.

Parrots have a very long lifespan compared to other household pets. A small parrot can live between 15 and 30 years and larger ones between 40 and 50 years.

It is no surprise that these birds are capable of forming very strong ties with their owners. Socializing your parrot is vital to his quality of life. Place the cage in a room where family members spend most of their time so they can interact with the parrot. The living room is an ideal location for your parrot cage. With proper care, your affectionate, playful, and smart feathery companion will be a healthy member of the family for decades.