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Showing posts with label parrot. Show all posts
Showing posts with label parrot. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

information of parrots


Great Information on Parrots

One of the most charming and intelligent creatures in the animal kingdom is the parrot. We are captivated by the beauty of this creature, but before adopting a parrot, here are three essential parrot information that one must know.
Most experts note that having a pet parrot is not that easy, however, I am sure that even though they say that it is hard, you still would want to own one. In this light, here are here are 3 essential information on parrots that you should consider.


Parrots Live a Long Time!
The first is that most parrots lives a very long life. They have such long lives that sometimes they outlive their owners! Now the question that you must ask yourself is that will you still be around to take good care of your pet. If you still decide to get one be sure that there will be someone that will be able to take care of your pets just in case.
Parrots are Smart!
Parrots are intellectual animals. As what I have said earlier, they are one of the most intelligent animals around, there intelligence is exceptional that in order to function properly they need constant intellectual stimulation. If they will not have enough intellectual stimulation they would tend to get bored and trust me, you do not want your Parrot to get bored. If they are bored, they tend to be very noisy and they will start picking their feathers.
Where is My Food?
The third and the most important fact that you must know about parrots is that it will take a lot of effort for you to feed them properly. Your parrot needs more than seed and pellets, but you must also be aware that not all foods are suited to be eaten by a parrot. So you must take an extra effort in preparing foods for your pets.
This information on parrots tidbits should help you decide if you would like to adopt a parrot. If you are OK with the uniqueness of parrots, then by all means, adopt one! Parrots are incredibly fun pets with beauty and flair, and will make a great addition to your family.
Ty Easley loves parrots and raises parrots for a living. He is a parrot care expert and has helped teach parrot owners how to properly adopt and care for their parrots for over 10 years. Click here for more Information on Parrots [http://parrotcare911.com/important-information-on-parrots] or go to Parrot Care for Ty's outstanding and free mini course on parrots.

information of parrot


Valuable General Information About Parrots

The first thing that we all should do after picking out our parrot is to find a suitable cage for it. Even though some people intend on letting them fly around the house, it is safer to keep them in cages most of the time. Always make sure that the cage has enough space for your parrot to move freely. A good rule of thumb, is that the more space your feathered friend has in her cage the happier she will be.


Cages are definitely recommended because they will keep your parrot safe and confine their mess to a small area. Cages can be used to protect your parrot from other pets that you have in your house and certain obstacles such as fans. Also, by keeping your parrot in a cage you are reducing the chance that they will fly into windows and injuring themselves. Cages are available in the local pet stores and they come in different sizes. The size of cage required depends on the size of bird. Suggested cage dimensions for different parrots are as follows:
Macaw: 36" by 24"
Conures: 24" by 22"
Cockatiels: 22" by 17"
African Grey: 32" by 23"
Cockatoo: 36" by 24"
Moving on. Make sure your parrot's diet is optimal as it is one of the most critical aspects of its health. Feed your parrot at the same time every day because failing to do so may lead to behavioral problems that may cause them to strike at their owners or anyone trying to touch them. They should be fed nutritious, healthy foods and they need to have access to fresh, clean water that is replaced every day.
Parrots are able to keep themselves clean in the wild, but they need your help when they are living with you. You will have to clean and bath your parrot on a regular basis. Most parrots enjoy bathing in a bathtub or shower, but some do not. If your parrot freaks out in the shower or the bath then just get a spray bottle filled with warm water and spray them with it. Make sure you use warm water since parrots get cold too. When you are finished bathing your feathered friend leave her in a warm place so she can dry herself off.
Parrots live in flocks and are very social and they also love to play. So during your free time, try to play with your parrot. You can even cuddle with it, which makes them feel appreciated and loved.
Ryan Benson is a parrot enthusiast. For more parrot info, visit http://www.parrottrainingsecret.com.

Monday, January 30, 2012

caique parrots


Caique Parrot Care - 5 Tips For Caring For Your Pet Caique Bird

Caique Parrots are delightful little parrots with lively personalities that make them wonderful pet birds. Here are 5 tips for caring for your bird so that it can live a long and healthy life with you and your family.
 


Food-Since Caiques are known for their love of food, starting with this tip seems very appropriate. They need fresh fruits and vegetables, sprouted seeds, some table food, and a high quality pellet mix as supplement. Change water as often as needed for it to be fresh. This will cut down on mold growth and infections that can result from ingesting mold. When feeding fresh food be sure to remove the food from the cage after several hours for the same reason.
 
Cage-Even though small, they are quite active and do best when they can move freely in the cage. Bigger is always better when it comes to the size of the cage, but a minimum size should be 24'" high by 24" wide by 24" deep. Since they are avid climbers, horizontal bars will be greatly appreciated by your bird. Avoid metals that are toxic to birds, and make sure your cage is certified as bird safe. Wood cages should also be avoided as they love to chew, and you would soon find your bird had escaped by chewing through the bars of a wooden cage. Sizing the cage properly keeps your pet happy, and can prevent undesirable behaviors from developing due to boredom. A happy Caique will provide unsolicited entertainment from morning to night, and all you have to do is have time to watch the show.
 
Interaction-These little parrots love people and need people to love them back. They can benefit from at least an hour a day of interaction with humans. They should be closely supervised as they are fearless little birds and can easily get into things they shouldn't. Go slowly and supervised carefully when introducing other pets.  Never leave a child alone and unsupervised with the bird. Small children may unintentionally frighten, or make the bird feel threatened, and you can easily prevent disaster by being there when your Caique is exercising outside the cage.
 
Training-Caiques respond well to training. Most can learn to speak, do tricks, and whistle songs. And once these skills have been perfected they are more than willing to take center stage and perform for you, family, and friends. Training sessions should be short and daily if possible. Always reward your bird and end before your bird's attention span wanes. Remember that training is not only to teach your bird something new, but is a great way to continue to bond with your Caique. Make it a time that your bird looks forward to.
 
Preserving their Health-With proper care these parrots have been known to live for as long as 30 years. Like many parrots they are susceptible to airborne disease and infections such as Psittacosis and other respiratory illnesses unless their air is kept clean. Since birds in captivity are subjected to much more dander, feather particles, and other pollutants found in many households, filtering their air will keep their airways clearer, keep them healthier, and ultimately increase their life span.
An excellent HEPA air purifier to remove airborne pollutants from your Caique's air is offered by PurerAir.com-- the Bird Dander Purifier See it now at http://purerair.com/bird_dander_air_purifier.html

caique parrot


Caique Parrots As Pets - 5 Reasons Caiques Make Excellent Companion Parrots

Caiques (pronounced khy-eeks) are brightly colored, energetic, and entertaining birds that are small when making comparisons in the parrot world, but have big personalities and a lot of love to give to their humans. Here are 5 reasons you can't go wrong when considering a Caique Parrot as a pet.


Colorful-The division of color on these birds is so striking it almost looks as if an artist used a paint brush to execute it so perfectly. Black Headed Caiques (BHC) have black beaks and gray feet, shiny black heads, a festive and well defined ban of orange around the neck area; their backs and tails are a velvety forest green, their legs and feathers under the tail are orange, and their bellies are snowy white.
The White Bellied Caique (WBC) differs slightly in coloration with a light-colored beak, yellow head, green back, thighs, and wings with yellow coloring under the tail. It is slightly smaller, and is not as common. There are no noticeable personality differences between species, and any differences are probably more attributable to the individuals.
Affordable-Prices for Caiques range between $500 and $1,000 USD with pet stores tending to be on the higher end of the scale. Check with an avian veterinarian or do a looking digging on the internet if you prefer to purchase from a breeder or adopt a slightly older bird. Learn as much as you can about the bird's history, spend time with it, and have it checked by a veterinarian before finalizing the adoption.
Great Personality-These are happy birds that, when healthy, are in constant motion. They love playing with their toys (and you should have a large variety) and with their humans. They are affectionate and tend to respond well to anyone who gives frequent attention. They need human interaction, and if you do not have the time to devote to them perhaps another pet would make a better choice. If you are thinking about having 2 to provide social interaction for each other, make sure they are compatible before bringing them home.
Whistle Happy Tunes-Even though they speech capability is not that of the African Grey, most are still able to speak with their high pitched voice and be understood. They also able to whistle and can learn songs that they hear. They tend to learn songs better if their human whistles the songs for them first.
Standard Diet-They love to eat and their food requirements are simple and uncomplicated. Daily offerings should include fresh fruits and vegetables, pasta, and table foods supplemented with a high quality pellet mix; and fresh water should always be available. Avoid avocado, chocolate, alcohol, and caffeine as they are toxic to any bird. With proper care, these delightful little birds can live up to 30 years.
An excellent HEPA air purifier to remove airborne pollutants from your Caique's air is offered by PurerAir.com-- the Bird Dander Purifier See it now at http://purerair.com/bird_dander_air_purifier.html

parrot tricks


Teach These 2 Easy Tricks to Your Parrot

It is a fact that parrots are one of the most intelligent creatures around. According to research, it is very clear that a parrot's intellect functions at a human 2 year old's level. You will find them to be quick learners and you can teach them a lot of things. Teaching your parrot tricks is not one-sided amusement, both the teacher and the parrot enjoy the process. Parrots love the attention you give them during training and they will certainly entertain you with their playful personalities.


The teaching sessions should not be so long that your parrot becomes tired. If you do exhaust your parrot, it will have a negative impact on your bird and she may not enjoy your future training. A quiet place or room is the best option to teach a parrot. It should also be kept in mind that your parrot needs to be comfortable with the environment in which you are teaching and there also has to be enough light. Be patient while teaching your parrot, if you are not, she may become stressed, which again is not a positive experience for her.
"Step up" is one easy trick to teach to your feathered friend. This trick is useful because after they learn it you can use it to tell them where to go. When your parrot has learned the trick, you just need to place your finger near her feet and say "step up" in a very calm voice and your parrot will step onto your finger. If you have a bigger bird you may prefer to teach her to climb on your forearm instead of your finger. To teach them, put your finger on the ground in front of their feet and keep calmly saying "step up". When she makes a move towards your finger give her a reward (her favorite food usually works well). Keep repeating this process until she climbs onto your finger or forearm.
Another favorite trick of parrot owners is the "turn around". This is also an easy trick to teach. Food should be used as reward in this case too. You can teach this trick to your parrot when she is on her perch. Offer her a little food and when she reaches to get the food just move the food around to her back. By doing so, this will make the bird turn around on the perch. Throughout the whole exercise, in a calm voice, keep repeating, "turn around". Continue doing this again and again until your parrot learns to do a full turn. Once she has completed a full turn, give her a little food as a reward. Eventually, you will be able to say "turn around" and then your parrot will simply turn around. Some parrots are able to do this on their first try but some of them require a little practice, so again, be patient.
Ryan Benson is a parrot tricks enthusiast. For more information on parrot tricks, visit http://www.parrottrainingsecret.com/.

parrot tricks


Guide to Teaching Parrots Tricks

Parrots are becoming more popular as household pets. They are smart, witty, funny, and usually very colorful. It is also very fun to teach parrots tricks to further bond with your parrot since they are so easily trainable.


Spending the time with your pet parrot needed to teach him tricks creates a greater sense of focus on you as the owner and creates an overall better socialized parrot. Teaching parrots tricks can also help correct behavioral problems since most of the time, pet parrots have behavioral issues when they are bored or don't have the mental and physical stimulation needed. Spending time with your parrot and teaching him tricks will not only help stimulate him mentally but also helps to result in an overall happier and healthier parrot.
An example of such behavioral issues includes the loud noises or screeching which is very stressful. By training your parrot to speak instead of screech, you will enjoy your relationship with your parrot more and he will more mentally stimulated and focused.
When teaching your parrots tricks, training to speak doesn't have to be a formal classroom lecture. Simply every time you walk by their cage, simply say and repeat the word or words you're trying to teach on a regular basis and your parrot will soon adopt the phrases or words of what you say.
When trying to teach your parrots tricks, make sure you begin to speak very clear and slow so your parrot can grasp the words you're teaching him. Just say one syllable or two at a time, and if he repeats the word, go ahead and reward him with a treat or food. As with training any animal any tricks, you will likely need multiple sessions so give your parrot patience as well as yourself until he has the word mastered and sounds clear.
A word of caution - show caution what words you say around your parrot, as it can be quite awkward when your parrot utters a phrase you didn't want him to repeat.
Another popular parrot trick is called the "step up." This is an easy trick to teach and is also useful when tracking your parrot down at home.  In this parrot trick, you teach your parrot to step up on a branch or perch or even your arm right in front of him. Begin by pressing your finger against your parrot's chest and say the words "step up." Be careful not to poke your parrot with your finger, but rather gently press with the side of your index finger.
You'll want to use food and treats as an incentive to help your parrot learn their tricks a bit faster. Just hold out the treat between your thumb and index finger. Also take note to keep your training sessions as short as possible, as you do not want to repeat the same tricks so many times your parrot begins to lose interest. Also be sure to always end your training sessions on a positive note so your parrot will be encouraged for the next session.
Lastly, never work with your parrot or teach parrot tricks when you are feeling stressed out. Stay calm and patient, as your attitude, voice tone, and gestures are picked up and internalized by your parrot. Keep these tips in mind when teaching your parrots tricks and have fun!
Jessica Peloski is a parrot enthusiast and author of pet parrot care books. For more information on teaching parrots tricks, visit http://www.parrotcareanswers101.com

parrot tricks


Secret Tips On Teaching Parrot Tricks

Parrots are known to be brilliant birds. They are tested for how well they can learn parrot tricks such as talking or obeying commands. One of the most fun things in owning a parrot is teaching it these tricks.
Although these birds are fast learners, it does take some time and patience to teach them as it would any other animal. Also, a parrot that has learned your teachings will be well-behaved and therefore be much easier and more enjoyable to have around.


As with any other animal, owners should keep their teaching sessions very short. If they are too long, the impact on the parrot could be negative because they will not be able to retain too much information at one time. Another thing owners need to do is be positive and patient at all times with the bird. Do not start a training session if you are going to be negative or yell because the outcome will have no benefits.
When starting training, you should always choose a quiet area and be in a positive mood. If you are stressed out, it may not be a good day to train your parrot because you might be impatient. Also, make sure the room is brightly lit and that the bird is comfortable.
One trick that many owners teach their parrots is how to "step up". This teaches the bird something that it will use almost every day of its life. This trick involves teaching the parrot to simply step forward and up onto and object in front of it.
To train your bird in "stepping up", place your finger gently in front of the parrot's feet and say "step up" in a calm voice. If you have a bigger bird, use your forearm instead of your finger. You may also use inanimate objects also. Once your pet has performed the trick, always reward it with a small treat.
Learning to "turn around" is another useful trick that owners like to teach their birds. To teach this trick, you do a similar routine as you would in teaching "step up". Instead of placing your finger in front of the bird however, you move it to the parrot's back so that it has to turn and see it. Holding food would also help get the bird's attention.
One more trick that you may want to teach your bird is how to speak. This may be necessary if you want the parrot to say nice words instead of screeching all the time. Also, by teaching your bird how to talk, it becomes more social and you and others can interact with it more. Start off using one or two-syllable words, and once the bird has mastered this you can increase its vocabulary. Remember, in order for your bird to remember the trick, you may need a treat. Repeating the lessons will also be necessary when trying to get your parrot to remember phrases.
Carl Kastor is a parrot expert. To view more articles about how to teach your parrot tricks visit his site here [http://www.parrottrainingcenter.com/parrot-tricks/]. Also, you can learn more general information on parrots [http://www.parrottrainingcenter.com] as far as breeding, purchasing, and raising them to thrive as they would in the wild.

parrot tricks


Best Techniques For Teaching Parrots Tricks

Most people want to teach their parrot how to do tricks. Parrots tricks are one of the most enjoyable parts of sharing your life with one of these fun and intelligent birds.
Training makes him more focused on you, better socialized, better behaved and can even help in correction of behavioral problems! Since many of these problems arise out of boredom and lack of mental stimulation, learning parrot tricks can be the answer to a healthier, happier parrot.


A good example of this is the loud screeching that can both irritate you and stress you out. Parrots screech to get attention. By teaching your parrot to talk you will enjoy his vocalizations much more than you enjoyed the screeching, it is much more pleasant to listen to.
You don't need to provide a conventional lesson setting. If, when walking by your bird's cage, you stop and repeat the word that you are trying to teach him once or twice on a regular basis he will learn to repeat what you say.
When teaching your parrot to talk make sure to speak slowly and clearly and keep the words short, just a syllable or two. When he repeats the word you can give him a treat as a reward. It may take more than one session, and his first few attempts may not be as clear sounding as later on when he has the word mastered.
It's also wise to be careful of what you say around your parrot. It can prove embarrassing when he repeats a word or phrase around guests that you had no idea he knew!
Another popular trick is training your parrot to step up. This trick is easy to teach and also can be quite useful when trying to catch him. You teach him to step up onto the object right in front of him.
To do this you can start by pressing your finger against your parrot's chest right above his legs while saying "step up". Don't poke with the tip of your finger. Instead, gently press with the side of your finger.
A good technique for teaching parrot tricks is to use food as a reward. For teaching step up you can hold the treat just out of reach to help guide him onto your finger. If you have one of the larger species of parrot you can substitute your forearm for your finger.
Remember to keep training sessions short. You don't want to repeat things so many times that you annoy your parrot and cause him to resent the sessions. Make sure to end on a good note and once your parrot "gets it", even if it only took two or three tries, reward him and end the session.
It's also wise to train your bird in a quiet room with as few distractions as possible. You want to make sure that he is totally focused on you during training.
Another trick that is fun and fairly easy to teach is "turn around." With your parrot standing either on a perch or your finger, hold out a piece of food. Say "turn around." Next move the treat slowly around to a position behind your bird. He should follow it with his eyes and when he can't see it should turn his whole body.
As soon as he does, reward him with the treat. At first you can work on half turns (180 degrees) and then proceed to full turns (360 degrees).
A last piece of advice is never work with your parrot when you are feeling stressed. Always keep a calm and patient attitude and you should have no trouble teaching your parrots tricks.
The author, Karla Deacon, is an expert parrot enthusiast. For more great information on parrots tricks visit ParrotCareBasics.com

parrot tricks


Parrot Tricks

Parrots are amazing and smart birds. They have been tested for their intellectual abilities and have been proven to have the intelligence level of a small child.


For some, part of the fun of owning a parrot is to teach it tricks. But, teaching a parrot tricks is not just for entertainment purposes. Training a parrot will create a better behaved and more sociable bird and may solve some behavioral problems.
When teaching a parrot owners need to keep the training sessions short. They do not want to tire the parrot out and cause the session to be a negative experience for the bird.
Owners also keep their training sessions positive and do not start a training session until they are both ready. Training in a quiet and a room free of distractions will only increase the chances of success.
Another good tip is to make sure that the room is well lit and that your parrot is comfortable in that room. Owners need to be stress free when starting to train parrots. Not having enough patience with the parrot will affect the way the parrot learns.
An easy trick that most parrot owners start with is teaching their parrots how to "step up". This is an extremely useful trick that will be used most often and throughout the bird's lifetime. It is the simple act of asking the parrot to step onto the object that is in front of it.
This act can simply be done by placing one's fingers in front of the bird's feet and asking them in a calm soothing voice to "step up". Use a forearm for larger birds.
Owners can use a piece of food to entice the parrot to move forward. When the act is completed, the food is given as a reward.
Another trick that people like to teach their parrots is to "turn around". As the parrot is standing on its perch offer it a piece of food. As it reaches for it move one's hand slowly to its back so that the bird has to turn its head around to see the food.
Owners have to coax some birds to do a full turn while other birds immediately turn themselves around on the perch. Once the parrot has completed a full turn, the food reward is given to it.
Teaching a parrot to speak can solve the problem of the bird being too vocal with its screeching. Some birds have learned how to get attention this way. By teaching a parrot a word owners can enjoy their vocalization more. Owners need to start with only one simple word that contains only one or two syllables.
Most people start with the word "hello". Owners will repeat the word slowly to the parrot several times until the parrot makes a sound it response. Once the parrot responds, owners give it a food reward.
The first sound it makes may not be the word that the owners are trying to teach it. But, they idea is to get the bird to respond to a human voice. Owners repeat this drill several times until the parrot begins to mimic the word.
Joseph Keith is a writer and researcher on products for weight loss products such as Caralluma Burn. You can save time and money by getting a FREE in depth Caralluma Review at www.carallumareviewer.com

Saturday, January 28, 2012

parrot talking


Talking With Your Parrot

Polly Wants A Cracker' is a phrase notoriously attributed to parrots. But how do you get your parrot talking?
Teaching Your Parrot To Talk
Ideally you want to start teaching your parrot to talk after it's 6 months old. Your parrot will probably outlive you so there's no rush, but don't leave it until it's an adult. You will be using a reward system so have treats on hand.

Put your parrot's cage in a place where it can socialize with people, such as in the family room. Make sure your TV isn't on when you're teaching your parrot to talk as it will pick up words from the TV.
Talk to your parrot and do an action at the same time. In the morning when you take the cage cover off say 'Good Morning'. At night when you put the cover on say 'Goodnight'. Give them shiny objects and say something at the same time and they will attribute that word or phrase with the object. Say 'Hello' when you enter a room and 'Goodbye' when you walk out.
Talk with an enthusiastic voice. Your parrot will begin to learn that this is a fun and interactive time.
It takes time to teach a parrot to talk, so perhaps record your voice if you're out at work for the day and have it play over and over again while you are gone. Be patient with your parrot.
Mimics or Conversationalists?
It may appear that your parrot is having a conversation but in fact it's not. Parrots are mimics. They may go on to learn that certain words are associated with actions or people. Your cat may walk in the room and your parrot will associate a certain word with your cat.
How Do Parrots Talk?
Parrots do not have vocal cords. They use their syrinx and trachea and produce sounds with the airflow. It is much like how a person whistles. Also, by turning their neck they create different sounds, this is why you will often see a parrot turn its head when it's talking. They can also use their tongue to modulate the sound.
If Your Parrot Stops Talking
There could be a number of reasons your parrot stops talking. It might be sick. There could be a change in your environment, for example, a new person or pet might have been introduced. Or it may be bored. The change could be as simple as shifting the furniture around in the room. Parrots like attention so make sure that your parrot hasn't stopped talking because you're ignoring it.
Types of Parrots That Talk
Here is a list of parrots that are good talkers:
African Grey Parrot
Indian Ring Neck
Amazon Parrot
Umbrella Cockatoo
Rose Breasted Cockatoo
Owning a parrot is a huge commitment since their life expectancy is above 50 years. The most important thing is to have fun with your parrot talking, after all they will be around for quite a while as a member of your family. Slow but steady progress in teaching your parrot to talk is going to bring a bundle of laughs and conversation for decades to come.

parrot talking


Why Parrots Stop Talking

Why parrots stop talking is not always the problem. Some people long for their parrots to stop talking, simply because they talk incessantly once they have learned a few phrases. Parrots are very sociable, and want to communicate with other members of their "flock" - which means the people with whom they live. So a talking parrot is probably more common.


There are times, however, when parrots stop talking, and then the worried owner wants to know why parrots stop talking.
Reasons Why Parrots Stop Talking
There are several reasons why parrots stop talking. We cannot give a complete list here, but one of the following may apply to your parrot.
1. Some talking parrots stop talking for a few days when they arrive in a new home. They are adjusting to the change. They find themselves suddenly with a new "flock" in a new environment. Even a talking parrot will take time to sort things out in its mind before it feels comfortable.
2. Sometimes talking parrots stop talking when they are feeling ill. If your parrot has been talking, and stops with no apparent reason, consider health issues. You may need to take it to an avian veterinarian.
3. Talking parrots will "pout" and stop talking when they are unhappy with a change you have made. It may be you have moved the furniture in the room where the parrot spends most of its time. Maybe you are wearing an article of clothing the parrot does not like.
4. Another reason talking parrots may stop talking is the introduction of a new family member, either human or another pet. The parrot must work through the change, and stops talking while adjusting.
5. Sometimes a talking parrot has been frightened, perhaps by a prey animal. The animal may be outside, but visible from the parrot's cage.
6. Finally, a talking parrot may stop talking if it becomes bored with its own chatter, and hears few words from you. Remember that your parrot talks to communicate with you. It is in a "foreign" land, away from those that speak its language, and is trying to learn your language to communicate.
What to Do When Parrots Stop Talking
There are several things you can do to encourage a talking parrot that has stopped talking.
If your talking parrot is in new surroundings, make it as comfortable as possible. Give it time to adjust, but while it's adjusting, talk to it gently and frequently. As soon as it decides the new surroundings are safe, it will probably begin talking again.
If you suspect your talking parrot's sudden silence is an early sign of illness, look at its eyes and feathers. If you detect dullness in either, you may need to have an avian (bird) veterinarian check your parrot.
Sometimes the answer is as simple as finding a change you have made in the previous few days or week. Did you move a vase that used to reflect the light? Did you move the parrot's cage a few feet one way or another? Try to remember what may have changed and put it back the way it was. Your talking parrot may quickly speak up to thank you.
Check for predators, even though you know they cannot reach the parrot. A large, predatory bird flying past the window, or sitting in a tree outside can be the reason a talking parrot stops talking.
The best solution to helping a talking parrot find its tongue is to spend more time talking to and around the bird. Take it into other rooms with you and the family so it will feel like being a part of the conversation.
Talk to your bird as much as you would talk to a family member or very good friend, and before long, it should begin talking again.
©2007, Anna Hart. An avid reader and researcher, Anna explores many parrot species, and offers other interesting parrot information at http://www.parrots-of-the-world.com If you would like to learn more about how to train your parrot, you won’t want to miss Anna’s advice.

parrot talking


Get Your Quaker Parrot Talking

Looking to get your Quaker Parrot talking?
One of the most appealing features of a Quaker parrot is talking. These friendly birds can hold conversations and imitate sounds quite effectively how.


However, they don't always do it the way we want. Many people attempt to teach their parrots to talk through the use of tapes or discs. Often, they're disappointed. While small birds, such as parakeets and cockatiels, can learn to mimic these recordings, larger birds, such as Quaker parrots, don't start talking, even though they've heard hours and hours of what sounds like human speech.
The reason that using recordings to get a Quaker talking isn't very effective is because parrots aren't just mimics. They repeat sounds we make in an attempt to communicate with us. In the wild, this kind of mimicry allows them to feel like they're part of a flock.
At home, we're the only flock they have, so they try to talk to us. Since a tape doesn't impart any meaning to the parrot, he or she recognizes it only as unusual background noise. A more effective way of teaching your parrot to talk is by helping him or her attach meaning to specific sounds.
Talk to your young Quaker as though it were a baby or young child, and you'll find that you get better results. The best talkers are the ones that are spoken to as though they are expected to learn language themselves.
Of course, the meanings that your parrot attaches to words aren't always the ones you'd like it to. Parrots react to the words and sounds that get a reaction out of you (creating entertainment for them), or that have meaning to them (getting out of the cage, receiving a treat, making a request). This is why so many parrots pick up swear words and other undesirable phrases when they talk. If the word makes you excited, they reason, it must be a good one.
One method that can work for getting Quaker parrots talking is modeling. A human or another bird performs the action that's desired in front of your parrot, and gets a reward. This can teach your parrot that it wants to do that (and get the treat), too.
This works best for tricks based on natural behaviors, such as wing-spreading and foot-lifting, but can be used to model desired phrases or sounds. Remember that, like small children, Quaker parrots have short attention spans. This means that you should keep all training sessions short (less than fifteen minutes) and have them occur more often, rather than trying for a few long sessions.
Get your Quaker parrot talking, learn more tricks, and find out everything you've ever wanted to know about parrots by visiting: http://www.train-parrot.com

parrot names


Great Ideas For Picking Parrot Names

There is really no point in looking for a book that will give you several suggestions for parrot names. Finding a name for your pet is actually one of the most exciting parts in owning a parrot. But it would be a good idea to find a name for your beloved bird a few weeks after you have brought it home so that you can find a moniker that will fit the personality of your pet. Like a human child, each parrot has its own unique characteristics and attitude towards people, food, and training. It would be so much fun to find a name that will be a perfect fit for your bird.


Many people choose parrot names based on the personality trait of the bird. If you think your pet is robust and healthy, you can call him names that connote strong or mighty qualities. If your parrot is female, you can use adjectives that will best describe your bird. Pretty, tiny, rouge or pink are some of the words that you can use to call your female parrot. It would be best to stick to monosyllabic names so that your parrot can easily mimic and learn its name. Some other nouns or adjectives you can name your pet include grace, joy, lovely, chirp, beauty, and champ.
Using the names of popular celebrities and well-known individuals can also be good parrot names. If you love pirates, you might want to call your bird Capt. Jack or simply Jack. If your companion parrot is really talkative, you may want to name it after great talk show hosts such as Jay Leno, David Letterman, Oprah and even Chelsea. You can even use the names of your favorite movie stars or artists. Paris, Liz, Lindsay and Britney are good names for female parrots that you think are glitzy and glamorous, while Scarlett, Selma or Pamela are ideal for female parrots that have prominent breasts. Hunky male parrots may also be named after Hugh Jackman, Brad Pitt, Orlando Bloom or even Zac Effron.
Some people also use the names of their favorite cartoon characters such as Mickey, Donald, Daisy and Sponge Bob to call their pets. There are actually no rules in choosing parrot names for your pet. In fact, naming a pet is a personal preference. You can get inspiration from almost anything under the sun. You can use your local surroundings or even the colors of the rainbow to help you out.
Gideon Williams is a parrot care expert.

pionus parrot


The Blue Headed Parrot

The blue-headed parrot (Pionus menstruus) is one of eight species of pionus parrot native to Central America and South America. Measuring around 11 inches this bird's lifespan is around 25 years. Don't get muddled between this species and blue fronted Amazon parrots as they are quite different.


The blue-headed parrot is native to South America and Central America, and can be found in the America-Amazon basin from Costa Rica to Panama. Some good places to spot them in their native habitat are Brazil, Bolivia, Central America, Costa Rica, Trinidad and Venezuela. In these countries they live in forests and some more open locations. They tend to live in groups, often roosting in palm trees, and are a sociable bird.
Whilst their name derives from a distinctive blue head this parrot has a number of subtle color markings. The blue of the head extends some way down the chest to the green body. When examined closely it can be seen that they have red coloring beneath their tail feathers and some dashes of yellow on the wing coverts. The mandible (lower jaw area) is black, but has reddish areas at the sides. You will also note some reddish feathers around the ceres (a soft, fleshy swelling on the top of the beak).
Of the parrots commonly kept as pets the blue-headed is one of the most affectionate and calm. With dedicated coaching they can also be reared into reasonable mimics. However, they are not the best mimics, and in fact on the plus side are quite quiet for parrots.
The blue-headed parrot is comfortable in both an aviary and indoors, but if you have a non-captive bred specimen then the acclimatization process can take up to two years.
For this bird grit and cuttlefish bone are good supplements to the standard parrot diet of parrot mix, fruit and greens. In the wild they enjoy seed as the staple food.
One health issue to watch out for with this species is that these generally healthy birds have a disposition to aspergillosis. This fungal disease is marked by poor breathing. In addition to this a swollen eye ring can be a sign of a nasal blockage. Finally, the pionus can exhibit flaky bills, but this is just a sign of intensive use rather than something to be concerned over. If you breed your pet you can expect a clutch of three to five eggs.
Danny Oakes writes for http://parrotcare.tropicalpets.com/ and recently wrote a detailed article on blue fronted Amazon Parrots that covered a range of topics, including feeding and care advice.

Friday, January 27, 2012

parrot feathers


How to Prevent Plucking of Your Parrots Feathers

Parrots are fun and enjoyable pets to keep and train. They are very smart and intelligent creatures with the ability to learn many new tricks as well as the ability to talk and converse with their owners. Birds such as parrots, which are very smart animals, also have the ability to do damage to their surroundings or themselves when they aren't stimulated mentally or physically enough. One issue with parrots is plucking of the parrots feathers.


Plucking of parrots feathers is a condition or behavior where your parrot chews or plucks their feathers in an obsessive manner. Sometimes parrots pluck feathers from just one part of their body, such as their leg, while others compulsively pluck their feathers from all over their body.
Many believe this is a mental disease of parrots, but it is more a symptom of a need of the parrot that is not being met or out of balance. This issue of plucking of parrots feathers is also exclusively an issue with parrots held in captivity as pets. In nature, a parrot who resorts to feather plucking would not survive, as they would get too cold and be unable to fly.
Plucking of parrots feathers could happen for several reasons, including medical or behavioral reasons. In order to stop this from happening, the external cause needs to be identified and ceased.
More times than not, this behavior associated with parrots feathers is medical in nature, so a prescribed medicine will help your parrot heal quickly and stop this destructive habit. There are however, behavioral issues with external factors that lead to plucking of feathers.
If your parrot is bored and is not stimulated with a variety of perches and branches in their cage, or they don't see their owner too often, this can create an anxiety which can lead to this behavioral issue. If there are too many family members living at home, or small children present, the parrot can become both nervous and anxious in a manner similar to claustrophobia. Parrots can also become insecure, demonstrate excessive mating behavior, have a breed disposition, or feel that their current living facilities are inadequate to bathe.
In a behavior known as "Itchy Bird Syndrome," your parrot will act a bit differently outside of their normal preening and plucking. Some signs of this is when your bird is constantly rubbing against the branches, perches, or bars in the cage while acting agitated. To stop plucking of your parrots feathers, be sure to identify and then isolate the cause of the agitation. This obsessive compulsion can begin very small but then grow to a damaging behavior to your parrot.
Make sure your parrot has a large variety of toys and branches to play with, as they need to be mentally and physically stimulated all the time. Such toys can help prevent plucking of your parrots feathers and lead them into better behavioral habits.
Jessica Peloski is a parrot enthusiast and author of pet parrot care books. For more information on parrots feathers, visit http://www.parrotcareanswers101.com.

parrot feathers


Parrot Feathers - How and Why Do Parrots Fly?

Your parrot's wings operate as an airfoil, or aerofoil. An airfoil is a shape which produces lift and is used in wings, blades and sails. The shape of a bird's wings mean that air flows faster over the top of the wing that beneath it, and thus there is greater pressure below the wings than above them and this pressure difference causes lift. This phenomenon of lift can be explained by Bernoulli' Principle which states that pressure decreases as its velocity increases.


A parrot's physiology is such that the upper surface of the wing is raised and the lower surface is hollow, which has the effect of air traveling over the top of the wing at a faster rate than the bottom. The front edges of the wings ensure that the air is consistently split in the same direction over them.
This basic description does not fully explain a parrot's wings, which have both primary and secondary feathers. The primaries are the top layer, or outer, feathers which are moved back and forth to create thrust. The secondary, or inner, feathers are the ones which split the air between outer and inner parts and provide the lift.  
Parrots use this ability of flight to evade predators and also to seek food and shelter, and migrate to optimal climates at different times of the year.
With careful observation you will see that you parrot starts its moult by shedding its fifth primary feather, after which it will start shedding feathers either side of this. The moulting process takes place once or twice a year.
A parrot's flight system is more than just its wings of and consists of:
  • Primary feathers - the top layer of feathers that provide the thrust
  • Secondary feathers - beneath the primaries these shorter wings provide lift during flight
  • Alula - an area at the front of the wings made up of short feathers. Used for stability.
  • Wing coverts - used to cover the area between the primary and secondary feathers
  • Body plumage - these flat contour feathers cover the body and protect the bird from the elements
  • Tail feathers - these are short and square in parrots
Wing clipping is an option that many consider for their pet birds, but it is a bit of a controversial area in parrot care. Whilst clipping does not cause your pet any pain, some consider it cruel. An alternative is to leave the wings in tact, but diligently monitor your parrot to prevent escape. If you go this route then you can also buy your bird a harness and allow it to fly.
On his site http://parrotcare.tropicalpets.com Danny Oakes writes about a range of Parrot Care topics, from clipping wings to diet, and breeding.