| Taking care of parrots involves some challenges but | | | | frequently, you need to be sure that it is kept out of |
| paying close attention to your bird and learning as | | | | drafts and away from the kitchen and areas where |
| much as you can will ensure that you know how to | | | | you tend to use chemical cleaners. |
| give the right type of parrot care. | | | | In fact, when you clean your parrot's cage, make sure |
| Mastering some basic parrot grooming skills are an | | | | to only use mild soap and water. Remnants of leftover |
| advantage if you choose to own a parrot. Proper | | | | chemical cleaners can irritate sensitive skin and eyes, |
| parrot care necessitates nail and beak trimming about | | | | damage your bird's respiratory tract, make him sick if |
| every 3 to 4 weeks. | | | | he licks it and possibly even be fatal. If you are unsure |
| Your feathered friend will be much less stressed if you | | | | about the cleaner you are using, once again, call and |
| learn the grooming fundamentals rather than | | | | check with your veterinarian. |
| transporting him to a strange place to be handled by | | | | While we are on the subject of cages, make sure that |
| someone he doesn't know. | | | | there are no exposed wire ends or other sharp |
| Be sure to keep up with your trimming schedule | | | | objects that can injure your bird. Also make sure that |
| because long nails can get caught on a variety of | | | | his cage is large enough to move around and spread |
| things including toys, perches and furniture. Overgrown | | | | and flap his wings. |
| beaks are a hazard as well since they gets in the way | | | | Some excellent advice is to get the largest cage for |
| of your parrot eating enough food to stay healthy | | | | your parrot that you can afford. There should be |
| In their natural habitat wild parrots enjoy "rain showers." | | | | enough room for several toys and space to play with |
| These showers enable them to bathe and keep their | | | | them. They will help keep your friend mentally |
| feathers in good shape. Since your bird doesn't have | | | | stimulated and discourage the development of |
| access to this amenity he will no doubt be appreciative | | | | behavioral problems. |
| of a daily misting of water. | | | | It is also very important not to forget to wash your |
| Very often an owner's parrot care routine will include | | | | hands before handling your parrot, his food, toys or |
| wing clipping. This is done to keep their birds from | | | | dishes. You might think I say this to protect your health, |
| flying. While flying can be good exercise, limiting their | | | | and yes, it does. But it is equally important for |
| flight can help keep your parrot safe and out of | | | | protecting your parrot's health! They can pick up |
| trouble. Wing clipping is a personal choice and should | | | | bacterial infections from us and the bacteria in human |
| never be done without first consulting a veterinarian. | | | | saliva is a health hazard for your bird, so don't let him |
| Some of the things that draw people to parrots are | | | | "kiss" you on the mouth. |
| their beautiful array of colors, their curiosity and sharp | | | | Adequate nutrition is perhaps the most important |
| intelligence and loving personalities. | | | | component of proper parrot care. Though there may |
| Whatever drew you to adopt yours, you need to | | | | be some minor variations between species, most |
| realize that these are sensitive, social and long-lived | | | | parrots diets are very similar. |
| birds, with some of the larger species living up to 100 | | | | Along with fresh water, make sure to feed a |
| years! You need to be ready for a lifelong | | | | combination of quality commercial parrot food, both |
| commitment when you invite one of these special | | | | pelleted and seed, along with fresh vegetables and |
| creatures into your life. | | | | fruits. This will provide your bird with a balanced and |
| They are very social birds, living together in flocks in | | | | nutritionally complete diet. |
| the wild, so they will need to spend plenty of quality | | | | Parrots make outstanding companions. In addition to |
| time with you each and every day. Socialization is a | | | | being affectionate they are also playful and highly |
| major component of your parrot's mental and | | | | intelligent. They will flourish in a home environment, |
| emotional well-being. | | | | provided their owners obtain the knowledge to |
| While you should make sure that their cage is placed in | | | | understand and provide proper parrot care. |
| a spot where you can see and interact with them | | | | |