6 Things You Must Get Right For Your Parrot

 

It is easy to understand why a bird might be a little confused, restless, or anxious when they find themselves in a new space with a new person (or people) surrounding them. But we know that with the right care and attention, that bird will feel part of the family in no time and have your heart melted!

 

1. First thing’s first: Cage 

What they will call their home inside a home. You want this to be a comforting place, so getting a suitable size is a must. They should, at the very least, be able to spread their wings!

Also, providing them with boxes or towels can be very comforting and give them a sense of security as they like to know there is somewhere for them to hide or nestle under.  

Finally, a small padlock may save a lot of stress! You should not underestimate the intelligence of birds, especially parrots, who are crafty creatures capable of figuring out a way to escape from their cage.

Links:

Small Cages

Medium Cages

Large Cages

Corner Cages

Breeder Cages

Aviaries

Travel Cages

 

2. Location of Cage

The importance of the location of your bird's cage cannot be stressed enough. The fumes from cooking or cleaning should be avoided because they can hurt your bird. Try to pick a location where the temperature, light, and sound are reasonably constant because parrots are sensitive to these changes. The kitchen should be avoided! 

It's also best to keep your bird away from windows directly because direct sunlight exposure can lead to overheating. As well as that, we want to avoid placing their cage beside vents, drafts, or doors.

 This may seem like a lot of ‘AVOID’ locations, but it should give a good indicator as to where your parrot will feel most comfortable. If you are not totally sure, think of your parrot as the social creature it is! A corner of your living room might be ideal, as the bird can interact frequently with you or other family members. We don’t want the parrot to feel excluded from the family, as its favourite time of the day will be spent in your company!

 

3. Clean the Cage often!!

As the cage is in a communal place, we want to clean it every 2 to 3 days. Using paper bags, newspapers, paper towels and shredded paper all works well and is easy to quickly remove and replace. 

Changing their food and water bowls daily helps to keep the cage fresh and comfortable for the parrot.

 

4. Nutritional Diet

The key to keeping your parrot physically healthy is by feeding them the correct food in the correct amounts. Emphasis on “correct amounts”. It is rare that a bird will turn down its favourite treat, so just be mindful of how much you are feeding them to avoid overfeeding! As the bird is not getting as much exercise as it would in the wild, what they are eating should be monitored to avoid health complications.

See our blog ‘What Should I Feed my Parrot?’ for all info on keeping your parrot well nourished. A healthy parrot is a happy parrot!

One little tip: Like you and I, a bird tends to eat when it is bored. Try to place their bowls as far from their perch as possible, to encourage exercise (or at least some movement) to feed.

 

5. Keep them entertained

They entertain us and become our best friends. But when we are not around, we need to encourage mental stimulation, so they do not get bored or depressed. Chew toys and chewable treats not only prevent boredom, but it helps keep our bird’s beaks stay in good condition. Pinecones, tree branches, natural fibre rope or anything they can pick at are great fun for your parrot!

 

6. And finally, help them out with grooming!

They do not require a lot of help but clipping their nails when they become uncomfortable to handle can help the bird and save you from any minor injuries. 

Let them bathe and splash in the bath, or whatever way they are most comfortable cleaning themselves. Some prefer the bath or kitchen tap, whilst others can only handle the spray water bottle.

 

 

With time you will develop a bond with your bird, and you will both start to understand each other more. Remember that parrots are emotional creatures and will want your love and attention whenever you can give them it.

If you have any questions AT ALL about caring for your parrot, please contact us! It is so important to us that they are happy in their new homes and being cared for how they deserve to be.