How to Care for a Colorful Parrot

Large, colorful parrots, the macaw, can be found in a variety of colors. Macaws can be light green with blue tail feathers, deep blue with yellow accents, or a rainbow of colors. Macaws are very social birds who love to talk and to be around the family. Not only can macaws talk, but they can typically correctly respond to questions asked of them. When it comes to caring for the colorful macaw, there are a few tips to ensure it is clean, healthy and cared for.

Things You'll Need

  • Parrot pellet food
  • Fruits, vegetables, berries, nuts and non-fatty cooked meats
  • Water dish
  • Fresh water
  • Parrot perch
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Feed your parrot pelleted food, which can be purchased from any pet store. How much pellet food you feed your parrot should be determined by the size of the bird and the instructions on the bag of food. Pelleted parrot food offers your parrot a balanced and nutritious diet. For variety, you can add thawed frozen vegetables, berries, fruits and nuts to the food. You can feed your parrot some table scraps -- like cooked chicken and turkey -- but there are some foods you have to avoid (see Warnings).

    • 2

      Fill a water dish with fresh water everyday. Make sure your parrot always has water in the dish.

    • 3

      Bathe your parrot twice a week during the day. Fill up a plastic spray bottle with lukewarm water, and gently mist your parrot with the water. Do not soak the feathers with the water, and never use soaps or shampoos on your parrot, as this can agitate the feathers and skin.

    • 4

      Trim your parrot's nails and beak only if they become overgrown. Purchase a parrot perch, which will trim your parrot's nails when it is climbing on it -- similar to a cat perch. The best way to trim the beak is to take your parrot to a professional bird or pet groomer or to a veterinarian -- trimming the beak yourself can cause injury to your bird.

    • 5

      House your parrot in a large bird cage. The cage must be big enough for the bird to fly around and spread its wings without touching the sides of the cage. Since macaws are known for being social birds, keep the cage in a room that you and your family are frequently in.

    • 6

      Clean your parrot's food and water dishes daily. Clean any perches or bird toys once a week, and wash down the flooring of the cage every other week. These simple cleanings can be done with just mild soap and water.

    • 7

      Wash and disinfect the entire cage once or twice a year with a parrot cage cleaner and water. Parrot cage cleaner can be found at any pet store or exotic pet shop.