What Are the Advantages & Disadvantages of Bright Colors for a Parrot?

Most parrots prefer bright colors because those colors mimic the the bright blooms and foliage in their natural habitat. As a result, many parrot toys and parrot foods are made with color additives in an attempt to catch a parrot's attention. While there are few disadvantages of bright colors for parrots, there are multiple advantages of using bright colors to encourage healthy activity levels as well as sound eating habits.

  1. Foods

    • Parrots such as Eclectus, Macaws and Lorikeets feed on the blooms and nectar of bright flowers in their natural habitat. And other parrots nibble on veggies, fruits and seeds to gain beneficial nutrients in the wild as well in captivity. As a result, parrots are drawn to bright colors because they associate them with a food source. Some bird food companies add dyes to mimic the bright colors naturally found in the parrots diet to encourage eating.

    Toys and Decor

    • Parrots that like bright colors also enjoy toys that are made from bright colors. The advantages of selecting bright colors for parrot toys is that it attracts the parrots attention. As a result of providing toys that are attractive, parrots are less likely to engage in feather destructive behavior, unexplained aggressive behavior and less agitated vocalizing. Another advantage of using bright colors in a parrot's surrounding is mental and physical stimulation, which reduces the risk of depression and obesity many caged parrots suffer from.

    Training Supplies

    • Training supplies for parrots may consist of an extra perch, foot toys, bobbles or buckets that can be used to teach parrots to retrieve objects, place objects in a container or learn colors. The advantage of having brightly colored training objects is that it draws the parrot to the object used in the activity of the training session. The advantage of having successful training sessions is having a well behaved parrot.

    Considerations

    • Ultimately there are no long-term disadvantages of bright colors around parrots. New toys can startle a parrot because they are simply unfamiliar with the new bright colors or the light catches and reflects off the colors. Likewise, brightly colored objects encountered on outings can catch a parrot's attention in the right light and frighten them in another light. To keep from startling a parrot with new toys, set toys outside the cage for a day or so before placing inside the parrot's cage.