Parrot Bird Information

Parrots as Pets

• A parrot owner should choose the largest cage she can afford. Parrots love to stretch and need at least one of the cage dimensions to be greater than his unclipped wingspan. Bar spacing on the cage needs to be small enough so that his head cannot become trapped. The cage should include perches made of various materials, such as natural branches and rope, so that the parrot's feet do not become sore from standing on the same type of perch all day. Many bird-safe toys should be in his cage, and they should be rotated out on a regular basis so he doesn't become bored with the selection.

  A commercially available pelleted diet is healthiest to offer all parrots, with seeds used as treats and fresh vegetables and fruits offered daily. A parrot should never eat avocado, rhubarb, alcohol, caffeine or chocolate because they are highly toxic to a parrot.

  The parrot owner should interact with his pet as much as possible throughout the day and take him out of his cage at least once daily. The parrot should see an avian-certified veterinarian for annual checkups and if he exhibits any sign of illness, such as sitting on the bottom of his cage, labored breathing, feather plucking and sleeping with both feet down.

Cockatiels, Parakeets and Lovebirds

• The most common pet store parrots are cockatiels, parakeets (budgerigars) and lovebirds. Many people don't even realize these small birds are parrots, but they are and should be treated as such even though they come in a tiny package. Cockatiels and parakeets originate from Australia. Lovebirds are from Africa and Madagascar. These small parrots range from 6 to 12 inches in length and can live from 10 to 25 years.

Conures and Caiques

• Small-sized and medium-bodied parrots, conures and caiques range from 9 to 12 inches long. Conures originate from Venezuela, Brazil and Guyana, while caiques are from Brazil, Ecuador and Peru. These parrots can be very loud with shrill calls, and they aren't known for any mimicking abilities. They tend to be very playful with charming personalities and when well-socialized are considered wonderful pets. Conures and caiques need plenty of toys to keep them entertained.

Poicephalus, Eclectus and Pionus

• The many varieties of poicephalus and pionus parrots range in size from 6 to 12 inches in length. Eclectus are unusual birds because they are very obviously sexually dimorphic, meaning the difference between males and females can be seen. Male eclectus are green with yellow beaks, and females are red with black beaks. Eclectus are from New Guinea and Australia. Poicephalus originate from Africa, and pionus are from various parts of South America.

Macaws and Cockatoos

• Macaws and cockatoos come in many sizes, from small to very large and heavy. Both macaws and cockatoos can be as small as 12 inches long, while the largest cockatoo is about 20 inches and the largest macaw is nearly 3 feet. Cockatoos originate from Australia, and macaws are from Central and South America. Both of these parrots can be very loud and demanding. They should be kept captive only by very devoted and attentive owners.

African Gray and Amazons

• African Gray and Amazon parrots are the mimics of the bird world. They learn quickly and need a lot of love and care to stay pleasant pets. They are medium-large birds, typically 13 to 15 inches long. African Grays come from, as their name suggests, Africa. Amazon parrots are found throughout South America. Both African Grays and Amazon parrots need to be stimulated with lots of interaction and a wide selection of toys in order to stay healthy.