Are you doubting about getting yourself a pet bird and still not sure if you are ready for it? Thinking if the parrot is the best pet choice for you? Don’t worry, we understand that it’s a big thing and you might need some support to do it. In the article below you will find out everything you need to know about keeping parrots. It will help you to make a final decision. We admit it, secretly we vote to convince you!
CAN PARROTS BE TRAINED? 
Yes! Parrots are very trainable and highly intelligent birds. No special skills are required to learn a thing.
With their great vocal abilities, some of them even might learn to speak! Of course, to do that you will need a lot of patience and training but it will work over time.
A parrot can be trained to come when it’s called, to enter or leave the cage, to wave to you or even to dance. And they do love dancing! Just often play the music to your parrot and watch how funny it will become.
CAN YOU PET THE PARROT?
Parrots can be very tender and affectionate. It depends on the species but mostly they do enjoy being petted.
First things first- before you even try to pet it, you must earn its’ trust. Make sure that you and your parrot are proven friends and have bonded close enough before start touching. Otherwise, you will end up bitten and it hurts badly!
The important thing to know is: never pet a bird around the back or the wings. It might cause sexually frustrated bird behavior. You don’t want a parrot to see you as its mate. Pet it just around the head. Only this way will be pleasant for both of you.
PARROT HABITS YOU MUST BE PREPARED FOR
If you are not an early riser now it is time to become one. Parrots are noisy. With your new singing friend, you will start being an early bird too. However, isn’t it lovely to start a new day with a song? How romantic and optimistic it might feel, admit it?
We know some tricks to provide your pet bird with sleep while you are sleeping. Use the towel, a bigger one. Put it on the birdcage to cover it. Make the cage a little bit darker so your buddy stays asleep longer. The bird will stay quiet. Just don’t cover it all, leave enough space for fresh air to enter. And don’t forget to uncover it when you wake up.
Be prepared for a lot of bird food on the floor, all around the cage space. Birds used to be messy when eating so a lot of flakes will drop outside. Luckily, this is not a problem that a vacuum cleaner can’t easily solve!
CAN YOU KEEP PARROTS IN PAIRS?
The answer is yes. There are some exceptions but in general, you can. Parrots are social beings and they crave socialization, so love to have company. In nature, they live in a community so they are used to being part of a group.
It depends on the personality of your bird if it will allow another bird in a cage or not, but mostly everything is fine. Just follow these rules:
- Keep the opposite-sex parrots together. Male and a female. If two or more males or two or more females live in the same cage they might be fighting. There are possibilities for them to become territorial and behave badly, even killing each other.
- Pay attention to a parrot’s mate. When you go to the pet shop to buy one, always ask if it has a mate or another one with whom is raised together. Do not separate them, take both. If you take only one of them, they might become sad and suffer. It is well known that birds might create a strong bond with each other and can have the same mate all life long!
- Some species are more aggressive than others. Always inform yourself about it and do not make a mistake by pairing it.
DO PARROTS LIKE THE COMPANY OF OTHER ANIMALS?
It is not easy to give a simple answer to that question. If your other animal is a cat or a dog, there is a big possibility that a parrot will not like its presence. Goes in both directions.
If you have a pet who is not a predator and will not hunt for food, then it might be okay. To be sure, avoid them directly contacting each other. But still, your parrot might be scared of other animals’ noises or movements. Some parrots are even scared of the flies and could swoon!
WHAT PARROT EQUIPMENT DO YOU NEED?
First of all, you will need a birdcage. When choosing a birdcage, be aware of your parrot’s size. Take some that have space enough for a bird to feel comfortable.
Pay attention to cage equipment (feeding bowls) to be easily accessible and usable. All accessories should be safe and made dedicated to birds. Use perches to provide your parrot to climb and exercise.
Try to find birdcage bedding that is made of natural materials. Also, there are many bird toys to buy that can make your parrot’s day funnier.
BASIC THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PARROT CARE
Food and supplements- Most of all, birds are eating seeds. It is its basic food. You can find some seed mix to buy in any pet shop. There are different kinds of mixes for different types of parrots that they like.
To a parrot, you can also give some fresh food like fruits and vegetables. It is forbidden for a bird to eat avocado, onion, peanuts, eggplant, cherry, and apricot.
You can also buy bird supplements to give, to secure it has everything needed for good health.
Molting- Parrots do molt. It is called seasonal molting. They are losing damaged feathers and regrowing new ones. It is not a reason to be concerned unless it becomes feather-destructive behavior. Then it is time to visit a vet.
Bird’s beaks and claws- it is necessary for a bird to trim its beak. The best you can do is to buy a cuttlebone or coconut piece for that purpose. It will help a parrot to file its beak and because it is a great source of calcium, will provide for bones to be strong.
It is also important to trim its claws. Over time, it can become too long. Use the nail clipper to do it. Watch not to hurt a bird nail quickly.
