Macaws are one of the most familiar parrots. Even people who don’t particularly know much about parrots will recognize these majestic birds.
They have a very distinctive look—large beak, long tail, bare face patch—with a show-off personality that makes them popular in shows at zoos and theme parks. They’re all over the place in advertising, especially if the ad has a tropical theme.
One of the most recognized is probably the scarlet macaw. But macaws have far more to offer than just good looks and exotic flair. They’re an intelligent pet that rewards the right type of owner with years of affectionate and fun-loving companionship, sometimes compared to dogs in terms of how well they respond to their people.
No one should get a parrot without research and planning, and this is especially true for the larger species of macaws. Their caging needs alone make it out of the question for anyone with little space, and along with that big body comes a big attitude. Inexperienced parrot owners may not be prepared for a sassy, brassy macaw. And if you’re looking for a parrot on the quiet side, forget it.
Macaws’ voices match their personalities: bold and almost always ready to go. There still may be some hope for you if you like what macaws have to offer but aren’t able to accommodate such a large parrot. One of the smaller varieties might fit your lifestyle. You’d still need to know what you’re getting into, though. Even the mini macaws require an owner that’s dedicated and willing to establish rules and limits. A macaw of any size is not what I would consider a beginner’s parrot.
One challenge macaw owners can face is getting over any nervousness about those large beaks. Capable of snapping a broomstick, a macaw that means business isn’t a bird you want to push around. They learn when they’re young that hissing, lunging and brandishing that beak are effective ways to get what they want. But most macaws, as long as they’ve been treated kindly by people, are actually pretty gentle and easy going.
They will rarely bite as hard as they’re able. In the years that I’ve dealt with macaws of all ages and sizes, I’ve never received a serious bite, only some pinches that hurt at the time but didn’t do any real harm. I’ve been screamed at loudly, though, which isn’t pleasant and can be somewhat intimidating in its own way. If someone is working with a macaw and is overly hesitant, the bird is going to have that person’s number right away. A calm, confident person tends to do much better with a macaw. They don’t respond well to bullying, but they do need guidance and kind authority.
Treated with respect and given the right environment, which includes plenty of out-of-the-cage exercise and mental stimulation, a macaw can be a joy. They like to be involved in whatever the family is doing and thrive when they can have the stage all to themselves. They’re one of the major "hams" of the parrot world, so talking, singing and trick training are fine activities to do with a macaw.
While some individuals don’t mind just sitting around, and may be able to spend a considerable amount of time on a play gym, a macaw will often want to investigate things, wandering around on the floor and climbing up onto anything he can get to. Supervision is important. They aren’t the type of pet you’ll want to let come and go at will from his cage. Doing so can lead to behavior problems, such as the bird becoming overly pushy and willful, but it’s also likely to result in lots of chewed-up items around the house. Remember, think "guidance" and "limits". Give them more chances to be good than to misbehave.
Behavior problems in macaws can range from minor, hormonal moodiness to all-out mayhem with biting and excessive screaming. Rescued macaws that were mistreated, ignored, or just not well-trained seem to have the most issues, but even these guys can come around in time. Macaws are very social and will usually want to have a relationship with the people around them. They’ve got big hearts to go along with their big beaks.
Macaws Parrot
by alex | 8:49 PM in get a parrot, intelligent pet, macaw owners, Macaws, Macaws’ voice, majestic birds, parrot food, parrot pet, pet supplies, scarlet macaw | comments (0)
Eclectus Parrot
by alex | 10:23 PM in African grey parrot, Eclectus parrot, most brilliant parrots, parrrot stores, pet supplies | comments (0)
The Eclectus parrot is rivaled as one of the most brilliant parrots. Both male and female are full of beautiful colors from red contrasted by and almost electric blue to green contrasted by bright yellow.
These colors make them among the most sexually dimorphistic birds. The female of the species boasts a fire engine red head with electric blue chest and a black beak where as the male is covered with a bright jade green and bright yellow beaks.
Eclectus parrots are native to Solomon Islands, New Guinea, northeastern Australia and the Maluki Islands. In New Guinea many of the people consider Eclectus parrots to be pests because there numbers are so great which leaves the people and birds competing for the same fruits and berries. Often times the people of New Guinea will shoot the parrots with sling shots and the use there feathers as decoration.
Eclectus parrots are very strong fliers, flying high above the canopies in small groups as they search for food. Just before roosting at night Eclectus parrots will perform in display flights, almost like dancing in the air.
Eclectus parrots have two distinctive calls they use. One is used during flight and is a more screech like call that is repeated several times. The other is used during feeding and is more of a cry mellow call. They also have a very well established ability of speech imitation. They are able to learn a vast vocabulary that rivals the African Grey parrot, on top of that they can learn songs and love to sing.
Interesting facts about Eclectus Parrots
Feeding the Eclectus parrots fortified foods such as pellets, and breads can lead to the phenomena known as toe-tapping and wing flapping. This is because they have a longer than normal digestive tract that is very sensitive to food additives. This may become a problem in Eclectus parrots kept as pets.
The eclectus parrot, like all parrots, eats fruits, seeds, and nuts but there favorite fruit is the pomegranate. The pomegranate is an almost peach looking fruit that is filled with seeds held together by a fleshy white meat. The pomegranate is a seasonal fruit and is only available for a very limited amount of time making it difficult for Eclectus parrot owners to acquire, however Eclectus parrots are very partial to corn which is almost always readily available. It is thought that they enjoy corn so much because of its bright yellow color and that corn can be an interesting food to peel.
Conure Parrot
by alex | 8:05 PM in Conure parrot, Conure parrot care, cute parrot, feed cute parrot, parrot supplies, pet care | comments (0)
A Sun Conure parrot named Sunny. Who could resist such a cute parrot? There he sits on the end of a branch; his head turned nearly 180 degrees toward his back; his dark shiny eye peering at you with a knowing look.
A bright Sun Conure parrot named Sunny. If you have ever seen a Sun Conure parrot, you know exactly what I mean. If you have not, let me describe one.
Description of a Sun Conure Parrot
Sunny, the Sun Conure parrot, is a stunning bird, dressed in a shimmering, hooded shirt of gold with a sun-kissed, orange face. His wings and tail are shades of green and blue, mixed with a hint of gold. The Sun Conure parrot is only 12" long, including a long tail. Its beak and feet both are black. The eyes are dark brown in a white circle.
Personality of a Sun Conure Parrot
A Sun Conure parrot is a playful, inquisitive bird. Owners can't seem to find enough words to describe these little bundles of sunshine, but they try. A few of their favorites are:
* Active
* Comical
* Cuddly
* Curious
* Cute
* Energetic
* Entertaining
* Feisty
* Fun
* Loving
* Spunky
Playtime for a Sun Conure Parrot
A Sun Conure parrot's playtime is comical, to say the least. It loves its owners, and it loves to entertain them. Given a multitude of toys and a swing or two, the Sun Conure parrot will swing, jump, climb, and call out to you as he shows everything he can do. Even without toys, the Sun Conure parrot will develop its own tricks, just to play. It has a very high energy level, and sometimes appears to be a bundle of golden perpetual motion.
Appropriate Toys for a Sun Conure Parrot
Sun Conure parrots enjoy chewing aggressively, and will need several wooden toys to destroy. They will destroy them, too, reducing a medium-sized wooden toy to bits and pieces in a few hours. They are not as eager to play with puzzle toys, probably because they have so much energy to harness. Provide toys that call for activity and "letting off steam" and they will be happy.
Sun Conure parrots enjoy chains, ropes, and other things from which to swing. They love loud bells, but be sure you do, since a Sun Conure parrot will ring it incessantly at times. Rotate the toys every couple of weeks so that your bird will not become bored.
Appropriate Cage for a Sun Conure Parrot
Sun Conure parrots need room to fly around and use up their surplus energy. A website that recommends bird cages according to the size of the parrot, such as bird cages, will help you get a large enough cage. Generally, a 20" x 20" cage, about 3 feet high is good for a Sun Conure parrot. The bar spacing should be between 0.75 inches and 1" so that your parrot cannot get its head stuck between the bars. To give your bird proper exercise for its feet, install 3 different perches in the cage, each made of a different substance.
The Sun Conure Parrot's Talking Ability
Generally speaking, most parrots can be taught to talk if the owner follows a proven, consistent course of training. The Sun Conure parrot is not the best talker, however. With patience, you will be able to teach your bird a few words. With care, you will also be able to teach it not to screech for attention. It is common for Sun Conure parrots to screech to greet the day, and to end the day. In between, your bird should learn to be less vocal. Some have found that their Sun Conure parrots like to imitate beeping tones.
Food for a Sun Conure Parrot
The Sun Conure parrot does well on a basic diet of organic pellets. Organic pellets give your Sun Conure parrot a balanced diet in every bite. Avoid seed-based foods, as the parrot will pick out the seeds and leave the rest. The result will be a malnourished parrot.
In addition to organic pellets, give your parrot the variety it craves by providing fresh fruits and vegetables. Sun Conure parrots usually enjoy apples, grapes, melons, and oranges. Among vegetables, they will eat things such as broccoli, carrots, corn, lettuce, and peas. Keep seeds and nuts as a special treat.
Grey Parrots
by alex | 5:29 AM in animal, grey parrots, pet bird, pet perr, pet shop, pet supplies, wildot | comments (0)
The grey parrots may have many behavioral problems and most of them are caused by the human’s lack of understanding that it is first of all a grey bird and has little to do with a life in captivity. Many people fail to understand that and won’t allow that bird to manifest like a bird.
The grey parrots are exotic birds and come from strange lands. As strange as we find those lands, the same is for the parrots. They are not accustomed with the habits, the language or any other form of communication. A person should accept the parrot because the parrot also tries to understand the human behavior and tries to understand and live in peace with the human being.
Grey parrots caught in the wild are not aggressive when they are in a pair or breeding. They feel fear, which is justified, when they feel the presence of a human being, but they don’t have violent reactions. Usually, they share food, they play and they interact in a non – violent manner. Strangely, the grey parrots who act more violently while breeding or in pairs are the domestic ones.
The domestic grey parrots have a few reasons to become aggressive:
* They loose the respect and consideration for themselves when they are in captivity.
* They loose the desire to live safe.
* They are affected by human aggression because avian species knows that pain or aggression mean death. Those animals are not used to touches, pokes, pushes, chasing, shaking or striking. Those actions are frightening and dangerous for the parrots.
* Their self confidence, their trust and their comfort are shattered if they are intimidated. Standing over them, or staring at them may have a strong impact on the birds.
* A grey parrot will never trust a person who tries to dominate him or control small aspects of the nature.
* Just as any human being, a grey parrot won’t trust a person who uses sensory deprivation as a mean of punishment for misbehavior.
A comparison between a wild animal and a domestic one would fail from the beginning in every way especially when it comes to birds, which are usually predators. Genetic inheritance eradication would require thousands of generations of selective breeding to obtain a domestic bird like a grey parrot and it is not always possible.
A bird that becomes stressed will start self mutilating or biting or will develop phobias. There are many factors that could induce stress to a bird. When it comes to grey parrots, a person should know what actions stress the bird and try to avoid them in order to keep the trust of the pet.
The grey parrots are intelligent and sensitive birds and they have the tendency to find in the human caregiver the qualities of a teacher, parental figure and mentor. They get attached to their caregiver and expect to be treated with respect and compassion. This is a method that works as well for birds as it does for humans or dogs.
- Amazon parrots are native to South America, Mexico and the Caribbean. Most Amazon parrots are green with varying amounts of contrasting color patches. The colors can be clear and bright depending on the species.
Amazons have excellent vocal abilities and are one of the best speaking of all birds. They are extremely loyal and make loving companions, however, some Amazons can become aggressive during mating season.- Amazon parrots require a lot of attention and stimulating activities to keep from being bored. If left alone for too long without toys or companionship, they may become destructive to themselves, occasionally plucking out their own feathers.
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Health
Amazon parrots love food and have a tendency to become overweight. Amazons often eat out of boredom, necessitating the need for several toys and cage activities. The Amazon's lifespan is 40-80 years, depending on the species, but obesity can drastically reduce the Amazons life by 70 percent.Amazons should be allowed to bathe regularly to prevent musky odors and promote healthy skin and feathers.
