Teaching Your Parrot New Tricks - Family - Pets

Compared to other birds, parrots are among the smartest. When tested for their intellectual prowess they have ranked quite highly, mirroring the intelligence of a young child. Given this aptitude, many parrot owners decide to teach their birds tricks. As well as being entertaining, parrots that are taught tricks also seem to be better behaved and happier overall.

There are some basic guidelines to follow when teaching parrots to perform tricks. First, teaching sessions should be fairly brief. If the birds are overworked they will not enjoy the lessons and resist learning. The sessions should also use positive reinforcement and rewards for the birds, even if their performance falls a little short. Any noises and other distractions will hamper the learning process, so choose a quiet and private area. The room should also be very well lit, and comfortable for both your parrot and yourself. Be patient and kind when teaching parrots, any stress or negativity will result in sub-par learning.

A good beginning trick to teach parrots is to simply step up. It is an easy and practicle thing for your bird to learn, and will start the teaching off the right way. Simply coach your parrot to step up onto whatever object is in front of it. This can be done by placing your fingers in front of your parrot and gently asking him to step up. Your forearm can be used for larger birds. Food is always an effective reward and enticement for behavior. Have the parrot step up to receive a treat!

Another easy and common parrot trick involves teaching your parrot to turn around. Offer your parrot something to eat while shes standing on her perch. As she reaches out to eat it, rotate the food toward her back so she has to turn around to eat it. Some birds will do this quite easily, while others will need to be coaxed a bit more. When your parrot completes a full turn, food and affection should be offered. Many parrot owners encourage their parrots to speak to minimize the loud squawking that is part of the parrots usual vernacular. The vocalization of words is usually found to be more pleasant by bird owners. Start off with a simple one or two syllable word. You can start with your name, her name, or a simple greeting like hello. Repeat the word often to the bird, and she will start to mimic the sound. When the parrot responds, give her food and encouragement. The first attempts may be quite a butchered version of the word, keep in mind that the point is to get them to start responding to your voice. Repeat the desired word often until your parrot gets the pronunciation down.

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Teaching parrots new tricks - Family - Pets

The parrots are birds of that kind which are naturally tuned to learn. Their intelligence is tuned for learning and it is easy to train parrots many tricks. Most of the people train parrots because they want to show it to their friends. The parrots can be taught many tricks very easily and here are a few of them for you to start with. 'Step up' is a trick that is easy to teach and parrots will learn it quickly. In this trick you teach your parrot to step up when you say so. The parrot steps up on something when you say this word. It is natural for the parrots to step up so it will take very little time to train your parrot to do so.

When you are teaching your parrot makes sure that the parrot associates these words with the action. To do this you will need to repeat the words over and over again until you feel that the parrot has associated it with the action.

The parrots can turn their head 360 degrees. You can teach them to do this when you utter a certain command. This trick is named as 'turn around'. You can easily train parrots to do this as this is also a natural thing that the parrot is actually able to do by natural instincts. All you need to do is to move the treat 360 degrees around the parrot so that he looks at the treat. When he will do this, he will be turning his head 360 degrees. Once he learns that, associate a word to the action and with time the parrot will do the rotation when the word is uttered.

The third trick is most difficult of the three tricks. This trick is simple but most difficult to teach. You will be teaching your parrot to come on command. The parrot will come to you when you will command him. This may sound way too simple but it is not the case in reality. To train parrots this trick, you will have to utter a word when offering him the treat while keeping the treat at a distance. The parrot will come to it. With practice and time, the parrot will be trained to do this trick as he will develop the association with the word.

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You And Your Parrot Can Have Fun With Parrot Tricks - Family - Pets

Copyright (c) 2010 Kaye Dennan

Parrots are very intelligent birds and if they know lots of tricks they can keep themselves occupied when the owner is not around to play games with them. This is why they are so popular as a pet. It is so much fun seeing the result of all your parrot training as the parrot shows off his new tricks.

Parrot tricks are great for your pet parrot because if the owner is not around they can become quite lonely and bored which is not good for their health. They are flock birds and if they do not have a companion in the cage with them then they need to be taught tricks so that they do not become upset and unwell. A happy parrot is a good companion.

Here is something that can be taught to a pet parrot.

One of the first tricks to teach a parrot is to "step up". This is simply getting the parrot to step onto your finger (or arm if it is a larger bird). Extend your finger in front of the parrot's feet and ask it to "step up". Repeat this command several times in a calm, soothing voice so as not to frighten the bird. If necessary, hold some food in front of the bird, out of reach so that it will move forward. Once the bird has done what is expected of it, give it a treat.

Getting the parrot to "turn around" is another trick that can be learnt quite quickly. The idea is to get the parrot to do a full turn on the perch. To start this trick, hold a piece of food to the side of the parrot so that it has to turn its head. Ask it to "turn around" and as it reaches for the food move it behind the bird so that it turns completely around on the perch. Once it has turned around, give it a treat.

Over time your parrot will gain more confidence and he will do all sorts of tricks of his own. The tricks that they get up to will depend on the type of toys that you give them. They have really inquisitive minds and like small children, they will find things to do with new toys.

Teaching a parrot to talk.

One of the very important steps when teaching a parrot to talk is to talk loudly clearly. Each syllable needs clear pronunciation so that the parrot can hear and be able to mimic the sounds.

It is best to teach the parrot only a few words at a time otherwise they will get confused, and also it is best if there is only one teacher. This way the parrot gets used to the vocal sounds and is not confused by the different accents and voice tone.

Regardless whether you are teaching your parrot tricks or to talk, the parrot will absolutely love the interaction and all the attention. You can bet that all that praise you give him will not be lost and he will just love it.

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How to Provide Your Parrot With Healthy Feeding - Family - Pets

Just as in the human, a healthy body and mind makes a healthy parrot. And, considering the lifespan of a parrot can be up to 60 years of age, it is necessary to provide the parrot with an optimal diet to ensure its well-being.If you are reading this article, you've probably read many others, and may be confused by all the "expert" opinions. While some experts say an optimal diet is vital, others claim that a parrot should only be kept on parrot pellets. Well, the fact that the parrot needs an optimal diet cannot be argued. The parrot is in need of an optimal diet to ensure its wellness and to help prevent infectious and noninfectious diseases. The fact of the reason behind experts claiming that a parrot should only be given parrot pellets, is the fact that they do not have enough faith in the owners to provide the parrot with the necessary foods from the parrot food group to provide an optimal diet- which, if you cannot do this, that do keep the parrot on parrot pellets. H owever, it is a knowledge that each parrot owner can acquire, and for the health of your parrot, must acquire.An optimal diet should include fresh raw fruits and vegetables, soft foods, seeds and nuts, and parrot pellets. The parrot food groups which these fruits, vegetables and soft foods should come from are: protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins and minerals. Each parrot feeding should include a high quality pelleted diet with fresh foods from the parrot food group.Parrot Feeding:Parrot feeding should be three regular meals each day. This includes one in the early morning, one in the afternoon, and once in the early evening. Feed the parrot using three separate dishes, one for fresh fruits, vegetables, and soft foods, one for parrot pellets, and one for water. You should allow the food to remain in the cage for a hour or two after you originally give the parrot its meal.Prepare a week's worth a feeding at a time. As a standard, mix a layer of chopped greens in the bottom of a bowl, this can include collard greens, parsley, etc. Then, add a layer of chopped green vegetables such as zucchini. Then, add a layer of chopped broccoli and shredded carrots. Add a mixture of chopped apples, whole grape, and oranges. Top the dish off with frozen mixed vegetables and store, taking just enough out at each feeding.You should change the recipe weekly to allow your bird a variety. The best way to learn your fruits, vegetables, and soft foods that will meet the requirements of the parrot food groups is to get a nutrition book and study it. An optimal diet is the best choice for your parrot's wellness.

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Parrot Birds Tips - Choosing a Cage for the Parrot - Home

If you have a desire to keep a parrot at your home, then the foremost contemplation should be an enclosure where it is to be kept. Keep in mind that the habitat of the parrot directly influences its health. It should be obvious that every parrot possessor will like to keep the parrot in an enclosure. But remember that the cage should be spacious as it requires good space to live in. This will help in the growth of the parrot.

When you are going to buy a cage then always look for a good and right dimension. This should be understood that all types of parrot cannot be kept in the similar cage. The specie of the parrot also determines which type of an enclosure you should have. So, before you buy a parrot it should be well understood that which type of cage should be selected so that the parrot can be kept in their satisfactorily.

There are many varieties of cages with so many different sizes which you can wonder. But, the specie of the parrot very much affects the type and the size of the cage. For instance, the specie of a parrot like an African Grey or the Blue Crown Conjure requires a cage with a size of 18x18x18 inch. Also for an Eclectic Parrot and the Senegal Parrot, the same dimensions mentioned above would be perfect. In this way different parrots have varying cage dimensions.

The dimensions of an enclosure may vary with the specie of many parrots. For instance, for the parrots like the Amazon Parrot, the Quaker Parrot or the Macaws the cage dimensions of about 30x30x30 inch would work. Also, for the Umbrella Cockatoos, some dimension of about 36x30x72 inch would be ok. For a Conjure a cage with size measurement of around 20x20x24 inch would be fine in order to keep your parrot cheerful, relaxed and healthy.

There are many kinds of parrots seen and they too have distinct sizes of an enclosure. If you keep the Coffin Cockatoo as a pet then the cage should have a preferable size of around 48x36x48 inch. The same dimensions would also be good for the Moluccas Cockatoo. Now for the Rose Breasted Cockatoo then you should go for the cage dimensions of around 36x36x36 inch. The parrots which are small in nature can stay in an enclosure of around 18x22x24 inches. For instance the parrot Quaker Parakeet is of this type. For different other tiny species like Cockatiels and Budgies the cage dimensions of around 18x18x24 inches and 20x12x18 inches respectively would be fine. Remember that the entrance of the cage should be good and big so that the parrot can enter and exit from the cage easily.

The devices that you use while serving food and water to the parrots also play an important role other than the cage dimensions. You must keep things such as cups to serve water to the parrots and also toys so that the parrot can catch these things from inside of the cage very easily.

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Choosing a Parrot - Do you need a Parrot Breeder? - Family - Pets

If you are thinking about adopting a parrot then one of the first decisions after you have settled on which species of parrot you think is right for you will be where do you turn in order to get him or her. At this point you have 4 main choices and some are better than others. The choices are going to one or more parrot breeders, the local pet store, a bird rescue center and lastly and very rarely you may come across a private sale.

Generally parrots have a high intelligence and complex characters which is why we are drawn to them in the first place but this also means that they require the proper care and attention from birth, through their formative years and into adulthood to ensure that they grow up well balanced, healthy, happy and without behavioral problems. Parrots have a tendency to get stressed if there is any change in either there environment or day to day routine so the initial trip home after the purchase and the first few days in your home will be stressful for your new family member but there are steps you can take to minimize this.

The more information you can get on your potential parrot before you do adopt, the better with this knowledge you can facilitate the transition easier for your new parrot into their new home surroundings and routine.

If you choose the local pet store it is very unlikely that you will receive any real detailed information on your particular parrot as they will often not have any information available or you may be served by someone who is just working at the store for the pay check and actually has no interest in parrots or any other pets. Obviously this is not always the case and there are plenty of pet stores where all of the employees are knowledgeable and helpful but you as the purchaser need to be aware of all of the possible scenarios.

Another option is the local rescue center where you may find a perfectly healthy and happy parrot but you must take into consideration that you will rarely find a young parrot at a rescue center and their is a higher probability that the parrot will have behavioral issues resulting from his previous treatment, whether from poor care, diet or environment. Again this may not be the case but it is hard to have proof of the history of a parrot from a rescue center.

The third option which is very rare is a private sale from an individual which is similar to the rescue center option with the benefit of meeting the person who has cared for the parrot and have a chance to see the parrots' surroundings but again the negative here is the lack of experience of the private vendor.

The fourth option is to go to a parrot breeder to choose a parrot. You will have the option to question the breeder extensively on how they have reared the parrot, including feeding the parrot, from weaning the parrot, which needs to be performed by an experienced handler through to feeding solid food and the type of food chosen as well as asking when they introduced bathing to the baby parrot, the best time being when they are partially feathered. Another benefit of a reputable breeder is that they will often make themselves available after the purchase to answer any questions and queries that may arise in the first few weeks for you as a parrot owner.

Overall there may be merits for each of the options I have described for adopting your parrot but the major advantage that a breeder has over the other 3 is that you can have proof of the parrots history and you have access to ask all of the questions that you need to ask before purchase and in doing so you raise the probability that you will adopt a happy healthy parrot free of any behavioral issues.

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Parrot Care Information - Other

Attracted to their magnificent colors, their adoring personalities, and their high intelligence, people have been drawn to adopt parrots into their lives for generations. Caring for these birds in a home environment does involve a few challenges but, with proper care, parrots make wonderful pets.

Different species of parrots require different care but, for all parrots, proper nutrition is vital in maintaining a good quality of life. Most parrot diets are very similar. In general, parrot diets consist of fresh fruits and vegetables, parrot pellets, and a high quality of vitamin enriched parrot seed mix. Owners also need to change their parrots water every day.

Although birds are typically considered a "dirty" pet to own, it is very important to keep parrots' cages clean. Perches, dishes and other surfaces of the cage should be cleaned daily with water and mild soap. Cleaning products like ammonia, mold and mildew cleaner, and bleach can irritate or burn a parrot's skin, eyes and reparatory tract. The bird's cages themselves also need to be inspected for unsafe situations like sharp points in the metal.

Cleanliness is also important when it comes to handling your parrot. Owners need to wash their hands frequently when they are working with birds, handling their dishes, and preparing their meals in order to prevent bacterial infections. Human saliva also contains bacteria that are harmful to parrots so owners should never allow their birds to place its beak in their owner's mouths or noses. The size of the cage is vital to a parrot's well-being. The parrot should be able to spread its wings within its cage. There should also be room enough to hand two to four safe parrot toys.

Parrots have the capability of forming very strong bonds with their human owners. In general, smaller parrots can have a lifespan of 15 to 30 years and larger parrots can live between 40 to 50 years. Owning a parrot is a lifelong commitment. Socialization is vital in maintaining a high quality of life for parrots. Their cage should be placed in an area where the families spend a lot of their time and are able to interact with the bird. The kitchen does not make an ideal spot for the cage because of the risk of toxic chemicals while cooking and other dangers.

When most people think about parrot care they don't consider grooming. Parrots do require a decent amount of grooming throughout their entire lives. Their nails and beaks never stop growing. These can be clipped every three to four weeks. Overgrown nails can get caught on perches or toys. Most bird owners also have their birds wings clipped every few weeks to prevent flight. In the wild, parrots take rain showers to keep their feathers in good condition. Owners can bath or mist their parrots daily with clean, fresh water using a water bottle.

Parrots are playful, affectionate, and super smart. Owners need to understand the extreme importance of their needs and how to meet each one. With proper care parrots will thrive in a home environment.

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