There are several things to consider when choosing your feathered friend.

The main 7 things to consider are:

1. What other pets do you currently own?

2. How much room do you have in your home?

3. How much are you willing to spend for your bird?

4. Can you devote enough time for your companion?

5. How much noise can you or your family members tolerate?

6. Do you have children?

7. Do you live in an apartment where pets are not permitted?

Let's answer the first question, first.

What other pets do you currently own?

Obviously birds and cats are not a good mix, although I've seen certain instances in which a large Scarlet Macaw defended itself against a prowling feline.

I still wouldn't recommend a parrot with cats in the home.

As far as dogs and parrots, it depends on the dog and the bird.

If the dog and parrot are raised together while very young, chances are, they will get along.

My Blue & Gold Macaw was 3 years old when we brought home a 4-month-old golden retriever.

After 10 years they still get along well.

As playful as my dog is, she respects the parrot.

A few years ago I had my Macaw on the rug walking around the family room until our retriever approached her.

The Macaw was startled & bit the dog on the nose; the dog backed up 5 feet, barked and ran away.

It was the funniest thing I've ever seen.

In any case that was the end of that.

Always use your judgment; if you have a dog that's rambunctious, it may be a bad idea to leave it alone with the bird.

Second question.

How much room do you have in your home?

You must have enough room to accommodate not only your bird, but its cage too.

If you own a house, and have room enough for a large floor standing cage, then by all means, go get yourself a large parrot.

Some large species such as Macaws, Cockatoos, Amazons and African Grays, make great companions.

If you live in a small apartment, consider Cockatiels, Parakeets, Lovebirds, Conures and Quakers.

Third question.

How much are you willing to spend for your bird?

Large exotic parrots command a hefty price tag.

Hand fed Blue & Gold and Scarlet Macaws retail for about $2000-3000 in pet stores.

African Grays & Cockatoos average about $2000-2500.

Amazons go for about $1000-$2000.

Recently we've seen a beautiful hand fed Hyacinth Macaw sell for over $11,000 in a New York parrot store.

You must understand that Hyacinth Macaws are very rare.

You will need plenty of space for a Hyacinth.

Conures and Quakers go for around $500-700.

Hand fed Cockatiels will sell for about $150.

Hand fed baby birds may cost you more, but will make better pets since they've been accustomed to being fed by humans.

Fourth question.

Can you devote enough time for your companion?

Parrots are very social animals.

In the wild they keep a very tight knit with each other.

You must be able to devote at least 30 minutes a day of quality time for your bird.

Fifth question.

How much noise can you or your family members tolerate?

Large parrots such as macaws and cockatoos can be quite vocal if ignored.

Smaller parrots (Cockatiels & Parakeets) will make less noise.

Sixth question.

Do you have children?

If you have small children, you must make sure they won't mishandle the bird.

Introduce your children to the bird and show them the correct way to handle the bird.

Let them know that birds are very delicate creatures.

Seventh and last question.

Do you live in an apartment where pets are not permitted?

If you live in an apartment were pets are not allowed, you may still be able to have a small parrot.

Ask your landlord if you can have a small, quiet bird in your apartment.

Parakeets and Cockatiels are a great choice for apartment dwellers.

This article only touches the highlights of living with a parrot.

For much more detailed information, pick up a copy of our new DVD "Parrots-The How-To's Of Caring, Understanding And Training" available here!

If You Find This Article Helpful, Please Link To It!

About The Author.

Manuel Rose has researched and owned parrots since childhood.

He spent years reading several books and speaking to many avian veterinarians.

Manuel currently owns 3 parrots, his favorite a 13-year-old Blue and Gold Macaw named Samantha, which he weaned as a baby.

How To Care For Your Parrot

Your parrot needs a safe, secure and happy environment to feel comfortable.

You must have the correct size cage for your parrot.

Large species such as Macaws, Cockatoos and Amazons require large floor standing cages.

Smaller parrots (Cockatiels, Parakeets, and Conures) will do all right in a small tabletop cage.

If you purchase your bird in a pet shop, your sales person can help you select a proper cage for your new friend.

Generally, your bird’s tail should not be sticking out while being perched in the middle of the cage.

Give your parrot plenty of safe toys to play with.

The location of the cage is equally important.

You'll want a location that's draft free and warm enough.

Typically 70-72 degrees Fahrenheit is good for most parrots.

Keep the temperature consistent, these birds are tropical and can't tolerate sudden temperature changes.

Parrots are very social and require interaction with you.

Keep your parrot in a room where there is family activity.

Avoid placing your bird's cage in high traffic vicinity, such as a busy hallway.

Also avoid the kitchen, as fumes from over heated non-stick cookware can be fatal to your bird.

Certain houseplants should be kept away from your bird, as they can be poisonous if ingested.

It's a good idea to leave a radio or television on while you’re away, to keep the bird from becoming lonely.

Make sure you provide plenty of light for your parrot, but don't leave him in direct sunlight.

Give your new parrot a few days to adjust to you and its new home.

Find a good avian vet to check your new bird.

If you have other birds in the house, quarantine your new parrot for at least 30 days.

Your bird will require 10-12 hours of sleep every day.

Keep your parrot’s room dark and quiet at night.

You must provide clean, fresh filtered or bottled water daily for your bird.

A proper diet for your parrot should include fresh vegetables, fruits, pellets, or seed mix.

You can also give your bird some treats such as, millet spray or nuts.

A cuttlebone or mineral block will contribute to a well-rounded diet.

Be sure to promptly remove all uneaten fruits and vegetables before they spoil.

Never give your bird any Alcoholic Beverages, as they are extremely toxic to your pet.

This article only touches the highlights of living with a parrot.

For much more detailed information, pick up a copy of our new DVD "Parrots-The How-To's Of Caring, Understanding, And Training" available here!

If You Find This Article Helpful, Please Link To It!

About The Author

Manuel Rose has researched and owned parrots since childhood.

He spent years reading several books and speaking to many avian veterinarians.

Manuel currently owns 3 parrots, his favorite a 13-year-old Blue and Gold Macaw named Samantha, which he weaned as a baby.

How To Understand Your Parrot 

Understanding basic parrot behavior will make it easier for you to interact with your bird.

Here are some of the most common bird behaviors that I would like to share with you.

Beak Cleaning.

Just as you brush your teeth after every meal, your bird must clean its beak too.

You'll see your parrot wiping its beak on the perch or bars of his cage after eating.

Beak Grinding.

Before your bird’s bedtime, you may hear strange grinding noises coming from your parrot.

This is the sound of a contented bird, and is nothing to be alarmed about.

Stretching.

Just like us, your bird needs to stretch from time to time.

You may notice your bird stretching its wings when you approach him.

That's his way of greeting you.

Catnaps.

It's normal for your parrot to take a few naps during the day.

Hissing Or Attacking.

Birds are territorial creatures and will defend their environment if they feel threatened.

Sometimes a change in your appearance will make the bird think that you are a stranger.

Preening Each Other.

This is a sign of affection.

Birds will preen (groom) each other or you.

If your bird preens your hair or mustache, consider it an honor.

Screaming.

If your parrot feels neglected, she will scream loudly in an attempt to get your attention.

Once your bird starts screaming, it can be a hard habit to break.

Night Frights.

Some birds are prone to night frights, (I know My Cockatiel Is).

These “night frights” occur when there is a loud noise in the middle of the night that will end up startling a bird into a thrashing frenzy.

If this happens to your bird, leave a night light on near its cage.

This article only touches the highlights of living with a parrot.

For much more detailed information, pick up a copy of our new DVD "Parrots-The How-To's Of Caring, Understanding, And Training" available here!

If You Find This Article Helpful, Please Link To It!

About The Author

Manuel Rose has researched and owned parrots since childhood.

He spent years reading several books and speaking to many avian veterinarians.

Manuel currently owns 3 parrots, his favorite a 13-year-old Blue and Gold Macaw named Samantha, which he weaned as a baby.

How To Train Your Parrot

If you want to properly interact with your parrot, you'll need to train it.

We train our dogs and cats so they don't become unruly; parrots are no exception.

Of course, with parrots, we have an added bonus; they can talk.

If your bird was hand fed by humans when you purchased him or her, training will be much easier than with a bird that was raised by its parents.

The first thing you need to do is to gain your bird’s trust.

Once you get your bird’s trust, you must work hard to keep it.

Never hit your parrot, even if he does something wrong.

If your bird misbehaves, scold him by giving him the evil eye, and sternly telling him "NO".

If your parrot starts screaming for no apparent reason, cover its cage for a while.

The most important command you should teach your parrot is "UP" or "STEP UP", it could save his life in an emergency.

Slowly approach the bird.

Place your hand in its cage and keep it there for a while.

Your bird may run away, complain, or even attack you, but keep doing this for a few days.

Before long he will calm down and accept you.

If you still have problems after a few days, try using a stick for a perch instead of your hand.

This may take a few tries.

Gently, but firmly press your fingers under the bird’s belly.

The bird will instinctively hop on your fingers.

As you are doing this, say, "STEP UP" or "UP".

Before you know it, your parrot will associate the "STEP UP" command with what you want him to do.

Once your bird is on your hand, you can teach him the down command.

Simply tell your parrot "DOWN" as you put him down on his perch.

Keep doing this every time you put your bird down.

Maybe one of the reasons you purchased your parrot in the first place was because of its ability to talk.

Don't be too disappointed if your parrot doesn't talk.

Not all parrots can talk.

Most parrot species can mimic sounds they hear, like whistles and doorbells.

The best age to train your bird is between 4-6 months old.

Start with a simple word like "Hello".

Pronounce the word slowly and clearly.

Use plenty of repetition.

Make sure you're in a quiet room with no distractions.

Keep your training sessions short and sweet.

10-15 minutes a day is plenty of time for your parrot to learn.

After every training session, give your parrot time to relax or play.

This article only touches the highlights of living with a parrot.

For much more detailed information, pick up a copy of our new DVD "Parrots-The How-To's Of Caring, Understanding, And Training" available here!

If You Find This Article Helpful, Please Link To It!

About The Author

Manuel Rose has researched and owned parrots since childhood.

He spent years reading several books and speaking to many avian veterinarians.

Manuel currently owns 3 parrots, his favorite a 13-year-old Blue and Gold Macaw named Samantha, which he weaned as a baby.