Yes, generally a parrot from an exotic bird store is tame and friendly. That is one advantage to getting your fid from a shop. However, sometimes it takes a little while to sell a parrot and they don’t always get handled and loved while they wait. So, they can ‘forget’ how to be tame.
You can re-tame them, especially if they have been hand fed. It just takes time and dedication.
Decide how quickly you want to tame your parrot. The more time you spend with your parrot, the faster the taming will go. When I’m taming a parrot, I try to spend 6 hours a day with them. For that time, I have them either on me or at least in my proximity. They can be near by on a perch or on my shoulder (shoulder is only for a small parrot or one I don’t think will bite/hurt me or my ear or face).
One problem people run into is that they only spend a little time with their un-tame or less tame parrot and then give up because the parrot isn’t being friendly. That is discouraging and doesn’t work out. On the other hand, if you spend hours and hours with your parrot for five days, you will see a drastic improvement (or at least I have – it also depends on the parrot’s history and age).
Be persistent – parrots are very flock-oriented and mine always seem curious about people. The more time I have to spend with them, the more they bond and enjoy my company.
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Have a questions about parrots?
As the author of “The Parrot Bliss Bond,” I love and welcome questions about having a parrot and creating one of the best experiences of your life!
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Looks Like The Stork Is Bringing Me A Golden Conure Parrot
A Golden Conure, Or Queen Of Bavaria For My Flock
Could it be? Is my dream bird coming my way?
Oh the rich, gold colors of the Queen of Bavaria! I don’t know that any other parrots have such enticing and delicious, deep yellow colors!
The baby is on a special diet and will stay at the store for a couple of week. Ugh! Can I wait that long?
I’ve been dreaming about a Golden Conure for a while. And I mean, dreaming! I’ve had no other night-time sleeping dreams before – only about getting my Golden! I am excited to welcome my baby home.
People rave about Golden Conures and say that this is a parrot you want to add to your “collection.” This Queen of Bavaria (I am trying to find out why they are called Queen of Bavarias) is said to be a great companion and delight their owners.
What Are Queen Of Bavaria Parrots Like?
Will my Golden Conure be loud? Hmmmm Will my Queen of Bavaria be magical?
Enchanting? I have a sense of this, I can’t wait to find out!
Golden Conures are the largest conures. My experience with conures makes me feel they are interesting because they are smart as whips, very personable and can be too couragous. They like to stand up to other parrots, even when the other parrot is bigger than them!
I’m curious about their classification because their diet is similar to a Macaw parrots, but they are classified as conures. They are extremely sociable, even in their breeding. And they are said to be very gentle with their human companions.
I can’t wait to bring my bundle of gold home!
Have a questions about parrots?
As the author of “The Parrot Bliss Bond,” I love and welcome questions about having a parrot and creating one of the best experiences of your life!
Parrotlet Parrots: Why Do Parrots Pluck Each Other?
🦜Do All Parrot Couples Pluck Each Other?
No, but any species will do so.
Why Do Parrots Pull Their Mate’s Feathers? (Plucking)
First, let’s talk about the difference between parrots plucking themselves and their mates – it is two different issues. The causes can be the same, but don’t have to be.
One of the most common problems people have with African Grey (AGs) parrots is that they pluck their feathers. Why? Read my blog on AGs plucking.
In brief, I have 4 AGs and I had to ask my mentor (Tony Silva) why Zeus was plucking Hara – he said that Zeus is probably stressed. Three of my 4 AGs pluck their feathers – and all 4 were adopted as adults. So, self-plucking is one issue, plucking their mate is another.
Why Do They Pluck Their Mate?
In this video I am using a pair of Parrotlets, Pipper and Bobo. He, Pipper, plucks her — even though heloves her! When they are with the flock, meaning that I have placed them in a larger aviary to socialize with other Parrotlets, they still seek each other out or are side-by-side; they still connect and he still plucks her!
So, Why Do They Pluck?
Their can be a number of specific reasons, but the basic reason is something is off in their well-being. Pipper and Bobo have always been a little scared and defensive or overreactive with the other Parrotlets. I am working on giving them a greater sense of safety and security to relax them. Fortunately, they eat well (pellets, some parakeet seed mix and fresh veggies), so that will promote well-being. In order to relax them further, I’m going to add more to their cage. Ideally, I’m trying to figure out how I can add a little plant either inside our outside their cage. A non-(parrot) toxic plant will provide a sense of shelter (a place to hide) and give them something else to bite and even eat. I may also drape a towel over part of their cage so they feel less “seen.” Yes, I find this helps nervous parrots!
To me, plucking the mate is similar to biting the nervous habit of nail-biting, except, they are biting their mate’s.
This isn’t the same as -hen, or female- parrots that have a clutch -babies- and pluck their chest or stomach feathers. Some do so to line their nest. This has nothing to do with an “issue,” but is rather a mothering thing 🐥!
A Couple Suggestions To Deter Or Stop The Behavior
Quality of life: Diet
Make sure your parrots have the healthy food – including pellets and fresh vegetables – they need. Some plucking can be due to a physical condition and diet can aid — if you suspect that your parrot is scratching or itching him/herself, go to the avian vet.
Quality of life: Home
Make sure that your parrot’s cage is large enough for him, or larger if you have two. A parrot’s cage should be cleaned regularly and it should measure at least twice their wingspan deep long by three times wide and tall. In the case of two or more parrots, it should be larger than these wingspan minimums.
Cage Location
Make sure there are no stressors for your parrot. A lack of toys or another animal that goes by their cage can cause unnecessary stress. Try a larger cage and a different location. Try partially covering the cage and new toys.
*I understand that Macaws must have wood to chew; and that otherwise they will be stressed out. In nature, they would be chewing often and need to keep their beaks busy in order to stay healthy.
Parrot Bully
Yes, some parrots are mean, some are sweet. Personalities are not unique to humans. If you suspect that one of your parrots is doing more than just keeping the other “in line,” you may have a problem. I have a pair of Senegal parrots who I cannot keep together – they are in two cages because they don’t get along.
Parrot Personalities
When it comes to parrots, you never know. Like people, sometimes they want to be a parent, other times they want to have a friend and sometimes they just aren’t happy or friendly, for whatever reason. If your parrot just isn’t getting along with your other parrots, there’s not much to do. I do everything I can to give my parrots the environment they need to succeed – meaning what htey need to have space, health, fun and happiness. I breed Parrotlets and I’m waiting on some of my conures to breed. However, I always make sure that they are healthy – only healthy parrots make good breeders, but not all healthy parrots choose to breed. So, we shall see. My fingers are crossed for this breeding season, would love to have some loud baby conures!
—Have a questions about parrots?
As the author of “The Parrot Bliss Bond,” I love and welcome questions about having a parrot and creating one of the best experiences of your life!
Parrots are really like people – but is it enough to share?
Sometimes it is a matter of a parrots breed. Generally speaking, conures are aggressive so they may not share with you.
Of course, it is a lot more about the individual parrot’s personality. Some parrots are more easy-going. My Orange-winged Amazon, for example, is pretty chill. I adopted him as an adult and he’s never been too warm. I don’t know his history, but he was obviously spoken to, but not handled much. He has warmed up more so that he lets me pet him and pick him up – sometimes – but overall, if you don’t cause him problems then he is a great boy. And, he’s great with other parrots too. I’ve never seen any sign of him being aggressive with any of my other parrots. He even shares his perches and his food with LunaLove, my Cockatiel.
Milo, on the other hand, used to be LunaLove’s best friend. Milo begged LunaLove to be kind and to be a freind when she was a baby. Now? Milo is an Indian Ringneck and she’s typical in the sense that she’s independent, doesn’t share and she can be mean. She chases my Mexican Red-headed Amazon when she is given the chance… even though he’s bigger.
Yes, parrots share, especially with their mates – who they feed. They will also share with other parrots that they like, parrots that are ‘in their flock.’
The parrots in my flock are a lot like people. They have likes, dislikes, preferences; they can be in a good mood, talkative or grumpy and loners.
But they are always adding to my bliss!
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Have a questions about parrots?
As the author of “The Parrot Bliss Bond,” I love and welcome questions about having a parrot and creating one of the best experiences of your life!
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Is My Parrot Eggnant, Or Pregnant?
How To Know When Your Feathers Are Expecting!
Depending on the parrot species, the pregnancy cycle is so fast compared to humans!
Mating Parrots
Is that a bulge? Is there an egg in my parrot?
In this video I’m hoping that you can clearly see what a parrot with an egg looks like, even a small parrot, like a Parrotlet,
Three things to look for in assessing whether your parrot has an egg in her:
At the lower abdomen, the female will look like the male unless she is swollen because of an egg
Gently feel for the hip bone on your parrot. Feeling it on the male will give you a feel for a more narrow hip. If your hen has an egg in her, depending on how close she is to laying it, you won’t be able to feel the hip bones
You can also examine the vent. Again, compare it to the male’s vent. Often a hen’s vent will look enlarged or will protrude because of the egg she’s carrying.
Parrots generally lay their eggs within days of becoming fertile — although a hen with no cock can still lay infertile eggs. So, if you can’t figure out whether your girl is eggnant, you can just wait a couple of days. If you still want to figure it out but the above three signs didn’t help, you can also look at her droppings. Eggnant hens tend to have significantly larger droppings because they go to the bathroom less often when they are spending time in their nesting boxes.
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Have a questions about parrots?
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One of the hardest things for me is missing the signs that something is wrong with my parrot because when parrots get sick, they fall quickly! Fortunately, I’m getting better at catching the subtle – and not so subtle- signs.
In this video, I’ll point out several signs that Lunalove, my Cockatiel parrot, isn’t feeling well.
These include behaviors that are out of the norm for her, like not seeking out her parrot-friend, Tikko, and ‘hiding.’
Lunalove went into the Mac’Girl’s cage (the Macaw’s) while they were out. She was huddling in the corner, the way you and I might crawl into bed or our bedroom to have some quiet time in a darker space that lets us rest.
Lunalove’s eyes look heavy, sleepy.
She’s also fluffed up – you can see her chest feathers are pretty puffy.
Monitor Carefully, They Change Quickly
Fortunately, she’s eating: I feel good about that. She’s being treated, so I expect her to start to look better in a day or so.
Tomorrow I will see a behavioral change- either she will be more of her ‘normal self’ or she’ll be more withdrawn and I’ll know if all is well or if I need to re-visit her treatment with the avian vet.
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Have a questions about parrots?
As the author of “The Parrot Bliss Bond,” I love and welcome questions about having a parrot and creating one of the best experiences of your life!
I’m putting two parrots -or more- into a new cage.
How can I tell whether or not they are getting along — or if they are going to hurt each other?
If you are like me, it’s a VERY important question because my heart sinks when there is any fighting and any injuries.
First:
Always Put Parrots Together In A Neutral Ground
When you bring a new parrot home or try to put two parrots together for the first time, ALWAYS put them in ‘new territory.’ If you add a parrot to another’s cage, you encourage aggression because the parrot with a cage believes this to be his or her territory.
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Have a questions about parrots?
As the author of “The Parrot Bliss Bond,” I love and welcome questions about having a parrot and creating one of the best experiences of your life!
The Parrot Challenge: Getting Your Parrot Eating Pellets & Vegetables
The Trick: Parrots Make You Think That They Are Starving!
So you offered your parrot pellets or vegetables and you were given –the stink eye! You may have been ignored and your parrot may be resolute in convincing you that they will quickly starve rather than eat pellets or vegetables!
But you can persist!
When it comes to stubborn eaters, one thing is generally true: a hungry person, child or parrot will change their mind about how food tastes. When you are accustomed to “junk food,” which seeds are like according to experts, then only junk food will do. Once you have been hungry for a little while, then your tastes start to change and Brussels sprouts become more acceptable to children.
I don’t want you to misunderstand me: I don’t starve any of my parrots to get them eating their pellets or vegetables- nor should you. On the contrary, I have food and water available to my flock 24/7. And all of my flock members, which is over 10 species of psittacines (or parrots), eat pellets.
Introducing Pellets To Your Flock
At the start of a new cycle, such as a new school year or a new job, everyone becomes a little more flexible, right? You are the ‘new guy’ on the block and, until you know whose feathers not to ruffle, you tend to go with the flow. I have found the same to be true in my flock. In the past when I have added new members to my flock, they have tended to notice that we are a flock, meaning that they hear and see other parrots. I think this makes them feel like they are in a good “parrot” place and I think this makes them more agreeable. Everyone is given pellets from the start, when pellets are appropriate to their diet.
Imagine losing all you know. In a flapping of your wing, your flock is gone, your environment changes and a new giant human is now taking you to their home. Having everything in your experience change all at once is stressful – so much so, that I’ve had avian veterinarians tell me that new baby parrots can get sick when they arrive at a new home just from the stress of getting a new home. It doesn’t always happen, but it’s not such a rare thing. (A good reason to take your new feathered fid to your avian veterinarian for a new parrot appointment).
All of a sudden, everything you knew has changed. When hunger comes, being stubborn is probably the last thing on your mind. Chances are that you are willing to eat what is offered to you. Thus, starting your parrot off on a healthy diet when you first have them is the best time to start healthy habits.
Most enamored parrot-keepers are likely going to watch their new fid to make sure that he or she eats- and I have found that it is common for a nervous, new flock member to eat little the first day. By day two your parrot should be comfortable enough to eat. This is a crucial time to make sure that they are eating. It’s only natural to offer a treat to a new parrot on their first day, but the treat can be something healthier like a carrot (popular wit almost all of my flock members), a dried chili pepper or a piece of sweet potato. A more tantalizing treat, like a seed or nut, can be offered, but if you do so sparingly, you are more likely to encourage the eating behavior you want to see later.
Smaller Parrots Require Seeds
If your new fid (feathered kid) is a Lovebird, a Budgie, a Parrotlet, Cockatiel or another similar small parrot then seeds are a required part of their diet. When I bring a new small parrot into my flock, I offer them pellets, seeds, vegetables in the morning and a millet spring. I want them to be as comfortable as possible as quickly as possible. Generally speaking, they eat the millet and the seeds, leaving the pellets. At that point, I leave the seed dish (and I tend to use no mess feeders which are a Plexiglas box they have to step into- this means droppings don’t get into them nearly as often and they can’t scratch the bowl empty) with empty seed husks. Now I watch to see if they will continue the behavior that has already started (of eating) pellets or if they don’t eat.
I find that once a parrot’s appetite has been stimulated and once they have started eating, they generally continue to eat.
I also do this for my small parrots that I’ve had for any amount of time. I know that they should be eating about 25-30% seeds, 30% vegetables and the rest pellets. So, I place seeds (a mix with no sunflower seeds – my parrots were overeating and still hungry with mixes that included sunflower seeds) and pellets in their space and I don’t replace the seed mix until I feel they have also eaten enough pellets.
Each parrot is different, of course. Some of my small parrots seem to prefer pellets, others don’t. Either way, I try to strike some sort of balance so that they are getting a fairly healthy diet, especially since I breed a couple species.
Medium & Large Parrots
With medium to large parrots the same is true. From day one I give them pellets and vegetables- parrots that require nut fat, like Macaws and African Greys, also receive nuts. I avoid giving these parrots seeds in general. They all love carrots and sweet potatoes – and peas! I find treats, like freeze-dried (salt and sugar-free) beets, that I can give them so that I have the enjoyment of giving out treats without feeling like I’m contributing to a poor diet.
I have had the rare parrot that didn’t seem to take to eating right away. In that case, I do offer anything to initially get them eating, but once they have had a few bites of anything, their appetite is stimulated and I find that I can get them to eat their pellets.
Morning Vegetables
It’s really fun to see a Parrotlet parrot rush to the vegetable dish as I’m placing it in their cage or to have my Macaw or Amazon fly over and start to eat vegetables out of the vegetable dishes I’m preparing. My parrots all look forward to and get excited about their vegetables. When I’ve had them since they were babies, they are accustomed to vegetables because they have always had them. When I have adopted them as adults, it has taken time for them – and they are still picky. One of my most stubborn Amazons started looking at her vegetable dish and started to pick things out when I’d been offering food for a year; two years later she eats some — enough to make me happy. After all, changing a lifetime of bad habits is challenging. Also, she eats pellets – no seeds at all- so the veterinarian has reported a greatly-improved bill of health (compared to when I first adopted her as an adult with issues).
Think That You Are Bigger With Your Bird
Yes, parrots are good at convincing us that they need something yummy to eat (probably convince us of other things too)! But you can be bigger in your thinking. Be persistent. I have never heard of a parrot truly starving because it was only given healthy pellets (although a parrot requiring additional fat in their diet could, I suppose. So check your specific specie’s requirements for fat or a lack of).
Give your parrot lots of love and attention – plus pellets. They will come around. Pellets – to my chagrin- almost all have sugar in them. I contacted Zupreem to ask why their was sugar in the ingredients and they said that this is to get the parrots to eat the pellets! So, take comfort in knowing that the pellets are made for them. They have everything from A to Z that your parrot needs and sugar to entice them!
Keep at your parrot. Don’t let them starve, if they truly are, something is probably wrong and you may need to get to your avian veterinarian asap. Otherwise, keep at it. Pellets aren’t that bad – my parrots only get the ‘natural’ colored pellets as opposed to the colorful ones because I don’t like food coloring – and they eat them just fine. Their feathers are beautiful, they are healthy and this makes for a loving, bonding and blissful parrot.
Have a questions about parrots?
As the author of “The Parrot Bliss Bond,” I love and welcome questions about having a parrot and creating one of the best experiences of your life!
Living with parrots is a little like living in a soap opera…
What’s gong on now?
Who squawked?
Who bit who’s toe?
Why is the Macaw yelling outside?
Sometimes the drama is awesome:
“I knocked on your door and Zeus said, ‘Come in!”
They’re cuddling sweetly!
He learned the trick!
A lot of what goes on is hard to catch on my phone because by the time I reach my phone or turn my camera on, the behavior often stops. Of course, all of our parrot’s behaviors can be monsterous (I say that with love) or they can stir my soul. Some of the soul-sirring and heart-melting stories are short and sweet but they make my day-
So, I thought I’d focus once a week or so on a fantastic thing one of my parrots has done to make them a “Star” parrot ⭐!
⭐ Ursulus, My Star!
Ursulus is our (drum-roll for the scientific name, please!) Amazona viridigenalis – known as Red-crowned parrot, Green-cheeked Amazon or Mexican Red-headed Amazon in the US. Ursulus is a character, a very endearing one. On the one hand, he’s only a year and a half old. Lorenza (Yellow-naped Amazon – Amazona auropalliata) and Tikko (Orange-winged Amazon – Amazona amazonica) were both adopted as adults, so we don’t know how old they are. Lorenza has some health issues, diagnosed by one of our avian veterinarians, so she acts a little like a tired, old lady. Tikko is younger, but he acts like an emotionally scarred man whose personal space you have to respect.
Hence, Ursulus doesn’t have a young whipper-snapper to hang out with, because he doesn’t ‘click’ with the young African Capes or Caiques.
My daughter is a Conure girl first and foremost. She likes smaller birds because they aren’t as intimidating as, for example, my Mac’Girls (our two Macaw parrots). Her Conures will sit on her shoulder two to four at a time; they will hang out with her and, as she moves, they surf to the motion. A sight to see!
Ursulus is friendly, learns tricks and is becoming a great talker. He’s approachable, inviting and loving. We have parrots that are like this, like our Caiques and her Conures, but she also wants to connect with a bigger bird. And Ursulus reciprocates the desire for friendship.
Parrots are prone to becoming one-person birds, meaning that they choose a ‘mate’ that is like their ‘best friend.’ They bond with that one person, while also maintaining a connection with the full flock, but the relationship is different. Their one mate is a special relationship. Since I spend a lot of time taking care of my parrots, many of them like me and relate with me. Parrots require meaningful time be dedicated to them, more so than other pets like dogs and cats, in order to connect. Ursulus is my is my star because he is so good at being open with everyone, my husband, myself and -my daughter-.
⭐ He’s A 💖 Star
He is the one medium to big-sized parrot my daughter truly enjoys and plays with more. Animals can be like miraculous healers; they can save our souls, especially when life and people are hard on us. Animals can be confidants, true friends that we can open our hearts to, and therein lies some magical healing.
As such, Ursulus has a large heart and he is good at opening people’s hearts. So, he’s my star this week because my daughter has been developing a connection with him and it warms my soul to see them enjoying each other and doing fun tricks together, or just hanging out.
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Have a questions about parrots?
As the author of “The Parrot Bliss Bond,” I love and welcome questions about having a parrot and creating one of the best experiences of your life!
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Red Factor African Grey Or Follicle-damaged AG?
Factors In Parrots Mean Color Variations
If You Are Adopting An African Grey Parrot, How Do You Know If It Is Really A Red Factor?
If you are looking to adopt an African Grey (AG), you have to be careful about being sold a ‘red factor’ AG. They tend to cost more money, which is true to form in the sense that breeders have less parrots that are unique colors. It can take several generations to create color variations – or factors- in parrots. So, a higher price is fair.
African Grey parrots are, of course, grey, white and red. But not pink…
There are some legitimate red-factor parrots, and some parrots with feather-follicle damage.
One of my avian veterinarians said that no, there’s nothing detrimental about an African Grey having damaged feathers or plucking. It’s like you having a bald spot. Not attractive on an AG, but often it just looks bad.
If your pet is at home and plucks, obviously he or she won’t be cold or anything. However, it is super-important to dig into what is causing your parrot to pluck. There could be a variety of reasons, including health issues. (go to https://parrotbliss.com/why-do-african-grey-parrots-pluck-their-feathers/ to read about causes for plucking and some things you can do to try to remedy it).
Red Color Or Damage?
Not all feathers are created from breeding -some are due to follicle damage…
Photos: Natural red factor or damaged follicles?
In the pics, Venus, Adonis and Hera are illustrating their red feathers for us.
Adonis has all her feathers (yeah, I thought she was male… but DNA tests says female), but has a red feather or two in her neck. In the picture, she is all fluffed up watching TV with us.
I adopted ALL my AGs as adults – PLUCKED. Adonis is the exception – but Venus and Hera have always been plucked. It is very difficult to break an AG of this habit, but I try. Here’s a blog I researched and wrote on why African Greys pluck and things you can do try to stop them.
Venus is in the picture eating notes from the group I coach – hopefully, I won’t have to refer back to these! Venus plucks her neck; you may notice that there is a bald spot right at her throat. You can also see the light feather below that bald spot and there is a light colored feather on the back of her neck.
The close up of Hera’s feathers and the photo of Hera, who I adopted as a ‘red factor’ show that she has the most follicle damage.
Side note: My phylosophy with parrots is that, if I can handle it, I don’t mind the parrot I adopt being sick or having an issue. Life isn’t perfect, I don’t expect my parrots to be perfect either. Just because they aren’t perfectly healthy – which is sometimes due to a person’s lack of caring or know-how – doesn’t mean that I should reject them. I feel the opposite way; I’ve learned a lot from my mentor and I’m grateful to be able to restore their health whenever possible. I knew Hera was not a red factor; I adopted her because I wanted her in my flock. My avian vet did a wellness exam and agreed that she needs caring for, but is not red-factor and needs some TLC, but her plucking is just cosmetic.
How Can You Tell The Difference Between Red Factor Feathers & Damaged Feathers?
If you look at the pictures closely, you’ll see that Hera and Venus’ damaged feathers aren’t RED, they are varied and dull or faded. There are also some feathers that are part grey and part pink/faded red and white.
In my layman terms, the follicles are ‘confused.’
All of their grey feathers and tail feathers are consistently grey and red; the feathers, like on their head, that are grey with white edges look uniform, consistent and like they were designed this way. Feathers from the damaged follicles sometimes have inconsistent shapes and the colors look accidental and random or chaotic.
Unfortunately, caring for parrots has been far more involved – and rewarding- than caring for my cats and dogs. Perhaps it is because cats and dogs have been domesticated for so much longer; they just seem to easily and happily live with us. Parrots, on the other hand, are challenging. Each species has specific dietary requirements, which can vary to a almost no-fat diet with Amazons all the way to a heavy nut diet for Macaws and African Greys. They also require fresh foods daily, like carrots and other fresh vegetables. Parrots are intelligent and require more engagement than cats and dogs do. It is common to hear experts say that parrots require that you constantly buy them toys and/or provide enrichment (Video on What Is Enrichment on YouTube). Yes, parrots need to exercise their wings, their beaks (by chewing wood and nuts) and their minds. Yes, you have to figure out how to give them something to figure out! Dog’s are a man’s best friend (and a woman’s, no?) but parrots are a person’s demanding partner and companion who will outlive two, three or maybe even four dog’s lives.
When a parrot’s physical, emotional and mental needs aren’t met, they can run into physical or emotional health issues- and plucking can be either. So, while I don’t think it’s “bad” to have a parrot that plucks – not ideal, of course – I do think it is important to try to restore their well-being.
We had had a Green-cheeked Conure who had sezisures (she had been given to us because she had neurological damage so that she couldn’t fly and couldn’t use her feet too well). Our research led us to create a CBD oil for parrots in hemp oil, which has the correct balance of Omega 3’s and 6’s. So, I’m using this for Hera (and her partner Zeus, who we also adopted as a plucker). I’m intending for it to calm them if they feel any stress (which my Amazons or Macaws may cause) and to help give them the proper fat balance.
Additionally, I’m giving them time out in the sun and fresh air. Turns out, Mother Nature may have more floating in the air that will do them some good than you may have guessed.
We’ve been giving Venus time outdoors for several months and we are having a harder time figuring out which is Venus and which is Adonis when we look their way because some of Venus’ feathers are growing back. Hera had been on eggs, so now that she’s not, she and Zeus are receiving the same sun and air treatment and I can’t wait to see if it improves their plucking status!
Have a questions about parrots?
As the author of “The Parrot Bliss Bond,” I love and welcome questions about having a parrot and creating one of the best experiences of your life!