Teaching Your Parrot To Shower

Do Parrots Like To Shower?

Most do, yes. But parrots are like people. Young parrots need to learn to shower; parrots that haven’t been given showers aren’t used to taking a shower…

Cleanliness Is Next To Parrot-Godliness

Do parrots need showers to stay healthy?

YES.

Regular showers help parrots wash their body so that their feathers stay clean and beautiful. Showers help them remove dirt and keep mites away.

A Parrot’s Age & Showers

Like a toddler, young parrots don’t really want to shower. Unlike toddlers, you can’t put bubbles in the tub to entice them to bathe!

Teach Your Parrot To Bathe

Young parrots need to learn the joy of bathing – and initially forcing them to bathe can turn them off. Instead, teaching your young parrot to bathe needs to be a slow process that starts by just giving them a mist-squirt or two at their feet once every other day or every third day. As they start to get comfortable, you can then mist their feet and legs, gradually making your way — over time — up their body.

I have found that parrots are initially resistant to bathe but they suddenly switch and start to enjoy it.

Bath Tub Or Rainy Mist?

Your parrot’s bathing water will cover their wings, which they will probably preen. Use bottled water or boiled water that has been cooled is best t

Pool, Rain Or Sauna

Once your parrot is comfortable bathing, you can decide when and what kind of bathing to offer.

A ‘pool‘ is a large enough bowl that they can step into and splash around in. It is like a kiddie pool because it is not meant to be a body of water that they will be in up to their neck. Instead, like a kiddie pool, it should come up to their legs or the bottom of their body. This gives them enough water to splash around in. I love watching my Indian Ringneck use her wings to raise the water, creating her own shower. The water goes everywhere and she tends to look very pleased and happy to have a wonderful pool all to herself!

One of the things I like best about a pool is that it gives a parrot a place to dunk their head! This may sound funny, but they do dunk their heads in order to get water into their nasal passage to rinse it out. So, a pool can behave like a neti pot for them and contribute to their maintained health.

A delicate ‘misty rain‘ comes from a mister or a squirter, which you can generally get in the garden section of most stores. Like a delicate rainfall, it allows your parrot to get lightly wet all over. It also allows them to open their feathers and welcome the water under their wings and on the back of their wings.

A ‘sauna‘ happens in your bathroom. Take your parrot into your bathroom when you shower and let them enjoy the warm, humid air. It’s great for their skin- I would still offer a pool or a misty rain too, but if your parrot doesn’t like to shower -yet-, then this is a good way to start to get water on their body.

Frequency

Depending on who you ask, many experts will say that parrots should bathe daily.

While I don’t disagree, I do find that there are factors that influence how often a parrot wants to bathe. Like humans, I find that the parrots who are outside my house (enjoying fresh air and sunshine) get hot and want showers more often than when they are in the air conditioned house. If they are outside and have a lot of shade, they want it less or they want to get less wet than if they are getting more sun.

Winter and cold climates probably call for less frequent showering as well. If I were in a cold part of the country during winter, I’d be cautious and mist more than offer a pool to make sure my parrot didn’t get too wet and get cold. If your parrot does love to bathe and get wet, you can towel-dry them or use a blow drier. Initially they may not like the blow-drier, but once they have experienced it at a safe distance they start to get more comfortable. Generally speaking, parrots don’t mind the loud noise of the blow-drier. Please make sure that the air isn’t too hot so that you don’t over-heat their skin. Otherwise, if you go slowly at first, I find that most parrots don’t mind being dried this way.

Shower Breed & History

Two other factors that affect a parrot’s willingness to shower are their breed and history.

Breed: There are parrots, like Amazon parrots, who are clearly accustomed to being rained on every day in South America. I have found that my Amazons love to shower; they almost dance for the mist, spreading their wings and bodies to catch as much water as they can and often getting as wet as they can. On the other hand, a parrot from a desert area may not be as interested in getting soaked.

A parrot’s history can influence them. If you have adopted an Amazon as an adult, for example, and they were previously never bathed, then your Amazon is likely to avoid water. They simply don’t have the healthy habit. In that case, teach them to bathe as if they were a young parrot (described above).

Parrot Water Bliss

Think of yourself when you’ve had a long, hot day. When you finally get to jump into a refreshing pool or step into a shower, it is blissful!

Your parrot enjoys showers too. Taking care of one’s own body feels good, for both humans and parrots. Be sure to keep your parrot looking beautiful this way.

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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Bonding With Two Or More Parrots

If You Love Them Parrots, They’ll Love You Even If They Are Two

Parrots are curious and they like to be with, nibble on and explore people – at least, that’s been my experience. The number one ingredient to create a bond with your parrot or parrots is time. You have to spend a fair amount of time with your birds on a daily bases.

Two Parrots Are Better Than One

Parrots are highly social animals. In the wild parrots live in flocks which can be as ‘small’ as 20 birds or as large as a thousand. Yes, they are accustomed to being with their tribe all of the time. They tend to help each other, preen one another and feed their mate. They are intimate with one-another and they find bonding, connection, survival, well-being and safety and security in their flock and their mate.

Yes, you can play the role of mate if you want a close bond with your parrot, but you’ll never fulfill the same zygodactyl feet (that’s what their feet are called because they are the only class of birds who have two toes pointing forward and back)! You may love your parrot and take great care of your parrot, but I don’t imagine you will regurgitate for him or her nor that you’ll preen his or her feathers with your mouth!

And, why would you? You don’t have to be a parrot to fill those toes! Just have two parrots. When you have two parrots, depending on the species, you’ll find that they play together, cuddle and engage with one another almost all of the time – and then they often sleep or nap cuddled up together.

Humans Are More Interesting Than Parrots

I always recommend getting two parrots because there are only benefits to doing so:

If you like spending a lot of time with your parrots, then having two means twice the fun
Your two parrots will be curious about and interested in you. If one likes you more than another then that one will engage with you, showing the other that you’re fun! The second will likely follow and decide you are fun too.
If you have someone else at home, two parrots means that you each get to spend time with a parrot; you each get ‘your own,’ which can be special for the parrot and human which each get to have a special bond.
If you don’t have a lot of time to bond with your parrot, you should have two. They will keep each other company and, while they may not be friendly with you — which would have happened anyway if you don’t have time to dedicate to your parrot– at least your parrot won’t be sad or lonely. Yes, this can lead to health problems like feather plucking (depending on the species, some are more prone to plucking than others) or it can lead to your parrot losing his or her well-being. The need to be social and have a flock or mate is a need. Unfulfilled, it can cause emotional and then physical issues. When people are incarcerated and put into solitary confinement, their ‘flock’ is also removed — and it is considered a harsh punishment.
Sometimes parrots are moody or busy playing or sleeping. Having two parrots means that, if you are in the mood to play or spend time with your parrot, you are likely to have at least one parrot available!

Yes, if you engage with your parrots, they will want to bond with you. I have found that two is a magic number – and it doesn’t matter whether they are male and female or two of the same gender. When you have three or more parrots together, they tend to retain or go back to more of their ‘parrotness,’ and are more likely to lose interest in you. Of course, if you spend a lot of time with three or more, it may not matter, but most people aren’t able to dedicate several hours a day, or more, to their parrots.

What Kind Of Time Is Parrot Time?

Is there a formula for how much time you should spend with your parrot? No, there isn’t. We can generalize and say that smaller parrots require less time than larger parrots. This means that the largest of parrots, like Macaws, need more time and engaging time spent with them. My Macaws want to be held, be played with, spoken to… Whereas our Parrotlets want to be with us, but just being with and around us seems to make them happy.

I think of the time you can spend with parrots as two kinds of time: engaging time and co-existing time.

Engaging Time

Parrots like to be on you, they like doing and learning tricks with you – going for a walk (or ride, they are usually on my shoulder), or being spoken to, petted. When you engage with them, you are relating with them as if they were another person or a young child. At night you could practically read them a bed-time story! This time is the kind of time “mates” would spend together – it creates a more intimate connection.

Depending on your parrot’s personality and their species, most parrots need at least 15 minutes twice a day of good, engaged time spent with them.

Co-existing Time

I also think it is important to spend time with your parrot in the same room just doing what you do. Your parrot likely has a perch or play area with toys or something they do so that you are both doing your own thing and you are near each other. This is more of a ‘flock’ behavior in the sense that the flock is together, but tending to different things.

The Most Important Time Aspect: Love

I have several parrots and I don’t have enough time in a day to give each parrot ten minutes of engaged time! However, most of my parrots like to engage with me. They want to step up, touch me with their beak (they experience life though their beak since they don’t have hands) and see what I’m doing, see if I have something interesting they can destroy (like my nice pens – ah!) or if I have something that they might want to eat.

I attribute this to their having parrots around them and, most all of them, having a cage mate. Our Catalina Macaw, Kailani, was about 10 months old when I started to see that she was bonding too much to me. Although I love her and (having hand-fed her) I’m comfortable with her (and her large beak) and I love cuddling with her, I felt that she needed a Macaw of her own! So we got a second Macaw! Sure enough, they seek each other out — and enjoy each other almost as much as they seek us out and enjoy being with us.

So, my parrots have their needs fulfilled. They have clean cages, clean water and food (including pellets and fresh vegetables) every day. They are allowed to be birds, which means sometimes they squawk loudly, bite or get territorial about a perch or a person, and we are understanding — though not tolerant of anyone being injured. We do everything we can to make sure they have good lives and they seem to know this and appreciate it. Maybe they even think we’re great flock members for it!

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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Clip Or Fly?

Clip and No Clip

I have two gorgeous Macaws- We got them both as babies, one was clipped one wasn’t.

Kailani, our Catalina Macaw, was about six months and was heavily clipped when we brought her home. She never tried to fly-

This year we got Kami to be Kailani’s sister. Kami, our Harlequin Macaw, wasn’t clipped. She’s a year younger and she glides around the house and the back, enclosed lanai with the greatest grace and ease. We never taught Kami to fly, it was a part of her natural development. Even with her flight feathers now grown out, Kailani wasn’t trying to fly. I’ve had to work with her to help her develop her ability to fly, which she’s just starting to realize.

One of the things that cleanly happens to a bird is that they forget that they know how to fly. May seem impossible, but it becomes the conditioned way they think or process themselves and their lives. Kailani just wasn’t considering the fact that she could try flying, even though she watched Kami longingly as Kami flew off the perch to where ever she wanted to go. I have a Yellow-naped Amazon who has never tried flying, she barely stretches her wings. I adopted my Amazon as an adult and I don’t know her history. Shortly after bringing her home, the avian vet said that Lorenza, (Amazon), had elevated bile – which indicated liver issues, Fatty Liver Disease. This is, likely, due to many years of having been fed poorly (a seed-based diet) and probably having been in a cage. Lorenza is unlikely to fly. I don’t think she realizes that she can; she rarely stretches her wings and never flaps them. She has forgotten and her body, likely hurts her. Her bones aren’t in great shape (calcium deficiency which is also due to a seed-based diet), illustrated by her X-ray and there is fat in her veins, even though I’ve corrected her diet so that her bile levels are no longer elevated.

I understand why parrots get clipped: they are expensive and no one can afford to have a parrot fly out the door! Shops would never make money or a breeder’s efforts would fly off too early.

When To Clip

However, timing is important. We like letting our parrots learn to fly before clipping wings is even considered. Flight is who they are as birds, as we see it. It doesn’t mean we won’t clip, it means that it’s not our first choice. A parrot who gets clipped often sulks and isn’t as happy afterwards. We tend to clip for a parrot’s well-being or another’s safety. Otherwise, we love seeing their colorful feathers as much as they love showing them!

Flight is great exercise for parrots and some experts say that without the exercise, parrots can’t be as healthy and that it could affect their life span.

Each parrot-keeper must decide what’s best for their parrot given the household circumstances. For us, flight is a burden – because it means that our parrots can fly to undesirable places and break things when we blink! We are very fortunate to have an outdoor area where they can perch, pick at a palm and fly safely in the screened area. We wish Kailani’s wings hadn’t been clipped as a young baby; but she is young enough that she is starting to take to the idea of flying.

If you have the time to spend with your parrot, be sure to let them fly in safe spaces or give them practice on your arm, the way I do in the video, so that even your clipped parrot can stretch their feathered wings!

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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What Are Senegal Parrots Like As Pets?

Senegal Parrots 🦜 Are The Best Pets!

Now, you have to take what I say with a grain of salt, because I really love all my parrots. They are all unique and special in their own way. Each species is unique, for example in it’s talking ability or it’s diet, and then each parrot is unique within a species.

Given that, one of my favorites is my Senegal, Heromione.

What You Can Expect In A Parrot

Some parrot characteristics I look at include:

Talking Ability
Diet
Personality
Neediness
Ease Of Taking Them With Me (Out To Eat, For Example)
Cost
Cleaning
Snuggle Factor!

Parrots can be pet-like or a lifestyle choice. Let me translate that for you, parrots can alter your life-style because they take so much time and attention, which is generally true of the larger species, or they can be pet-like, generally the smaller parrots, allowing you to still travel, go out and do other things. They can require a lot of care (feeding, cleaning): surprisingly more so than a cat or dog when they are large, or they can be easy to take care of when they are smaller.

What I love about Heromione is that her personality offers me the best of all worlds.

Senegals As Companions That Are Easy To Care For

Talking & Noise Level

Heromione isn’t really a good talker. She does say some things some of the time, but her voice is not easy to understand. She has a ‘parrot’ voice – African Greys, Amazons and Cockatoo parrots tend to be the better talkers. Generally speaking, you could say that Senegal parrots are under-spoken since they aren’t known as talkers and they aren’t very loud. Unlike Conure parrots or Cockatoo parrots, you may not even know there is a parrot in your home with a Senegal, or Seni as they are often called.

The African-continent parrots tend to be sharply smart; I think they are smart enough to be mellow too. It’s like they can’t figure what there is to freak out about. Even when Heromione was injured, she was very relaxed about letting me inspect her injury and tend to it. She surprised my veterinarian-father and I because she didn’t fight us or try to bite. She just let us take care of her.

Senegals aren’t like most parrots with each other, they don’t cuddle – like Lovebirds – or preen each other. Actually, they tend to stay at opposite ends of their cage. I’m not sure how they procreate… I asked Tony Silva, who is a world-psittacine expert – about Senegal parrots. He confirmed that they almost ignore each other until mating season. Nevertheless, Heromione and her cagemate at the time, Harry, ignored each other until they fought. Heronione was injured a couple of times. The first time, I ignored it because I had seen no issues. The second time I had to take her to the avian veterinarian and she no longer shares a cage with Harry.

Harry isn’t tame. He flies away from me and, although I’ve gotten to the point where I can pet his beak and the top of his head, he doesn’t spend time with me; he prefers to be in the bird room. Heromione, on the other hand, is very sweet with me. I adopted them as adults and she’s taken to me.

Parrot Yoga

There are many things about Heromione that I love. She is easy to be around, she literally hangs out on me, even when I’m doing my yoga!

Heromione hits all the boxes: she’s easy to be with, not too loud – although she does screech sometimes. She is a great eater and is big enough for me to enjoy her, and although her personality isn’t as pronounced as a big parrot’s, she is sweet with me, she’s playful and I she understands that I take care of my Parrotlet parrots. They are five times smaller than her, but she never goes after them. By accident I learned that I can walk into the Parrotlet aviary and she doesn’t leave my shoulder. I don’t worry about her attacking, eating there food or acting aggressively – though I watch her. It isn’t uncommon for a larger parrot to attack a smaller one, especially if the larger feels threatened or jealous.

Because she’s a ‘medium’ sized parrot, she isn’t terribly messy. No big 💩 piles from her! And, Senegal parrots are ‘inexpensive’ – at around $1,000. She’s not a ‘needy’ parrot, although she does like to spend as much time with me as possible.

Harry, On The Other Hand

Harry isn’t tame, so I can’t rant and rave about him. While I would choose a friendly Senegal parrot if I didn’t have any parrots and could get only a couple; of course, I would choose one because Heromione is such a fantastic parrot. I don’t bond with Harry, although I have tried spending some time taming him. I was struck by how quickly he caught onto what I was doing. He understood that I was trying to connect by touching his beak; that I wanted him to walk toward me when I had a treat. He just seems to know what I’m doing and he’s on board.

What More Could You Want In A Parrot?

Intelligence, sweet, cuddly and affectionate. Not loud and easy to be with. A true companion! Whether I’m working on my computer, cleaning or doing yoga, Heromione is a companion. A gem.

My Senegal parrot is one of my favorites, and I love them all, but having experienced nearly 20 different species of parrots, these guys are in the top of my list. Awesome parrots!

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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How Does Milo, Indian Ringneck, Get Along With Other Parrots?

Are IRN (Indian Ringneck) Parrots Social?

Parrots are social – and there are over 350 species of parrots (maybe up to 400+, depending on how they are classified). So, of course, there are exceptions to the ‘parrots are social’ rule.

I had a friend, who recently got an IRN, ask me if my IRN gets along with my other parrots. She’s used to letting her parrots be a flock together. Her Back-caped Conure, Cockatiels and Parrotlet all get along. But the IRN is different. There’s always a dominant personality, a leader emerges, which used to be her Conure. However, now it’s her new, young, IRN and he’s not always a friendly leader.

IRN Are Less Social

IRN are both social and not. I’ve seen videos of them in India, flocks of hundreds or thousands, but they aren’t terribly social. I had gotten two cage mates for my IRN, which didn’t work out. IRN are social when they have a lot of space to distance! Most parrots allow you to house them with another of their same species with no issues. On the contrary, I think it’s good for them. They seem to like the company and like being with a companion. However, the same doesn’t seem to necessarily apply to IRN.

Mine attacked her mate. Off to the avian veterinarian we went…

She no longer has cage-mates.

How Does Milo Get Along With Other Parrots?

Milo is a character and I love her. She’s beautiful, independent (typical of an IRN), wants to spend some time with me, but mostly wants to do what she wants to do.

She has a Cockatiel friend that she chose when she was a baby; she’s always liked Luna Love, but I don’t cage them together or leave them unsupervised alone. I don’t trust Milo. Unfortunately, she doesn’t enjoy my ‘Open Door’ cage policy in which I like to leave my parrot’s doors open for them to choose to come out. With Milo, she’s proven herself untrustworthy. I can let her be outside in our enclosed lanai with larger parrots, like my Macaws or African Greys, and she can be around Luna Love and our Budgies or Lovebird when they are in a cage, protected.

So, Milo does have parrots that she likes, her ‘frineds.’ However, unless a parrot is larger than her, you might call her a bully. I wouldn’t say that because I understand that it’s her nature. IRN are great survivors, so I find it to be programmed into her. Milo is a strong parrot, which is good for her, but can be hazardous to other parrots.

Milo is an Indian Ringneck. Kalyn hand-raises them in West Palm Beach, Florida — you can meet the current babies on the Indian Ringneck page.

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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What Vegetables Am I Feeding My Parrots Today?

What Is For (Parrot) Breakfast Today?

Greens are important for parrots – just like they are for you and me.

Today my parrots are getting broccoli, kale, green collards, squash and carrots. Frankly, they don’t eat a ton (although they always eat the carrots and squash), so I don’t put a lot in their dish. Parrots are naturally wasteful – It is enough for me to feel good about having offered them fresh foods.

In humans, probiotics are important, especially know that scientists and nutritionists know that our gut is made up of bacteria. There is bacteria that aids us and keeps us healthy and bacteria that is detrimental. That good bacteria is a probiotic. Keeping that good bacteria’s numbers up and thriving can be done by making sure they have prebiotics, which humans primarily get in greens. Parrots must too.

Keep your parrot happy and healthy – if he or she isn’t a good veggie eater, be persistent. It can take over a year to convince a stubborn, adult parrot to try a little something – but it’s worth the many benefits of better health!

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!

BOOK Get my book Parrot Bliss Bond at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0998010065?ref=ppx_pt2_dt_b_prod_image

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How Do You Keep Your Parrot Cool During The Summer?

It’s Hot! Is My Parrot?

Whether your parrot is hot or not depends more on what he or she is used to. If you parrot lives outside, then they have adjusted with the gradual change in temperature that season change bring. On the other hand, if you parrot is accustomed to being inside your air conditioned home, then putting him outside in the summer heat is ill-advised.

Parrots are very adaptable, if they are allowed to acclimate. Most species of parrot can be outside during the summer when they have been given the chance to get used to the temperature, if they are given drinking water, a ‘pool’ to bathe in and plenty of shade.

NOTE: They Need Sunshine, Parrotlets Get Too Hot

PLEASE NOTE: The only exception I am aware of are Parrotlets – they can’t take temperatures 🦜 Their temperature must be between 65 and 85 degrees F – as I understand. In other words, they are more challenging to offer some golden rays to. Parrots require some sunshine in order to produce vitamin D, which in turn allows them to absorb calcium (used for their beak, feathers, bones -and every system in their body!)

This means that putting your parrot outside for a couple hours every day would be super-dooper fantastic for them- if they are acclimated. I compensate by putting them out for a couple hours in the early morning when it’s not too hot. However, my Parrotlets don’t go out this time of year because it’s too hot – and they can’t be out in winter when it’s too cold. I have carefully watch the temperature and I also provide a Full-spectrum UV light to satisfy some of the need.

The Un-Romantic Popcicle

Unfortunately, as humans, we really like to spoil our parrots and give them treats that we think they will like, like seeds or fruit. I’ve seen videos on YouTube in which people talk about making your parrot romantic (as in neat, fun and special) treats like fruit popcicles or honey-sticks with seeds on them.

As you can imagine, there are no such things in nature. In the wild, parrots tend to eat a lot of what they find growing on trees, but not sweet fruits or honey. We like these, so we think our parrots will too. Unfortunately, honey and ripe fruits provide too much natural sweet – fructose – which parrots are not accustomed to.

So, the best ‘treat’ you can give your parrot is seemingly boring, not fun and not special. It’s clean drinking water, shade and, perhaps this could be special, a parrot-pool to splash around it.

Kami, our Harlequin Macaw, requires extra nut-fat in her diet. I could freeze her peanut butter fork-pop!

Most Parrots Love Baths

Life offers us pleasures: the pleasure of eating or taking a nice dip in the pool on a hot summer’s day.

Parrots are the same! It delights me to watch my parrots bathe. They open their wings wide, put their heads back and deeply enjoy the water splashing all around them. They look blissed out!

Also not terribly romantic, but you can always add ice to their drinking water or pool during the hot summer – or have a misted area they can choose to go into. Like us, parrots need to be able to choose to seek shelter, refresh themselves with water or get wet. This can be challenging – your back yard is probably not set up to offer shade (which is easy to do with plants like palms that are non-toxic to parrots and that they will enjoy biting) a misting section or a parrot pool. I know, I’m challenged too. Parrots are not easy exotic pets, right?

But they are worth the effort. The same basics apply even if your parrot is indoors: fresh, clean drinking water and a bowl large enough to dunk their head and body into are essential for healthy bliss!

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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2 Things That Reduced Veterinarian Visits For Me This Spring

Spring: It Springs Babies & Bacteria!

A couple weeks ago I had to go to the avian veterinarian – I realized that it seems like I go more during the spring. I asked if they had more clients in the spring and they said that they do. In addition to parrot hormones being more active, some bacteria may become more active too. That’s our working theory anyway.

Then I Realized I’d Been Less Often This Spring

What changed? Because last spring I’d had to go almost once a month for several months; each time was a different parrot. This spring, on the other hand, I’d only gone twice and it wasn’t for ‘no reason’ – the birds hadn’t gotten sick for no reason.

So, What Changes Reduced My Visits?

Water Treatment

Parrots have delicate systems. As you probably know, they are very sensitive to smells/scents. You cannot use bleach, scented candles, perfume… or smoke around them. It will damage their delicate respiratory system – and probably damage it severely. Unfortunately, it can kill them as well, which is why you must be cautious with them around your kitchen (the wrong burning pots can create toxic smoke and kill your parrot).

The same is true of their water. Sure, it’s obvious that old, dirty water or an un-washed water dishes can breed germs that will make your parrot sick. But, even clean dishes need to have the correct clean water in them! Tap water that you and I can drink, usually city water, has fluoride and bleach in it to help your teeth and to keep the water bacteria-free. However, some bacteria that don’t bother you and I can make it past the bleach, can get your parrot sick. As far as the bleach and fluoride go, I don’t know whether it has ill effects on parrots, but I don’t want my fids (feathered kids) drinking it…

So, we boil water every day for our parrots. You could buy bottled water too; I’m a larger fan of glass than I am of plastic and we use around 5 liters a day, so boiling is easier and more economical. In case you are wondering why we use so much water, it’s because we put multiple water dishes in the Parrotlet aviary, the Macaw’s bowls are big and we re-fill waters that get dirty during the day. We also use this water to fill the spray bottle and for a large dog dish in case a parrot is out back and wants water or a bath.

There are breeders who use reverse osmosis and heavy filters for their parrot’s water. Yes, that is how important some people have found clean water to be.

No-Mess Feeders

The second change was the no-mess feeders (you can click HERE to see it on Amazon). These are plexiglass squares with hanging hooks that help keep my parrot’s pellets from being scratch out of the dish too much and they also keep poop from landing in the feeder.

I used to fill my parrot’s dishes with pellets and sometimes they were pooped in five minutes later. If I was out of the house, this would mean that bacteria would be in the bowl and spreading so that when my parrot would eat from the clean side of the dish, they still could be eating contaminated food.

Yuck.

These feeders are also great because they hold my parrot’s food so that, even if my parrots dig in there, the food doesn’t come out and make a mess on my floor, leaving them with nothing to eat.

Parrot Health Has A Lot To Do With Cleanliness:

I hope your parrot has few to no issues and that he or she doesn’t have to go to the avian veterinarian much. Keeping your parrot on a 70% pelleted diet, 30% fresh vegetables and giving them clean pellets and clean water will make your parrot happy (because sick parrots are grumpy and unhappy, just like we are when we don’t feel good) and keep your wallet happy because it will save you money. Most importantly, it will keep you happy and feeling blissful with your parrot because you’ll enjoy not going to the avian vet and not having problems with your parrot’s beak, feathers, bones….

A healthy parrot will be more loving, have more beautiful feathers and be a better companion for you!

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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How Do I Get My Parrot Off A Seed-based Diet?

Seed Me, Seymore!

Ok, that is funny if you are familiar with “Little Shop of Horrors” – if not, it’s a great movie/play; a musical comedy that I love.

Parrots Can Be Very Stubborn, Especially About Seeds!

They will look at you definitely and shroud you with guilt because you are withholding their seeds, starving them! Squawk!

They are demanding!

However, seeds are like a drug. They are addicting to parrots, especially sunflower seeds, and they lack the true nutrition a parrot requires.

Worse still, seeds inhibit the absorption of calcium!
I would -incorrectly- say that “A parrot is calcium converted!”

You would then say, “What?!”

I’m glad you asked-

Calcium Makes A Feather & A Fid

Parrots use calcium not only for their beak, feathers and bones (did you know that their feathers require calcium? I was surprised to learn that – and they have a lot of feathers! Plus, their bones are -special, if you ask me- because they are hollow or what-not, to facilitate flight. Parrots are amazing, don’t you agree?)-

– Believe it or not, parrots also rely on calcium to run EVERY system in their body. Frankly, I don’t really know what that means, but I get the idea. I found this when I was researching and then asked my mentor, Tony Silva, to confirm this fact. He said it was correct. I really should have asked him what that really means –

But, I get it: calcium is imperative for a parrot.

Seeds, therefore, should be given to a parrot in moderation so that their bodies have a chance to eat and take advantage of the calcium – to benefit their ability to function well.

I like to say that you should become a Pez-seed dispenser, the only source of seeds as a treat or for training. This limits their seeds and makes you *special*! Yes, you become the one and only place where they get their favorite treat! Now YOU have another desirable attribute that will add to their interest and love for you!

A Seed-based Diet Causes Calcium Deficiency

I understand, from one of my avian vets, that without the proper nutrition – meaning on a seed or seed-mix diet – parrots (she was specifically talking about Amazons, but it applies to many) can develop very weak and brittle bones (to the point to where she can hardly handle patients that come to her in this condition for fear of breaking their bones) and their beaks and nails can show improper growth. Parrots are beautiful; a lack of calcium sounds like it deforms them on the inside (bone issues) and the outside (beak and nail issues, probably feathers too).

Keep your parrot beautiful! Change their diet 🦜.

So, HOW DO YOU GET YOUR PARROT OFF A SEEDED DIET?

It’s not easy, but it can be simple.

First, realize that you are at the ‘top of the pecking order.’ Your parrot doesn’t have the upper hand, even though their stubborn and demanding ways try to convince you otherwise.

Monitor & Trick’m!

Begin by placing pellets in your parrot’s cage. Pellets and water – in my book – should always be available to your parrot.

Make sure that you are giving them fresh foods every morning: vegetables mostly. Find the veggies your 🦜 likes to eat. Stubborn eaters often eat things like carrots or sweet potato because they are sweet. These offer your parrot beta carotene, which parrots also have a high need for, so it’s find to use these as a temporary crutch.

Once you find something healthy you can get your parrot to eat, then you can offer no seeds or very few. This way you know that your parrot is getting food and not starving. They will eat their pellets once they are hungry.

I’ve brought many parrots into my home – some were babies and some were adults. They ALL eat pellets. It can be done: this includes my stubborn Yellow-naped Amazon, Lorenza. I adopted her as an adult not knowing that she had (I think) FLD, or Fatty Liver Disease. The vet never called it FLD because technically, it seems, part of the liver needs to be biopsied to determine the label “FLD.” In any case, my vet said that the first time I brought Lorenza to her, Lorenza’s markers were so high they didn’t register on the scale. Lorenza had so much bile, which is measured in the bloodwork) that my vet though she was at death’s door. Fortunately, my vet didn’t tell me so at the time. I had already switched Lorenza to a pelleted diet with no seeds – which can be dangerous. You do have to make sure that you are motioning or tricking your parrot into eating something if you completely remove their seeds. I wasn’t even giving her seeds as treats!

I found something that Lorenza liked eating, scrambled eggs. I limited how many she could have because eggs can be too high in cholesterol for parrots. I chose eggs because she liked them and because the research I’d done said that eggs are good for healing a -human- liver. So, it may not apply to a parrot’s liver, but I needed something, so I tried this. I spent a lot of time with Lorenza, which I think encouraged her and made her want to eat; she wanted to spend time with me.

The next time we went to the vet for blood work (a year later), Lorenza’s levels were normal, to my vet’s surprise. Lorenza is a stubborn eater. She almost eats pellets only now. She still has a bite or two of scrambled egg in the mornings because it gives me something to put her prescribed calcium and glucosamine supplement on to get her to eat these. The avian veterinarian prescribed these because Lorenza’s X-ray shows weak bones and clogged arteries – from having been fed a seed-based diet. We are trying to provide her, therefore, with extra calcium and bone/joint support.

Be Persistent

It has taken Lorenza a couple years to start to eat other things, like carrots. Be persistent. Your parrot will come around and eat other foods including fresh foods and certainly pellets.

I researched as many pellets as I could to choose what brand I’d give my flock. I was disappointed to find that they all put sugar in their pellets – there may be one or two exceptions. I contacted the brand I chose and asked why they put sugar in there and they told me that it is done to get parrots to eat the pellets.

Well, it’s worth it. I still don’t like that there is sugar in the pellets and a couple other things, but I like the results. A few weeks after I’d bring a parrot home, their feathers would often start to take on a nicer sheen, which I attributed to diet. Experts tell me that the incidents of parrot illness have decreased drastically since pellets were introduced.

That’s good enough for me. Keeping my parrots healthy is a top priority, so pellets work.

Transition Off The Seed Diet

So, give your parrot something he or she likes in the morning; be sure to do some training or treat-giving so that you deliver some seeds, if you think you need to. Watch your parrot and either weigh them or feel for their breast bone to make sure that they don’t get thin. If need be, do provide some pellets, but weight the amount you give them or measure it and cut back a little each week.

Your parrot is stubborn like a young child who wants desert and not dinner, but, like that child, they will eat dinner when you insist.

Feed Me Seeds! About My Picture

Just so that you know, the picture of my baby Parrotlet parrots is just them squawking for food, which is what they always do when the see ‘mom.’ I try to keep a baby from the previous clutch to be a big sister to the current clutch because she then teaches them how to feed themselves, so the fresh food in their is for her. I just thought that it was a great picture for making it look like they are rejecting the food and demanding seeds! Truth is, the oldest Parrotlet baby was starting to nibble on the fresh veggies.

It goes without saying, the earlier you start a parrot on fresh foods and pellets, the more readily they take to them. I have another Amazon, Urusuls, a Mexican Red-headed Amazon, who I raised and who LOVES his fresh veggies and readily eats his pellets. Of course, should seeds or nuts cross his path… he does not pass them up! So, I have to keep them far away from him!

Note: Some Parrots Require Seeds In Their Diet

You should note, generally speaking medium and large-sized parrots do not require seeds in their diet, nor should seeds be a part of their regular diet, but they can be a treat.

There are large parrots, like Macaws and African Greys, who require nuts for additional fat in their diet. For these parrots either nuts need to be provided or their food (pellets or fresh foods) can be sprayed with oils (generally speaking, Macaws benefit from coconut and olive oils – but no red palm oil. African Greys benefit from coconut, olive and red palm oil — and either can do some of other nut-oils.

Small parrots, like Parrotlets, Budies and Cockatiels, require some seeds in their diet. In their natural habitats, they would have access to more of these and rely on them.

Please be sure to research the appropriate diet for your parrot and go over it with your avian veterinarian to make sure that you are providing the intended healthy diet for your fid.

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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What Should I feed My Pet Parrot?

What Do Experts Say You Should Feed Your Parrot?

What Do Parrot-pet Stores Feed Parrots?

And What Information Will You Find Online?

One problem with online information is that it is often contradictory, but fortunately, most-all I read these days seems to agree: You should feed your parrot pellets.

My -late- father, who was a veterinarian professor, told me that big companies spend more money than I could imagine on research to create a great pet-pellet! It makes sense, after all, the brand to deliver the healthiest pet will be the most purchased! This explains the fact that avian veterinarians have told me that, ever since pellets, the number of sick parrots to see them has decreased dramatically. For about 30 years pellets have helped keep parrots healthier – your parrot should be healthy too!

Why Should Sunflower Seeds Be Given Like A Pez-sunflower Dispenser?

Unfortunately, seeds inhibit a parrot’s ability to absorb calcium, a mineral that is vital to their health. Parrots use calcium in their feathers, bones, beak and in every system of their bodies. That’s amazing!

Parrots have special, light-weight bones so that they can fly. They also rely on calcium to help them keep their beaks and nails healthy and in good condition. I’ve heard stories from veterinarians and people of parrots with weak, brittle bones and curly

nails that get hooked on their cages – causing injuries. Clearly, calcium is a must.

Fat Is Good For Some Parrots, Does Yours Need Nuts?

It’s important to research your parrot’s dietary requirements. Some parrots are prone to fat issues, like Amazons and Quakers, and they should not eat a lot of fats. Others, like African Greys and Macaws, require additional nuts in their diet.

And then some smaller parrots need the extra energy that some seeds in their diet require (their diet should be 30% fresh foods; 70% split so that less than half of that 70% is seeds and the other half is pellets.

In the photo our Harlequin Macaw is enjoying a peanut butter fork! Instead of adding the fat to her formula, we give it to her on a spoon or fork, which she loves and fulfills her fat requirement.

Interestingly, Sunflowers Don’t Grow In Parrot Habitats

I lived in Colorado and New Mexico for a while: the Mile-High City and the high desert both had beautiful sunflowers as large as my head growing wild in the fields or on the side of the road. An enchanting sight to see, but one that had no parrots.

In the wild parrots only find some seeds during the winter or spring. Seeds begin to sprout, making them less fatty and far more nutritious. Parrots never have access to seeds all year and they never eat just a seed or seed-mix diet.

I also don’t find seed-mixed diets to be beneficial. Why not? Well, every species of parrot really has unique dietary needs. Smaller parrots, like Budgys, Parrotlets and Lovebirds, require more seeds in their diet because they burn a lot more energy. Nevertheless, when I added a seed mix to my Parrotlet parrot’s diet according to my avian

veterinarian, my Parrotlets seemed endlessly hungry. I felt like I was refilling their food more often and they seemed dissatisfied. When I asked my veterinarian about this, she asked if I was feeding a mix with sunflower seeds – and said not to. She said to use a Budgy mix, which would not have sunflower seeds.

She was right. After that, things got better. My Parrotlets calmed down their eating. They looked satisfied and ate less! This showed me that a seed mix with sunflower seeds was costing me more money and not satiating my parrot’s hunger!

Unfortunately, a lot of parrot-pet stores also feed their parrots seed mixes. I suspect they do so because a sunflower-seed mix is less expensive and because they don’t want to deal with their inventory not eating, so instead they offer them something irresistible.

It’s not to say that sunflower seeds are evil; it’s to say that you should become a human sunflower-pez dispenser! If you are the only source of those yummy sunflower seeds, your parrot will be healthier and see you in a new, yummy and more loving light!

70% Pellets

Your parrot should eat about 70% pellets and about 30% fresh foods. In the photo, Parrotlet parrot babies are being introduced to eating fresh foods, which they readily take to!

Snacks and special treats would be extra. We use only natural-colored pellets. I can’t find benefit in feeding my parrots pellets that change their coloring. I imagine that it must color all their insides, so I avoid food coloring for my family and parrots. Besides, I don’t find that my parrots mind, they eat the natural-colored pellets with no problem.

Fresh foods for your parrot include things like broccoli, carrots, and other green vegetables.

Fruits Are Nature’s Sugar!

And that’s why I love fruit. It’s sweet. Nutritionists will argue that humans should limit the amount of fruit they eat because fruits have fructose, which is natural sugar. While I don’t think fructose is nearly as detrimental as refined sugars, I agree. There are species of parrots who can get fat off fruit!

Parrots have not adapted to eat ripe fruit because bigger animals, like monkeys, tend to chase them away from these. Instead parrots that eat fruit choose bitter, unripe fruits that lack the colors of a ripe fruit and are hard and green.

People are accustomed to thinking that fruits and vegetables are good for their parrots – and probably themselves- but that’s not quite so.

Orange Is The New Beta!

Beta carotene is also a crucial ingredient for a healthy parrot. I guess this is because parrots tend to have good eyesight. It means that carrots, sweet potatoes and fresh fruits, like papaya or mango (not dried out, it concentrates the fructose) are great as treats or as the orange part of your parrot’s morning greens!

A healthy parrot is a more loving parrot. Your parrot’s good mood and his ability to love you have a lot to do with what you feed her. Yes, I’m saying that feeding your parrot the right foods will make them love you more! Love is caring, after all, and a healthy parrot is more cared for. They are more able to feel and experience your love and to reciprocate it. Top it all off by being a sunflower-pez dispenser and you’ll be enjoying a blissful bond with your fid (feathered kid)!

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!

BOOK
Get my book Parrot Bliss Bond at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0998010065?ref=ppx_pt2_dt_b_prod_image

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