I am sick of reading " I got a new job, had a baby, don’t have time anymore "..TOUGH SHIT..Make it work. Any big decision should include bird..you made a commitment to that bird. It is not a cat or dog.. They are much deeper emotionally than most other pets. They live 50 or so years. REHOMING screws them up. I will not tell my story but it includes my bird and I made it work. If you buy a parrot you need to do research and be prepared to have him forever. That’s it..stop this lazy crap and think about them.

I never had a baby parrot all my birds were rehomed,I was sent home with a 10 week old Quaker& pellets, Thanks to you he needed some warm food oatmeal,brown rice sweet potato etc. .So now how long do we keep him on warm food?

The biggest mistake I ever made was not realizing that my African Grey, Touga, needs to go to bed “with the birds”, i.e., fairly early in the evening. When I first got a parrot, I looked upon him as my roomie, my constant companian, etc., and because I stayed up late, I thought my parrot would like to keep me company and stay up late with me. Little did I know that his reslessness and constant screeching during those times was a plea that I put him to bed in his cage, in a quiet place, and cover him for the night. It took a while to catch on that Touga needs his beauty rest and likes to turn in at 7:30 p.m. or so. He usually starts to sing the theme song for Two and a Half Men (“Men, Men, Men, Men…..”) when he’s ready for bed, because that program starts at that time in the evening. He’ll then say things like “Want to go to bed?”, or “Go nice to house” (I call his cage his “house”) and other broad hints. He’s only three years old, and is brilliant! He is a wonderfully happy bird, never screeches, and talks, sings and whistles for much of the day. I love him dearly.

I totally agree with you on bird education!!! This is a must. But I think that pet stores should not sell birds. I can’t stand the thought of it even though I bought mine at pet stores. Over the years I have totally changed my mind on this subject after learning of the horrific conditions, abuse and neglect that happens to these precious birds. And I am against breeding for profit, also. In fact I think selling birds for profit and other animals should be illegal! If you know what crush videos are about, you will totally agree with me. I hate to bring this up but you must know the facts and realities that all innocent bird and other animals face.

I have 2 very much loved red collar rainbow lorrikeets – and they have a pretty different diet to ‘normal’ parrots being nectar eaters – there are just so many things you need to know – however I have 2 of the healthiest and active little birds. You guys simply rock!!! The amount of information you provide people that CARE enough to research their animals and their respective needs before bringing them home is amazing… THANK YOU The pet shop when buying the 1st bird didn’t supply me with anything apart from feed her this powder & that particular product was so high in sugar it caused a myriad of other behavioural problems at the time. Keep up all the great information – it is sincerely appreciated!

I have a Yellow Naped Amazon parrot named Baby. I got her from someone who could no longer give her the time she requires. I was told that she was 4 1/2 years old so she would be almost 5 years old now. As far as her diet goes, we are doing great in that area. Her behavior is another thing. When I met her, she was better socialized…she would step up to anyone and could be passed around from person to person when there was company over. Since I have gotten her, she prefers only me and gets quite aggressive when anyone else is near me, whether it be the dogs, the cat, or my daughter! If she cannot reach them to bite them, then she bites me! In my reading I learned that this is called displacement, but I haven’t learned how to correct this behavior. She is very bonded to me and will take naps on my chest with me on OUR recliner. I do love this closeness but I would like to be able to share her more with other people and not have to worry about her biting them! Help!

i got my CAG a year ago it was a gift from a very special person, was lead to the pet shop on false pretense and the next thing i know i was given this gorgeous little creature with barely any feathers. My only contact with an CAG is my sisters which i have taken care probably twice when she was away. My surprise was very overwhelming and the pet shop owner was absolutely fantastic she waited whilst i got over my shock and then gave me a thorough talk on care, feeding, cage location & cleaning, type of cage etc. She demonstrated how to feed and also made me practice until i got it right and i also purchased a book on how to care for CAG until they were few months old. In the next few weeks of having my bird i googled info on how to take care and what to expect and still do up till now. Have to say thanks to you Chet for keeping us well informed and its such a pleasure to receive your emails it has helped me tremendously in this past year. I strongly believe we bird owners have to be educated before ad after taking on our pets.

I think food, toys, cage size, lifespan, noise level and average amount of attention required should be the least that pet shops and breeders should provide. I had been researching parrots and meeting parrots for a long time before my partner suprised me with my baby blue ringneck. The breeder he bought her from was terrible, gave him seed to feed her as her diet and he told me all the babies were just about sitting on top of eachother in a small cage – needless to say she was not very good at playing games as she never learned. Thankfully the petshop he went to happens to be one of the amazing ones and gave him food lists, pellets, sold him a massive cage etc. But the biggy was that nobody told him how long they live. When I told him, he said he wouldnt have bought her if he knew that! Thankfully a year on and as anti pet as he was he now loves our messy, but energetic and loving spoilt baby! But it made me think of all the birds who would lose their homes when people change their lives and can no longer keep the bird.I understand it cannot be helped in some cases – but it is something for people to keep in mind that they need to commit to some of these birds for 30 + years! Even my family cockatiel that lives with my mum is now 18 years old!

Hi Chet, Dave and Patty, There is something that I feel should be raised and that is most importantly to know and understand how these creatures survive and live in their natural environment, in order to be able to understand the nature and behaviour of the bird. If the creatures are left to their own devices they survive without any form of interference from the human race, and have done so for thousands of years. Even if a bird is purchased from breeders or a pet shop without having lived in the wild, their basic nature and their instinct remains. The “humans” take these creatures to live with them in captivity, yet these creatures manage to adapt because their very survival is at stake. The “humans” are regrettably ignorant and most often do more harm than good. With a lack of education from their “humans” they are not well cared for, their nutritional and socialogical needs are not met and even though we believe are doing what is right (for humans) it may not be right for the bird. People who own animals tend to think like humans and forget that the bird thinks like a bird and will never think like a human. Humans have to learn to think like birds. We have to question our motives for wanting to “own” a bird in the first place. Is it for amusement? A source of entertainment? Is it prestigious to own a parrot? Is it because we think its “cute” and “funny” when they talk and do tricks? Or is it because we want to know and understand and learn everythng there is to learn about these amazing creatures. Because they truly are amazing. The fact that they allow us to even get as close as we do is something to be revered. The trust that she shows in us is something to be revered and upheld. The fact that we can even have a relationship with them is awesome. They observe, they listen and pay attention to what they hear, they communicate and I have seen that she has an understanding and a comprehension of what is being said and done, its not just mimic behaviour. I believe that in order to successfully co-habit with these creatures we need to understand the environment they come from and how they survive in it. I believe that if we can “replicate” this environment as far as possible, the creature will be able to live its life to its fullest potential, as it would in the wild. I have been trying, for quite some time, to find information on my african grey, its natural habitat, the flora and fauna of its habitat, its habits, its nests, anything and everything. I have conducted searches on the internet, I have searched in book stores but to no avail. There is very little recorded information about the Congo due to the years of unrest so information is scarce. The existing books on african greys go into detail about the birds in captivity but no do not include any background information about the birds in their natural environment. National Geographic don’t even have any info on the birds. I know that you guys recently made a video of african greys in their natural environment and I would love to purchase a copy. Please can you let me know if you still have any copies available? I try to think like my bird in order to accommodate her needs but I often feel that if I had an understanding of where she comes from and how she lives there I would be able to do more. As it is I have buit an outside aviary where she spends her some of her daylight hours and she has branches and ropes to climb and swing on (and shred) I have put in plants (palms) and she shreds those too. I have found a thin wood strip fence that (untreated wood) with bits of rope woven inbetween that I have put in front of my window in my bedroom (instead of a curtain) where she spends a lot time climbing and swinging and shredding so she is very active. She sings, she talks, she plays (we play soccer amongst other things), but in the back of my mind I always feel that if I knew where she comes from and how she lives there I may be able to do more for her. To the authors of parrot books – could it be considered?

Patricia Sund makes a wonderful food called CHOP for all birds. Made with all kinds of veggies, pastas, rice, hemp seed, etcetera. No fruit. Easy to freeze in portions so you only have to make it every few months depending on how many birds you have. Go to her website parrotnation.com to view a video on how to make it. Great for picky birds that don’t like Vegetables fed whole and other things.

My two cents. Birds are very intelligent, making them very nosey, so they need watching all the time; also, even very attached birds, when scared, respond with flight, so prepare for such mishaps.

I adopted a African Gray 25yr old now 26 she eats everything especialy loves Chetos as a treat I give her small pieces after rubbing off the surface salt, She also loves chicken and turkey (which just seems wrong!!!)

TOTALLY agree,there are too many birds mistreated and homeless due to lack of education of the owners.

One of the things I wasn’t prepared for was how much attention a bird really needs. There is definitely more going on in those little heads than I ever would have imagined, and every species processes life in a different way, so it is our job to figure them out and adjust our lives to keep them happy and healthy. You better make sure you’re a real bird lover before you consider adopting a parrot! I have a Myers parrot now, and as hard as I tried to find information about how to live with them, I never found enough about their fear responses and security needs. Through trial and effort and Chet’s videos we are now living together peacefully, but I still have to stay on my toes and pay attention to what I’m doing around her. I have to say that the internet is a real life saver, and I’m very glad to see so many who care to share, but there is still a big problem with the lack of bird care education; there also seems to be a problem with dog and cat care education because a lot of people don’t seem to understand that animals don’t think like humans. It’ll get better. I also have to say that learning how to properly care for my parrot has helped me live a healthier life. I’ve never eaten so many fruits and vegetables!

Great advice. I would strongly recommend that new bird owners join a local bird club. They will meet other bird owners, hear great guest speakers, and learn how to properly care for their birds. In the Los Angeles area there are several great clubs. The West LA Bird Club, South Bay Bird Society and West Valley Bird Solciety. Everyone is welcome to attend meetings.

I fully agree on mandatory bird education before taking a bird home. I’m not new to birds as i grew up with birds that my father bought for us. But i can’t say i know much about them. We just fed them seed and nuts that the pet retailer advised us. Now i’m an owner of a Ringneck parrot and a cockatiel. They are tame birds and i just thought that i’ll feed them the usual sunflower based seed and a bit of apple. But was’nt i surprised after reading Chet’s recommended diet! Now i only keep the seed for treats. I also read on Chet’s site that their nails has to be clipped, i did’nt know about this. Also thanks mici for bringing up the issue of bird safety in the home. My first budgie Cocky died instantly after my 4 year old stepped on him by mistake. Now i am more careful with my two parakeets. I also did’nt know that food should not be left in the cage through out the day.

Vacation resentments: When I return from vacation or have been too busy to play with my Amazon, Frankie, she will act angry and resentful. She won’t let me hold her and nips at me when I try to pet her. I have learned that, like a young child, she seems to have had her feelings hurt and is ‘angry’ that I was gone. If you have children, you might remember that babies sometimes cry and may be angry when they see you come home, it is thought that they remember how afraid or sad they were when you left. For babies and birds the parental response should be to give extra love and comfort. The sooner I get Frankie in my arms, the sooner she feels good about our relationship and knows that I love her. I have also learned that she makes a little ‘love sound’, a kind of squeak, when she is very happy, so I make that sound to her and if she’s not too mad she will drop all the drama and chill-out. Yes, I get to spend the rest of my life with a little green 2 year old and hope that whoever takes-over for me loves her as much as I do!!

There’s something common among animal crazies…they all think they’re better than everyone else and they make damn sure they tell everyone how great they are and how substandard everyone else is. This article is grossly hypocritical. “I’m so great. I know so much. I would never. I. I. I.” Get off your high horse. You home animals that should fly miles everyday, in a box and act like you know what’s best for them. Choke down a piece of humble pie on your way off that horse. In some schools of thought, you shouldn’t be allowed to have these animals as pets at all. Articles like this, tell people that no one should own birds unless their an expert…well where do experts come from? The joy of owning a pet is learning about it, falling in love with it, and developing a relationship with it. Articles like this kill the hobby because they deter new pet owners. Who do you think are the people working in your pet stores? Who are the people breeding your birds? They’re the people who direct traffic to this site…the people you just slapped in the face. That checklist of stuff you pointed out…that every new owner should have? They do — it’s free — it’s easy to use… it’s called the internet. Where does pet owner accountability come in? I’m so sick of hearing people point fingers at pet stores online. I have a great relationship with many of the employees at the pet store in my area, they’re very knowledgeable, kind, quirky, and genuine people. Do you know what I like the most about them? They’re not judgmental, arrogant, know-it-alls…they’re just people who like animals, like myself. You want to do animal owners a favour? Write the articles that the above bullets reference.

I always wonder how many pet birds get a good bath. My Eclectus comes in the shower with me every day as they are rain forest birds and love bathing. Also lorikeets love a fine shower 2 or 3 times a week and will bathe for 15mins or more under a sprinkler in the garden. ( I agree, they must have a non seed diet or they lose all the filaments from their tongues that they use to gather nectar and pollen.) Please spray mist your rainforst birds as they love it. Actually all birds seem to love water early morning or late afternoon. They may take 10 minutes or so to warm up to the idea but having a shower brings them really alive.

My 56 year old SC too came here only wanting to eat sunflower seeds. His previous owners thought that’s what they eat!!!! DUH! They never bothered to find out any different. I have since gotten him to eat some fruit and veges, but sunflower seed is still his favorite I got around this by sprouting it which reduces the fat content quite considerably and makes it more healthy. It has taken me 5 1/2 years to get him onto at least a partly healthy diet. He just throws the pellets out. I had to do a lot of searching to find out what he should be eating. Thank goodness for the internet!!

To Pamela Reidy —I adopted a Jenday from a rescue. She seemed to only like seeds at first, but I kept on offering fresh fruits, pasta, veggies and dried fruits and she now eats most everything….but broccoli! ;) She really showed interest when she saw me eating it and making munchy noises…mmmmm…..Her most favorite is apples, bananas, raisins, peanuts, & dried mango. Chet has a great list of toxic foods to avoid. My Goffin doesn’t like cold veggies, they need to be warm (I test on my wrist to make sure not too hot). So you may have to try different versions of the same thing…..Good luck.

I Dont mean to take offense to @Tim Euler ’s statement but i work for a big box petstore and i happen to take good care of the customers that purchase birds from us and i like to think i do the very best i can to educate my customers on the needs of their birds/small animals/reptiles/fish/cats/dogs that they happen to have or purchase.I know that the idea that the pet stores are all about money and selling animals is a hard image to shake but my company trains us to be well informed and inform our customers. I agree that not all petstores inform their customers about the hazards of nonstick/teflon cookware or about the risks of not properly training your cats and dogs to behave with your birds, or even the types of foods that are best for your new feathered friends. I have taken the time, when i dont have the info, to get the information i dont have for my customers. I dont mean to be rude but please have all the info before you accuse.

I bougt my Jardine from a breeder and she was wonderful to share all she knew and helped me in every way..I do agree with everthing you are saying here as well.. I have in the past years bought birds from a pet store and as you say no information at all but I was lucky as they were all healthy and I managed just fine by reading all I could about them and searching the net as well but that is not always the case for some people… Thankss for your wonderful site and all you share with us….

Lee Mc I have had three cockatoos, and lost two of them Coca was my first, and then Niki and Joy, unfortunate, Coca chocked on a piece of raw corn, so from that time on there was no more raw corn. Niki, was a lot older than we were told and he died from gout. One of the first things I did was throw out all my none stick cook ware, as the old teflon pots were deadly. I have Joy and she has an avary vet, who told me to let her eat what I do, except chocklate, and avaccodos. She oves none sweeten cereals, eggs with no sodum cheese and a piece of bagel, also waffels. with no syurp. She also has her natural parrot foods, she is very picky, loves pastachio nuts unsalted. Love to play on the back of my couch. Lee

I agree as well, people need to be educated in the care and feeding of parrots so that they can be healthy and happy. We have a Quaker parrot and a female Electus parrot. They are both awesome. The Electus has quite the vocabulary, it is a lot of fun teaching her new words and phrases. The Quaker doesn’t have as large a vocabulary as the Electus, but he is so funny and he will tell you “night, night.” and "oh,baby.’ Plus he dances to shake your booty,very funny. My birds get fresh veggies,fresh fruit and premium seed. They like boiled eggs and rice, they can eat a lot of things we are eating and do. I also cook frozen vegetables for them. They are lots of work, but lots of fun too.