Skye Blue Parrot & Exotics featuring Echos Nest

22/07/2024

04/07/2024

So why do you really want a parrot?
Sometimes you come across a video of a cockatoo dancing or cuddling, sometimes it's a video of an African grey with amazing talking skills, and sometimes it's a macaw with its beautiful colours.....
And then you think..... I want a talking parrot or a cuddly parrot BUT this is a tiny clip of that actual parrot's life. Do you really know what it takes to keep that parrot happy?
Parrots are wild animals and before you consider even welcoming a parrot into your family these are just some points you need to consider...
1. Time, how much time do you have to give a parrot? Some parrots have the intelligence of a child, would you leave a child to its own devices locked in a cage all day?
2. Space, parrots need a lot of space. The bigger the better! The cage needs to be big enough that he/she can stretch their wings out and still have room. Cages are expensive! They need space to fly and climb. Lack of exercise can cause bone growth issues.
3. Exercise and mental stimulation. As already said they need exercise daily but also mental stimulation, foraging, games, toys and time with their humans. If it's not enough, it can lead to behavioural issues, biting, screaming, destruction of your home, feather plucking and even self-mutilation.
4. Diet. You see that parrot food in the pet shop and think gosh that is cheap? That cheap parrot food is full of sunflower seeds - and those peanuts are slowly killing your parrot. Fatty liver disease and, if very unlucky, aspergillosis. Aspergillosis, an infection of a parrot's respiratory air sacs, is very very expensive to treat and often fatal. Have other parrots too? It will spread to them too! A good diet costs money and time to prepare fresh fruit and vegetables but is necessary for your parrot to live a long and healthy life and avoid the vet bills.
5. Not all parrots will like your whole family. They might only bond with one person - that means the rest of the family isn't allowed to feed them, clean them, or go anywhere near them. This is very common in African greys.
6. Parrots are wild animals, they bite! Even the tamest of them can bite. Be prepared to still live with them.
7. Vet care. Parrots need specialised vet care, not your general vet that treats your cat or dog. They need an AVIAN vet. These are limited, make sure you can get your parrot to one when needed, and they are expensive.
8. Noise. Parrots make noise ALL day, noise level depends on species but have you heard the noise of a screaming cockatoo or macaw? Have a look on YouTube - could your neighbours handle the noise too?
9. Mess. Oh boy the mess!!! Parrots chew, shred their cage paper, toys, throw their food all the time and are p**p machines! Can you handle this?
10. Do you love your scented candles? Your lovely smelling cleaning products? Perfumes? Get rid of them, they are toxic to parrots.
11. Parrots are a lifelong commitment they can live 70+ years so they are exactly that!
Do you still want a parrot? Please do your research and not a cute video on YouTube!
Post credit to our friends and fellow parrot welfare warriors at Brainy Birds - Parrot Rescue and Rehabilitation.
http://www.brainybirds.co.za/
Photo credit to Sharee Bullard and Racergirl.

29/06/2024

Found illiger Macaw
North London N14

07/06/2024

Normal Vitals for Avian Species
Repost from

instagram.com/p/C2U-fyCrpen/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

05/06/2024

04/06/2024

Completely safe to use

A 4-piece Always Pan and Perfect Pot set

22/05/2024

20/05/2024

https://freerangeparrots.org/2020/10/16/ultimate-list-of-safe-and-toxic-plants-to-birds/

Click here for more info on the data used in this table. Some tips on using the table: Always search rather than scroll through the list. The list is very l ...

16/05/2024

19/04/2024

As soon as you start to keep birds, plant willow trees. They are quick-growing and the branches are favourites of all Parrots. Cut a suitable branch from an established tree and grow a tree from it!

Willow trees identification - White, Grey, Weeping and Goat Willow - tree shape, leaf shape, male and female catkins and buds.

19/04/2024

DID YOU KNOW? 🤔
The saliva of mammals such as cats, dogs and even humans is dangerous to our feathered companions. In fact, it can kill them! ⚠️
Our saliva, as well as the saliva of other mammals, contains what is known as ‘gram-negative bacteria’. Gram-negative bacteria are a specific type of bacteria that can cause infections throughout the body. E.coli is an example of a ‘gram-negative bacteria’. This type of bacteria can be present in our bodies and in normal amounts is harmless to us because our bodies are well equipped to fight and protect against the infections caused by it. Parrots, on the other hand, do not have any gram-negative bacteria present in their systems and cannot fight them off. 🤒
Care must be taken to avoid spreading potentially harmful bacteria to your parrot, whether allowing them to share your utensils or trying to re-enact that scene from Lady and the Tramp.
We also advise that other pets are never left unsupervised with a parrot because of the various risks involved including the spread of gram-negative bacteria which is present on their bodies and in their saliva.
Leave it to the parrots! 🦜😍

06/04/2024

Discover the hidden dangers of toxic respiration hazards for pet birds. Learn how to safeguard your parrot with expert insights and FAQs.

06/04/2024

Vitamin D is an important nutrient for our birds heath. Just like humans, birds need vitamin D for strong bones and a healthy immune system. However, vitamin D deficiency is a common health problem in pet birds.