How To Choose Parrot Cages

It is important to make sure that you have everything you need before you bring your new bird home. Investing in the right stuff, such as parrot cages, for your parrot will ensure that the bird will have an easy transition. You certainly do not want to place your parrot into the wrong type of parrot cages, as this could be depressing for the bird or even a danger to it. Educating yourself on the type of parrot cages that are needed for a parrot is essential in making sure that you are knowledgeable enough to keep such a bird.
The Correct Size Of Parrot Cages
Just as every species of bird has their own personalities and special characteristics about them that make them different, parrots are no different with their parrot cages. Parrot cages come in a variety of sizes but that does not mean that you have a lot of room to work with. Parrots are birds that love the wild. So when shopping for parrot cages, it is more about how large you can find parrot cages rather then what the minimum size is that you can get away with.
Parrot Cages Places To Play
When it comes to shopping for parrot cages, there is a lot more to consider then just the size. Your parrot is going to want to have a little fun of its own so it is important that you allow it the ability to enjoy itself. There are dome top parrot cages that are nice but if they do not offer enough room you will have to seek out other options. Parrot cages that have a flat play top are ideal as this gives an area for the bird to feel a little freer. Parrots should be allowed a good amount of time outside of the parrot cages in order to keep their mental and emotional health in good spirits.
Owners Versus The Parrot Cages
While there is a lot to consider on behalf of the bird when looking at parrot cages, you are the owner have to consider a few things for yourself as well. Parrot cages that do not allow a lot of access for the owners to get in for cleanup will not work out well. Since you will want to make sure that the parrot cages are clean at all times, they must be easy to clean out. There are also the issues of not having easy enough access to the bird through the opening of the parrot cages.
Sine these are strong birds, it is important to make sure that you are also taking at look at the sturdiness of the parrot cages. There would be nothing worse then investing your hard earned money into parrot cages that simply fall apart. Allowing the bird to roam free around the house all day while you are away simply because the parrot cages you purchased were not secure enough is not a good thing. So make sure that when shopping for parrot cages you look at the size, the playground room, and the security of the set up and you will find the best parrot cages possible. In no time at all your little bird will have the best of the best where parrot cages are concerned.

Author:Ben Whitehouse
Article Source: http://www.allbestarticles.com//family/pets/how-to-choose-parrot-cages.html

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How to Finger Train a Parrot

Parrots are a highly intelligent bird almost like a lovebird or cockatiel. During the process, you must check your parrot behavior.whether peaceful or violent behavior.Teaching a parrot to step-up on your finger takes time and patience.

Training Steps

• Slowly put your hand in the bird's cage
• Put it in there for at least 30 seconds and then pull it out.
• Slowly push your index finger against the bird's lower chest, right above his legs
• Rub his chest up and down slightly
• Repeat this with your other hand until your bird gets the hang of it.
  

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Tips on Caring for Parakeets

Parakeets make for fun and entertaining pets, without requiring a lot of maintenance or cost. Given the proper care, parakeets can live as long as 10 to 14 years--nearly as long as cats and dogs. The folowing ten tips will give you the information you need to raise happy, healthy birds!
1. Parakeets Like Company

If you have a single bird, a mirror is practically a must. A lone parakeet will enjoy your company, but a mirror helps them feel less alone when you are not around. You can also buy bird stand-ins from pet stores to give your keet company, but that seems rather silly to me. Consider getting a second bird for ideal level of companionship for your parakeet. However, you may want to keep multiple birds separate when they are young so they will learn to bond with humans rather than just other birds.
2. Be Sure to Vary the Food

Plain old bird seed gets old fast. Pet stores and most supermarkets sell a range of birdie treats, from clip-on treat sticks to millet sprays to birdie biscuits. You can also give your birds small pieces of fruit as a special treat.
3. Parakeets Love Toys

Parakeets are playful creatures. And there are many toy options you can get for your bird, from rings to swings to bells and beads. Parakeets are drawn to shiny things, things that make noise, and objects they can move around with their beaks or feet. Just take care that any toy you give your parakeet does not have small parts which can come off and become a choking hazard. Don't over-clutter the cage, either, but rotate through several different toys for variety.
4. Earn Their Trust

With parakeets, trust may take months to build. They will likely be very shy when you first bring them home, but their personalities will emerge within a few weeks. Build trust by placing your finger in front of your bird. Do this every day until it gets the courage to hop on. After a few days of this, try coaxing your bird by gently nudging your finger against its lower chest. With patience, you will build trust in this way. Do not worry if your bird is slow to trust you. Eventually it will be climbing all over you. Just remember the next tip:

5. Never Grab Your Parakeet

To a small bird, few things are more terrifying than an open hand reaching in and grabbing it against its will. Trust between bird and human can evaporate quickly if you grab the little guy. Your parakeet might frustrate you in the beginning by refusing to sit on your finger. But resist the urge to grap. I've found it very helpful to buy a cage with a top that detaches--this allows you to easily let your birds out without grabbing and pulling them through the cage door.
6. Parakeets Love to Sing

In fact they can be quite loud! They will chirp, sing, and squawk on their own, but they love to sing along to music or even your own singing. If you're not vocally-gifted, try playing some music near your birds and see how they react. If you are away all day, consider leaving the radio on for them at a moderate volume.
7. Make Sure They Get Exercise

There is only so much exercise your parakeet can get inside of its cage. It should be taken out regularly to run and fly around. Rooms with hardwood or linoleum floors afford the easiest clean-up. Be sure all doors and windows are shut and curtains closed (birds may fly into windows and injure themselves).
8. Keep a Clean Cage

Parakeet droppings come along at an impressive rate--once every 12 minutes, give or take. I find that taking the cage outside and spraying it down with the hose is the easiest way to get it clean--remove any perches and toys first, of course. Then make sure each perch is scrubbed free of droppings. A clean environment means healthy birds.
9. Get the Right Perches

Cages usually come with a couple boring perches. These should be replaced because they don't meet your bird's needs. Bird feet don't get a proper work-out unless perches vary in diameter. You can buy natural tree branch perches or plastic perches that have fat and thin spots. Perches with a sandpaper finish are also good for parakeets.
10. Keep Your Parakeets in a Bird-Safe Area

Parakeets don't fare well as temperatures drop below 70 degrees. It is very important to keep their cage away from drafts, either from a window or an air conditioner. Also, the kitchen is not a good place to keep your birds--cleaners and cooking fumes are not good for them, and be sure not to place their cage on top of the refrigerator as the vibrations will disturb them.

Source: http://www.10spot.net/articles/parakeet_care_tips.html

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Teaching your parrot to speak

So what Parrot talk?
As the buyer in the above joke correctly suggests, not all parrots talk. This is true of different species and different birds within a species. For example, African Grey Parrots are known to be excellent talkers but that doesn't mean that all African Grey Parrots will talk. Hopefully your only reason for purchasing a parrot is not because it can talk. Parrots have so much more to offer than talking and you would be cheating yourself and your parrot if that is your only reason for getting a parrot. For the most part though, many parrots learn to speak at least a word or two even without formal training.








Teaching your parrot to speak

• Choose a simple word, usually with one or two syllables, and start teaching your parrot that word.
• Repeat the word firmly, slowly, and distinctly every few seconds until your bird makes a sound in response.
• Do not try to teach you parrot multiple words immediately because it will only confuse the bird.
• Reward your bird with a treat as soon as it makes a sound. The sound doesn’t even have to sound like the word you are trying to teach.
• Do not jump to big words at once though teach your parrot simple words at first and go for bigger ones only after he has learned several easy ones.
  

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Parrot Care is the Key to Having a Happy, Healthy Parrot

Learn How to Care For Your Parrot

You might have adopted a parrot because of your fancy for it. But proper care for this pet is very important. You should know what is good and harmful to him/her.

Adopting a parrot can be very exciting, but it brings with it the responsibility of providing your parrot care. Parrot care needs to be thought about and acted upon, to make sure your pet parrot remains happy and healthy.

Parrot Care

Parrot care is a huge responsibility of the owner. While there are no guarantees that your parrot will never suffer from an illness over its lifetime, preventive measure such as vaccination and good diet will give your parrot the best chance for a healthy lifestyle.

As a parrot owner, you have to give more time and attention to your parrot. Also, you have to give more consideration to commitment to your parrot's needs. A parrot is a social animal. When left alone in a cage for long period of time, your parrot could become depressed, lethargic, and lose confidence. Have patience and give the care and attention he/she deserves.

Parrot Health

To prevent the possibility of health problems or you notice signs of illness in your pet parrot, take him/her immediately to the vet. If your parrot fears the vet, you can take some of your parrot's favorite foods to help them overcome initial fear.

Also, if you have to keep your parrot healthy, keep the cage and surrounding areas clean all the time. An unclean environment is a perfect breeding place for all sorts of germs that can make your parrot ill.

Parrot Diet

As parrot owner, you have to feed your parrot carefully to ensure proper development and growth. For best and longer life, a well balanced parrot diet is mandatory. But what should be considered in choosing a good parrot diet? Seek your avian vet's advice, guidance and any information you need to ensure that you provide the best diet suited to your parrot's special needs. Remember to choose food wisely because poor nutrition can damage your parrot's health. Giving your parrot good and a proper diet even at an early stage will give them significant growth.

A key to having a healthy parrot is the giving them a daily balanced diet. This can prevent not only health problems but behavioral problems as well. Unbalanced diet can cause disease in your parrot and at worst result in death.

Parrot Cage

If you want to produce a happy parrot, you have to place your pet in a good cage. Parrot cage is not only useful for your parrot's relaxation and comfort but also necessary for parrot breeding. Always consider that when you buy a parrot cage, your parrot can freely move in the cages.

In buying a parrot cage, consider the size of the parrot and the size of the parrot cage. Get the right kind of cage size for your parrot.

Parrot Tricks

Parrot's are highly intelligent and can learn really fast. With proper training and care your parrot can learn all sorts of tricks as well as possibly talking. Some things like step up can aid in their care.

Make sure that the training area is free from distractions in order that your parrot can give more attention. Less distraction means more attention. Also, consider that the training area is far from the parrot's own cage.

For more great information on parrot care visit http://www.myparrotcare.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roderick_Fraser

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The Proper Parrot Diet

Most parrot owners are now very ardent and eager in guaranteeing their pets are in their excellent form and with good health. One way to ensure its healthiness is by providing them with proper diet and nutrition. Proper nutrition is very important for your parrots balance diet. This is the reason why every parrot owner should learn how to provide their parrots the best care and that is to endow them with best possible diet. Yet, it is most important for parrot owners to teach and to train themselves these methods and procedures.
A lot of pet birds usually have problems with their imbalanced diet and this has become a challenge for all concerned owners. Caring for your parrot should start by providing them their proper and premium diet. A good diet includes unprocessed fruits, vegetables and parrot pellets. Owners should also provide them with vitamins and minerals. This should ensure your pets with a balanced diet. This could also help as it avoids the parrots from choosing their preferred foods and ignore the others.

Feeding should be done in a regular schedule. A parrot needs to eat three times a day and food should stay two hours after the food is given. A meal should be offered in three part dishes - one for the soft foods, another for the parrot pellets and another for water.

Tips in Feeding the Parrot

Eating the right foods is important for the parrots' health. Same with humans, birds also need to eat something different or something new on their taste buds. So it is important for owners to plan what to feed their pets. It is highly recommended to create mix food which is different each week. A mix food usually contains small pieces or tads of fruits and vegetables. It is important for owners to be able to determine the nutritious value of a specific fruit or vegetable. Formulated diets are also readily available in the market. It is a combination of seeds and vegetables with additional vitamins and minerals and it is usually in a form of pellets and nuggets.

It is also good in providing the parrots a variety of fruits and vegetables. Since parrots eat those that are appealing to their eye and taste, owners should learn how to be creative and resourceful. This could amuse your pets thus giving them some bodily and intellectual encouragement.

Providing your parrot it's complete and balanced diet is important because it gives your pets protection from any disease. It helps your pet live a longer and healthier life since unbalanced diet obviously gives your pets some risks. However it is very important if the owners themselves learn how to provide their pets the best possible care. This can be done by consulting your veterinarian or purchasing helpful materials on this matter.

Cedric James is a parrot expert. For information on feeding your parrot, visit http://parrotguides.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cedric_James

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Top Tips For Proper Parrot Care

There is no denying that parrots are very entertaining and fun. But before go to your nearest breeder, learning parrot care techniques in advance is very important if you plan to get this type of bird as pet. By knowing the right way to care for parrots, you will surely keep your pet happy and healthy which, in turn, means it will happily oblige to bond with you and perform amazing tricks. For starters, you should know that there are several kinds of parrots. And each breed somehow requires a different way of handling and caring.
But this should not worry you because most caring techniques can be applied across all members of this bird species.
Hand-raising is one aspect of parrot care that new or prospective pet owners should learn about. This process is simply all about hand feeding a baby parrot. Yes, that's right! Baby parrots. You see, many experts believe that starting to care for parrots right after they are weaned from their mothers is the best way to teach them how to trust and bond with humans, particularly their owners. Some parrot enthusiasts and breeders even go to the extent of taking baby parrots a few days right after they hatch, without even waiting for the recommended weaning period. Without its true parents to feed it, this is the stage where hand-raising or hand-feeding techniques will make or break a baby parrot's health and later bonding with its owner.

Parrot care also goes well beyond feeding the birds. You should know that grooming is a very important aspect in having a companion parrot. While it is true that grooming birds can be easier compared to that of dogs and cats, you will still need a lot of patience to care for the appearance of your pet. Typically, grooming parrots involve clipping the wings, trimming the talons, and keeping the beaks in good condition. If it is your first time to trim your parrot's beaks, it is always a good idea to visit a veterinarian or a reputable breeder and ask for tips. Improper trimming of the beak can seriously injure your pet.

The final element to consider in parrot care is providing your pet with a comfortable environment to live in. Buying the right cage will help develop your companion parrot's intellectual capacity and allow it to maintain good health. Choosing the right home for your pet will protect it from stress and other threats, enabling it to learn and do amazing tricks easily.

Gideon Williams is a parrot care expert.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gideon_Williams

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5 Most Important Parrot Supplies

Parrots are some of the most wonderful pets to have in the home, but they can be a lot of work to keep them happy and healthy. These animals are often from tropical environments, which require even more special equipment to maintain their health and comfort as they are often outside their normal habitat. These products are fortunately cheap and easy to obtain from many different companies. For most owners, these products shouldn't require too much effort to use, and they'll make a huge effect on the happiness of the parrot.

Feed. Parrots all love seed. Moreover, they love certain kinds of seeds and dried fruit as well. For each type of parrot, breed or otherwise, will require and prefer a different type of feed. Research on the preferences on the types of feed for a particular parrot should be performed to ensure their health and happiness.

Treats. In the same vein, different parrots prefer special types of treats. These include special dried fruits, seeds, and other types of treats. These are for special reinforcement of training and just for fun to treat the parrot to something they'll like.

Perch. A perch is for a parrot to stand on and just simply feel like a bird on a tree branch. These products come in a huge range of sizes and shapes, but most are a simple curved bar, which has a small tray underneath it to catch any droppings. Many have amenities like bars to tie treats to as well as toys to keep a parrot entertained. These products are great for showing off a parrot to guests and other parrot enthusiasts.

Cage. A cage is obviously a necessity to keep a parrot from escaping and to give it a nice home to sleep in where it can't be injured from other sources like other pets. These products also come in an immense variety of sizes, but whatever cage is used to hold a parrot should be as big as possible with bars that the parrot cannot stick its head through. This prevents the parrot from become injured and allows them as much room as possible to move around without feeling cramped.

Toys. Just like most other pets, parrots like to play with toys. The most common toys for parrots are tough ropes with brightly colored ties and other objects that will attract a parrot's eye. These products are great for a parrot to work its beak on to keep it comfortable and are great sources of excitement for the pet as well.

All of these products combined will provide many hours of comfort and happiness for a parrot, which will improve their health and make them a much more enjoyable pet that will be excited to interact with its owner.

Alex Sutton lives in San Diego with his wife and two kids. For more information please visit parrot supplies.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alexander_Sutton

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The African Grey Parrot Makes a Wonderful Pet

African Grey parrots have many endearing qualities and parrot lovers will find that an African Grey Parrot is one of the easiest parrots to keep as a pet. Not only that, the African parrot is a very popular pet parrot for many reasons. Their exceptional talking and cognitive abilities means that they interact well with their owners and are a joy to have as a favorite pet.

Given the time, these parrots will develop a large vocabulary and it has been reported that they communicate well with their owners if given the incentive.What does an African Grey parrot look like?

The African Grey is a medium sized parrot of about 10 to 14 inches which also makes him an ideal pet because he is easy to house and to handle. Not surprisingly, the male is larger than the female, but not by much.

Although very similar in appearance, there are two different types of African Grey. One is the Congo African Grey which has a light grey body color, very light grey to white on the side of the head and with a brilliant red tail. The other is the Timneh African Grey with darker grey feathers on top, light grey chest and with a maroon colored tail. The general body build of both of these parrots is much the same with both sexes, but the female does tend to have a slightly narrower head and a more slender neck than the male.

Not surprising when you think of the lifespan of other parrots, the African Grey has a long life span so it is important that an owner can make a long term commitment to the parrot when they decide to take one on as a pet. They can actually live up to 60 years which is quite amazing when you think of the usual family pet.

Keeping your African Grey healthy and happy.

This parrot has a very high intelligence which means that if not kept amused they will become bored and this is not good for his general well being. A bored parrot will develop some bad habits and quite quickly too, which could be hard to reverse. Some signs to look for to see if he is bored are:

- Feather picking
- Grumpy and unfriendly
- Biting
- Self-mutilating

From the pet parrot's point of view, one of the habits that will cause him harm is that of feather picking. If you ever notice your parrot pulling out feathers get on to this problem straight away because it is not good for him to have bare patches where he has plucked out his feathers.

Another problem is that they can become very grumpy if they are bored and this will make him an unpleasant friend. He will most likely start biting and be quite nasty to those around him. If really distressed, he will even self-mutilate.

Just like any intelligent animal a pet parrot needs interaction with its owner on a regular basis and needs stimulation to keep it happy. This does not mean that you need to be playing with it for hours a day, but your pet does like to have a certain amount of freedom and play with its owner.

The African Grey do train beautifully so enjoy the process and teach him some tricks that he will love doing and people will love doing with him. Also hang some toys in his cage so that he can play with them when he is on his own.

Be 'one of the flock' to your parrot.

In his natural environment, the African Grey would fly in a flock so they do tend to treat their owner as one of the flock. Because of this the parrot will often enjoy having the side of his head rubbed and a bit of a scratch there too, but he will not enjoy his body being handled. You will often notice with a group of parrots that they tend to smooch around each other's head. It is a habit of parrots.

If you have your pet parrot around your face do be careful not to let it 'kiss' you around the mouth (and they love to do this) because humans can transfer bacteria from their mouth to the bird which is not healthy.

If being kept by a family, children need to understand the personality of a parrot because if they do get bitten, it does hurt as the parrot's beak is very hard and sharp and is designed for cracking seeds and nuts. If a child aggravates a parrot they could get bitten, even by a placid parrot.

African Grey parrots will entertain for hours, but only if they are carefully looked after with the right diet, social needs and housing. Enjoy teaching them to talk and watch them perform the tricks that you teach them and they themselves will do if you give them the toys to play with.

Copyright (c) 2010 Kaye Dennan

Knowing how to treat a parrot pet will give him the best chance for a long and happy life. Have lots of fun with your parrot as you teach him new parrot tricks and at Pet Parrot Secrets you will also learn how to take great care of him so he is around for many years to come.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kaye_Dennan

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How to Find the Best Parrot Breeders

Parrot breeders play the vital parental role in the upbringing of parrots and they directly affect the development of the parrot's personality as they step into the adulthood. Not to forget, that the health of your adult parrot is also dependent on the quality of the parrot breeder. The best parrot breeders treat the parrots like their own children. One of primary duty of the breeders is to feed the parrots healthy and nutritious food, which includes pellets, soft food, seeds and fresh products.Always remember that it is essential that parrots learn how to fly, which allows them learn to maneuvering and land properly. Both of which will help them when walking and jumping. A parrot should learn how to fly even if their wings are clipped later on.

Depending on how well the breeders care for the baby parrots will directly affect the adult parrot's ability to socialize and stay emotionally healthy. The best option is to always purchase a parrot from a parrot breeder who has a good reputation. The last thing you want is a parrot that is emotionally unstable in adulthood. A good breeder will be completely open in telling you how they raise their birds. If a breeder is hesitant to tell you about their process or show you their facilities you may want to find another breeder.
Parrot breeding techniques are no secret, so question becomes, what are those breeders really hiding?

Make sure when purchasing a parrot, that the breeder knows and follows all the rules, since illegal shipping of parrots is becoming common. Always remember to keep asking questions about the parrot until you are fully satisfied and feel you know everything there is to know about the bird you want to buy. Once you are ready to purchase, make sure you use a contract that outlines both the breeders and your responsibility in the transaction. That way, there will be no confusion.

Keep in mind, purchasing a parrot is a long-term commitment, so take the time to think about the responsibilities you will be taking upon yourself. You want to make sure that you will not regret bringing a parrot into your life.

Ryan Benson is a parrot breeding enthusiast. For more great information about parrot breeders in florida visit http://www.parrottrainingsecret.com/.
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What Are the Best Parrots Types For You?

You too possess a great love for parrots and want to know about their different varieties... almost every species of this most loved avian is bright colored excluding a few. Some parrots are smaller and look cuddly and cute while others give a grand appearance.


Parrots are mostly green in color, but some parrots are multicolored as well. Brilliant talking abilities and tendency to mimic human voices makes parrot a wonderful pet. This is a playful bird that loves company.Parrots are grouped in different types in accordance with their nature, color and size. A list of some of the most commonly known types of parrots is given below-

Parrots or True Parrot - This is a grouping of most common types of parrots. They are known as true parrots and are of the Psittacidae family of birds. This huge family includes 330 different species and some of the popular examples of true parrots are Meyers Parrot, Senegal Parrots and Amazon Blue Fronted Parrot.

Macaws - These are loud, multicolored, clever and attractive birds. They are widely seen on TV and in films. The Macaw group of parrots is made of six different genus including Ara, Anodorhynchus, Cyanopsitta, Diopsittaca, Orthopsittaca, and Primolius. Though some scientists claim that this is a grouping of 18 different species, many species are extinct now.

Dense rainforests are the most popular habitats of Macaw birds. These birds possess a bizarre eating habit. They love to munch on clay. If you want to tame a Macaw bird, you must train it well because an untrained Macaw is like an ill-trained kid that causes uncalled for embarrassment for you.

Conures - This grouping of peace loving wild parrots is known as Conures. These birds are generally of a very friendly and sweet nature. Seldom are these chirpy pets seen indulging in a fight.

Cockatoos - These unique, white colored birds make wonderful pets. This is another of the parrot species that is very sweet-natured and gets along quite easily with their human friends. Their enjoyment of cuddling and pampering make them another favorite among bird owners.

Parakeets - The smaller types of parrots, Parakeets can be seen in an array of colors. In accordance with some experts, Conures are a part of Parakeet grouping of birds. These are also known as Brotogeris parakeet, Monk Parakeet and Lineolated Parakeet.

Cockatiels - A delight for pet owners, cockatiels are among the most playful grouping of parrots. These wonderful pets are cheerful in nature and are less demanding.

Budgies - Budgie is a popular name of Budgerigar species of birds. These Australian natives are generally of green and yellow color and are among the most preferred grouping of parrots, which are tamed. With gentle nature and entertaining personalities, Budgies gel wonderfully with kids.

Lovebirds - This is a group of nine species of Agapornis genus. These birds are Africa and Madagascar natives. Lovebirds are among the thickest species of parrots and some of them grow up to 17cms. These parrots can live almost upto 15 years. Fischer's Bird and Black-cheeked Bird are two most famous species of Lovebirds.

Parrotlets - the smallest available species of parrots is also among the stockiest birds. These blue-headed parrots grow up to 5 inches and are known to be the greatest mimics.

With so many to choose from it will be no problem for you to pick out your favorite parrots types.

The author, Karla Deacon, is an expert parrot enthusiast. For more great information about parrots types visit ParrotCareBasics.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karla_Deacon

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The Secret to Finding The Perfect Parrot Pet Sitter

We would all love to spend 24hrs/7days a week with our parrots but eventually you have to get away. And who wants the hassle of taking your pet parrot to a pet boarding place and dropping them off in an often crazy and foreign place. You MAY not like it but your parrot ABSOLUTELY isn't going to like it. Finding and using a pet-sitter is the perfect solution to your dilemma.

Your bird gets to stay in it's own environment, eat its normal diet and it keeps them away from other potentially sick animals at the local pet boarding place.
Screening your pet-sitter will give you the piece of mind that you need while away and your pet parrot will thank you for it. The process of picking the perfect parrot pet-sitter should begin with an interview at your house. Invite the pet-sitter over to discuss their company and pricing. And be prepared to ask the important questions. Here are some tips and questions to help you find and screen the perfect parrot pet-sitter.

1. Do they have experience sitting for your type or kind of bird? As you know, a bird is not a always a bird. Different birds require very different diets, care and attention. Does the pet-sitter have experience with your type of bird or a similar bird? A good pet-sitter will have experience with sitting for a variety of birds.
2. Do they own pet bird themselves? If possible, try to find someone that actually owns a bird. Not owning a bird shouldn't immediately disqualify them but owning one is certainly a plus. If they own one, they'll be more likely to understand the care and maintenance required of birds. A good bird sitter will own their own bird and have a detailed understanding of their required care.
3. Do they have good references AND can you call them? It is critical for you to check references. ANYONE can call themselves a pet-sitter. And just because they have a website or a listing in the phone book doesn't make them a reliable, capable or a good pet-sitter. Don't fall for the 'testimonials' posted on their web-site. Also make sure you talk to more than one reference. It's easy to fake one or two references. Finally, make sure they are quality references such as actual clients (not their mothers, brothers, and sisters) or local veterinarians. A good pet-sitter will offer you a list of QUALITY references to recent and/or current clients AND their contact information.
4. Are they insured (in case of accidents) and bonded (in case of theft)? Nobody likes to think about something going wrong. But it can happen so make sure you're prepared and make sure your pet-sitter is covered in case something does go wrong. Any professional pet-sitter should and will be bonded and insured.
5. What is their process? For example, will they spend time with the pet, will they visit more than once a day, will they visit early in the morning, late at night etc. Are they flexible, willing and able to fulfill your requirements. A good pet-sitter will be willing to do whatever you require and whenever you require.
6. Is the parrot pet-sitter a professional member of any pet care organizations? This obviously isn't a requirement but it often shows a more detailed level of interest and professionalism. A good pet-sitter will be connected in the pet-sitting industry and will be a member of professional pet-sitting organizations.
7. Have they been in the business for a while? Beware of those just starting out. If you're their first client, they may be good but there's no way to tell. It's certainly not worth the risk for extended times away from home. If they pass all your other screening requirements, you may want to consider them for a single day visit just to get to know them. A good pet-sitter will have considerable experience and a history of pet-sitting which shows that they are in the business to stay in business.
8. Are they a member of the Better Business Bureau and have they had any complaints? Not everyone has to be a member of the BBB and just because they don't have complaints filed against them shouldn't give you the automatic green light to use them. Most people don't contact the BBB for complaints when they come across a bad pet-sitter. However, if they DO have complaints, then that's usually an indication that there is a problem. A good pet-sitter will be a member of the BBB and will not have any complaints against them on file.
9. Are they professional? Do they keep notes and records of visit times, feeding details, feeding schedule etc. The exact process they follow and the notes/records that they keep should be discussed. A good pet-sitter will be organized and will take notes when discussing your specific needs. They'll also have a daily check list to be followed while you're gone to ensure that they complete all the necessary items required for your bird.
10. Finally, ask your pet. No, not literally but watch the interaction between the potential pet-sitter and your pet during the in house interview. Make sure they look comfortable around your bird (some people are afraid of birds) and make sure your bird isn't afraid of them. One parrot owner searching for a pet-sitter interviewed a pet-sitter with a fondness for facial jewelry (nose, eyebrows AND ears). Which is fine if your parrot doesn't mind but in this case, the parrot was absolutely terrified of the pet-sitter. The good pet-sitter will feel comfortable around your pet bird and your pet bird will feel comfortable around them.

Hopefully these tips and questions will help you screen potential pet-sitters to find the perfect parrot pet-sitter. A little effort up front will save you a lot of worry and heartache in the long run. And when you do find the perfect pet-sitter, don't forget to tip your sitter well and offer to be a good reference for them.

The Author is the creator of the InfoSuperFlyway.com. It's a web page dedicated to Kibibi a Congo African Grey Parrot with parrot recordings, funny parrot videos, top ten lists, parrot jokes, clicker training info and a large database of parrot articles. For more articles about African Greys and other Parrots, check out http://www.infosuperflyway.com/birdinfo.php.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_B_Weber

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Want to Buy Parrot Birds? Check This Out First!

There are a lot of people who want to buy parrot birds for various reasons. But before you act on your desire to have a companion parrot and buy the first one that you see perched on a cage in your local pet shop, it would be best that you take some time in knowing how parrots are properly cared for and determine if you have the necessary level of commitment in making sure that the bird will be happy and in tiptop shape for life. Also, before you spend on a companion parrot, you also need to know the reason why you want to have one.
It is not really surprising that you or your kids want to buy parrot birds because such pets are beautiful, smart, and loyal to their owners.
However, it is also important to note that there is so much more to caring for a parrot than just feeding them. There are matters that will really test your patience such as cleaning the cage every so often, making sure that the food tray of the bird is free of rotting fruits or vegetables, clipping the wings, hand taming the bird before you can start speech training, and also giving the bird a bath occasionally. If you cannot spare some of your time to get the bird out of the cage once in a while, then it may not be a good idea for you to own a parrot. Even if parrots adapt easily in a cage, they also need to exercise their wings and fly around.

Since you want to buy parrot birds, you also need to take into consideration the type of parrot that you want. If you are interested in a parrot that can easily learn tricks, especially mimicking your words, then you might want to buy an African Grey, Monk Parakeet, Red-Masked Conure or an Eclectus Parrot. However, if you just want a pet that is beautiful and have colorful feathers, you may want to own a Greater Sulphur-Crested Coackatoo, Major Mitchell's Cucktoo, Scarlet Macaw or a Cockatiel.

Looking for a perfect cage is also one of the issues for those who want to buy parrot birds. If you really do not have enough space in your home, it would be better that you just get a small parrot. However, if you have a space that can be used exclusively for your parrots, then a big aviary is also a good idea.

Gideon Williams is a parrot expert and provides excellent advise for new Parrot enthusiast that want to buy parrot birds
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gideon_Williams

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Sexing Parrots - How to Tell If Your Parrot is Male Or Female

The parrot's lack of sex organs make it very difficult to distinguish between males and female simply based on the way they look. Some species have different colorings between male and female that enable them to be distinguished, and some have different eye colors. However, for the vast majority of parrots scientific sexing is required. Some pet owners do not take this step, but it is vital for breeders.

We describe birds where sexes cannot be determined by their markings as monomorphic, and a number of methods have been used to determine the sex of such birds including: vent sexing (the posterior opening known as the cloaca serves as the only such opening for the intestinal and urinary tracts), laparoscopy, steroid sexing (measure the levels of steroids in excrement or blood plasma), and DNA analysis.

With DNA analysis the sex of is determined by looking at the genes located on the sex chromosomes. The difference is that male birds have two Z chromosomes and females have one Z and one W. This is considered the least intrusive of the methods as it simply involves taking a sample of blood to send away to a laboratory. The laparoscopic surgery approach, however, involves a minimally invasive surgery, where an incision is made in the parrot's abdomen and the gonads are inspected.

DNA analysis is not as simple as it may at first sound, and involves chromosome isolation and karyotyping. It can be difficult to get the cells needed for analysis, and there is a time delay in getting the results from the cytogeneticist. The more invasive laparoscopy gives instant results and allows the vet to inspect the general condition of the reproductive organs at the same time, which can provide valuable information for breeding.

People often use feathers for the DNA testing instead of collecting blood, but it should be pointed out that this is highly unreliable. If you keep a male and female together then the female's W chromosome, which is in every cell on the female, could contaminate the feathers of the male.

Once you have determined your parrot's sex does it have any implications beyond making it easy to select breeding partners? Well it is fair to say the difference between male and female pet parrots is nothing like the difference between a bitch and a dog. There is no difference in their ability to mimic or any notable difference in the way they will interact with their human companions.

Danny Oakes writes about the a wide range of parrot issues, including Parrot health care along with advice on which species make the best talking parrots.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Danny_Oakes

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Parrot Care - Need to Parrot Care

The choice of animal is very important because you want to make sure that not only will you be able to provide adequate care, but the animal is happy and healthy, too. There are so many different kinds of animals that make great pets, that is, if a pet and the new owner can happily coexist. Having a parrot can be a fun and rewarding, but there are some important facts Parrot care that must be considered first.

For many years, people were attracted to the parrot as a pet because of the colors of parrots, perhaps, their personalities, and especially if they can speak. Caring for parrots, like any other pet, it is very important, and what the parrot in the house will require changes in the home a little bit in order to take proper care at home, to be paid to the parrot. Proper care parrot will not only bring you many years of pleasure, but will keep your parrot happy and healthy.

Many people believe the birds 'dirty' because of the mess they make of their seeds, and their droppings. Because the parrot is in his cage most of the time, it must be kept clean especially for health reasons as a parrot, as well as its owner. While cleaning the cells and elements that are in it, never use chemicals as it may harm the parrot, always use warm soapy water and the cells must be cleaned daily. After processing your parrot, touching the items in their cage, tending to their feed and water you should always wash your hands so as not to spread the bacteria between the bird, stuff it and you.

Part of the proper care of the parrot cage is the right choice. The cage must be large enough to spread the wings of birds is not the case for water and food dishes and toys (which should be limited to a maximum of four). The cage must be made of metal and wires and all corners should be smooth so there are no sharp parts, as it can cause harm. Placement cell must be well-used area of the home that will keep parrots busy, but not in the kitchen, as there due to various bacteria and toxins that exist in the cooking and cleaning.

Parrot Care also includes health myself a parrot. The parrot should never be allowed to have a beak Touch the mouths of people, "as there are many bacteria in saliva and may harm the parrot. In addition, parrots like baths, you can give a bath for your parrot or use a misting bottle and mist the parrot as a rain shower in the woods . Parrot care also includes care. beaks and nails are constantly growing so they need more help more often.

Source:http://researchabout.com/birds/2010/12/10/parrot-care-need-to-parrot-care/
Photo: http://www.digitalsomething.com/news/1453.html

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