Introduction to Parrot
Parrot, the common name of an order of brightly colored, hook-beaked birds of the tropics. The family includes the macaws, cockatoos, parakeets, and other groups.
Parrots have large heads, short necks, and a thick bills.There are about 350 species of parrots. They inhabit a variety of habitats—especially forests—in the world's tropical and subtropical regions, including Central and South America, Africa, southern Asia, Australia, and the islands of the Pacific Ocean. The only native parrot of the United States, the Carolina parakeet, became extinct in the early 1900's.
Parrots vary in color, size, and tail length. In most species the plumage is green, yellow, red, white, or black with patches of red, yellow, or blue on the head, wings, and tail. Parrots range in length from 3 ½ to 40 inches (9 cm to 1 m), including the tail.
The parrot has a large head, a short neck, and a thick, powerful, down-curved bill. The eyes are small and, in some species, surrounded by a patch of bare flesh. Each foot has two toes pointing forward and two toes pointing backward. The feet and bill are used for grasping, grooming, and climbing. The parrot is unique among birds in using one foot to grasp food while balancing on the other.
Habits
Parrots travel in flocks. They communicate by shrieking, squawking, or twittering. Parrots feed mostly on plant parts, including blossoms, buds, fruit, leaves, nuts, pollen, and seeds. A few parrot species also eat small invertebrates, such as insects and mollusks. Parrots generally nest in holes they find in trees or in rock crevices. Some parrots dig burrows in banks or cliffs. Parrots tend to be monogamous, and the largest species mate for life. In most species, the female incubates the egg, during which time she is fed by the male.
The rainbow lorikeet wears a patchwork of vibrant colors.One of the most unusual parrots is the nearly extinct and largely nocturnal kakapo, or owl parrot, of New Zealand. Mostly flightless, it climbs trees for food, then glides down to the ground for a distance of up to 270 feet (80 m). It creates narrow forest trails by biting off roots and foliage as it walks along. For other types of parrots,
Pet Parrots
People throughout the world keep parrots of all kinds as pets. They admire parrots for their beauty, intelligence, and affectionate natures, and for their ability to learn tricks and mimic the human voice. Among Old World species the African grey parrot is considered the best mimic. It is rivaled in this ability by several New World members of the Amazon genus, including the yellowheaded, yellow-naped, and blue-fronted Amazons.
The parrot has a powerful bill.Pet parrots must be fed a varied and nutritious diet that includes fresh vegetables and fruits, grains, and such protein-rich foods as beans, small amounts of seeds, and well-cooked lean meats such as chicken and fish. Many types of nutritionally balanced foods in pellet form are sold at pet stores.
Like other intelligent pets, parrots need playful interaction with their owners. Bored, abused, or neglected parrots may be prone to excessive screaming, feather pulling, or other neurotic behaviors.
Parrots are generally hardy animals, and such large species as macaws, cockatoos, Amazons, and African greys are known to live 60 or more years in captivity. However, signs of illness or nutritional deficiency are often difficult to observe in pet parrots, so most veterinarians recommend that they be given a yearly check-up.
Parrots are the world's most threatened group of birds. As a result of habitat loss and collection for the pet trade, about 40 species of parrots are classified as endangered. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), a treaty signed by about 145 nations, bans or regulates the international trade of many species of parrots. However, illegal trapping and export continues to threaten parrots' survival in the wild.
Which Is the Most Popular Parrot Pet?Budgies (budgerigars), which are one of the types of birds that are also called parakeets, are by far the most popular parrot pet. Budgies are originally from Australia. They were first brought to Europe in the mid-1800’s, and they soon became quite popular. Budgies are beautiful and gentle. They are small, so they don’t need a lot of space, and they are very inexpensive to buy and care for. Budgies can become very good talkers.
The natural coloring of the budgie was green with a yellow head and blue-edged feathers along the back. But breeders have developed budgies in many other colors, including yellow, blue, white, and cinnamon.
What Happens to Pet Parrots That Escape into the Wild?Pet parrots sometimes escape. And, parrot owners sometimes purposely let their pets loose when they no longer want to care for them. Some of these lost or abandoned pets survive and live in the wild once again.Animals that were once tame or that are descended from animals that were once tame but that now live in the wild are called feral. So, these parrots are called feral parrots.
Most feral parrot flocks live in warm places, such as southern California and Florida. Flocks have, however, formed in colder places, as well. Flocks of monk, or Quaker, parrots live in Brooklyn, New York; Connecticut; and in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood. Monk parrots are able to live through the cold winters because they build large nests of twigs that allow them to stay warm.
Who Takes Care of Pet Parrots That No One Wants?Parrots can be fun, funny, smart, active, loyal, and affectionate pets. But they are not for everyone. They can be messy and noisy. They may chew up furniture or other valuable objects in the house. They can be mean to people they don’t like. And, they may demand more attention than a person is able to give. Unhappy parrots sometimes develop bad habits. They may scream constantly or pull out their feathers. Faced with these problems, people may no longer want to keep their parrots.
Bird-rescue organizations take in unwanted, abused, and neglected parrots. Such organizations try to find new homes for unwanted parrots. Many such parrots can return to health and happiness in a good home. Sadly, though, some neglected or abused birds develop severe emotional or mental problems. Many rescue organizations also try to provide a permanent, caring home for birds that are not fit for adoption to the public.
What Is a Bird Show Like?Bird clubs sponsor shows where pet birds are judged. Both the National Cockatiel Society and the American Cockatiel Society Web sites offer a lot of information on showing your bird.
Start months in advance to prepare your bird for a show. Make sure you feed your pet the best possible diet. Bathe your bird every day to keep its feathers smooth, glossy, and waterproof. To bathe a bird, place about 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) of cool water in a shallow dish or pie plate. Place the bird in the water. Your cockatiel will splash around and give itself a bath. Allow its feathers to air dry.
You will also have to train your bird so it will be calm and well behaved during judging. Get your pet used to being in a show cage. This type of cage has three sides that are solid, while the fourth side, placed at the front, has bars that allow your bird to be seen by the judge. Put your bird into the cage for a little while every day and slowly increase the amount of time it spends there. Allow your cockatiel to get used to strangers by allowing people that your cockatiel does not know to approach its cage.
What Are Some Common Signs of Illness in Parrots?Parrots are very hardy, but they can get sick. With some illnesses, a parrot may not give any signs that it is feeling unwell. With other illnesses, a sick parrot may be less active. It may hide its head in its feathers or fluff them out. If your pet bird changes its behavior for no apparent reason, take it to the vet.
Parrots get mild illnesses, such as infections or intestinal ailments. A bird with a slight infection may have a moist bill.
Signs of serious illness in parrots include changes in the appearance or smell of the droppings, loss of appetite, sneezing, or fluid coming from the eyes and nostrils. Sometimes, by the time such signs of illness appear, it is too late to save the bird. A yearly veterinary examination, therefore, is especially important for parrots.
What Routine Veterinary Care Is Need?Most experts advise cockatiel owners to take their bird to a veterinarian once a year for a checkup. Cockatiels, like most other birds, do not always show signs of illness. A yearly checkup allows a vet to spot diseases that your bird may have. Many illnesses can be treated and cured by your vet if they are discovered early enough.
During an office visit, the veterinarian will look at your cockatiel’s body. The vet will examine its eyes, nostrils, and throat. He or she will feel the bird’s chest to make sure the animal is not too skinny or too fat. The vet will also check the bird’s vent to make sure it is clean. The vet may also take lab tests. For example, he or she may take a sample from your bird’s throat with a cotton swab. Such samples can be examined for signs of infection. Finally, a tiny bit of blood might be taken from a bird. This sample, once tested, can show the levels of many substances in the blood. All of these lab tests are done to determine the overall health of your bird.
What Are Your Responsibilities as an Owner?Smaller parrots, such as cockatiels and budgies, may live about as long as cats and dogs—that is, anywhere from 8 to 15 years. Some small parrots may live for much longer. Basic care for these birds includes providing a healthy diet; clean water; a clean, safe, roomy cage; plenty of attention; and a yearly checkup by a veterinarian.
Larger parrots, such as African grays, Amazons, cockatoos, and macaws come with some additional responsibilities. Larger parrots are often smarter and more demanding than the smaller parrots. A responsible owner of a large parrot teaches the bird how to get along with humans. The bird must be taught not to scream for attention, not to bite, and how to amuse itself while it is alone.
Bigger parrots can also live a very long time—50 years or more. The owner of a large parrot is responsible for making arrangements for the bird’s care in case something happens to him or her.
Parrots belong to the order Psittaciformes. The kakapo is Strigops habroptilus; the African grey parrot, Psittacus erithacus; the yellow-naped Amazon, Amazona auropalliata; the blue-fronted Amazon, A. aestiva; the yellow-headed Amazon, A. oratrix. Most macaws are in genus Ara; others belong to Anodorhynchus and Cyanopsitta. Many pet cockatoo species belong to genus Cacatua, one of six cockatoo genera. All parrots belong to the true parrot family, Psittacidae.
Cockatiels
Cockatiels are parrots. A cockatiel has a long, pointed tail and a crest of feathers on its head. A cockatiel’s body is small and lightweight. Cockatiels have feet with two toes pointing forward and two pointing backward. These strong feet enable parrots to grasp fruits and nuts, to climb, and to hang from tree branches.
The sulphur-crested cockatoo has a distinctive, retractable crest.Cockatiels have a patch of orange on each cheek. The male’s cheek patch is a brighter orange than the female’s, and the rest of the male’s cheek is yellow. In the female, the cheek is mostly gray with a fainter orange cheek patch.
Over years of breeding (mating) cockatiels in captivity (among humans and not in the wild), people have developed different color patterns for cockatiels. Lutino (loo TEE noh) cockatiels are a very pale yellow all over and have red eyes. Pied (pyd) cockatiels are a patchy gray, yellow, and white. Cinnamon cockatiels are light gray all over with a brownish tinge. Pearl cockatiels have feathers that are either dark with a light border or light with a dark border.
Where Do Cockatiels Live in the Wild?Cockatiels are native to Australia. Wild cockatiels can be found across the entire Australian continent, though they are now rare along the coastline.
Cockatiels generally live in open spaces. They prefer grassy areas near water. These birds eat seeds, fruit, and berries. Cockatiels also feed in grain fields. They may live in small family groups, but they sometimes gather in large flocks.
Like many other parrots, cockatiels make their nests in holes in trees. They lay their eggs in the soft, decaying wood that collects in the bottom of the hole.
What Kind of Personality Might a Pet Cockatiel Have?A cockatiel’s personality depends on the individual. Some cockatiels may be bold and active. These birds might play energetically and explore their surroundings. Other cockatiels may spend more time sitting quietly on a perch or on the shoulder of a trusted person. Some cockatiels might be friendly with strangers. Others may allow only favorite family members to touch them. Some cockatiels enjoy gentle petting and caressing. Others do not like being touched.
As a rule, hand-fed cockatiels (those raised by people) are tame and gentle if treated properly. These birds are usually calm, and they do not make annoying, shrieking calls unless they are frightened. They tend to be affectionate and gentle, even with small children. They may, however, have a strong need for attention.Most cockatiels love to whistle, and some may learn to say a few words.
What Should You Look for When Choosing a Cockatiel?The cockatiel you choose should be fully weaned, or able to eat on its own. This usually happens by the time a bird is 7 or 8 weeks old.
To make sure you get a healthy bird, look for smooth, clean-looking feathers and bright eyes. Make sure the eyes are not runny, the bill is dry, and that the vent (opening at the end of the digestive tract) is clean. Also, make sure the skin on the feet is smooth and not flaky. Healthy cockatiels are lively and active. Do not choose a bird that sits fluffed up in a corner; it may be sick.
The Australian government bans the export of wild cockatiels, so most pet cockatiels are hatched in captivity. You can buy a cockatiel from a pet store or from a private breeder, or you may adopt one from a rescue group. No matter where you get your cockatiel, make certain that the place is clean and the birds are well cared for.
What Does a Cockatiel Eat?In the wild, a cockatiel, like other parrots, eats a mostly herbivorous diet (a diet of grasses and other plants). Cockatiels love seeds. But a diet that has only seeds is not healthy for your bird.
Along with seeds, cockatiels should eat a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. Your cockatiel will also enjoy such healthful human foods as cooked grains and beans, tofu, sprouts, small servings of fish or chicken, and cooked or uncooked pasta.
Cockatiels, like humans, love junk food, and it is just as bad for them as it is for us. Avoid giving your cockatiel potato chips, french fries, and other salty, fatty fried foods.Never let your cockatiel eat such foods as chocolate, avocados, or coffee. And, make certain the bird is never allowed to drink from glasses that contain alcoholic beverages. All these things could make your bird sick, or even kill it.
Where Should a Pet Cockatiel Be Kept?A pet cockatiel is safest in a cage. A cockatiel’s cage should be at least 18 inches (46 centimeters) wide, 16 inches (41 centimeters) deep, and about 18 inches (46 centimeters) tall. The bars of the cage should be less than 1⁄2 inch (1.25 centimeters) apart.
The cage should have a few perches—bars, branches, or anything else on which a bird can come to rest—of different shapes and sizes. Such perches help to keep your cockatiel’s feet healthy. The cage should have three bowls—one for water, one for dry food, and one for veggies and fruits. Provide safe toys made of plastic or wood. Cockatiels also enjoy mirrors and bells.
Most cages have a grate on the bottom and a tray under the grate. Line the tray with newspapers. The bird’s droppings and discarded food will drop through the grate onto the paper. Change the paper every day. Once a week, clean the cage bars with mild soap and water using a small scrub brush.
How Does a Cockatiel Groom Itself?Like other birds, a cockatiel grooms its feathers every day. Feathers are made of hairlike structures, called barbs, which hook together. Through normal activity, the barbs become separated. Cockatiels use their beaks to “zip” the barbs on their feathers back together. This action smoothes the feathers. Smooth feathers are better for flying. Cockatiels also apply oil to their feathers from a gland on their lower back. This grooming of the feathers is called preening.
Birds also remove the cuticle from their new feathers. The cuticle is a papery covering that protects new feathers as they grow. When the feather is fully grown, the cuticle needs to come off. Cockatiels remove the cuticle from new feathers by nibbling that cuticle with their beaks. You can help your cockatiel remove the cuticles from feathers on its head by gently scratching its head with your fingernail. But do not remove the cuticle from a feather that is still growing. That is painful for your bird.
What About Training a Cockatiel?A cockatiel may or may not be hand-tamed (used to being handled by humans) when you bring it home. And, even a hand-tamed bird may be shy at first. Approach a shy or untamed bird a little at a time until it learns to trust you. You can start by standing near its cage. If it appears calm, reach into the cage and hold your hand inside there for a few moments.
Some pet stores and breeders teach young cockatiels basic commands before they sell them. If, however, your bird has not learned these commands, you will have to teach them to your pet. One of the first and most important commands to teach your cockatiel is that command which tells your bird to step up onto your hand or finger. Place your finger against the bird’s tummy and gently push upward while saying, “step up” or “up.” The bird will soon learn to climb up onto your finger. Most cockatiels love to perch on a trusted human, so they usually learn this command quickly.
Can Cockatiels Talk?Yes, some cockatiels can talk a little. Males usually talk more than females.
You can train your cockatiel to talk by repeating simple phrases to it in a clear voice. Cockatiels can also learn to say words and phrases on their own if they hear them every day.
But even if your cockatiel does not talk, it has ways of expressing its feelings. Your cockatiel’s crest says a lot about how the bird is feeling. The crest may lie flat against the head with only the tip curling up. This means the bird is relaxed. When your cockatiel raises its crest up, it is busy or interested in something. If your bird is upset, it may point its crest forward and stretch its neck.
What Kinds of Exercise or Play Are Needed?Flying can be considered both exercise and play for a bird. But you will have to decide whether to have your bird’s wings clipped in order to hinder the bird’s flying or to allow it to fly. “Clipping” involves trimming feathers on the animal’s wings. It does not hurt the animal. If you decide to have your pet’s wings clipped, ask your vet to clip them for you.
A bird with clipped wings can fly only a few feet. This makes it less likely that a bird could escape through a door or open window. Once you clip your cockatiel’s wings, however, you may need to help your bird get exercise. Do this by letting it perch on your finger and gently raising and lowering your arm. The bird will flap its wings as it moves up and down.
A cockatiel has many other ways of playing besides flying. Cockatiels also like to chew and nibble and to climb and swing. Most cockatiels also really like baths and showers. They enjoy stretching their wings while being spritzed with a spray bottle.
How Do Cockatiels Care for Their Young?A female cockatiel, or hen, lays 2 to 9 eggs. The hen and her mate—a male cockatiel, or cock—take turns sitting on their eggs. In 18 to 21 days, the chicks (young birds) hatch from these eggs. Newly hatched cockatiels are covered with soft, yellow feathers called down.
The parents feed the chicks with a thick liquid that they bring up from their crop. The parents feed the chicks for about 40 days. Toward the end of this 40-day period, the parents begin to feed the chicks less and less. The chicks begin to learn to eat on their own. After 7 to 8 weeks, the young birds are able to eat and drink independently of their parents.
Pet cockatiels can have young, as long as they have suitable nesting areas in which to lay eggs and raise chicks.
How Can You Keep Your Cockatiel Safe?Cockatiels are active and curious, which means they can get into all kinds of trouble in their home. Here are some tips for protecting your cockatiel from dangers:
Never leave your bird alone with other pets.
Birds are very sensitive to chemicals in the air. Do not let your pet breathe in fumes from household cleaners, candles, or air fresheners. Keep your bird out of the kitchen when someone is cooking there.
Be careful about what kinds of plants you grow in your home. Some plants can be poisonous to small birds.
Be extra watchful about open doors and windows if your bird can fly. A pet can easily escape.
More Parrots
The cockatiel’s closest parrot relative is the cockatoo. A cockatiel is, in fact, a kind of mini cockatoo. Cockatoos are a family of large, crested birds. They range in size from around 12 to 29 inches (30 to 74 centimeters) high. Cockatoos live in Australia and parts of Southeast Asia. Some types of cockatoos are white, and these birds may have yellow, pale pink, peach, or orange in their crests and under their wings. Other cockatoos, called palm cockatoos, are black. Rose-breasted cockatoos, or galahs, are gray and pink.
Australia is the original home of another parrot related to the cockatiel—budgerigars (buhj uhr ee GAHRZ), also known as budgies or parakeets.
Other relatives include Amazons, gray parrots, lories and lorikeets, lovebirds, macaws, and pocket parrots.
Who Is an Opera Singer?Amazons are a group of parrots native to Latin America and some Caribbean islands. Yellow-headed Amazons are especially famous for their singing. Many of these birds have been known to learn songs from operas, called arias (AH ree uhz), but ordinarily they make up their own words and tunes for the songs they sing.
Amazons are mostly green, short-tailed, chunky birds that are also known for their excellent talking abilities. Common Amazon pet species include the yellow-headed (also called double yellows), yellow-naped, orange-winged, red-lored, blue-fronted, mealy, and lilac-crowned. Some of the best talkers among this group are the yellow-headed and the yellow-naped Amazons.
Amazons are bold, noisy, playful, acrobatic, and curious. They have a reputation for taking a strong like or dislike to certain people.
Who Hides in a Pocket?Brotogeris (broh toh JAIR uhs) parrots and parrotlets are tiny parrots from Latin America. Both kinds of birds are called pocket parrots because of their small size and because they like to tuck themselves into pockets and other small spaces. Even though these parrots are small, they have all the personality of larger parrots.
Popular types of Brotogeris parrots include canary-winged parakeets, orange-chinned parakeets, and gray-cheeked parakeets. Members of this genus are feisty, playful birds. They do, however, have loud and raspy voices.
Unlike Brotogeris parrots, parrotlets are quiet birds that seldom screech. Parrotlets instead prefer to make sweet-sounding chirps.
Who Looks Really Different?The males and females of most parrot species do not look very different from one another. The two actually look quite alike.
There is one type of parrot species, though, in which the males and females look completely different. When these birds were first discovered, scientists thought the males and females were two different species of bird. When scientists discovered that these birds were of the same species, they named the species eclectus, which means “made up of a variety of characteristics.”
Eclectus parrots are from Australia, New Guinea, and Southeast Asia. The males are bright green with touches of red and blue on the wings and an orange-yellow upper beak. The females are brilliant red, blue, and purple, with a black beak.