Help! I'm new and just been given a parrot!

[MalikA]

Hi everyone!

Iv just been given a a pair of parrots and honestly dont know much.. the previous owner has left the country (UK) and did not have any time to re home them so gave them to me.

All I do know is that they require a lot of care and attention which I am willing to do but need some advise in general.

I dont even know what kind they are, one is very friendly and loves to climb on to my shoulders and seems to be happy, the other screams if I attempt to take the first more than a meter away and loves to bite if you get too close. They both mimic whistles and say 'hello' and 'whos that' but my first question is what kind are they?

Any information will be greatly appreciated, they are mostly green and have yellow heads and there wings seem to have been clipped.

Thank you!!

Aamir

 

[ShellyBorg]

Those are Amazons, someone will be by to tell you exactly. They look like they need a good soak with a shower and a diet change. There is some great help to be had here and as issues pop up ask so we can help.

 

[MalikA]

Thanks! At least I can start my reading now! with regards to a wash? How? Lol also what size cage? It seems to be small for the both of them. Thanks again!

 

[ShellyBorg]

I would get as big of a cage as you can find. Look on the local adds for used ones. You can get amazing cages for cheep that way. At least 40x36 inches.
As the wash if you can get them in the shower and just get them wet, you can all so spray them with a spray bottle . No soap or hands on for you. Try to get them wet at least 3x a week. There feathers will look so much better, and happier birds.

 

[brianlinkles]

As have been said they are amazons. I would caution you not to allow either of these birds on your shoulder. Believe me, you do not want an amazon bite especially anywhere near or on your face! This is a general rule when it comes to birds, especially if you do not know what may set either of these birds off. You could lose an eye in an instant. It takes a very experienced bird owner and most of even the most experienced do not allow them on the shoulder.
Do you know if this is a breeding pair? The fact that you have one that will have anything to do with you is great. This is a great place for loads of information!

 

[MalikA]

All i was told was that one is female and one is male. The owner also told me that the female would sit on his shoulder every day when he sat down to watch tv. As soon as she hopped on to my arm she made her way straight up to my shoulder without me doing anything. I now know that they are orange winged amazon.

 

[SilverSage]

I agree, shoulders are a risk and should wait until you at least know them better, if ever. I would recommend tucking your thumb in and curl your fingers into a fist when holding them on your hands. Not so you are holding onto the toes or anything, just so that if they do decide to take a bite out of you, they can't get a good enough grip to take off a finger. And the previous posters are not exaggerating about losing an eye.

That said, they can be very rewarding pets. What are you feeding them right now? Seeds or pellets? What brand? I agree, get the largest cage you can afford if you are going to keep them. Try showering them with a spray bottle, point it up so that the water falls on them from above like rain. Make sure the water is not too cold, and the room is warm when you do this - they do look pretty ratty, and I am sure bathing and diet change would help with that a lot! Good for you for seeking help!

 

[MalikA]

The size of the cage, is this big enough??

 

[MonicaMc]

Welcome to the forum! You have orange wings!

Bathing is in any way they'll enjoy it!



Here's some bathing techniques you can try....

• Try luke-warm water
• Try cold water
• Try ice-cold water
• Try a spray bottle
• Try a plant mister
• Try in the sink with the water running or just some water in the bottom
• Try in the sink with the sprayer
• Try in the tub with some water in the bottom
• Try a casserole dish or similar with some water
• Try the dish with ice
• Try the dish with foot toys
• Try the dish with some leafy greens like endive or other types of lettuces that may create a "natural" bowl
• Try the dish with a vacuum cleaner
• Try in the shower with you - watching you having a blast getting wet!
• Try dancing the bird into the shower with the water already going
• Try spritzing yourself, and have fun doing it! Then spritz the bird
• Try outside in an empty cage large enough to spread wings during a nice rain shower
• Try outside in an empty cage using the hose with a mist/shower attachment

The cage they have is too small. I would recommend a minimum size cage of 40" x 30" for two amazons.


Amazons are prone to obesity, fatty liver disease and vitamin A deficiencies.... so if they aren't on a healthy diet now, it would be best to switch them onto a better diet!

http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-...afe-fresh-foods-toxic-food-lists-sprouts.html

http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-...7-converting-parrots-healthier-diet-tips.html

 

[SilverSage]

Also, an easy way to keep most birds from climbing to your shoulder is to hold them on your hand with your elbow down and your hand away from your body, that way they have to climb down your arm before up to your shoulder. Not all but most birds prefer not to travel downward unless they are completely comfortable.

 

[ShellyBorg]

Cage size, double that at least. That is almost to small for one.

 

[MalikA]

I was handed a bag of small seeds, i have no idea what they are but it was what the owner was feeding them previously, he also told me he gave them carrots?!?! Is that okay? Ideally what should they be fed? how often do they feed? With regards to bathing them how much water should i use?

 

[Birdman666]

Yep those are orange wing amazons.

These are pair bond birds, and they are obviously a bonded pair, which is why the other one acts the way it does when you attempt to separate them.

I would try to handle them together if they accept it.

I tend to break the rules, and my zons are shoulder birds, but I accept the fact that they are excitable, and could potentially bite faces. The others gave you good advice... I just don't tend to follow rules. I go by the bird. If he behaves I let him.

Diet: I use Zupreme pellets with my zons with a little safflower seed mixed in. They also get fresh fruits (mine seem to like grapes and bananas the most), veggies, sweet potato (well any potato!) cashews, walnuts, pistacios, pecans, peanuts (in moderation, one or two a day), Nutriberries, rice, beans, corn on the cob, broccoli, carrots are really good. These birds are prone to vitamin A deficiencies in captivity so any high vitamin A foods work...

Occasionally I give mine a little chicken, or fish (no beef or pork).

 

[MonicaMc]

Please check out my post I made earlier...

Also, a pellet based diet would be recommended over a seed based diet.

Here's a list of pellets which are available in the USA. Some can also be found in other countries.

Cockatiel Sized Pellet Comparison - Artemis Aviary: African Lovebirds; North Carolina, USA

 

[MalikA]

How much water should i use when showering them, when will i know enough is enough? what should i also be feeding them? the previous owner handed me a bag of some seeds it think and told me he also fed them carrots?? is that okay? also if i take one of them away the other goes crazy and starts screaming? this only happens when i take the female away i think.

[ame="http://www.amazon.co.uk/TecTake-Large-aviary-silver-anthracite/dp/B00B7H7DNW/ref=sr_1_6/275-0717901-9525112?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1382468617&sr=1-6"]TecTake XXL Large bird aviary bird cage silver anthracite 157cm high: Amazon.co.uk: Pet Supplies[/ame]

Is that big enough? or do i need bigger? lacking a bit of space indoors so cant get something too big lol

Thank you all for all the help it is really all helpful!

 

[Birdman666]

I just turn on the shower in my bathroom. They get in and do the "happy flappy" dance. Zons and macaws generally like water. And showers are fun...

Occasionally you run into one that doesn't. Bathe them anyway.

 

[Henryandjoey]

They will go away from the water when they've had enough with my parrotlet he just comes in shower with me and when he's had enough he flys out of the shower and waits for me lol

 

[MalikA]

Aah makes sense, also im having a lot of trouble handling the male as soon as I try and approach either of them he instantly tries to bite. Is there anything I can do to change that? Also I have not seen him fly in such he has only climbed out of his cage but does not let us approach him and will not come away from the cage even if the other has flown out. Any reason as to why he also goes crazy if she leaves the cage??

 

[ShellyBorg]

How much water should i use when showering them, when will i know enough is enough? what should i also be feeding them? the previous owner handed me a bag of some seeds it think and told me he also fed them carrots?? is that okay? also if i take one of them away the other goes crazy and starts screaming? this only happens when i take the female away i think.

TecTake XXL Large bird aviary bird cage silver anthracite 157cm high: Amazon.co.uk: Pet Supplies

Is that big enough? or do i need bigger? lacking a bit of space indoors so cant get something too big lol

Thank you all for all the help it is really all helpful!

Great cage for finches not your Zons. They would rip it up in no time!

 

[ShellyBorg]

For a cage you need heavy wire. Where in the UK are you? Some one may be able to hlep find a good use cage that will work.