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

[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.

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!

Any examples of what I should be looking for?? This is all so new to me!! Lol

 

[MalikA]

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.

Luton, Bedfordshire

 

[Birdman666]

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??

The males are the territorial ones... They are hard wired to "protect the nest." The cage is "the nest."

Pair bond birds in the wild mate for life, and become almost inseparable. You may see a flock of 30-40 birds, but they are almost always 2 by 2.

You are messin' with the man's mate. He's not going to thank you for that!

She is "cheating" on him by paying more attention to her than him. These birds have a jealous streak a mile wide... (as do macaws!)

You may have to towel him to get him to come out of the cage, and if so, work with him one on one in another room where he cannot see the cage, OR THE FEMALE. He won't like it, but he will eventually (probably reluctantly at first) submit to it. Kinda sounds like he's cage bound.

 

[ShellyBorg]

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Petco-Designer-Brown-Standing-Parrot/dp/B004HL1MBE/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1382471408&sr=8-10&keywords=parrot+cage]Amazon.com: Petco Designer Mink Brown Standing Parrot Cage: Pet Supplies[/ame]

This is even a little small for two but it gives you a idea. I looked on Craigslist over there and there does not seem to be many for sale in the London area, is there a better place to look for used pet stuff?

 

[MonicaMc]

If you want to house them together, I would recommend cages like these.


[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Extra-Large-Wrought-Parrot-Dometop/dp/B004ZN7EHU/]Amazon.com: Extra Large Wrought Iron Bird Cage Parrot Cages Macaw Dometop 40"x30"x67" *Egg Shell White*: Pet Supplies[/ame]

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/40x30x72-Cages-cockatiel-parakeet-COPPERTONE/dp/B00COYR8CI/]Amazon.com: KING'S CAGES 8004030 PARROT CAGE 40x30x72 Play Pen Bird Cages toy conure cockatiel parakeet (COPPERTONE): Pet Supplies[/ame]




If you want to house them separately, then you could go smaller... but I would not recommend two in these size cages.


[ame=http://www.amazon.com/PARROT-WROUGHT-PLAYTOP-32x23x68-Antique/dp/B0078VFD1U/]Amazon.com: BIRD PARROT WROUGHT IRON CAGE PLAYTOP 32x23x68 Antique Silver: Pet Supplies[/ame]

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Wrought-Iron-Dome-Bird-Cage/dp/B001IXRA2O/]Amazon.com: 32" X 23" X 68" Wrought Iron Dome Top Bird Cage: Pet Supplies[/ame]

 

[MalikA]

Wow those are pretty pricey think I need to look hard for a used one as i wasn't really prepared but thanks for the examples really helps, iv read a few places that its important to bond with them but what does that mean exactly?? I do keep tropical and marine fish and know the importance of stress on them is it similar with birds?? What would be the main things to ensure that they are being looked after and not under stressful conditions?

 

[kq_fan]

They look like orange winged amazons to me.... They are very cute! Good luck!

 

[Mayden]

Hellooo! I'm from the UK too and I might be able to point you in the right direction for some things!

I'd recommend trying Preloved, or Gumtree for used cages. Ensure they are powder coated and no signs of rust at all, that is VERY important when getting a new cage!

I'm not sure what your budget is, but generally "the bigger the better" but I've seen you've had recommendations already.

Websites that are great for ordering parrot supplies include

Scarletts Parrot Essentials - Toys, Cages, Stands and More! (My personal favourite, call, facebook, email, or whatever and Scarlett or Tristan will get in touch and help you out with any questions. You tell them you've had two 'zons lumped on you and they'll be able to guide you with appropriate toys, probably diets, etc)
and
Parrot Supplies | Parrot Shop | Parrot Accessories – Northern Parrots
Also another good one, but I prefer the personal touch of Scarletts. I've used them countless times and not once been disappointed.

I'd recommend Harrissons as a bird food too. Do you know what toys they like? Things like perches will need to be considered too - dowel (cage standard) are baaaad.

Please ask away, we'll all chip in as best we can, we're all so happy that you're taking a huge interest and hoping to care for these guys as best you can.

 

[thebirdnerd]

Good luck with your new birds!.. Personally, I would use caution when shouldering a bird, especially a mature Amazon..You have no way of controlling the bird if it chooses to bite...Bites can come fast...As for the cage, it is too small for both of them...It is a decent size for one though... I would separate them if you have the space for two cages, as this will help with the training and prevent them from going into breeding mode....Amazons that are allowed to breed are very aggressive, as are most parrots...Breeding birds don't make good pets, and vice versa...Hope this helps!

 

[Betrisher]

MalikA, you don't say how long you've had the birds. If it's only been a very short time (say, a week or two), I'd just sit back for the moment and let them settle in. Moving house can be very stressful for birds and likewise a change of owners: it's enough to make them want to bite sometimes.

I had never heard of pellets until I came here. I just fed my birds 'birdseed' in the appropriate size! LOL! I have a pair of Alexandrines, which are longer but lighter than your birds. Each day, I give them a cup each of Vetafarm Nutriblend pellets and a cup each of chopped mixed vegetables. There's a very good article here on the forum about changing from a seed to a pelleted diet. Just click the 'Search' button up in the blue toolbar and type in 'change from seed' or 'healthy diet' and it should pop up. Since my birds have been eating seeds, they have gained weight and muscle mass and their feathers are cleaner and much more healthy. Pellets might be a bit $$$, but it's *so* worth it to see the blooming health of your birds!

I give veggies half in the morning and half in the afternoon because it's very hot here in Australia at the moment and the veg can go off very quickly. Fresh raw veg is best and there are lots of lists online and here on the forum of varieties you can feed. If push comes to shove, you can use frozen mixed veggies and microwave them until just defrosted (NOT warm). It is far better to use fresh, though, and your birds will show the benefits in good health and feather. Many people here also allow their birds to share vegetables etc from their plate. I wish I could do that, but if I did, I'd die of malnutrition (my birds are very greedy)!

Each day, I also offer my birds some fruit. Most people, I believe, offer a mixture of fruits, but I'm afraid I can only offer what I have. Right now, that's an apple, a pear or a banana. What I usually do is slice up a fruit or two and just keep offering pieces until they stop asking for it. I eat what they don't. Easy!

Fresh water is available at *all* times and in the summer heat over here I change water three or four times a day. Depends on how often they poop or drop food in as well. One useful tip that many beginners don't usually get is: 'do not place the water dish beneath a perch or close to the cage wall. If you do, there *will* be poop!'

What else? You need to be careful of metal objects you place in your cage. If they're not bird safe, your birds could die an awful death. Stainless steel is the preferred metal, but if your toy or dish or whatever is labelled 'bird safe', it should be OK. Also be careful not to let your birds to have access to house plants or unknown timbers. Some are very toxic to birds and again, there are lists here and elsewhere online to help you.

Many of us use newspaper or other papers to line the cage bottom. This helps enormously with cleaning: you just roll it up, discard and replace! Some people like to use the floor grille to allow poop to pass through and onto a paper-lined bottom tray (and therefore out of the birds' reach), but I'm one of those who covers it with paper. My birds don't spend any time on the floor, therefore they're not likely to wind up anointed with poop. You'll need to decide what suits you.

With my pair, I always have them out of cage together. Many people won't do that and prefer to separate pairs in order to bond more strongly with each bird. That hasn't been my experience and my birds love me and I love them! They have vastly different personalities and Madge, my girl, is much more nippy than her boyfriend, Barney. She's also the one who loves to fly and fly and fly around while Barn likes to just sit and chill on my arm (bless 'im). Madge has learned a few tricks, but would really rather be flying or chewing on my house and it's appointments. Barney is much more focussed and has learned lots of tricks and is always ready to learn more.

With my pair, they like a bath on some days and on other days they don't. For reasons I don't fully understand, they won't bathe in a container of water. They prefer to be misted with a squirt bottle. I just pick it up and give a squirt or two over the sink and if it's going to be a bath-day, I'll suddenly have a large animated green hat on my head. I'll hold out my arm and they descend with all their feathers fluffed up, bowing and nodding and fanning their tails to let the water in to their skin. When they've had enough, they fly away. I go and dry myself off then. (!!!) Other birds like a deep or shallow bath to sink in. You'll need to experiment with yours to find out what they like. But do try to get them fully wet at least once a week, if not more. It keeps their skin clean and helps prevent itching that can lead to feather plucking.

If you go to YouTube and search for 'parrot training' or 'aggressive parrot' or 'biting parrot' or 'training a parrot to step up', you'll find lots of useful tips. One of the best I've seen is by a person called Barbara Heidenreich: she has a neat way of holding the end of a perch and luring the bird onto her hand sideways by offering a treat. With biting, the best advice I've been given is to put something in the bird's beak (either a bit of food or a stick). While his beak is full, he can't be biting you! We save our chopsticks for exactly this purpose. Also, when you offer the biting bird your hand, ball up your fist and offer the stretched skin on the back of your hand: in that way, he can't get hold of much to bite on. If he's sitting on your arm and bites, rock your arm back and forth so that he has to regain his balance with his wings, then put him down as soon as you can. Don't ever yell at or hit a bird: it doesn't work and will only put him against you.

And that's all I can think of at the moment. I'm not an expert and most of this info has been picked up right here from the people who are (experts, I mean). If you have questions, ask them! What we all want is for you to enjoy your birds and become an expert in time! LOL! Also, we'd like to know their names...

 

[Pixiebird]

Wow! Two Amazons is a difficult place to start! Good for you for taking them in! As others have mentioned, they really need an improved diet and a shower. The poor things look a little ratty, and do need a better cage.

To answer your most recent posts, birds stress out easily. My boyfriend keeps tropical fish and it IS very similar when it comes to stress. Like fish, moving is stressful for birds, and it can take some time for your birds to adjust and come out of their shell. It is a good sign that the female is already coming out to you.

When people talk about bonding with their birds, they mean building a friendship and trust with their birds. It is sort of like with a dog, a bird should love you. However, it is harder to build with a bird than with a dog. The bird will seek you out and trust you. My bird calls to me, flies to me and comes over to the side of her cage to greet me. She will call to me when I come home and she hears my car. It takes time, but you end up feeling a friendship with the bird, like you might with a puppy. When my boyfriend came into the house, my parrot hated him. She lunged at him, and always tried to attack him. He played with her, gave her treats, gave her baths (which she enjoyed), and built up a trust with him. It took time, but eventually she grew to love him, and will seek him out almost as eagerly as she seeks me out. Now we are both bonded to her.

 

[dreamin_sqaw]

You have came to the right place for help. I've been bending ears on here for a week now. Great folks here.

 

[MalikA]

Thank you so much everyone, had such great advice and help, I think im slowly getting there! I do have one question though, should I separate the 2?? Having some mixed feelings at the moment so not sure

 

[Mayden]

Thank you so much everyone, had such great advice and help, I think im slowly getting there! I do have one question though, should I separate the 2?? Having some mixed feelings at the moment so not sure

I personally would leave them as they are. OR get a cage with a divider that can be removed/put in. That way you can have them separated as a trial, or together in a larger cage.

But as they seem to be a bonded pair, I'd leave them as they are, they'll only get stressed out if you try to separate them.

 

[ShellyBorg]

I agree, if this is a bonded pair separation of them can cause all kinds of issues you don't to deal with. I do know of people who have bonded pairs that can be worked with and that do love there handlers. It just takes a lot of work.

 

[MalikA]

Thanks! So Il go with my instinct! Also gave them a shower today and they do look a lot better, still need to get some pellets, any tips on when/how I should feed them? How often and how do I keep track of how much each has had?

 

[MalikA]

Thank you so much everyone, had such great advice and help, I think im slowly getting there! I do have one question though, should I separate the 2?? Having some mixed feelings at the moment so not sure

I personally would leave them as they are. OR get a cage with a divider that can be removed/put in. That way you can have them separated as a trial, or together in a larger cage.

But as they seem to be a bonded pair, I'd leave them as they are, they'll only get stressed out if you try to separate them.

Thanks! So Il go with my instinct! Also gave them a shower today and they do look a lot better, still need to get some pellets, any tips on when/how I should feed them? How often and how do I keep track of how much each has had?