Why do you want a parrot?

Why do you want a companion parrot? Because it will talk? To look cool? To be a status symbol? To be macho? To match your couch?

None of these are good reasons for acquiring a parrot. Parrot acquisition should never be done on impulse. You have to be ready for the commitment and know what you are getting into. These are very long-lived creatures that may out live you; they need to be provided for in your will. Parrots are highly intelligent and emotionally sensitive animals that, depending on the individual bird, may or may not ever learn to talk. They can be loud, destructive, messy, demanding animals that take more time and energy to care for than dogs or cats but less time, energy and expense than, for example, horses. See the top 10 reasons people don't like living with parrots. Read on and think deeply on these issues before you decide that a parrot is the right pet for you.

On the positive side, they are beautiful, clever, complex, instinctive animals that are one or two generations removed from the wild. Therefore, they still have some wild tendencies. They have the potential to learn to talk very well, and can even learn to count or identify colors. Some imitate strange sounds. Sometimes they call the family dog or cat. Singing is a favorite of some birds. (Make sure that if your bird watches TV, you really like the theme song. The Andy Griffith Show is a real favorite!) If you are looking for a loving, intelligent, beautiful, affectionate, long living companion, then a parrot may be your ideal pet.

What is your lifestyle?

How often are you home? For how long? At what hours? Parrots need much more of your time than dogs or cats and they can't be left alone for too long without risking their running out of food or safe water to drink. Parrots are creatures of the day; when it is dark, they want to go to sleep. Do you have enough time to spend every day with your bird, or do you rapidly lose interest in new things? Each parrot needs at least 20 minutes of 1:1 loving attention, including being held, direct eye contact and kind words. Beyond that, a parrot needs to be out of the cage for much of the time you are home and awake. Your bird needs to be on a playstand in the same room you are in. There, your bird can hang out and be a flock (family) member and do things (play with toys) while you do things (watch tv, play games, etc). Do you party a lot, have a lot of people over? Will they respect your bird, or can you put your bird safely in the back room to protect him and enable him to get a good night's sleep even if you can't? Do you travel a lot? You can't leave a bunch of food in your parrot's cage and go away for the weekend without arranging for someone to come in and feed the bird twice a day, or without boarding your bird. Who will take care of your bird while you are gone?

Do You have other animals?

Some dogs, cats, ferrets and snakes are predators of birds. It is important to introduce other animals to your parrot cautiously, and to supervise any time they have togther to keep both your other animals and your bird safe. Additionally, larger birds may hurt smaller birds and they need to be kept separated. They need to have separate cages, separate play stands. You need to make sure it is not possible for the littler bird to get into the cage with the larger bird. If your littler bird is flighted, you need to keep it away so it cannot fly over to the bigger bird where it might startle the bigger bird and get bitten. If you have multiple birds, it is seldom possible to cage multiple parrots together, even if they are of similar sizes. Especially as they get older, each bird really needs its own cage and space, and they may argue if forced into co-habitation. It is even possible parrots may argue with their mates, when caged with a mate of the same species.

Is a parrot right for your home and family?

Unlike dogs and cats, parrots can be tamed but they are not domesticated. Each bird has a distinct and unique personality. While some people have parrots that are great friends with other animals and people in the house, that isn't always the case. If you have small children, your parrot may not understand their swift movements and high-pitched voices and find them stressful and frightening to be around. Parrots that are afraid may fear-bite smaller children. Parrots and smaller children need full time supervision. Parrots and wilder older children are also a bad idea. Some one will get hurt, and the poor bird will be the loser.

Where will the parrot live in your home?

Parrots need to be an integral part of your family. Cage size will have to be proportional to the size of the bird. Some birds require a cage the size of an entertainment center! The cage needs to be located against a wall, not in the center of the room. Birds need to feel safe and have something solid on at least one side of their cage. The cage also needs to be away from any drafts, not right above any heating or cooling duct or near any drafty windows. If you would be comfortable sitting all day and all night where the bird's cage is, your your bird will be comfortable. Parrots also need a separate play area away form their cages for intellectual, physical, visual and emotional stimulation and to help them be with their family (flock) in another room away from their cage. You must plan out the living space for your new friend before making the decision to acquire him.

Have you considered not only the cost of the parrot, but all the associated expenses?

Parrots are expensive, high-maintenance pets to have. Initial essentials include at least one cage, a play area, perches and toys that are rapidly destroyed and have to be replaced, a high-quality diet, an avian vet visit and an appropriate carrier. For many birds, the added initial cost can be as much as the original bird purchase, and then there are significant on-going expenses of maintaining their good diet, replacing toys, new perches, annual vet visits… parrots are not inexpensive pets to have.

Källa: Avalon Aviary

GET TO KNOW ABOUT PARROTS BEFORE YOU BRING ME HOME

I am not a domesticated pet like a dog or cat. I still have the spirit of the jungle in me. I have special needs which you may find it hard to fill. Please don't learn these too late for my well-being. And please don't acquire one of my cousins wild from the jungle—it will jeopardize his survival and well-being, and that won't be a party for you either!

GIVE ME THE LARGEST HOME POSSIBLE

I am used to flying through rainforests or savannas. I have given up this great gift for your pleasure. At the very least, give me enough room to flap my wings and exercise. And I need toys for my amusement and wood to chew—otherwise, I might confuse your Home with the forest and its trees.

GIVE ME A NUTRITIOUS DIET

I need a wide variety of fresh and nutritious foods, even if they take time to prepare. I cannot survive on seeds alone. Take time to learn what my needs, and preferences, are.

LET ME HAVE A 'SOCIAL LIFE'

I am a gregarious flock animal—but I am not one of you. I need lots of socialization to learn how to act with you, and with my siblings. I also need to have adequate quality time with you every day—no matter what your schedule or other needs are. I am a living,feeling creature. Above all, I need to be able to have complete trust in you, and count on your predictability in looking after me—every day.

LET ME BE CLEAN

I may like to drop food or even throw it, but I need meticulous cleanliness to be healthy. My skin itches without frequent showers, the barbs of my feathers won't seal if they become oily and, worst of all, I may become ill if my food or water is not always sanitary.

I NEED MY OWN DOCTOR

You may not understand my physiology and therefore you may not recognize it early on when I get sick. And it may be too late when you do, because I hide my illnesses (remember what I said about my being an animal of the jungle, where there are lots of predators). And I need an avian vet—a specialist (no HMOs for me please). If you can't afford one, perhaps you shouldn't have taken me home.

PLEASE DON'T PUNISH ME

Just as I don't always understand your peculiarities, you may not understand mine. I don't TRY to get in trouble—remember, a house is not the jungle. If I do screw up, don't yell at me and never hit me. I have sensitive ears and I may never trust you again if you strike me. Hands are sometimes scary things to us (why in the world would you not be zygodactylous like us?). Even more importantly, we don't learn by punishment. We are gentle creatures who only strike back to protect ourselves; we learn through patience and love.

SPEAK MY " LANGUAGE"

I know you get upset with me when I knock over my water bowl, throw food, scream or pluck my feathers. I don't do these to annoy you—I am probably trying to tell you something ( perhaps that I am hurting, lonely , or sad.). Learn to speak MY (body) language. Remember that I , alone of all creatures on this planet, learn to speak yours!

SEE ME AS AN INDIVIDUAL

I am a unique and feeling being.. No two of us are alike. Please don't be disappointed in me if I don't talk like you wanted, or can't do the tricks that your friend's parrot can do. But if you pay close attention to me (and I always empathize with you, whether you know it or not), I will show you a unique being who will give you so much more than talking and playing.. Give me a chance to show you who I am; I think you'll find the effort worth it. And remember—I am not an ornament;. I do not enhance ANY living room décor. And I am not a status symbol—if you use me as such, I might nip at your up-turned nose!

SHARE YOUR LOVE WITH ME

Above all, please remember that you are my Special Person. I put all my trust and faith in you.. We parrots are used to being monogamous.(no bar-hopping for us!).So please don't go away for long periods or give me away—that would be a sadness from which I may never recover. If that seems to be asking a lot, remember—you could have learned about my needs before bringing me home. Even having a baby or taking a new job isn't a fair reason—you made a commitment to me FIRST. And if you think that you must leave me because you might die, provide for me forever after you leave. I may live to a ripe old age but I can't provide for myself. Remember I'm in a small cage amongst people who are not of my blood.

YOUR RIGHTS

You have lots of rights, but I can only assure one. And that is, if you treat me the way I described above, I will reward you with unwavering love, humor, knowledge, beauty, dedication-- and a sense of wonder and awe you haven't felt since you were a child. When you took me home, you became my Flock Leader, indeed, my entire universe –for life. I would hang the moon and stars for you if I could. We are one in Heart and Soul.

Källa: aviannetwork.com

Good safe foods

Banana, Apple, Pear, Melon, Strawberry, Raspberry, Blackberry, Cherry, Apricot, Peach, Nectarine, Pineapple, Guava, Mango, Grapes (only a few for they have very little nutritional value).

Potatoes -- either boiled or dry roasted (a safe alternative for the delicious but totally unhealthy french-fry)

Swede (sorry rutabas)-- boiled in water or cooked with carrot in fresh orange juice.

Cauliflower, Spinach, Kale, Cabbage, Pumpkin (seeds as well), Vegetable Marrow & Courgette (sorry Zucchini), boiled or baked,

Sweet Potato boiled in water or orange juice or baked,

Sugar Snap Peas and Mange-Tout (lightly steamed),

Green beans, boiled or steamed, Bean Sprouts -- Mung and Fenugreek, either fresh -- make sure they are thoroughly washed, or lightly steamed.

Onions -- either fresh, dry roasted or boiled. Garlic -- same as for onions.

Whole wheat, brown rice, pearl barley, oats, bulgur wheat.

Natural yoghurt sweetened with fresh fruit is a very good source of beneficial bacteria and promotes optimum conditions within the digestive tract for natural, healthy flora.

Low fat or hard cheese can be a beneficial source of protein and oils if used with caution.

Both onions and garlic can also be used as flavourings as can very sparing amounts of cinnamon, ginger, black pepper and sweet bay.

Dried, powdered chillis and paprika can be used reasonably liberally

Bad foods

Avocado -- highly toxic and rapidly fatal.

Rhubarb -- excessively acidic and may contain remaining traces of the toxin, oxalic acid even after cooking.

Olives - excessive oil/salt and if not properly prepared, may contain toxic residues remaining from the processing.

Aubergine (Egg Plant) may contain slightly raised levels of solanin which although comparatively harmless to humans in such quantities, may cause digestive upsets or worse with parrots.

Asparagus -- Asparagin which gives the characteristic flavour can cause severe stomach upsets.

Chocolate -- Theobromin which gives chocolate it's characteristic flavour and is thought by some to have a soothing near addictive effect on humans, is toxic to psittacines and has been associated with respiratory and cardiac problems ultimately leading to death.

Anything containing caffeine -- tea of coffee can eventually lead to cardiac problems and in certain cases can also lead to hyper-activity.

Anything containing alcohol.

Milk or cream in any large quantities cannot be properly digested and can cause digestive problems with very long term, regular use.

Butter, because of its pure fat content and also the possibility of the same digestive problems caused by milk and cream.

I would be cautious in the use of nutmeg as a flavouring -- it is poisonous even to use if taken in excess and I believe that the 'jury is still out' with regard to coriander.

Källa: parrotmag.com

Carrots

Carrot juice

Pumpkin, canned

Sweet potatoes, baked

Sweet potatoes, boiled

Sweet potatoes, canned

Dandelion greens

Jalapeno peppers

Kale

Chard

Squash, butternut

Squash, baked

Beet greens

Peppers, sweet red

Mustard greens

Parsley

Onion sprig (greens)

Watercress

Dock (sorrel greens)

Chrysanthemum garland

Squash, hubbard boiled

Mango

Collard greens

Cantaloupe

Amarantha leaves

Lettuce, romaine

Passionfruit

Persimmon

Escarole

Papaya

Broccoli

Lettuce, looseleaf

Tomato

Pumpkin, cooked fresh

Savoy

Lettuce, butterhead

Green peas

Asparagus

Peppers, hot green chile

Nectarines

Passionfruit, purple

Green snap beans

Peaches

Peppers, sweet green

Squash, acorn baked

Watermelon

Squash, zucchini

Squash, crookneck

Lettuce, iceberg

Plum

Bok Choy

Corn, yellow only

Grapefruit, pink

Squash, acorn boiled

Cherries, fresh

Green peas w/ pods

Orange juice, fresh

Blackberry

Kiwi

Alfalfa sprouts

Raspberry

Cabbage

Squash, spaghetti

Bluberry

Leeks

Loganberries

Grapes

Banana w/ peel

Apple w/ peel

Honeydew melon

Strawberries

Pear, bartlett

Grapefruit, white

Källa: theaviary.com

165gr. smör
3 st. ägg
185gr. socker
1,5 tsk. bakpulver
200gr. vetemjöl
65gr. rågmjöl
2 tsk. vitaminpulver
30gr. skalade solrosfrön
30gr. kokosflingor
3msk. russin

Smält smöret. Vispa ägg(med skalet!!!) och socker poröst.
Rör i margarinet och alla torra produkter.
Grädda i avlång form och ställ i kall ugn.
Sätt på ugnen på 160° och grädda i 60 min.

Man kan ju variera i oändlighet med ingredienser som:
morötter, majs, pellets osv. När vi har ungar i holkarna brukar vi utesluta äggskalet.

Källa: Papegojwebben

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