Caring for your bird

1. When buying a cage for your pet parrot, the cage needs to be big enough for the bird to spread its wings without touching the sides of the cage when it is fully-grown. Also a perch on top of the cage makes a nice play area for your parrot.
2. It is probably wise to have the flight feathers clipped. If you're not competent for the task your bird breeder or pet store can do that for you. If you will ask us to, we will clip the wings of your baby parrot before we ship it to you. Then all you will have to do is re-clip it's wings every now & then.
3. When you bring your pet bird home, put it in its cage and let it adjust to all the new sounds, people, and other pets. It will take your new baby pet parrot a day or two to get use to its surroundings.
4. The first time you let the your new pet parrot out of its cage, limit the time. This reduces stress for the bird and also for the owner. It also establishes from the beginning that you are in control and you determine how long your pet bird can stay out.
5. Do not initiate routines with your pet bird that you will not be willing or able to continue.
6. When opening the cage reach in for the parrot and let it step up on your hand, then hold it for a few seconds stroking it before you continue on to another activity with the bird. This shows you are in control of the situation.
7. Do not allow the parrot to bite even when playing. If it's allowed to bite when it's young, it can take a finger off when it's mature.
8. Do not allow your parrot on your shoulder, unless you place it there. You determine when it's time for the parrot to be removed from your shoulder.
9. Teach the parrot to come off and on your hand by command. Remember that you are the adult here.
10. Do not allow the parrot to roam the floor. This presents a safety risk for you and your bird.
11. Introduce the parrot to as many new foods as possible. No junk food or fatty foods. It can & should be given many human foods, pasta, unsugared cereal, and all kinds of fruits and vegetables.
12. Limit the seed, less is better than more. Your parrot can become a seed junky, which is not good. A lot of health problems will arise from too much seed. Your pet parrot also needs a selection of soaked & cooked beans, as well as fruit, veggies, pasta, etc. Feed Cockatoo & Amazon sized parrots 1/3 cup of "Large Hook-bill Seed Mix" & 1/3 cup of "Soak & Cook Mix" (beans) a day. Macaw sized parrot need 1/2 cup of each, each day PLUS fruit, veggies, pasta, etc. Both "Large Hook-bill Seed Mix" & "Soak & Cook Mix" are available from your local pet store. Large amounts of nuts and sunflower seeds are not recommended. These are treats.
13. Set aside a time each day as play time and training time.
14. Start setting behavior guidelines from the start. This prevents having to correct bad habits later.
15. Remember have fun with your new pet and YOU'RE the BOSS.