Life with parrots



My conure R2 as a baby. He has more tail feathers and a much longer tail now.



Life with a parrot is nothing like life with our fellow mammals. Parrots are group of birds and since birds are descendants of the mighty dinosaurs they are a type of feathered reptile. They have amazing colour vision, thanks to their advanced lung design are more active, can climb and cling over all sorts of surfaces (even upside down) like a gecko and, probably the most notable feature, can fly.

            It is always best to have your birds wings clipped so he can’t fly. This gives you greater control, keeps them safe so they don’t fly into places they could get harmed and so they don’t accidentally fly away. Not being able to fly, despite what people think, isn’t cruel or an act to control them and a parrot doesn’t care if it can fly or not. If it has plenty of food, water, attention and toys it’s happy.

A Sengal parrot playing basketball

            One must clean a parrots cage often, changing the soiled newspaper at the bottom washing perches, bowls, the floor and walls around the cage (trust me you’ll be surprised where a parrot can get its food and poop) the cage bars itself and bath the parrot about two to three times a week with luke warm water but other than that the rest of owning a parrot is extremely fun, even just watching them goof off in their cage is fun. I once saw a Cockatoo hang upside down from one foot at the top of his cage and swing back and forth for fun, it was funny to watch.

            Parrots love to hang with their flock members and in the home environment you and your family, plus other companion animals, are the parrots flock. When you dance and sing they’ll join you, when you play a video game they act as an audience at a sports game, you watch TV they comment on it and when you read a book they join you though they don’t read it they just like to chew up the paper. They love to listen to you play an instrument and will show their enthusiasm by dancing and singing along to your tune.

            Parrots, unlike dogs and cats, can have human foods. As a matter of fact parrots live longer healthier lives when their normal pellet diet is supplemented with fresh fruits and veg and even meats. My parrot R2 gets his normal pellet diet everyday but we always try to have some good eats for him with our dinner. He loves mangoes, grapes, pomegranates, corn, peas, kiwis and apples plus many more and he goes psycho for tuna and chicken. You may find when owning a Parrot that you cook and eat healthier.

            When you own a Parrot you’ll also find you’ll have the urge to sing and dance in front of their cage to entertain them, you bring home leftovers from party’s and buffets cause you think your bird will love it, and you’ll see a toy meant for toddlers that you think your parrot will love to play with.

            Parrots are also highly destructive. They can destroy a whole computer in an hour and a pet shop owner once told me that his Cockatoo destroyed his dining room furniture in less than 40 minutes. Parrots are trouble makers and you constantly have to be on the watch when they are out of their cage so they don’t get into trouble. If there is trouble to be had they will find it.

A ring necked parakeet destroying a cell phone

            Life with parrots is always a joy. You will rarely have a dull moment around a parrot, even just having them in their cage next to you as you enjoy a good book or movie/show or video game on a dull rainy day is enjoyable.