Pet bird

Parrotlets, affectionately known as “pocket parrots,” are charming, miniature-sized, true parrots. There are seven species of parrotlets: blue-winged parrotlets (Forpus xanthopterygius), Guiana or green-rumped parrotlets (F. passerinus), Mexican parrotlets (F. cyanopygius), Pacific or Celestial parrotlets (F. coelestis), Sclater’s parrotlets (F. sclateri), spectacled parrotlets (F. conpicillatus) and yellow-faced parrotlets (F. xanthops). The most commonly kept parrotlets in the United States are the green-rumped, Pacific and the spectacled. These usually weigh between 18 and 28 grams and are approximately 3 to 5 1/2 inches in length. Parrotlets can be sexed at a glance, since they are sexually dimorphic. Most owners describe them as lovable and easily maintained, yet very territorial. They are relatively inexpensive at prices ranging from $100 to $350 each. The following are a few common questions one may have while considering a parrotlet for a pet.

It seems most of us are fairly predictable when it comes to keeping a pet canary; we get one and are soon thinking of getting another. “Just one, to keep him company,” we say, wanting the best for this tiny enchanting creature that has generally managed to wriggle his little feathered way into our affections much faster than we’d expected. By then, the next question seems almost inevitable: “Can canaries share cages?” During the late summer, fall, and most of the winter, it is possible for some male canaries to share a cage relatively amicably. But no matter how well they get along, only the more dominant canaries situation. You will get a little more song in a large shared-cage than a smaller one, but not as much song if each canary has his own well-defined territory. If you got your canaries at a young age, say, 6 months or so old, the gender will be uncertain since, with very little exception, it’s impossible to accurately tell the gender of a young canary until it is both physically mature and in full breeding condition. Even song is not a reliable indicator, as some canary hens can sing fairly well. A smaller sub-group of singing canary hens even exists that can sing every bit as well as most male canaries, and better than some!

If you fancy large birds, you can’t go wrong with an eclectus parrot. They’re not only beautiful, they can also entertain you with their chatter. But keeping an eclectus parrot is not for the time-strapped owner, says Dr. Katherine Quesenberry, head of avian and exotic pets at Animal Medical Center in New York City. “They’re not the type of pet you want if you have a very busy lifestyle and you’re not home very much,” she explains. (If “busy” best describes you, you’re better off with a small bird like a parakeet or cockatoo.) But if you do have time and energy to invest, you’ll be amply rewarded. Read on for the lowdown on these colorful birds.

We all know that pet birds are masters at hiding signs of illness. In nature, weak birds or those showing signs of disease are usually the first to be removed from the flock by predators. Of course, in the safety of our homes, our pet birds don’t need to hide illness; however, this is not something that a bird has conscious control over. By the time a bird shows signs of being sick, it is often quite ill and may actually be in a life-threatening situation. We all know that sitting on the bottom of the cage, fluffed up, with beak and head tucked under a wing during the day, or sitting with eyes closed most of the day are common symptoms displayed by a sick pet bird. Sneezing, rapid breathing, regurgitating, having overt changes to the droppings or bleeding are also all signs of a very sick bird. For owners who often spend a lot of time observing and playing with their pet bird, subtle changes to a bird’s behavior are usually the first clues that something is amiss. But bird owners also should purchase and use a good-quality scale to measure their bird’s weight on a regular basis. Weighing your pet birds weekly can be invaluable. Weight loss can be so subtle that you won’t be able to feel it when picking up a bird, but the loss may actually be significant. For a small parrot, a weight loss of few grams can indicate a sick bird. By the time you can feel muscle loss around the keel, testing may reveal that the bird is very ill. At the other end of the spectrum, rapid weight gain can give an owner and the bird’s veterinarian a heads-up that a hen is cycling and might begin producing eggs soon. Weight gain over time can be an indicator that a bird is consuming too many calories or is possibly developing an internal problem (fluid build up in the body cavity, a tumor or mass, for example).

Budgerigars, or budgies, are one of the most commonly kept pet bird in the world. Although most parrots will talk and mimic for attention, researchers have recently discovered that budgies have the ability to speak in context. The Budgie Research Group has recorded countless hours of budgie-speak. Victor, the first budgie to be recorded by the group, is said to have had a vocabulary of more than 800 words. Cheri Collins of Maine has a 1½-year-old budgie named Buddy. He is also one of more than 20 budgies that are currently part of the Budgie Research Group. “The reason he is part of this prestigious group is his ability to speak in context. This talent is not something that was taught to him; it is something that he has always had the ability to do, I only helped him to realize his potential.” Sarah Cordish is also a member of the Budgie Research Group. Her budgie, Herbert, can say hundreds of words and even makes up his own sentences. “Herbert is a gray budgie, but there is nothing gray about his personality. I once told Herbert that I would let him out of his cage at 4:00 p.m. At 2:30 p.m. I heard him say, ‘I can’t wait until four!’” According to Cordish, he also understands the concept of naming. “Last summer, he was given an aviary-bred hen to raise a family [with] if he wanted. He fell in love with the hen; and the feeling was mutual. I had not named the hen, so Herbert did. What name did he choose? He started calling softly to her, ‘Sarah, Sarah.’ What an extraordinary compliment.” Budgies are extremely bright and capable of complicated cognitive abilities. Like all pets, they need encouragement and patience in order to encourage their learning process.,1. The Intelligent African Grey Parrot

In captivity, it is not abnormal for a mature macaw hen to lay eggs and protect her eggs. Yet it can be troublesome for people with pet birds. Therefore, you should closely examine her environment for what is encouraging her to lay eggs. Macaw hens confined to small cages might view their surrounding as a nesting area. By taking her beyond her reproductive comfort zone, you can help prevent further egg laying. When she is not cycling, take her for rides in the car or to the home of a bird-friendly acquaintance. If her wing feathers are recently trimmed or with the use of a leash and harness, she can go out for picnics or to a park. Only go to places that are safe for birds. Avoid dog parks or areas that are particularly noisy and active. Teach her some tricks and keep her busy to help draw her attention away from laying eggs. Move her cage to a different location each night so that she is less likely to ovulate. Blue & golds often lay multiple clutches and produce too many eggs. She is less likely to lay another clutch if she sits on her eggs. Leave her eggs with her until she abandons them. Pad the area under the perch with clean straw or shredded newspaper to prevent the eggs from breaking. If an egg cracks, paint the cracks with clear nail polish or white glue to prevent bacteria from entering the egg. Discard any egg at the first signs of bacterial growth. If an egg breaks, replace it with a ceramic egg of similar size. Macaw hens with poor muscle tone run the risk of becoming egg bound. Egg laying hens should be well muscled and eating a healthy diet. Although egg laying can deplete calcium and other nutrients from the body, it is risky to add vitamin supplements to her diet. If you add an overabundance of vitamins, the result can be vitamin toxicity. Your best chance of getting the correct balance of nutrients into her system is by feeding her a good breeder pellet. When she stops laying eggs, resume feeding her a maintenance diet. If she will not eat pellets, then increase the amount of vitamin- and calcium-rich foods in her diet. Broccoli and almonds are examples of foods rich in calcium, and broccoli has many other nutrients that are beneficial for egg laying hens. There are medical treatments to manage excessive egg laying. I recommend that you take your bird to an avian veterinarian for a thorough examination and a discussion about how many eggs your macaw hen can safely lay.,Q:

As a new pet parent, one of the most exciting tasks is picking a name for your companion. And if you’re lucky enough to call a bird your bestie, naming is even more fun! With tons of personality, exotic good looks, and striking voices, pet birds can inspire some of the most creative monikers. Need a little help selecting a name that soars above the rest? From pop-culture picks and nature-inspired choices to unique bird names with cool meanings, we put together a list of the best bird names for feathered friends, from Amazon parrots to lovebirds to wrens. With over 300 cute and clever names for birds, you’re bound to find the perfect name for your new pet!

Parrots are known for their speaking ability, but most pet birds can’t actually carry a conversation. So how do you know what your feathered friend is thinking and feeling? Reading bird body language, from head bobbing to sounds to flapping wings, can help you to not only understand what your pet is feeling, but also develop a stronger bond with them. Some actions can even tell you when they’re sick or injured. We spoke with two pet bird experts to decode parrot body language, from physical movements to vocalizations: Dr. Karen Rosenthal, DVM, director of exotic companion animal education for Veterinary Emergency Group in New York City. Dr. Laurie Hess, DVM, an avian and exotic pet veterinarian and owner of the Veterinary Center for Birds and Exotics in Bedford Hills, New York.

Have you considered that a flock of four parakeets could be a $4,000 investment over their lifetime? Or that two Amazon parrots and two macaws could cost almost $6,000 annually? These prices don’t include initial setup, such as the cost of a cage, bowls and perches. They also do not consider the purchase price for the bird from a pet shop or breeder, or the adoption fee if the parrot is adopted through a non-profit organization.

Birds are delicate creatures with eyes to match. If your pet bird is squinting, blinking frequently or rubbing their face with their wing, look closer: Are their eyelids red and swollen? Is the outer surface of the eyeball (the cornea) discolored? Those are clear signs of bird eye problems. Like with humans, birds’ eyes can be irritated by a cornucopia of causes. The technical term vets use for eye irritation is “conjunctivitis,” and any bird can be affected: parakeets, cockatoos, finches, house finches, parrots and songbirds. An eye is an eye—it doesn’t matter what size or kind of bird it is. Below, we list the most common bird eye problems that cause conjunctivitis. But remember, visiting your vet is the only way to know for sure what the cause is and how to fix it.