Category: Birds

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Foraging

Any bird lover can tell you that parrots are smart, some say they can have the intelligence of a 2 year old. Help exercise your bird’s mind by creating foraging opportunities for them. When parrots are given a full bowl of seeds or pellets daily, they don’t have to “work” and can become bored or lazy. This can lead to free time for screaming, feather picking, food throwing, or other undesirable behaviors. In the wild, parrots can spend between 4 – 8 hours a day foraging. This includes looking and climbing for food, ripping up plants, bark, and grasses for grains and seeds, tearing into a ripe fruit or a nut, and more!

There are many ways to provide enrichment; one of the simplest is offering fresh food. Not only is it good for them, but a wide variety will allow them to experience many different tastes and textures. If your bird is already fed fresh foods, offer it different ways. Chunks of food can be slid onto a stainless steel hanging skewer, where they will have to figure out how to access it as well as eat from it.

For parrots that need something more stimulating, there are many toys that encourage puzzle solving and item manipulation.

Many foraging toys and activities can be made at home. If you have an extra hang-on bowl, place a treat inside and position it in a different area of the cage everyday so your bird must find it. Food and treats can also be wrapped in packets of paper or paper cups to allow for more food finding opportunities.

There are many more foraging toys available; we can help you pick out an appropriate one for your bird. If you have pictures of your bird enjoying a foraging toy, or any foraging ideas that your bird loves, send us an e-mail.

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Green-cheeked Conures

Conures- loveable, loud, and curious! There are 2 main genus of conures: Aratinga and Pyrrhura, plus a few types that are their own genus: Nandays, Patagonians, and Golden conures to name a few.

One of the most popular conures kept are the Green cheeked conures, which belong to the Pyrrhura genus. Their smaller size, and generally quieter vocalizations are what make many bird owners initially drawn to these companion parrots. It is their intelligence, charm, and mischievous nature that makes us fall in love with them. Their average life span can range between 18 – 25 years with proper nutrition and exercise. It is recommended that their diet should include vegetables rich in vitamin K, and be slightly higher fat and lower in protein.

A standard green cheek has a black crown, with a grayish-white collar around the neck. The body is mostly green with a maroon blush on its belly as well as the tail. The primary wing feathers are vibrant blue, which is especially noticeable on an unclipped bird. There are a number of beautiful color mutations as well, from the pronounced red and yellow of the pineapple conure (a cinnamon variety of the yellow-sided mutation), to the teal and silvery gray of the turquoise conures.

These highly interactive little parrots can obtain a small vocabulary, learn tricks like waving, kisses, laying on their backs, and more with proper time and dedication. Their in-cage antics will also leave you laughing as they scoot around on their sides, wrestle with bells and jingle balls, and hang upside-down.

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To Clip or not to Clip

It is highly debatable whether parrot owners should have their birds’ wings clipped or not. Is it risky to keep a bird flighted? Is it too stressful not being able to fly? As parrot owners the real matter is keeping your bird safe in its environment.

Flying is a remarkable ability of birds, and extremely advantageous to a life in the wild. It is a means of travel, escape, survival, and more. When kept in captivity and reduced spaces, is there still a benefit? Yes. Parrots that are allowed to fly in controlled outdoor spaces like aviaries, or in large rooms have increased lung function, strong muscles, better fitness, and balance.

But there are also drawbacks to having a full flight parrot. Parrots that become startled or are flying in unfamiliar spaces may get injured flying into walls, mirrors, and windows. In instances where a parrot is a pet with a large family, a family with small children, or one that has frequent guests, a bird that has been clipped is much safer. With so many people it can be hard to regulate open doors, open windows, loud noises, strangers, and more. One of the main causes of bird loss is from flying away, and once outside, it can be very difficult to recover them.

Clipping is also beneficial to new parrot owners that may have difficulty handling full flight parrots and are unaware of potential hazards. A regular grooming every 3 months is recommended. Very independent birds can even become dominant or territorial when they regain the ability to fly.

Every home situation will be different, which is why it is important to take a moment and think critically about what is safest for you and your feathered friend.

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Lovebirds

The lovebird varieties most people are familiar with are the Peach-faced Lovebirds, Fischer’s Lovebirds, and the Masked Lovebirds, although there are about six other varieties not commonly seen or kept as pets. Lovebirds are a small, colorful parrot, about 5-6 inches long, and are native to Africa and Madagascar. Many owners enjoy them for their curious, cuddly, and bold personalities. Although not known for their strong talking ability, with practice they are able to learn tricks, whistle, give kisses, and more.

One misconception is that lovebirds need to be kept in pairs. A single lovebird with a spacious cage, toys, and daily handling can be easier to work with and happy with its human partner. On the other-hand, an untamed lovebird that does not come out of its cage would benefit from another lovebird companion if they get along.

There are now many beautiful color mutations of lovebirds available, from yellow to blues, greens, and purple. An average lifespan can be 15-20 years with proper hygiene, diet, and exercise.