Parrots

Parrots are a very popular group of birds. Their colourful patterns and cute mannerisms, including picking things up with their feet and climbing with their bills, endears them to us all. No wonder Parrots are such favorite pets. Parrots are intelligent animals who depend on some degree of socialization and will not be good pets unless they are taught and patterned to be good pets. Good training is therefore vital to make these Parrots bond with you.

African Grey Parrot

The African Grey Parrot originates in the lowlands of Central Africa in countries like Kenya, Tanzania, Cameroon, Zaire, North Angola and the Guinea Islands. Found in the dense jungles of the Congo Valley, these birds are popular in aviculture throughout the world because they breed well in captivity.

All African Greys have the potential to speak and imitate, not only human, but all manner of sounds and whistles. Those who are not paid much attention speak well while those African Grey Parrots who are allowed out of their cages or handled well may not speak at all. African Grey Parrot bonds strongly to one person. The African Grey Parrot is a notorious feather plucker. Boredom, dietary imbalances and emotional abuse are some of the reasons behind its ferocious plucking.

Every African Grey Parrot is as different from the other as i am from you. Each has its own talking and plucking ability. Screaming African Grey Parrots can often be distracted from their yelling by flying them on your finger, or taking them for a walk around the house. This calms them down and naturally builds up the trust that you need in a good relationship.

An African Grey has a longevity of 40 to 60 years.

Amazon Parrot

Amazon Parrots are natives of Central and South African countries. Mostly found in humid tropical forests, Amazons also prefer the Savannah, which has short dry spells.

The Amazon Parrot was first brought to our land by Christopher Columbus. There are 27 species of Amazon Parrots, ranging from South America to Mexico and the Caribbean. Amazon Parrots are green and short winged. The Amazon Parrot is very good at talking and imitating sounds. Studies put the intelligence of these feathered chatterboxes on the same level as three-year old humans, dolphins and monkeys.

The Amazon Parrots are very energetic, playful and social creatures that crave lot of interaction with its human owners. It is well known for its often moody character. It can be, at different times, cuddly, loud, quiet, stubborn, silly, jealous, playfully aggressive or irritable. The Amazon Parrot is definitely not for all pet owners, it needs much more love and attention than most people would expect. Owning Amazon Parrots is very similar to owning dogs with wings.

A proper diet for an Amazon Parrot's health includes fruits and vegetables, fresh water, a fortified parrot pellet mix and a little of what the human family is having for dinner. Chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, avocado and apple seeds are toxic to your pet. Long-term commitment and a slightly offbeat adventure in pet ownership would mean highly trained Amazon Parrots for pet.

Eclectus Parrots

Eclectus Parrots were found originally in the Indonesian Islands, New Guinea, the Cape York Peninsula of Australia and the Solomon islands. Their habitat consists of dense semitropical and tropical rainforests. They live beneath the forest canopy. These birds are non migratory.

Eclectus Parrots are glossy and brilliant birds. The male Eclectus Parrots are bright green with blue and red patches, while the females are crimson with a blue belly. Two of the most famous subspecies of Eclectus Parrots are Vosmaeri and Solomon Island varieties. The large size of the Vosmaeri gives a more elegant look, whereas the little Solomon Islands Eclectus Parrots have a "cute" look.

Eclectus Parrots are such intelligent creatures that sometimes they train themselves after only one incident of you showing displeasure at being pooped upon. Eclectus Parrots are not just pretty birds. They not only repeat many words and phrases but also sing songs and talk to both their human and bird companions. Among all birds in the entire Parrot family, Eclectus Parrots rival only the African Grey and the Amazon in their clarity of speech and scope of vocabulary.

Eclectus Parrots need optimal amounts of natural Vitamin A in their diet. They have long digestive tract so they must be provided with ample amounts of fiber daily. They seem to thrive on a diet based on a wide variety of foods including fresh fruits and vegetables, sprouted seeds and beans, brown rice, high-fiber cereals, a variety of nuts and seeds, and high-quality pellets.

These intelligent Eclectus Parrots have often been described as "feathered monkeys" when they are absorbed in play. You can well imagine how wild they can be if they are not well trained. Untrained Eclectus Parrots is another name for hell.

Their average lifespan is 50-75 years.

Green Parrots

Among all birds man has tamed the Green Parrot seems to be the most favorite. In fact the Parrot family as a whole is the best choice. Among all kinds of parrots, there are many which can be termed a Green Parrot. This is because of the color of their plumage. A Green Parrot is a visual delight in any house. When I bought my first Green Parrot it changed the entire look and feel of the house. Any Green Parrot feeds on selected seeds, high quality proteins, carbohydrates, lean chicken and boiled vegetables.

The hawk-headed parrot may be loosely called a Green Parrot because its upperparts are green. A moustache Parakeet is also a Green Parrot with a grey head marked with bluish tinge. The eye area is washed with green. The young sun Conure has feathers which are predominantly green making it again a Green Parrot. Amazons, Senegals and others may belong to the Green Parrot family.

Green Parrots are intelligent, affectionate, inquisitive and can be easily trained. A well trained Green Parrot is a marvel in itself. However, it is true that untrained and untame Green Parrots can be a major nuisance.

The normal lifespan of a Green Parrot is 50 to 70 years.

Quaker Parrots

Originally from South America, ranging from Brazil to Argentina, the Quaker Parrot is similiar in size to a Cockatiel, although it is stouter and weighs more. Also known as a monk parakeet, it is bright green over the head, in the body, and down the tail, with a little visible blue in the tip of the tail and the flight feathers.

The Quaker Parrot enjoys soothing, cooing tones like, "Goooood Bird", and "Pretty Baaaaby". And of course it is an excellent talker. The baby Quaker Parrot can be heard softly, sometimes loudly, practicing its repertoires of human noises long before the words become clear. A Quaker Parrot loves to play amusing little games that provide great opportunity to bond with your parrot. It is a highly intelligent creature. A Quaker Parrot requires a tremendous amount of attention and stimulus in order to avoid boredom and aggression.

The more you respond to the noises made by your Quaker Parrot, the more you invite it to acquire human speech. It is just as interesting to study a Quaker Parrot's development just as it is in the case of a human baby. Just like your baby, your pet needs proper training for healthy living.

Senegal Parrots

Deriving its name from its place of origin, the Senegal Parrot is also found in Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Guinea. The Senegal Parrot is a green bird with a grey head, sports different colored under parts and belly and has piercingly bright yellow iris. In its natural habitat, the Senegal Parrot lives in moist woodland and on the edges of the Savannah.

The hand reared bird makes lovely pets. The Senegal Parrot learns to talk and imitate sounds such as the creak of the garage door and the ring of the telephone. The African Grey Parrot is more accurate in pitch and tone but the Senegal Parrot's is entertaining. Its diet consists of a seed mixture of sunflower, safflower, pine nuts, oats, hemp, millet and canary. It is a robust bird and not prone to feather plucking. A Senegal Parrot can also be well trained.

Like all birds the Senegal Parrot must be allowed time out of the cage to exercise and interact with you. It can also play independently. The more you interact the more a Senegal Parrot will relax and obey you. To be well behaved it must be well trained.

Their life expectancy is between 20 to 25 years.

Copyright (c) 2006 Nathalie Roberts