| Grooming | | | | fall hard on the ground and go circles in the air. Aim |
| Parrots are a lot different from dogs and cats as | | | | for wings that will help your bird flutter harmlessly to |
| pets. Unlike dogs and cats, parrots do not need | | | | the ground. |
| blowdrys or spa treatments. Grooming a parrot | | | | Feeding your parrot |
| should maintain clipped nails and wings and a beak in | | | | Like in grooming, perhaps the one important thing |
| perfect shape. But this is not something easy to do. | | | | you have to keep in mind is that your parrot is a pet |
| A pet parrot owner should be trained by a | | | | and you do not compare or imitate the lifestyle of |
| professional avian veterinarian to make sure that | | | | the parrot in the wild because the environment is |
| they know what they are doing. If not, never | | | | totally different. |
| attempt on grooming your parrot because it might | | | | In feeding the parrot, you have to make a total |
| cause serious injuries. | | | | conversion of the parrot's diet. Do not be carried |
| BEAK | | | | away by books or petshop owners who are saying |
| Be cautious certain types of conditions like an upper | | | | that seeds are the best diet your parrot could ever |
| or lower beak growing off to the side is one. This | | | | have. |
| can be defect acquired during birth or an injury from | | | | Parrots like humans need to have a well-balanced diet. |
| an accident. Cleaning and caring the beak might prove | | | | Seeds are great for wild parrots because they are |
| to be difficult in such a condition. Some illnesses might | | | | high in fat and protein. But wild parrots' activities are |
| also cause problems in growing your parrot's beak | | | | not similar to pet parrots. Wild parrots get much |
| such as mite or fungal infections. | | | | exercise out there, flying here and there to look for |
| NAILS | | | | food and find a shelter. They need all the weight, |
| The first thing to know in cutting your parrot's | | | | energy and fats they can get to do these activities. |
| toenails is to identify the desired length that the nails | | | | Pet parrots just stay home and only get exercise |
| should be cut. For this procedure, you will need an | | | | during very limited time of play sessions. |
| effective bird holder or a method of safe restraint, a | | | | The acceptable diet to home-bound parrot pets is |
| cutting device and a styptic powder. Never attempt | | | | 70-80 percent "pelleted" diet and with the remaining |
| to cut the nails if you are unsure and not properly | | | | 20-30 percent composition of fruits and veggies diet. |
| trained to do it. In case you are, you will only get | | | | It will also help if you go and ask your avian vet to |
| used to the right length as time progresses. The | | | | make you a list of foods to avoid by your parrot. |
| cutting device should be appropriate to the size of | | | | Some examples are raw onions, guacamole, |
| your parrot. For smaller ones, human nail trimmers will | | | | chocolate or any milk products, avocado and rhubarb. |
| do but for larger ones, a pet nail trimmers or the | | | | Cages and accessories |
| guillotine-style nail trimmer is most appropriate. If in | | | | Parrots need a big cage so that they can have |
| any case you cause your parrot's toenail to bleed, be | | | | enough space to swing their wings fully and cling and |
| ready with the styptic powder but be cautious | | | | hang as much as they want to. The best cages are |
| because this is very painful when applied to an open | | | | those that are made of stainless steel, no paint chip |
| wound so you have to restrict your parrot from | | | | off or rust that your bird might feed on. Plus they |
| moving wildly effectively. | | | | are great for cleaning considerations. They can be |
| Nails are important to be cut because this can cause | | | | easily cleaned by a bleach solution and rinsed. |
| injury to your parrot. Long toenails might get caught | | | | Feeding bowls that are stainless steel are ideal too. |
| in rugs, carpets, toys and cages and can be the | | | | The perch should be thicker in size so that your bird |
| cause of a broken toe. | | | | can avoid toenail injuries and do not feed on it. |
| WINGS | | | | Parrot safety |
| A properly clipped parrot's wings can prevent a | | | | Having a parrot at home means you have to make |
| serious injury to your pet parrot. In an attempt to fly | | | | your home much safer for your bird companion. |
| during play sessions, parrots can avoid falling to the | | | | Toxic fumes released by appliances with non-stick |
| ground hard with correct clipped wings. Not only that | | | | surfaces are deadly for your pet parrot. So use them |
| they will also not be prone to serious wing, leg and | | | | with caution or do not use them at all. Other |
| head injury because of crashing into doors, mirrors, | | | | dangerous household items that can cause serious |
| windows and ceiling fans. | | | | damage to your parrots are scented candles, incense, |
| True, full-winged parrots are very nice to look at and | | | | cigarette smoke, cooking smoke, sprays, aerosol |
| add to the beauty of the parrot but keep in mind | | | | fumes and carpet powders, metals made of lead and |
| that your parrot is a pet and not left out in the wild | | | | zinc, toxic plants, electrical cords, hot and boiling |
| where they can boast off their wings while looking | | | | foods and other pets. |
| for food, flying to safety, protecting their young and | | | | Make sure that you have all the necessary |
| shelter or finding companionship. You would not want | | | | information from your avian veterinarian before |
| your parrot to wander and fly off just like that | | | | having a pet parrot. Ask him for a list of things you |
| would you! So be sure to trim the wings of your | | | | need to remember and avoid while having a bird |
| parrot and trim it correctly. Never attempt to trim | | | | companion. It may not be easy but you will get the |
| the wings for the purpose of style and wild | | | | hang of it later on. |
| appearance because this might cause your parrot to | | | | |