Frequently Asked Questions

Parrots should never eat the following items: avocado, caffeine, chocolate, fat, fruit pits or apple seeds, salt, anything in the onion family including garlic, and imitation sweeteners.

Parrots are in the wild are used to sleeping from the time the sun goes down till the sun comes up. It is best to emulate the same sleep patterns to promote good health. Ten to Twelve hours works best.

It has been known that parrots do well with children and other companion pets. However, parrots, children, and companion pets are unpredictable. Don’t let cute videos convince you that it is safe for them to be together. Always be cautious when introducing or allowing parrots to be alone with children or your other pets.

Absolutely! Parrots are conditioned to hide sickness until it is too late. An annual checkup allows the veterinarian to access your birds weight, feather and skin condition, eye health, and does a fecal smear test. This information may indicate that there is a health problem with your bird. These annual check-ups promote a long life.

We recommend a well balanced organic pellet. These pellets should be free from dyes and preservatives. We have included a link on our Shop, Donate, Fundraising Events page. A good chop including vegetables and grains is also important. Items to limit would include excessive nuts and seeds, cheese and dairy, and fruit. Excess of these items can promote fatty liver and play havoc with the hormone system. However, these items can be used as treats for training purposes.

Chop is a mixture of organic vegetables and grains. The organic vegetables should always be 80% of the chop ratio and grains 20% of the ratio.

For small birds such as conures, quakers, and cockatiels:

Take several vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, arugula, sweet potato and wash them in a bowl of cold water and a small amount of vinegar. Get as much of the water off the vegitables as possible to prevent your chop being mushy. A salad spinner works great. The chop your vegetibles in food processor until they are grated. Place them in a large bowl. (80%) Experiment with your vegetables to see what your bird likes.

Add cooked farro, bulgar wheat, quinoa, and lentils to the bowl and mix. (20%)

You can also sprinkle in chia seeds, hemp seed hearts, and flax seeds.

** This mix can be packed up into individual containers and frozen for up to 30 days. Just take a container out before bed and put it in the refrigerator to thaw.

For large birds such as African Grays, Cockatoos, and McCaws:

The recipe is the same as above but instead of using a food processor, hand chop the vegetables in larger pieces. Large birds prefer to hold their food when eating. Freezing does not work as well and not recommended.

You really shouldn’t give your parrot animal scraps. A small piece of cheese, a piece of boiled chicken, and vegetables are fine. No added salt, seasonings, or butter.

Bathing is an important part of parrots health. It rinses off the dust, removes surface dirt, and moisturizes the feathers making it easier for the parrot to preen. Soap or spray products is not necessary and may be harmful. Parrots should bathe as often as they like. Every other day is sufficient. Offer large bowls or a taking them in a shower is recommended.

Parrots are not domestic animals and were never mean’t to be in a cage. It has been said that parrots should be out of their cage at least 3 hours a day. This should be more than enough time for them to get some exercise, experience the surrounding environment, taking in all the sights, sounds and smells. Some owners have them out of their cage all day and back in their cage for nighttime. The more they are out, the happier they are.

Because your parrot will be in it’s cage 75% of it’s time, (Hopefully a little less.), it’s important that they can spread their wings and still have some room to move around. It’s best if they can perch higher in the cage so that they are not close to the bottom where there will be faeces and left over food. For size recommendations, please contact us.

Parrots are very messy! Not only do they make a mess out of their cage, but they do on the floor… and sometimes across the room. Frequent cleaning is a must for the health of your bird. Bottom trays and grates should be cleaned once a day. The side bars and purchases should be cleaned every 3 days. The best solution is a mixture of 1 gallon of water and 1/4 cup of vinegar. Nothing toxic should be used for cleaning.

Absolutely! Fresh air and sunshine is fantastic for parrots. Making sure that they have access to shade is important. Many parrots have been known to fly away and get lost. And it has been known that birds that have been clipped take off too. It is best to cage your bird before you go outside in a small carrier. Then you can transfer them to a bird aviary or a larger outside cage. You can also buy a bird harness.

Some states require parrots to have clipped wings. Many veterinarians do not like to do it. Clipped wings can cause balance issues, depression, and loss of muscle. Exercising your bird through flight is enriching and encouraged. Just make sure it is in a safe environment.

Parrots are like toddlers. If unsupervised, you are asking for trouble. They are curious and destructive. Items like electrical cords are lots of fun. Ceiling fans may be a great place to land but if it is running, you could end up with a hurt bird or even worse. Self cleaning ovens, candles, air fresheners, bleach, and other cleaning products have toxic fumes can kill them. And never have a parrot free in the kitchen while cooking.

Type of Bird = Normal Average Weight

** Over breeding can cause smaller size parrots. Consult with your vet to confirm the proper weight.

AFRICAN PARROTS
African Grey = 407 – 497 grams
Timneh Grey = 275 – 337 grams
Senegal = 127 – 155 grams
Peach-Faced Lovebird = 45 – 55 grams
Red-Bellied = 120 – 146 grams
Meyer’s = 101 – 123 grams
Jardine = 191 – 233 grams
Cape = 283 – 347 grams

MACAWS (* Hybrid)
Blue and Gold = 940 – 1148 grams
Green-Winged = 1066 – 1302 grams
Scarlet = 978 – 1196 grams
Military = 831 – 1015 grams
Harlequin* = 1030 – 1260 grams
Catalina* = 998 – 1220 grams
Hyacinth = 1191 – 1455 grams
Red-Fronted = 450 – 550 grams
Camelot* = 929 – 1135 grams
Ruby* = 991 – 1211 grams
Canidae = 747 – 913 grams
Miligold* = 948 – 1158 grams

MINI-MACAWS
Severe = 363 – 443 grams
Hahn’s = 138 – 168 grams
Yellow-Collared = 220 – 270 grams

COCKATOOS
Umbrella = 500 – 613 grams
Moluccan = 748 – 914 grams
Goffin = 246 – 300 grams
Rose-Breasted = 310 – 380 grams
Med Sulfur-Crested 830 487 438 – 536 803
Citron = 375 – 459 grams
Lesser Sulfur-Crested = 307 – 375 grams
Triton = 582 – 712 grams
Bare-eyed = 310 – 378 grams

AMAZON PARROTS
Blue-Fronted = 386 – 472 grams
Yellow-Naped = 495 – 605 grams
Double Yellow-Head = 445 – 545 grams
Orange-Winged = 365 – 447 grams
Red-Lored = 382 – 468 grams
Lilac-Crowned = 275 – 335 grams
Red-Headed = 312 – 382 grams
Yellow-Crowned = 406 – 496 grams
Mealy = 630 – 770 grams
White-Fronted = 206 – 252 grams
Panama = 400 – 490 grams

PIONUS PARROTS
Blue-Headed = 214 – 262 grams
White-Capped = 188 – 230 grams
Maximillion = 214 – 262 grams

CONURES
Green-Cheek = 60 – 72 grams
Sun = 96 – 118 grams
Blue-Crowned = 159 – 195 grams
Nanday = 124 – 152 grams
Jenday = 106 – 130 grams
Cherry-Headed = 157 – 191 grams
Patagonian = 205 – 251 grams
Mitred = 213 – 261 grams
Gold-Capped = 113 – 139 grams
Golden = 199 – 299 grams

MISCELLANEOUS BIRDS
Cockatiel = 82 – 100 grams
Eclectus = 379 – 463 grams
Green Quaker = 102 – 124 grams
Ringneck 1026 = 111 – 135 grams
White-Bellied Caique = 148 – 180 grams
Budgie = 32 – 40 grams
Black-Headed Caique = 143 – 175 grams
Blue Quaker = 88 – 108 grams
Parrotlet = 25 – 31 grams
Moustached = 110 – 134 grams
Lineolated = 43 – 53 grams