Parrots Rights

The Complete Pet Bird Owner's Handbook (Revised Ed

We are not a rescue, even though we support Parrots Rights!

We do not rescue birds but we are always here to help with placing your bird in a wonderful forever home

" Ricky "

Umbrella Cockatoo Rescued and after a year of close observation , he has found a wonderful life long home.

A Special Thank You to Cathy and her Family

Good Bird! A Guide to Solving Behavioral Problems

" Gabby "

A Severe Macaw who had been terribly abused. Learning again that it is possible to find a loving trusting home . He is one special needs bird that I will always hold dear to my heart. Thank You to those special people who adopted this special bird!

Big bird , Little bird , Whats the difference? The difference is to consider the following:

Big and even small birds can be very vocal , sometimes needing that big scream 2 to 3 times a day . This is something they bring with them from the wild . Calling out to flock members , usually at day break and evening or when danger is around or at foraging to gather the flock . The best way to handle this is to become a parrot and join the scream . Its a wonderful way to relieve the daily stressors and will also include you in flock communications.

If your bird screams when you walk outside , he is simply calling you back as he would another member of the flock , or he may scream when you come home from work to welcome your return.

The amount of time and space you have to home a parrot needs to be considered

A Parrot's Bill of Rights
By Stewart A. Metz, M.D.

From The Indonesian Parrot Project
Training your Parrot ... Resolving Behavioral Problems ... Foraging

1. Get to know about parrots before you bring me home ...
I am not a domesticated pet like a dog or cat. I still have the spirit of the jungle in me. I have special needs which you may find it hard to fill. Please don't learn these too late for my well-being. And please don't acquire one of my cousins wild from the jungle—it will jeopardize his survival and well-being, and that won't be a party for you either!

2. Give me the largest home possible ... I am used to flying through rainforests or savannas. I have given up this great gift for your pleasure. At the very least, give me enough room to flap my wings and exercise. And, I need toys for my amusement and wood to chew. Otherwise, I might confuse your home with the forest and its trees.

3. Give me a nutritious diet ...
I need a wide variety of fresh and nutritious foods, even if they take time to prepare. I cannot survive on seeds alone and be healthy. Take time to learn what my needs and preferences are.

4. Let me have a social life ...
I am a gregarious flock animal, but I am not one of you. I need lots of socialization to learn how to interact with you as well as my siblings. I also need to have adequate quality time with you every day—no matter what your schedule or other needs are. I am a living, feeling creature. Above all, I need to be able to have complete trust in you and count on your predictability in looking after me—every day.

5. Let me be clean ...
I may like to drop food or even throw it, but I need meticulous cleanliness to be healthy. My skin itches without frequent showers, the barbs of my feathers won't seal if they become oily and, worst of all, I may become ill if my food or water is not always sanitary.

6. I need my own doctor ...
You may not understand my physiology and therefore you may not recognize it early on when I get sick. And, it may be too late when you do, because I hide my illnesses. (Remember what I said about my being an animal of the jungle, where there are lots of predators.) And I need an avian vet—a specialist. (No HMOs for me please.) If you can't afford one, perhaps you shouldn't have taken me home.

7. Please don't punish me ...
Just as I don't always understand your peculiarities, you may not understand mine. I don't TRY to get into trouble—remember, a house is not the jungle. If I do screw up, don't yell at me and never hit me. I have sensitive ears and I may never trust you again if you strike me. Hands are sometimes scary things to us. (Why in the world would you not be zygodactylous like us?) Even more importantly, we don't learn by punishment. We are gentle creatures who only strike back to protect ourselves; we learn through patience and love.

8. Speak my language ...
I know you get upset with me when I knock over my water bowl, throw food, scream, or pluck my feathers. I don't do these things to annoy you. I am probably trying to tell you something (perhaps that I am hurting, lonely, or sad). Learn to speak MY (body) language. Remember that I, alone of all creatures on this planet, learn to speak yours!

9. See me as an individual ...
I am a unique and feeling being. No two of us are alike. Please don't be disappointed in me if I don't talk like you wanted or can't do the tricks that your friend's parrot can do. But if you pay close attention to me (and I always empathize with you, whether you know), I will show you a unique being who will give you so much more than talking and playing. Give me a chance to show you who I am; I think you'll find the effort worth it. And remember, I am not an ornament. I do not enhance ANY living room decor. And I am not a status symbol—if you use me as such, I might nip at your up-turned nose!

10. Share your love with me ...
Above all, please remember that you are my Special Person. I put all my trust and faith in you. We parrots are used to being monogamous. (No bar-hopping for us!) So please don't go away for long periods or give me away—that would be a sadness from which I may never recover. If that seems to be asking a lot, remember, you could have learned about my needs before bringing me home. Even having a baby or taking a new job isn't a fair reason—you made a commitment to me FIRST. And if you think that you must leave me because you might die, provide for me forever after you leave. I may live to a ripe old age, but I can't provide for myself. Remember I'm in a small cage amongst people who are not of my blood.

11. Your rights ...
You have lots of rights, but I can only assure one. And that is, if you treat me the way I described above, I will reward you with unwavering love, humor, knowledge, beauty, dedication, and a sense of wonder and awe you haven't felt since you were a child. When you took me home, you became my Flock Leader, indeed, my entire universe—for life. I would hang the moon and stars for you if I could. We are one in Heart and Soul.

We currently have no rescue birds available for adoption . If you are interested in adopting a bird with special needs please contact us . There are certain requirements that have to be met when adopting a special needs bird , so please take this into great consideration before approaching the adoption of a bird with special needs.

Some birds suffer severe phsycological damage due to abuse and neglect. In some cases the damage cannot be reversed . We are not a rescue facility. Please refer to our rescue page for rescue centers or contact us and we will help you find a center in your area

Things to Consider Before Buying a Bird:

When buying a bird, you need to be sure the breeder is reputable, knowledgeable and interacts well with their birds. It is best to choose a baby from a local breeder verses a pet shop... a hand raised newly weaned baby bird or a young bird that has begun some training and handled regularly. You can expect to pay more for a hand raised or very young bird, but this is worth the extra cost. Hand raised baby birds are very tame and easily bond to their new human owners. In our experiences we realize that it takes more than just hand feeding to produce an adult companion bird that is tame, well-adjusted and happy.

Birds can be wonderful companions and they can bring years of enjoyment into a home. However, owning a bird takes as much if not more responsibility than owning a dog or a cat. Make sure you take the time to do your homework and research the species you want before you get one. Start by making a list of reasons you want a bird and a list of traits that are important to you. Compare species of birds to narrow down your list to a few that make the grade. Several questions to take into consideration include the following:

1. Do I want a quiet bird or one that whistles and could possibly be a big talker?

2. Do I have time for a companion bird?

3. Can I afford not just the cost of the bird and cage , but his care such as food and vet care?

4. Am I able to provide for his future should something happen to me?

5. Have I done enough research to know that a companion bird is right for me?

6. Am I willing to take him to a certified avian vet should he become ill , as these services can be expensive and in some areas may require traveling.

7. Am I able to offer him a better diet than seed?

8. Big bird , Small bird , Whats the difference?

9. Air filtration is very important if you own multiple birds do you need one?

There are many ways you can quiz yourself , but all of the above examples are very important for the health and happiness of you and your new companion.