Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What species of parrot are the best for a family pet?

A: The Cockatoo Parrot family.

Q: What species of parrot are the best talkers?

A: African Grey Parrots, Double Yellow Head Amazon Parrots, Yellow Naped Amazons, or Macaws.

Q: What species of parrots are the smartest?

A: That depends on whom you talk to. Generally it isn't a species but the parrot that has had lots of time devoted to it, teaching it, loving it, bonding to it & creating a relationship with it so that it truly wants to interact with humans on a more human, rather than a strictly parrot, level.

Q: What species of parrots are the sweetest & most loving?

A: Without a doubt, the Cockatoo Parrot family.

Q: Is a Hook-bill (Parrot) expensive to keep?

A: Not really, unless you buy every toy you can find or spend a fortune on an elaborate cage. They can be fed for $10 to $30 a month for special parrot food, depending on the species. They require a "Large Hook-bill Seed Mix" & a "Soak & Cook Bean Mix". Beyond that they eat a lot of what humans eat: fruit & veggies, pasta, tortillas, rice, etc...

Q: What are Hook-bills anyway?

A: Parrots.

Q: Do I have to keep my parrot in a cage?

A: Your Parrot should have a cage. It should be allowed to have the cage open so it can come out on top to walk around, play, etc when you are there. When you are going to be gone from the room or house for quite awhile, your parrot should probably be caged, so it doesn't get into trouble.

Q: Can my parrot sit on a perch?

A: Yes, but it may not stay there. It would probably be happier being able walk around on top of its cage. Leave the cage door open so it can go in & out to food & water & its perches, if it wants to.

Q: Do I have to clip my parrot's wings?

A: It is a very good idea. Without clipped wings it could fly out, if the door were accidentally left open. There is a danger of it flying into glass windows, ceiling fans, that sort of thing.

Q: How do I teach my parrot to talk?

A: The same way you would teach a child, by talking to it. You can leave the TV, radio, stereo, tape player, etc. on for it. Just remember that whatever it hears, it may repeat at any time, so don't give it a source of conversation you would not want repeated if the preacher or your mother came to visit.

Q: Will my parrot like my other pets?

A: It will generally get along with dogs & cats, if they are the kind that will not attack it. A baby parrot could not defend itself from another household pet attacker. Jealousy on the part of the established pet can be an issue. It is up to you to safeguard the baby parrots safety.

Q: Can I keep different species of parrots together?

A: Never, in the same cage. In the same room, probably. If one is mature & the new one is a baby, the mature parrot will have to be watched to make sure it doesn't attack the baby out of jealousy.

Q: How can I tell if my parrot is a male or female?

A: You can have your parrot surgically or DNA sexed. Eye color & body confirmation are not necessarily good indicators of the parrot's sex.

Q: How do I discipline my parrot when it is doing something it knows it should not be doing? I have heard you shouldn't hit a parrot because their bones are thin & it could cause an injury.

A: Exactly right! The best discipline when a bird misbehaves is to tell it "NO!", put it in its cage, cover it & leave it alone for 30 minutes & to an hour. It is the parrot version of kindergarten "time out"! & it works.

Q: What do I do when my parrot won't stop screeching?

A: Tell it "NO!", then put it in it's cage, cover it & leave it alone for 30 minutes & to an hour.

Q: How do I bathe my parrot?

A: Run about 4" of warm water in a sink. Use a baby shampoo (no tears variety). Leave the water trickling on the faucet & you can have the parrot totally bathed & rinsed before it tires of playing with the trickle of water. Make sure you get it rinsed very well & that it has a warm place to dry. Also bathe in the morning so it has all day to dry.

Q: Can my parrot get fleas & ticks & parasites like that?

A: It won't get fleas or ticks but it can get mites. Get Seven dust from your local lawn & garden store. Dust the parrot, the bottom of its cage, nest box, etc.

Q: My friend has a parrot. Can our parrots play together?

A: There are several risks. Disease & parasites are the 1st concern. 2ndly, is the concern of an older, more mature parrot injuring a young parrot. It is risky.

Q: Is it okay to put my parrot by the window so it can look out?

A: Direct sun can be deadly. As long as your bird can get out of the sun & it isn't too hot or cold, it should be okay.

Q: What is too hot or cold for my parrot?

A: Ideal is 75F to 80F. Mature Parrots can handle 40F & lower, as well as 100F & high, but there is always a risk with the extreme temperatures.

Q: Should I keep a fan on my parrot, if the house is hotter than 80F in the summer?

A: Never let your parrot be in a draft. Circulated air is fine but not a direct draft.

Q: What should I do if my parrot acts like it is sick?

A: Look at its eyes. If your parrot has droopy eyelids when it is awake & alert, it is sick! Get it to an Avian Veterinarian immediately.

Q: How do I find an Avian Vet?

A: Try the yellow pages. Failing that, try a College or University with a Vet School. You should know where the nearest Veterinarian help is for your bird prior to needing it.

Q: Is wild parrot seed okay for my parrot?

A: No! Buy a "Large Hook-bill Mix" & a "Soak & Cook" bean mix from your pet store or from the Cockatoo Connection. Your parrot should have 50% Seed Mix & 50% Soak & Cook each day PLUS fruit & veggies, pasta, etc. Feed Cockatoo & Amazon sized parrots 1/3 cup of Large Hook-bill Seed Mix & 1/3 cup of Soak & Cook Mix a day. Macaw sized parrot need 1/2 cup of each, each day PLUS fruit, veggies, pasta, etc.

Q: Can I take my parrot outside?

A: Sure. But be certain that its wings are adequately clipped. There are harnesses & leashes made for parrots also.