Preparing for parrot?

What size parrot? Parrots start from parrotlets (4 inches) lovebirds, (about 6 inches) cockatiels (about 12 inches) and go up to the cockatoo or macaw. They all have the understanding and intelligence of a 3 or 4 year old child. They also will act like one as well. Remember, cats' instincts are to kill birds though some people have cats and birds living together. But do know that cat saliva, even dry on a paw, is deathly to a birds. BTW, you'd be surprised what a baby Gray, Too, or Macaw could do to a cat. Even lovebirds, and their smaller parrots.

Cage size should be as big as you can afford with plenty of room for them to run around in. No cage bird should be caged all the time...majority of the time they should be out of cage. Temperature needs to be about 78, 82 degrees in the house. I like to warm it a bit more, even in the summer, when they've had a bath or been misted. Even though the outer feathers are dry, the down feathers on any bird takes most of the day to dry. To make it happy, many, many, many toys changed often because like toddlers they get bored easily. Look at toys online and in catalog's and then get parts an make some...it can get very expensive to keep buying them, as they are all for them to chew and destroy. Wood, and paper, a lot of both are very much loved by birds. Corn husks and raffia are great shredders. Remember, also to not feed nothing but seed or pellets. And birds go to bed and get up just like the wild birds outside. I live in Phoenix, so right now I don't have to get up until about 5:15 am to start making their breakfast. But as it get's later in the year, that's going to get much earlier. Scratching on the top of the head and back of the neck are the main places. Try to checkout breeders and it's best to get one (and usually cheaper and healthier) from their. Make sure the baby has been hand fed, as it makes it a tamer bird. The birds can run anywhere from 1,200 to 2,000 for the big parrots, but even the smaller ones will cost from 60 to 150 dollars. And these are breeder prices, not store prices. Remember, the initial cost is a lot, but it doesn't really stop there. You must have an avian vet, which usually cost more than one for dogs or cats, as they have special training for birds..Regular vets usually don't have the special training for birds or exotic animals. Cooking for them is needed, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables. And there are many foods, plants and woods that are poisonous. And no cleaning chemicals, perfumes, air fresheners, sprays, incense, candles, etc. in the house. It is not ok to use in a room where the bird is not in, because they still travel through the house, especially through the air ducts. You can find out online which foods, plants, etc. which are safe and toxic for birds. Check out several sites because not all give the same list. You can clean the house in Apple Cider Vinegar and water, as I do, as well as the cage, toys, and feeding dishes. ACV kills germs and bacteria. Also put a few drops in the drinking water once a week to help kill bacteria than can build up in the crop. Good luck with your new friend.

The smartest parrot is said to be the African Grey. They have the mentality of a 5 yr old child and emotional stability of a 2-3yr old child. They can speak up to 2000 words and use them in context. They can not only mimic peoples voices perfectly but also sounds. Though remember no bird is garanteed to speak

Common sense is to keep the bird and the cat seperate and teach the cat to stay away from the cage it is your job to keep both animals safe and loved

I have no opinion on what you name your bird if you want to name it after a german philosopher of the late 19th century who challenged the foundations of traditional morality and Christianity. You go for it

No Mass is not to cold for a bird as long as you plan on keeping it in the house. I live in ND where it gets on many occassions negative 50 outside w the windchill but my birds are kept indoors and it does not affect them. If you MUST transport them during the winter months please do it as little as possible and keep their cage or carrier covered. A small draft can cause a bird to become ill and die

A proper diet, attention, love and not being locked up all day makes for a happy bird. Proper diet meaning fresh fruits and veggies (be careful some are toxic) seed/treat mix and pellet.. Depending on the bird you can pet it wherever it will let you many love head scratchs

My African Grey Congo was 1300 dollars, I got one heck of a bargin on his cage for 300 dollars and his feed is about 70 dollars every 3-4 months. That does not include the fresh veggies and fruits he requries daily nor does it include the toys. Remember parrots are very smart and some destroy anything they can get their beaks around so they must have toys to occupy their time. Bored birds can become pluckers or aggressive

The Hyacinth Macaw has been known to cost up to 16,000 US dollars making it the most expensive pet bird

However I would not recommend an expensive bird for you seeing as Im going to assume this would be your first bird. Go for a parakeet or a cockatiel

1. African Greys and Amazons are the smartest.

2. Is your cat declawed? I have a cat and 4 birds and they are fine. I keep my birds in a room where I can shut the door anytime I am not home. You just really have to keep your eye out. Just be very cautious. I have dogs as well.

3. I would pick an easier name to say if you want your bird to be able to say its name, if it speaks.

4. Will you be keeping it inside or out? Inside should be fine, assuming you have a heater in the winter.

5. To make your Parrot happy, you need to provide toys, rotating them out on a regular basis, food, including fresh veggies and limited fruit on a daily basis, fresh water daily, attention, perches of different textures and diameters. Mine like music and television. Most of all, they like to be out of their cage and like human interaction. They like treats too!

6. It depends on exactly what one you want and where you get it. African Grey are anywhere from $900-1,300, Amazons range from $700-$1,000, Cockatoos are well over $1,000, and Macaws are well over $1,000. Howeer, there are some Cockatoos and Macaws for a little under $1,000. There are so many different species I could go on forever. Go to www.birdbreeders.com, you can see different birds and their prices. Breeders are almost always cheaper than a pet store. You want a handfed bird, not a parent raised bird. You also have the cost of the cage. The cost of the cage depends on the size of the bird. You can probably expect to pay anywhere from $400-1,00 or more. They are alot of work, but well worth it.

1. Macaws or Cockatoos

2. Try introuducing them first and If they don't get along keep his cage locked at all times.

3. Sure.

4. No, as long as you keep him inside and keep the Temperature warm.

5. Give it a big cage as much as you can afford and give it treats. Um... you can pet it on it's back, chin, head, stomach.

6. They cost around $800-$1500

1)African greys are pretty intelligent as well as amazons,cockatoos, and macaws as the one previous to me said

2)if you have a cat i wouldn't consider getting a parrot but if you really must try keeping the bird in a room thats gets enough attention from the family but can be closed off from the rest of the house like a bedroom with a door so you can keep your cat out. i wouldnt reccomend intorducing them as one scratch from a cat and be fatal to a new bird(cats have special bacteria on claws and in their saliva)

3) Yeah, but i prefer to name a bird after i have hung out with it for awhile and gotten to know its personality but if its a name u really like and can remember go for it :! ( though shorter names are much easier for training purpouses)

4) i also live in massachusetts and my birds do fine as long as they are kept away from drafts,ac's, and heatin vents, all will go perfectly fine.

5)the best way to make a parrot happy...hmmm the age old question...well just spend time with it. parrots are flock members and enjoy spending time with their flock(you!) so spend time with it, give it treats, and just give him lots of love and patience. also you can pet it on its head and its upper back(if you rub near his ears he will yawn cutest thing ever to watch it never fails)

5) Depends on the species and mutation. Parakeets can be as little as 15$ while the larger parrots can be as much as 10,000$ or more.( in a book i read there was an amazon that cost 20k. :O! if u need any more help pleeese feel free to contact me

p.s consider all the other purchases too like cage and vet exams as well as toys,food, fresh food, and other little things for him they usually ost more than the bird itself