Parrots

The homeland of parrots is Central and South America. Their habitat is savannas, riverbanks, and rainforests. There are about 1000 different species worldwide. Most are swarm animals and live together in larger groups of 20 to 50 specimens. Many species are at risk of extinction as their natural habitats shrink. In addition, because of the beautiful plumage, they are hunted and captured.

Parrots are diurnal, agile, social, and extremely intelligent. They are available in a wide variety of colors from gray, yellow, red, blue to white and black. They have a large and powerful beak with which they can crack even hard shells. Sexual maturity lasts 3-5 years. After fertilization, the female lays and protects 2 to 4 eggs. The male goes in search of food and also takes care of the female. A couple stays together for life.

Acquisition and Maintenance

If you want to get a parrot, you have to observe a species-appropriate attitude:

• Parrots cannot live alone! Even in captivity, the swarm animals need at least one conspecific with whom they are in constant contact.
• You can live to a great age.
• You need a lot of variety and employment. Several free flights a day are a must.
• They must be provided with fresh food and water every day.
• The cage must be large, clean, and varied.

Posture Requirements

The cage or aviary cannot be big enough for the parrots. The more residents, the bigger! Round cages with a diameter of fewer than 2 meters are not allowed. The minimum legal cage size for a pair of medium-sized parrots is 2.0 x 1.0 x 1.0 m (length x width x height). Macaws require a minimum footprint of at least 4.0 x 2.0 x 2.0 m. The cage location must be bright, quiet, dry, and draft-free. In addition, an aviary needs a shelter with a room temperature of at least 5 degrees.

Bottom substrate: Consists of absorbent and disinfecting parrot sand, enriched with lime or shell grit. Bark mulch and wood chips are mixed in.

Brightness and room temperature: The day-night rhythm is extremely important for the animals! Depending on the species, 8 to 14 hours of light per day are necessary. Otherwise, additional, flicker-free artificial light with an adapted sunlight spectrum must be provided. The lighting duration depends on the parrot species. The room temperature must also be adjusted individually

Perches: Tree branches of different thicknesses and lengths that can also be nibbled on are good. Depending on the bird species, the bars are round, flat, or wide and swinging. They should be changed from time to time. They are to be attached in such a way that the birds sometimes have to climb, hop and make an effort.

Trimming rods: They are used for claw care. They should only sit in the bottom third of the cage. The first bar serves as a climbing aid (stairs) next to the door.

Movement, destruction, and intelligence toys: With them, the parrots train the muscles and the brain. They are attached to the highest point of the cage so that there is room to romp and climb. A regular exchange ensures variety. Small cardboard boxes or natural baskets with toys or treats are available for large parrots that like to work with their feet.

Outside the cage, long ladder-like hangers made of sisal and wood lure you to climb, fish, and sit. A free seat expands the room to move considerably.

Food and Drinking Water Dispensers: Contain fresh food and water daily.

Bathing vessel: Bathing is fun! A bathhouse on the wall or a flat bowl of water that is free of dirt on the floor is suitable.

Beak whetstone or cuttlebone: Birds use this to clean and sharpen their beaks and pick up limescale.

Gender Differences

Most parrot species are monomorphic and the sex cannot be clearly determined from the outside.

Feed and Nutrition

Parrots consume a lot of energy and have high vitamin and mineral requirements. They like a wide range of food and feed mainly on plant food. Depending on the species, they eat different fruits, seeds, nuts, flowers, leaves, vegetables, roots, and even insects and insect larvae.

The coveted fruit includes various domestic and southern varieties, e.g. cored apples and pears, pineapples, bananas, figs, cherries, kiwis, tangerines, mangoes, melons, mirabelle plums, papaya, and grapes. Berries are also popular. Examples of vegetables and herbs include fennel, cucumber, green tomatoes, spinach leaves, broccoli, carrots, squash, corn on the cob, bell peppers, lettuce leaves, sweet potato, and parsley. Bark and roots are also nibbled.

Feeding is fresh every day. All food must be unspoiled, unsprayed, untreated, and clean. Treats are cut into pieces and placed in the bars.

All types of nuts should be fed very sparingly, as they contain a lot of fat and can make parrots ill. An exception to this is macaws, as they need a fatty diet.

Caution: parrots with kidney problems do not tolerate citrus fruits. Avocados, apple seeds, elderberries, and cherry stones are also among the poisonous fruits.