| Q:
What kinds of parrots are okay for
apartment or condo living?
A:
Some good birds for close quarters living
are:
- Parakeets
- Cockatiels
- African Greys
(once they learn to talk they prefer speech to
screaming)
- Poicephalus parrots, such as the
Meyers and the Senegal parrot
- Green cheek or maroon belly
conures
These are all relatively quiet
species of parrots that make good companions. But remember,
each bird has a unique personality that may be different from the
normal for that species.
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Q: Why
won’t my male canaries sing?
A:
Male canaries sing to attract mates or company. Many males won’t
sing if they can see another canary. Try separating them so that
they cannot see each other. Also, many male canaries won’t sing
during their molt. This is a physically stressful time for them, so
they will often just sit quietly on their perch to save energy.
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Q: My
bird likes looking out the window, can I keep his cage there?
A:
Birds can suffer in 3 ways from being near a window:
- Overheating from not being able
to get out of the direct sunlight.
- Drafts from open or improperly
sealed windows.
- Being frightened by outside
predators (real or perceived), causing injury from thrashing to
escape the predator.
Let your bird watch the outside
show only under supervision or keep him back a ways from the window
and let him watch from a distance.
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Q:
Can my parrot eat human foods?
A:
Yes, with a few exceptions. Your parrot will benefit greatly with a
variety of foods, such as fruits (remove seeds, many have toxins),
cooked rice, cooked pasta, cooked or raw vegetables, and most other
foods. DO NOT feed your parrot chocolate or avocado;
also, only tiny portions of salty or sugary foods. A balanced diet
of a quality seed mix such as Abba Parrot or pellet diet such as
Pretty Bird or ZuPreem, along with these human foods, will be
healthy and beneficial to your parrot.
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Q:
Do I need to raise the room temperature if I own a parrot?
A:
Parrots do well in temperatures that are comfortable for people.
Normal temperatures of 68-74 degrees F are very good for your bird.
Avoid extreme fluctuations in temperature and drafts, and your bird
will be comfortable.
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Q:
My finches are laying eggs in
their food dishes. What kind of nest should I put in the cage for
them?
A:
Most finches prefer a closed nest. They are available in many
variations including wood, bamboo, and wicker. Put in a couple
different types to give them a choice. If there is more than one
pair in a cage, make sure there are more nests than there are pairs
to reduce or prevent fighting. Make sure to also provide nesting
material such as cotton fiber or coconut fiber that is safe for the
birds.
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Q: My cockatiel will start flapping
and squawking in the middle of the night. I’m afraid he will hurt
himself. Why does he do this?
A:
This behavior, known, as night frights is fairly common with
cockatiels, especially the Lutino mutations. There are mixed
opinions as to what causes these episodes. Most common are that
either nightmares or a light or reflection from a passing car scares
the bird. No matter what causes them, they can be dangerous. Your
bird could injure itself or break a bloodfeather. A nightlight near
the eggs has been known to prevent or reduce the severity of the
attacks. If your bird starts to thrash, turn on a light and talk
calmly to him until he calms down. Then make sure he is physically
ok.
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Q:
Do birds need to bathe?
A:
Yes, all pet birds from the tiny finches to the huge macaws, should
be offered baths on a regular basis. For the smaller birds a shallow
bowl of water offered weekly should suffice. Many of the parrot
species prefer to be sprayed. Use only a spray bottle that has never
been used for anything but water. If the bird doesn’t respond to
spraying, try running the vacuum cleaner you spray it. (Don’t
laugh, it works!) There is something in the sound of the vacuum that
triggers the bathing response in birds. Don’t give up if the bird
doesn’t appear to enjoy it at first. The baths are important for
the birds psychologically and for feather health. Make sure that the
bird is not put to bed wet and is kept out of drafts until it has
dried completely.
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Q:
How long do parakeets live?
A:
Parakeets can live up to about 15 years. An average age would be 8
to 10 years.
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Answers to
Bird Questions
