Is a Parakeet Your Ideal Pet Bird?

English: Budgerigars, Melopsittacus undulatus. Three on a perch. The bird on the left is an 'English Budgie', the result of generations of selective breeding by humans for desirable traits including size - whilst the other two birds exhibit the body form (but not plumage colour) of wild Budgerigars and are sometimes known as 'wild-type', or 'American Parakeets' in aviculture. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Feral Parrots in San Francisco (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Female pet Monk Parakeet (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The parakeet is synonymous Budgie or Budgerigar. Budgies is a group of birds that originated in Australia, Asia, Africa South America and Central America. There are one hundred and twenty different species of parakeets.

Parakeets belong to a larger family of birds that Parrots also belong. The difference between Parakeets and Parrots is they have more diminutive bodies and medium to long tapered tail wings. Parakeets are social birds in the wild. They enjoy the company of humans and other birds in captivity.

Parakeets have peaks that have a unique hook that allows them to easily access seeds and fruit that makes up the majority of their natural diet. Parakettes are easier to sex than other birds because the cere at the top of their beak has coloration that can be used to determine with ones are male and female.

Most parakeets have cheerful disposition and make wonderful pets ,especially if handled early. There are many different types you can choose from for pet birds. The Budgie parakeet is from Australia which boosts over thirty different varieties of the bird.

Central and South America are home to the Quaker Parakeet that is becoming very popular in the U.S.

Pet stores, private breeders, commercial centers of the bird or bird shows can some of the best place to obtain a parakeet. Still before you select a bird you need to try to get some idea about the health and quality of the parakeet. Below is a list of things you should look for when selecting your new Parakeet.

1. Good appetite.

2. Vertical position.

3. Active movement.

4. A clean cere (the area above the beak that covers the windows of the nose of the birds).

5. Bright eyes.

6. Clean legs and rear section

7. Feathers that lay flat.

When you bring home the Parakeet, own other birds you may want to quarantine your new bird for a month. Remember to wash your hands between the feeding of the different birds. This is all to make sure you are not bring home any new diseases from the birds at the store you purchase your new parakeet from.

When you buy your parakeet you will need the following essentials.

1. A cage.

2. Two small bowls for water and seed

3. Perches of various sizes. Several perches; of various diameters and materials.

4. A brush to clean the cage and perches.

5. Quality of fresh seed mixture.

6. a spray of millet!

7. Supplements the breeder or store owner recommended for your bird.

8. A variety of parakeet safe toys

9. A towel or a sheet to cover the cage.

Parakeet cages

The Parakeets, an, require appropriate cage. The ideal cage fashioned for small birds, with narrow gaps between the bars of the cage. Get the largest cage you can .. Your bird should have enough space to their wings completely. The cage should have a swing, and at least small two perches. You should keep a cuttle bone in the cage so you bird can keep its beak in shape. The right cage has a bottom drawer of so it is easier to keep the floor clean. Place newspapers or paper bird down at the bottom catch the bird dripping..A cage floor between the floor and your parakeet will keep it much cleaner.

Parakeet Feeding

Parakeets need daily fresh food and water. Buy a good mix of seeds fashioned for parakeets. You should use vitamin drops if you have been advised too and bird gravel to help with digestion. Parakeets are susceptible to a variety of health issues. A major one is diarrhea. To avoid diarrhea do not give your bird people foods. Even lettuces can cause your bird to become ill. If you bird does develop diarrhea due to diet change call the vet for anti -diarrheal medicine made for parakeets'.

You will want to get a book about all the details of how to care for your new parakeet. Most of it you will find is common sense and easy to do. Parakeets can make wonderful pets for children over 10 who understand how delicate a bird can be. Parakeets are ideal for apartments and other living spaces where having pets like cats and dogs is impractical. They may not play fetch but they can learn tricks and are more social than fish.

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Bringing Home Your First Parrot

English: Cuban Parrot (Amazona leucocephala) in Cuba (2007). Pet parrots. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Mature breeding pair of Red-Bellied Parrots (Poicephalus rufiventris) on a perch in a cage. Picture taken by user:Fruitwerks at home. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A pet Sun Parakeet (also known as a Sun Conure) in parrot cage. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Buying a parrot and bringing it home is a much more complicated process than bringing home a dog or cat. These birds are extremely smart and sensitive. They will liven up your household and become members of your family. Having a parrot is a major commitment of time, money and acquiring knowledge.

You should thoroughly research all aspects of owning a parrot before you bring one into your
house. They will certainly give you a life time of memories. Some parrots live to be more than fifty years old
When bringing home your parrot you must remember that birds in general acquire stress related ailments fairly easily. You should time the introduction of your parrot to your home decrease the amount of stress to the bird as much as possible.

Try bringing the bird home when most of your family members are home so your parrot has a chance to meet everyone. This does not mean everyone talking to the bird at once or trying to handle the bird. It does mean every speaking in a normal voice and going about their routine while calmly acknowledging the bird’s presences.

The parrot’s cage should be put in a high traffic area where they can get a good look around their new home. Placing the cage in a corner or against a wall will give the bird an added sense of security. You should also cover part of the cage so the parrot has a sense of privacy should he or she feel overwhelmed by the new situation. It is important that the parrot’s cage be the right size from the start. A baby parrot may injure themselves in a cage that is too large. A cage that is too small will make the new parrot feel cramped and stressed.

The cage should be the permanent home for the adult birds. If you have not acquired the right supplies do not bring home the bird until you have gotten the appropriate care supplies. You do not want to stress the bird twice by introducing him to a new cage shortly after he has just gotten used to another one.

The diet is also something that your parrot should not have abruptly changed even if you feel the last owner was not feeding the bird right. Leave the bird’s diet unchanged at first and slowly mix feed over to the new diet.

Parrots are extremely social birds and must have consistent attention. You should put your parrot in a permanent place where the parrot will have an opportunity to interact with household members throughout the day. You should spend quality time interacting with the bird for at least an hour a day. Learning so basic parrot training will give you and the bird a great deal of personal satisfaction. Each parrot has a unique personality and you will influence the best aspects of the bird’s character by spending time focusing on the bird as a pet.

If you spend a great deal of time away from home , but still are determined to get a parrot you might consider two. You will avoid behavior problems in your parrot is not bored and lonely. Birds have preferences so it would be best to either get two young parrots or two older parrots that have lived together and get on well.

If you are introducing a new parrot to an old you might want to let the new parrot adjust in general to your new household first before you introduce him or her to the resident bird. You should monitor the birds’ interaction for several days before you leave the two birds together for an extended period of time.

Parrots require specific toys, foods beyond seed, and medical care. You need to read extensively on all aspects of Parrot care before making a several hundred dollars investment in a bird you can not care for. Parrots are life long companions that can grow up with your children and grandchildren. They are one of the few family pets that become living and loving family heirlooms.

Sources:  http://www.plannedparrothood.com/buying.html: Advice about the buying and care of Parrots and pet birds.

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