As pets, large parrots are certainly bold, eye-catching, dynamic companions. However, not every large bird is a good pet, and not every bird lover is suited to being a large parrot owner. Explore the information on the popular large parrot species below to see if you have what it takes to live with and care for a large pet parrot. Adopting any pet bird is not a decision to be taken lightly, and adopting a large parrot often involves committing to provide for the animal for plus years.
Do your research! African grey parrots have been kept as pets for many thousands of years. Their fascinating ability to reason and talent for clearly mimicking human speech has helped to catapult them to stardom both in the field of research and in the pet trade. While their popularity makes them a popular choice as a pet, potential owners need to make sure they have the time and means to care for an African grey before adopting one.
This African grey profile will help you understand the day to day roles and responsibilities of an African grey owner. Amazon parrots are full of personality and spunk. Their comical characters and excellent speech abilities have kept them in the ranks of the most popular pet bird species for decades. However, the Amazon's large frame, powerful voice, and socialization requirements make them a poor choice for many bird owners.
Those owners who make the cut are among the happiest bird lovers around, but only because they made sure to do their research before committing to care for their feathered friends. Cockatoos are beautiful, affectionate birds who always seem to find a way to melt any bird lover's heart. Their friendly nature has caused many parrot owners to keep cockatoos exclusively—but these are experienced bird owners who know what must be provided to a cockatoo in terms of diet, exercise, space, and attention.
Owning any bird is a full-time job, and for cockatoo owners, it can last half a century or more. You may have fallen in love with pet birds because of their beautiful plumage and perhaps some YouTube videos about the funny things birds do, like dancing and solving puzzles.
Parrots are extremely intelligent birds and need the right kind of stimulation to nurture their intelligence — for their entire lives. Smaller parrots can live anywhere between 20 to 50 years, with larger birds living up to 80 years old.
The litmus test for bringing a parrot into your home is whether you get excited by the idea of looking after a toddler for the next 50 years. Birds eat all day. They will end up dropping a lot of their food on the floor of their cages or on the floor of yours. Their bird poop, feathers, fine dander and food dust will go everywhere, and needs to be cleaned before it gets overwhelming.
Food mess, droppings, feathers and dust are not only unhealthy to the birds themselves, but can become unhealthy for humans and cause respiratory problems, especially if you have a low immune system. Parrots and all other birds use their beaks to interact with the world. They love to pick up, examine, chew and destroy things with their beaks. And as much as they exercise their curiosity and explore things, so you will need to pick up after them. Remember what we said about looking after a toddler?
From specialised parrot food to fresh fruit, veggies, seeds, nuts and fortified pellets, parrots and other birds will need a balanced diet to live a long and healthy life. For parrot enthusiasts who are prepared to give their birds the best, Deli Nature offers high quality pet bird feeding solutions:. But for people who care for them properly, large parrots can offer unmatched companionship and a unique pet experience.
Here are eight of the best large parrots to keep as pets. Many large parrot species can live for several decades. Before acquiring one, make sure you can provide care for its entire lifespan. The intelligence and emotional capacity of African greys are often compared to that of a 5-year-old human. But bear in mind these birds don't move past the maturity of a 5-year-old for their entire lifespan of around 50 years or more.
A bored, unattended African grey can quickly become a destructive escape artist. Because of the bird's intellect, many caretakers constantly have to find new ways to keep their pets occupied.
Physical Characteristics: Mostly gray plumage with pale edging; black beak and bright red tail Congo African grey ; tan upper beak and maroon tail Timneh African grey. The striking eclectus is a large parrot that offers multiple options. Being a sexually dimorphic species, the male and female eclectus have distinct plumage.
Males are vivid green while females are red with bluish-purple accents. There also are three distinct subspecies of eclectus parrots. Like many other large parrots, the eclectus has a long lifespan of over 50 years in captivity with proper care. Physical Characteristics: Primarily emerald green, red and blue under wings, and orange beak male ; primarily bright red, blue on chest and tail, and black beak female.
With proper care, umbrella cockatoos can live 70 to 80 years or more in captivity. These birds tend to be gentle and sweet, forming strong bonds with their caretakers. Many love to cuddle up to their favorite person or bird and can be distraught whenever they are separated. Physical Characteristics: Primarily white plumage; pale yellow on wings and tail; large white crest; black beak. The yellow-naped Amazon—one of the best talkers in the parrot family—makes a fine avian companion.
These birds have sunny dispositions, bonding closely with their caretakers. But anyone thinking of adopting one should be aware these birds can live more than 70 years if properly cared for.
This isn't a commitment to be taken lightly. Physical Characteristics: Primarily bright green plumage; blaze of yellow around neck; often a yellow patch on head; red in wing feathers; black beak and feet. With a lengthy lifespan of around 80 years, the sulphur-crested cockatoo comes in two sizes. The greater sulphur-crested cockatoo measures around 20 inches from beak to tail while the lesser sulphur-crested cockatoo measures around 15 inches.
Like other cockatoos, these birds have a reputation for being very affectionate and need to spend ample time with their caretakers.
0コメント