Your New Pet Parrot
Everything you need to know to provide the best care for your new feathered friend
Veterinary Disclaimer
The information provided on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as veterinary advice. While we share our experience and knowledge, every bird is unique and may have specific needs. If you have concerns about your bird's health or behavior, please seek qualified professional help from an avian veterinarian.
Housing
Your parrot's cage location should be out of any draughts and there should always be shade available to the bird - beware of overheating. During winter you need to be especially careful of cold draughts, and also drastic temperature changes for instance moving the bird from indoors cages where the house may be heated to outdoors areas in cold weather. The cage should always be kept clean and the bird should have some toys/entertainment available.
Cage size should consider the bird species you are housing, the amount of time they spend in the cage and should allow enough space for the bird to flap and play. We advise against crowding the cage with toys and perches as these get in the way and are often just pooped on.
Feeding
In the first few weeks at the new home it is crucial to make sure the bird is eating enough. They sometimes go off their food for a day or two while they get used to all the changes so that on its own is not a big concern if the bird looks otherwise perky. Please offer them lots of different foods (ideally something similar to what we fed to start with) and give them plenty of time in the cage to eat. Young birds are still learning so spend more of their day eating than an adult bird.
This doesn't mean you can't get him out of the cage for a play and a cuddle - but try things like - put an old sheet down on the floor to protect it from mess and offer them different fruits, veges, seeds and nuts, this is good for them and also helps with bonding the bird to their new family.
Although we don't advise to offer sunflower or other high fat nuts continually to adult birds for the next few months while they are settling in you can offer them a dish with some sunflower (appropriate volume for the size of the bird – about a tablespoon for galahs), and they should be able to eat as much as they like. Once they are fully settled in you can start cutting this back offering it every second day (or cutting to a teaspoon), then every third day and so on, until you only offer it as treats from the hand when he is out of the cage or if you find they are a bit light it is a quick and effective way to supplement the diet.
Recommended Diet
- •Clean fresh water should be available at all times
- •Avi Plus parrot pellets - A balanced diet much better than plain dry seed. Keep pellets dry and replace every few days
- •Soak Mix - Provide daily for the first couple of months. Must be removed at end of each day
Important Warnings
- ✗A PLAIN SEED DIET IS NOT RECOMMENDED
- ✗Never give alcohol or caffeine
- ✗Never feed stones of stone fruits or Avocado
- ✗Avoid processed 'people food' with high fat or sugar content
For preparation instructions of soft food/Soak/sprout please see the Feeding page on this site.
Entertainment
Perches
Perches in the cage should be of varying thickness to exercise their feet. Be careful of what type of wood you use for perches as some trees are poisonous. Good choices are gum/eucalyptus, tea tree, dry pine (keep away from bits with sap as this makes everything sticky), fruit trees are usually safe. It is also good to have at least one grit perch to help with keeping the nails trimmed and may also have digestive health benefits.
Toys
Toys are a great way to entertain the bird, they especially love toys they can destroy so the aim of the game is not really to give them just one steel toy that will last forever, destruction is half the fun. It's better to put a couple of toys and replace/rotate them as opposed to overcrowding the cage.
If you buy toys with string/cotton rope remember to watch out that threads don't tangle the bird or get caught around toes. Toys don't need to be expensive store bought items, try making your own. A few dry pinecones on a piece of wire work really well, cuttle fish, cardboard tubes, untreated soft timbers, bits of leather/rawhide and the like also work well as does a small tea tree branch/twig with some leaves on from. (Be sure all materials used are safe/free of chemicals).
Training
Training tricks is also a great way to entertain your bird and provide mental stimulation. Find a treat that your bird loves (sunflower, pine nut, pumpkin seed, dry banana chips etc) and only feed it to him/her when you are doing a training session as a reward for positive behaviour. There are many books available online with some tips on training if you are interested.
Wing Clipping
For your bird's safety we recommend keeping their wings trimmed. We are happy to do this for you and can show you how. It is important not to cut the wings too short - the bird should be able to slow its fall by flapping but should not be able to gain altitude ideally. Clipping lighter will allow the bird to fly but requires more energy burnt so ideal for smaller spaces to keep the bird fit.
Free Flying Birds
If you would like your bird to be free flying, please train your bird carefully first and practice so that if he/she flies away you are able to call him/her to come back. Birds that are not used to flying will often be afraid of coming down from a tree so even if they want to, they 'can't' come to you.
Free flying birds require very dedicated owners that are committed to provide frequent and continual recall training as 'lost' birds are also 'escaped' birds and a cause for concern with councils and conservation departments around NZ. Responsible bird ownership is the way we retain our rights to do these things.
Pet birds cannot usually survive in the wild so if your bird escapes and is not found/taken in by someone within a short time it will most likely perish.
If at any time you are no longer able to keep your pet and you are unable to find a suitable alternative home for them we will take in any pet we sold.
Please NEVER release pets into the wild.