• Behavior and Temperament
  • Housing
  • Diet
  • Vet Care
  • Similar Pets
  • Purchasing
  • Frequently Asked Questions

These medium-to-large birds can live for decades with good care. They require consistent attention, a varied diet, space for exercise, and training, especially if you want a less noisy, gentle bird. Several species are pretty good talkers and mimics, too.

Species Overview

Size Information

Housing

Specific Substrate Needs

Many owners line the cage floor with dye-free paper, paper towels, or a similar material. Cages with grates allow waste to drop through, so your bird isn’t walking in droppings. However, if the cage floor is a grate, make sure your bird has access to a flat surface somewhere to rest its feet.

Birds like to graze throughout the day, so place a day’s worth of pellets in a chew-proof and tip-proof dish in the cage. Stainless steel dishes that attach to the side of the cage are a good option. Then, discard any uneaten pellets after 24 hours before adding the next day’s portion. Fresh foods should be fed in a separate dish, ideally in the morning when your bird is waking up and hungry. Remove them after a few hours to prevent spoilage.

Finally, make sure your parrot always has access to fresh water. You can either use a water dish or a bottle that attaches to the side of the enclosure. Many birds like to dunk food in water dishes or even bathe in them, so bottles are typically easier to keep sanitary. But make sure your bird knows how to drink from the bottle before removing its water dish. Refresh the water daily.

Common Health Problems

  • ObesityFeather picking (plucking feathers due to boredom, skin problems, and other issues)Hypocalcemia (low calcium)Liver diseaseRespiratory diseases and other infectionsHousehold injuries (such as from ceiling fans, toxic fumes, electrical wires, and more)

Hand-taming is the primary training most owners do with their birds to get them acclimated to household life. Allow your parrot to settle for at least a few days after bringing it home. Sit by it and talk to it, so it becomes comfortable with your presence. Start to offer treats through the cage bars to encourage the parrot to come toward you. 

Tip

Not all veterinarians see birds as patients. So before acquiring a parrot, make sure there is an avian vet near you who can treat it.

After it’s comfortable with this, hold a perch in front of the bird’s stomach, and give the command “step up.” You can very gently press the perch into its stomach and hold a treat in front of the perch to encourage it to step up. Always hold the perch steady, and pause the training if your bird ever becomes stressed.

Exercise

Keep toys both in and out of the cage to encourage activity. A bird play gym outside of the cage is a great option to interest your bird and get it moving. Puzzle toys also can offer both mental stimulation and exercise.

Grooming

Upkeep Costs

  • Cockatoo
  • Blue and gold macaw
  • Eclectus parrot

Otherwise, check out other large birds that can be your new pet.

Reproduction/Breeding

Aim to visit with the bird before bringing it home. Look for a bird that is active, alert, and in good body condition. Ask the seller about the bird’s daily routine, diet, health, level of tameness, and any other questions you might have before committing.