Parrots For Dummies

Repeat after me: Parrots aren't just for pirates!

While parrots have a historical reputation for being a pirate's best friend, in the modern-day U.S.--where birds are the nation's third most popular household pet-thousands of landlubbers are in on the act! And that's not surprising--parrots are as affectionate, friendly, and fun to be with as a dog or cat. They are also relatively low-maintenance, with no rude 5 a.m. awakenings with demands for food or punishing walks.

Renowned avian care and behavior consultant Nikki Moustaki is your friendly guide to the colorful world of this intelligent and chatty pet. In this book, you'll be introduced to the vibrant diversity of the parrot world, which covers a wide variety of Psittacidae family members, including macaws, cockatiels, and parakeets. You'll also learn the best ways to choose, care for, and love your resplendently feathered companion.

• Pick your perfect parrot

• Devour the latest on nutrition

• Tame and train

• Make the perfect home

Whether you're just setting out in the parrot world or are a seasoned voyager on the parrot-y seas, this 2nd edition of Parrots For Dummies has something for you and your pet--and will repay the hard-won pirate gold you spent on it a thousand times over!

Auteur

Nikki Moustaki, MA, MFA, is a renowned avian care and behavior consultant, working with clients to heal strained relationships between themselves and their feathered friends. She has published 24 books on the care and training of exotic birds.

Résumé

Repeat after me: Parrots aren't just for pirates!

While parrots have a historical reputation for being a pirate's best friend, in the modern-day U.S.where birds are the nation's third most popular household pet-thousands of landlubbers are in on the act! And that's not surprisingparrots are as affectionate, friendly, and fun to be with as a dog or cat. They are also relatively low-maintenance, with no rude 5 a.m. awakenings with demands for food or punishing walks.

Renowned avian care and behavior consultant Nikki Moustaki is your friendly guide to the colorful world of this intelligent and chatty pet. In this book, you'll be introduced to the vibrant diversity of the parrot world, which covers a wide variety of Psittacidae family members, including macaws, cockatiels, and parakeets. You'll also learn the best ways to choose, care for, and love your resplendently feathered companion.

• Pick your perfect parrot
• Devour the latest on nutrition
• Tame and train
• Make the perfect home
  Whether you're just setting out in the parrot world or are a seasoned voyager on the parrot-y seas, this 2nd edition of Parrots For Dummies has something for you and your petand will repay the hard-won pirate gold you spent on it a thousand times over!

Contenu

Introduction 1

About This Book 1

Foolish Assumptions 3

Icons Used in This Book 3

Where to Go from Here 3

Part 1: Introducing the Parrot Your Wild Child 5

Chapter 1: Meeting the Parrots, Just the Basics 7

Introducing the Parrots 7

From pet to companion 8

A little bit of wilderness 9

Home Tweet Home: Welcoming a Parrot into Your Home 10

Making birdy comfortable 10

Parrot paraphernalia 11

Parrot Care 101: Taking Care of Your Bird 11

Health care 11

Nutrition 12

Parrot Behavior: Checking How Your Bird Acts 12

Normal behaviors 12

The parrot monster 12

Parrot Pals: Socializing with Your Bird 13

Making friends with your parrot 13

Breeding parrots: Use caution 13

A Caveat to the Wise 14

Chapter 2: Knowing What to Expect with Your Companion Parrot 15

Defining a Companion Parrot 16

Just Being Themselves 17

Recognizing the Joys of Parrot Guardianship 18

Pondering Important Points about Buying or Adopting a Parrot 19

Recognizing who's getting the parrot 19

Answering why you want a parrot 20

Factoring in the parrot's personality 20

Contemplating the parrot's home 21

Going on vacation 21

Remembering parrots have a longer lifespan 22

Dealing with allergies 22

Estimating the costs of parrot ownership 22

Being cognizant of the responsibilities of parrot guardianship 23

Spending time with your parrot 24

Preparing for mess and more mess 24

Getting used to the noise (Sorry, I can't hear over my screaming parrot) 24

Understanding What a Companion Parrot Expects 25

Tolerance 25

Empathy 26

Sense of humor 26

Attentiveness 26

Decisiveness and action 26

Constant companionship 26

A loyal friend 27

Living with a Parrot around Nonbird People 27

Chapter 3: Choosing the Right Companion 29

Keeping Certain Considerations in Mind As You Choose a Species 30

Parrots are individuals 30

The chemistry between the two of you 30

Not all species are created equal 30

Noise: deafening or extremely deafening 31

Space: Bigger is better 31

Lifestyles of the neat and messy 32

From easily affordable to taking out a loan 33

Talking ability 33

Child-friendliness 33

One, two, or more 34

Looking Closer at Species Profiles Commonly Kept As Companions 35

African grey parrots 35

Amazon parrots 36

Brotogeris 38

Budgies 38

Caiques 39

Cockatiels 40

Cockatoos 40

Conures 45

Eclectus 48

Hanging parrots 48

Hawk-headed parrots 49

Lories 49

Lovebirds 50

Macaws 51

Other parakeets 54

Parrotlets 57

Pionus 58

Poicephalus parrots 58

Quaker parakeets 59

Vasa parrots 60

Chapter 4: Purchasing or Adopting a Parrot 61

Considering Your Parrot Options 61

Comparing handfed versus parent-raised birds 62

Choosing an age 63

Contemplating degrees of tameness 66

The talker in the bunch 67

Finding the Perfect Parrot for You 68

Pet shops 68

Bird shops 69

Online classifieds 69

Reputable breeders 70

Flea markets 71

Bird shows or expos 72

Adopting a Rescue Parrot 72

Identifying which birds are available for adoption 72

Completing the rescue application 74 &lt...