What foods and other cautions should I be worried about when owning an African Amazon Parrot?
December 31st, 2008 | by Adrian |
TexasGuy80 asked:
My dad is giving his to me to take over caring for it and I am planning on building him a cage-less perch/house. Any ideas for housing, food and care taking for him?
Also my dad is either unwilling or unable or both to care for the bird properly, something I really want to do. This bird doesn’t speak and is VERY homebound, he does NOT like to leave his current cage. If you remove him from it all he does it stare at it and try to get back to it. Any ideas on encouraging him to talk and getting him unbound from home? I thought the new home might do the trick but your thoughts?
Oh my gosh, its a Mexican Amazon, NOT an African. I am sorry.
My dad is giving his to me to take over caring for it and I am planning on building him a cage-less perch/house. Any ideas for housing, food and care taking for him?
Also my dad is either unwilling or unable or both to care for the bird properly, something I really want to do. This bird doesn’t speak and is VERY homebound, he does NOT like to leave his current cage. If you remove him from it all he does it stare at it and try to get back to it. Any ideas on encouraging him to talk and getting him unbound from home? I thought the new home might do the trick but your thoughts?
Oh my gosh, its a Mexican Amazon, NOT an African. I am sorry.
6 Responses to “What foods and other cautions should I be worried about when owning an African Amazon Parrot?”
By Christie D on Jan 1, 2009 | Reply
Cages are meant to be a safe place for a bird to eat and sleep. Also to spend time when out of the cage isn’t safe or they need to go to the vet.
That being said, aviaries are good, but you need to look into bird safe paint, wood, wiring, plants, floor, places to perch, and ways to clean.
So far, no paint is bird safe. They contain zinc which is toxic to birds. You can search online for bird safe woods, but most fruit trees that are not sprayed are good. Wiring isn’t safe for many reasons, the metal and electricity being the main parts. Bird poo is hard to clean off of carpet once dried and new carpet is accually toxic to our feathered friends. You can put down tile or linolium, but then you need to mop and use a bird safe cleaner.
Birds ideally should be on a diet of 80% high quality pellets, 15% fresh and safe human foods, 5% seeds and treats. If he is not already on this kind of diet, you will need to make the switch gradually. Birds are known to starve to death if presented with something that they don’t recognise as food rather than try it.
Personally, knowing that amazons can be very hormonal and agressive at times, I would get a very large cage and give out of cage time as possible. This is for his saftey and yours. Zon bites are not pleasant!
Check out Cages by Design, Drs Foster and Smith, California Cages and Avian Accents for bird safe cages that are very nice and large.
Subscribe to Bird Talk Magazine, join Up At Six chats to confrence with other Zon owners, and buy a few parrot books for advice. Be aware that he will probably be agressive at first when he is getting used to his new home. Don’t try to make too many changes all at once. Make sure you have lots of toys for him to play with and destroy.
By jeep.mama on Jan 2, 2009 | Reply
Stainless cages, perches of different diameters to keep feet from getting sore, no zinc lead bassed anything and never put him in the kitchen, fume will kill them post haste. Moving him may do the trick, leave him in his cage, door open while you are at home and let him venture out on his own. Feed a pelleted diet specifically for him seed/fruits/veggies as enticements to bond to you.
By Ayliann on Jan 3, 2009 | Reply
Caution: Never give your bird avocados, or apple seeds because these two foods will kill a bird. Lettuce is NOT good for them either.
But try to give them a lot of other fruits and vegetables. My Amazons are crazy for carrots, grapes, and apples. They do not care for white potatoes but they like sweet potatoes. My birds love raw peanuts in the shell. If you peel vegetables, they will be very grateful for any part of the vegetable the you don’t want (like cucumber peelings, cantaloupe skins, cabbage cores, broccoli leaves and hard stems, the celery tips that you’ve trimmed off of a stalk, etc.)
My sister-in-law gives her parrots chicken bones and her parrots love to chew on them. However, this grosses me out and seems canabalistic. I never give my birds chicken bones.
By Bobbie F on Jan 6, 2009 | Reply
Your poor bird is cage-bound. Sad. After he settles in, you can gently help him adjust to being a bird. You got lots of really good information - do subscriber to BirdTalk.
By GraysonsBirdeez on Jan 7, 2009 | Reply
Congrautulations on your new adoption! If you have never had a parrot own you, you are in for a truly wonderful experience!
I would first find an avian vet and get him in for a check up. At the same time your vet can answer all of your questions about him. Plus its nice to know your bird is in good health.
As far as “no no” foods, there are a few. No avacados or chocolate. They can make him sick. Also no caffeine in any form. Also I’ve heard you shouldn’t let them have apple seeds. Ask your vet.
If you need any help with your new parrot, you can email me and I’ll try to answer any questions I can.
Good Luck,
April
By ergoa112 on Jan 9, 2009 | Reply
He’ll get used to a new cage, keep the old tho.. for him to play in, they are allergic to avacado, but love greens.. mangos, lots of stuff.. use BIG water bowl where he won’t **** in it