The Parrot Society UK

Parrot Care Sheet

This page is available in full only to paid-up members of the Parrot Society, via the Members Only page

Information included for Cockatoos, Lories, Macaws and Parakeets

Parrots make colourful, interesting and very enjoyable pets and are relatively easy to feed and maintain. The Parrot Society UK recommends that you obtain captive-bred birds wherever possible. You must, however, remember that the larger parrots live a long time and keeping them is therefore a long-term commitment. Always remember to ask the seller how acclimatised your newly-acquired bird is, especially if you are going to put it in an outside aviary during the colder months. If you already have parrots it is always advisable to quarantine any new purchase for 35 days before allowing it into the proximity of your existing birds in case it is carrying any disease. If your new bird shows any sign of illness such as fluffed-up feathers, resting with head in the wing or on both legs instead of one, thin breast bone, loose droppings, heavy breathing or any discharge from the nostrils, keep the bird warm at 80º to 90º F or 27º to 32º C in a quiet location, ensure that the food (preferably easily digested food such as baby food is in easy reach of the perch) and contact a veterinarian with avian expertise immediately. Veterinarians with this expertise are not common and it would be sensible to locate one even before you buy a bird, as it is often in the very early days of ownership that you may require their services. The Parrot Society can assist you in locating one most local to you....