Usually, the manner in which you house your parrot will depend upon its size or wingspan. The cage should be at least large enough that your bird can fully spread its wings, in addition to allowing it the opportunity to perch without its tail feathers dragging on the ground. The parrot should be able to move about and play in the cage. Also, the amount of noise it makes can be a consideration for you. Parrots that make a great deal of noise may not be best kept in an area where your neighbors can hear them, or in an area that you use as an office or reading room. However, you should try to keep your parrot, particularly if it is the only bird you have, in some area of your home that people frequent. Depending on your climate and the time of year, some parrots can be kept out of doors, while other more sensitive species should be kept inside. Many times, parrots kept inside can be placed outside in a confined area during times of pleasant weather.

Most parrots are kept in wire or metal bird cages, or aviaries made from wire or metal mesh. The decision to use a cage or an aviary will be determined by the decision to keep your bird indoors or outdoors, or on the amount of space you plan to devote to your bird's enclosure. Also, the decision can depend on the number of birds you wish to house in one enclosure. Regardless of which type of enclosure your bird is housed in, it should be kept in an area protected from cold drafts. The enclosure itself should be well ventilated. No lead should be present anywhere in the enclosures where parrots are housed, as it is toxic to them.

Usually, cages are more appropriate for smaller birds like parakeets or lories. These are generally available from pet supply stores and may come with removable bottom pans to facilitate cleaning. The cage you choose for your bird should be carefully checked to ensure that no wires are sticking out that could harm your bird. The wire or metal that the cage is constructed from should not be coated with toxic chemicals or with lead-based paints. It should be sturdy, as well, since most parrots are avid chewers and can break their cages with their strong beaks. Many commercially sold cages are available with playpens, perches, or gyms located atop the cage. These can be quite useful in allowing the bird time out of its cage. If you plan to keep your bird's cage in an area of your home where the floor should not be soiled, it may be a good idea to place a large, clear vinyl piece or some similar material on the floor underneath the cage. These can often be obtained cheaply as remnants from hardware, carpeting, or home improvement stores. Some people that do not have as much space in their home for a cage as they might have liked, often allow their birds to remain outside of their cages for extended periods of time. Outside perches, parrot towers, or parrot gyms can be helpful in allowing your bird a place to perch outside of its cage. Again, a plastic or vinyl square placed beneath such a structure can help make cleaning much easier.

Aviaries can be obtained from some pet supply stores, or may be constructed at home. Generally, they may be made from metal or wire mesh and sometimes, wood is incorporated as some part of the structure. These types of structures are more commonly used for very large birds, like macaws, or for birds that are commonly kept in pairs or groups. If the aviary is intended for outdoor use, it may be advisable to have a solid roof on at least part of the aviary. This will help shade your birds as well as aiding in protecting them from wind or precipitation. The mesh or metal should be very sturdy to prevent your bird from chewing its way through the sides of its enclosure. Often, smaller aviaries are suspended a few feet from the ground in order to keep them drier and also in order to help protect the birds from predators or other disturbances. Many bird owners also believe that elevating their parrots' cages can help lower the incidence of internal parasites in their birds. Aviaries should be large enough that your bird can have opportunities for flight, perching, feeding, and exercise. They should be kept in a sheltered or protected area. Indoors, this could be an enclosed patio. Some sort of fence or other structure around your outdoor aviary can help protect your birds from predators. In harsh weather, the aviary should provide sufficient protection for your bird, and you may wish to have some sort of clear tarp material on hand that you could use to cover the sides of the cage in a cold, blowing rain. In very large or permanent aviaries, a few considerations must be made. The wire should be extremely strong so that birds housed in the aviary cannot chew through it, and it should be checked regularly. The sides of the aviary should extend below ground level, so predators cannot dig their way into the aviary. Also, about half of the top of the aviary should provide some sort of permanent covering. Some outdoor aviaries are completely covered in sun cloth or some water proofed, light fabric. Also, outdoor aviaries should be planted deeply enough into the ground that they cannot be pushed or blown over. If you plan to establish plants in the bottom, it is advisable to either plant mature specimens or to wait until seeds have matured before placing birds in the aviary. Any plants you keep in the aviary should be non-toxic. Many people prefer items like bamboo, or other hard, slender plants that can provide foliage to hide under but also branches on which to perch. Usually, outdoor aviaries need some sort of door through which you can enter for cleaning, feeding, and general maintenance. It may be best to have a sort of anteroom attached to the door. That way, to prevent escape, you can enter the anteroom and shut the door behind you before opening the inner door to the aviary.

Parrots need natural sunlight each day. Often, indoor birds can get this from indirect sunlight. However, because glass filters out many important ultraviolet rays, you should allow your bird to remain outside or near an open window on a regular basis. Another option could be to provide your bird with a full spectrum artificial light. Perhaps just as important as the need for sunlight is the need for dark. Parrots need large blocks of uninterrupted sleep in order to remain healthy. While this will generally occur naturally at night, indoor birds may be exposed to prolonged day lengths if you stay up late. Often, a drop cloth placed over the bird's cage can provide it with the dark it needs. Be sure that the cloth is not of some material that the bird could easily catch its toenails or beak in. During nighttime when the bird is sleeping, you should try not to disturb it or expose it to excessive noise. The photo periods that you expose your bird to should be consistent.

Many parrots come from tropical areas of the world, and for this reason, most are sensitive to cold. If you live in an area without excessively cold weather, you can probably keep many types of parrots outside without much worry. However, if you live in a colder area, it may be better to keep your bird inside or to have a manner of housing it indoors during the winter months. Many people keep their parrots indoors, but place their birds' cages outside on a patio or sun porch in nice weather. You should try not to place your bird where it cannot avoid direct sunlight, since it can become overheated. You should also keep an eye on your bird while it is outside. This can help you know whether or not your bird is becoming too hot, and can also help prevent any predators from approaching your bird. When first acquiring a bird, it will be stressed and may be more sensitive to extremes of temperature. You should try to keep it in a moderate or warm part of the temperature range appropriate for the bird until it is used to its new environment and is no longer stressed.

Usually, it is best to keep the air your parrot is exposed to as dry as possible. Good ventilation is quite important. Although most parrots do not need humid air, water is very important to them. All parrots should have clean water available to them at all times. When keeping a parrot outdoors, you should place its water in a shaded area of the cage in order to help keep it cool and fresh. Many parrots enjoy bathing; in fact, it is necessary for them to maintain proper feather condition. In order to provide ample bathing opportunity, many people will fill a "bath bowl" with water and place it in their bird's enclosure each morning, removing it when the bird has finished its bath. Be prepared for splashing as your bird may be quite energetic while bathing. Others may utilize other methods of bathing their birds.

Inside your parrot's enclosure, you should usually provide some sort of substrate in the cage to facilitate its cleaning. Usually, this is placed in a pan below the bottom grating of the cage. Often, newspaper can be a cheap and effective way to provide this. Newspaper is commonly used in smaller cages for animals such as budgerigars or parakeets. Compressed paper litters have been used as bedding, as have wood shavings. Cedar shavings, corncob, and walnut shell litters should all be avoided, as they can cause health problems for your bird. In larger aviaries, particularly those with well established plants, the substrate can often be formed by soil, peat, or mulch. However, such substrates may harbor bacteria or parasites, which may be a particular problem for ground feeding birds. If you plan to use these items in your bird's enclosure, they should be heat treated or otherwise sterilized. Ground dwelling birds, often cockatoos, may ingest their substrates. For such birds, you may wish to eliminate a substrate completely or use large wood chips that they will not eat or accidentally swallow.

Water and food bowls in the cage should be easily removed, since they will become soiled often. Although some people prefer allowing their parrots water bottles, others find that these items may become difficult to clean properly. Also, parrots often enjoy placing their food items in their water bowls in order to soak them before eating them. For this reason, it can be a good idea to have several water bowls so that a dirty one can be replaced. Some people find that they must change their bird's bowls up to three times daily, although even the cleanest birds will need fresh water at least once each day. Some people prefer to use water and food bowls that attach to the sides of their birds' enclosures, since this is a very effective method of preventing their parrots' tail feathers from dragging in the bowls and soiling them. Also, it can prevent droppings from falling into the bowls and making your bird ill. Although some hooded food bowls are available for purchase, some birds may feel uncomfortable eating from them and thus may not use them.

Other items in the parrot's enclosure can include simple, built-in furnishings like perches or nesting boxes. These can also be added to the enclosure or may come already attached. You should be sure that all items you place in the enclosure are non-toxic, since most parrots will chew on many items in their cages. Perches should be elevated enough that your parrot can sit on them without its tail feathers dragging in food or water bowls, or on the floor of the cage. They should be wide enough that your parrot cannot wrap its feet all the way around them, but not so wide that it is uncomfortable for the parrot to sit on them. Swinging perches may also provide great entertainment for some parrots. Perches or climbing opportunities should be oriented both vertically and horizontally to allow sufficient exercise or amusement for you parrot. Ladders may be an amusing accessory for your parrot's cage. Usually, nesting boxes are made of wood. This will allow the parrot privacy in addition to giving it an enclosed place in which it can shelter from the elements if it is kept outdoors. All of these items should be sized appropriately for your bird. Obviously, a conure might have great difficulty utilizing a perch constructed for a macaw.

Some appropriate chewing material should be provided in the parrot's enclosure. For many birds, fresh, non-toxic branches can make appropriate chewing toys. Fruit woods like apple, willow trees, and eucalyptus trees can all provide fine branches for these purposes. Many parrots will also chew on the leaves if they are left on the branches. Just be sure that any woods you obtain outdoors have not been exposed to chemicals like pesticides. Many chew sticks are also commercially sold.

Toys should be present in your parrot's cage, particularly if the bird is not in a large aviary. Often toys can be commercially purchased, although you should be sure that they are safe for your parrot. Usually, any sort of toy or item that your bird could catch its toenails or beak in should be avoided. Many times, baby toys or rattles can provide safe amusement. Bells or swinging toys may also amuse parrots, but you should be sure that the bird cannot hang itself in the line and cannot become entangled or caught in the hanger or line. Balls may be greatly appreciated, but you should be sure they are too large for the bird to swallow and that they cannot be chewed into easily ingested pieces. Mirrors can also provide plenty of amusement for parrots.

Some people will provide structures like playpens in which their parrots can be allowed out of their cages while remaining confined. This will usually prevent birds whose wings have been clipped from roaming into areas of the house that have not been prepared for their safety. Playpens may also provide an easy to clean surface on which to keep your bird.

Keeping your bird's enclosure clean is essential if you wish to keep your bird in good health. Also, a dirty cage in or near your home may be unattractive and unhealthy for you. The bottom of the cage should be cleaned regularly, and the substrate should be replaced when it becomes soiled. On a regular basis, the entire cage should be thoroughly cleaned. A scrub brush can be useful in removing much physical soiling. Because many parrot diseases can be passed to other birds through dried feces, it is essential to regularly clean all traces of fecal matter from the cage, particularly if you are keeping other birds. Try to avoid commercial household cleaners, as these can contain ingredients that can be toxic to many birds. Rather, some sort of dilute disinfectant should be used to be sure that your bird's cage is free of germs. After cleaning, be sure to rinse the enclosure thoroughly. If covered, the floor area under your bird's cage can be quickly wiped clean. Also, disinfecting baby wipes may be used for quick spot cleaning; usually those with thicker tissues make better choices than those that are too thin. Aviaries, especially those that have been planted, may be more difficult to clean. On a regular basis, you should go through the aviary, checking for scraps of any uneaten food. The perches in the aviary, and sides and top of the enclosure should be checked to be sure they are secure, and these should be cleaned if necessary. The top layer of the substrate can be replaced as necessary. All bowls, or water containers that could be present in the aviary should also be checked and cleaned on a daily basis.

Parrots are usually very intelligent birds and most have very demanding psychological needs. If neglected or ignored, parrots can become depressed or even 'insane' in some cases. Self mutilation is not an uncommon sign of boredom or emotional neglect. In order to prevent your bird from becoming lonely and bored, you should try to keep it with you as much as possible. Keep its cage in your living room or in another room where people congregate and spend lots of time. If you are not home for extended periods of time, you should let your parrot out of its cage when you are home and be sure to give it extra time and attention. You may also wish to leave a radio or television playing for your parrot when you are not home. In fact, many people find that very noisy birds may often become less noisy when they are provided with noise from a radio.

Often, keeping parrots in pairs can help satisfy a great part of a parrot's psychological needs. However, when introducing parrots to each other, you should use caution, especially with birds that tend to show dominant or aggressive traits. Although large cages and aviaries may be appropriate for housing more than one bird, you should be sure that there are plenty of hiding places so that ample opportunity for escape or privacy is provided. To introduce birds, you should place their cages near each other, but not near enough that the birds can physically reach each other. When they appear comfortable with each other's presence, they can be slowly introduced. However, if you find that the birds do not get along consistently, you may wish to keep them separated. In many large aviaries, colony systems may be established in which several pairs of birds can thrive.

Part One - Introduction	Part Three - Diet
Printer Friendly Version

Please Note: This care sheet is copyright © The Central Pets Educational Foundation (CentralPets.com). It may be freely distributed provided that this notice and Copyright remains included and unchanged. We encourage veterinarians, clubs, pet stores, breeders, humane societies, and others to use this to educate people and promote better pet care. Additions, suggestions, corrections, and questions regarding this care sheet are welcome and should be directed to content@CentralPets.com