Parrot at home - what the owners need to know

Sooner or later, each parent is faced with the task of making a little friend to the child. And if it is not very convenient to get a kitten or a dog - there is no time to walk, it is expensive to keep a thoroughbred animal, etc., then with a parrot the situation is a little easier. The bird does not take up a lot of space in the house, it does not need to be walked, there are no big costs. This article will tell you which parrot is better to buy for your child, how to take care of him and how to teach him to talk.

What kind of parrot to get

The most unpretentious and affordable type of parrots is wavy. These birds are quite sociable and companionable, do not require any special care. The bird itself has bright plumage and remarkable intelligence. Budgerigars can be easily taught with simple words and simple games. You can buy this pet at any pet store, relatively cheaper than other birds.

In addition to these pets, the following types of birds are well suited for keeping in an apartment:

• Karela. The bird is very smart, talkative and positive. With quality training, she is able to pronounce entire sentences. Unpretentious in content.
• Jaco. A very intelligent bird, quickly learns to understand the mood of the owner. If you regularly deal with such a parrot, you can teach him to speak in phrases. It is unpretentious in care, requires only a good spacious cage with a perch. Of the minuses of this bird, the high cost can be noted.
• Amazons. Perfect for the role of a friend for a kid. Learns everything new very quickly. Of the minuses of this type, it is worth noting increased talkativeness. This bird does not like to be silent. Doesn't require any special conditions for living.

The choice of a pet depends on your personal preferences and financial resources. The most affordable is the budgerigar.

Remember that your pet can harm your baby. For example, a sudden onset of feather allergy. This point must be clarified in advance.

All animals that are sold in pet stores and from official breeders have documents, the necessary vaccinations and undergo regular medical examinations. A pet purchased on the market may have diseases that, if not infectious to humans, will shorten the life of the parrot. Among other things, the bird also has its own character and psychological health.

What does a parrot eat

The pet food market today provides its customers with a wide selection of different foods. What exactly to choose for a parrot?

The approximate diet of each specific bird species can be specified upon purchase. But any parrot will be happy to taste:

• special granulated feed;
• nuts;
• seeds;
• grains;
• do not forget about fresh vegetables and fruits.

Parrots, like any other animal, have their own personal taste preferences. Some people like apples, others like oranges. Try to offer your pet different treats and find out in a practical way what your bird loves the most. Remember that it is not recommended to feed pets from the table. That is, human food- salads, fried meat, sauces are not suitable for animals. Feeding an animal with human food can contribute to the development of numerous diseases in it, which will cause a lot of trouble for both the pet and you. And they can significantly reduce the life time of the animal.

The parrot's cage must have clean drinking water. If the temperature permits, place a bowl of water in the cage. Many parrots love to swim. Be careful, they love to play with the cups and turn them over. Consider how you can secure your bathing container.

How to care for a parrot

The parrot is a pet, not a toy. At first, the child must communicate with the animal strictly in the presence of an adult. Only when the baby begins to fully realize that the parrot is alive and must be handled very carefully, you can gradually trust the child to communicate independently with the pet.

Remember - like any other living creature, a parrot needs care and attention. Do not mistakenly believe that an expensive bird requires more meticulous care. Any parrot needs quality food, clean water and attention.

Choose a house for your pet responsibly. Most parrots love space, so the cage shouldn't be too small. The bird house should have 3 bowls:

1. For water.
2. For dry food.
3. For fruit.

To release the pet from the cage or not? Rarely does a parrot sit in one place for a long time, it will become trite bored. Also, the bird will sooner or later want to warm up - to run or fly. Parrots love watching TV with the whole family. Letting your pet out of the cage take care of its safety. The vents should be closed, if there are other animals in the house - isolate them while the parrot is walking. It is necessary to introduce animals to each other gradually, after making sure that none of them considers the other for gastronomic purposes.

Parrots love to sit on open doors, be careful. More than one parrot died in an unequal battle with a slammed door.

The cage must contain at least one toy- mirror, bell, empty container, wooden stick, acrylic figurine. The latter, by the way, are strong enough and will delight the bird for a long time. Remember that many pet toys are expensive, so keep this in mind when considering making a new friend.

However, in this situation, not everything is so sad. You can make a toy for a bird yourself. Remember that some species of parrots are interested in breaking a toy. For this reason, an interesting stick taken from a clean tree is quite suitable as a toy. Hang it on a strong rope from the canopy of the cage and your pet will be happy.

Like any other living organism, a parrot needs hygiene. No, you shouldn't bathe your parrot. Only if he himself wishes to freshen up under the tap. It's about the cleanliness of the cell. It is necessary to sanitize the living area of ​​the parrot once a week. To make this easier for yourself, it is recommended that you place a paper towel or special pad on the bottom of the cage, which can be changed every day. Remember parrots love to rip paper.

How to teach a parrot to talk

A talking parrot is the dream of many. And in fact, it is quite feasible. I would like to clarify right away - in one day " talk " pet will not work, no matter what super-techniques you use.

The first rule for successful pet training is trusting relationships. It is necessary to establish a lasting contact with the bird, to arouse in it a desire to communicate with you. The pet should not be afraid of you, do not raise your voice in his presence, do not wave your hands. Many animals perceive this behavior as aggressive.

Tame your pet, he should safely sit in your arms. Only then can speech exercises begin. Wavy is one of the fastest learning pets. Be prepared that even the smartest and most friendly parrot will learn to speak in about 3 months. The speed and success of training depends on the individual abilities of the bird. There are species that do not tend to pronounce human words at all. For example, lovebirds.

There is a theory that males learn human speech more easily than females.

Basic rules for teaching a parrot to talk:

1. "Lessons" should take place in complete silence. Parrots are very curious and will be constantly distracted by extraneous sounds.
2. All words must be accompanied by actions. For example, when entering a room, say "hello", leaving - "goodbye."
3. The first pet word must be 2 syllables. Not more.
4. A bird cannot do one thing for a long time. Therefore, it is recommended not to make the sessions too long. Optimally - 10-15 minutes a day. It is best to practice with the bird at the same time.
5. Do not try to yell at the bird or somehow punish him for not wanting to study. This way you will discourage all desire. The pet should be interested in the lesson and be in a good mood. You can raise the spirit of the parrot with the help of your favorite treat. Remember to praise and reward for your successes.
6. For the first successes, words containing vowels "a", "o" and consonants "p", "p", "t" are well suited. Hissing consonants are also well mastered by birds - eat, chao, Kesha.
7. Remember that the parrot is constantly listening to you. It is recommended to repeat the studied word outside the lesson, casually. Do not use profanity at home, the pet will learn exactly the abusive word, even heard only a couple of times.