Parrot at home - what owners need to know

Sooner or later, every parent is faced with the task of making a little friend for their child. And if having a kitten or a dog is not entirely convenient - there is no time to go for a walk, it is expensive to maintain a purebred animal, etc., then with a parrot the situation is a little simpler. The bird will not take up much space in the house, there is no need to walk it, there are no big expenses. This article will tell you which parrot is best to buy for a child, how to care for it and how to teach it to talk.

What kind of parrot should I get?

The most unpretentious and affordable type of parrot is the budgie. These birds are quite sociable and sociable and do not require any special care. The bird itself has bright plumage and remarkable intelligence. A budgie can easily be taught simple words and simple games. You can buy this pet at any pet store, comparatively 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 smart bird, it quickly learns to understand the mood of its owner. If you regularly work with such a parrot, you can teach it to speak in phrases. It is unpretentious in care, requiring only a good spacious cage with a perch. One of the disadvantages of this bird is its high cost.
• Amazon. Perfect for being a baby's friend. He learns everything new very quickly. Among the disadvantages of this type, it is worth noting increased talkativeness. This bird does not like to be silent. Does not require any special living conditions.

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

Remember that a pet can harm a child. For example, a suddenly discovered allergy to feathers. This point must be clarified in advance.

All animals sold in pet stores and official breeders have documents, required vaccinations and undergo regular medical examinations. A pet purchased at the market may have diseases that, if not contagious 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 animal 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 clarified upon purchase. But any parrot will be happy to taste:

• special granulated food;
• nuts;
• seeds;
• grains;
• Don’t forget about fresh vegetables and fruits.

Parrots, like any other animal, have their own personal taste preferences. Some people like apples, others prefer oranges. Try offering your pet different treats and find out in a practical way what exactly your bird likes 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 that will cause a lot of trouble for both the pet and you. And they can significantly shorten the animal’s lifespan.

There must be clean drinking water in the parrot's cage. If the temperature allows, place a bowl of water in the cage. Many parrots love to bathe. Be careful, they love to play with cups and turn them over. Think about how you can secure the bathing container.

How to care for a parrot

A 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 understand that the parrot is alive and needs to be handled very carefully can you gradually trust the child to independently communicate with the pet.

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

Take a responsible approach to choosing a house for your pet. Most parrots like space, so the cage should not be too small. There should be 3 bowls in the bird house:

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

Should I let my pet out of the cage or not? It is rare that a parrot will be able to sit in one place for a long time; it will become simply boring. Also, sooner or later the bird will want to warm up - run or fly. Parrots love to watch TV with the whole family. When letting your pet out of its cage, take care of its safety. The windows should be closed; if there are other animals in the house, isolate them while the parrot is walking. Animals need to be introduced to each other gradually, after making sure that none of them is considering 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.

There must be at least one in the cage toy- a mirror, a bell, an empty container, a wooden stick, an acrylic figurine. The latter, by the way, are quite durable and will please the bird for a long time. Remember that many pet toys are quite expensive, and take this into account when considering the possibility of making a new friend.

However, this situation is not all so sad. It is quite possible to make a toy for a bird yourself. Remember that some types of parrots are interested in breaking the toy. For this reason, an interesting stick taken from pure wood is quite suitable as a toy. Hang it on a strong rope from the dome 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. The parrot's living area needs to be sanitized once a week. To make this task easier for yourself, it is recommended to place a paper towel or a special lining on the bottom of the cage, which can be changed every day. Remember that parrots love to tear 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"   You won’t get a pet, no matter what super techniques you use.

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

Tame your pet, it should sit in your arms without fear. Only after this can speech exercises begin. Wavys are one of the fastest learning pets. Be prepared that even the smartest and friendliest parrot will take about 3 months to learn to speak. The speed and success of training depends on the individual abilities of the bird. There are species that do not tend to utter human words at all. For example, lovebirds.

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

Basic rules for teaching a parrot to talk:

1. “Lessons” should be held in complete silence. Parrots are very curious and will constantly be distracted by extraneous sounds.
2. All words must be accompanied by actions. For example, when entering a room, say “hello”, when leaving, say “bye.”
3. The first word for a pet should consist of 2 syllables. No more.
4. A bird cannot do one thing for a long time. Therefore, it is recommended not to make classes too long. Optimally - 10-15 minutes a day. It is best to work with the bird at the same time.
5. Don't try to yell at the bird or punish him in any way for not wanting to exercise. This way you will fight off all desire. The pet must be interested in the lesson and be in a good mood. You can cheer up your parrot with your favorite treat. Don't forget to praise and reward achievements.
6. For the first successes, words containing the vowels “a”, “o” and the consonants “p”, “r”, “t” are well suited. Sibilant 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 word being studied outside of class, casually. Do not use profanity at home; your pet will learn exactly a swear word, even if it is heard only a couple of times.