Animal Stories - People Talking About Parrot Species



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Latest Animal Stories on Parrot Species (216)

Kathy - 2012-12-22
I have a hawkhead that I've had since she was 5 months old. She is a spoiled, stubborn, loud, bossy, over confident, wild-like, self-absorbed, food-obsessed little demon. She is also a very affectionate, playful, funny, in-tuned with my feelings, cuddle monster. I wouldn't trade her for a thing. She views my youngest daughter as her play toy and loves to chase her around daily, multiple times, in fact every chance she gets. My kids have learned to watch VERY closely for body language, even during play, because she is a very rough player and can cause a severe bite. Being aggressive in everything they do is their nature. With me, she is sweet as can be, but I still need to watch body language. I tell people all the time that Hawkheads are not birds for amateurs. They are very high maintenance and require someone who is extremely patient, able to handle hard bites, and is very experienced with other parrots. They are definitely NOT a beginner bird. I have a cockatoo as well, which are notorious for being a high maintenance bird, and I feel that a Hawkhead is on the same level, if not harder. Noise wise, they can be just a loud as a cockatoo, if not more. They also tend to be a lot more unpredictable than a cockatoo. Please, if you are thinking of getting a Hawkhead, be sure to do lots and lots and LOTS of research first. They are not easy birds by far. You will get bitten. You will get rejected. You will get ringing in your ears. You will get all your food stolen ( :P ). BUT, if you are patient and respectful of their nature, you will be rewarded with a best friend that only hates you sometimes, especially when you don't share your food.

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Anonymous - 2013-02-25
you probaly dont play wth him or her enough.
Anonymous - 2013-02-26
did you get it from eggsotic parroting
Kathy - 2013-05-12
Anonymous - 2013-02-25 you probaly dont play wth him or her enough. Anonymous - 2013-02-26 did you get it from eggsotic parroting Huh? I don't play with him enough? I don't get what that is a response to. My post wasn't asking for advice, I was giving it. My hawkhead is played with plenty. In fact, she's spoiled and a big 'mamma's baby'. Also, no, I did not get her from eggsotic parroting.
Clarice Brough - 2013-05-13
Hey kathy, I for one think your info is great! And I also think this is an absolutely fascinating bird. Thanks for sharing:)

Ashley - 2011-01-22
Just reading this thread... Where are you all from? I am a keeper of Many poicephauls parrots and I am keen to gain contact with other keepers and breeders.. I am based in the north of the united Kingdom, I bet you are all American knowing my luck.

Please email me parrotsaregreat@live.com.

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Lisa - 2013-04-23
I have a new baby I just got 7 days ago and not sure when I or how I should start training. He was scared so I havent bother him alot other than talk to him. He did fly from Austin to Missouri where I picked him up so I thought I should give him time to settle in. Thanks for any help!!
Anonymous - 2013-05-03
I thought I was replying to Lisa. I'm sure I have a brother of your red-bellied if that is what you got and I assume you got it from Scott at Old World. Did you get the female with the missing toes? I've had mine home for three or four weeks now and he sttill isn't stepping up or coming to my hand but I am not rushing him. He has started to come over and visit me but he still likes to bite. I just don't think he knows any better yet. All in all, for 7 months old he is a beautiful and quite enjoyable little guy. I've had amazons in the past so this is a whole new world for me.

manuela rutledge - 2012-01-23
Hi I'm the proud owner of an female soloman eclectus. Annie was a rescue bird. I got her from a couple who did not want to bother with her anymore and they got her from a petstore where the previous owner brought her after 3 years. Anyways the last owner did not want to bother because after they had her for a month she started eating her feet and peeling the skin right off. So I took her and brought her to the vet done all the bloodwork ,it came out good oh and she is toetapping and wingflipping also. They said she does it because she was bored but watching her she bites because it is very annoying the cramps in her feet. So I did everything I could find on it out on the net ,my vet is clueless she never had that in her office and she is an avian vet arghhhhh lol.So I am surging everywhere in the hopes someone out there has others idears . sorry for writing such a long story ...

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Charlie Roche - 2012-01-23
Many people use doll rods for perches and just about destroy a birds feet without realizing it. There are many types of 2 - 3 inch perches avaiable to put in a cage that allow the parrot to step on it more flat footed and way easier to hold on to. Cholla wood, sanded manzanita, branch from a fruit tree. Birds don't sit on the narrowest end of the perch on a tree - they are in the widest part - almost flat footed and well balanced. The birds feet should not be able to go around the perch - Toe tapping. Toe tapping can be a normal body expression for a parrot in that they stamp their feet. Sounds like yours might be doing it to stretch out tendons.muscles and excercise or maybe the perch is so small, his feet are actually flling asleep or cramping. The parrot is not going to go down and wlk on the bottom of the cage - they don't go down. Wingflapping - again could be body language but also could be keeping balance. I'd get way wider perches - cholla - works and Golden Cockatoo has a web site and you can order them from there. They screw on. Did the vet check for gout? Many vets say they are avian but they just took a two day class. Just thoughts. Good luck.
Loree McKee - 2012-03-12
in response to toe tapping - it is possible that your bird may be having a reaction to colored dyes in food. My eclectus did this once when we changed his diet and gave him colored food (from teh pet store) as soon as we changed his diet back to all-natural (no dyes) he stopped this behaviour. Also, I am not sure where the previous writer got his birds, but mine absolutley love to "come down" to the bottom of thier cage - they play with foot toys there, and their food dishes are ob the bottom of the cage as well. I have ladders that dangle all the way to the floor - so they like to walk around the house on teh floor. You can try a resting stone also, these can be placed in the cage on teh floor of the cage, or attached to corners like a shelf. Mine like thiers a lot. - Good luck!!
Abi Leonard Al Omari - 2012-07-24
I have done resaerch that eclectus are very sensitive to lack of appropriate vitamins, which causes itchy skin. Make sure you are feeding your bird LOTS of fruit and veggies. Leafy greens, citrus, and legumes. I also use a vitamin supliment in my birds water. Ekkies have very different diets than most birds, You need to limit seeds and provide a half a boiled egg once a week. My female had feather loss and wing flapping from her previous owner, and a change to a correct ekkie diet was all she needed. I also feel a correctly sized pearch would be helpful.
Kaori - 2012-08-24
Hi Kelly,Thanks for writing in .sorry to hear about your Lab gitteng pancreatitis well wishes for a full recovery! The most important dietary management strategy for pancreatitis is a LOW FAT diet. Be careful with canned food in general, it tends to have more fat than dry food of the same variety. Always evaluate the fat content of a food on a dry matter basis, so you can easily compare canned and dry foods. Good Luck. Dr. Donna
manuela - 2013-04-14
Hi sorry it's been a while since I've been on here, well we found out what's wrong with annie. She got diagnosed with the borna virus and is on celebrax now and doing good. She does not eat her feet as long as she is on the meds she still toe taps here and there but not bad anymore. Overall she does great. Thanks for all your input.

Cindy - 2013-03-10
I recently adopted a 9 y/o male Eclectus. My brother in law decided to give him a 'shower'. He sprayed him, including his head, in the kitchen sink without me knowing. Later that day, I noticed he was wheezing. I'm afraid he got some water in his lungs so I took him to the vet the next day and was prescribed antibiotics. It's been a couple days and he is still wheezing. Any ideas what could be the problem or what could help??? Thanks!!!

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Jeremy Roche - 2013-03-10
The meds may take some time to work. Make sure the bird is in a warm room and is getting proper hydration.

Cindi Kirby - 2009-03-18
I have spoken about Emma, our parrot on your site previously - when we had just got her. Dr Jungle has her as a postcard pet. She is about 4 years old already! I think she is a HE, but nonetheless, the name Emma stuck! She is incredibly tame - which can be a problem! We leave her cage open at all times - just outside our back door. Our dogs are there too - and I prefer her to be near them, in case a stray cat comes to eat her! The dogs have a great relationship with her, but she DEFINITELY RULES THE ROOST! We are a family of 5, and no one else is allowed to pick her up! She bites them! But not immediately, which is always a problem, as they keep wanting to trust her, then she gives them a good bite! She has never ever bitten me. She wouldnt dare, because I am strict with her. I get very angry with her when she bites or tries to bite my kids and she gets taken back to her cage and closed in there for 20 mins. It doesnt help! She still bites everyone else! But some guests try their luck and she doesnt bite them - its never really a serious bite, but leaves a dent in the finger which is very painful for a child! She adores me. She waddles around the house looking for me - and she always gets attention this way, even if I take her back to her cage - as I am afraid of her messing the house, chewing the wood or cables of computers! She allows me to do absolutely anything with her! I look in her mouth, grab her tongue, she lies upsidedown in my hand. I grab her beak and shake it, as one would do with the muzzle of a dog. I cut her feathers, I rub her feet, I SMOTHER her with kisses and tickle her tummy and under her wings. In fact I am a bit rough with her and she LOVES it! She screams at the dog - ZIGGY, all day - and I dont know how she keeps on with it - because the dog never get screamed at by us! ;-). The dogs keep their distance from her - but if they are lying on a mat in our hallway and she walzes into the house, she walks within inches of them, and they dont budge! They DO keep their eye on her, though!She never ever bites them. Sometimes, I try to put her on Flash's back (she is a boxer), but she just flaps her wings and flies down. She adores any seeded bread and can destroy that for an hour, eating all the seeds. She also LOVES sweetcorn on the cob. She is very spoilt with food and is extremely greedy. She also loves to swim and splash in her water! Once we left her at home when we went away on holiday (with the dogs) and someone came in to feed them daily. I forgot to cut her wings before I left. She flew away - I think they tried to get her down from the roof with a broom, and it spooked her and she flew. She gets spooked VERY easily. She was gone for 4 days and we found her at the Veterninary CLinic. Someone WITH DOGS had brought her in. Thankfully! Unfortunately, she hates my husband and she stretches her neck out as far as possible, almost toppling off her cage to try and bite him as he goes past! He says we should let her grow her wings and fly away! Ha ha! She adores showing off in front of our friends and showing them all the things she can do - like lying on her back. I also pick her up by the scruff of her neck - like one would a kitten and she just hangs there - calm as anything! Everyone thinks thats the cutest! She just LOVES attention and would sleep with me at night if she could. Sometimes, when I rest on my bed of an afternoon - which is FAR away from her cage, she will walk the entire length of the house to come and find me - chattering and clicking all the kissing sounds all the way! Quite irreristable! Unfortunately, she DOES screech - and usually does it when I hang the washing right near her. I tell her to stop it immediately, - then she does some quiet little whistles and then hears a bird in the distance, and starts screeching again! I have battles with her all the time with this! If I start whistling or singing, she joins in and its the cutest sound. She mixes up all the notes, but gets 2 or 3 in a row right! Its really the cutest thing! She is also very funny the way she mimics us laughing! She ALWAYS mimics laughter and its a low giggle that she does, but quite amazing! She is actually extremely well behaved. Unfortunately, one of the negatives about having her outside and in an open cage, wild birds come and visit her and take her food. I am amazed that she doesnt chase THEM away! She just watches them. I think she quite likes the company! She is extremely good at immitating sounds! We live in SA, so we have an alarm system that turns on and off everytime we exit or enter our house - and she mimics the sounds it makes, as well as the squeak of the door and the clang of the gate. She doesnt say many words well - but she will try and mimic almost every SOUND we make! IF we click, she clicks, if we cough, she coughs, if we laugh, she laughs, if we bang, she bangs! Quite amazing. The tiring thing about her - is that she demands a LOT of attention! I read in one of the other comments, that the guy started leaving his parrot for LONGER in her cage - as she didnt like spending the entire day with him - I find the same with Emma - if I take her somewhere, she gets a bit tired and irritated and starts screeching, and then I know that she wants to go back to her place! They definitely DO try to communicate what they want! She also huffs up her feathers and RUNS at one of my daughters feet in the lounge! Hysterics! But one learns what to be careful of - and if you show her that you are scared - then she thinks you are submitting to her and she rules the roost even more!

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Allison Yarbrough - 2010-05-08
I think it's great how open you are with your Senegal but it does worry me that you leave her out to roam. You already lost her once! My mom and I hatched my Senegal 16 years ago and she is very precious. My mom has also been a parent of a female Senegal for 28 years. It seems that this breed is very partial to females and focuses on one parent. Sasha tolerates my mom only when I am not around (she hand fed her as a baby) but tries to bite her while I am in the picture. I do think it is wonderful how much freedom you give to Emma but you may want to keep your doors shut since you don't clip her wings. You don't want her flying away again and being eaten by some animal or starving to death. It's just not responsible as a pet owner.
lindy alvestad - 2011-01-06
I wonder if you are still lucky enough to still have this little bird. So many things accidental things can happen to small birds especially one that enjoys as much freedom as yours appears to have. If you still have this bird, I suggest you go to the "Bird-n-Way" sites for some education or there are excellent magazines out there such as "Bird Talk" and others that will help you enjoy your bird while keeping him/her safe for years to come. Good luck and good reading!

Jayashree Manoharan - 2013-02-04
Hi, my 7 weeks old Alexandria is not eating properly. He takes very little bit of almonds and other grains but he likes to take variety of humans regular food. He likes to take non-veg. Is it ok? Can I proceed to feed him human foods? Please suggest to me some good and healthy foods which he likes to take.

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Clarice Brough - 2013-02-06
He's very young, barely just weaned I would guess. I am guessing his tendency to want human foods is probably because he's mimicing what you are eating. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it sounds like its setting up a bad habit. I would offer bird seed and pelleted food, and some fruits and veggies as treats. I would avoid other types of human foods, at least until he is more established with regular bird food, to avoid feeding problems throughout his life.
Sandy - 2013-03-03
Scrabbled eggs, cottage cheese (just a little) oatmeal, cream of wheat with toast. Calcium is important. I have a male red bellied parrot (Razzy) He will be 23 in April. I've had him since he was a baby. I have a good avian vet so I got excellent advice when he was young. He has been on Harrison bird pellets but prefers human food. He gets chicken almost every night he loves to eat the bone marrow right out of the leg. For breakfast I feed him a good quality bread (orowheats winter wheats best) it's full of nuts and seeds I put a thin thin layer of adams salt free peanut butter 1/2 pc and a little apple, banana. For dinner his chicken (boiled) and mixed veggies (frozen kind) peas, corn, green beans and lima beans (heated) for dinner and he loves it. He always has a bowl of pellets and raw nuts. I only give him a parrot safflower seed mix on special occasions it's like candy. Razzy is a very healthy beautiful boy. He comes out of his cage everyday and eats and plays on a tree. Parrots thrive on ROUTINE ROUTINE they need to know when they will eat, get attention etc, etc. Hope this helps...

Jackie - 2010-08-04
I have had a Hawkheaded parrot for 18 years; he has been a wonderful bird I could do anything with him, but I lost my husband St. Patricks Day this year, and a month later I had to put my West Highland White Terrier down, now my hawkheaded parrot won't let me get near him or hold him I have to leave him near his cage so he can go sit in the window & go in his cage by himself. Please if you have any solutions for me I would appreciate them. Thank You Really upset I don"t want to lose him too.

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Rachel - 2010-10-18
I am so sorry for your losses. That is a lot to go through in a short period! It's possible that your hawkhead, being the sensitive beings that they are, is suffering emotionally from the losses, as well. However, any time a parrot displays drastic changes in behavior, the first step is to have them checked out by your avian vet. I found that, working as an avian vet tech for a long time, behavior changes can be the first sign of illness, which could be secondary to stresses experienced in your home this year. If he is healthy, a good avian behaviorist may be able to help you pinpoint the problem and figure out a solution that works for both of you. I wish you and your companion well!
Dawnya - 2010-11-14
Hello,
In my experience they really feed off how you are feeling even when we don't realize that we are giving off vibes. You might try moving his cage location or having someone watch him for a couple of weeks. To change the routine that you have and to re-establish a new relationship with him. I have fostered and taken in many parrots of all kinds. I also have a HH myself and she can be very temperamental at times..... but she his my pride and joy..... let me know if you need help. So, sorry to hear about your loss.
Matthew - 2013-03-01
have you tried clicker training it is were you put some of his favorite treats on the tip of a fork and you would click the clicker if he touched the treat very gently.

Candice - 2013-01-13
We have a gorgeous 3 month old senegal parrot, Tango. His poop has not been consistent, what do i do? We feed him a little carrot, grape and nectarine, sometimes cucumber, with his usual bowl of parrot cereal with a little plumage pellet. He is a very active bird, loves me to bits not so much my husband, tolerates him... He likes to burrow in my hair or regurgitates often on my shoulder, and loves being outside in the sun, tho its not for very long too hot at the moment.

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Clarice Brough - 2013-01-15
He doesn't sound sick from your description of his activities. Droppings are usually fairly consistent, though diet as well as temperature can affect them. When keeping an eye on itdaily, what you need to watch out for is a major change from what you normally observe, (quantity, color, consistency or smell). If you see a major change, then that can indicate your bird may need to see a vet.
Candice - 2013-02-18
His poop is better, thunk it was just his growing phase. However what does one do when he seems to suffer from separation anxiety? Every time i leave the room he is in the lounge, he screeches and wont stop til i come back. How do i prevent this? Im pregnant so worry this will upset baby routine too.

Dennis - 2012-09-01
Hi All..I have recently Adopted [by forceful persuasion] my 1st Parrot BUGSY [Eclectus M +- 4\6 years old] was neglected and un loved shoved away in corner ... I saw him fell in love and took him home the next day..He is Wonderful...lovely nature ....I have had him now 6 months..made progress we hug ..kisses mostly from his side.. but I need help with 2 things..he hates bathing...I have been splashing him with my wet hands[hate] any other way; spray, bowl or form of water he hates it badly...2nd thing his feathers are very tatty ..tail especially have noticed some improvement but not much..him not bathing...surely not helping the matter with the feathers

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Charlie Roche - 2012-09-02
Some birds just HATE bathing - I don't care what anyone says. I place one in a walk in shower and turn the water on and he seems to sorta like that. Another - I can always count on every time I run the vacumn, he will run into and bathe in his water bowl or any other bowl. Another we bathe in the kitchen sink with a sprayer. I also use Aloe Bird Bath. I have no great idea except just try things. He may NEVER like it. I have also found it is much easier to bathe them when it is raining. Most love their baths but some just don't. Tail - this is the time of year when parrots are at their worst looking. There old feathers - many of them especially when no bathing - look tattereed and dry. They are the old feathers. They are going to replace every feathers this time of the year in a big molt - all the old feathers will go and all the new ones will come in.
Abi - 2012-10-05
My eclectus did the same thing. Hated bathing, so we can only bath her with us and perferably with my husband as he is her fav.
Anonymous - 2013-02-06
I have 2 breeder Eclectus parrots. I run the shower for about 1-2 minutes and set them on the floor of the shower. they are 4 months and i put them in the shower shut the door for another 1-2 minutes then look in. they are so sweet and lay at the bottom with their eyes closed and the water hitting their backs.

Peg - 2013-02-04
My male red-bellied is now tearing up everything on the bottom of his cage, as though he is trying to make a nest. In the cage next to him is a green-cheeked conure we have has for 10 years, who is 16 years old, and 'he' just started laying eggs! Is her egg-laying prompting our red-bellied to make nests? Do we have to keep them apart (they play outside the cage together) to keep them from mating? Could they even mate?

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Clarice Brough - 2013-02-06
Sounds like he may be instinctively responding to the egg-laying of your Green-cheeked Conure, and it is moving into springtime. With these two birds being distinctively different and from totally different genus, they shouldn't be able to produce offspring, even if they did try to mate.

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