Quaker Parrots – The Orators of the Avian Race

Also known as monk parrots or grey-breasted parrots, Quaker parrots are native to South America but have managed to make their home in some U.S. states and European countries, due to their hardiness and ability to endure temperate climates. They measure about 12 inches from head to tail and grow to about the same size as cockatiels. Quaker parrots are naturally green with grey chests, throats and foreheads. They also sport some blue coloring on their primaries and tail feathers. However, you may be able to find different colored quaker parrots that have been bred specifically to give them a blue, white or other different color instead of green.

Quaker parrots are incredibly intelligent and you can very quickly teach them how to talk. With the right training, you can even teach them to say things at appropriate times such as only saying “Good morning” when its actually time-appropriate. Quaker parrots are noisy birds and although they usually only communicate at a moderate volume, they will be whistling, chirping and talking all day long – definitely not a pet for those who hate excessive noise.

Pet Parrots Web is a website that contains practically all the information you will ever need about the personality traits of your pet parrot, handling and feeding tips. As Pet Parrots Web doesn’t sell parrots directly to you, it is a good choice for finding out unbiased information to help match your personality to an appropriate parrot.

Pet Parrots Web aims to help you decide whether a parrot is really the pet you want – whether it can meet your requirements and whether you can meet its. It continues to be a source of information after you purchase your parrot as it gives handling tips, feeding recommendations and also gives some pointers as to how to train your pet. The aim of the site is not to sell you anything, but to make sure that you make the best choice for yourself and for the bird.

Different types of parrots

The main species of parrots are:

Large-sized Parrots:

Amazon parrots – medium to large in size. They are mainly green colored with patches of yellow, red, and blue on their tail, wings, and head. They often chatter when there are strangers around and possess very loud voices. The older male Amazons like the hawk-headed parrots can be aggressive.

Cockatoos – compared to Amazons – most of these are big. They are extremely intelligent, sensitive, and nervous birds. They possess erect crests that is lowered and raised at will. They may look cuddly and cute, but adult cockatoos can inflict painful bites if they are not properly trained. Cockatoos demand and require constant attention and are difficult to take care of.

African Gray Parrots are medium to large in size. They are overly sensitive but very intelligent birds. When strangers are around, they are very quiet, however, they can be extremely loud but do not create noise nuisance. Hand-reared parrots are very prone to feather plucking.

Macaws are the largest sized parrot species. The smaller macaws, like Hahn’s and the yellow-collared, make good pets, but are noisy. They are active, inquisitive and often very mischievous parrots. They can learn to talk and can be very chatty. Their powerful beaks can damage many items around the house, including furniture and can even crush nuts. They are not very suitable for homes with young children. Large Macaws may also require more space instead of just a bird cage.

If you have large birds, such as the above-mentioned as pets, one should go for a large parrot cage. This should have a bar spacing of one or more inches as inappropriate spacing can result in injury to the bird.

Medium sized Parrots:

Conur

es are found in South Africa and are very confident and active birds. Sun yellow and bright orange conures, and blue-crowned and Patagonian conures have very loud and piercing voices. They are extremely curious, but very entertaining too. They can talk but possess squeaky thin voices when they try to emulate human speech. Conures are happy to sleep in roosting boxes placed inside the bird cage.

If you have these medium-sized birds, as pets, you should go for parrot cages which have a bar spacing of a half-inch to 5/8 inch.

Small-sized Parrots:

Parakeets are mostly found in Australia and Asia and are leaf-green colored, and are ground-feeders, and spend most of the time on the bird cage floor. Unlike other parrot species, they are quiet birds, although they are very active and social creatures. They live in a large flock and are usually kept as a flock in an aviary. Parakeets are independent birds and do not mix or bond well with humans. They respond to training but are poor mimics and imitators of human voices and speech.

Lovebirds are active and small parrots with short tails and come from Africa. They are usually kept as pets in pairs, as they rarely bond with human beings as many other parrot species do. They emit shrill sounds and can voice calls at a high volume, but they are unable to copy or imitate human speech. Lovebirds are mostly kept in an aviary, or as a pair in a bird cage, instead of in the company of other birds.

Cockatiels and budgies are the commonest parrot-like birds, and they are from Australia. Budgies are bright green in color with a fine scale-like pattern of white and black markings, but now they come in a variety of myriad colors due to selective breeding over generations. Budgies are easy to keep as pets, but require lots of attention and time with its owner/keeper if they are kept alone. They can talk and learn many phrases and words and make sounds in small, squeaky voices. Budgies are very busy and active birds. Cockatiels are large birds and they are good pets. They are naturally gray with some white on their wings, and orange-yellow patches on their head. They can learn to talk but are loud with harsh voices. They are highly busy and active birds and can be easily taught to obey some commands and requests.

If you have a small parrot such as one of the above-mentioned, you probably require one of the medium sized parrot cages having a half-inch or less bar spacing. One should always get as big a parrot cage as possible as long as he takes care of choosing one with an appropiate bar spacing and orientation.

As with most other birds, parrots enjoy bird toys as they are not just fun but neccessary for all species of parrots, large or small. These toys help keep their minds challenged, their beaks busy and keep them entertained. So make sure to purchase an array of different bird toys for your parrot to enjoy.

Shop and buy small, medium, or a large bird cage for you pet parrot and pet birds. All types and sizes of parrot cages and bird toys for your pet birds – http://www.birdcagesrepublic.com/

Learn how to train parrots and teach a parrot to recognize its own name by using repetitive words and treats and learn more in this free pet care video clip about parrot training. Expert: Elizabeth Cantu Bio: Elizabeth Cantu has owned and been working with parrots since 1994. She has been active in captive parrot rescue and rehabilitation. Filmmaker: julio costilla
Video Rating: 4 / 5

The Importance of Calcium Supplements For Your African Grey Parrots

Feeding the right food is the most important aspect of owning an African Grey parrot. The right diet will determine the health and stress level of your parrot and its ability to be trained to talk and perform bird tricks. Unlike other birds, different African Greys eat different kinds of food. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that they all have the same diet patterns. If you own more than one African Grey parrot, feeding them can prove quite a challenge. Just like humans, African Greys have their own diet preferences. But if you acquire your bird from young, say twelve weeks old, getting them used to feeding a certain kind of food can be fairly advantageous.

Some African Grey parrots will eat soft fruit while others will only eat hard fruits. Some will eat vegetables and others will not. To find out what is best for your parrot, try giving them a variety of fruits and vegetables and see which one they choose, and stick to it. However, do give them a good balance of calcium because a lot of African Grey parrots that fell sick seem to lack calcium in their diet. You can get calcium from hard boiled eggs, watercress, spinach, blackberries or natural yogurt.

If your parrot doesn’t seem to want to eat any of these calcium based food, try giving them calcium supplements three times a week, mixed into their food bowl. Do not mix the calcium supplements into the water bowl because some African Greys may not drink water in a twenty-four hour period because they already had their water intake from eating fruits. A good calcium diet will ensure that your parrots have fine feather and are stress free. Calcium is good for producing healthy eggs too if you intend to breed African Grey parrots.

Another great reason for having a healthy diet is that it will minimize any symptom of stress in a parrot that would result in the bird plucking its feathers and squeaking frequently. We all know how annoying squeaking can be especially if you live very close to your neighbors, or if you live in an apartment. When a parrot is healthy in both mind and body, it will also respond well to speech training or other bird tricks. This would make your effort in training it much easier and more productive. Just like in other animals, a healthy diet also means less visits to the vet and less expenditure on health matters.

Question by I love cookies: Do parrots trained to speak English really understand what they are saying?
I’ve seen trained parrots talk before, but does anyone know how much of what they say is actually understood by the birds?

Best answer:

Answer by coastalfood
being around them, i believe yes .. to an extent

you can almost have a conversation with them, and they do use words to get what they want, or tell you things like , i love you, i’m angry, etc

Give your answer to this question below!

Question by Sappho: Does anyone know of any female Indian ringneck parrots that can talk and at what age did she learn?
I have a three year old female Indian ringneck and, while I have seen a number of male ringnecks talking (check Youtube), I have never heard of/ seen a female that can talk. Is there anything I can do to teach her to talk? I have tried repeating words/ phrases and even played a parrot training CD. She is very tame and friendly but has only learned to wolf whistle so far.

Best answer:

Answer by tammy-whammy
I have one, too! Cool! I think mine’s a lot older than yours, though…I got her from someone. Um, as for the talking – frustrating as it may be – some birds are chattier than others. Mine likes to whistle jingle bells, and bark like a dog…she’ll make a sound like bomb coming down and then exploding…her vocabulary kind of stopped expanding when she came to my house because she really enjoyed the guy that used to own her. Mine’s a very friendly bird, too…sometimes they just like certain words and will only say those…again, it just depends on your bird. I wish you luck!

What do you think? Answer below!

Tips to Get Your Parrots Talking

Wouldn’t you love to get your parrots talking? Whether you are a kid or a grown up, mature kid, I’m sure you love teaching your pet tricks. With these birds, we can take that to a whole new level They can live for decades, and we can train them to talk! What other pet animal can do that?

Many different species make up the greater family of these great birds. Among all the types of parrots, the Amazon parrot and the African grey are probably best suited to mimic human sound and speech.

What better than to see and hear parrots talking in videos? You can find some nice ones on sites like Google Video and Viddler. But I’ve found lately a community if parrot lovers with full video training sessions.

Take a serious look at joining us in the Elite Parrots Club. There’s a lot of forums I’ve belonged to but this is the best.

If you want to give yourself the best odds of success to get parrots talking, buy them at a very young age. Getting older parrots to talk is more challenging then training younger ones. Since older parrots have already been exposed to all kinds of sounds, it will take more effort.

Remember than all types of parrots are very social animals. They work as a flock in the wild wherein the birds must learn and use the language of their group in order to survive.

Have your parrot’s cage or swing in a room where they are more likely to hear human voices or sounds, such as the music room or kitchen. From the conversations that the parrots are likely to pick up some words and try to mimic those sounds as their own way of interacting with the environment.

It is also useful to get close to your parrot as practical when teaching specific words to phrases to the pet. This technique will allow the bird to see how each sound or word is formed and help to make it count among the kinds of parrots that would talk.

There are some things that shouldn’t be done in coaching pet parrots to talk. One is overtraining. The birds shouldn’t be trained for more than 15 minutes per per day. any types of parrots for longer periods will become uninteresting for the birds, and finally frustrating for the tutor. For shorter coaching periods, each session may be limited only to showing and telling the pets about their food or toys. Pet parrots talking are not also fostered by immediate whistle coaching. The birds should first be trained to talk, as parrots find it more hard to form words when they already have a whistling ability.

Seven Mistakes to Avoid to Successfully Teach Your Parrots Tricks

In order for your parrot to be comfortable and ready to accept training, there are seven common mistakes to avoid from the beginning.

These are:

• Do not train or pet a new bird until they are comfortable. Birds are very social but are guarded in the beginning and may be very nervous.

• Do not scream or hit your parrot. Severe forms of punishment will not work. This will frighten and make the bird feel threatened. These forms of training will result in an aggressive and unwanted manner.

• Do not expect quick results. Setting high expectations will result in the bird becoming agitated and nervous if you try to train them when they are not ready or being trained too fast.

Before beginning any training session, make sure the surroundings are conducive to a good training session.

• Pick a room that is quiet, free of distractions and well lit. If the parrot has your undivided attention, they will respond to the training better.

• Be patient. Talk in a calm, soothing voice.

• Be aware of your parrot’s mannerisms. If the parrot is nervous or agitated, suspend any training session until the parrot is calmer. Trying to push a training session onto a parrot will only increase the agitation for both of you.

• Only teach your parrot one trick at a time. This makes the experience more enjoyable and a firmer understanding of what is asked of the parrot.

Everyone’s first impression of parrots is the images of parrots sitting on your shoulder or finger. This is usually the first trick that most bird owners will want to train their birds to do. Place an object or your finger directly in front of the parrot. Speak to the parrot in a quiet voice and say “step up”. It will have to analyze the situation to come to an understanding of what it needs to do. They are excellent problem solvers and easily learn this trick. Continue saying step up and have a treat ready to give to the parrot after it steps up. This will reinforce what they need to do and will quickly realize what to do.

When teaching your parrot to speak, teach only one word at a time. Repeat the word over and over, slowly. When your parrot says the word, give it a treat. Rewarding a parrot helps them to know they said the word right. Take your time teaching the parrot to speak. There are training aides to help you teach your parrot to speak if you prefer that method or do not have the patience to do so.

All About Senegal Parrots

According to parrot experts, the Senegal parrot one of the best-known members of the entire Poicephalus family for having compact and cuddly physical traits and a very playful attitude. Frequently seen in pet shops around the United States and Europe, Senegal parrots originated from the north central part of Africa.

Unlike other parrot species, parrots posses an entirely different nature which are extremely playful, gentle and sweet in temperament that is perfect for its charming personality, cleverness, clear speech, and manageable behavior. They are also quieter but are good talkers if taught and trained properly. Since they possess much tamer nature, are known to be less demanding especially if they are given daily attention and interaction.

SENEGAL PARROT 101

Senegal parrots are the most commonly kept Poicephalus birds there are. Identified for being a green bird with a gray head, Senegal parrots are famous for sporting different colored under parts, either its belly or vest with a bright yellow iris.

Senegal parrots can be divided into three sub-species that can easily be characterized by the color of their bellies as well as by their following names that include Poicephalus senegalus senegalus hailing from Southern Mauritania, southern Mali to Guinea and from the Island of Los, these are known as the nominate race and has a yellow belly; Poicephalus senegalus versteri originates from the Ivory Coast and Ghana east to western Nigeria and has red belly; and Poicephalus senegalus mesotypus coming from Eastern and North- eastern Nigeria, northern Cameroon into south-western Chad and has an orange belly.

These parrots live in moist woodlands and on the edges of the grasslands. They primarily feed on seeds, fruits, and grains particularly the seed of locust beans and newly formed buds of a various trees.

A Senegal parrot’s diet should consist of a good quality seed mixture of nuts, seeds, lean meat, biscuits, fruits, and vegetables-either raw or cooked. Vitamin and mineral supplements are also given to meet the nutritional need of the parrot.

Hand reared Senegal parrots are the most suitable pets because they are small enough to handle and can be placed in a medium sized parrot cage. These should be kept in cages or aviaries where they can eat and sleep. Preferably, Senegal parrots should be housed in relatively small cages manufactured for “small birds” and should be provided with lots of toys, T-stands and swings.

Senegal parrots are not as great talkers like the African Grey parrots but have the ability to learn a vocabulary depending on the owner’s patience to teach. Senegals can be bought from 9 to 0.

Find More Parrot Training Articles

Why Are Some Parrots Red

Red has been long known as the color love. It also signifies love and passion but also danger. People associate the color red with love, Valentines, danger, desire, speed, strength, violence, anger, emergency exit signs, stop signs, and blood. Its usual attributes are strength, force, power, control, and leadership. Stimulation, warmth, excitement, good health, physical energy, love, sex, passion, courage, and protection are also associated with this strong color. But in pet birds especially in parrots—being red is an entirely different story.

The red in parrots

When it comes to colors in parrots, the most common is green. But did you know that there is no pigment or tinge of green present in parrots’ feathers? According to experts, although parrots appear green, only pigments present in parrots’ feathers are red and yellow.

Red parrots becoming popular pet parrot preferences because they exude mystical beauty. But did you know that some parrots are red because of their melanin chemistry and feather structure?

Studies show that some parrots are red due to Tyndall Effect. During Tyndall Effect, light scatters, thus, reflecting off the feather structure. This process also results to the illusion of a variety of colors.

Another reason why some parrots are red is because specific kinds of this bird have pigments in their feathers called psittacin or carotenoids—the ones that gives carrots and yellow squash their respective colors. These are usually influenced by certain environmental factors and elements like food intake or diet.
Experts found out that red parrots emerge because the colors of the nutritional elements of the food they take are intensified. Although foods don’t usually influence a parrot’s color, it is quite significant in the process because good food will result to good health shown in the sheen of a parrot’s feathers.

Since feathers are parrot’s—generally birds’—most distinctive characteristic, on-going studies about the coloration of parrots are conducted worldwide. Most of these studies have found out that a parrot’s color can mean several things like assertiveness and other behavioral contexts.

The most popular red parrot in pet trades today is the Red-Breasted Senegal. Although is has a moderate talking ability, many parrot enthusiasts purchase this red parrot because they are playful and independent Always climbing, chewing and playing with their toys, red-breasted Senegals are among the favorite selection of parrot pets because they have friendly nature and their ability to learn and perform tricks. Since they create very low noise, this red parrot is suitable as a family pet bird especially for those who live in city apartments. Although it has a friendly nature, this red parrot should be handled and trained regularly so they will remain tamed.

Parrot lover shows how to begin a training session with parrots, and gives tips like starting and ending training sessions with treats and a positive environment, in this free pet care video about training parrots. Expert: Elizabeth Cantu Bio: Elizabeth Cantu has owned and been working with parrots since 1994. She has been active in captive parrot rescue and rehabilitation. Filmmaker: julio costilla
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Parrots of the World

Parrot Families

All parrots of the world belong to the order Psittaciformes. In that order there are two different families: Cacatuidas and Psittacidae. Cockatoos belong in the first family, while the second includes all the true parrots of the world.

Each family of parrots has subfamilies within it, and subspecies within that. Macaws, for example, belong to the Psittacidae family. Macaws are a subfamily group. Among macaws, there are at least 17 members:

* Hyacinth

* Glaucous Macaw

* Lear’s Macaw

* Spix’s Macaw

* Blue and Yellow Macaw, or Blue and Gold Macaw

* Caninde Macaw

* Military Macaw

* Buffon’s Macaw

* Scarlet Macaw

* Green-winged Macaw

* Red-fronted Macaw

* Yellow-collared Macaw

* Chestnut-fronted Macaw, or Severe Macaw

* Red-bellied Macaw

* Illiger’s Macaw

* Blue-headed Macaw

* Red-shouldered Macaw

Most Popular

People differ in their opinions of which parrots are more well-liked. Some look at the trendy parrots. Others consider the most prevalent in the pet stores. Some speak of which is more popular in this country or that, but of all the parrots of the world, the 5 most often dubbed popular are these.

1. Parakeets: The common Parakeet, Budgerigar to be more precise, is from Australia, and is often chosen as a pet for children or those who are beginners at bird care, partly due to its low price. Colorful little “Budgies” are hardy, require little space, and are much lower maintenance than larger birds. They are very intelligent, and although content to whistle or sing quietly, some do learn a few words. The name “Budgerigar” comes from the Australian Aboriginal name for the parrot. It means “good eating” but most “Budgie” owners would be horrified to hear you say so. Among the many parrots of the world, this is probably the least expensive in both initial and upkeep costs.

2. Cockatiels: Another Australian species, these medium sized parrots are known for sophisticated whistling and singing. While they can be taught to speak, many people find that the birds would rather whistle, and mimic random sounds, such as a ringing cell phone. A disadvantage to the cockatiel is that it uses a powdery substance to keep its wings water-proof, so owners often find their fingers dusty after handling the bird.

3. Sun Conures: Among the parrots of the world, Sun Conures are one of the brightest. Their plumage is red, orange, yellow, blue, and green. Sun Conures have been known to talk well, but beware! These parrots often screech and scream rather than talk. Their 12 inch length means they will require a smaller cage than larger parrots, but you and your family may require earplugs. If you train your Sunnie to lower its voice, you will enjoy its antics, as these parrots tend to be playful.

4. Parrotlets: Parrotlets, especially Pacific Parrotlets, are one of the smallest known parrots of the world – about 4 inches in length! They are also one of the most pernicious and spunky of all the parrots of the world. These tiny parrots learn to talk in a voice that sounds like that of a robot. This tiny voice, their size, and the fact that they do not scream, make them ideal for those who need a quiet companion.

5. African Greys: African Grey Parrots are probably the most intelligent of the parrots of the world, and indeed, of all birds. These parrots are not as colorful as some. They are mainly grey, as the name implies. They do have a bright red or maroon tail, though, depending on the subspecies. African Greys excel at mimicry, sometimes learning as many as 1-2000 words. They learn other sounds, too, and may quickly learn to imitate a jet engine if you walk through an airport with them. Among the many parrots of the world, these may be the most demanding. Just like your toddler, these birds get bored and want their owners to provide entertainment. If you are looking for an intellectual, loyal, and affectionate parrot, the African Grey is probably a good choice.

How Many Different Parrots Are There?

All told, parrots of the world number more than 350 different species and subspecies! Due to loss of habitat, climate changes, hunting, and the trade in live birds as pets, some parrots have become extinct. Others are listed as threatened, or are on the “endangered species” list.

Life Expectancy

People who purchase a parrot, purchase a commitment that is likely to continue throughout their lives and beyond. Most parrot owners are already 20 years old or more, and parrots themselves often have a life expectancy of more than 50 years. Some live to be nearly 100 years old. Added to that long life expectancy, many parrots of the world tend to bond with a single person. If that person breaks the bond in some way, the parrot may die.

Before you ask a parrot to be your companion, think it through carefully. The bird may outlive you.

By: Anna Hart

More Parrot Training Articles