Post by Karen R Quinn on Jul 18, 2009 9:28:15 GMT -7
Here are just a few simple things that you can do to enrich your parrot’s life and enjoy their company. And, maybe even learn more about your feathered friend!
Things you'll need
Time
Toys
Music
Television
Books
Nutritious Foods
Give your parrot some undivided attention every day. At the bare minimum spend at least 10 minutes doing things like scratches and petting, go for a walk in the house, toss a ball, dance, sing together, sit quietly. What ever your bird likes to do.
Eat a healthy snack and share with your bird. For example try sharing some of the following foods with your friend: Blueberries, carrots, apples, pears, and nuts.
Make a quick toy. Be creative but safe! Offer up a wooden tongue depressor- hold it and talk to them while they destroy it. Cut up pieces of cardboard and weave through cage bars for them to chew on. Give them a tooth brush to play with. Birds enjoy preening the brush....and for a larger parrot it is easy for them to grip it.
Sit with them and read them a children’s book. Show them the pictures! My bird loves to look at books and have me read to her.
Listen to the radio together or leave it on when you are not there. Play music that you know they enjoy. That is easy to see, because most parrots will dance, sing and sway to the tunes that they enjoy listening to.
Teach your bird to forage. Put a loose paper over the food dish, wrap a nut in paper towel and let them work to get the nut out. It might take a little time to teach them to do this. Let the birds see you set up the foraging goody. If they don’t get it peel away the paper the first few times! I also use pieces of cloth to wrap up a goody....and tie it in a knot to make it a bit more challenging once they get the hang of it.
When you change the paper in the cage put an extra layer for playing or chewing on. Rotate the toys to different spots in the cage from time to time. Birds get bored easily.....so challenge your bird. I also rotate toys....putting some away, and putting others in there place.
If you are having a salad with dinner? Take out some for your bird before you put the dressing on it. Some birds also love macaroni and cheese for a snack. It's high in calcium and vitamins too.
Let your bird watch television. My parrot just loves cartoons, and has her own tv to watch. Just make sure it isn't any show with violence. Most parrots will get very nervous and agitated when there is anything to do with violence, or loud screaming. You want them to enjoy the experience, and not frighten them.
Let your parrot wander around, but supervise those wanderings. Birds are very inquisitive and enjoy a walkabout to explore their surroundings.
Tips & Warnings:
Most of all have fun with your parrot.....and they will have fun too!
Talk to your bird......they love the attention! Let them know how much they are a part of your life!
Be careful not to reward bad behavior. If your bird is acting out, don't give it treats or more attention. You will only be rewarding their bad behavior, and it will continue.
Things you'll need
Time
Toys
Music
Television
Books
Nutritious Foods
Give your parrot some undivided attention every day. At the bare minimum spend at least 10 minutes doing things like scratches and petting, go for a walk in the house, toss a ball, dance, sing together, sit quietly. What ever your bird likes to do.
Eat a healthy snack and share with your bird. For example try sharing some of the following foods with your friend: Blueberries, carrots, apples, pears, and nuts.
Make a quick toy. Be creative but safe! Offer up a wooden tongue depressor- hold it and talk to them while they destroy it. Cut up pieces of cardboard and weave through cage bars for them to chew on. Give them a tooth brush to play with. Birds enjoy preening the brush....and for a larger parrot it is easy for them to grip it.
Sit with them and read them a children’s book. Show them the pictures! My bird loves to look at books and have me read to her.
Listen to the radio together or leave it on when you are not there. Play music that you know they enjoy. That is easy to see, because most parrots will dance, sing and sway to the tunes that they enjoy listening to.
Teach your bird to forage. Put a loose paper over the food dish, wrap a nut in paper towel and let them work to get the nut out. It might take a little time to teach them to do this. Let the birds see you set up the foraging goody. If they don’t get it peel away the paper the first few times! I also use pieces of cloth to wrap up a goody....and tie it in a knot to make it a bit more challenging once they get the hang of it.
When you change the paper in the cage put an extra layer for playing or chewing on. Rotate the toys to different spots in the cage from time to time. Birds get bored easily.....so challenge your bird. I also rotate toys....putting some away, and putting others in there place.
If you are having a salad with dinner? Take out some for your bird before you put the dressing on it. Some birds also love macaroni and cheese for a snack. It's high in calcium and vitamins too.
Let your bird watch television. My parrot just loves cartoons, and has her own tv to watch. Just make sure it isn't any show with violence. Most parrots will get very nervous and agitated when there is anything to do with violence, or loud screaming. You want them to enjoy the experience, and not frighten them.
Let your parrot wander around, but supervise those wanderings. Birds are very inquisitive and enjoy a walkabout to explore their surroundings.
Tips & Warnings:
Most of all have fun with your parrot.....and they will have fun too!
Talk to your bird......they love the attention! Let them know how much they are a part of your life!
Be careful not to reward bad behavior. If your bird is acting out, don't give it treats or more attention. You will only be rewarding their bad behavior, and it will continue.