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Many people don’t understand the housing needs of the Eclectus parrot, and this usually ends badly – either with unhappy humans, or an unhappy bird. Avoid this problem by ensuring that you have the proper amount of space needed for your Eclectus parrot, as well as the proper housing.

Note that it is unhealthy for the Eclectus parrot to live solely in a cage. He will need to be let out daily, so that he can move about the house and stretch his wings. You should provide a variety of safe perches in your home for the bird, and also make sure that you have parrot proofed your home.

While being free to roam about the house is important, having a cage is also important for your Eclectus parrots safety. He should be in his cage during his bedtime hours and at any time that you are unable to supervise him in your home.

Now, you may have one of those cute, old-fashioned type cages in mind for your Eclectus parrot, but that simply will not do. It isn’t nearly big enough. What you need, instead, is a large cage that stands on the floor, and stands between 60 and 70 inches high. The base of the cage needs to be at least 24 inches by 36 inches.

Experts agree that you should purchase the largest cage that you can afford, as long as it meets these minimum size requirements. In other words, if you can afford an aviary that is larger that 60 x 24 x 36 inches, you should buy the larger one.

The bars on the cage should be placed one inch apart, with each bar measuring 5mm in diameter. This is very important, because it plays a part in the play and exercise of your bird. They will climb the bars, and must be able to grip the bars with their feet.

You should also consider an aviary that has two sections. One section is used for living quarters, and this is where the Eclectus parrots toys, food dishes, and perches are located. The second section is clear, but may have perches placed low in the cage, in the corners. The second section is often referred to as the flight cage, and should be large enough for the bird to spread his wings and fly a bit.

The cage that you choose should have a grate and removable pan. Waste will fall down below the grate, to the pan, keeping it away from the parrots for better hygiene, and therefore better health. Food dishes in the cage should be placed above perches, and not below them to avoid waste falling into the food. Finally, finish your cage with well placed toys and perches designed to keep your Eclectus parrot active and amused.

At some point in the young Eclectus parrots life, he must be weaned. In most cases, this means that he has to be weaned from hand feeding, although in some cases, he must be weaned from his mother.

Some Eclectus parrots wean sooner than others and it is normal for one of these youngsters to lose a little weight during weaning. The key to success is ensuring that he doesn’t lose too much weight. It should also be noted that just as different Eclectus parrot breeds are ready to wean at different ages, some are more difficult to wean than their counterparts.

Weaning usually begins around three months of age, and in most cases, if you are getting your Eclectus parrot from an experienced breeder, he will be weaned before he is given into your care. In fact, if you are not experienced at weaning such a bird, you are advised to leave him with the breeder until he is indeed weaned. However, in some instances inexperienced owners are forced to wean their new Eclectus parrot.

First and foremost, you should not force-wean an Eclectus parrot. This can cause serious behavioral problems later in life. Experts agree that you should only start weaning the Eclectus parrot when he has signaled that he is ready to be weaned – in his own sweet time. This is done by providing him nutritious soft foods in his cage that he can easily reach, and easily eat by himself. It is vital that you pay attention to how much food he has consumed, so that you know whether he needs additional hand feeding from you.

Pay close attention to the food bowl. Weigh the food bowl after you fill it, before you place it in the cage. When you remove the food bowl, weigh it again on a kitchen scale to determine whether the food was actually ingested, or just moved around and mashed up. Determine how much food was actually ingested, and then feed the young bird formula to ensure that he is getting the right amount of nutrition each day.

Weigh the bird as well. This can also typically be done on a kitchen scale. If he is losing weight, don’t panic. Do, however, keep an eye on how much weight he is losing. Weigh him daily and record his weight. If he seems to be losing too much weight, contact your veterinarian to double check the amount of nutrition he needs when he is being weaned, and make sure that he is getting that amount.

Again, it is best for the bird to be weaned before he ever leaves the breeder. It has been found that these birds are usually healthier, because breeders don’t have to ‘guess’ how much additional nutrition the Eclectus parrot needs. Furthermore, when a young bird is weaned in what he considers his natural habitat – that place where he was born – he is usually better adjusted and happier.

Among all species of birds that are suitable as pets, the Eclectus parrot seems to be one that enjoys the greatest health. These are very robust birds, and a well-cared for Eclectus parrot can go through his entire life without ever becoming ill. This does not mean, however, that these birds are not subject to certain health concerns that you should be aware of.

The Polyoma Virus is probably the most serious health concern that Eclectus parrots are at risk for. There is a vaccination to protect your parrot against this deadly disease, and you should discuss this with your veterinarian. This particular disease is so fatal that the first symptom of it may be sudden death. In the event that your parrot does show other symptoms, before death, those symptoms include lack of appetite, weight loss, and lethargy. In all cases, once an Eclectus parrot has contracted Polyoma Virus, he will die.

Feather plucking is another ailment that an Eclectus parrot may face, however this ailment isn’t so much physical, as it is psychological. You see, when an Eclectus parrot is bored, he will act out by plucking out his own feathers. This ailment is usually easily cured by giving the bird more attention, more toys, and more room.

Sometimes, foods simply don’t agree with the Eclectus parrots digestive system, which is quite unique. This may result in diarrhea. If you notice that your parrot has diarrhea, you should immediately stop giving him fruit, until he is better. Make sure that he is, however, getting plenty of water. If the diarrhea lasts for more than a day, contact your veterinarian to make sure that he doesn’t have a parasite.

Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease Virus is also a serious problem. PBFD is contagious – and fatal. It presents itself in the beak and the feathers on the outside, but also affects the immune system on the inside. This dreadful disease most commonly affects younger birds, however – under the age of two. This is a DNA virus, and it is transmitted through the air, from droppings and feather dust. It is then simply inhaled by other birds. Symptoms include depression, diarrhea, regurgitation, loss of appetite, weight loss, abnormal feathers, abnormal growth, oral lesions, infections, and of course death.

As you can see, even though these are the healthiest pet birds one can have, the Eclectus parrot is subject to very serious health concerns. It is important to understand the signs and symptoms of these problems, so that you can seek veterinary care as soon as an illness makes itself present. A couple of these problems are, of course, fatal, but in the end, you can keep other birds in your home from contracting these diseases if you catch them early.

By Joseph Devine

Most of us probably remember Tweety Bird growing up. With his disproportionately large head and equally small wings, he entertained with his many episodes, involving highly dangerous and complex interactions with Slyvester the cat. “I taut I taw a puddy tat!” is most likely a much quoted reference to his dazzling moments.

In light of his charismatic qualities, it may be a worthwhile endeavor to examine his nature from reality’s perspective: the fact that he’s a bird and what that means bird owners around the world. For bird owners, Tweety has a special place in our hearts. He reminds of out the care it takes to make sure that your bird is healthy and happy for the duration of its life.

For those who are unfamiliar with proper bird care and are thinking about purchasing one, it is important to keep a few things in mind.

· The Cage – When buying a cage, make sure that the cage is large enough to provide adequate exercise for your bird. The largest dimensions should be with respect to length and width, height. How big or how small the cage should be is a function of how much time the bird spends in its cage. The more time it spends in there, the bigger the cage should be and vice versa. The cage should be fitted with perches of varying sizes so that your bird can properly exercise its feet.

· Food – Fresh seed mix should make up no more than 20 % of its food source. Seeds are high in both protein and fat, so anything more than 1/5 the energy intake would be unhealthy for the bird. Vegetables and fruit should make up the other 80%. Don’t over feed your animal. This will put unnecessary stress on the birds bone structure.

· Keep your bird away from common household dangers. These include cats and dogs, plants, paint, ceiling fans, vacuum cleaners and open toilet bowls. Birds often unknowing find themselves in compromising situations when confronted with these household objects.

It is important to also take your bird to get regular check ups at the local veterinarian clinic. Trained specialist can often detect serious illness before they arrive, saving you psychological, physical, and financial headaches in the future.

For more information on ways you can properly take care of your bird consult this website: SanFranciscoVeterinarianClinics.com or your local veterinarian.

Joseph Devine

Article Source: Joseph Devine

By Angela Dean

When most people hear “parrot”, they cringe and think of days down the road when they’ll be needing hearing aids. That cute parrot can quickly turn into your worst nightmare. And while parrots can be loud screamers, most owners do not realize that they are usually the reason for the screaming. No bird will ever be truly quiet; however with a little work from you your bird could become a soft talking feathered friend. Here are a few tips to help you achieve that quiet dream bird.

Spend Time with Your Bird

Birds will scream if they’re lonely. They call for their flock mates. If you and your family are in the living room watching TV and your bird is in the room down the hall, more than likely you have a very loud screamer. Try moving your bird’s cage to a place where the entire family can get together.

Buy a Bigger Cage

If you and your family are out of the house for most of the day, more than likely your bird is stuck in its cage. Try getting a larger quality cage that will last, it may cost a bit more but it’s worth it in the long run. More space allows for more exercise and more toys to help cure some boredom.

Build a Play Area

A play area is a wonderful way to cure screaming. This can consist of a simple stand with food/water cups to a large tree with toys. Your bird will enjoy getting to spend time out of its cage.

Don’t Yell At Your Bird

When a bird is screaming to get its owners attention, most of the time the reaction is to yell “SHUT UP!” or “BE QUIET!” at the bird. To your bird this sounds a lot like you’re joining in on the scream fest! This can create even louder screaming! Try whispering instead, if a bird is screaming and you whisper then it has to lower its voice to hear you talk.

Don’t Reward Your Bird for Being Loud

Another common mistake owners are guilty of is stuffing a nut or piece of fruit in your bird’s mouth when it’s screaming. A treat stops the screaming, but guess what? You just rewarded your bird for screaming. Your bird will soon learn to scream every time it wants something. Like a spoiled child they want it and they want it NOW!

Try Taking Your Bird with You

Providing your bird has its wings clipped or will wear a bird harness, try taking your bird with on family outings. If you’re going to the park take your bird with you! An acrylic bird carrier is an affordable investment and you will enjoy a quieter and happier bird.

And the most important tip -

Don’t own a bird if you’re never home, it’s not fair to the bird. Parrots can have the mental capacity of a 3 or 4 year old and do get bored, frustrated and angry sitting in a cage all day. This is the main cause of screaming and biting.

Angela has been working with birds for over 15 years. Along the way she has learned much about the feathered kind and strives to help those with troubled parrots.

More tips and supplies can be found at her website – www.birdsandart.com

Article Source: Angela Dean