When you have a parrot for a pet there are few things you will need to keep him happy and healthy.

Choose one of our wide varieties of bird cages we have in stock at Ideas-4-Pets. We have a range of bird products to complement our bird cages and parrot cages.

Parrot cages should be large enough to let your parrot stand, move around comfortably and at the same time be able to spread his wings.

One of our most popular parrot cages is a rectangular one as the size allows easy movement and flight.

A parrot is intelligent and he likes to be entertained, especially if he or she is left alone during the day. Parrot and bird toys are an excellent way to satisfy their curiosity.

Purchasing a gym or a T stand, ropes and other bird products or pet accessories allows your parrot to keep fit and healthy.

Most parrots or birds that are cage bound are picky eaters and will choose one particular food they like and throw away the rest.

To avoid a large amount of waste, reduce the amount of each type of food you give to your pet.

Using this method your parrot will eat his food.

As with any pet, the main consideration is to keep your parrot healthy.

At Ideas-4-Pets we have a range of parrot cages for you to choose from.

Depending on the parrot you have chosen the cage you require will have to be large enough to allow him to fly around and to spread out its wings to their fullest extent.

Parrot cages have been updated to fit into modern décor and can become a feature of any room. The cages have been redesigned to help your pet parrot maintain a good, healthy life.

If you have decided to keep your parrot outside, we at Ideas-4-Pets are able to help with advice on how to find the correct parrot cage for their environment.

All parrots soon become bored if they are left on their own all day and we have a wide selection of parrot cages, accessories and toys to keep your pet entertained while you are out or at work.

A parrot will need time out of his parrot cage to enjoy a little freedom and you will have to make sure your windows are closed. One thing to remember is your parrot is clever and will be able to spot any openings to make his escape.

Caution: Cover your parrot cage at night to ensure you and your pet has a good night sleep.

Difference making factors

One significant difference between average birdcages and parrot cages is the size. Parrots are generally much larger than other domestic bird species. Thus parrot cages are normally much larger in order to accommodate a parrot comfortably. If you try keeping a parrot in a cage that is too small for it, you will end up with a depressed and sick bird on your hands.

Space is important for your parrot to play, move and entertain itself in. The second huge difference is the materials the cages are made of. Average birdcages are made of relatively flimsy materials compared to a parrot cage. Parrots are strong birds with lots of power in their beaks and a lot of intelligence too. Many owners are surprised when their parrot learns how to open their cage door on their own, or chew through wire in order for a taste of freedom.

The placement of birdcages and parrot cages is also going to be different. You can place other birds in a quiet corner of the room and they will be happy. Parrot cages take up lots of room and they need to be in high traffic areas. Lonely parrots can wreak havoc on themselves and their surroundings.

If you are purchasing your bird from a pet shops you should be offered some advise on which type of parrot cage to buy, but it’s still better to do your own homework as well before purchasing.  Different breeds of parrot require different types of cages.  For instance, some birds like to climb so they are better with a cage which has some horizontal bars for them to climb up.  The width of the bars on the bird cage are also important because you wouldn’t want your bird to get his head stuck in the bars !!  A reputable breeder should guide you in the right direction as these are the experts and expect the best for their birds.

Amongst the many factors to take into account when choosing and buying your parrot cage, I still think that the most important factor is that the bigger the bird cage the better.  I know that this isn’t always financially possible, but if you really want the best for your bird then invest in a parrot cage that you know you can afford and can provide the best home for your parrot.

Your new bird needs plenty of room to move about, exercise and flap his wings easily without any risk of him banging on the sides of his parrot cage.  If you are able to provide this for your parrot then this is an excellent start for both of you.

Consider what shape of parrot cage to purchase.  Some people like a square or rectangular shaped cage and others like the look of a rounded one.  I think that most parrot owners agree that a square parrot cage will provide a more secure environment for your bird whereas a round one can cause your bird to feel stressed as these do not fit into corners of the room very easily and can cause your bird to feel vulnerable. A square cage can be put against a wall or in a corner so that 1 or 2 of the sides are closed in and parrots appear to prefer this.

It’s worth knowing that African Greys and Macaws enjoy plenty of space in their parrot cages as they are large birds and if they are cooped up in a small parrot cage they become depressed and stressed which can lead to feather plucking.  Parrot cages with a gym or play top are a good idea if your bird likes to come out of his cage and also if you can’t afford to purchase a playstand for your bird.

It’s wise to invest in a good quality cage – there are some good powder coated ones on the market which have been oven baked at high temperatures resulting in a parrot cage that will provide a long lasting and safe environment for your bird.  Always check before purchasing that the paint is non-toxic and doesn’t contain any zinc which can be fatal to birds.

You should also consider a bird cage cover as birds need their sleep just as we humans do – a tired parrot can be a grumpy, aggressive parrot and it cruel to expect your bird to sleep without the darkness of a cover.  They are used to sleeping among the foliage in the wild and this is the next best thing.  Expecting your parrot to sleep whilst the light is on and the TV is on and people are chatting and moving around is like expecting a baby to do the same – it won’t !!

One point to remember – Your parrot will be like having a small child in the house again.  He will rely on you not only to provide the best housing for him, but also to provide good, nutritious food, toys to play with.  Last but certainly not least,  because parrots are very social creatures, you will need to spend plenty of time playing and interacting with him.

Colour variations include albino, lutino, pied, pearl, cinnamon, and silver.  The differences between males and females vary in the different colour variations and can sometimes be hard to distinguish, especially in young birds.   They are attractive birds that are friendly and easy to tame and they have the reputation of being gentle and docile birds who enjoy being petted and held.  Cockatiels are good at mimicking speech and learning to whiste tunes but the male is thought to be better at it than the female.

Cockatiels make good company for each other if they are kept in pairs, but usually will not bond as well with their owners or mimic speech or sounds.  Keeping a single bird is ok so long as you are able to spend a significant amount of time interacting with the cockatiel on a daily basis.  The cockatiel is both playful and active and although they vocalise and whistle most of the time,  they are not as loud as some other parrots.

When choosing a cockatiel, it’s better to choose a hand fed baby or at least a young bird that has been handled regularly.  Prices will probably vary dependant on the colour you want and you can always expect to pay a bit more from a conscientious breeder.  However, it’s well worth paying the extra for a well-handled baby.  You can also purchase a cockatiel from certain high street pet shops, but it’s worth considering that these birds might not have a known history and so could be older, not used to being handled and therefore harder to tame.

As with all birds, look for a cockatiel who appears to be bright, alert and active.  A bird that is seen sitting quietly with puffed feathers could well be ill and so is best avoided. The feathers on the cockatiel should be smooth and shiny and lay down flat on his body. His beak should be smooth and well-shaped with the feathers around his beak clean, dry, and free of faecal matter and his nostrils clear and clean.  The scales on his feet should be smooth, his nails in good condition.

Because cockatiels are active and playful, they should be kept in a large bird cage.  Opinions vary on the minimum size but a good rule of thumb is to purchase a bird cage that is at least 20″ wide x 20″ deep x 26″ high.  The spacing between the bird cage bars should be no more than 3/4″ as anything larger than this is a safety hazard for cockatiels. Horizontal bird cage bars will allow your cockatiel the best opportunity for climbing and exercise and some bird cages offer both horizontal and vertical bars.  Make sure you have space in the bird cage to  place at least a couple of perches at different levels with enough space to comfortably move between them.  It’s also a good idea to purchase a bird cage with a slide-out bottom tray for easy cleaning.

ideas-4-pets have a good selection of good quality bird cages and parrot cages incuding the Montana range who produce innovative and well-designed bird cages for all types of domestic birds. 

You might also want to consider purchasing a bird cage cover for your cage which will give your bird some privacy, darkness and protection from any draughts. 
 

Firstly, a bird cage cover keeps out any draughts, keeping your bird warmer in the winter months.  It will help to keep out a certain amount of noise which is good if your parrot is kept in the same room as the family’s TV.  More importantly, a bird cage cover will keep out most of the light, which will assist your bird in sleeping.  A lot of people are unaware that most parrots need to sleep around 12 hours at night whilst most people only need around 6-8 hours. This difference can have a huge effect on your bird’s wellbeing as having the right amount of sleep will benefit his temperament and more importantly, his health.

In his natural habitat, a bird will usually sleep high in a tree where it feels protected by the foliage. A good quality cage cover will give your bird the same security that a tall tree gives him in the wild.
 
Although any material could work in theory, ideas-4-pets would advise you that it is better to buy a bird cage cover that is made for bird cages. Otherwise, you could run the risk of your bird becoming entangled in the material. It is also adviseable to purchase a bird cage cover that is washable.

Most bird cage covers are made from durable, poly-cotton black fabric which is stain and water resistant and the better quality ones are made from a non-toxic material.  They will have a front flap opening which can be lifted to provide access to the parrot cage door without removing the cover and this flap can then be secured on both sides with Velcro fasteners.

There are bird cage covers specifically designed to fit dome top parrot cages and also the play top or gym top parrot cages so you should be able to find one to fit the type of cage you have purchased for your bird.

It is adviseable to use a bird cage cover at roughly the same time each day because, just as we humans do, birds need a routine in order to feel safe, happy and secure.

In order for your bird to have his 12 hours sleep, a good idea is to put the cover on his cage at roughly 8.00pm and take it off again at 8.00am in the morning.

In captivity, however, your parrot will not have this freedom and you will have to allow your bird to have some time to exercise, entertain and express himself.  Your parrot can’t let himself out of his cage whenever he wants to fly around, he has to rely on you letting him out when it suits you.  So choosing a parrot cage which will allow him to be happy while you’re out of the house or at work is essential as he will be left in his cage for a large part of each day. Read up about the type of parrot you intend keeping and then decide which parrot cage would be suitable for you and more importantly your parrot. Consider how much space you can spare in your home – this is important as you would not want to purchase a large Macaw if you lived in a small flat for instance.

Choose a bird cage that will provide your bird with a comfortable environment and buy the largest bird cage you can possibly afford that is suitable for both your home and your bird. ideas-4-pets suggest that at a minimum, the diameter of the floor should be at least twice the span of your bird’s fully extended wingspan and the minimum height of the parrot cage should be at least one and half times the overall length of your bird from the top of his head to the tip of his tail. This measurement is based on one bird per cage but if you intend to keep two birds in the parrot cage then these dimensions must be increased by a minimum of at least 50%.

The spacing of the bars in the parrot cage is critical. You have to make sure that your parrot’s head will not fit through the bars as they could get their head stuck and not be able to get back in. The thickness of the bars of the parrot could easily bend, if not break, thin bars. If the cage has some horizontal bars for the bird to climb up and down this is ideal because although birds can navigate up and down vertical bars, it is more difficult for them.

ideas-4-pets have lots of designs of parrot cages to suit all tastes but generally a rectangular metal parrot cage, preferably longer than it is tall, is probably one of the best designs as it will allow your bird to hop from perch to perch. Tall, narrow cages can sometimes be less practical as most birds don’t fly straight up and down. Round cages can create a situation in which every perch across its width is in some way directly over the perch below it and this can lead to constant soiling of the perches below.  This is because in a parrot cage of this shape, the bird is only able to perch in one position or climb up the sides of the cage, which can also lead to food and water containers being soiled with faeces as well.

In the lower price range, you can purchase cages made of wire amd the wire may or may not be painted or powder-coated. These cages come in sizes suitable up to a medium sized parrot such as a Pionus. If you have to choose a wire bird cage be sure that the wire is not made of a metal that is toxic to parrots and that if painted the paint doesn’t contain lead.

Most of the more expensive cages are made of iron or steel and are then sandblasted and powder-coated but as before, be sure the coating isn’t toxic and that any paint doesn’t contain lead. These iron or steel parrot cages are durable, long lasting, and withstand busy beaks and escape artists. We have a great selection of Montana parrot cages which are an excellent made with smooth welds and no sharp edges to injure your bird.  All doors on parrot cages should be escape-proof or easily made to lock with a clip or lock. Stainless-steel cages are the best as they are non-toxic, indestructible, easy to keep clean, but cost wise are probably the most expensive.  Remember that when purchasing a parrot one of the most important things to think about is the expected life span of the bird compared to saving money on a cage.

Place your parrot cage where your parrot will gets lots of interaction with you and your family. It’s not a good thing to place his cage in a room where the sudden appearance of anyone coming and going into the room could startle or frighten him and ideally, his cage should be against a wall so that he feels secure. Situate the parrot cage where it can get some natural light as this helps to keep your bird healthy. Avoid it being right in front of a window as excessive sunshine or people moving around outside might cause ythe kitchen may be giving off fumes that could be toxic to your parrot, it’s not a good idea to site his or rooms where the temperature can fluctuate. A normal house temperature of about 21-27° C (70-80° F) will be tolerated well by your parrot. Remember that parrots should NEVER be exposed to cigarette or cigar smoke, or burning candles etc.

Purchase a bird cage cover for your parrot’s cage as parrots need to have lots of sleep in order to remain healthy and lively.  At bed-time, place the parrot cage cover over his cage and he will rest much better than in a room with the TV on or lights switched on and off. 

The parrot cage and all its contents must be kept in pristine condition all the time if you want to keep your parrot happy, lively and enjoy his company for a long time.

You should also carefully consider the choice of perches used, as your parrot will spend most of his time standing on one inside his parrot cage. The best perches are natural tree branches such as washed, fresh  apple, elm, ash, maple or willow – these are both functional and attractive in the cage. If you go for natural branches, select a variety of diameters for your parrot to perch on. This will give him various textures, choice of grip and good exercise for his feet. Natural branches also provide entertainment value for birds that like to chew. Wood is more difficult to disinfect due to its porous nature, so make sure you wash and replace his perches regularly.

Some parrot cages have sandpaper covered perches but we would not recommended these as this type of perch will do little to wear your parrot’s nails down and could lead to serious foot irritation, sores or even deep infections. Plastic perches are very commonly used but although they are easy to clean and disinfect they can sometimes be slippery for gripping and seem to only be available in a couple of sizes. Larger parrots have been known to chew and splinter the plastic perches into sharp pieces.

The best water and food dishes for your parrot are made from stainless steel.  These are easy to clean and disinfect every day and should be attached securely to the side of the parrot cage. Don’t fill the dishes too deep or a lot of his food will be wasted. Position the dishes so that they are easily accessible and won’t be accidentally soiled with faeces. Most food bowls are attached to the side of the parrot cage and swing out for easy feeding, they should never be left on the bottom of the parrot cage as this is the bird’s “toilet”. As a lot of pet parrots enjoy a good bath once in a while, it’s a good idea to place a large shallow dish of water in the parrot cage so your parrot can have some fun. Some birds even like to be “misted” with a fine tepid water spray. Try this a few times to see how your bird reacts to it.

Whether you’re at home with your bird or out of work, a parrot needs some type of entertainment.  Imagine being cooped up all day on your own and how frustrating and boring it would be !! Parrots love to explore and play with toys, including pieces of rope, stainless steel mirrors, bells, hanging toys,etc. and will also love pieces of wood to chew on whilst in the cage.   You can choose a selection of entertaining toys for your parrot from your local pet shop.

You might also like to consider a parrot play stand so that when he out of his cage, he has a safe place to perch and play and stretch his wings.  There are plenty of different shapes and sizes of bird play stands to choose from and you are sure to find one to suit the species of parrot you intend to own. 

As there are no real quality controls or regulations to provide safe toys for your parrot, you take great care to ensure that the toys you choose to put in his parrot cage are free from potential dangers. Amy parrot toys that can easily be taken apart or broken are dangerous as are certain types of rope which can be untangled and get fast around his beak or his toes.  Rope made from synthetic fibres can sometimes be a real problem, so make sure you know what you are buying. Rubber toys can be easily chewed into pieces by certain species of parrot so must be avoided to ensure your parrot does not choke.   Lastly, make sure the toys you choose are not too small as these can be swallowed easily.

Some birds have been known to love hiding in cardboard boxes or paper bags or you can purchase highly coloured tents for your parrot to hide in. If you have an assortment of toys, these can be rotated every week so that your parrot doesn’t get bored with playing with the same ones.  All your parrot’s toys should be washed and disinfected periodicially, but remember to rinse them very well after washing with clean water.
 

Buying a pet parrot, as with any other pet,  is a big decision so please take your time and read up on the different breeds that are available, there temperaments, size, etc. before jumping in with both feet !!  Make a list of all the equipment you will have to purchase before the parrot comes home eg. bird cage, parrot play stand, bird cage cover, parrot toys, parrot food, etc.

Because parrots are such intelligent birds, you should do your upmost on a daily basis to give your parrot some fun time and lots of enjoyment either in or out of his parrot cage. 

Providing your parrot with a good quality range of safe toys to play with and a selection of items to chew on in his parrot cage, will greatly increase your parrot’s happiness and well being and will also encourage you, as a parrot owner, to interact with your parrot reguarly.  Good interaction has benefits for both you and for your parrot and will help promote a healthy, playful, happy bird.  Without parrot play there is a good chance your parrot could become bored and perhaps this could bring the onset of Feather Plucking which is most unpleasant to see and also painful for your parrot.

Bird perches and parrot stands act like a bird gym and will give your parrot plenty of exercise and climbing room.  They come in many shapes, sizes, designs and different materials so are very much a personal choice by the individual.   There are smaller types of bird stands for the smaller parrot and the larger parrot play stands for the larger breeds.

You can even have them custom made, floor or table standing.   If you add a variety of different parrot toys onto the parrot play stand  for climbing, swinging, etc. your parrot will throroughly enjoy playing on the stand for long periods of time.  This time out of his parrot cage will also enable him to stretch his wings and have a taste of freedom which he will greatly appreciate. 

When he’s had enough of all this activity he will gladly go back into his parrot cage and will be happy to sleep until the next big day.  A parrot cage cover is ideal for shutting out the light and draughts and giving your parrot some quiet, private time to rest and sleep – parrots enjoy their sleep as much as we humans do and sleep deprivation can greatly affect their health.

Did you know that some of the larger parrots can easily live to be 50 to 80 years old. Many will live with you through various moves and changes in your lifestyle and may even outlive you !!!

The parrot cage you purchase must be large enough for your parrot to flap its wings freely and you may also want to invest in a cage cover as parrots need plenty of sleep.  Parrots should have 10-12 hours of sleep each night so need a dark, quiet place. A tired parrot is also a grumpy parrot, so make sure your parrot cage is sited away from the TV, radio or a room that is used well into the night.  Parrots who do not get enough rest can develop severe behavioural problems and even become aggressive, so you see how important it is for him to have his sleep.  You will also need bird toys for your parrot to amuse himself with and these should be replaced regularly so that he does not get bored with them.  It is also a good idea to purchase a bird play stand so that your parrot can play outside of his cage without damaging your furniture and furnishings.

Choose your parrot carefully – some species have the potential to scream very loudly as the screech of many large parrots is designed to enable flock members to call to each other across miles of jungle.  You will never prevent a parrot from screaming but good training and positive reinforcement can reduce most screaming to an acceptable level that you can live with.

Cockatiels, lovebirds, senegals, red bellies, and African greys generally have a reputation for being quieter parrots whereas Cockatoos have one of the worst reputations for screaming.  This is mainly due to the fact that cockatoos require quite a bit of attention and amusement and will scream for attention if they are bored or feel they are being ignored !!  Many of the conures have an amazingly loud screech and macaws  can vary greatly in the amount of noise they make. 

All parrots require a varied diet with plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits. These can odten end up on the floor as parrots are messy creatures.  A parrot cage with good, deep bowls and a seed catcher can help, although some parrots will spit their food across the room !! 

As with all new pets, we at ideas-4-pets advise new owners to read up on parrots before purchasing so that you choose the right type for you and your family and look carefully at all the cages on offer before purchasing so that you get one that is right for your pet.  Once the right parrot is installed in your home you will have years of fun and affection to look forward to.

Amazons are popular pets which can live to 50 or even 60 years old with the right diet and living a stress-free life and it could be that someone had bought them as pets but found that they had got too much for them and so released them into the wild.

This story proves that being the owner of a parrot like these can be a lifelong commitment. From buying a parrot cage to choosing the correct type of food and making sure that you are providing adequate care and attention to the bird, you can be sure that this is not an easy hobby !!

The best type of parrot cage for an Amazon parrot should be between 39″- 59″ (100-150 cm) high and have a floor space of 23″x 39″ (60 x 100 cm). This size of bird cage will provide your parrot with lots of room for movement as well as plenty of space for perches, food dishes and toys. If you intend to house 2 Amazons then you need to buy a parrot cage with a ceiling height of at least 70″ (180 cm) and a minimum floor space of 39″x 59″ (100 x 150 cm). Perches should be 0.5″ to 1″ round and it’s also a good idea to provide various sized fruit tree branches as well. Toys provide stimulation for your parrot and he will like climbing ropes, playing with chains, bells, parrot swings and bird toys which can all be purchased from your local pet shop.

It’s also essential to allow your parrot to enjoy a good sleep and this means either moving him to a quiet room for several hours a day or providing him with a parrot cage cover so that he has a dark, quiet place in which to relax.

As with all pets, it is really important to make sure that you clean out your bird’s water and food dishes on a daily basis. You should also wash all his perches and toys every week and the floor of the parrot cage should be washed about every other week. Clean parrots are usually happy healthy parrots.

Amazon parrots are usually reasonably calm and peaceful but can get vocal early in the morning and in the evening as it starts getting dark. They are very sociable birds and so a single parrot will make a wonderful pet if it gets plenty of attention from its owner. However, when they get to about 4 or 5 years old they reach sexual maturity and if you leave your parrot alone a lot he may become restless, start feather plucking and in general show signs of psychological distress. A female parrot can even start laying infertile eggs. This is because in their natural environment they would begin to find a mate and pair up at this age. Living with a mate is part of the social pattern of the Amazon parrot and here lies the key to the amount of attention your pet requires.

Amazons and children can get along successfully if your parrot gets used to your child and you teach your child how to interact properly with your parrot. However, sometimes a parrot can get very jealous of small children and so it is adviseable to supervise the situation and not leave them on their own together. Amazons and other pets like cats and dogs can also get used to each other and learn to accept each other but again, you should be very careful to monitor all groupings of animals and not leave them alone.

It is worth knowing that Amazon parrots can be very dangerous to small pets such as hamsters, guinea pigs, mice and other small birds so if you want your parrot to come out of his parrot cage on a regular basis just remember to keep an eye on things.

The Amazon parrot is the quickest of all the parrots at becoming accustomed to it’s new environment but you should always give him a few days to get used to you. He will soon become accustomed to your voice and to his parrot cage and once he does it will be safe to try handling him. A handfed baby bird will not need much taming and can often be handled right away as it has had time to get used to human attention but an older parrot will take longer to trust you.

To be able to handle and train your parrot he needs to trust you, so go slowly and be consistent in your training and mannerisms. Amazons are most receptive to training in the evening and ideally you should limit your training to less than 20 minutes per session, with about an hour’s rest in between.

The first goal is to get your parrot to accept a treat from you which will lead to him allow you to gently scratch his head. Once you have achieved this, then you can begin to work on getting your parrot to step up on your hand. Depending upon the tameness of your bird these two steps can be instantaneous (as in a handfed baby bird) or it could take several weeks or longer for an untamed older bird.

Remember that taming and training a bird takes time and patience. As with all bird and animal training, never ‘punish’ you parrot! This will only serve to destroy the trust you’ve been trying to build and could result in an over-anxious, nervous bird.

Remember that like a child, your Amazon parrot may feel shy at first. Help him to overcome this and then you can begin to work on speech training because with frequent repetition an Amazon parrot can learn at least a few words.

Exercise and play are really important as these activities help the physical well-being and psychological health of your parrot. They are good tools for helping to deter distress and can also help prevent the problems of screeching and feather plucking. Providing your parrot with lots of activities in the form of large link chains, bird ladders, parrot swings, ropes, fresh branches for gnawing and chewing on and a selection of bird toys will ensure that he doesn’t get bored when left alone.

Amazons make great fun pets but remember they are a long term commitment and to release them into the wild because you have got fed up with them or found them to be too demanding is a cruel practise.