Birds For Dummies. Gina Spadafori
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A common health problem seen in Amazons is obesity. If you have an Amazon, make sure you offer her a healthy diet and plenty of exercise, or else these natural perch potatoes will go to, er, seed, rather easily.
African greys
Introducing the undisputed Einsteins of the parrot world! African greys — both the more common Congo and the smaller Timneh — are marvelous talkers who have demonstrated that they actually understand what they’re saying.
Grey parrots need attentive owners. They need to be kept engaged and challenged. Without a good relationship with a human caretaker, the birds can become fearful, sullen, or even aggressive. Boredom and a lack of variety and intellectual stimulation make for a miserable life for these clever pets. Compared to Amazon parrots, grey parrots generally have less volume, typically vocalizing more beeps, whistles, and other sounds much more than many other species. Regardless, even those sounds may not necessarily be suited for close-quartered living or easily annoyed neighbors.Most African greys kept as companions are of the larger species (Psittacus erithacus), with a tail that is more vividly colored than that of the Timneh (Psittacus timneh). In terms of personality, though, there’s little overall difference. The secret’s out: Timneh greys are pretty cool, too! Expect to pay $800 to $3,600 for either species of these clever birds.
Cockatoos
Cockatoos have a reputation as “love sponges” — birds who, in some folks’ minds, would choose to be “surgically grafted” onto their human companion. That’s only half the story, though. Cockatoos are often said to come in two basic behavioral types: the “love sponge” and the “hyperactive child.”
Umbrellas, Galahs (see Figure 2-6), and Moluccans are in the first group. These flashy birds can easily be taught or led to expect close human contact, all the time. Needless to say, a bird who demands attention 28 hours a day can be a royal pain in the tail feathers. Ultimately, the relationship doesn’t end well if the birds are denied what they’ve come to expect as normal. They can develop significant behavioral problems (aggression, screaming, feather picking), as well as a number of medical problems.The “hyperactive child” is best represented by Goffin’s and bare-eyed cockatoos. Not always so keen on snuggling, these clowns never met a toy (or cage door) they couldn’t figure out and take apart. Some of these birds require padlocks on their cages to keep them from escaping — and not combination locks, either! Goffin’s and bare-eyeds learn trick behaviors quickly and perform them with great enthusiasm. These guys really need to have lots of jobs to do. Keeping their minds and bodies engaged is an essential part of helping them maintain a balanced life with you.
Living with a cockatoo means never a dull moment in your household, that’s for sure. Prices range from $700 for some of the smaller species, such as Goffin’s cockatoos, or $1,000 to $5,000 for species such as umbrella cockatoos, Moluccans, or Major Mitchell’s. Rare species such as some of the black cockatoos can run $20,000 and up. Life expectancies can theoretically hit 100 years for the larger species, although in most countries, birds over 60 to 70 years are relatively uncommon. Most can and should live longer through better care and nutrition.
We recommend that people with allergies (particularly to feathers or feather dust) steer clear of cockatoos. They’re among the dustiest of birds, distributing lots of feather dust and dander.
Photograph courtesy of Rachel Baden, DVM
FIGURE 2-6: Galahs, sometimes referred to as rose-breasted cockatoos, aren’t necessarily cuddlers but they are friendly and affectionate.
Eclectus
One of the more interesting pet birds and certainly among the most beautiful, Eclectus have a few characteristics that make them less than suitable for beginners. They can be more sensitive to their environment than many other parrots, and you may need to feed them a higher percentage of fresh fruits and vegetables to keep them healthy. Seed-only diets are particularly hard for the Eclectus parrot to survive on for long, one of the reasons why the Eclectus rarely did well in captivity until humans developed a better understanding of optimal nutrition for these wonderful birds.
Unlike many companion birds, with the Eclectus, the female is more often the “boss” — and certainly more beautiful (at least if you like red). Four common subspecies of Eclectus parrots are available for the pet trade — the red-sided, vosmaeri, grand, and Solomon Island. Prices start at around $1,000 and can go up to $2,500 for these showstoppers.
Pionus parrots
The Pionus (pronounced “pie-oh-nus”) could be the poster child for the underappreciated parrots. Relatively quiet and easygoing, these birds can be excellent choices as companion parrots. They’re not necessarily the best talkers, but they’re quite capable of picking up a few words and phrases. Because of their gentle nature, the Pionus parrots, including the blue-head, white-cap, dusky, Maximillian’s, and bronze-wing, are ideal for any living situation.
Why are these fabulous pets passed by? Probably because their coloration isn’t as striking as other parrots’ — you could even call them plain. Don’t overlook them, though: Pionus parrots have fantastic potential to become wonderful companions. Depending on rarity or popularity, you can purchase these birds starting at $500, with some going for $2,500 or more. With good nutrition, husbandry, and love, their life expectancy can reach 30 to 40 years.
An interesting characteristic of the Pionus is the Pionus snarfle, which sometimes frightens new owners, and even some veterinarians who’ve never heard the sound, into believing that some sort of serious respiratory problem is present. When under stress or excited, the birds occasionally breathe rapidly in and out through their nares, making an impressive ear-catching sound until they calm down. We don’t really know why they do this, but the Pionus snarfle is nothing to worry about other than the need to try to figure out what’s causing the agitation or excitement, and it’s actually often the subject of a good laugh!
Macaws
Macaws can be sought-after pet birds, treasured for their stunning looks and, increasingly, for their companionship potential. You can find a range of personality types and prices within the collection of birds known as macaws. The large macaws can live up to 80 or even 100 years, while smaller macaw species can hit 40 years — a long time to have a pet. No macaw is particularly suited for apartment living — their caging requirements take up a lot of space, and they’re not quiet.
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