Pet Parrot - Adding Color to Your Life

A pet parrot can be a fun and beautiful addition to your home, provided you know the right things about parrot care to keep your pet happy and healthy. But before you even start looking for your new pet, there are some things you need to know. For example, did you know that sometimes you will see pet parrots for sale that were brought to the country illegally? And there are many different types of parrots, each needing its own care and environment.

Types of Pet Parrots

When you go to pet stores that sell parrots, you may be overwhelmed by the shear number of varieties to choose from. Many beautiful birds are called parrots, and knowing a little about each variety is a good way to start.

African Gray

The African gray parrot is one popular variety of pet parrots. They are gray all over, with red and white accents. They are the best parrots to train to "speak," or mimic their owners. Part of African gray parrot care is plenty of stimulation. These birds bore easily, and will harm themselves if they are board. They are quiet, and bond closely with their owners.

Macaws

Macaws are the most commonly thought of pet parrot. These are the large birds that come in jeweled tones. There are several color varieties, including the blue and gold macaw, scarlet macaw, and the green wing macaw. What many new pet owners do not realize is the long lifespan of these birds. The birds require special care and planning because they will live up to fifty years. Parrot care and life spans go hand in hand. You must plan for these birds in your will.

Eclectus

Here is a parrot that has interesting coloring. The male is a bright green with a yellow beak, and the female has a bright scarlet or lavender color and a black beak. Many people think they are different varieties, when in fact, they are simply different genders. These are smaller birds, averaging around fourteen inches. Proper parrot care for these birds requires fruit in their diet.

Amazon Parrots

Amazon parrots are another popular pet parrot. They are mostly green, with several different varieties of accent markings. Smaller than a macaw, these birds grow to around fifteen inches. Hand raised birds make excellent, tame pets.

Continue to: How To Select And Buy A Pet Parrot