So my partner and I are planning on eventually getting a parrot. We’re first timers (although I grew up around birds) and we both understand that the birds we are wanting often are not the first choice for new owners. We are aware of this, and both of us are going to take at least 2-3 years of research and educating ourselves on how to properly care for one before getting one.

I’m leaning more towards a macaw while she is leaning more towards an African grey. I’m fine with either, but from the research I’ve done, I prefer a macaw because I have heard they often times form deep bonds with their caretakers and that is something I want from a parrot.

As I’ve been looking into it a little more, I’ve been seeing a lot of people say even if you get a macaw when it is young and impressionable, they can easily turn on you and never look back once they hit the teen stage. This is most certainly something I wouldn’t want or prefer.

The reason I was wanting a younger one, was so that I could be able to train it and teach it boundaries. Such as letting me clip its nails without too much hassle, teaching it to give kisses/affection in general, potty training, and on top of wanting to form a deep bond with one.

Although from everything I’ve heard, it seems that even if I do all of this, it could possibly be fruitless. So then I was considering getting an older one past its maturity, but would I be able to teach it the same things? Could it learn to love me and form a bond with me over time? I assumed it wouldn’t be able to considering ppl have said they form bonds with usually one person and that’s it.

I’m not opposed to giving an older baby all the time it needs to warm up to me, let me trim its nails, let me love on it, etc etc, and I especially wouldn’t mind giving it boundaries that it needs until then. I understand that my way of thinking is a little selfish, I shouldn’t just want a parrot to form a strong bond with and should love it even if it doesn’t give me that, but I really do prefer for it to love me at least a little bit of as much as I love it.

As heard in the video, she does these weird little sounds (sorry for the shitty camera, I just wanted her to make the noise) and I'm worried she's sick or something. She usually does this whenever she sees me after school and then chirps normally and since we didn't see eachother for like almost 2 days, it was more intense but idk if it's normal, sickness thing or she's just a weirdo (second video in the comments (if I figure out how))

I showed them the flag of Germany, I don't know how to interpret their reaction. I think Shurik might like that country.

(We aren't germans and don't live in Germany)

(Video was created for a humor purpose)

I have a general understanding of the 70% pellets 25% fruit and veg and 5% seeds and treats and she has no issues that require me changing that. I just don’t understand exactly how much of each I need to give? I’m a type of person that needs exact numbers and my brain can’t figure it out. Some places say 10% of their body weight per day but that means 10g of food a day and that seems terribly low? Others say 30g a day and then that’s 30% of his body weight which is a big jump

(Another picture like my previous post from her being out of reach and refusing to come down for half an hour. Annoying but great because she originally had cut feathers and now she flys so well 😭)

I've been wondering if I have been overfeeding him.

My parrot flew away this sunday and its been 3 days. She flew away because she saw a dog when we were outside .I take her outside every other day so this was normal for her to be outside . After she flew I ran after her but then I lost her as she went into the areas with lot of buildings. She was with me since she was baby and is now about 2 years. I miss her very much . I am begging to god to give her back . I want to hear her call my name. I can't go fully out to find her because I have school and tuition after but I woke up at 4 today to find her in my area. I just want her back and safe.

I bought Harrison’s adult lifetime super fine pellets for my cockatiel, she’s 3. I used to mix the good oil into her pellets, should I continue doing that as a good practice?

I’ve recently discovered my flat has fleas and I own a lovebird. I’ve done some research and found a lot of stuff isn’t safe to use and can kill her no matter how carful I am so I’m struggling to find any alternatives that would work. Any suggestions?

Bird lovers of reddit, lately my alexandrine has been doing this to get attention. Is this a hormonal thing or does he just want scratches?

I have a 28-year-old African Grey, and I’ve noticed some changes in his behavior recently that have me a little concerned.

About a week ago, we noticed that he was limping and seemed to be favoring one of his right leg. This lasted for about two days before he appeared to return to normal. He’s now walking around normally, perching, eating, talking, singing, and playing with his toys like usual.

However, over the past few days, I’ve noticed that he has started leaning forward quite a bit. Sometimes, he leans so far forward that he appears to be resting his stomach/chest against the surface he’s standing on. He doesn’t do this constantly, but I’ve noticed it happening several times.

Other than this, he seems to be acting like his normal self. He’s still very vocal, has a good appetite, and is moving around and playing with his toys.

Has anyone experienced anything similar with their African Grey, especially an older bird? I’m wondering if this could be related to his earlier limping or possibly something age-related.

I’d really appreciate hearing about anyone else’s experiences!

After seeing ants in their food bowls I immediately put them into a seperate travel cage, hosed it down, cleaned the outer parts with soapy water, put a cinnamon circle around the floor, placed Vaseline on the cage legs, the whole shabang!

I put them back in, but I saw more ants appear and go straight back into the food bowls. This morning I followed their trail and they seem to be living in the hollow bars, how can I remove them? I’m thinking of using ant-rid outside the area of the cage but Im worried if the birds eat the ants they’ll get exposed to the poison. I may be getting Terro baits soon but I don’t know what to do for now!

can anyone tell me why my bird all of the sudden is doing this repeating scream non stop and barely moving and looks dazed! ? i don’t know what to do!

Hi. I’m asking if anyone has had experience working with this store. I’m from out of state and interested in purchasing a parrot from them, and I want to make sure they are legit and will not scam me flying the bird to my airport.
They’ve sent me photos and a FaceTime. I’m just uneased that they won’t take credit card over the phone, only in store. So they only take payment through Zelle/bank wire transfer.

​Hi everyone! I recently bought a bag of Hagen Tropican pellets, but the package feels really hard and compact almost like a brick. When I shake it, I can’t feel the pellets moving around at all.

​Is this normal for this brand? Is it vacuum-sealed for freshness, or should I be concerned? Thanks in advance

Hey, all. I'm just posting to see if anyone could give me some feedback/assistance on bonding with my recently purchased sweet girl, Avery.

I bought her from a pet shop yesterday, after having seen her there for around a month, so it's quite understandable that she is on the skittish side. The pet shop said that she is around three years old, but, quite honestly, she seems to be much younger than that to both myself and my friend (who has a ringneck of her own).

She is very lively, and loves to climb up the sides and roof of her temporary home, along with attempting to "play" on her makeshift swing.

She hasn't made much noise since I picked her up yesterday, which does make sense as she is still quite unsure about myself and my family. But she sure makes up for her lack of voice by climbing around and staring into your soul. 😂

I know that it will take a lot of patience to bond with her, but I am curious to know whether anyone here has any tips or tricks that may assist in gaining her trust. She is my first ringneck I have owned (I have owned multiple budgies and smaller parrots before), and I understand that ringnecks are a bit different to others in the parrot family, so I am a little on the unsure side.

Any advice — even outside what I have asked about — is greatly welcomed.

Hi everyone!

I have some pieces of pine boards left. I don't want to throw them away and I waw wondering if I could use them to make toys for my parrot?

Here's a picture of the wood in question, sorry I don't have any other pics on my phone but can provide more if needed.

Thanks for the help!

i had vaseline on my lips and my cockatiel put his head against me and got some in his head feathers, I toweled him and tried to clean it with a cloth and water but it’s still in there, he gets really stressed when I put him in a towel or anything like that
his nostrils are now also starting to look green and inflamed? is there anything I can use to get it out, he keeps scratching his head and wiping it with his wing. or should I leave him tonight and take him to the vet tomorrow (it’s almost midnight)
pics attached of his head and nostrils

Hi, my hand-fed cockatiel has a little bit of dried formula crusted on her nose. I'm trying to dab it with a cotton swab and warm water, but it doesn't seem to be doing anything. Any tips?
She's breathing fine and doesn't seem bothered at all, but I'd rather prevent any infection or other problems.