What are The Cage Requirements?
Provide your parrotlet with a minimum 18”wide x 18”deep x 24” high cage. Make sure bar spacing is no more than 1/2” or 5/8" wide to ensure a head will not be caught . The larger the cage the happier your Parrotlet will be. There should be plenty room for your bird to stretch his wings and run around. Provide plenty of perches, including some natural wood perches, of varying size.
Provide your parrotlet’s with plenty of toys. A swing is a must amongst Parrotlet's, and will spend a lot of time there, and possibly sleep there at night. Rotate toys occasionally to prevent boredom. Make sure all toys are bird safe, and inspect them carefully before placing in their cage. Never give your birds toilet paper rolls, or cardboard to play with. The glue used to cement the paper is toxic.
Clean your parrots cage and toys regularly.
What about Health Concerns?
As with any pet it is advisable your parrotlet has an annual examination and checkup by an Avian Certified vet. Parrotlet's like other birds of prey are known to hide signs of sickness, so it is important your parrotlet should see a Avian Certified Vet regularly. It is also a good idea to be acquainted with a vet in case an emergency arises. Your breeder may have the name of a veterinarian in your area.
How much Attention Does My Parrotlet Need?
Like all pets, your Parrotlet loves attention, and they appreciate all the time you can spend with them. It is also advisable to place your Parrotlet's cage in the family room where there is a lot going on. Parrotlet's enjoy seeing people and the business going about.
Is There Anything Else I need to Know?
Quarantine any new birds that come into your house for a minimum of 45 days, if other birds are present.
Keep your parrotlet away from smoke, toxic flame and fumes. Never light scented candles around your bird.
Get rid of all your Teflon-coated pots and pans. The fumes are dangerous and may kill your bird. Please read this article about teflon from the DIY network
http://www.diynetwork.com/daily/lp_birds/article/0,2041,DIY_14059_2270646,00.html.
Do not use aerosols, chemicals, cleaners, Ferbeeze, around your bird. Using the self-cleaning oven option on your oven may kill your bird. Do not place your bird in front of drafty windows, or radiating heat. Keep your bird off houseplants, as many of them are poisonous.
Make sure you supervise your parrotlet at all times never leave them unsupervised with children, and never allow them to play with other pets. Parrotlet’s are tiny, and accidents can easily occur. I would suggest having a play gym or stand for your bird to play on.
Never take your parrotlet outside of the house without a cage. Even with trimmed wings they can still glide, and can harm themselves. When traveling in the car make sure your bird is in a cage, preferably secured by a seatbelt. Never let your parrotlet loose I the car.
I need More Information. Where Can I go?
There are allot of great books about caring for your Parrotlet, here are my recommendations.
The Parrotlet Handbook
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This book offers information about Parrotlets and other small hook bills.
All About Parrotlets
Really great book. Written by Robert and Sandee Molenda. Highly Recommended!
International Parrotlet Society
The International Parrotlet Society was founded in 1992 by a group of parrotlet owners and breeders to promote the proper care, breeding, exhibition and conservation of Parrotlet's IPS's first meeting was held at the American Federation of Aviculture convention in Miami during August of 1992.
IPS now has more than 700 members in 13 different countries and is one of the largest specialty organizations in the world. IPS is affiliated with many avicultural organizations including the American Federation of Aviculture, Society of Parrot Breeders and Exhibitors, Bird Clubs of America and the North American Parrot Society.
Members receive a bimonthly newsletter produced by parrotlet owners and breeders with help from veterinarians, researchers and conservationists. Each issue is broken down into three categories: pet care and training, breeder information and general parrotlet husbandry. Each newsletter contains a color photograph of a different species or color mutation parrotlet. Classified advertising is free to members.
IPS members also receive and can be listed in a membership/breeder directory at no charge. The IPS has a free traceable banding system that allows members to trace birds back to their original ownership with the information reported in the newsletter. IPS sponsors cooperative breeding programs for rare species of Parrotlet's Members meet twice a year at the American Federation of Aviculture convention and the National Cage Bird Show.
For more information, contact:
International Parrotlet Society
Dept. AFA, P.O. Box 2428
Santa Cruz, CA, U.S.A. 95063-2428
Sandee L. Molenda, Secretary
Phone (831) 688-5560, Fax (831) 689-9534
E-mail: ips@parrotletranch.com
Internet: http://www.parrotletranch.com/IPS
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