| Parrots make wonderful pets, but they do require | | | | issues. |
| love, patience, dedication and attention. Naturally, | | | | Some Other Problems and Solutions |
| they may have some behavioral issues, such as: | | | | Another important problem to note, some varieties |
| biting, screeching, chewing, hormonal issues, and | | | | of parrots go through a normal phase of hormonal |
| feather plucking. Most of these behavioral problems | | | | aggression, usually between 5-10 years of age. Most |
| have a solution and can easily be remedied with | | | | owners may become concerned that their once |
| proper care and attention. | | | | cuddly pet is now belligerent and aggressive. |
| Biting Problems and Solutions | | | | However, know that this phase is natural and will |
| Many parrots have the behavioral problem of biting or | | | | require patience. Limiting the parrot's amount of |
| chewing. By instinct, parrots use their beaks as a | | | | sunlight, to a certain extent, may be a solution to |
| way of expressing and protecting themselves. Biting | | | | mellowing them out some. Whatever the object, |
| or chewing is also a way of learning about the world | | | | other animal, or person the parrot seems to be |
| around them. If you want to maximize the | | | | aggressive towards should have no or limited contact |
| discouragement of biting and chewing, the solution is | | | | with the bird until the aggression eases. Discuss |
| simple: provide the parrot with chewing toys and | | | | solutions with the parrot's vet; medication may be an |
| entertaining food variety. Providing them with large | | | | option to easing the hormonal aggression problem, as |
| chunks of a variety of fruits and vegetables, | | | | well. |
| cuttlebones and mineral blocks, or chew trees and | | | | And finally, feather plucking is a large problem |
| toys will not only assist with their well-balanced, | | | | amongst parrots. First, you should seek medical |
| nutritional needs, but will also aid to lower their need | | | | advice. If there are no medical problems causing this |
| to bite and chew things owners don't want them to. | | | | behavior, owners should evaluate the diet, stimulation |
| Screeching and Screaming | | | | levels, and overall contentment. Feather plucking is a |
| Most varieties of parrots are vocal birds. The next | | | | sign of distress and can easily be remedied with close |
| problem arises when their screeching and screaming | | | | attentive care. |
| becomes excessive. The solution to this problem is | | | | With any parrot variety, love, patience, dedication, |
| training a parrot to mimic their owners voice or other | | | | and proper care are essential. Your bird should have |
| sounds. This will require time, patience, and dedication, | | | | adequate stimulation, a large, clean cage, toys, plenty |
| but will ultimately be better for both the parrot and | | | | of sunlight, daily, a well-balanced, healthy diet variety, |
| owner. Certain parrot varieties will be easier to train | | | | their grooming needs met, and, above all, love, time, |
| than others, but by providing a parrot with an | | | | and attention. A loving and attentive owner is the |
| alternative to screeching whether with vocal training | | | | solution to any parrot problem. |
| or toys, owners will see a lessening in screeching | | | | |