Buffalo Parrot

So you are thinking of getting a Parrot?  Is a Parrot right for you, or fit into your lifestyle?  Do you work long hours, nights or evenings?  Do you have a cat or dog?  Do you go on many vacations/business trips? Have little kids?  These are things one must think hard about before bringing a Parrot into your home.                     

Parrots are a big responsibility, are messy, sometimes loud and have some behaviors that can be demanding and baffling.  Are you a patient person?  You will need time and patience for training your birds, cleaning their cages, perches, bowls and not to mention, spending time with them. Neglecting a parrot can lead to many emotional, behavioral, and physical problems. Will you have the time to feed/cook all of your Parrot's food requirements?  Seed and pellets are not enough for a Parrot. They also need daily offerings of fresh fruits, vegetables, along with beans, grains, and some nuts. There are many good/nutritious commercially microwavable meals out there to help save time. Beak Appetite, Crazy Corn, Goldenfeast, Pretty Bird Birdy Banquet, Drs.Foster & Smith's International feasts & Kitchen Creations are some that we use.  We also make our own blend.  Also think... Do you have the budget for your bird, cages, toys, vet check-ups/wing clippings, etc...? Is the room you're planning on keeping them in cold/drafty or hot in the summer?  Are you willing to throw out all your Teflon pans, scented candles, carpet cleaners, etc...?  These items can kill your Parrot in a HEART-BEAT!  This all may seem like we are trying to scare people away from adding a Parrot to their homes, but we are not! We are scaring you into doing research, research and even more research! Bottom line. It will save you and your bird much time, pain, and aggravation. There are so many Parrots that come in different sizes, colors, and personalities. Research and find the best one that fits you and your lifestyle. We really wanted a Sun Conure at one time, but they are too loud for our tolerance. Consider starting with one of the easier species such as Budgies or Cockatiels.  Too many times potential Parrot owners do not do their research before bringing a Parrot into their homes.  This has contributed to a great number of Parrots being put into rescues, or being rehomed.  Many Parrots live long lives.  Anywhere from 10-100 years.  This is just another consideration before bringing a Parrot home.

There are good books to help research all of these birds needs.  You can see some good ones in our Parrot Books Gallery. 

 ↓SEARCH BUFFALO PARROT!↓

Here are SOME reasons NOT to get a Parrot for your self or as a gift to others list

 ♥A spontaneous gift to someone.

 ♥If someone in the house has allergies.

 ♥Anyone with a very busy lifestyle.

 ♥Anyone with a very low income.

 ♥Someone in the house does not like birds or excessive noise.

 ♥A home with many dogs, cats, ferrets, Etc...

 ♥A home with insufficient living space & or conditions.

 ♥Have neighbors that are in close proximity.

 ♥A child who is too young to understand or take care of a Parrot

♥Someone who works many different shifts & or long hours.

♥ Someone who lives in an apartment that doesn't except pets.

♥Someone that is to ill to take full care of a Parrot.

♥Someone that works with, or has a hobby with dangerous fumes in the home.

♥Anyone that will not part with their Teflon pans, and or scented candles, Etc..

 Now we shall give you a basic list of the things you will need to start off with.

-Patience!

-A good Avian Vet

-Cages (the bigger the better)

-Perches of all different thicknesses and textures

-Pedicure Perches (cement) for healthy nail grooming.  *Don't use sandpaper perches

-Beak conditioning blocks (Lava)

-Foods.. fresh, pellet, prepared, Treat, Etc..

-Bird safe cleaning products and Tools (Poop-Off, Vinegar, Grapefruit seed extract, Etc..)

-Bottled spring water

-Food, water and Bathing dishes

-Bird Carrier (For vet visits, trips, Etc..)

-Air filter (if you have anyone with allergies)

-Bird proofed rooms "open toilets, crayons, wires, windows, Etc.."

-Cuttlebone/Mineral Block

-Time!..for cleaning and spending time with your Parrot

-Set up a routine for cleaning, vet visits, bathing, time with your bird, feeding & grooming

-Change cage papers daily

-Set up cage away from drafts, direct sunlight & heating vents

-Have adequate lighting ..12-15 hours

-Inspect the cage & toys regularly for damage and fecal matter  

-Toys (foraging, chewing, climbing, etc..)  A very good and cheap "shredding" product we use is Alfalfa cubes.  You can usually find them in the small animals section of a pet store.  They are cheap and you can put them in clips, foraging toys/boxes Etc..  I beleive they have some nutritional value also. 

-Newspapers or other absorbing materials(Bottom of Cage)

-Supplements

-Cage Covers

-Mist Spray Bottle (For bathing)

-Veggie Clips

-Good lighting(Full Spectrum recommended)

-Books, and other research material

-Play Gym

-Night Light(Near the sleeping Cage)

-Bird Sitter

-Behavior Specialist (If you have a very difficult bird)

-Bird Grooming (Can learn on your own or a vet, or bird groomer)

-Love & empathy!

Here is a short list of Brand-named pellets, seed mixes & commercially prepared "microwavable" bird meals.

-KAYTEE

-ZuPreem 

-Beak Appetit(Microwavable)

-Doctors Foster & Smith International Feasts(Microwavable) 

-Kitchen Creations(Microwavable) 

-Hagen

-Dr.Harvey's Naturals: "Whats Cooking?"(Cookable)

-Roudybush 

-Pretty Bird Birdy Banquet(Microwavable) 

-L'Avian 

-Higgins

-Bird Street Bistro(Cookable)

-Harrison's Bird Diet

-Pretty Bird 

-Lafeber Company

-Crazy Corn(Cookable) 

-GoldenFeast(Microwavable) 

Okay, so you are still interested in getting one of these guys? What is the best way regarding purchasing a Parrot? In our opinion "chain" Pet stores (PetSmart, PetCo, Etc.) are not the way to go. Their birds are usually overpriced, over crowded(bigger chance for disease), neglected & fed only seed/pellet.  Sometimes they are in the store for quite some time and developing negative behaviors.  Pet Fairs are not recommended either.  Their parrots can be in bad condition and most of the time there will be no receipt, guarantee, etc.  Our #1 way to go would be through a Rescue Organization.  There are already so many parrots that have been abandoned, or taken to these Rescues.  Why buy one from a store or breeder when there are so many already without a home?  If you just can't adopt a Parrot from a rescue, for whatever reason our other suggestion would be a  reputable breeder or local independent pet shop(Mom & Pop shop). Visit these places.  Make sure the Parrots look healthy.  Are their eyes shiny?  Are they active/alert?  Are the feathers in good condition?  There should be no discharge from the nostrils and the underside of the Parrot should be free of any fecal matter.  Also be sure to check for any deformities like the beak, feet, etc. Are their facilities clean? Is the staff knowledgeable and friendly?  Look to see if they feed their birds food other than pellet and seed.  Ask if their baby birds are "hand-fed," as these birds will be more adapted to human interaction( although parent raised babies tend to not have near as many behavioral issue when older). If so, and you see a Parrot you think may be right for you, ask if you can hand-feed/bond with them a few times a week before they are ready to come home. Don't be afraid to ask as many questions that come to your mind! If you do not care what aged Parrot you get, AGAIN.. an adoption/rescue organization is a great place to go! They have many great Parrots that need a good home.  They usually charge much less for a Parrot than anywhere else.  If you choose to adopt an older Parrot find out as much as you can about it's history.  Ask about the previous or present owner...Why are they adopting this Parrot?  Ask about the Parrots likes and dislikes.  Ask how it was kept.  Ask if there are any behavioral issues you need to be aware of.  This will give you feedback on how to care for this older/adopted Parrot.  Rescues are such a great resource the Parrot world could not be with out!  The owners are tireless in there efforts to take care of unwanted, abused, and neglected Parrots.  You can really help these not for profit organizations by donating money, toys, food, cages, or volunteer work!   If you have other birds we suggest setting up a place well away from them for quarantining your new Parrot.  This helps protect your current birds from contracting any illness the new parrot may have.  This will also allow close observation of your new addition.  Set up a first vet visit for your new parrot during this time.  Make sure to wash your hands after touching your new Parrot until the Quarantine time is over.  Quarantine should be at least 40 days or longer.  If you do happen to decide on a Breeder to get your Parrot do your research.  There are many bad breeders out there that just want to make there money.  These breeders will sometime force wean there baby Parrots and ship them to stores before they are ready.  This can cause emotional & physical damage to the baby Parrot.  The parent Parrots are often neglected, have no human interaction, are over bred, and not let out of cramped cages.  There living conditions can be often bad.  A good Breeder will take care of his breeding parent Parrots with a good diet, breaks from breeding, and will not cross breed(weakens the gene pool of species).  They will be very knowledgeable answering your many questions.  They will go out of there way to give you the info you need.  If a breeder is just too darned eager to sell you a Parrot...FIND another one!

As far as Breeding Parrots? Hey, this is the basics!  This website is not supportive of breeding, because of too many unwanted parrots already out there.  But here it is if you must know.. Breeding consists of much experience and knowledge. Learning the species you intend to breed is a must. You need to know techniques, environment, conditioning foods, etc... Talking with fellow breeders is also a good idea. Breeding takes much time and effort. A good breeder will keep the species he/she is breeding pure. Hybridizing (cross breeding) is frowned upon as it weakens/taints the species.  The only breeders this website supports are those that try to help endangered Parrot species re populate to their natural habitat!  Other Notes:   Mutations are okay, but in some cases the mutated (not mutants) species will be less hardy and more prone to health problems.  If you think you may want to breed in the future, do some research first.  As it is now, the demand for Parrots is far less than available Parrots that are already in need of a good home.  The Parrots numbers in rescues has been increasing over the years.  With all that said, these are just some suggestions and things you will need.  LOVE your Parrots, and they WILL Love you back!   Good luck, and happy Parronting!!