The Do’s

Please do allow your Godparent or babysitter to visit your parrot on a regular basis. They should visit at least every two months for ten minutes, and communicate with your parrot. You must hand your parrot to the Godparent each time so the bird knows that you trust them.

Please do give your parrot a regular regiment of attention daily. We recommend twenty minute intervals three times a day if possible.

Please do acknowledge your bird when you arrive home without immediately going to their cage and letting them out. Just acknowledge and then ignore them for the first 5 minutes after your arrival. This will reduce confusion and prevent future behavioral problems for the bird in the event that you need to leave home again quickly.

Please do protect your parrot from cats and other animals that may want to play with the bird. One cat scratch or saliva can kill any parrot.

Please do supervise your parrot. They are like curious toddlers and will get into trouble chewing furniture and power cords.

The Don’ts

Please don’t play non trust games with your parrot as in putting your finger out to step up, and letting your parrot fall, possibly causing injury.

Please don’t show your parrot around the neighborhood. You’re inviting predators from the sky, promoting escape from your possession, and unknowingly advertising your parrot to thieves. Some thieves think if you can afford an expensive parrot, you may have other things at home to steal.

Please don’t point your finger yelling at your bird. Parrots are hyper sensitive.

Please don’t poke your bird with a stick

Please don’t use a spray bottle and squirt a bird as a disciplinary action.

Please don’t have bodies of water such as full sinks, buckets of water, or open toilets around your bird unsupervised.

Please don’t use any spray aerosols, especially bug spray, around your parrot.

Please don’t use profanity with your bird. They may embarrass you later in life, or the next owner may find the parrot undesirable and embarrassing.

Please don’t start off giving your bird too much quality time. It will expect that amount of attention for life. When your life schedule changes the parrot won’t understand. You will be causing irreversible behavioral damage because your parrot got bored or distressed. This can also cause self-mutilation problems.

Please don’t give your bird dangerous toys, dirty items, or old shoes because you will be communicating that all shoes are toys.

Please don’t allow teenagers be alone with your bird. Supervise all teenagers and their friends. Don’t allow them to poke or prod you bird with any object or feed it forbidden treats.

Please don’t allow anyone to smoke anything around your parrot at any time.

Please don’t give alcohol to your parrot.

Please don’t use plug-in air fresheners, self-cleaning ovens or oven cleaner spray, Teflon or non-stick pans in the house while your parrot is there. The fumes from these items are known to kill parrots.

Please read about dangerous foods, and toxic woods and plants.

Be advised of Dangerous High Stress Days for Parrots

New Year’s Eve and the week of 4th of July are stressful for birds because of the loud noises from fireworks, music and other celebratory noises.

The weeks of Thanksgiving and Christmas can be stressful for your parrot because there can be many visitors and changes in the bird’s schedule. Give extra attention to your parrot during these times.

Any time you have a large party for special events like anniversaries, graduations, and birthdays will be stressful for your parrot. It’s recommended that you have a safe room with a radio or TV so your parrot will be entertained during your event. Please visit your bird at least every hour, spending 5 minutes of time with them before your return to your event. Remember that the parrot is like a curious and scared 3 year-old wondering what is going on in their home. Please don’t abandon them.