I will be bringing home my new baby parrot in about 3 weeks (he's still weaning) are there anything I should know? about toys and perch placements (since he's still a baby)
Answers:
Know that your baby might panic a little or a lot in a new place. When he does he will cry or screech as in a panic call or flock call. Don't let t worry you nor drive you up the wall. Sit near his cage and talk softly to him. Don't stare at him as he will feel threatened. Go on with what you are doing, but talk to him. He will beg for food and do his "food quake", shaking his wings fast like a baby wild bird does when he wants to be fed. Do NOT feed him every time he does this or you will cause a very bad habit to be made that might last a lifetime. Also, let him learn that there are times he just cannot have your attention. If you don't he will expect it and begin to demand it ALL the time. Never give him chocolate or raw potatoes. Just bond and care for him. He'll be fine...you'll be fine.
What kind of a Baby Parrot is it?
You should keep the perches low closer to the floor of the cage untill the baby has shown you that it has better balance.
As for toys I go to yard sales and I get Baby toys, those that are strong and colorful.
You can even but your own toy parts and make toys for you baby.
Just as you would with an infant spend a lot of time playing with the baby and it's toys. Social activity is very important. The first year of the Baby bird's life it is going to be learning from you, you in sense will be it's Parent.
Sapphyre
Certified Avian Specialist
http://www.borrowed-rainbow.com...
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/borrowedra...
I'm curious: what sort of parrot is it?
As far as toys, one of the most important things is to teach them to play. You bird may already know what it likes and doesn't like and how to have fun by itself, but it may not. Being able to entertain itself and be independent is very important.
Give a good variety of interactive toys--shreddables, foraging toys, etc.--and play with them with your bird. This is also a good bonding experience.
Also, try to make a neutral or green-colored (ie, non-threatening) into a toy. Play games such as peekaboo. If your bird learns that a towel is a gentle and even fun entity and not something to be feared, it will make future occurances that require gentle towel handling (such as an injury, nail-clipping, vet visit, etc.) MUCH easier.
As far as perches, make certain they are the right size for the bird's feet, and the more natural the better. A thick gnarled branch or two and some manzanita perches are great choices. I personally avoid anything that is uniform (dowel-type perches) or sandpaper/concrete, the later because of sores that may develop. If you can find flagstone perches, these are also great.
One last bit of advice on baby birds: They require a lot of attention, guidelines, and training. However, be realistic and don't set your bird up for stress by spending all day with it while it is young and leaving it to play by itself when it is older. I strongly recommend being ready to commit the same amount of time and companionship to the bird throughout its life. You have a life too, which is why it is important to teach the bird independence.
Good luck on your new companion!
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