What foods and other cautions should I be worried about when owning an African Amazon Parrot?
My dad is giving his to me to take over caring for it and I am planning on building him a cage-less perch/house. Any ideas for housing, food and care taking for him?
Also my dad is either unwilling or unable or both to care for the bird properly, something I really want to do. This bird doesn't speak and is VERY homebound, he does NOT like to leave his current cage. If you remove him from it all he does it stare at it and try to get back to it. Any ideas on encouraging him to talk and getting him unbound from home? I thought the new home might do the trick but your thoughts?
Oh my gosh, its a Mexican Amazon, NOT an African. I am sorry.
Cages are meant to be a safe place for a bird to eat and sleep. Also to spend time when out of the cage isn't safe or they need to go to the vet.
That being said, aviaries are good, but you need to look into bird safe paint, wood, wiring, plants, floor, places to perch, and ways to clean.
So far, no paint is bird safe. They contain zinc which is toxic to birds. You can search online for bird safe woods, but most fruit trees that are not sprayed are good. Wiring isn't safe for many reasons, the metal and electricity being the main parts. Bird poo is hard to clean off of carpet once dried and new carpet is accually toxic to our feathered friends. You can put down tile or linolium, but then you need to mop and use a bird safe cleaner.
Birds ideally should be on a diet of 80% high quality pellets, 15% fresh and safe human foods, 5% seeds and treats. If he is not already on this kind of diet, you will need to make the switch gradually. Birds are known to starve to death if presented with something that they don't recognise as food rather than try it.
Personally, knowing that amazons can be very hormonal and agressive at times, I would get a very large cage and give out of cage time as possible. This is for his saftey and yours. Zon bites are not pleasant!
Check out Cages by Design, Drs Foster and Smith, California Cages and Avian Accents for bird safe cages that are very nice and large.
Subscribe to Bird Talk Magazine, join Up At Six chats to confrence with other Zon owners, and buy a few parrot books for advice. Be aware that he will probably be agressive at first when he is getting used to his new home. Don't try to make too many changes all at once. Make sure you have lots of toys for him to play with and destroy.
Whats On My YouTube Today?
Waynes Bottlebrush Parrot Cage Perches-Small
Here Are A Few Items From Amazon You Might Be Interested In.
 Paradise Toys Perch & Groom Bird Carrier Travel Cage, 10-1/2-Inch W by 12-1/2 D by 15-Inch H List Price: Sale Price: $85.57 You save: $44.42 (34%)  Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days  |
 Paradise Toys Zig Zag Perches, 1-Inch by 61-Inch Sale Price: $14.99 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours |
 Prevue Pet Products Wrought Iron Flight Cage with Stand F040 Black Bird Cage, 31-Inch by 20-1/2-Inch by 53-Inch List Price: Sale Price: $112.99 You save: $162.00 (59%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours |
 Prevue Pet Products Small Parrot Playstand 3181 Black Hammertone, 17.625-Inch by 16-1/2-Inch by 59-Inch List Price: Sale Price: $81.99 You save: $108.00 (57%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
 K&H Thermo Perch, Small List Price: Sale Price: $29.89 You save: $15.10 (34%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 3-4 business days |
 Medium Safety Pumice Perch List Price: Sale Price: $12.99 You save: $1.96 (13%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
 Prevue Pet Products Travel Bird Cage 1305 White, 20-Inch by 12-1/2-Inch by 15-1/2-Inch List Price: Sale Price: $33.16 You save: $54.83 (62%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
 25" Parrot Parakeet wire bird cage perch w/stand NEW Sale Price: $89.99 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours |
 Booda Comfy Perch for Birds, Large 36-Inch, Colors Vary List Price: Sale Price: $8.25 You save: $9.04 (52%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours |
 Super Pet EZ Care Pet Bird T-Stand, Medium List Price: Sale Price: $54.99 You save: $40.96 (43%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
Items recently purchased on this site:
Thanks for visiting!
Tags: parrots, care, dangers, birds, training