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Hi Sandee,
I recently inherited a parrotlet that is two years old. I have been reading about them and trying to make sure I’m providing the best care possible. When he first came into my home, he was very sweet and fun. However, he has settled in to a routine and since his wings are not clipped, he is now acting like a total barbarian. We are taking him to the vet to get his wings clipped and I will be following your instructions for curbing his new and terrible biting habit. My main concern is his diet and ambient room temperature. What temperature should he be kept at and does he need a full spectrum light if he’s in a room with a lot of windows? He is being fed the following seeds: spray millet, cockatiel mix and canary mix. I have offered various fruits and veggies but he mainly likes sunflower, safflower and millet. He also likes nuts like walnuts and pecans. Any suggestions for converting him to eating more fresh food?
Thanks so much
Melissa
Dear Melissa:
Thank you for your email and my apologies for the delay in responding. We had a terrible windstorm here last week and I was without power (as well as phone, cell and wifi) for 4 days. It was a mess.
I am sorry to hear that your little one is being, well, a typical parrotlet who is fully flighted and being bratty. I think you will see an immediate difference in his attitude as well as his behavior once you get those wings clipped again. Parrotlets are very territorial so when they are fully-flighted and have run of the house, they simply transfer that aggression to every where they go, not just with their cage. But most parrotlets immediately go back to being sweet the moment they realize they no longer are in control by flying around the house.
As far as room temperature goes, most adult parrotlets (and even youngsters who have been acclimated) are perfectly content in the same temperature as people. Generally speaking 60-80 degrees are ideal; however, most people don’t realize that they can withstand much lower temperatures. Its actually heat that is a problem – anything above 85 degrees can be dangerous. It has been my experience that anything below 60 degrees stops them from breeding but pet birds can easily withstand much lower temperatures. In fact, I know people that keep them outdoors, once they are acclimated, in places where the temperature drops to as low as 40. So long as they have shelter, are protected from strong drafts and have lots of food to keep their energy up, especially foods high in fat, they are just fine. So, a pet parrotlet kept in a home will certainly be safe and happy in the same temperatures that you and your family enjoy.
Getting parrotlets to eat a good diet, if they weren’t introduced to a wide variety of fresh and healthy foods at a young age, can be challenging. In my latest book, The Parrotlet Handbook, I include in the chapter on diet, ideas and strategies for getting picky eaters to accept a wider variety of food. It can be as simple as providing foods that have a lot of seeds (contrary to popular belief, seeds ARE a natural diet of birds – after all, there are no pellet trees in the jungle) such as peppers (both hot and mild), kiwi, strawberries, melon, papaya, squash, zucchini, etc. You can also place a small dish of thawed frozen peas and corn and sprinkle millet or another favorite food on it. Usually they start playing with it and eventually they start eating it. You can get a birdy kabob and string chunks of various kinds of veggies on it (most parrotlets prefer vegetables to fruit). Again, they start playing with it, eat part of it and then eventually decide “Hey, this stuff isn’t bad!”. You can also place pieces of broccoli or leafy greens in the cage clipped to a favorite perching spot. Another easy way to get them to eat is make a ‘bird bread’ with lots of vegetables it in or try some of the cooked diets they now have available. It really is a matter of trying different things as well as being patient and consistent until you figure out what works with your parrotlet.
I hope this helps. Best of luck with your bird and if you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Hopefully, I will be able to answer in a much more timely manner. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Holiday.
Sincerely yours,
Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S.
The Parrotlet Ranch, Owner, www.parrotletranch.com
Join the International Parrotlet Society, – the World’s Largest and Oldest Parrotlet Organization www.internationalparrotletsociety.org
A Chattering Bird Builds No Nest.
Camaroonian Phrase
Hi Sandee,
Thanks for the response; I saw the wind-storm damage on the news; that was really shocking for the area!
We got Foghorn’s wings clipped at the vet and he’s already much better. He was acting very angry and biting, so we gave him some floor time and he was acting sheepish in no time once he realized he couldn’t fly to my head in order to bite my ears. Your blog was a life-saver!
I’m relieved to know I don’t have to keep the house at 75 in the winter or hook up a heat bulb; I’m a former iguana keeper so I assumed any semi-tropical critter might have special heat needs.
Wish me luck on the vegetable endeavor; he has already eaten the peas from inside a snow pea pod, so I have at least one victory!
Thanks again,
Melissa
You got the idea Melissa. Foods that are fun i.e., can be ripped, flinged, tossed or otherwise mutilated prior to consumption are great ways to introduce him into eating better. Best of luck and I’m glad I could help!
Sincerely yours,
Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S.
The Parrotlet Ranch, Owner, www.parrotletranch.com
Join the International Parrotlet Society, – the World’s Largest and Oldest Parrotlet Organization www.internationalparrotletsociety.org
A Chattering Bird Builds No Nest.
Showing posts with label Wing Clipping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wing Clipping. Show all posts
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Changes in Behavior
Hello!
I have a parrotlet that's nearing a year in age. He was purchased from a breeder, and he's generally a well-behaved bird (he doesn't bite, but he has chewed a few of his chest feathers. It started about when we moved into our new apartment a month ago.) Our only real continuing issue is that he wants to fly away whenever he's on your shoulder, or you go to pick him up if he's perched on something. Sometimes saying "step up" first will keep him from doing it, but most of the time it doesn't. It makes it hard to keep him out for long periods, because he wants to flutter over to the cat bed, or under the computer desk, etc. He will always step up when you go to get him, he doesn't bite, and he likes to cuddle some, but I was wondering how to go about teaching him to not do this. I don't want him to get hurt, and I think he'll enjoy us, and we'll enjoy him more, if half our time together out of the cage isn't spent hunting him down as he cruises across the floor or goes to harass the cats. He absolutely loves for me to talk to him through his cage bars, will fluff and coo and mimic noises I make, but once out of the cage, he seems to care more about seeing how far he can flutter and who he can bother.
-Elodie
Dear Elodie:
Thank you for your email. You don’t mention how long you’ve had the bird and that can make a difference in my opinion about his behavior. I will say that moving is stressful for birds and very often does result in behavioral issues including feather destructive behaviors, aggression or handling. I would make sure the bird’s wings have not grown out and are still clipped. If he has recently molted, the feathers will grow back and he could simply be using his nature-given talents of being able to fly. If the wings are still sufficient clipped, then this is simply a matter of continued training. There are no magic words or special tricks, just consistency, patience and performance on your part. Each and every time the bird flies away, you will need to get him and put him back on your finger or perching area. This isn’t about whether or not he likes you or is a good bird, he is simply doing what Mother Nature designed him to do, fly. It’s a very strong instinct and it takes patience, training, timing and consistency in order to stop him. Again, I would check those wings and just keep working with him.
Best of luck!
Sincerely yours,
Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S.
The Parrotlet Ranch, Owner, www.parrotletranch.com
Join the International Parrotlet Society, – the World’s Largest and Oldest Parrotlet Organization www.internationalparrotletsociety.org
A Chattering Bird Builds No Nest.
Camaroonian Phrase
I have a parrotlet that's nearing a year in age. He was purchased from a breeder, and he's generally a well-behaved bird (he doesn't bite, but he has chewed a few of his chest feathers. It started about when we moved into our new apartment a month ago.) Our only real continuing issue is that he wants to fly away whenever he's on your shoulder, or you go to pick him up if he's perched on something. Sometimes saying "step up" first will keep him from doing it, but most of the time it doesn't. It makes it hard to keep him out for long periods, because he wants to flutter over to the cat bed, or under the computer desk, etc. He will always step up when you go to get him, he doesn't bite, and he likes to cuddle some, but I was wondering how to go about teaching him to not do this. I don't want him to get hurt, and I think he'll enjoy us, and we'll enjoy him more, if half our time together out of the cage isn't spent hunting him down as he cruises across the floor or goes to harass the cats. He absolutely loves for me to talk to him through his cage bars, will fluff and coo and mimic noises I make, but once out of the cage, he seems to care more about seeing how far he can flutter and who he can bother.
-Elodie
Dear Elodie:
Thank you for your email. You don’t mention how long you’ve had the bird and that can make a difference in my opinion about his behavior. I will say that moving is stressful for birds and very often does result in behavioral issues including feather destructive behaviors, aggression or handling. I would make sure the bird’s wings have not grown out and are still clipped. If he has recently molted, the feathers will grow back and he could simply be using his nature-given talents of being able to fly. If the wings are still sufficient clipped, then this is simply a matter of continued training. There are no magic words or special tricks, just consistency, patience and performance on your part. Each and every time the bird flies away, you will need to get him and put him back on your finger or perching area. This isn’t about whether or not he likes you or is a good bird, he is simply doing what Mother Nature designed him to do, fly. It’s a very strong instinct and it takes patience, training, timing and consistency in order to stop him. Again, I would check those wings and just keep working with him.
Best of luck!
Sincerely yours,
Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S.
The Parrotlet Ranch, Owner, www.parrotletranch.com
Join the International Parrotlet Society, – the World’s Largest and Oldest Parrotlet Organization www.internationalparrotletsociety.org
A Chattering Bird Builds No Nest.
Camaroonian Phrase
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Aggressive Baby Parrotlet
Hi, Sandee. HELP! I have a beautiful 15 week old female Pacific Blue parrotlet that I am totally in love with! We got her from a reputable breeder where she was hand fed, and we brought her home at 11 weeks. We also have a five month old male parakeet who adores her. He is Elvis, her name is Tiffany. We keep them in separate cages at night and for parts of the day when no one is available to supervise. There are times during the day when they are free to fly around my kitchen/den area; the parrotlet will venture out first and the parakeet will then call her and finally go to her when she ignores him! They do have plenty of supervised play time together as well as apart; they will groom each other, take naps close together, and infrequently get into a squabble which is short-lived. They visit each other's cages and eat each other's food as the mood strikes them. Usually those activities are cooperative, but she is sometimes territorial and " bossy " with him, in either cage. She has plenty of chewy toys and a varied diet including fruits/veggies/grains, and a seed/pellet mix. We aim for twelve hours of darkness at night but it usually ends up being less than that because we keep them in our family room.
Tiffany seems very attached to me as I am a stay-at-home mom and handle her the most. She will fly to the room I am in and then walk on the floor to me, or fly to my shoulder/head. She knows the step-up command and SEEMED to know " no " until very recently.
Up until the last few days, she was nippy at times but not overly so and responded to a puff of air in the face and a stern "no bite". However, she has now started biting our hands/fingers very hard ( even me), frequently, and repeatedly, often 5-6 times in a row despite the negative responses we give her. There is nothing new or different that I can pinpoint which caused this change. I praise her EFFUSIVELY when she doesn't bite and always speak to her very gently and lovingly. She also is INSANELY curious and will try to knaw on collar buttons or jewelry. She reminds me of my teething infants!
We have tried "time- outs" but don't have a separate cage for this, we just put her in her own big cage. Tonight I used a spray bottle 3-4 times to spray her when she bit me, with the result that she flew away from me. I don't want to de-socialize her as she is a very friendly and vivacious little soul, but neither do I want her to continue trying dig holes in my flesh!! Are we wrong to allow the two birds to socialize together, often for an hour or two? Is that somehow causing her escalation in biting ? The parakeet is not as social as she is but doesn't nip either. How do I manage this behavior- handle her more or less, cage her more or less, etc.? I would really appreciate any direction you can give me. I really love this little gal but I don't want beakmarks all over my hands!
Thank you.
Julie
Dear Julie:
Thank you for your email. I am assuming since the bird is flying all over the place, her wings are not clipped. You need to clip them. Letting a baby parrotlet have free-reign over the house with no means of control would be like letting a toddler get behind the wheel of your car. The bird's wings need to be clipped and training needs to start. Parrotlets are very smart and this bird is simply doing what comes naturally - she has the ability to fly and therefore you have no control over her. At this point, all she is learning is that a) her territory consists of the entire house (causes escalating aggression in parrotlets and b) she can do whatever she wants since she can fly and you cannot. She is learning to be aggressive, territorial and bite harder and harder until the people back off and she can do whatever she wants. And just like a spoiled toddler, she will not behave in an acceptable manner - her behavior will continue to escalate.
You need to get her wings clipped and keep them that way and then start with formal training sessions of stepping up, 'no', no bite and all the other 'control' commands she needs to learn in order to be a happy, healthy member of your family.
Hope this helps!
Sincerely yours,
Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S.
The Parrotlet Ranch, Owner, www.parrotletranch.com
Join the International Parrotlet Society, – the World’s Largest and Oldest Parrotlet Organization www.internationalparrotletsociety.org
A Chattering Bird Builds No Nest.
Camaroonian Phrase
Tiffany seems very attached to me as I am a stay-at-home mom and handle her the most. She will fly to the room I am in and then walk on the floor to me, or fly to my shoulder/head. She knows the step-up command and SEEMED to know " no " until very recently.
Up until the last few days, she was nippy at times but not overly so and responded to a puff of air in the face and a stern "no bite". However, she has now started biting our hands/fingers very hard ( even me), frequently, and repeatedly, often 5-6 times in a row despite the negative responses we give her. There is nothing new or different that I can pinpoint which caused this change. I praise her EFFUSIVELY when she doesn't bite and always speak to her very gently and lovingly. She also is INSANELY curious and will try to knaw on collar buttons or jewelry. She reminds me of my teething infants!
We have tried "time- outs" but don't have a separate cage for this, we just put her in her own big cage. Tonight I used a spray bottle 3-4 times to spray her when she bit me, with the result that she flew away from me. I don't want to de-socialize her as she is a very friendly and vivacious little soul, but neither do I want her to continue trying dig holes in my flesh!! Are we wrong to allow the two birds to socialize together, often for an hour or two? Is that somehow causing her escalation in biting ? The parakeet is not as social as she is but doesn't nip either. How do I manage this behavior- handle her more or less, cage her more or less, etc.? I would really appreciate any direction you can give me. I really love this little gal but I don't want beakmarks all over my hands!
Thank you.
Julie
Dear Julie:
Thank you for your email. I am assuming since the bird is flying all over the place, her wings are not clipped. You need to clip them. Letting a baby parrotlet have free-reign over the house with no means of control would be like letting a toddler get behind the wheel of your car. The bird's wings need to be clipped and training needs to start. Parrotlets are very smart and this bird is simply doing what comes naturally - she has the ability to fly and therefore you have no control over her. At this point, all she is learning is that a) her territory consists of the entire house (causes escalating aggression in parrotlets and b) she can do whatever she wants since she can fly and you cannot. She is learning to be aggressive, territorial and bite harder and harder until the people back off and she can do whatever she wants. And just like a spoiled toddler, she will not behave in an acceptable manner - her behavior will continue to escalate.
You need to get her wings clipped and keep them that way and then start with formal training sessions of stepping up, 'no', no bite and all the other 'control' commands she needs to learn in order to be a happy, healthy member of your family.
Hope this helps!
Sincerely yours,
Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S.
The Parrotlet Ranch, Owner, www.parrotletranch.com
Join the International Parrotlet Society, – the World’s Largest and Oldest Parrotlet Organization www.internationalparrotletsociety.org
A Chattering Bird Builds No Nest.
Camaroonian Phrase
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Parrotlet Picking Favorites
Hi Sandee,
I have been reading you blogs on facebook lately and I love the information you provide. I have a question that I am hoping you can help with.
My husband bought our pacific parrotlet september of 09 and he took a liking to us both, but recently we have noticed that he is very protective of me. He always choses me over my husband to land on and he attacks my husband if he tries to come close to me. Is there anything we can change to help with this?
Thank you,
Amanda
Dear Amanda:
Thank you for your email. Sorry for the delay in my response but I’ve had a family emergency this week.
This behavior is typical for parrots and of course, since parrotlets are true parrots, this kind of thing can develop. I do note that you say ‘he always chooses me to land on’, so I take it his wings aren’t clipped? I always recommend keeping a parrotlet’s wings clipped for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, safety. Parrotlets can easily fly into a window and be injured or killed. They can also drown in a sink or even cup of water, can be stepped on, sat on, crushed, electrocuted if they chew on wires, poisoned from chewing on plants or other toxic items including metal or painted or lacquered wood, burned on a stove or if there is an open flame or even escape.
The next reason is behavioral. You cannot control a parrotlet whose wings are clipped and negative behavior is often the result. They often learn to bite by simply biting harder and harder until the person lets go. They can also become territorial and aggressive, which is what your parrotlet is doing. Parrotlets are kings of all they survey and if they are free flying around the house, the entire house becomes their territory and they will become territorial with their owners. After all, they can fly and you can’t so obviously they must be in charge!
My suggestion would be to get your bird’s wings clipped and not allow him free rein of the house. He will soon settle down and go back to being manageable.
Best of luck and I hope this helps!
Sincerely yours,
Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S.
The Parrotlet Ranch, Owner, www.parrotletranch.com
Join the International Parrotlet Society, – the World’s Largest and Oldest Parrotlet Organization www.internationalparrotletsociety.org
A Chattering Bird Builds No Nest.
Camaroonian Phrase
I have been reading you blogs on facebook lately and I love the information you provide. I have a question that I am hoping you can help with.
My husband bought our pacific parrotlet september of 09 and he took a liking to us both, but recently we have noticed that he is very protective of me. He always choses me over my husband to land on and he attacks my husband if he tries to come close to me. Is there anything we can change to help with this?
Thank you,
Amanda
Dear Amanda:
Thank you for your email. Sorry for the delay in my response but I’ve had a family emergency this week.
This behavior is typical for parrots and of course, since parrotlets are true parrots, this kind of thing can develop. I do note that you say ‘he always chooses me to land on’, so I take it his wings aren’t clipped? I always recommend keeping a parrotlet’s wings clipped for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, safety. Parrotlets can easily fly into a window and be injured or killed. They can also drown in a sink or even cup of water, can be stepped on, sat on, crushed, electrocuted if they chew on wires, poisoned from chewing on plants or other toxic items including metal or painted or lacquered wood, burned on a stove or if there is an open flame or even escape.
The next reason is behavioral. You cannot control a parrotlet whose wings are clipped and negative behavior is often the result. They often learn to bite by simply biting harder and harder until the person lets go. They can also become territorial and aggressive, which is what your parrotlet is doing. Parrotlets are kings of all they survey and if they are free flying around the house, the entire house becomes their territory and they will become territorial with their owners. After all, they can fly and you can’t so obviously they must be in charge!
My suggestion would be to get your bird’s wings clipped and not allow him free rein of the house. He will soon settle down and go back to being manageable.
Best of luck and I hope this helps!
Sincerely yours,
Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S.
The Parrotlet Ranch, Owner, www.parrotletranch.com
Join the International Parrotlet Society, – the World’s Largest and Oldest Parrotlet Organization www.internationalparrotletsociety.org
A Chattering Bird Builds No Nest.
Camaroonian Phrase
Friday, January 7, 2011
3 Common Myths About Parrotlets
Hello Sandee,
I stumbled across your page today while trying to gain some insight into my parrotlets. I live in the uk. I bought my husband a green parrotlet for Christmas, we were told he was being tamed but seems as though he has had little or no contact. I treated him the same way I tamed our budgie ( I am aware that they are completely different species btw) so thought maybe as I was getting no where fast that maybe I should seek advice from parrotlet owners/breeders as I was almost certainly going to have to tame differently to budgie taming.
I took it slow, spoke very calmly, even singing softly to him which he seemed to relax when I did so, I offered millet and found he certainly calmed down when using this method, he will let me get around an inch away from him, he'll happily eat the millet I am offering, he will even lean forward for it. I was told by the breeder NOT to clip his wings as We read it helps with training and bonding, We joined a parrotlet forum and were advised to clip his wings, I then asked the parrot centre near us if they provided a wing clipping service, who advised strongly against wing clipping and said parrotlets are very sensitive stressful birds who when young can and do die from stress, and that they strongly advise against wing clipping as they are delicate little birds who can be harmed very easily, so now I feel very confused! I was also advised to keep them together! We currently have a pair one blue female and one green male, and another green male. We are very very confused on what to do for the best! The advice we have been given so far has been so conflicting! Could you please let us know what is best for our little feathered friends, I was also advised against taming our parrotlets as the stress may kill them? Any info would be so appreciated. Many thanks,
Kind regards Gemma.
Goodness Gemma. I'm not sure where to start with this! So much misinformation!
First, you absolutely need to have the bird's wings clipped. There is no way you are going to be able to control this bird and get him used to you with out it. Also, it is a safety issue. Parrotlets are very tiny and can easily be injured or killed if they are fully flighted and allowed out of their cage. They can drown in a toilet or sink, they can get stepped on, they can burn on the stove, another pet could attack them, they can escape and never be seen again. They also become very territorial and aggressive when they are fully flighted. After all, they can fly and you can't so all they have to do is bite you harder and harder until you let go and then viola! They have now been taught to bite! So, in the interest in training and for the bird's own safety, clip those wings. Please remember that unlike larger parrots that can barely make it around a room, a parrotlet can fly very fast in a small area and if they hit a window or mirror, they will certainly break their necks or have a skull fracture. Also, unlike the bigger parrots, parrotlets can still fly very well even with clipped wings because they are so aerodynamic and will still be able to get exercise and not get fat.
I can't believe after all this time people still believe the myth that parrotlets are fragile little creatures that will die if they become stressed. Nothing could be further from the truth. If you don't believe me, stick your hand in a nestbox with a hen on eggs or has babies. She will rip into your hand and certainly make you bleed. I clip all my babies before they go home and that's at 7-8 weeks of age. Parrotlets are one of the toughest birds you can have - they are fearless and indeed, one of their biggest problems is that they are often too bold and will attack other birds including other parrotlets or even other animals. My Doberman learned a long time ago to stay away from those nasty little things with feathers and beaks because they bite! And they bite hard!
Obviously, this is the same for the taming question. If the birds were hand-fed and imprinted (socialized) then they absolutely need human companionship. Parrotlets are true parrots and just because they are small, it doesn't mean they don't need interaction with their owners on a regular basis. I have clients whose birds go to school with them, work, go on vacations, I myself travel with breeders (who are not tamed or socialized) on airplanes and by car all the time. I travel thousands of miles with my birds and they enjoy the change of scenery and the interaction of new things. A pet parrotlet that has been socialized and trained is one of the most loving birds you can keep. I have sold them to children, the elderly and people who are handicapped. They make gentle, loving pets and enjoy their human families. Indeed, most will cling to the bars of the cage and chirp until you take them out and play with them.
Ok, the last myth. I almost NEVER recommend that people get two parrotlets. Again, this is because they are aggressive and territorial birds and even if they are siblings, one will usually become dominant over the other and 'share' is not a word in the parrotlet vocabulary. The dominant bird will not let the other eat, drink, perch, play or even interact with you. They look at the other bird as a competitor or rival not a companion. If you do get two, you will have to keep them in separate cages and only allow them physical contact with one another on neutral territory and only if they are supervised.
Sincerely yours,
Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S.
The Parrotlet Ranch, Owner, www.parrotletranch.com
Join the International Parrotlet Society, – the World’s Largest and Oldest Parrotlet Organization www.internationalparrotletsociety.org
A Chattering Bird Builds No Nest.
Camaroonian Phrase
I stumbled across your page today while trying to gain some insight into my parrotlets. I live in the uk. I bought my husband a green parrotlet for Christmas, we were told he was being tamed but seems as though he has had little or no contact. I treated him the same way I tamed our budgie ( I am aware that they are completely different species btw) so thought maybe as I was getting no where fast that maybe I should seek advice from parrotlet owners/breeders as I was almost certainly going to have to tame differently to budgie taming.
I took it slow, spoke very calmly, even singing softly to him which he seemed to relax when I did so, I offered millet and found he certainly calmed down when using this method, he will let me get around an inch away from him, he'll happily eat the millet I am offering, he will even lean forward for it. I was told by the breeder NOT to clip his wings as We read it helps with training and bonding, We joined a parrotlet forum and were advised to clip his wings, I then asked the parrot centre near us if they provided a wing clipping service, who advised strongly against wing clipping and said parrotlets are very sensitive stressful birds who when young can and do die from stress, and that they strongly advise against wing clipping as they are delicate little birds who can be harmed very easily, so now I feel very confused! I was also advised to keep them together! We currently have a pair one blue female and one green male, and another green male. We are very very confused on what to do for the best! The advice we have been given so far has been so conflicting! Could you please let us know what is best for our little feathered friends, I was also advised against taming our parrotlets as the stress may kill them? Any info would be so appreciated. Many thanks,
Kind regards Gemma.
Goodness Gemma. I'm not sure where to start with this! So much misinformation!
First, you absolutely need to have the bird's wings clipped. There is no way you are going to be able to control this bird and get him used to you with out it. Also, it is a safety issue. Parrotlets are very tiny and can easily be injured or killed if they are fully flighted and allowed out of their cage. They can drown in a toilet or sink, they can get stepped on, they can burn on the stove, another pet could attack them, they can escape and never be seen again. They also become very territorial and aggressive when they are fully flighted. After all, they can fly and you can't so all they have to do is bite you harder and harder until you let go and then viola! They have now been taught to bite! So, in the interest in training and for the bird's own safety, clip those wings. Please remember that unlike larger parrots that can barely make it around a room, a parrotlet can fly very fast in a small area and if they hit a window or mirror, they will certainly break their necks or have a skull fracture. Also, unlike the bigger parrots, parrotlets can still fly very well even with clipped wings because they are so aerodynamic and will still be able to get exercise and not get fat.
I can't believe after all this time people still believe the myth that parrotlets are fragile little creatures that will die if they become stressed. Nothing could be further from the truth. If you don't believe me, stick your hand in a nestbox with a hen on eggs or has babies. She will rip into your hand and certainly make you bleed. I clip all my babies before they go home and that's at 7-8 weeks of age. Parrotlets are one of the toughest birds you can have - they are fearless and indeed, one of their biggest problems is that they are often too bold and will attack other birds including other parrotlets or even other animals. My Doberman learned a long time ago to stay away from those nasty little things with feathers and beaks because they bite! And they bite hard!
Obviously, this is the same for the taming question. If the birds were hand-fed and imprinted (socialized) then they absolutely need human companionship. Parrotlets are true parrots and just because they are small, it doesn't mean they don't need interaction with their owners on a regular basis. I have clients whose birds go to school with them, work, go on vacations, I myself travel with breeders (who are not tamed or socialized) on airplanes and by car all the time. I travel thousands of miles with my birds and they enjoy the change of scenery and the interaction of new things. A pet parrotlet that has been socialized and trained is one of the most loving birds you can keep. I have sold them to children, the elderly and people who are handicapped. They make gentle, loving pets and enjoy their human families. Indeed, most will cling to the bars of the cage and chirp until you take them out and play with them.
Ok, the last myth. I almost NEVER recommend that people get two parrotlets. Again, this is because they are aggressive and territorial birds and even if they are siblings, one will usually become dominant over the other and 'share' is not a word in the parrotlet vocabulary. The dominant bird will not let the other eat, drink, perch, play or even interact with you. They look at the other bird as a competitor or rival not a companion. If you do get two, you will have to keep them in separate cages and only allow them physical contact with one another on neutral territory and only if they are supervised.
Sincerely yours,
Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S.
The Parrotlet Ranch, Owner, www.parrotletranch.com
Join the International Parrotlet Society, – the World’s Largest and Oldest Parrotlet Organization www.internationalparrotletsociety.org
A Chattering Bird Builds No Nest.
Camaroonian Phrase
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