(631) 732-1494
512 Middle Country Rd. Coram, NY 11727
(Covid Hours)
Mon - Fri 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Sat - Sun
12:00-5:00pm
We specialize in Handfed Baby Birds and DNA testing!
About Us
Hello and Welcome to First Flight Exotic Birds Website!
First Flight Exotic Birds is the a Full service and complete Bird Store located at 514 Middle Country Rd. Coram, NY, on Long Island.
First Flight Exotic Birds was founded and is still operated by owner Tom Peraze and has been in business for over 40 years.
Tom's love for birds shows inside and out, and his way with birds is truly a gift, while his knowledge and experience are second to none.
If your bird is not behaving like it used to and possibly showing signs of aggression, it might make sense to consult a Bird Behaviorist.
If this is the case, you're in luck because First Flight Exotic Birds has one of the best around.
On-location in our Coram store, Terri Laveroni is our certified Bird Behaviorist since 1992 Terri helped pet owners that have birds that are exhibiting behavioral issues. Because of her vast knowledge and experience she will be able to assist you with your disruptive birds behaviors. Call for an appointment at
631-732-1494
To learn more about our Bird Behaviorist Click Here >>>>>>
Types of Birds
List of Services
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The African Grey CongoList Item 1
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AfricanGreyTimnehList Item 2
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The Blue Fronted AmazonList Item 3
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The Double Yellow Headed AmazonList Item 4
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The Green Cheeked Amazon
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The Lilac Crown Amazon
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The Red-Lored Amazon
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The Sonora Lilac Crowned Amazon
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The White Fronted Amazon
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The Yellow Crowned Amazon,
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Black-headed Caique
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White-bellied Caiques
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Abbots Lesser Sulfur-Crested Cockatoo
List of Services
List of Services
Basic but essential Bird Information!
Foods and Feeding
Foods available for birds include:
First Flight Exotic Birds offers Bird feed mixes that are specific for each type of bird offering a mixture of both formulated foods and seed.
Our Bird Food consists of a mixture of seeds, formulated foods, some supplements, and usually additional vitamins.
Formulated diets; pelleted or extruded.
Supplements can be provided in addition to any of the birds diets.
Seed Only Diets
Supplements (provided in addition to any of the diets).
Bird feed mixes (specific to each type of bird) consist of a mixture of seeds, formulated foods, some supplements, and usually additional vitamins. Bird mixes are generally regarded as suitable especially when provided with additional supplements.
Seed only diets offer much more variety but requires additional vitamin and calcium supplements.
(seed only diets cont)
In the wild many birds eat seed as a major portion of their diet. Many birds need not only nutritional requirements met but also variety for psychological enrichment.
All seeds contain protein and are roughly divided into either a cereal type seed such as millet, or an oil type seed such as sunflower seed. To provide a balanced diet, minerals, amino acid, vitamins and trace elements can be added as a supplement to seed or water.
There are pros and cons to feeding only a formulated diet, or to feeding only a seed diet.
Formulated Diets
Formulated diets provide a good nutritional base, containing all the necessary minerals and vitamins, so additional vitamins are not required.
However, formulated diets do not contain the phytonutrients (antioxidant pigments) that are found in vegetables, fruits, grains, and seeds.
Phytonutrients are believed to boost the immune system, help a body to heal itself, and to prevent some diseases.
Many birds also become bored with a formulated diet due to the lack of variety.
Offering supplements can help provide the phytonutrients and help offset boredom.
Supplements
Supplements can be used to enrich all types of diets.
Supplements include soaked and sprouted seed, fruits, vegetables and even some green plants (make sure they are non-toxic). All types of fruits are a good supplement such as apples, pears, plums, cherries, grapes, oranges, bananas, mangos, papayas, and even berries such as strawberries and blueberries.
Vegetables are also good supplements such as carrots, cucumbers, zucchini, many garden vegetables, and even dandelions and chickweed. Do not feed avocado as it may be toxic to birds!
Additional proteins can be offered to some birds about every 1 1/2 weeks such as cottage cheese, hard boiled eggs, and even canned dog food. Many birds will eat what you eat. Be sure anything you offer is not toxic to your bird. Most foods are okay but there are a few, such as avocado, that can poison birds.
Cuttlebone and calcium blocks
will also provide necessary minerals for maintaining your birds health. Finely ground shells and other natural minerals can be added to regular grit.
Some seed eating birds need grit. This applies especially to birds such as pigeons and doves that eat their seed whole without shelling it first. It is an essential to aid in digestion to seeds eaten unshelled, as these birds use it in their crop to grind the seed. Grit also contains valuable minerals and trace elements, and though not necessary for digestion will aid some birds if offered in limited amounts.
Birds that are not primarily seed eaters do not require grit or cuttlebone.
Mynah's and Toucans will eat softbill food.
Lories and Lorikeets eat pollens and nectars.
These types of birds major diet consists of fruits like apples, bananas, pears, and grapes. They also will eat soaked dried fruits, canned fruits and natural juices. All of these are easy to supply. There are also commercially prepared pellets and powders available.
Interaction and Playing with your bird
You can help keep a mature parrot more mentally and physically active as they get older by playing fun games with them. A mature parrot is harder to challenge than a juvenile. The games they play with you can be the highlight of a mature parrot?s day.
Laughter is an essential ingredient to effective playtime. Another essential ingredient is praise. Parrots love to hear us laugh. Some parrots even laugh with us. A parrot that learns to laugh will sometimes call their owners to play with them by laughing.
The sound of a parrot laughing is music to a parrot lovers ears.
Repeatedly playing a game with your parrot results in the bird developing a skill set for that game. He learns to excel at playing that game. Find actions that your parrot excels in performing and provide him with opportunities to perfect these skills. Your reward will be a happy, well-adjusted companion.
Remember that laughter is important for a happy bird, so for maximum results, laugh a lot when you play games with your bird
The following is a list with descriptions of some interactive games you can play with your bird.
Toss, Fetch and Catch - which are variations of games which use a soft, lightweight object such as a Koosh ball or soft stuffed toy. Either you or the bird tosses it and the other one catches it. Many birds love the ball even if they never learn to toss. When you toss the ball back to the bird, do it gently and have it land a few inches to the side of the bird. Place birdy items in a drawer the bird can get into. Like your clean sock drawer. Hide surprises in the drawer like walnuts and new foot toys and let the birdy find them. A box may be substituted.
Singing games, like Itsy Bitsy Spider, BINGO, When you?re Up, etc. You want to raise the bird high in some song parts or swing them in other song parts; whatever the bird likes best to make the game fun. Play Bat Bird, lay on your back and hold your bird in the air singing batman.
Flying through the air games with the bird on your hand. You steady the bird and take it through the house and play airplane or roller coaster. Just go easy so you don't make the bird ill.
Pick up - the bird tosses something off and you either laugh or say, "Uh Oh" and pick up the item over and over and over. I can do that too game.
The bird does something like stretch and you imitate him and then you do something like raise your arm and see if he will learn to imitate you.
Blink. You blink, they blink.
Peek a boo. Use a towel, a blanket or a cat tunnel. Gently cover the bird and lift the corner to show the bird's head saying
Peek a boo.
Read them children?s books for entertainment, like pop-up books and musical books, and also try to teach them colors, shapes and parts of their body.
Teach them to lay on their back in your lap. Then you can tickle their tummies and give them little toys to fight with upside down.
Horsey is gonna get you,Tap your nails on the surface and walk your fingers toward the bird saying the above and tickle their tummy or chest.
Get on the floor or on your bed with your bird and play with them. Take toys and even a box of soda straws and let them dump them and play with them while you play too. Just about every activity you do with them on the floor, even watching television together down there, is interactive and special to the bird.
Foot play, a wonderful game you can do together. The bird offers its foot and you shake and set it back and try to teach the bird different things to do with the foot like wave and kiss the footie.
Take your parrot outside in your arms on a harness and leash. While outside, play word games with your parrot. Parrots are attentive outside.
Make a Mess Games. Some parrots love to shred and tear paper. Get some tissue paper for both of you. Rip yours and play with your bird. The bigger the mess, the more fun the parrot is having.
Watch for opportunities to make a game from the things you do together.
We are serious adults in a serious world. Playtime with our parrots is something that is hard for many of us at the beginning. We simply have not played in years. It is worth your time in the reward to your parrot?s happiness. Bonding with their human, entertainment for both of you and intellectual challenge to the parrot are some benefits to be gained from playing interactively with your parrot. It just might lower your blood pressure and give you a better outlook too, so have fun with your parrot and praise him/her.
Cage Living
Birds should be housed in a cage that is as roomy as possible, especially birds that will spend most or all of their time in the cage.
Birds need to be able to stretch their wings and flap them without hitting anything. They should also be able to make short flights.
Did you know that Horizontal Bars are very important for Birds who like to climb Like Parakeets, cockatiels, and lots of playful parrots?
Keep in mind that the spacing of the bars need to be small enough that the bird cannot get its head through them.
Metal bars are good for birds that like to chew.
Also, it is better if the cage is easy to clean. Many cages have a slide-out tray and an easily removable grate.
Placement of the Cage:
The cage should be placed in a draft-free area that is well lit, but not in direct sunlight. To make your birds feel secure and comfortable, keep their cage against a wall or in a corner, and at eye level if you hang it from the ceiling.
Aviary Living
Aviaries are beneficial in providing large areas for birds, often with the intent of breeding. Aviaries can be either indoors or outdoors. Some birds are very noisy and can be a nuisance to close neighbors.
So if your birds are loud, you may want to keep them in an indoor aviary or in a remote area.
Indoor Aviaries
give you the ability to control temperature, lighting, noise and humidity. An indoor aviary is often a room in a home devoted to birds. The windows are covered with wire and the door often has a wired porch with two doors to pass through . These are to keep your birds from flying out. Some indoor aviaries are simply a bird room with extra large cages. Doing it this way, the doors and windows don?t need to be screened in.
Outdoor Aviaries can provide your birds with a natural environment and are designed in a wide variety of styles. Because the birds are exposed to the weather, they must have indoor sheltering, possibly heated or cooled, if conditions get extreme. Outdoor aviaries always need a shaded area and wind breaks. Trees or large branches can fit in nicely to create a comfortable home, but must be of non-toxic woods.
Perches not only provide standing places for birds, but also give them an opportunity to exercise their beaks and keep their beaks trim. Perch size and shape can vary depending on the bird, but should fit their feet. A 1 inch perch is comfortable for most parrots and a 1/2 inch perch suits smaller birds. Round and oval wooden perches are often used, and sometimes plastic perches are used for small birds. Variety in both size and shape is important to exercise your birds feet. Natural branches are great for providing this variety. Concrete perches make nice additional perches for parrots to help them keep both nails and beak trim.
Accessories
Bowls, and toys.
Bowls are needed for foods and treats, water, grit and crushed shell. Small birds can use plastic bowls. Ceramic or stainless steel bowls generally are needed for medium and large parrots. Bigger birds will often chew up plastic bowls, or even pick up their bowls and dump them or toss them to the floor. Built in bowl holders are often a part of the cage and may be designed to keep the bird from removing the bowl. Other bowls are attached with hooks, bolts or clips, and may mount inside or outside the cage depending on the design.
Toys for birds are designed in lots of combinations of woods, leathers, ropes, chains, bells and even acrylics. Toys such as swings and ladders are designed for chewing and climbing, while stainless steel mirrors are for viewing and comfort. The wide range of non-toxic colors, fun textures, shapes and sizes, sounds (and even smells) that you?ll find in bird toys will keep both you and your bird interested in checking out new ones.
A great way to combat boredom and provide exercise!
Click Here to see our stores Picture Gallery
Bird Behaviorist
- Bird Behaviorist can help with you with many bird behavior problems some of these include:
- Biting
- Disruptive Behavior
- Screaming
- Feather Picking / Self-mutiliation
- Chewing
- Territoriality (Jealousy in Pet Birds)
- Phobias Birds
- Sexual Behavior in Birds
- Effective Ways to Discipline Your Pet Bird
Remember that it is important to remain patient and consistent when dealing with Birds that are misbehaving.
When responding to negative behavior don't:
- Ignore negative behavior
- Be very expressive
- Speak softly: Keep your tone of voice low but not loud when you tell your bird that it has done wrong. (short and sweet)
- Place your bird on his cage or perch
Our Bird Behaviorist Terri Laveroni is an avid bird lover and has over over 12 years of experience as a certified Bird Behaviorist, and can assist you with disruptive bird behaviors.
Terri is able to do house calls providing they are within the Long Island, region please call
First Flight Exotic Birds to make an appointment
(631) 732-1494
Boarding
Long term and Short Term Boarding is available at First Flight Birds.
Please call (631) 732-1494 for more information and to make sure we have the space available for the dates you desire.
Grooming
First Flight Exotic Birds offers grooming services for your Bird these include:
- Clipping your bird’s wings
- Trimming your bird’s nails
- Trimming your bird’s beak
See Tom and his Team in action below:
African Grey Parrots
African Greys are known to be the best talkers in the bird world and frequently imitate lots of other sounds including the doorbell, telephones, microwaves, beepers, dripping faucets, and more.
There are two species of African Grey generally kept as pets, the Congo (which has a red patch of feathers on the underside of the tail), and the Timneh (with maroon tail feathers). They make a nice jungle sound when relaxed. When threatened or frightened they make a growling sound.
The Congo African Grey
The African Grey Congo is a beautiful, intelligent parrot, that would make a wonderful addition to your family, as long as you understand their capabilities and have the patience to give them all that they need. Owning a parrot is something that takes lots of love and time, in order to have a good relationship with them. They have definite needs, and if fulfilled, you will have a lifelong friend.
There are many attributes to sharing your world with an African Grey Congo.
They have the intelligence level of a five-year-old, yet the emotional level of a two-year-old. It is quite like having a perpetual toddler in your home. If unattended they have enough abilities to get themselves in trouble, so it is always important to keep an eye on them.
Nevertheless, they love to interact with their family, and will like to be everywhere you are, whether at the kitchen table, or taking a shower. In the wild, the African Grey is a flock bird, so you and your family are their flock in their eyes.
They want to be with you as much as possible. They do not necessarily have to be on you to interact but like to be included in the family activities whether it be watching TV or cleaning the house, as long as they are involved some way, they are happy. The African Grey is known for its talking ability. They usually begin talking anywhere from 3 months to 1 year of age. They are excellent mimics, and have the ability to not only repeat words and sentences, but just about any sound that is a regular in your household. Telephones, microwave beeps, coffeepots are easy for them to imitate. They can have in their repertoire as much as 2000 words. Not only do they speak just as if the person they are imitating is standing right there, they also can feel what we are feeling and are capable of reacting to our emotions. The do not always just repeat, they can understand some of what they say, by knowing the right response what is spoken to them.
The African Grey Congo is without a doubt, very talented, but they are also very skittish. They are cautious of strangers, they have to be eased into new toys and new situations, but if you approach them quietly and calmly winning their trust, they can adapt and be very happy with their human family members. Once they trust you, they are so loyal, and love to have the back of their heads scratched. They will even snuggle under your chin, which is more likely to happen at the end of the day, when they are almost ready for sleep and relaxed.
The African Grey Congo is a medium size bird. They can range in size from 12-14? from their beak to their tail. The normal range for weight is between 400 and 650 grams. The baby parrot will have dark grey, even black eyes until they reach six months of age. After that, their eyes start to lighten, which is a good way to determine if a parrot is less than six months of age. From then until about two years, the eyes will be pale grey in color. When they reach adulthood, at approximately three years of age, they will have a light yellow coloring to their iris. Their beaks are solid black, and after about six to eight weeks of age, their tail feathers turn a beautiful bright red. Another way to determine a young Grey, is if they have they have dark grey tips to their feathers. Around their eyes, they are smooth and white. Most of their plumage is light grey, though some can be a bit darker. Their feet are a dark grey. If given the proper love and nutrition, these birds can live as long as 50-70 years.
The African Grey Congo originates from Central Africa, from the southeast portion of the Ivory Coast extending to western Kenya, down to Tanzania and Angola. Greys from Congo can be somewhat larger, and those from Nigeria can be darker in their wing coverts.
Timnah
African Grey
African Grey Timnahs are known to be the best talkers in the bird world and frequently imitate lots of other sounds including the doorbell, telephones, microwaves, beepers, dripping faucets, and more.
There are two species of African Grey generally kept as pets, the Congo (which has a red patch of feathers on the underside of the tail), and the Timneh (with maroon tail feathers). They make a nice jungle sound when relaxed. When threatened or frightened they make a growling sound.
Amazon Parrots
The Blue Fronted Amazon
The three Amazons, which are known to be the best talkers, are the Yellow Nape, Yellow Head and the Blue Front. In addition to learning a large vocabulary, many will also whistle, sing and mimic household sounds. Blue Fronted Amazons are highly intelligent parrots that may sometimes be moody. The males may become particularly moody when they reach maturity and many will bite at this time. Both males and females may display increased aggression as they reach sexual maturity and during molts.
Patience during this period is required. Blue-Fronted Amazons love to climb and chew on things. They should be supervised at all times if they are let out of their cages, or accidents may happen.
In the wild, Blue-Fronted Amazons often flock with other species of Amazon Parrots. They are found in forests and open savannahs.
In the natural environment, Blue-Fronted Amazons feed primarily on fruits, seeds, vegetables and fruits. In captivity, however, nuts and seeds should be kept to a minimum because they tend to cause obesity in captive Amazons.
The Double Yellow Headed Amazon Parrot
is not only breathtaking, with his beautiful yellow head; he is also an excellent talker. It is no surprise this parrot is a favorite among many parrot fanciers.
The Double Yellow Headed Amazon, also know as The Double Yellow Head or Yellow Headed Amazon, is a friendly parrot. He is known to get along quite well with other birds and truly enjoys human companionship. The friendly behavior of the domestic Double Yellow Head clearly stems from the fact that in the wild this is a very social bird. In the wild, this bird is seen living in large groups. Sometimes the groups will exceed numbers of 100 or more! In addition to being friendly, this bird is also faithful and will form lifelong bonds with its mate in the wild. Being a social creature, the Double Yellow Head, like many Amazons, is a vocal parrot.
If you are looking for a quiet companion this fellow is definitely not for you.
Amazons in general are loud, and the Double Yellow Head is no exception to this rule. It is not unusual to be awoken with loud screeches emanating from your Yellow Head?s cage as he greets the day. They are typically loudest in the morning and at dusk. Often, simply covering your parrot?s cage will quiet this sometimes, annoying behavior. Their vocalizations are not limited to screeching.
The Double Yellow Headed Amazon is well known for his talking ability. There are no guarantees that your Double Yellow Head will be a talker, but generally the Double Yellow Headed Amazon is considered to be one of the best talkers among Amazons, and quite possibly one of the best within the entire parrot group!
The Double Yellow Head has a strong, willful personality and needs an owner with a like personality. They are very smart and will test their owners. Their intelligence gives them a comical personality that is rarely hidden from strangers. They are not shy and love to perform to an audience. Because this parrot is so intelligent, you must never let him become bored. He loves the stimulation of an assortment of toys, and must be given plenty of room to stretch his expansive wings. In addition to playing with toys, this parrot also has a great love of climbing and his cage should provide adequate room for this beloved activity.
One of the largest Amazons, the Double Yellow Headed Amazon will reach 15-16 inches (38-41cm) at maturity. His wingspan averages eight to nine inches (205-235mm).
The most distinguishing feature of the Double Yellow Headed is his bright yellow head. The yellow coloring does not reside merely on the top of the head, lores, or nape, but covers his entire head, extending to the sides and back of his head, as well as to his throat. Most of his body is covered in green feathers that are often tipped in black.
The green feathers, which cover his body, are often mixed with yellow and some even exhibit a reddish margin. The yellow feathers are generally more prominent in males than females. The breast and abdomen typically possess no yellow feathers and are generally only green. In addition to a yellow head and random yellow feathers, the inside of the Yellow Head?s thighs are also yellow, and pretty red feathers are generally seen in the bend of the wing, also mixed with yellow. This gives a very striking effect when the wings are opened to their full glory.
Originating in the Pacific slope of Mexico, specifically Colima, the Double Yellow Headed Amazon is also seen in Guerrero and Michoacan (western region). In spite of his Mexican origins, the Double Yellow Headed Amazon is commonly seen in households all over the world. He is one of the most popular among all the Amazon species.
The Mexican Red-Headed Parrot
The Mexican Red Headed Parrot, also known as the Green-cheeked Amazon, is quite popular in the pet trade in the United States, in other countries they are also kept as pets but the demand is not as high. In the wild this parrot can be recognized by its harsh call, "kee-craw"craw"craw". The Mexican Red Headed Parrot?s natural habitat is the tropical lowlands of Mexico. They are also seen in tropical deciduous forests. These are social parrots that live in large flocks. They are known for being quite loud both in the wild and in captivity. Noisiness is not uncommon in many of the larger parrot species. Their natural diet consists of fruits, berries, seeds, flowers and nectar. In captivity the Mexican Red Headed Parrot does quite well on a formulated parrot diet with daily bowls of cut up fruits and vegetables. All Amazon parrots are prone to obesity so be careful not to feed a staple diet of seeds, which can be very fattening. These parrots are not known for their ability to talk, but do not let this deter you. The Mexican Red Headed Parrot is an affectionate parrot that will bestow much love upon the people it likes. The Mexican Red Headed Parrot is reported to lack the extreme mood swings of other Amazons, this makes him of much more even temperament.
A gorgeous example of an Amazon parrot, the Mexican Red-Headed Parrot is a scant 13 inches long from head to tail. It has brilliant green cheek feathers and a green body, the same color as the cheeks. Blue and red feathers populate lushly under the wings, with yellow tail feathers sticking out in a splash of vibrant color. Males tend to have redder heads than females, and their heads and beaks tend to be larger as well, but genetic testing is the best way to determine the sex of your parrot. Differences in coloration are by no means a guarantee.
Originating in Mexico, the Mexican Red Headed Parrot enjoys a wide range, from extreme North Eastern Mexico (just South of Texas, United States), extending all the way out to the Yucatan Peninsula. In the wild the Mexican Red Headed Parrot has seen a decline, and they are now considered endangered. This is due, in part, to demand for exportation in the pet trade and also to habitat destruction. Strict rules have been set in place to prevent wild caught specimens from being exported. Today it is almost exclusively bred in captivity for the pet market.
The Lilac Crown Amazon
Green Cheeked Amazon
The Green-cheeked Amazon Amazona viridigenalis is a very attractive parrot originating primarily from Northeast Mexico. Overall it is a darker green Amazon, though a paler green underneath, and has iridescent light green cheeks circled in lilac. Its other descriptive names, Red-crowned Amazon and Mexican Red-headed Parrot, are derived from its vibrant crown of bright scarlet.
The Green-cheek Amazon is definitely a more amenable Amazon. It is a pleasant, social Amazon that enjoys its human companions and is not as independent nor as feisty as its cousins. Once in a while it will assert its independence, and when it does it will be obvious. The pupils of their eyes will constrict and light up like little flashlights, this is referred to as the "blazing eye". Its head will come down, the tail feathers will fan out and the wings will extend. This is the Green-cheek Amazons way of saying "just leave me alone", and this usually occurs in breeding season.
This is a favorite among bird lovers for its calm but playful nature. These Red-crowned Amazons loved to have the top of their head and the sides of their face petted, and will frequently just lay their head down for you to provide them with this attention. Some of them are talkers, but most are better at mimicking sounds.
Green-Cheeked Amazons travel in large flocks in the wild. They are very gregarious, and require regular involvement in the routine of their human flock. Keepers will need to make some adjustments when they add an intelligent creature like this to their home as these parrots will become depressed if neglected. They need to be included. With this pet bird you have a companion for meals or watching television, yes, they do watch television.
The Red-Lored Amazon
When most people think of affectionate parrots they usually think of Cockatoos. The red-Lored Amazon is almost always described by their owners as, affectionate and cuddly. The affection and loyalty displayed by the Red-Lored Amazon is only one reason why they make such wonderful pets, another is their striking beauty. Their colorful faces have caused many to claim they are one of the most beautiful Amazons. Some owners also report they are good talkers. Others report only a couple words. As with any parrot breed, there are never any guarantees your pet will talk. In the wild, the Red-Lored Amazon is often characterized as shy and gentle. He is often seen hiding in the leaves of trees in the presence of any unknown disturbance. While generally described as sweet, the temperament of any Amazon can never be guaranteed. Some owners of Red-Loreds have experienced aggression from their Red-Lored, because of jealousy. This parrot is noted to be good at training, perhaps due to his intelligence. Like most other amazons, the Red Lored can be very loud. He will not make a good pet for those wanting a quiet pet. They are notably louder in the spring. There are several subspecies of Red-Lored; we will be discussing the nominate form (Amazona autumnalis autumnalis) here. Red Lored Amazons like to chew and they should be provided plenty of toys.
The Red-Lored Amazon is most noted for his red lores and yellow cheeks. The later explains why he is also commonly known as the ?Yellow Cheeked Amazon?. Like most Amazons, the Red Lored?s plumage is mostly green, around his crown, and the green is edged in a beautiful lilac-blue. The Red-Lored is quite spectacular when he spreads his beautiful wings. The rainbow of colors include secondaries that turn a marvelous deep blue at the tips, and the first five feathers display red wing speculum. His tail is also quite pretty, in green with greenish yellow tips and outer web in blue. His beak is gray with a yellow horn color on the upper mandible. His legs are greenish gray. The Red-Lored is a medium sized Amazon, who at maturity averages 13.5 inches (34 cms) with a wingspan of 7.5 to 8.5 inches (195- 215 mm). The male and female Red-Loreds are difficult to distinguish; though some sources say that eye color is a good way to tell the difference. The males are reported to have golden irises, while mature females have brown irises. To accurately determine the sex of your Red-Lored you should have him or her sexed by your veterinarian.
Unfortunately, the Red-Lored Amazon is on the endangered species list (Number II) for natural occurrence in its native origins, which include Central American and Mexico. For this reason, captive breeding is greatly encouraged and it is not legal to take these parrots from the wild. For this reason, one should NEVER ever buy an imported Red-Lored Amazon.
The Sonora Lilac Crowned Amazon
(Amazona Finschi Woodi) is often confused with his cousin the Lilac Crown Amazon, also called Finschs Amazon (Amazona Finschi Finschi. The literature does not make much distinction between the two species other than slight physical differences. For this reason much of the behavioral discussion here is the same as the Lilac Crown Amazon.
The Sonora Lilac Crowned Amazon is not as well known for talking as other Amazons such as the Double Yellow Headed Amazon, but some maintain he is a good talker. Others hold that he usually is not much of a talker, but some will make surprisingly chatty companions. Several owners of Lilac Crown Amazons claim their Lilac Crowns not only talk, but they sing! It is held that the chances for talking are greatly increased if you raise your Sonora Lilac Crowned Amazon from a baby. There are of course never any guarantees about talking ability. Even if your Sonora Lilac Crowned Amazon never utters a word he is still a wonderful pet.
The Sonora Lilac Crowned Amazon does well in homes with families. If they are socialized well from an early age, they tend to get along well with all family members; this is often not the case with many Amazons. The Sonora Lilac Crowned Amazon displays a very even temperament that stays throughout adulthood. Some other breeds of Amazon become very aggressive as they reach sexual maturity. The Sonora Lilac Crowned Amazon may display a little bad behavior during his sexual maturity but in most cases it passes very quickly. Their even temperament makes them a great choice in family households. Like other Amazons, the Sonora Lilac Crowned Amazon can be noisy. If you want a quiet companion the Sonora Lilac Crowned Amazon is not the pet for you. The Lilac Crown takes great pleasure from making his jungle noises and he should never be forbidden to do so. Another love of the Sonora Lilac Crowned Amazon is chewing. You should provide your Sonora Lilac Crowned Amazon with a variety of toys in their play area to chew on.
The Sonora Lilac Crowned Amazon is slightly larger than his cousin the Lilac Crown Amazon. Averaging a mature size of 13.5 inches (34cm) in length, the Lilac Crowned Amazon is of medium size compared to other Amazons. His wingspan ranges from seven and a half to eight and a half inches (193-215mm). Like most amazons, the primary color of the Sonora Lilac Crowned Amazon is green. His coloring is basically the same as the Lilac Crown Amazon except his feathers are less yellow, and the reddish colors on the forehead are usually duller in color and narrower. His body is accented in many colors. Greenish yellow feathers can be seen decorating the front of his crown, abdomen, ear coverlets, chest, and cheeks. His lores, forehead, and the front of his crown are a reddish brown or maroon color, while pale blue is seen on his nape and the sides of his neck. The wings and tail feathers of the Sonora Lilac Crowned Amazon are quite stunning. The secondary feathers of the wings are seen in a striking violet blue, with red-wing speculum seen on the first five feathers. His tail is green with yellow tips, featuring blue feathers towards the outside of the tail. The colors of the Sonora Lilac Crowned Amazon mature with age. His feet are gray. His beak is yellowish, and his eyes possess a lovely orange iris.
The Sonora Lilac Crowned Amazon originates in Mexico. He is commonly seen in northwestern Mexico. The Sonora Lilac Crowned Amazon does bear a strong resemblance to other parrot species such as the Mexican Red Head and the Green Cheeked Amazon, but closer inspection reveals several differences.
The White Fronted Amazon
The White fronted amazon is not as popular in captivity as some other Amazon species, but it is seen in the pet trade and is known as an intelligent bird. While some White Fronted Amazons never learn to speak, others become very adept at it. One should never purchase a parrot solely for speaking, since even breeds that are known as the best talkers (African Grays are an example) will have members that never speak and only emit an occasional whistle. The White Fronted Amazon enjoys chewing, and for this reason it should be provided plenty of toys and branches. Because of its intelligence, this species can, and will become bored without toys, so they are a must. Additionally unwanted behavior such as feather plucking may result if they are not stimulated. The White Fronted Amazon is very curious about its environment, though it may be shyer than many other popular parrot species. This species should be well socialized to new people and new situations at an early age to prevent unhealthy fear later in life. If this species is not well socialized they may experience extreme fear over new people, toys and other novel stimulus. It should be noted that like most Amazons,the White Fronted Amazon can be very noisy, and for this reason they may not be well suited to apartment life. Additionally they can be quite messy, like all large parrots. These facts should be carefully considered before purchase.
Though the White Fronted Amazon is of average size, when compared to other parrots, it is relatively small when compared to other Amazons. At maturity this species will grow to an average length of only nine to ten inches in length. This species is named for the bright white patch of feathers, which is seen on their foreheads. The amount of white seems to vary from individual to individual. They have green plumage throughout and red cheeks. This species is similar to the Red Lored Amazon in appearance, but the Red Lored has a red forehead, and yellow cheeks. Males and females can be distinguished by appearance. The males have bright red feathers on their shoulders and the females have green shoulders. In addition to the nominate species of White fronted Amazon (Amazona albifrons albifrons) there are two other known subspecies and these include the Lesser White Fronted Amazon (Amazona albifrons nana) and the Sonora White Fronted Amazon (Amazona albifrons saltuensis). All three subspecies are very similar in appearance, though slight color differences exist between the subspecies.
The White Fronted Amazon is native to Central America and Southern Mexico; and is most often seen in small groups of up to 20 birds. They are seen in a variety of different habitats from wet regions such as rain forests, to drier areas such as cactus savannahs. In the wild, they are not shy and people are often able to approach them. Flocks may congregate and people have seen groups that number into the hundreds. These groups may also contain flocks from other species such as the Red Lored Parrot.
The Yellow Crowned Amazon
The Yellow Crowned Amazon, also known as the Yellow Fronted Amazon, or Yellow Headed Amazon, is a very popular parrot in todays households. It is no surprise they enjoy much popularity due to their love of people and the ease with which they respond to taming. In addition, many are excellent talkers. Talking ability will vary between birds and there are not guarantees any bird will talk. This parrot has a love of flying and does very well if kept in an outdoor aviary, though they will also adapt to indoor cages as well. The Yellow Crowned Amazon is known for his loud voice. All Amazons are loud and the Yellow Crowned is perhaps the loudest. Do not get a Yellow Crowned Amazon if you are not prepared for a loud pet. The Yellow Crowned Amazon is one of the most affectionate Amazons, they quickly give as much love and attention to their owners as their owners bestow upon them. The Yellow Crown also has a great love of chewing. His love of chewing can lead to destructive behavior if he is not given plenty of toys suitable for chewing.
The Yellow Crowned Amazon is a handsome parrot. Like most Amazons, his plumage is largely green. His eyes are marked by orange irises. Rainbow markings touch this beautiful bird in many areas. Yellow markings can be seen at the crown, lores, and thighs, and can occasionally be seen in the areas around the eyes. Many have described these yellow markings as a cap. Red markings appear at the bend of the wing, while a yellowish green color marks the edges. The wings are indeed spectacular, as the primaries exhibit a lovely violet-blue, with secondaries also possessing this striking violet-blue at the tips and outer webs. The tail has a yellowish green base with red tail feathers. His gray bill is marked by reddish sides and an upper mandible. He also has gray feet. The immature Yellow Crowns exhibit the same colors as the mature adults, but it is typically more muted and the yellow is not as developed, except at the lores and crown. They also have dark irises. They are medium sized Amazons, averaging 14 inches (36cm) in length with a wingspan of eight to eight and a half inches (198 - 220 mm). Males and Females exhibit no noticeable differences. To determine the sex of your bird you will need to take him/her to a veterinarian for testing.
The Yellow Crowned Amazon originates in South America. Commonly seen in Trinidad, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Surinam, Northern Brazil and Venezuela.
Mexican Red Headed Parrot
Caiques
Black-headed Caique
If you have plenty of time and energy to devote to a pet, the Black-headed Caique may be right for you! These playful little birds are among the most beautiful of the parrot family and if you can devote enough of your time to a Caique, you will be well rewarded.
In the wild, Black-headed Caiques spend most of their time up in the tree tops and love to play with twigs! They eat fruits, berries, and seeds, even fighting with each other over the seeds. They live in flocks, which upon perceived danger, become extremely still before rising into the air in a confusing show of cacophonous noise and flying feathers! Black-headed Caiques seem to have an endless energy supply and personalities, which are best described as ?manic?! They love to play and bathe, and need lots of leafy green branches for chewing. Black-headed Caiques are extremely sociable even though their talking ability is quite limited. If they are kept in a cage they will need lots of exercise and playtime- getting a playpen is suggested! Caiques can be surprisingly aggressive and fearless among other birds, and they will often approach much larger birds. They are really not 6' 5 and bullet-proof? as their demeanor might suggest, and they must be constantly supervised when in the company of larger birds. Their exceptional playfulness begs for a partner, and for those not interested in breeding, two females can do quite well together. A particularly amusing behavior is their habit of hopping rather rapidly across almost any surface, which gives them the look of a wind-up toy. Be sure your bird has many toys and perches in its cage to keep it amused.
The minimum size cage for one Caique is 24 X 24 X 24, the average size of Amazon-sized cages. A better choice would be the Cockatoo-sized cages, usually 36, long X 24 deep X 36 high. The bar spacing should be no larger than 3/4?. The cage must be long and tall enough to fit several perches, a variety of toys, swings and vines. A Caique will use every square inch of the largest cage.
Black-headed Caiques do very well on a basic pellet food supplemented with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables along with grain and sprouted seeds. Although Black-headed Caiques have lots of positive energy, sometimes they can be grumpy and nippy. Caiques need a strong hand to establish dominance because they can become aggressive if handled timidly. When raised correctly and handled firmly, Black-headed Caiques are fun friends! They are very intelligent and can learn a variety of tricks! They especially love to show off, and posture by strutting about importantly to establish their dominance. Caiques are also very affectionate and cuddly birds. Most love being petted and snuggled. The average adult will live between 25 and 40 years.
Growing to about nine inches in length, Black-headed Caiques have predominantly green plumage. They are extremely colorful little birds with black crowns, napes, and foreheads. Their bill is also blackish, and the periopthalmic ring is dark gray like the feet. The iris is red. Black-headed Caiques have orange cheeks, throats, thighs and flanks. Their undersides are a creamy white color, and the undersides of their tails are yellow-orange and olive yellow. Black-headed Caiques primaries and primary coverts are a deep violet or purple-blue color, and the upper sides of their tails have feathers tipped in yellow.
Black-headed Caiques are native to Columbia, Ecuador, Venezuela, the Guyanas, Brazil, and parts of Peru, where it resides in tropical savannahs and forests. First recorded by Linn in 1758, Black-headed Caiques are popular as pets but should only be kept by those who can be patient but firm with them.
More about Black headed Caiques
If you have plenty of time and energy to devote to a pet, the Black-headed Caique may be right for you! These playful little birds are among the most beautiful of the parrot family and if you can devote enough of your time to a Caique, you will be well rewarded.
In the wild, Black-headed Caiques spend most of their time up in the tree tops and love to play with twigs! They eat fruits, berries, and seeds, even fighting with each other over the seeds. They live in flocks, which upon perceived danger, become extremely still before rising into the air in a confusing show of cacophonous noise and flying feathers! Black-headed Caiques seem to have an endless energy supply and personalities, which are best described as manic!
They love to play and bathe, and need lots of leafy green branches for chewing. Black-headed Caiques are extremely sociable even though their talking ability is quite limited. If they are kept in a cage they will need lots of exercise and playtime- getting a playpen is suggested!
Caiques can be surprisingly aggressive and fearless among other birds, and they will often approach much larger birds. They are really not ?6' 5? and bullet-proof? as their demeanor might suggest, and they must be constantly supervised when in the company of larger birds. Their exceptional playfulness begs for a partner, and for those not interested in breeding, two females can do quite well together. A particularly amusing behavior is their habit of hopping rather rapidly across almost any surface, which gives them the look of a wind-up toy. Be sure your bird has many toys and perches in its cage to keep it amused. The minimum size cage for one Caique is 24 X 24 X 24, the average size of Amazon-sized cages. A better choice would be the Cockatoo-sized cages, usually 36? long X 24? deep X 36? high. The bar spacing should be no larger than 3/4?. The cage must be long and tall enough to fit several perches, a variety of toys, swings and vines. A Caique will use every square inch of the largest cage. Black-headed Caiques do very well on a basic pellet food supplemented with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables along with grain and sprouted seeds. Although Black-headed Caiques have lots of positive energy, sometimes they can be grumpy and nippy. Caiques need a strong hand to establish dominance because they can become aggressive if handled timidly. When raised correctly and handled firmly, Black-headed Caiques are fun friends! They are very intelligent and can learn a variety of tricks! They especially love to show off, and posture by strutting about importantly to establish their dominance. Caiques are also very affectionate and cuddly birds. Most love being petted and snuggled. The average adult will live between 25 and 40 years
Growing to about nine inches in length, Black-headed Caiques have predominantly green plumage. They are extremely colorful little birds with black crowns, napes, and foreheads. Their bill is also blackish, and the periopthalmic ring is dark gray like the feet. The iris is red. Black-headed Caiques have orange cheeks, throats, thighs and flanks. Their undersides are a creamy white color, and the undersides of their tails are yellow-orange and olive yellow. Black-headed Caiques? primaries and primary coverts are a deep violet or purple-blue color, and the upper sides of their tails have feathers tipped in yellow.
Black-headed Caiques are native to Columbia, Ecuador, Venezuela, the Guyanas, Brazil, and parts of Peru, where it resides in tropical savannahs and forests. First recorded by Linn in 1758, Black-headed Caiques are popular as pets but should only be kept by those who can be patient but firm with them.
White-bellied Caiques
In the wild, White-bellied Caiques spend most of their time up in the tree tops and love to play with twigs and with fellow flock members! Some times pairs will travel separately from the flock. They eat fruits, berries and seeds. White-bellied Caiques nest very high in the canopy. Captive-bred White-bellied Caiques seem to have an endless energy supply and enthusiastic personalities! They love to play and bathe, and need an ample supply of leafy green branches for chewing. White-bellied Caiques are extremely sociable even though their talking ability is quite limited.If they are kept in a cage, they will need lots of exercise and playtime- getting a playpen is suggested! Be sure your bird has many toys and perches in his cage to keep him amused; a Cockatiel cage is the right size, but the larger, the better. White-bellied Caiques do very well on a basic pellet food supplemented with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables along with grain and sprouted seeds. When raised correctly and handled firmly, White-bellied Caiques are fun friends! They are very intelligent and can learn a variety of tricks!
Growing to about nine inches in length, White-bellied Caiques have predominantly green plumage. They are extremely colorful little birds with orange upper ear coverts, crowns, napes and foreheads. Their bill is horn colored, and the periopthalmic ring is white. White-bellied Caiques have flesh-colored feet. The iris is red. White-bellied Caiques have yellow throats and cheeks. Their undersides are a creamy white color, and their under-tail covers are yellow in color. White-bellied Caiques? primaries and primary coverts are a deep violet or purple-blue color, and the upper sides of their tails have green feathers. The underside of the tail is a gray-black color.
White-bellied Caiques are native to Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru, where it resides in tropical lowland forests. First recorded by Kuhl in 1820, obscured White-bellied Caiques have recently gained an almost overnight popularity in aviculture. This is wonderful, because as their habitat is destroyed, captive-bred birds may be the only hope for the reintroduction of Caiques to the wild and the preservation of the species.
Cockatoos
The Umbrella Crested Cockatoo
The Umbrella Crested Cockatoo is also known as the White Cockatoo or Umbrella Cockatoo, is one of the most popular of the Cockatoo breeds. His loving personality and friendly antics keep those who meet them entertained for hours.
The Umbrella Cockatoo is highly intelligent, loving and affectionate. They love nothing more than to be snuggled and scratched. Though, like all parrots they can, and often will bite if they are inclined to do so. But in general, because their dispositions are so pleasant the Umbrella Cockatoo has charmed his way into many homes across the world. Though the Umbrella Cockatoo is not for everything. In addition to needing large amount of time from their owners, it should also be noted that like most of the larger parrots the Umbrella Cockatoo can be very loud. For this reason it is probably not well suited for apartment life as neighbors would likely complain. They enjoy chewing and should be given plenty of toys to curb their chewing. They are known for hard chewing and can destroy wood cages easily. They can become quite aggressive during breeding season and therefore care should be taken if they are placed near other birds at this time. It is not uncommon for them to seriously injure another bird during breeding season. All of this aside, the Umbrella Cockatoo does make a great pet provided prospective owners are aware of their needs.
The Umbrella Cockatoo is a very large parrot measuring 18 inches (45cm) at maturity. One of the most charming things about the Umbrella Cockatoo is his smiling face. While they are not actually smiling their cute bills and sparkling black eyes give them a very happy appearance. They have striking white plumage which covers their entire bodies including their striking, broad crests. The crests are backward angled and rise to glory when they are so inclined. A yellowing base is seen on the feathers of the wings. It should be noted that most females will have lighter iris, usually reddish-brown. Immatures look like adult males. The young females will develop their lighter iris by approximately one year of age. It should be noted that at this time it is a grayish-brown. Most females also exhibit smaller heads and crowns.
Native to Indonesia, the wild Umbrella Cockatoo prefers a variety of areas including mangroves, forests, swamps, and other areas with tress or tall secondary vegetation. While their numbers have been reduced due to decline in habitat and trapping, they are not yet endangered.
Abbots Lesser Sulfur-Crested Cockatoo
Abbots Lesser Sulfur-Crested Cockatoo is a beautiful bird that is also known as the Solombo Besar or Medium Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo. They are common in their native Indonesia, although their numbers have declined recently.
Like other Cockatoos, the Abbot?s Lesser Crested-Crested Cockatoo usually makes its home in tree hollows. In some places, they are considered a pest because they eat crops and nest in fields. They have a diverse diet, including seeds, fruit and insects.
Abbot?s Lesser Crested-Crested Cockatoos average around 34cm in total length. They are primarily white in color with yellow markings, from which it derives its names. The yellow coloration appears under the tail and wings and as ear spots. They also have a vibrant yellow crest that resembles a fan. The Abbot?s Lesser Crested-Crested Cockatoo has gray legs and a black beak.
Sulfur-Crested Cockatoos are found on the Indonesian Island of Solombo Besar. This breed of Cockatoo, unlike many other Cockatoos, is considered stable in their native environment and is not ?endangered.? Farmers often consider the bird a pest and try to rid their crops and orchards of the birds by poisoning or shooting them. Abbot?s Lesser Sulfur-Crested Cockatoos are becoming less common because of this reason. They are popular in the international bird trade, however, and are often captured as pets or captive-bred. This results in a larger number of captive birds, and acts to preserve the species somewhat.
Ducorps Cockatoos
The Eleonora Cockatoo
The Eleonora Cockatoo is a striking bird that is quite popular in the pet trade, though they are one of the more expensive parrots, making them less common than their popularity might suggest.
The Eleonora Cockatoo is one of four subspecies of Sulphur Crested Cockatoo. All of these are quite popular in the pet trade, but are often not recommended for beginners. These are highly intelligent birds, which require much attention from their owners. They may also suffer from boredom, because of their intelligence, and should be given plenty of toys and opportunity to interact with their owners.
They are hard chewers and should be given plenty of chew toys otherwise they may be destructive. Like most cockatoos, they are not known to be good talkers, but there are always exceptions. If you are looking for a bird with a strong talking ability, this may not be the bird for you. Like most cockatoos the Eleonora Cockatoo is a social bird that is seen traveling in large flocks in the wild. For this reason, in captivity they require environments where they are given plenty of attention. If they are not allowed a lot of interaction with their owners, behavioral problems, such as screaming and feather plucking may result. In general, the Eleonora Cockatoo is a loud bird and may be even louder during daytime hours when they are left alone.
For this reason they may not be suitable for apartment living. The Eleonora Cockatoo is very affectionate and will usually form a close bond with their owners. They usually love to be cuddled and snuggled as well. Because of their high intelligence, they can often be taught many tricks and are not uncommon in pet shows where parrots perform for audiences. They are generally not nervous and typically do not become startled easily. They should be allowed out of their cages regularly, though they should be closely supervised, as they are curious and known to roam. The Eleonora Cockatoo is also known as the Greater Sulfur Crested Cockatoo and as the Medium Sulphur Crested Cockatoo. It has been reported that hand-raised Eleonoras are less noisy than those that are not. Additionally they are reported to be more independent than some other species of cockatoo.
Like many other cockatoo species, the Eleonora Cockatoo is a larger parrot, measuring 16 inches (40.6 centimeters) to 18 inches (45.7 centimeters) in length.
They have striking white plumage throughout and a beautiful yellow crest, hence their other name, Medium Sulphur Crested Cockatoo. They also have striking yellow feathers under their wings and bellies. They can be distinguished from other subspecies by their smaller beaks. Males, females, and immature individuals can be distinguished by eye color. Both the males and juveniles have darker eyes than females. After two to three years of age, the female?s iris will turn a brownish-red color. Before they have reached this age, if you wish to determine the sex of your parrot, you will need to either use DNA sexing or surgical sexing methods.
The Eleonora Cockatoo is native to Indonesia and the Aru Islands. It is also seen in the Kai Islands, but it is theorized that they are not native to this region, and were instead introduced. Though they are often seen in areas inhabited by humans, the Eleonora Cockatoo is most commonly seen in open woodlands, forests, and semi-arid forested areas, as well as partially cleared forests. They are not uncommon in the wild, though populations have decreased because of habitat destruction, hunting, and trapping for use in the pet trade.
Blue Eyed Cockatoo
Truly an exotic bird, the Blue Eyed Cockatoo is a rare but beautiful parrot that is loved and admired by bird lovers throughout the world.
Sadly the Blue Eyed Cockatoo is extremely rare both in the wild and in captivity. The Blue Eyed Cockatoo is reported to be one of the friendliest and most playful of all the cockatoos. The Blue Eyed Cockatoo does not mind being handled; in fact it seems to enjoy it, allowing itself to be picked up in most any position. In addition to their wonderful personalities, they are also supposed to be great mimics! The native habitat of the Blue Eyed Cockatoo is forested areas as high in elevation as 1,000 meters. The Blue Eyed Cockatoo is social and is usually seen in flocks of as few as two to as many as 10 to 20. The Blue Eyed Cockatoo is rather noisy, both in the wild and in captivity. This is a rather hardy bird that usually does well in captivity after it has had time to adjust.
They enjoy chewing and should be provided many chew toys, so they do not become bored. These are highly intelligent birds that must have mental stimulation at all times in captivity. In addition, branches are a must, both for climbing and perching and for chewing. The average Blue Eyed Cockatoo lives 40 years in captivity. Surprisingly their lifespan in the wild is longer, 50 to 60 years. The decerased lifespan in captivity may be due to improper care.
The Blue Eyed Cockatoo is a beautiful species of cockatoo. At maturity they will average between 45 and 50 centimeters in length and weigh between 500 and 570 grams. Their plumage is largely white, though a striking large yellow and white crest is seen atop their heads. The yellow feathers are behind the white and are often not seen until the crest is raised. Yellow can also be seen under the wings and tail feathers. They get their name from the striking blue rings around their eyes, a distinctive feature to be sure.
They get their name from the striking blue rings around their eyes, a distinctive feature to be sure.
The beak of the Blue Eyed Cockatoo is black. Males and females can often be distinguished by eye color. Males traditionally have a black iris, while the female?s tends to be reddish.
The Blue Eyed Cockatoo is native to the forests of New Britain, New Ireland, and the Bismarck Archipelago.
The Gang Gang Cockatoo
The Gang Gang Cockatoo of Australia is a lovely aviary bird. If you have the space to keep them, these beautiful Cockatoos are a source of constant delight.
In the wild, Gang Gang Cockatoos live in the forest canopy and are quite acrobatic fliers! They are not shy around humans and will eat and drink on the ground quite near to you. They live in flocks of up to 60 birds but pair off for the breeding season. Gang Gangs are migratory birds and spend summer in mountain forests and winter in valleys or low altitude forests. Their voice is described as the sound a cork makes when leaving a wine bottle, without the pop at the end, of course! Gang Gang Cockatoos eat seeds, fruit, berries, greenery and nuts in addition to the occasional insect in the wild. In captivity, their diet should be similar, with a basic small seed mix and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Oats may be added to help with body heat during the winter. Gang Gang Cockatoos also enjoy nuts, corn and dog biscuits or wheat bread. Grit should be supplied on the floor of the aviary along with fresh water. Try to construct a tall or suspended aviary, since Gang Gang Cockatoos in the wild only alight on the ground to drink. Your Gang Gangs need plenty of room to spread their wings and even better, to fly! They love chewing on branches, and Stringy Bark Eucalyptus trees are a particular favorite. Hawthorne branches with the berries on them are another treat for your Gang Gang Cockatoo.
At maturity, a Gang Gang Cockatoo is about 35 centimeters long. Their bodies are predominantly gray, with a small forward-curving crest of wispy feathers. Males have striking red heads and crests in contrast to the gray females. The feathers on Gang Gang Cockatoos have pale white-gray edges. They have horn colored bills, gray periopthalmic rings, brown irises and gray feet. Often the feathers of the lower abdomen and under tail coverts have edges, which are yellow orange. Male Gang Gang Cockatoos often have pale green webbing on their outer primaries. They weigh slightly more than females.
Gang Gang Cockatoos are native to southeastern Australia where they migrate between altitudes depending on the season. They are also found in suburban parks and gardens on occasion. Gang Gang Cockatoos have been introduced to Kangaroo Island and sometimes visit Tasmania. Gang Gang Cockatoos were first recognized by Grant in 1803. They are alternately known as Helmeted Cockatoos, Red-Crowned Cockatoos, Red-Headed Cockatoos, Red-headed Parrots or Red-crowned Parrots.
Citron Crested Cockatoos
Although they are rarer in aviculture than their close relative the Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, Citron Crested Cockatoos are highly valued by enthusiasts.
Citron Crested Cockatoos are social birds, living in pairs or small groups in the wild.
They eat fruits, berries, flowers, nuts and seeds in the wild and will associate with Eclectus Parrots or other birds from time to time. An extremely intelligent bird, the Citron Crested Cockatoo can be taught a variety of amusing tricks and will even perform its own original antics to catch your attention! These birds, although they may not be a good choice as a child?s pet, have fairly gentle natures and quickly form loving bonds with their owners. They adore playtime and attention, although they may not be a good apartment bird since they can occasionally be a bit loud. Citron Crested Cockatoos love to chew, and so should be provided with a variety of chew items. They can be kept in aviaries of 15 by six by six feet. When kept in small enclosures, Citron Crested Cockatoos should be allowed plenty of time for exercise. The enclosure will need to be of metal, as these birds can chew right through wire mesh. Generally, Citron Crested Cockatoos may be fed a good seed mix or pellet diet supplemented with plenty of fruits, vegetables and greenfood. Especially nutritious favorites are peas and apples. Of course, they will also need fresh water available at all times. When your Citron Crested Cockatoo is annoyed, it will indicate this to you by raising and lowering its crest, and if it is extremely alarmed it may hiss. Once acclimatized and familiar with you, Citron Crested Cockatoos tend to make hardy and sweetly affectionate pets.
At maturity, the Citron Crested Cockatoo is about 13 inches long.
They have pristine white plumage save over their heads and on the pale golden- washed undersides of their flight and tail feathers. Their crests are the defining feature of the Citron Crested Cockatoo, and are as lovely as they sound in the bird?s name. A bright splash of citrus-like orange-yellow adorns the crest and is complimented by the paler yellow ear coverts. Citron Crested Cockatoos have gray legs and black bills, and they also have black eyes when they are babies. As they mature, the females eyes will take on a reddish tinge while the males will remain black.
Usually, the crest of males may be a bit more impressive than that of a female, and his bill is also usually a bit bigger.
Citron Crested Cockatoos are native to the Sumba Islands located off the coast of mainland Indonesia. Sadly, in the wild these birds are very much endangered. They have tendencies to raid agricultural areas from time to time in search of food, which does not aid in their popularity. As pets, they tend to be a bit more even-tempered than the Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, and their great beauty makes them a favorite of many people.
The Sulphur Crested Cockatoo
The Sulphur Crested Cockatoo is a beautiful parrot with a funny and often playful personality.
Sulphur Crested Cockatoos are naturally acrobatic and highly trainable. Many are very adept at learning a variety of physical tricks. Like other Cockatoos, they are not known to be good talkers.
If you are looking for a parrot that is known for its talking ability the Sulphur Crested Cockatoo is not the best choice. An African Grey might be a better choice. Sulphur Crested Cockatoos make wonderful companions to those who have plenty of time to spend with them. They are loyal and loving, but they need lots and lots of attention. If ignored or left alone for long periods of time they can develop bad behavioral traits such as screeching and/or feather plucking. They should also be provided with plenty of toys to prevent boredom. Because they are by nature very social animals, plan on spending plenty of time with this parrot. If you do not have large amounts of time, this is not the bird for you. The Sulphur Crested Cockatoo is extremely intelligent and even considered by some to be one of the most intelligent parrots. Although not known for great talking abilities, these birds will often mimic sounds and some may even do a little talking. The Greater Sulphur Crested Cockatoo has a long lifespan, as is true with many parrots. This must be considered before purchase.
Sulphur Crested Cockatoos are magnificent white birds with yellow crests, yellow tail feathers, and yellow under their wings. Black legs and beak set off this look. The crest is the distinguishing characteristic of all cockatoos and their smaller cousins, cockatiels. They are the only parrots to have this feature. In addition to being beautiful crests are also used for communication. Although, not always a sign of impending aggressive behavior, a raised crest should warn you to beware. They range in size up to 20 inches from beak to tail and males can weigh as much as two pounds.
While many are aware of the fact that the Sulphur Crested Cockatoo is indigenous to Australia, many do not realize that they are also seen in Indonesia, and New Guinea. There are several subspecies of Sulphur Crested Cockatoos aside from the nominate form described in this article (galerita galerita). The first of these is the Fitzroy Cockatoo(galerita fitzroyi), which is very rare in captivity. The Eleonora Cockatoo (galerita eleanora) is another subspecies that is fairly common in the pet trade. The Eleonora is the smallest of the Greater Sulphur Crested Cockatoos and is often called the Medium Sulphur Crested Cockatoo. Lastly, the Triton Cockatoo, (galerita triton) is the sub-species most often seen performing in bird shows. The bird on the Baretta series was a Triton Cockatoo. They have very good talking ability compared to other cockatoos and many are also known for being great show-offs.
The Lesser Sulfur Crested Cockatoo
is highly trainable and quite beautiful. It is no surprise this wonderful parrot is popular throughout the world.
The Lesser Sulfur Crested Cockatoo are readily trained to learn tricks. They also have exhibited strong mimicking ability, with many owners reporting speech from their Lesser Sulfur Crested Cockatoo. Like all parrots there are not guarantees your Lesser Sulfur Crested Cockatoo will talk. It has also been reported that the speech of the Lesser Sulfur Cockatoo is not as good as that of the African Grey varieties. The Lesser Sulfur Crested Cockatoo has a strident call and can become quite noisy. If you live in an apartment, you should take this into consideration before making him your pet. Some owners have reported being able to train their Lesser Sulfur Crested Cockatoos to be quieter, but I do not think this is a realistic expectation. Parrots are generally loud, and if you want a quiet pet you should look elsewhere. The Lesser Sulfur Cockatoo has a great love of chewing, he should be provided with a large number of toys, as he is inclined to boredom. This bird will feather pluck if bored. Chewing can also result in escape from his cage if an inappropriate cage is purchased. If you have your heart set on inviting a Lesser Sulfur Crested Cockatoo you should be aware that they carry a large price tag of anywhere between $1600 - $2000. If their loudness and price tag does not scare you away, the Lesser Sulfur Cockatoo could be the pet for you.
The hallmark of the Lesser Sulfur Crested Cockatoo is his striking yellow crest. Their erect crest stands proudly atop his head. The crest of this cockatoo is one of the largest and most impressive among all members. When relaxed the crest lies facing back on his head, but when excited or stimulated it rises straight up standing several inches in height.
The bright yellow feathers are accented by several white feathers beginning the crest at the front. Aside from the brilliant yellow crest the rest of the Lesser Sulfur Crested Cockatoo?s plumage is white. In addition they have soft yellow cheek patches and yellow can be seen on the underside of the tail and wings. They are smaller than some of the other Cockatoo species measuring in at thirteen inches (33 cm) with a wing length of eight to nine and a half inches (21 - 245cm). They black bills and dark brown iris. Males and females look identical except the female typically has a smaller bill and a lighter colored iris, which is brown or reddish in color. The immatures have dark iris in for males and females with lighter feet than the normal adult gray.
The Lesser Sulfur Crested Cockatoo has a fairly wide natural range beginning in Australia and also seen in Singapore, and possibly Indonesia.
The Goliath Palm Cockatoo
The Goliath Palm Cockatoo is perhaps the only parrot in the world that uses tools!
During courtship the males and females will grasp sticks and beat them against hollow logs, like a drum. This is unique to the Palm Cockatoo and helps to distinguish them from the Black Cockatoo.
The Goliath Palm Cockatoo is not common in captivity. This may be due to the fact that they are quite difficult to breed in captivity, and when they are bred in captivity they are usually left in breeding programs to help increase their populations, as they are an endangered species. Because of its endangered status, the Goliath Palm Cockatoo is no longer imported and can only be obtained from domestic breeding programs. They are reported to have quite different personalities than white cockatoos and are generally not seen as pets. Those who have kept them in captivity report that they are usually shy and quite gentle, especially considering their size. They are also not easy to keep in captivity, and most recommend that be kept in captivity only for breeding programs to increase their populations. The Goliath Palm Cockatoo may well be one of the most expensive parrots in the world. They sell for more than the Hyacinth Macaw in most regions. Unlike many other parrot species, Palm Cockatoos are slow risers and are not very active in the morning. The Goliath Palm Cockatoo is an intelligent parrot. They are also quite active and aggressive chewers. They should be given plenty of chew toys and branches to keep them satisfied.
The Goliath Palm Cockatoo is one of the most striking parrots in the world. In addition to their impressive size, their unusual coloring and regal crest make them incredible to behold. It is unusual for a cockatoo because it has grayish-black plumage and red cheeks. Their cheeks may become even redder looking when they get excited. This parrot is very similar in appearance to the Palm Cockatoo (P. a. aterrimus), but it is considerably larger, averaging 27 inches (68 centimeters) at maturity. Their wingspans are equally impressive, measuring 14 to 15.9 inches (35.5 to 40.5 centimeters). Their erect crest is quite beautiful, consisting of curved backward rising feathers. They have dark brown eyes and red tipped black tongues. They also have very large bills, which are much larger than most cockatoos. It almost resembles the bill of a large macaw. Males and females are similar in appearance, except the female has a shorter upper mandible than the male. The upper mandible is also the best way to distinguish juveniles from adults. In the immature individuals it is pale, while in adults it is black.
The Goliath Palm Cockatoo is native to New Guinea and the western Papuan Islands, with the exception of Misool. They are well adapted to the tropical rainforest habitat. This is not the case for all other Cockatoo species, which prefer dry habitats. In the wild, Goliath Palm Cockatoos roost and nest in large trees. These trees are a requirement for all Palm Cockatoo subspecies. Unfortunately, the Goliath Palm Cockatoo is highly endangered in the wild. With luck, captive breeding problems will help to increase their rapidly declining populations.
Conures
Black-Capped Conure
you love Conures but find them a bit too noisy, perhaps you should investigate the Black-Capped Conure! These exquisite birds are quite affectionate and beautiful!
The Peruvian Black-capped Conure is a lot more quiet and laid-back than most Conures.
Occasionally, they have been described as timid. They are sweet and love human companionship and playtime! Black-Capped Conures enjoy bathing. They can be taught a few words or phrases and enjoy singing. One of the most adorable things that your Black-capped Conure will do is to sing in his sleep! Black-capped Conures can even be taught tricks! Like all Conures, your Black-capped Conure needs a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables along with a basic seed mix, and fresh water should always be available to him! In his cage, your Black-capped Conure will need a nesting box so he can retire when he feels shy or tired. He will also need lots of sturdy toys and branches to chew on so that he can be amused.
Black-capped Conures grow to about nine and a half inches in length. They usually weigh around two and a half ounces. True to their name, Black-Capped Conures have black-brown foreheads, crowns, napes and head-backs, although they are predominantly green in color. Often, the nape and head-back feathers have pale edges. The Black-Capped Conure also has a dark brown throat and upper breast, although the feathers have such broad pale edges that the upper part of the bird appears whitish and scaled. The abdomens of Black-capped Conures are tinged with various shades of red, as are the wing edges and primary coverts. The primary colors are slightly tinged with blue, and the top of the tail is green! The tail has a dark gray underside. The feet and legs of Black-capped Conures are also gray, as is the bill. The skin surrounding the periopthalmic ring is white and the iris of the Black-capped Conure is brown.
Black-capped Conures are native to Peru, although they have also been found in northern Bolivia and northeastern Brazil. First recorded by Tschudi in 1844, Black-capped Conures remain quite rare in the United States. There are two subspecies, one that resides only in central Peru, and breeders have considered combining the two. The Black-capped Conure has gained popularity over the years. In German, this bird is known as Steinsittich.
The Blue-crowned Conure
The Blue-crowned Conure
is a favorite among many conure lovers. These lovely birds are affectionate, smart, playful and a joy to be around.
Blue-crowned Conures live in large flocks in the wild. They like open woods and low bush territories and are nomadic. Often they are found associating with Mitred Conures. Blue-crowned Conures will, on occasion, eat farmers? crops! They generally feed on the seeds and blossoms of ceibo trees but also eat mangoes and cacti. In captivity, you should feed your Blue-crowned Conure a varied diet so it doesn?t get bored! Blue-crowned Conures are intelligent, social creatures who can be taught to talk! They are a little noisy and can screech at loud volumes, but are quieter and more laid-back than most Conures.
Blue-crowned Conures love exercise and playtime, and also love cuddling with their keepers! They are escape artists and closely bonding friends, and are thought to be the most intelligent of the Conures! Blue-crowned Conures are renowned for their gentle, affectionate natures.
Blue-crowned Conures are quite large, generally growing to about fourteen and a half inches. Their wingspans are generally around seven and a half inches. Although the birds are primarily green, the crowns of their heads are blue as their name makes clear! There are two shades of blue on a Blue-crowned Conure?s head: a bright, darker blue and light, sky blue tinged shade. Their green bodies offer a variety of green shades all on the same bird! They do have the white eyepatch typical of Conures and the bills of Blue-crowned Conures are usually bi-colored. The top mandible is horn colored and the bottom mandible is usually colored black. The Conures wih bi-colored bills are often called Sharp-Tailed Conures. The underside of a Blue-crowned Conure?s tail is a variegated shade of red, ranging from pink-red to dark rust. This species is sexually dimorphic, male Blue-crowned Conures have larger white eyepatches than do females, and the feathers of their ceres tend to be longer.
Blue-crowned Conures are native to southwestern Brazil, northwestern Argentina, and most parts of Venezuela, Columbia, Paraguay and Uruguay. They prefer open woodlands and low bush lands, often near agricultural areas. They are not now threatened, but their habitat is quickly disappearing. Quite popular among Conure fanciers, Blue-Crowned Conures are more inexpensive than many birds, varying from 300 to 400 dollars. The species was first officially recorded by Viellot in 1818 and later a subspecies was recognized by Spix in 1824. In German, Blue-crowned Conures are known as Blaustirnsittich.
Brown Throated Conure
Brown Throated Conures are average sized Conures, and like other Conures, they are related to macows. Brown Throated Conures are intelligent, and both the male and the female are capable of speech. As is true with any parrot, there are never any guarantees that an individual will talk, regardless of whether or not they are a species that is known for speech. But among Conures, the Brown Throated Conure and its related subspecies are known for their ability to talk. This record deals with the subspecies Aratinga pertinax aeruginosa, though some other subspecies of Aratinga pertinax are also referred to as the Brown Throated Conure. Like the other subspecies, Brown Throated Conures may be very affectionate and loving pets if they are well socialized and handled frequently. Brown Throated Conures tend to form close bonds, but often they choose one member of the family to bond with rather than bonding with multiple people. The Brown Throated Conure may be very loud and can be prone to destructive behavior. They need to have plenty of toys to keep them from growing bored. Boredom is often the most common cause for destructive behavior. As with most Conures, the Brown Throated Conure loves to take a bath, and should be given clean bathing water and/or showers regularly. The Brown Throated Conure has an average lifespan of 10 years, though with proper care they can live to be 25.
Mature Brown Throated Conures average 10 inches (24 centimeters) in length. Though there are many subspecies, with different color variations, this subspecies has mostly green plumage. They differ from the St. Thomas Conure in that they have a narrow band to the forehead, that is a dark brown. The ring around the eye area is white, with the iris being yellow.
The bill of the Brown Throated Conure is black. Immature Brown Throated Conures have a lighter color bill on top, and cheeks that are brown. The throat area, as well as the upper breast is usually an olive brown, with the still maturing birds having a green breast. Parts of the head are a yellowish orange, with the crown being blue. The lower breast has yellowish tints, with the abdomen turning orange. The tips of the primary feathers on the Brown Throated Conure are blue, and the underside of the wings range from an olive green to yellow, as does the underside of the tail. The feet are grey.
Brown Throated Conures are native to Northern Colombia and Northwest Venezuela. The Brown Throated Conure likes dry scrubland, including cactus and acacia trees as well as some tropical areas. They usually travel in pairs, but have known to congregate in groups of as many as a hundred. While feeding, some of the Conures will watch for danger and alert the rest of the flock.
The Dusky Headed Conure
The Dusky Headed Conure, also known as Wendells Conure, is not as common in the pet trade as the better known Sun or Nanday Conures, but their popularity is increasing. Despite the fact that they are relatively uncommon in captivity, they are still quite common in the wild.
The Dusky Headed Conure is known for its sweet temperament, especially among hand-raised individuals. Though the Dusky Headed Conure is considered average in regards to their noise levels, they mostly make noise when they get excited. Their voices are often described as a sweet chirping sound. As with most birds, they take some time getting used to people, but they eventually adjust. They do like to chew, but that can be taken care of easily with the proper toys. Dusky Headed Conures love to bathe. Misting them on a regular basis is always a good idea and fun to watch. Do not spray them at the end of the day. Instead spray during the day to avoid chills. In the wild, they are social, and are seen in pairs or groups of as little as just a few to a 100 or more. Group size is often dependant on food supplies. Though Dusky Headed Conures are not as brilliant in color as some other parrots, they make up for it with a calmer disposition and less raucous sounds.
Mature Dusky Headed Conures are average 11 inches in length. They are mostly green, though their head is grey. The Dusky Headed Conure has a greenish yellow abdomen, while the upper breast is not as bright, being more of an olive color. The feathers are edged in blue. The topside of the tail is blue, while the bottom side is black. Also black are the beaks of the Dusky Headed Conures and their feet are grey. The periphthalmic ring is white, and the iris is yellow, although the young Conures have a dark center coloring. Immatures have a more subdued coloring then the adults. There is a blue variation of this Conure as well as the normal green type.
Dusky Headed Conures are from South America. They like areas near rivers, marshes and humid forests. In the wild, they usually only make sound while flying, and are usually quiet while feeding. They like finding dead trees, where they can find insects to feed on and they get their minerals from the soil.
Golden-capped Conure
Golden-capped Conures are lovely little birds with big personalities! These charming little pets will easily win even a skeptic?s heart!
In the wild, Golden-capped Conures live in forests, which are rapidly disappearing. They live in large flocks, and greet returning flock-mates by shrieking at incredible decibel levels! In captivity, Conures will shriek but may be trained not to. When you come home, the Golden-capped Conure is bound to shriek, and he will shriek if he is scared. In these cases, cuddling and comforting is ok.
Otherwise, ignore your Conures shrieking or he will do it to get attention! Conures also go through several phases when they nip. Simply replace the finger he is chewing on with a chew toy, and if he rejects the toy, return him to his cage. Golden-capped Conures are very smart and will learn quickly to behave. They can also be taught to talk and can learn entertaining tricks! In your Golden-capped Conure's cage, give him a nesting box where he can hide and sleep. A clean cage is extremely important to avoid infection. Conures should have fresh water at all times and should be bathed occasionally; a plant mister will work fine for this. Golden-capped Conures should be fed a basic pellet food, supplemented with lots of vegetables, fruits and the occasional legume or carbohydrate. They will enjoy seeds and nuts as special treats. Golden-capped Conures can fly easily, and should not be outside without a harness. They love cuddling with their owners best of all, and need plenty of love and attention. The Golden-capped Conure?s lifespan is about 30 years.
At maturity, Golden-capped Conures grow to about a foot in length. They are mostly green with a blackish bill and gray feet. The area around the eyes and the forehead is usually red, which brightens into the bright golden cap on the bird?s crown. Sometimes, the cheeks have a golden to yellow hue to them. Golden-capped Conures have a blue-gray tinged throat and upper breast area. Their lower breasts, backs and abdomens have feathers that are edged in a burgundy red. The underwing coverts are red to match! Golden-capped Conures are also characterized by the primary and secondary flight feathers, in addition to the primary coverts having a lovely blue color. Their tail is feathered in olive-green, with blue-tipped feathers on the topside. The underside and the undersides of the flight feathers have a dark, blackish coloring. Golden-capped Conures show the characteristic Conure white periopthalmic ring. Their irises are brown.
In the wild, Golden-capped Conures are native to the low mountain forests of Brazil. It was first officially recognized by Kuhl in 1820, but since has become ?Vulnerable? on the CITES list because its habitat is disappearing. Golden-capped Conures have become increasingly popular in captivity, thanks to their prolific breeding. Wild-caught birds should not be kept, and captive-bred birds make healthier, more affectionate pets anyway.
Green Cheaked Conure
The Green-cheeked Conure is a favorite of bird owners everywhere because of their sweet personalities and exquisite coloration!
The Bolivian Green-cheeked Conure is an intelligent, playful bird who can be taught to say simple words and phrases! Although they can screech very loudly, they usually are one of the more quiet varieties of Conure.
Green-cheeked Conures should be kept in as large a cage as possible- the minimum is 18 inches by 18 inches by 22 inches. They need lots of sunlight, fresh air, and time out of their cages for playing and cuddling with you! Green-cheeked Conures also love bathing, and will enjoy showering with you provided the water is not too hot! Apart from a bathing pan, Green-cheeked Conures need fresh water in their cages at all times. You should feed them a good pellet diet and/or fortified seed-mix supplemented with a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables and legumes. It is also very important that your Green-cheeked Conure has a nesting box in his cage, so that if he feels stressed he can lay low for a while! Conures also enjoy sleeping in the dark, quiet security of their nesting boxes. They love to chew and need lots of sturdy toys. Green-cheeked Conures are very affectionate birds who will form very strong, loving bonds with their keepers. They are also quite good with children.
At maturity, Green-cheeked Conures are generally around ten inches in length. Their feathers are predominantly green, although the secondary and primary flight feathers are blue. A frontal band is present and it is narrow and mahogany colored. The nape, throat, and upper breast are all greenish brown, but the nape may include some pretty blue feathers. Each feather on the Green-cheeked Conure?s nape, throat, and upper breast is edged with a dull yellow-gray, giving the feathers definition and having the effect of scales typical to Conures. The ear coverts, forehead and back of the head are all brown, and the abdomen is mahogany in color. The tail underside is also mahogany, and the upperside has feathering of the same color over a green base. This is largely hidden by the Green-cheeked Conure?s tail-coverts. The undertail coverts have a blue hue to them. Green-cheeked Conures have the white skin around their periopthalmic ring that is typical to Conures, and their irises are brown. Their bills are gray, and they have a generally lovely appearance. There are at least two popular color mutations for the Green Checked Conure, these are the Fallow Green Cheeked Conure, and the Yellow Sided Conure.
Green-cheeked Conures are native to eastern Bolivia?s highlands. Because they are wild birds, many places require a license to keep them. Remember that on the whole, captive-bred birds will make better pets than wild-caught birds. Green-cheeked Conures were first recorded by Massena and Sounc? in 1854. They are known as Gruenwangen-Rotschwanzsittich in German.
Jandaya Conure
The Jandaya Conure, also known, as the Jendaya Conure is a very beautiful parrot indeed! They can make a wonderful addition to the family with the proper training.
Not as much is known about the Jandaya Conure in the wild, because they are usually seen singly, making it more difficult to study them. They are not necessarily shy, and they can certainly be heard by their loud calls.
If you choose to make a Jandaya Conure a family member, you can reduce their noiselevel with proper training, which is relatively easy with this particular Conure. But they may not be well suited for apartments. In the wild, The Jandaya Conure will eat seeds and nuts, as well as rice, corn, smashed cashews and fruits, including mango. For this reason it is important to offer them a variety of food in captivity in addition to their regular diet.
The Jandaya Conure loves to play making them fun to watch. At one time the Jandaya Conure used to be much more common in captivity than the Sun Conure, but now the Jandaya Conure is a lot less common than the Sun Conure.
The Jandaya Conure is larger than most, averaging 12 inches in length. The primary color of the Jandaya Conure is green, with the head, throat and upper breast being a gorgeous yellow-orange. The area around the eye is white and the iris is a gray-brown color in the adults. Young Jandayas have dark eyes. The wings are primarily green, with blue flight feathers. The lower back of the Jandaya Conure is orange-red, and its tail is olive green with blue edges. The legs of the Jandaya Conure are gray, while the bill is black. In addition to eye color immature Jandayas can be distinguished by the pale yellow coloring on their heads.
The Jandaya Conure is native to northeastern Brazil, and is usually seen around forest clearings, sometimes near coconut palms and edges of the rain forest. They are relatively common in the wild, and are one of the few species that has benefited from forest clearing.
Maroon Bellied Conure
The Maroon-bellied Conure is often mistaken for the Green-cheeked Conure, although the difference is obvious if the bird is turned over! These gorgeous and affectionate pets are a favorite among many Conure enthusiasts.
Like all Conures, Maroon-bellied Conures can be taught to talk! They are quite intelligent and will pick up short words and phrases, though mostly Maroon-bellied Conures mumble to themselves in low Conure-talk! Although they have the ability to screech at incredible volumes, they rarely use it. Maroon-bellied Conures love bathing and should have freshwater at all times. In captivity, they can subsist quite well on a basic seed mixture supplemented with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and legumes! Offer a variety of foods so your Maroon-bellied Conure does not get bored! Maroon-bellied Conures have an incredible amount of self-esteem and will challenge animals much larger than they are! They are very curious and love toys. Be sure to provide them with lots of chewing materials, as they have powerful beaks. Maroon-bellied Conures bond very closely with their owners and love affection and playtime! They will go everywhere with their human friends, and even like to shower with them! Maroon-bellied Conures will need a nesting box in their cages for sleeping or hiding if they feel stressed. Most well cared for Maroon Belly Conures can live about 25 to 30 years or more.
Maroon-bellied Conures are about ten inches long and weigh just over three ounces. They are predominantly green, and their lower back feathers and abdomens are a mahogany red color. The underside of the tail is a brick red color, as are the edges of the green topside tail feathers. Maroon-bellied Conures have a red frontal band that is narrow, and fades to maroon in color. Their ear coverts are brown and the skin around the periopthalmic ring is white. The olive-green feathers of the neck, throat and upper breast are all edged in a dull grayish-yellow shade. The primary coverts of Maroon-bellied Conures are a deep aqua in color, and the primaries are the same shade, turning to green at the edges. Their feet and bills are dark gray and the irises of Maroon-bellied Conures are dark brown.
Native to northeastern Brazil, southeastern Argentina, eastern Paraguay, and most of Uruguay, Maroon-bellied Conures are actually composed of three sub-species. It is believed that early breeders in the United States may have combined the three sub-species unwittingly and that modern Maroon-bellied Conures in America are a composite of the three subspecies. Maroon-bellied Conures remain popular and are known as Braunohrsittich in German. They were first recognized in 1818 by Vieillot.
Mitred Conure
Establishing a population in Los Angeles of significant numbers of escaped pets, the Mitred Conure of South America is transplanting itself with accidental human help! In fact a wild flock was even reported to be thriving in Brooklyn, New York in spite of the freezing temperatures.
Mitred Conures are very affectionate, intelligent birds and get along well with other Conures. They can learn a variety of words and phrases, and love nothing better than playing or cuddling with their owners. In the wild, Mitred Conures flock together in large numbers, which is why they love company in captivity. They love bathing and need a variety of chew toys to keep them from becoming bored. Mitred Conures should be fed a good seed mix with some sprouted seeds. They also need a variety of fruits and vegetables or green foods. Flowering branches are always appreciated by Mitred Conures, just make sure that they are not going to be poisonous to your new friend. Mitred Conures are very curious, playful birds and are fun to watch as well as to interact with!
Mitred Conures grow to a length of about 15 inches and are larger than some parrot species! They have incredibly long tail feathers and rather stocky bodies. The plumage of Mitred Conures is predominantly green, with the breast and abdomen areas paler. Red coloration covers the forehead, crown and eye areas and random red feathers are strewn throughout the head, neck, face, abdomen and breast areas. The undersides of the flight and tail feathers are a dull olive yellow, as are the larger underwing coverts. The iris of a Mitred Conure is golden brown, and the periopthalmic ring is white. Mitred Conures have tan feet and horn-colored bills.
Originating in Peru, Mitred Conures are also found in northwestern Argentina and eastern Bolivia. They were first noted by Tschudi in 1844. Today, Mitred Conures are very popular as pets. They are studied closely in the United States because escaped pets have formed a flock of about 40 birds that live in Los Angeles and they function much as wild South American Conures will. It is speculated that they may start an American population.
The Nanday Conure
The Nanday Conures friendly and affectionate personality makes this intelligent bird a welcome addition to your home or aviary.
The Nanday Conure is a hardy bird that needs and enjoys large amounts of social stimulation.
This bird loves baths, and when acquired at a young age can be taught tricks and to speak. In the wild the Nanday Conure is very social, they are seen in flocks as small as six to as large as 40. In captivity the Nanday Conures likes living with groups of birds, but can be quite noisy if more than one of this breed are put together. Though individuals vary greatly in their noise making abilities; this is true of the Conures in general. Some may be much quieter than the quietest parrots, especially if they are the only Nanday. They will live quite well with other parrots or parakeets of the same size in a large aviary setting. The ideal place to keep your Nanday Conure is a large communal area that allows two or more square meters per pair of birds. Pelleted commercial food makes a great balanced diet in addition these wonderful birds should also be fed a variety of dark green and yellow vegetables, as well as fruits, chopped egg, cheese and other foods. Some keepers will also give additional vitamin supplements. Iceberg lettuce, cabbage, caffeine, avocado, and parsley should be avoided. Seeds can be fattening and often many birds will only choose the most fatty seeds and leave the healthier ones, for this reason seeds should be fed as treat rather than as a dietary staple. The Nanday Conure is known to be noisy in the early mornings and afternoon, as well as any time they are startled; however, Nandays are very adaptable and outgoing, and get used to their owners and keepers quickly. They will bond with one person or territory, and can be quite destructive if made unhappy due to inadequate socialization and stimulation. It should be noted that Conures like the Nanday often sleep on their backs. This could be alarming for a beginner who is not expecting it! In general, the Nanday Conure is easy to keep and makes an excellent pet for both the experienced hobbyist and the beginner.
The Nanday Conure is a mid-sized member of the parrot and macaw family. At maturity they will measure approximately 30cm or 12 in long. This birds size makes a large cage or aviary with plenty of perches and room to walk about and bathe ideal. The Nanday Conure is very colorful. Their bodies have greenish plumage overall, with the lowers parts of their bodies displaying a more yellowish green color. The head is black, and the upper part of the breast and throat are rich blue. The Nanday Conure has a black bill, brownish feet, and brown eyes with a white ring around them. The tail feathers are tipped in blue, with olive plumage on the upperside with black undersides. The flight feathers of the wings are also blue. The most striking feature about this bird is the reddish color of its leg feathers. The immature Nanday Conure has less pronounced colors than the adult, and the gender of the bird must be determined by DNA analysis or a surgical procedure, as the Conure is not sexually dimorphic.
This birds natural range is from the provinces of Formosa, Chaco, and Santa Fe in Argentina, to Mato Grosso in Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay. The Nanday Conure often lives near settlements and towns that have access to lots of trees and other types of large foliage. They will live in a dry or humid climate. They have been known cause damage to farms and other cultivated areas. These Conures are often found in company with Monk Parakeets and near water holes, where they spend much of their time bathing; however, if they are startled into the trees and bushes, they are difficult to detect because of their green plumage.
The Sun Conure
The Sun Conure can be found in most of South and Central America. Some species are also well represented in the West Indies, as well as parts of Mexico. In the wild sun conures are friendly, peaceful birds and seldom fight with each other. They live together in groups of twenty or more birds, even during the mating season, and feed on various seeds, fruits, and insects.
Hailing from the northeastern coast of South America, sun conures are approximately 12 inches in length, including their long tail. Their body build is slender, and their feathers are bright, iridescent shades of orange, blue, yellow and green. Unlike some other species which have definite coloration patterns, the sun conures sometimes have a combination of these colors over almost any part of their bodies. Young sun conures tend to have feathers which are predominantly green, while older birds sport more of the yellow or reddish-orange. This change of feather coloring from green to the brighter oranges, golds and yellows is most noticeable on the back, abdomen and head of the bird as it matures. General plumage is yellow and green while the cheeks, forehead, abdomen and down to the lower back are tinged with bright fiery orange. The outer webs of the primary flight feathers are a deep blue while the primaries are bright green; the secondaries are also green.
The upper side of the tail is colored an olive-green with blue tips; the under tail-coverts are green with a marked yellow tinge; the median and greater upper wing-coverts are green with yellow edging. All of these colors become brighter and more vivid as the bird matures, with some birds sporting almost totally yellow tones in their body color. The beak and feet are both black.
A baby Sun Conure will be a mix of dark green, yellow and orange colors. Over a period of about 6-8 months, the darker green feathers will be molted out and replaced by brilliant yellow ones on the chest, head and back.
Sun Conures are capable of learning to talk, although their range is limited and their voices are squeaky and birdlike. They like to imitate amusing sounds (microwave beeps, etc.). They really enjoy human attention, especially if there is no other bird around for them to groom and play with.
Screeching is normal for most parrots. It's how they say hi to each other and how they announce that they're happy. So in the morning and the evening, your sun conure will say ?
I'm here! I'm here! I'm here!for ten minutes to half an hour. Your sun conure will also greet you when you have been away by screeching hello. And when your sun conure is in his cage, happily hanging by one foot while he tries to rip the clapper out of a bell, he?ll screech because he is happy. So there are a lot of normal reasons for a parrot to screech, and sun conures tend to be especially noisy members of the family.
Macaws
Baby Macaws have many unique qualities as pets when purchased young and hand raised. Playful, talkative and loving are just a few of the advantages of owning this beautiful bird. Also, the bright colors of Macaws are one of natures amazing accomplishments. First Flight Exotic Birds has a large assortment of Baby macaws such as Blue and Golds, Scarlets, Militaries, Green Wings and more, as well as miniature Macaws such as Severes, Nobles, Hahns and More. Call for current available stock.
CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE BUYING A MACAW
- Large cage- A Baby Macaw must be housed in as large a cage as possible. Cage size should be a minimum of 24 inches x 36 inches. Macaws with especially long tails should have a cage 30 inches deep or more. Also make sure the bars are heavy duty and designed for large birds.
- Noise- Although macaws do not generally scream all day long, their scream is loud . So be careful not to spoil them!
- Needs sturdy toys- Always provide a variety of heavy duty toys for your baby macaw. Strong wood such as manzanita or ribbonwood, as well as leather or plexiglass toys will keep your baby interested.
If a Baby Macaw sounds like a pet you would like, contact us for availability .
Cockatiels
The Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus), also known as the Quarrion and the Weiro, is the smallest cockatoo endemic to Australia. They are prized as a household pet and companion parrot throughout the world and are relatively easy to breed.
As a caged bird, cockatiels are second only in popularity to the Budgerigar.
The cockatiel is the only member of the genus Nymphicus. It was previously considered a crested parrot or small cockatoo; however, more recent molecular studies have assigned it to the Cockatoo subfamily Calyptorhynchinae (commonly known as Dark Cockatoos).
It is, therefore, now classified as the smallest of the Cacatuidae (Cockatoo family). Cockatiels are native to the outback regions of inland Australia, and favor the Australian wetlands, scrublands, and bush lands.
Other Types of Birds
Eclectus Parrots
incredibly beautiful birds, Eclectus Parrots are so sexually dimorphic that many people assume that males and females are actually birds of different species when they see them together! The striking colors of these lovely Parrots only serve to compliment each others differences.
In the wild, Eclectus Parrots fly through the upper canopies of lowland forests in small groups or in pairs. They search for fruits, nuts, berries, nectar, seeds, blossoms and leaf buds. At night, Eclectus Parrots roost in large groups of up to 80 birds after a regular evening display flight. During flight, the Eclectus Parrot makes a repetitive screeching noise, but during feeding their calls are lower, and have been described as flute-like or wailing. They nest in holes in tall trees. In captivity, Eclectus Parrots do well in large or suspended aviaries having at least three and a half meters of length and one meter of width. They will need to be sheltered from the elements and are generally kept in pairs. Eclectus Parrots can be taught to mimic speech and hand-raised and co-parented parent raised chicks tend to make more docile pets than do entirely parent-raised chicks. These birds may be quite noisy although they are entertaining and rewarding pets.
The Eclectus Parrot grows to about 35 centimeters in length with a 240-millimeter wing span. Their lovely, glossy feathers have a hair-like texture, and the species is quite obviously sexually dimorphic. Male Eclectus Parrots are predominantly green. The feathers of the head are lightly tinted with yellow, while the under-tail coverts are also yellow-green. The under-wing coverts and the sides of the body are red. The bend of a male Eclectus Parrot?s wing is blue, and the primaries, though edged in green, are also blue. The tail feathers are tipped in olive yellow, and are green. Toward the edge of the tail, they darken in color to a blackish green and finally blackish blue at the very tip of the tail. The feathers themselves are tipped in yellow white. Male Eclectus Parrots have orange or yellow irises, and their bills are red with a lower tip. The lower mandible is blackish, and the feet are a dark shade of gray. Female Eclectus Parrots are red in color! Their iris is more yellowish than the male?s, but the feet are gray and the bill is very dark gray or black. Female Eclectus Parrots have brownish-red backs and wings.
The undersides of their breasts, the abdomens, the sides of the body, and the band across the back and nape of their necks are violet in color. Sometimes, the upper breast is also violet. The bend of a female Eclectus Parrot?s wing is blue-violet in color, as is the edge. A darker shade of the same color covers the under-wing coverts. Female Eclectus Parrots have dark blue primary coverts and outer secondary feather webbing. Their tails upper sides have yellowish-red edging, which is rather blurred; the underside of the tail is a more orange-red color and shows yellow edging.
Although Eclectus Parrots were once native to Ambon, northeast Australia, New Guinea, Ceram, Buru, Indonesia, the Moluccan Islands, Haruku, and Saparua, they are now extinct on Ambon as well as Saparua and Haruku. In the 1980s, they were, however, one of the most commonly found birds in the Moluccan Islands and they are quite popular in aviculture. In the wild, they live in stands of tall trees in addition to forests at low altitudes.
Quaker or Monk Parakeets
Quaker or Monk parakeets are some the nicest birds around! They are good talkers and are extremely lovable and cute.
Which bird has been described as smarter than you are. This challenging statement refers to the lovely Quaker Parakeet- you will have to meet one to take the intelligence test!
Quaker or Monk Parakeets are incredible nest builders. Generally, they will take over an existing nest and build on top of it, making large apartment buildings! In the wild, Quaker Parakeets eat fruits, seeds, berries and insects. They are prolific breeders. Quaker Parakeets are very intelligent little animals. Owners often report logical reasoning in them. For example, they will call their owners? names to get their attention. Then they declare whatever it is they would like to express using unrelated words and phrases that they have been taught, which are shockingly appropriate to the particular situation! Quaker Parakeets are also great at mimicking noises, and can imitate human speech, other birds and animals, and squeaky doors or household noises. They will even compose song, setting their favorite phrases to simple tunes they know!
Be careful if you have other pets with your Quaker Parakeet, as they have been known to chase large dogs, which could result in disaster if the dog is not cowed by the Parakeet?s confidence! Quaker Parakeets need lots of exercise and baths, both of which they love. Their aviary should be as large as possible, probably sized for a small Conure or Cockatiel. Quaker Parakeets are mechanically intelligent and can quickly learn to open their cage doors, so be careful!
They love to have loose twigs on aviary floors for nest building and need a variety of toys, changed every few weeks, to prevent them from becoming bored. They need fresh water at all times, and a pellet based diet, which consists mainly of fresh fruit and vegetables with seeds as special treats, will be perfect for a Quaker. Quaker Parakeets are very hardy and can tolerate some cold. They need lots of love and attention and adore cuddling with you and playing or talking with you.
Quaker Parakeets are about a foot in length with very long, gorgeous, green and blue tail feathers. It weighs around 100 grams and the predominant color is green. Lutino, blue-cinnamon, albino, pied and cinammon mutations are available.
Generally, Quaker Parakeets have a light gray forehead, face and upper breast. The feathers on the chest have white tips, giving the effect of scalloping. Quaker Parakeets have blue webbing in their primary flight feathers, whose coverts are also blue. The bills of Quaker Parakeets are horn colored or light yellow and their irises are chocolate brown.
The feet are generally gray. Quaker Parakeets tail feathers are gradated in length.
Quaker Parakeets consist of several subspecies native to the dryer, low altitude woodlands of Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.
They have been kept as pets in the United States and Europe for years. Because Quaker Parakeets are such prolific breeders, they are illegal in some states. The logic is that escaped birds can breed up into large populations and it is speculated that they could become a threat to crops, though no evidence has been seen. As always, captive-bred birds make much better, healthier, calmer pets than wild-caught birds.
When Birds are BITING!
When birds are biting
Please be aware that no one solution works for every bird, and solutions usually apply to different situations: why the bird is biting, the personality and breed of the bird biting, the environment at the time, and other factors. One of the best defenses is to learn the cues, language and personality of the pet bird.
Learn to look for the flashing eyes, the change in expression, the change in feather posture, any particular sounds, and so on. This is not an answer-all, but hopefully a helpful reference tool to be used in learning to read birds and how to respond to correct the problem behavior and work towards the rewarding relationship that makes people enjoy living with parrots.
Why do they bite?
- Eggression (of course)
- Excitement
- Fear
- Hunger / thirst
- Playfulness
- Restlessness (need to go potty or just change scene)
- sleepiness
Lovebirds often utter a little challenge before they bite, some birds growl before they bite, some yelp, but whatever they do every bird signals in some way before they bite, whatever the reason for the bite is. Some birds react viciously to a finger pointing in their face, and again to that finger or hand if it is offered for stepping up within too short a time of the ?finger challenge? - this is excited aggression; the bird perceives a challenge and fights back. Not all birds respond this way, but most smaller birds do - lovebirds, cockatiels, smaller poicephalus, budgies and some conures, for example.
Being careful when offering a head or neck scratch can help avoid some of these bites, which usually happen because a bird?s peripheral vision means they really can?t see beyond their beak, so their eyes almost literally cross when a human finger comes directly in front of their face, and for little birds it becomes pretty much a big, looming threat because they cannot clearly see what it is directly from the front and being larger than their beak or face.
Other aggressive bites
Other aggressive bites include defensiveness of property (including an owned person), manipulation of a person or situation, and the eternal child within the bird that demands it always have its own way. These are harder to combat, because it takes everyone involved in the situation, participating to resolve it.
Alerting the parrot to the fact that its behavior is not acceptable is key as well, and how that is done will affect how well the bird responds positively and modifies its behavior. Laughing when a bird bites someone else will automatically reinforce that behaviour, especially if it is the bird?s favorite person who is laughing, and even more so if it is the bird?s interpreted competition that is being bitten at the time.
Any time a bird bites an interpreted competitor - boyfriend, girlfriend, etc. - the favorite person should do the scolding and correcting, otherwise the competitor becomes even more of a sworn enemy. If a bird is having a general biting problem with everyone, having the person it seems most bonded to spend time working on the behaviour until it is controlled better is often more successful than having everyone involved all at once.
Once the bird is better controlled in general, gradual ?reintroductions? with everyone else in general can begin slowly and with careful attention for biting signals so proper interaction can be re-established.
Other aggressive bites cont.
Aggressively cage-possessive birds need to have some kind of play stand away from their cage, and a couple such areas are even better: this expands the birds territory and decreases its The more time these birds spend out in the open, away from their cages, the less aggressive they will be. A huge cage for a cage-dominant bird can actually increase aggression, so in some cases very aggressive birds can be addressed by moving them into a smaller cage if they are in a palatial home.
Excitement bites can occur when a bird is on sensory overload - having way too much fun, experiencing way too many people, or way too many environmental stimuli catching its attention. Technically, the bird isn't doing anything wrong, however the unpleasant behavior still needs to be stopped. Again, the key to this is recognizing signs and being aware of the bird's limits. When birds are playing it's easy to go a bit too crazy, and painful bites can result: when birds start getting too crazy during play times, favorite beating up toys can be a great way to let the bird expend its playtime energy in a safer way than savaging and shredding fingers and hands. When company is coming and a bird tends to get zoned or keyed up, having relaxing music play - gentle instrumental music is more relaxing than voices, usually - and ensuring guests don't crowd the bird are helpful in maintaining a more even level of happy.
When birds are traveling or visiting, having a favorite toy and favorite treats to allow the bird to retreat into its carrier can help the bird calm down before biting occurs.
Contact Us
We’d love to hear from you. Call us now at (631) 732-1494
First Flight Exotic Birds
512 Middle Country Rd, Coram, NY 11727
(631) 732-1494
(631) 732-1507
Store Hours:
Mon - Fri (Covid Hours)
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12:00-5:00pm
First Flight Exotic Birds
512 Middle Country Rd. Coram, NY 11727
ABOUT US
First Flight Exotic Birds was founded and is still operated by owner
Tom Peraze and has been in business for over 40 years.
CONTACT US
Mon - Fri (Covid Hours)
11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Sat - Sun
12:00-5:00pm