If you are looking for information about parrots, you may be thinking of purchasing a pet for your home. Or your search for info about parrots may be due to already having purchased a bird.

Parrot information is scattered across the Internet, but you often have to look up a specific bird to get parrot information about the group in general.

The following is basic parrot information. It is intended to give you a simple understanding of the bird.

Define Parrot

The most basic parrot information you need is a definition of the word.

You might find parrot information that says a parrot has brightly colored feathers, but that is not always true. The African Grey is an example of one that does not.

You might come across parrot information that says parrots have the ability to mimic sounds, but to what extent – and what sounds. Your own parrot may do no mimicking whatsoever.

The best parrot information defines parrot this way:

A parrot is a bird in the order Psittaciformes, of either the Cacatuidae (cockatoo) family or the Psittacidae (true parrot) family. Every parrot has “zygodactyl” feet, meaning that two toes face forward and two toes face backward. All members of the order also have a characteristic curved beak shape. The order includes approximately 342 species, of which many but not all are brightly colored.

Some info on parrots eliminates the Cockatoos from the group, but most includes them.

Most Popular Parrot

Judging from the parrot information we have read, the most popular parrot by far is the Congo African Grey. This parrot has a charcoal gray head and body, but sports a bright red tail. The African Grey is known to be the most adept when it comes to mimicking human words. It also shows signs that it understands many words and can use them appropriately. As one source of parrot information put it, “This is not just a tape recorder.”

Acquiring a Pet Parrot

Some parrots are on the endangered species list, or are close to being placed on it. Other parrots are smuggled into the country by disreputable people. Legitimate parrot information advises that you should purchase a parrot from a reliable breeder rather than buying a bird that has been imported from the wild. Your pet will adapt better, and you will avoid risking legal difficulty for yourself.

Training a Parrot

Most people who seek parrot information have chosen this pet in hopes that it will talk and do tricks for them. They fail to realize that training a parrot can require far more patience than training a dog. They are unaware that parrots may decide not to talk, and may in fact bite rather than perform.

Bird Tricks has a lot of parrot information and help on training a parrot. We review Bird Tricks on this website so that you can know more about the company. To read our Bird Tricks review, click here or on the dark blue Bird Tricks button at the top of this page.

Helpful Tip

For more specific parrot information, including caging and care of parrots, please see other articles on this website.

Parrot Training is often the difference between a good parrot and a bad parrot. Parrot Training of this kind is not all about talking, however. While it is fun to teach a parrot to talk, there are more important lessons. In fact, unless your parrot learns the more important lessons, it will not gain the maximum benefit from talking lessons.

Parrot Training should teach a parrot a number of things, but mostly, it should teach that life is great for parrots that cooperate.

Parrot Training Goals

Whether it is human training or Parrot Training, goals are essential. If you do not know clearly what you want your parrot to learn, you will not be able to keep it or you focused on the task. Here are 6 goals you should have in Parrot Training.

1. Parrot will learn that allowing owner to pick it up without biting results in more play time.

2. Parrot will learn to ring bell for attention instead of squawking.

3. Parrot will learn that returning to the cage when asked yields his or her absolute favorite treat.

4. Parrot will learn to play on his big jungle gym or Manzania tree and not climb down to destroy your home.

5. Parrot will learn to “help” you fold the laundry as part of his or her companion time.

6. Parrot will learn to come when his or her name is called.

At first, these may seem to be difficult goals to achieve in Parrot Training. What Parrot Training book teaches you how to make your parrot ring a bell for attention instead of squawking? It sounds like a great idea, but how do you accomplish that sort of Parrot Training?

Clicker Parrot Training

The secret is in clicker Parrot Training. This type of Parrot Training uses a small clicker that you hold in your hand. A similar technique has been used successfully with other animals, and you can use it for parrots.

When you give your parrot a command, sound your “clicker”, and then give a treat when the parrot cooperates. Praise your parrot and pet or snuggle her. Then put her back where she was and repeat the process. Always combine the three: command with clicker sound, and a treat for cooperation. Before long, your parrot will learn to cooperate with many requests.

You can learn much more about Parrot Training with clickers at Bird Tricks. We review Bird Tricks on this web page, to give you a better idea of what it offers. To read our review, click here or on the dark blue Bird Tricks button at the top of this page. To go directly to Bird Tricks, click here.

Blue and Gold Macaw parrots are very popular in the UK, ranging in price around 700-800 pounds (2007). In fact, they are second only to the African Grey of all UK pet parrots. Where do you find a good Blue and Gold Macaw parrot?

Blue and Gold Macaw Breeders

Blue and Gold Macaw breeding in the UK is well-developed, and many of these beautiful parrots are for sale there. Here are five places to check.

1. Newspaper Classified Ads: You will find that much Blue and Gold Macaw breeding in the UK occurs in private homes. Some of these breeders hope to make money with their Blue and Gold Macaws. Others want the family to experience the process, and enjoy baby Blue and Gold Macaws. Some breed by accident. Newspaper ads also include birds that are no longer wanted. On the whole, you run the risk of getting a sick or troublesome pet through this outlet.

2. Parrot Rescue: Groups that rescue parrots are not, per se, breeders. They sometimes find themselves with homeless Blue and Gold Macaw parrots, however, and are eager to place them. You are more likely to find parrots that have been relinquished due to medical or behavioural issues. The rescue group may not know the origin of a bird. They care for them, and will help you with ongoing support, however, and you can give a good home to a Blue and Gold Macaw that lacks one.

3. Pet Stores: Many strip malls in the UK have pet stores that sell Blue and Gold Macaw parrots. These stores are not breeders. They may not know, or be willing to tell, the origins of the birds they offer, or the breeder’s location. You will likely pay high prices for a Blue and Gold Macaw at a pet store, and receive few facts about food and other care. The staff is seldom up to date on behaviour, habits, and other information about their parrot population.

4. Bird Stores: This is a good place to get a Blue and Gold Macaw parrot. Specialty stores like these depend on parrot quality to make a living. A Blue and Gold Macaw from such a store may be hand-raised or even bred on-site. The owner may be breeding parrots at home. Blue and Gold Macaws from other breeders are likely to come from sources that have earned good reputations.

5. Breeders: Probably the best place to purchase a Blue and Gold Macaw is from a breeder specializing in the breed. They usually will know the breed well, understand its behaviour, and work with its temperament. As with every other business, there are disreputable breeders, of course, so you will want to visit, look around, and ask a lot of questions before buying your Blue and Gold Macaw. To find the best breeders, search on the Internet for a directory, and correspond with several.

If you would like to become involved in Blue and Gold Macaw breeding in the UK, try to visit several breeders first. Before you visit, research Blue and Gold Macaw breeding on the Internet, and prepare a list of solid questions. When you visit, ask for a tour of the facility, and look at the equipment you will need. Ask good questions so you will know how much work is involved in breeding Blue and Gold Macaw parrots. Find out what safeguards you will have to practice to avoid disease.

Blue and Gold Macaw breeding in the UK can be lucrative, but it can be a lot of work, too. Get the facts before you decide to enter the field.