BIRDSFeathered Friends

What foods and other cautions should I be worried about when owning an African Amazon Parrot?

My dad is giving his to me to take over caring for it and I am planning on building him a cage-less perch/house. Any ideas for housing, food and care taking for him?
Also my dad is either unwilling or unable or both to care for the bird properly, something I really want to do. This bird doesn’t speak and is VERY homebound, he does NOT like to leave his current cage. If you remove him from it all he does it stare at it and try to get back to it. Any ideas on encouraging him to talk and getting him unbound from home? I thought the new home might do the trick but your thoughts?
Oh my gosh, its a Mexican Amazon, NOT an African. I am sorry.

Cages are meant to be a safe place for a bird to eat and sleep. Also to spend time when out of the cage isn’t safe or they need to go to the vet.

That being said, aviaries are good, but you need to look into bird safe paint, wood, wiring, plants, floor, places to perch, and ways to clean.

So far, no paint is bird safe. They contain zinc which is toxic to birds. You can search online for bird safe woods, but most fruit trees that are not sprayed are good. Wiring isn’t safe for many reasons, the metal and electricity being the main parts. Bird poo is hard to clean off of carpet once dried and new carpet is accually toxic to our feathered friends. You can put down tile or linolium, but then you need to mop and use a bird safe cleaner.

Birds ideally should be on a diet of 80% high quality pellets, 15% fresh and safe human foods, 5% seeds and treats. If he is not already on this kind of diet, you will need to make the switch gradually. Birds are known to starve to death if presented with something that they don’t recognise as food rather than try it.

Personally, knowing that amazons can be very hormonal and agressive at times, I would get a very large cage and give out of cage time as possible. This is for his saftey and yours. Zon bites are not pleasant!

Check out Cages by Design, Drs Foster and Smith, California Cages and Avian Accents for bird safe cages that are very nice and large.

Subscribe to Bird Talk Magazine, join Up At Six chats to confrence with other Zon owners, and buy a few parrot books for advice. Be aware that he will probably be agressive at first when he is getting used to his new home. Don’t try to make too many changes all at once. Make sure you have lots of toys for him to play with and destroy.

Build a Perch for your Parrot

Weller Brighton Grouchy Parrot on Perch. Mint! $450.00

SHOWER WINDOW PARROT BIRD DOUBLE PERCH SUCTION CUPS cockatiel conure, parakeet $18.00

RED SHOWER & WINDOW PARROT BIRD PERCH ALL SIZE BIRDS COLOR cockatiel, conure $15.00

1886 Old Cronies Man Parrot Bird Perch Lucas Fine Art $33.81

Parrot Birds TRIPLE Perch Shower Window for ALL BIRDS $19.99

Parrot Birds Shower Window Perch FOR all size BIRDS new $12.99

3 pc Parrot Birds Shower n Window Perch bowls SPECIAL $23.50

4 pc Parrot Birds Window Perch bowls poop catcher SET $32.50

3 PC Parrot Birds Shower Window Perch bowls 3 SIDED SET $25.99

24″ Douglas Fir Wood Parrot Bird Perch Cage Conure Amazon Gray Cockatoo DF-24-M $7.97

Parrot Bird Toy 1 COCONUT BIRDHOUSE 3 HOLES PERCH NEST $4.99

Manzanita Parrot Tree Stand bird perch $100.00

Scarlet Macaws Parrot Wall Perch Statue $59.00

PSX 1988 rubber stamp PARROT ON PERCH F-704 $9.99

Get a Grip Climbing Net for Parrots Birds by Starbird Medium Mini Free Shipping $94.99

EXTRA SMALL FUN ZONE PERCH SWING bird toy parrots toy $7.99

COMFY ROPE PERCH LARGE 21″ 1 1/4″ Dia, bird parroT $13.99

COMFY ROPE PERCH MEDIUM 32″ 7/8″ Dia, bird parroT $12.49

COMFY ROPE PERCH SMALL 32″ 5/8″ Dia, bird parroT $9.49

X AMOUNT acrylic bird toys 4 parrots cages parts perch $11.97

Bird Parrot Car Seat, Perch, Travel Perch, Car Perch $59.95

Large Black Parrot Bird Cockatiel Parakeet Finch Cage Playtop Gym Perch Stand $158.95

Parrot on Perch Unfinished Wood Cutout #773-4 $1.99

Large Black Parrot Bird Cockatiel Parakeet Finch Cage Playtop Gym Perch Stand $129.95

Swarovski Crystal Figurine Parrot on Perch “Up In The Tree” MINT $33.90

VTG Orange Glass Vase Painted Parrot on Perch Fluted 8″ Retro Pretty $1.99

MEDIUM HAPPY PERCH bird parroT $10.49

LRG TREAT HOLDER bird toy parts parrots cages perch $18.25

TUBE JINGLER bird toy parts parrots cages perch goffins $12.97

ROGER RABBIT bird toy parts parrots cages perch macaw $134.00

Tote Perch Folding Bird Stand for Parrots Adjustable T-Stand with Cups Free Ship $64.99

STUFFED BEAD Ball bird toy for parrots cages perches $26.95

SPACE CADETTE bird toy parts parrots cages perches $4.99

24″ ROPE PERCH – THICK! a bird toy parrot toys parts $5.95

CONCRETE COMFORT parrot PERCH XLG smooth/roug $22.99

A Parrot – 3×2 inch Fridge Magnet – large magnetic button – Magnet $4.99 Rectangular wrap-around refrigerator magnet and a glossy mylar cover.Large 2×3 inch rectangle fridge magnet or ‘buttons’ as they are sometimes known in the USA.Crop shown is automated for display purposes only. All magnets are hand finished and the best most appropriate crop will always be selected to best show the full image. Therefore, actual product may vary slightly from crop shown – this can …

A Parrot – Mug – Standard Size $14.50 This mug is created using the finest dye sublimation techniques and creates a stunning dishwasher safe finish. Great as a gift, or for promotional items. Each of our mugs come individually boxed for protection in transit….

A Parrot – Tea Towel 100% Cotton – Art247 – Tea Towel – 46x70cm $20.49 100% Cotton. Made in UK. Size 70cms X 46cmsThis is an automated preview only. Actual Tea Towel design may vary. All products are hand finished by our expert manufacturers and the best crop available will always be selected….

Deco Breeze Decorative Figurine Table Fan Parrot, Multi-Color, 32-Inch Tall by 9-Inch Wide $100.00 Finish:Red/Yellow/Blue Let this charming Parrot Shaped Decorative Figurine Fan brighten your day while it keeps you cool. With its decorative appeal, a Figurine Fan can easily become a permanent part of any desk, vanity, bedroom, kitchen, or bathroom dcor.Top quality 30w 2 speed motor…

Wallmonkeys Peel and Stick Wall Decals – Colorful Parrot – 24W x 18H Removable Graphic $33.99 WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l…

Parrot and Perch by Fanimation $79 The Fanimation Parrot and Perch is a accessory for the Palisade Ceiling Fan. The Parrot and Perch features lifetime warranty. Back in 1984, Tom Frampton founded Fanimation in his garage in Pasadena, CA, with three ceiling fans. Today, based in Indianapolis, IN, Fanimation currently offers a range of more than 60 ceiling fans, table fans and floor fans. All employ the latest motor technology on the inside and distinctive designs, blade shapes and materials on the outside. The Fanimation Parrot and Perch is available with the following: Included Features:Lifetime warranty.Shipping: Orders placed by 11am PT Monday – Friday will ship within 24 hours. Orders received after 11am PT will ship next day. Orders received after 11 am on Friday through Sunday will ship the following Monday. Dimensions: Item: Width 14 In., Height 26.5 In.

North American Pet BBO21319 Wooden Parrot Perch $19.94 Each perch is slotted to fit most standard wire cages. Stock your store with a large selection of sizes to give your customer the option to customize their bird s cage. Each perch comes with it s own UPC sticker for easy identification. Perches with a g

Unison 925CR030 Parrot on a Swing Perch 4in $22.8 Hand sculpted glass figurine with touches of 24kt gold. Swing moves allowing the parrot to swing. Swing stand has flowers and leaves attached. Made of cermanic material Mirror is bevel. No two are the same Size: 4.5in H x 2.25in W. . Great for Collectors. Sculpted Glass

Shopzeus USA zeusd1EPST1255043 Large Moveable Perch Black 14x6x6 $32.46 Ideal For Cockatiel Through Parrot Size Birds Attaches To The Horizontal Wires Of Most Bird CagesAttaches To The Horizontal Wires Of Most Bird CagesInside or Outside. 14 x 6 x 6 (3/4 wood perch). 1.

Parrotopia SFLA Perch Shower Fun Large 1 Inch x 15 Inch $34.58 The Sandy Perch Shower Fun is a great way for your parrot to play in the water. Our perfected Sandy Perch grip surface will not allow your parrot to slip in the shower as many other types might when wet. It also swivels for more mounting options. Each perch has 3 suction cups. The perch swivels so you may move it against the wall when not in use.Available in beautiful colors and three diameters.Small .5” Medium .75” and Large 1”

Parrotopia SFME Perch Shower Fun Medium .75 Inch x 12 Inch $30.46 The Sandy Perch Shower Fun is a great way for your parrot to play in the water. Our perfected Sandy Perch grip surface will not allow your parrot to slip in the shower as many other types might when wet. It also swivels for more mounting options. Each perch has 3 suction cups. The perch swivels so you may move it against the wall when not in use.Available in beautiful colors and three diameters.Small .5 Medium .75 and Large 1

Parrotopia SFSM Perch Shower Fun Small .5 Inch x 12 Inch $28.51 The Sandy Perch Shower Fun is a great way for your parrot to play in the water. Our perfected Sandy Perch grip surface will not allow your parrot to slip in the shower as many other types might when wet. It also swivels for more mounting options. Each perch has 3 suction cups. The perch swivels so you may move it against the wall when not in use.Available in beautiful colors and three diameters.Small .5” Medium .75” and Large 1”

Parrotopia FSL Sandy Perch Fork Large 12 Inch $30.03 Now your parrot will have more room to move around and trim its nails at the same time. Bird perch mounts to almost any cage inside or out with simple washers and a wingnut. No tools needed. Each one is unique and fashioned from an all real hardwood branch then coated with the perfected Sandy Perch coating. Treat your bird today. Mount inside or outside the cage Comfortable because it’s not concrete. Large Measures 12” Veterinarian Preferred

Parrotopia FSS Sandy Perch Fork Small 8 Inch $26.26 Now your parrot will have more room to move around and trim its nails at the same time. Bird perch mounts to almost any cage inside or out with simple washers and a wingnut. No tools needed. Each one is unique and fashioned from an all real hardwood branch then coated with the perfected Sandy Perch coating. Treat your bird today. Mount inside or outside the cage Comfortable because it’s not concrete. Small Measures 8” Veterinarian Preferred

Parrotopia FSM Sandy Perch Fork Medium 12 Inch $25.35 Now your parrot will have more room to move around and trim its nails at the same time. Bird perch mounts to almost any cage inside or out with simple washers and a wingnut. No tools needed. Each one is unique and fashioned from an all real hardwood branch then coated with the perfected Sandy Perch coating. Treat your bird today. Mount inside or outside the cage Comfortable because it’s not concrete. Medium Measures 12” Veterinarian Preferred

Parrotopia MFM Sandy Perch Fork Mini 8 Inch $22.1 Now your parrot will have more room to move around and trim its nails at the same time. Bird perch mounts to almost any cage inside or out with simple washers and a wingnut. No tools needed. Each one is unique and fashioned from an all real hardwood branch then coated with the perfected Sandy Perch coating. Treat your bird today. Mount inside or outside the cage Comfortable because it’s not concrete. Mini Measures 8” Veterinarian Preferred

YML Group PS36 Parrot Stand 36 x 48 Inches $122.85 The YML Group is a manufacturer and distributer of pet supplies based out of California. Their products include dry and wet food cages clothes toys and accessories for a variety of animals. Pictured here is lovely parrot stand for your pet birds. Dimensions 36 x 48 inches. Perch 1.2 inches diameter.