Caloshua Macaw

Essential Parrot Supplies

Whether you have a new pet parrot or have been keeping parrots for years, you will need to shop for various parrot supplies and accessories. Furnishing that cage or finding the best toys is important for you and your bird. Parrots need an assortment of accessories if they are going to live a happy, healthy life. They just can’t sit in their cage and do nothing all day long. Here are a few tips and suggestions for getting the necessary parrot supplies.

Perches

One of the mainstay parrot supplies is the perch. Parrots spend most of the time standing. In fact if they aren’t standing it may be s sign of illness. Being on their feet all the time means you need to pay special attention to the health of their feet. Standing on the same size perch or the same textured perch all the time can lead to sore feet. You should consider the perch as a replaceable item that is used, chewed on, worn out and replaced every so often. Today, there many different varieties of perches made in different widths and from many different materials.

Most cages come with a smooth straight pine dowel perch. This is OK but pretty plain. There are better choices so when you’re out shopping for other parrot supplies replace them. There are branch like perches made from hard wood, holey cholla wood and others. These perches have various widths and textures – great for foot care.  The soft woods like pine are great for chewing but just be prepared to replace it often if your bird is a big chewer.

Concrete perches are great for nail trimming and your parrot will probably use it to file its beak. They come in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors. Rope perches are also available and give the bird something else to chew and tear up. Make sure you regularly inspect these perches and cut off any fraying threads. Plastic perches are all right for a variety but make sure your parrot has other things to stand on as well.

Coop Cups

Your cage probably came with two plastic coop cups that are generally too small. Really, your bird needs three cups - one for seeds or pellets, one for water and one for fresh foods. Stainless steel or ceramic is the material of choice rather than plastic. While you’re at it, buy two sets of three so you can rotate them allowing each set to be thoroughly cleaned and dried before reuse. Feeding dishes are parrot supplies that cannot be overlooked.

Toys

Shopping for parrot supplies would not be complete without bringing home some toys. Toys are a vital part of maintaining your parrot’s good health. Yes parrots can develop emotional problems that can lead to all sorts of self-destructive behavior. While toys may not be able to always prevent this, they can help by keeping your bird busy.

You want to give your parrot a variety of toys – toys that will stimulate different activities and expend energy. In the wild parrots will fly long distances every day in search of food. They will build nest and tend to their young. In captivity, they won’t be doing most of these things. Toys can help stimulate these natural activities.

Wooden toys are a must. Parrots love to chew and wooden toys are perfect. They come in many shapes and sizes usually strung together on rope or chains that can be hung in the cage. Many of these will also have various treats inter mixed with the wood for an added attraction.

Preening toys come with brush like feature on the end giving a lone parrot the opportunity to preen something other than himself.  Frayed pieces of rope can serve the same purpose but make sure you trim the ends when the frayed threads get too long.

You can find some toys that have treats hidden inside. These are a great way to keep your bird entertained as he tries to get at the hidden goodies.  They will have to expend energy to find them - something you want them to do.

Swings and ladders are essential parrot supplies. Most birds love their swings as long as they are properly sized for the bird. The ladders will give them the opportunity for a little more exercise than standing on the perch all day. Ladders also make great chewing fodder as well.