This week our topic is about: Lentils, Walnuts and Quinoa for Birds!
Spring is here and it is time to get a new menu for the birdies! I added
cooked lentils, couscous with chic peas, raw walnuts and cooked quinoa to
the parrot menu this week. I found that cooking a batch of lentils and quinoa
will last about a 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator.
What are lentils? Lentils are legumes along with other types of beans rich in
protein. Quinoa is the mother grain of all protein grains! For great information
on this food for your parrot check out: http://www.holisticbirds.com/pages/quinoa0504.htm
What is couscous you ask? Couscous is among one of the healthiest
grain-based products. It has a glycemic load per gram 25% below that of
pasta. It has a superior vitamin profile to pasta, containing twice as much
riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, and folate. There has been a discussion on
whether couscous raises the lipids in a bird's blood. So far, any information
still points to the fact that it is a healthy and safe treat to give one or two times
a week.
Your bird will enjoy eating a variety of grains and nuts. Try whole grain bread,
cereal and oatmeal along with barley, quinoa and wild rice. Beans, lentils and
chickpeas are legumes you can feed your parrot. Almonds, Brazil nuts,
cashews, hazelnuts, peanuts, pecans and walnuts are a few other fun healthy
treats!
Visit our fresh food page for more healthy enriching food ideas at: http://www.loveyourparrot.com/food.html
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Saturday, November 12, 2011
The bird that won't eat fruits or vegetables!
So you have purchased a parrot or adopted one. You have heard all about the fun fresh foods you can feed to your bird. The excitement hits as you run to the store and buy apples, bananas, oranges, broccoli, corn, carrots, peas, and anything else that is on your birdie care food sheet that was sent home with you.
The new family member has a clean cage and a beautiful bowl of fresh fruits and vegetables. You check on the little guy a few hours later and the foods are turning colors, still in the same spot, never to have been touched! What is a bird owner to think?
Just like toddlers that throw their food or refuse to eat a newly introduced food, it takes time and patience. When mommy eats a certain food in front of the child, usually they will like it too. If your parrot, big or small, is not willing to try fresh foods, you can try taking your bird out and letting him watch you eat your fresh fruits and vegetables.
Curiosity will usually get the best of them and your parrot will try new foods. Think about the temperature, texture, color, and always check to make sure what you are introducing is not toxic to birds. Good luck and don't ever give up!
For fresh food ideas, visit our web page!
http://loveyourparrot.com/food.html
For fresh food ideas, visit our web page!
http://loveyourparrot.com/food.html
Saturday, June 4, 2011
loveyourparrot.com June 2011 Newsletter
Wow! What a busy birdie I have been. Last month I adopted a handicapped rose-breasted cockatoo and a feather plucked lutino parrotlet. They are both thriving and I am thankful to have had the opportunity to better their life. Amazingly, both Eddie the cockatoo and Mango the parrotlet are buddies. Who would have thought! I will be posting pictures on the website homepage at http://loveyourparrot.com.
I also have received many e-mails from parrot parents all around the world wanting the best advice on how to care for their precious sweeties. I couldn't get back to all of you this month but I wanted to take this newsletter and give a few feathers of helpful information to answer most of the questions asked.
I have experienced over 15 years of caring for parrots which includes different feeding and diet types, breeding, hand-raising/hand-feeding, tube feeding ill birds, and other medical and behavioral challenges. This allows me to share my knowledge through hands on experience and give any suggestions or friendly advice to help another bird lover get through a difficult bird behavior, feeding problem, or educational information on how to care for their bird properly, the right way, the way a bird deserves to be cared for. As always, I start with my first suggestion, always ask your local avian vet and make an appointment for your bird to have an exam.
A bird that is not eating, lethargic, and puffed is usually an emergency situation. Birds will not show illness until it is really serious. They have the instinct to "act" fine so that a predator will not snatch them up, so when obvious illness symptoms show, it has already been many days of them not feeling well in most cases.
There are many ways to train and tame your bird. BirdTricks.com has excellent success at helping people stop a bird from biting and other behavioral issues. I personally like to wear a glove with a bird that is untamed and with patience and a routine of taking the bird out, putting on my lap or chest each day, the bird will usually come around. Before you know it, the bird will step up for you without a glove, this is best when the bird is out of the cage and on the ground. They will feel less confident on the floor, this is a breaking point that I have found works, they learn over time to trust. They step up then fly off, over and over, day after day, finally they don't fly off!! Only try a few times a day, then let the bird rest.
In some cases with a bird that has been abused in a previous home, it is still possible but may take longer. Sometimes it might not be, in these situation, I just give them a good home and respect their beauty. I have a red-bellied parrot with only one eye. He was attacked by an animal so he does not want hand to hand contact but will come out, talk to me, and loves attention. Respect and train the ones you can, provide a loving home for those you can't and enjoy them whether you hold them or not.
Tip #1, When training/ taming a bird, do not have them with another bird in the cage.
Tip #2: Do not put the bird on your shoulder and or higher than you. These situation will not help your bird bond to you. They will dominate and yearn to be top bird (what child doesn't), give them respect but still train that you are the parent. My birdies are naughty when they are on that very top perch, little stinkers....
Tip #3: Watch a bird video showing birds in the wild, this will help you to understand that a bird is still a bird, they chirp, scream, chew, play, poop, throw food around, and bond to a mate. U-Tube is a great place to watch your particular species in the wild.
I hope you enjoyed this more personal newsletter. Thank you to all that signed up and support the site! Next month I will be talking about food dyes and parrot pellets.
I also have received many e-mails from parrot parents all around the world wanting the best advice on how to care for their precious sweeties. I couldn't get back to all of you this month but I wanted to take this newsletter and give a few feathers of helpful information to answer most of the questions asked.
I have experienced over 15 years of caring for parrots which includes different feeding and diet types, breeding, hand-raising/hand-feeding, tube feeding ill birds, and other medical and behavioral challenges. This allows me to share my knowledge through hands on experience and give any suggestions or friendly advice to help another bird lover get through a difficult bird behavior, feeding problem, or educational information on how to care for their bird properly, the right way, the way a bird deserves to be cared for. As always, I start with my first suggestion, always ask your local avian vet and make an appointment for your bird to have an exam.
A bird that is not eating, lethargic, and puffed is usually an emergency situation. Birds will not show illness until it is really serious. They have the instinct to "act" fine so that a predator will not snatch them up, so when obvious illness symptoms show, it has already been many days of them not feeling well in most cases.
There are many ways to train and tame your bird. BirdTricks.com has excellent success at helping people stop a bird from biting and other behavioral issues. I personally like to wear a glove with a bird that is untamed and with patience and a routine of taking the bird out, putting on my lap or chest each day, the bird will usually come around. Before you know it, the bird will step up for you without a glove, this is best when the bird is out of the cage and on the ground. They will feel less confident on the floor, this is a breaking point that I have found works, they learn over time to trust. They step up then fly off, over and over, day after day, finally they don't fly off!! Only try a few times a day, then let the bird rest.
In some cases with a bird that has been abused in a previous home, it is still possible but may take longer. Sometimes it might not be, in these situation, I just give them a good home and respect their beauty. I have a red-bellied parrot with only one eye. He was attacked by an animal so he does not want hand to hand contact but will come out, talk to me, and loves attention. Respect and train the ones you can, provide a loving home for those you can't and enjoy them whether you hold them or not.
Tip #1, When training/ taming a bird, do not have them with another bird in the cage.
Tip #2: Do not put the bird on your shoulder and or higher than you. These situation will not help your bird bond to you. They will dominate and yearn to be top bird (what child doesn't), give them respect but still train that you are the parent. My birdies are naughty when they are on that very top perch, little stinkers....
Tip #3: Watch a bird video showing birds in the wild, this will help you to understand that a bird is still a bird, they chirp, scream, chew, play, poop, throw food around, and bond to a mate. U-Tube is a great place to watch your particular species in the wild.
I hope you enjoyed this more personal newsletter. Thank you to all that signed up and support the site! Next month I will be talking about food dyes and parrot pellets.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Handling A Handicapped Parrot
With love.....
That's what I think of first when I think about handling my handicapped rose-breasted cockatoo. I adopted Eddie from an old friend and he has brought so much joy to my family. A deformed foot and wing, Eddie hobbles around and teaches me about the real meaning of life. I see it even more now, it's what's in the inside, not the out.
His appearance may not be perfect but his personality is as sweet as a new baby bird. Eddie is over 3 years old. I have another bird that has only one eye, you want to feel sorry for him, but when he shows a perky and fun side, it reminds me of life and disabilities. We can all learn and grow with these small, simple lessons.
Most of us have said at one time or another that we could NEVER do this or that. If I had twins, if I didn't have my hands or lost my sight, but really we are still capable to do what is necessary to get through life once we are put in that place.
I am proud to be the owner of these two handicapped feathered lovies. I write this as a reminder to all of us bird lovers, don't leave out the treasures that appear less beautiful, bringing them into your heart will show you the real meaning of beauty.
That's what I think of first when I think about handling my handicapped rose-breasted cockatoo. I adopted Eddie from an old friend and he has brought so much joy to my family. A deformed foot and wing, Eddie hobbles around and teaches me about the real meaning of life. I see it even more now, it's what's in the inside, not the out.
His appearance may not be perfect but his personality is as sweet as a new baby bird. Eddie is over 3 years old. I have another bird that has only one eye, you want to feel sorry for him, but when he shows a perky and fun side, it reminds me of life and disabilities. We can all learn and grow with these small, simple lessons.
Most of us have said at one time or another that we could NEVER do this or that. If I had twins, if I didn't have my hands or lost my sight, but really we are still capable to do what is necessary to get through life once we are put in that place.
I am proud to be the owner of these two handicapped feathered lovies. I write this as a reminder to all of us bird lovers, don't leave out the treasures that appear less beautiful, bringing them into your heart will show you the real meaning of beauty.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
A Bird Will Always Be A Bird!
Experiencing the joy and uncanny love from a tame pet parrot is pure bliss. It would be surprising for those who do not know about parrots to see the amazing ability parrots have to connect with people and crave enormous amounts of attention and intellect behaviors towards a family. Like I said, it can be uncanny, very surprising for those that have not had the chance to experience this.
While some birds are not exactly fit for a typical household like macaws,amazons, and cockatoos, others like budgies, cockatiels, parrotlets or green-cheeked conures are great for most loving families. I love the bigger birds but I do agree that they are for experienced parrot owners only, given that they are high on the list for being unwanted after the glam wears off within a few months. Screaming, demanding attention, and high maintenance of messy cages are just a few of the real joys that will be brought to attention and only tolerated for a lifetime for those truly patience and passionate for the species.
After all, parrots are not domesticated, so of course they will act like their wild family members around the world. Would you reprimand your child for doing things they are suppose to do? Parrots naturally flick food out of their nest hole, keeping only what they want to eat, scream as a means of communication, and get water all over the place when they take a bath. They are a bird, let's not forget that.
If you have pet birds, I encourage you to take the time to remind yourself of how special a bird really is. How lucky are they to soar above the earth and view the world at a distance that we cannot naturally do? Without them, could we really fly with our own dreams? Not really. The power of wings can be felt within all of us. Hand-raised birds may never experience the free feeling of flying, they know no different as we humans are now mommy and daddy, but they will know happiness or neglect.
Sit back and evaluate your birds living environment, emotional health, fresh food diet, and amount of sunshine your parrot is experiencing. Your heart should shine with what love your parrot can offer to your family! Enjoy your day!!
While some birds are not exactly fit for a typical household like macaws,amazons, and cockatoos, others like budgies, cockatiels, parrotlets or green-cheeked conures are great for most loving families. I love the bigger birds but I do agree that they are for experienced parrot owners only, given that they are high on the list for being unwanted after the glam wears off within a few months. Screaming, demanding attention, and high maintenance of messy cages are just a few of the real joys that will be brought to attention and only tolerated for a lifetime for those truly patience and passionate for the species.
After all, parrots are not domesticated, so of course they will act like their wild family members around the world. Would you reprimand your child for doing things they are suppose to do? Parrots naturally flick food out of their nest hole, keeping only what they want to eat, scream as a means of communication, and get water all over the place when they take a bath. They are a bird, let's not forget that.
If you have pet birds, I encourage you to take the time to remind yourself of how special a bird really is. How lucky are they to soar above the earth and view the world at a distance that we cannot naturally do? Without them, could we really fly with our own dreams? Not really. The power of wings can be felt within all of us. Hand-raised birds may never experience the free feeling of flying, they know no different as we humans are now mommy and daddy, but they will know happiness or neglect.
Sit back and evaluate your birds living environment, emotional health, fresh food diet, and amount of sunshine your parrot is experiencing. Your heart should shine with what love your parrot can offer to your family! Enjoy your day!!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Bringing Baby Bird Home
Have you found the perfect feathered baby parrot to bring home? It is an exciting experience for us bird lovers. I smile as I think about that first day I brought my baby cockatoo home to hand-feed. She was in a tub, too little to be in a cage yet, and she took her first steps to perching on the side and wobbling around to hold on. This beautiful creature was emerging from baby chick to full grown baby bird in a matter of days.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Parrot Foraging
Welcome to loveyourparrot! This week the topic is about feeding your parrot fresh fruits and veggies. Parrots love foraging for food, searching for or picking through to find that special yummy something. Any pet parrot owner will tell you how messy parrots can be when they eat. Make it a positive experience!
Try taking a green pepper, scraping out the inside to make it hollow (be sure to make the hole big enough for your bird's head to go in and out of) and then place chopped or shredded carrots, celery, cucumber, sweet red or orange peppers, fruits, fresh or frozen green peas (thawed out of course and no canned veggies), corn, beans, and the list is endless so I'll stop here. Try this in all three colors of peppers to give a variety.
What is the end result? Enrichment for your bird and NUTRITIOUS meals. Did I mention a happy, vibrant bird as well. There is something about all that fresh food smell that makes me think of a jungle. It seems so natural, enjoy your time with your parrots. They are beautiful in every way if you allow them to be.
Try taking a green pepper, scraping out the inside to make it hollow (be sure to make the hole big enough for your bird's head to go in and out of) and then place chopped or shredded carrots, celery, cucumber, sweet red or orange peppers, fruits, fresh or frozen green peas (thawed out of course and no canned veggies), corn, beans, and the list is endless so I'll stop here. Try this in all three colors of peppers to give a variety.
What is the end result? Enrichment for your bird and NUTRITIOUS meals. Did I mention a happy, vibrant bird as well. There is something about all that fresh food smell that makes me think of a jungle. It seems so natural, enjoy your time with your parrots. They are beautiful in every way if you allow them to be.
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