Should I Get a Quaker, Ringneck, or Conure?
Happy father and daughter choosing pretty bird for keeping in pet shop

Should I Get a Quaker, Ringneck, or Conure?

Kayla writes to ask:

 

I’m stuck between getting a conure or a quaker (ok maybe an Indian ringneck too), and could really use advice on what current owners think.

 

I’m hoping to find a best friend who wants to be involved, cuddly, silly, and maybe even say a few words eventually.

 

I mostly don’t want one who screams and screeches all day.

 

Is a quaker on the right track?

 

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Can I Put A Baby Budgie In With My Cockatiel?
playing parakeet and Cockatiel

Can I Put A Baby Budgie In With My Cockatiel?

Kim W. wants to know

 

Can I Put A Baby Budgie In With My Cockatiel?

 

Dear Kim

 

One-word answer. NO!

 

We recently were given a baby parakeet from a customer who found it outside her apartment building.

 

She could not keep it as she has an ailing bird currently and didn’t want to take a risk.

 

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What Is the Lowest Temperature Can My 2 Greys Survive Outside?
Two beautiful gray parrots on the branches

What Is the Lowest Temperature Can My 2 Greys Survive Outside?

Grae W. wonders

 

Hello, I have two 21-year-old grays, that I have had since they were young babies.

 

They are very healthy and happy birds. In the winter months, in the south (NC), I put them out in their cage on sunny, non-windy days, if it’s above 47 degrees.

 

As their cage loses the sun, I bring them in, and put them on their perch, in a glass door walk-in shower.

 

I have asthma, so must not bring in their cage.

 

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How Does My Family Keep Our Blue & Gold Macaw as My Parents Age?
close-up-blue-gold-macaw

How Does My Family Keep Our Blue & Gold Macaw as My Parents Age?

Kirstin B. relates

Hi,

I have a blue and gold macaw parrot. He has been in the family since he was a baby.  Sadly my great uncle was the one who got him and died shortly thereafter.

He has gone through 2 other family members until sitting with me and my dad.

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Which Larger Parrot Species Is the Least Difficult to Take Care of?
macaw-hang-upside-down

Which Larger Parrot Species Is the Least Difficult to Take Care of?

Thank you for acknowledging a category for “large macaws,” you’ve been paying your due diligence.

My knowledge base comes from operating a  website that sells exclusively to pet bird keepers.

You can read about 1400 posts I’ve written on pet bird care.

Re: “Please don’t kid yourself there are no large parrot species that is any less difficult than the other to take care of” (below).

First, off one person’s, anecdotes should not be a driver on how to create a single bird or a flock’s environment.

Re: “ I recently bought a brand new TV and thanks to my parrot it has a crack in the screen”

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How Do I Care For My 2 Eclectus Parrot Pluckers?
randall-male-eclectus-1-blog-2

How Do I Care For My 2 Eclectus Parrot Pluckers?

Hi Randall

I’m looking at the pictures you sent, thank you.

Obviously, the birds have feather self-destruction issues.

Typically these need to be addressed holistically.

Before we get granular on the issue let’s do some housekeeping and talk about this particular species.

 About 20% of parrots are sexually dimorphic meaning you can determine the sex of the bird by its color or markings.

Eclectus parrots are either red and blue (female) or green (male). 

Male ringnecks have the ring,  females have none.

 

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