Parrots are fascinating creatures……and parrot ownership is one of the greatest adventures you’ll ever have in a lifetime. It can be a truly rewarding experience, provided you are up to the challenge.

Here are a few common questions about parrots:

1. How do parrots learn to talk? Parrots talk because they are taught to do so. If you see a parrot who has amassed a huge vocabulary and can speak with exceptional clarity—it represents hundreds of hours of hard work. Some parrots are more prone to speech than others. The African Grey and Quaker parrots are known to be exceptional talkers. However, you still need to work with your bird to encourage him to speak. You can do this by speaking to your bird on a regular basis. Keep in mind that parrots are individuals and some birds just may not want to talk. My Cockatoo “Marshmellow” has a small vocabulary but I love her no matter what.

2. Why do parrots scream? There are several reasons. In the first place, this is how parrots communicate. Dog’s bark, cats meow, chickens cluck and parrots–well, they scream. So if you see your bird sitting on his bird perch screaming, he may simply be trying to say something. In the wild, loud vocalizations are how parrots communicate with one another.

However, if you have a parrot who screams incessantly, you may have a much larger problem. Many parrots scream out of boredom or because they want attention. One way to eliminate this issue is to provide your feathered friend with an abundance of bird toys. This will help keep your bird occupied mentally and physically. Additionally, ignore your bird when he screams in order to teach him that his loud screaming will not get your attention. When your feathered friend is quiet and is exhibiting a behavior that you want you should give your feathered friend lots of attention. This will teach your bird which behaviors get attention and which behaviors do not.

3. Are there any parrots that don’t bite? Unfortunately, the answer is no. Biting is how parrots defend themselves in the wild. If your bird becomes startled or scared, he may resort to biting. The good news is that a parrot who has been hand-raised will not bite as often as a wild caught bird.

4. Should I feed my bird only seeds? No! Although birds love seeds, this should not be the primary component in their diet. Seeds contain a high level of fat, they can cause your parrot to become overweight or obese if they are consumed in large portions on a regular basis. Remember—the key to keeping your parrot healthy and happy is a balanced diet, which includes fresh fruits, veggies, legumes, pellets and a few seeds.