My pets are parrots

[queenbee288]

This is Whisper, my African Grey. At only 18 months old she already can say over 40 phrases. She is so smart and sweet.
http://lanephotography.smugmug.com/photos/556036719_REx5k-L.jpg

http://lanephotography.smugmug.com/photos/556036748_dLNqv-L.jpg

This is an Umbrella Cockatoo I recently rescued and am trying to find a home for. I call her Barbara Jean.

http://lanephotography.smugmug.com/photos/556036689_sKRSh-L.jpg

http://lanephotography.smugmug.com/photos/556036661_q62km-L.jpg

[butterfly2937]

Oh how cute! I love African greys are they allot of work to keep as pets? Where can you get one and be assured it is healthy?

[queenbee288]

Yes they are a lot of work and require a lot of attention. There is a lot of sacrifice involved in owning a parrot. I had to give up non-stick cookware, candles, household cleaners such as bleach, air fresheners of any kind ect, No cigarrete smoke ect.

You should only buy from a reputable breeder. Preferably one that tests their bird for the major diseases and vaccinates against polyoma virus but those that do are rare. Do not buy from a pet store.
Anyone thinking of owning a parrot should should do their research to be sure they can meet the needs of these wonderful creatures. Oh, I should also mention you must love to vacuum and clean bird poop.:D Fortunately by African Grey is pottie trained.

[butterfly2937]

Yes they are a lot of work and require a lot of attention. There is a lot of sacrifice involved in owning a parrot. I had to give up non-stick cookware, candles, household cleaners such as bleach, air fresheners of any kind ect, No cigarrete smoke ect.

You should only buy from a reputable breeder. Preferably one that tests their bird for the major diseases and vaccinates against polyoma virus but those that do are rare. Do not buy from a pet store.
Anyone thinking of owning a parrot should should do their research to be sure they can meet the needs of these wonderful creatures. Oh, I should also mention you must love to vacuum and clean bird poop.:D Fortunately by African Grey is pottie trained.
How do you pottie train a parrot? How does one learn more about what is involved in keeping one. Why no air freshners or cleaning agents. What kind of cleaners can you use and how does this effect the bird?

[queenbee288]

I belong to a wonderful African Grey forum. Lots of good info there.
http://www.greyforums.net/

A lot of cleaning agents emit toxic fumes. A birds respiratory system is very highly developed and is affected much more by airborne toxins than humans or other pets. That is why back in the old days they used to take a canary into the mines to detect poisonous gas. If the bird fell over and died then they knew gas was present. There are lots of natural cleaning products. I use vinegar and water for most things.

[yokotas13]

i use to have one of each of those.
i loved my umbrella!

[suesue]

Beautiful! My sis has the same 2 breeds.....& Yes..they are alot of work. I told her NOT to leave them to me in her will...lol

[krs2fer]

Great looking birds...almost as cute as your avatar...
Why the no non-stick cookware? I have read where it puts off some kind of fumes, is that it?
Funny, I use vinegar and water for cleaning and disinfecting too.. It works great for keeping ants out of the house, just spray around the door jam and they won't come in that way anymore..

[amethyst dragon]

your parrots are very cute nice shot on the last one.

[queenbee288]

Great looking birds...almost as cute as your avatar...
Why the no non-stick cookware? I have read where it puts off some kind of fumes, is that it?
Funny, I use vinegar and water for cleaning and disinfecting too.. It works great for keeping ants out of the house, just spray around the door jam and they won't come in that way anymore..

Yes. it emits fumes that are deadly to birds. There was someone on the bird forum I belonged to that used a broiler pan in his oven that had a non-stick finish. The birds died within minutes.

[CreameryPugs]

Your parrots are awesome...

[fmphotos]

Awesome parrots, Are they hard to look after.

I like the first shot best !