Animal Stories - Parrot Species


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Latest Animal Stories on Parrot Species (265)

Kathy - 2012-12-22
I have a hawkhead that I've had since she was 5 months old. She is a spoiled, stubborn, loud, bossy, over confident, wild-like, self-absorbed, food-obsessed little demon. She is also a very affectionate, playful, funny, in-tuned with my feelings, cuddle monster. I wouldn't trade her for a thing. She views my youngest daughter as her play toy and loves to chase her around daily, multiple times, in fact every chance she gets. My kids have learned to watch VERY closely for body language, even during play, because she is a very rough player and can cause a severe bite. Being aggressive in everything they do is their nature. With me, she is sweet as can be, but I still need to watch body language. I tell people all the time that Hawkheads are not birds for amateurs. They are very high maintenance and require someone who is extremely patient, able to handle hard bites, and is very experienced with other parrots. They are definitely NOT a beginner bird. I have a cockatoo as well, which are notorious for being a high maintenance bird, and I feel that a Hawkhead is on the same level, if not harder. Noise wise, they can be just a loud as a cockatoo, if not more. They also tend to be a lot more unpredictable than a cockatoo. Please, if you are thinking of getting a Hawkhead, be sure to do lots and lots and LOTS of research first. They are not easy birds by far. You will get bitten. You will get rejected. You will get ringing in your ears. You will get all your food stolen ( :P ). BUT, if you are patient and respectful of their nature, you will be rewarded with a best friend that only hates you sometimes, especially when you don't share your food.

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Anonymous - 2013-02-25
you probaly dont play wth him or her enough.
Anonymous - 2013-02-26
did you get it from eggsotic parroting
Kathy - 2013-05-12
Anonymous - 2013-02-25 you probaly dont play wth him or her enough. Anonymous - 2013-02-26 did you get it from eggsotic parroting Huh? I don't play with him enough? I don't get what that is a response to. My post wasn't asking for advice, I was giving it. My hawkhead is played with plenty. In fact, she's spoiled and a big 'mamma's baby'. Also, no, I did not get her from eggsotic parroting.
Clarice Brough - 2013-05-13
Hey kathy, I for one think your info is great! And I also think this is an absolutely fascinating bird. Thanks for sharing:)
Gayle - 2014-10-18
Kathy, your post is absolutely, unequivocally one of the best, most accurate, and unbiased I've ever read on Hawkheads. I've been owned by one for 9 years now and have the scars to prove it!! Everything you said is right-on the mark, and I'd just like to confirm that if anyone is even remotely thinking of buying one of these birds, think again, do more research, talk to other HH owners, and then think again. You need to be prepared for a roller coaster ride of emotional response from these beautiful, loving birds. They can be oh so cuddly and affectionate for an hour, then turn right around and administer an extremely painful, tenacious bite to their human for no apparent reason. The person who commented that perhaps you're not playing with your bird enough is just plain ignorant of the HH species. Even if you've owned other parrot species for 50 years, you have no clue what you're in for if you bring a HH into your life. I ditto this: ' She is a spoiled, stubborn, loud, bossy, over confident, wild-like, self-absorbed, food-obsessed little demon. She is also a very affectionate, playful, funny, in-tuned with my feelings, cuddle monster. I wouldn't trade her for a thing.'
Kathy - 2016-08-17
Well, I'm a lot late, but thank you Gayle for the back up. Lol@I don't play with her enough. That still cracks me up. I've had my HH for about 7 or so years now (I've lost track of time exactly). I still love her to bits, and her me. She stills tries to chase my daughter around, though we don't encourage it any more, as she seems to have moved away from play chasing, and switched to a homicidal maniac rampage now, lol. Instead, we ignore the desire to chase, or cage her if she is insistent on it, because she's just not able to tell the difference between play and mean. Now we do extra cuddling, talking and just being with her.

I still stand by my original posting here. HH's are different from other parrots in that they are much more unpredictable, aggressive by nature and demanding than other parrots. I have 6 parrots, of 5 different species. Three I've had longer than my HH. She is by far my most demanding and needy one, but also the one I am the closest too. Once again, I wouldn't trade her for anything. She is my baby for life.
allison - 2017-11-02
Hi Kathy,
I have had my hawkhead parrot for 14years, and I also want to say you are spot on. I adore my little HH, but she is work. I find it so funny that they all seem to have such similar tendencies, especially with the food. If I forget to share food with her, she almost tries to remove it from my mouth! You have completely described my little one in all details except one. I also wanted to add he is extremely jealous of my Blue and gold macaw, which is a big problem. I have to make sure I give her her share of treats and affection in equal amount, otherwise there will be trouble. I did get my bird from eggslotic parrots. I wonder what that other person was trying to get at with that comment? Thanks for sharing your comments.
Katie Denski - 2023-01-29
Kathy BEAUTIFULLY SAID. Anonymous you are EXACTLY the type of person that should never have privedge to own a Hawk Head parrot.

Anonymous - 2021-02-25
I got a 19 year old Senegal. So cute. He was happy dance. Talking. I got him $110 stand. Lots of freedom. Now he bites. Blood all over. I chased him so it’s probably a set back. Not sure if I’ll keep him. Too much blood. Or just leave him in cage. Cause he purrs. But I love to play with my birds. I know some people never take them out of cage. In fact I can make moneyI’ve always had good luck with pets

medo - 2019-12-30
hi, I have a male and a female eclectus, and they have more than one baby but recently I noticed the male attack the female and his aggression towards her. I don’t know why i separated them from each other for months and I prepared them but to no avail the male attacks female agen and I don’t know what to do, please help me

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Subrata Chakrabarti - 2020-11-17
You can place the pair in a smaller cage say 5ft/2ft/2ft/ or around that size and give them feed in separate bowls in opposite corners of that cage with a common water bowl placed in the middle. The perches should be fixed in far sides of the cage. Please keep an eye whether they are still fighting. This may reduce their infighting and make them accepting each other, and some months after you may try and place them in the bigger cage. Thanks. With best wishes.

Ben Silverman - 2020-04-14
IF it gives any of you a smile, Chica, my Meyer's, about 4 years old, says three things: 1) Peekaboo! She learned that at her first home, but says it less as an adult; 2) Big Budgie! I taught her that, ironically of course. She is not a 'budgie' 3) as of last week, 'GodDAMMIT!'

Mike Cooper - 2019-10-24
I'm looking for a young handfed Male Red -Bellied Poicephalus. Mike Cooper coopgroup@cinci.rr.com. Thanks

Jerri - 2019-08-24
I am looking for a 2+year old female red-bellies parrot. I have a 5 yr male.

Donna - 2019-08-04
Hello, my Meyers, Henny, she started out Henry as we thought she was a boy. She will be 20 October 28th. She was about 3-4wks old and I hand fed her. Evidently breeder was not reputable, unknown to me. However, her Avian vet says she is very healthy and the prettiest little girl. But aren’t they all gorgeous! She talks, but doesn’t enunciate well, thank goodness!shes super affectionate but.apparently that led to a very hormonal bird. She had her first, and hopefully last dose of a hormone control arc. She is so much more relaxed. She’s very smart and intuitive, but she can be a pistol! One of our special times was when I was teaching her to say I love you. I repeated it frequently and when she said it back I said I love you too, to which she returned, I love you too too!!! Sometimes she’ll string five along. She is the light of my life. I hope I haven’t put you to sleep!! It’s just how often do you speak to someone who has a Meyers in there life. I so enjoyed reading your comments. I am so sorry to hear of the little 7yr old who payed. Sorry I don’t remember your name and couldn’t get back to other comments.

Kevin westney - 2013-11-07
What temperture for breeding senegals in outside shed thanks

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Clarice Brough - 2013-11-07
Parrot species originate from places with warm, tropical climates. For most parrots the comfort range is between 65º to 80º Fahrenheit, with an average ambient (room or outside) temperature of 72º being good for most. They can withstand a much broader range, however, of 40-90º Fahrenheit, but for this they need time to adjust. Any quick drop in temperature can be devastating to both their comfort and health and more extreme temperatures may not inspire breeding. Also make sure they are in a draft free area.

A newly-hatched baby needs a temperature of at least 95-98º Fahrenheit (in hand rearing situations this usually provided by some sort of artificial heat). As they grow to the pinfeather stage (at around 4 weeks of age) they can be kept at room temperature of about 72º Fahrenheit.
Shawn - 2019-08-03
You know best! I'm sure.

Corlea - 2016-03-19
HHi I have a ellectus parrot and am ery new to this. Please if someone experienced give some advice, I have tried reading up but aint getting the answers I am seeking. The bird is mostly green but has blue under the wings, and also a red ring around the neck,this way what I have researched I can't tell if it is a male or female. And also could someone please give me a good and supple diet I can follow

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Heike - 2016-05-11
Sounds like you've got a male ring neck parrot.
Amelia Swaringen - 2018-10-07
Hi I know you must be nervous. I also got a eclectus parrot that needed a home. I was not really prepared. I was bit by a bird mite and got her 5 days later. I had to be treated for scabies and Roxy (wild) had to go to the vet too. That is first thing I did. Next I read up on them and ran and threw house for my teflon pans and cookware out the door. I was screaming but remain calm. (Cast iron skillet are the best.) Toxic for bird with blow dryers and all. Roxy does get a dose of mite and lice spray. Three times on the back. She just puff up and there they go flying. Scratching is normal. That's went I use the spray after a bath. We don't want to raise those chiggers into big mites. She was sweet. She sings the whole song Tom Dewey and all these tricks others had taught her but sound depress like "Why did they give me up?" I was dancing on the floor with her on my arm. Then she change. Pow like to got in the eye. Her mood change. We where fighting over a load of clothes dirty clothes on the floor while she look for a place to lay her egg. I realized she not to be toyed with. She special and as much as we force them to live up to our demands I was wrong for they are tropical amazing birds. There needs need to be meant. I feed her Pretty Bird Species Specific. I don't use bleach in my house. I use vinegar and water. Most restaurant do. I use Old English to dust. I use bleach very lightly in the toilet with door shut. I use my perfume in the bedroom and away from them. I took all aerosols out of the house to hair spray to cleaning agents. You know I think I going to live longer. My house might smell like last week fish but I don't think that's pollution or harmful toxins. I am sure my bird Roxy has liver damage but we are working on that better life.
Well Roxy did lay an egg. I have to feed her one boil egg a week shell and all. She eat veg. Someone said NOT CAN FOOD like it poisonous not true just not nutritional. They said they like their veg cook not true. I just give the washed vegs like carrots, sweet corn, pumpkin seed, sweet pepper, onions, cooked turkey, fried chicken (not cook with peanut oil). I do cook oatmeal and feed dry cereal (no sugar in cereal). Now bread is cake to them so don't fill them up with lots of sugar and sweet. Wheat bread better. Dry whole wheat spaghetti. Cook you up some beans and cornbread and keep looking on the internet.
Roxy did get sick. I took her to the vet. The egg did not hatch and her head down low saying chirp, chirp, chirp. Doctor gave her a shot but he really did not think she was sick. I paid for a male. More money. Bigger cages.
Most information I got by calling Avian Adoption Centers who help me more I found on the internet. They help a lot and was friendly. I have to have someone to take them if anything happen to me anyway. I learn more about their needs on the internet too.
Oh yes they throw out there food and I got roaches but solved it by buying Red Lake earth Diatomaceous and it kills all bugs. So that problem was solved until the rats love all that food and then I got me a kitten and she does a good job and now I can have a dog because diatomaceous kills fleas. Very safe to use. Oh the good news is that I we have a new member to the family. JuneBug born in June this year. She will be looking for a new home in January if things goes right. Mom and Dad molted but not bad. Stressful for them to raise her and feed every two hours then four hours for these months but she coming out of her nest to met others. I felt a good bath buy water holes to clean cage and lot of sunshine helps with molting. Yes, don't ever give a bird away. They just sell it. They are very emotional too and will miss you very much. The money I will be getting from the baby will go to the parents health and their care only before another. I hope my story will help you anyway. Pet store help me. Breeders help me and so did Avian Adoption Centers in your state.
Johnylane - 2019-07-30
How much

Kevin C. Siegmann - 2019-07-18
I am looking for a Male African red bellied parrot.I currently have a 6 year old female. Please let me know. Texas area but willing to travel.

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