Parrots
Psittaciformes
Extremely intelligent animals requiring constant mental stimulation. Capable of social learning, imitation and complex communication.
Overview & key figures
Regulations
Psittaciformes; often CITES
ℹ️Many species are CITES I/II (permits for international trade). OPAn art. 13 annex 2: keep at least in pairs; minimum sizes and daily flight recommended. Registration/chip may be required by some cantons for large species.
Lifespan
from 30 to 60years
ℹ️From 30 years (Senegal, caique) to 60 years (African grey, Amazon, macaw) on average
Adult weight
from 0.2 to 1.5kg
ℹ️From 200 g (small) to 1.5 kg (large)
Lifestyle
Diurnal
Body temperature
from 39 to 42°C
ℹ️When ill: keep the bird at 27–29 °C
Sexual maturity
from 3 to 10years
ℹ️3–10 years (large parrots)
Incubation
from 26 to 28days
ℹ️Incubation 26–28 days
Litter / clutch size
from 2 to 4eggs
ℹ️2–4 eggs on average
Habitat & environment
Type of housing
Cage or aviary as large as possible, never round. Place away from kitchen and drafts. Use easy-to-clean materials; avoid galvanized (zinc-containing) metals.
Substrate & bedding
Low-dust substrate: newspaper, absorbent pad or kitchen paper. Loose bedding (hemp, cellulose, wood/coir shavings) only in large, well-ventilated setups.
Lighting
Photoperiod : 5–6 h in winter, 6–7 h in spring/autumn, 7–8 h in summer. Do not confuse with sleep duration (see Behaviour).
UVB
- UVB need : Required (vitamin D synthesis, calcium absorption)
- Lamp type : Bird-specific UV lamp (avian eyes perceive more frames/second; reptile lamps can cause an unpleasant strobe effect)
- Recommended brands : Arcadia Bird LampZoo Med AvianSun
- Replacement : Yearly
- Particularly sensitive species (African grey): UVB-related calcium deficiency can cause severe neurological disorders.
- UVB does not pass through glass or plexiglass. Place the lamp inside the terrarium, under a protective grille. Direct sun behind a window pane is ineffective and may cause dangerous overheating.
Exercise & outings
Daily outings in a secured room; free flight recommended. Involve the bird in household activities rather than excessive petting (reduces reproductive behaviour).
Required equipment
- ✓ Natural-wood perches of varying diameters (toes covering 2/3 to 3/4 of the circumference)
- ✓ Natural branches to chew
- ✓ Multiple feeding stations (encourage foraging)
- ✓ Fresh water changed daily
- ✓ Educational and puzzle toys (foraging)
- ✓ Shelter or quiet sleeping area
- ✓ Lukewarm bath or shower 2–3×/week
- ✓ Hygrometer to monitor humidity (target 50–55 %)
To avoid
- ⚠️ Round cages (disorientation)
- ⚠️ Galvanized (zinc-containing) metals (cheap cages, bells, hardware)
- ⚠️ Sandpaper-covered perches (footpad lesions)
- ⚠️ Non-stick cookware in adjacent kitchen (PTFE)
- ⚠️ Scented candles, room sprays, air fresheners in the same room
- ⚠️ Accessible electric cables
Technical parameters
| Ambient temperature | 18–25 °C Comfortable for humans; 27–29 °C if the bird is unwell. |
| Humidity | 50–55 % Maintain with baths or showers; hygrometer recommended. |
Environmental hazards & toxins
Species that spend time free-roaming in the home or aviary can be exposed to these everyday hazards. Indicative list — check case by case.
Heavy metals
- ⚠️ Lead — Stained glass, old paints, curtain rods, jewelry, solder, old venetian blinds, linoleum
- ⚠️ Zinc — Galvanized cage metal, hardware, toys (bells, mirrors), old coins
Fumes & gases
- 🍳 Teflon / PTFE — Non-stick pans, air fryers, irons, raclette/crêpe makers, self-cleaning ovens
- 🚬 Cigarette smoke — Inhaled/ingested tobacco; nicotine via skin contact (hands)
- 💨 Marijuana smoke — Inhaled or ingested cannabis
- ☠️ Carbon monoxide — Exhaust fumes, faulty heaters, poorly drafted fireplaces
Chemicals
- 🕯️ Scented products (candles, sprays, air fresheners) — Scented candles, room sprays, air fresheners, perfumes, deodorants
- 🧴 Household cleaners — Ammonia, bleach, detergents, chlorine disinfectants, degreasers
- 💅 Cosmetics (nail polish, hairspray, dyes) — Nail polish, nail polish remover, hairspray, dyes, aerosol hair products
- 🪰 Household insecticides — Fly sprays, mosquito diffusers, plug-ins, chemical antiparasitics
- 🧪 Mothballs (naphthalene, paradichlorobenzene) — Anti-moth sachets and balls in closets and cupboards
- 🎨 Paints, varnishes, polyurethane — Fresh painting, polyurethane foam, varnishes and solvents
Appliances & equipment
- 🍽️ Overheated plastics — Plastic containers heated or melted in microwave, burnt food containers
- 🔌 Electric cables — Accessible 230 V AC cables, unprotected outlets
Plants
- 🌸 Lily — Lilies of all varieties (bouquets, houseplants)
- 🌺 Oleander — Oleander (garden, balcony)
- 🌲 Yew — Common yew (hedges, gardens)
- 🔔 Lily of the valley — Lily of the valley (bouquets, garden)
- 🌳 Oak (acorns and leaves) — Acorns and oak leaves
- 🌸 Foxglove — Purple foxglove, ornamental plants
- 🌺 Rhododendron / azalea — Rhododendrons, azaleas (garden, ornamental plants)
- 🌸 Kalanchoe — Kalanchoes (popular houseplants)
- 🪴 Dumb cane (Dieffenbachia) — Dieffenbachia (houseplant)
- 🪴 Umbrella plant (Schefflera) — Schefflera (houseplant)
- 🌿 Crown vetch — Crown vetch (wild plant)
- 🌸 Lantana — Lantana (ornamental plant, balconies)
- 🌿 Rhubarb leaves — Rhubarb leaves (garden)
Nutrition
The information given here is a general reference. Each bird has specific nutritional needs that vary with species, age, health and lifestyle.
Recommended breakdown
- Pellets 75 %
- Vegetables & fruit 20 %
- Seeds & nuts 5 %
Daily base 75 %
Balanced omnivore diet combining high-quality extruded pellets, fresh vegetables/fruit and a small share of seeds/nuts. Most diseases in captive birds are diet-related.
🪵 Pellets
🥕 Vegetables & greens 15–20 % (+ 5–10 % de fruits)
Strongly favour vegetables over fruit (sugary fruit disrupts lipid metabolism). Vary sources to ensure vitamin A intake.
⏰ Feeding frequency
- • Fresh meals (vegetables/fruit) morning and evening
- • Pellets available throughout the day (ideally via foraging)
- • Seeds/nuts as rewards only, not free-choice
- • Fresh water changed daily
Supplements & pellets
Complete extruded pellets as the daily staple.
- 🟤 Pellet
Treats 5 %
Seeds, nuts and occasional protein sources (whole-grain starches, lean meat, fish, mealworms). Nuts are fat-rich: portion carefully. Macaws and cockatoos (except galah) tolerate a slightly larger share.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is essential for epithelial tissues (eyes, skin, feathers, respiratory tract, reproductive and digestive organs). Deficiency causes squamous metaplasia of the epithelium: loss of barrier function, predisposition to respiratory/skin infections and tumours. Sources: dark leafy greens, watercress, dandelion, romaine, spinach, mango, papaya, apricot, melon.
Diet transition
The shift from a seed-heavy diet to a varied one (pellets + vegetables/fruit + seeds) must be gradual. A poorly managed transition can lead to a serious hunger strike.
Duration : At least 1 week, often several weeks to months depending on the bird's habits and the owner's involvement.
Steps :
- Gradually reduce the amount of seeds available (while seeds are abundant, the bird won't try anything else).
- Mix pellets into the seeds, then move them to a separate, visible dish.
- Offer freshly cut vegetables/fruit several times a day if needed.
- Increase the variety and frequency of new foods until reaching the 75 % pellets / 15–20 % veggies-fruit / 5 % seeds balance.
Tips :
- Hide pellets inside a favourite food.
- Mimicry effect: have another bird (or the owner) eat pellets in front of the bird.
- Use Nutri-Berries® or similar during the transition (seeds + pellets + vegetables/fruit blends, palatable and complete).
- Deliver part of the ration via foraging toys to spark interest.
Warnings :
- Never withdraw seeds abruptly: the bird may hunger-strike for several days, with severe health consequences.
- Weigh daily during the transition (loss > 10 % = vet consultation).
- Beware of sprouted seeds: mould risk (aspergillosis).
To avoid
Toxic or strongly discouraged foods. Fruit pips and stones contain small amounts of cyanide — remove on principle.
- 🍫 Chocolate — Théobromine : cardiotoxique.
- 🥑 Avocado — Persine : cardiotoxique, mortel.
- 🧅 Onion — Anémie hémolytique.
- 🧄 Garlic — Anémie hémolytique.
- 🍎 Apple Seeds — Cyanure (pépins et noyaux de pomme, abricot, pêche, cerise, prune).
- 🌿 Rhubarb — Acide oxalique.
- 🍬 Sweets — Xylitol et sucres — toxiques (xylitol particulièrement).
Behaviour & socialisation
Social life
Very social; the Swiss Animal Welfare Ordinance (art. 13 annex 2) requires keeping at least two individuals together. Prefer involving the bird in family life over excessive petting (which encourages reproductive behaviour).
Activity cycle: Diurnal, very active during the day; peaks at sunrise and sunset.
Sleep & rest : 10–12 h of uninterrupted sleep per night, in darkness and quiet (no television or stimulation in the evening). Chronic sleep deprivation compromises mental and physical health.
Enrichment
- Foraging: essential
- Positive-reinforcement training (clicker)
- Medical training (cooperative handling for vet care)
- Softwood, pine cones, natural-fibre ropes to chew
- Baths or showers 2–3×/week
- Daily outings outside the cage in a secured environment
- Inclusion in family activities
Foraging
Natural food-search behaviour (digging, scratching, chewing, shredding, manipulating). In captivity, its absence is a major cause of overeating, feather plucking and stereotypies. Searching is playing, staying busy, and staying healthier.
Time in the wild : 6–8 h per day in the wild
Techniques :
- Offer larger pellets so the bird has to break them apart
- Distribute the ration to multiple spots in the cage/aviary
- Foraging mat (cockatiels, cockatoos, African grey): scatter food in the weave
- Puzzle toys (commercial or DIY)
- Hiding spots: seeds/pellets in paper balls, cardboard boxes (egg, cereal)
- Cover the food bowls so the bird has to destroy the wrapping
- Foraging tree: bird navigates branches to reach rewards
Health & prevention
Preventive medicine
Annual exam recommended. At least 1 month of quarantine for any new arrival (targeted PCR: PBFD, polyomavirus, chlamydiosis). Weekly home weighing. Yearly UV lamp replacement.
Surgery & sterilisation
Common procedures: mass excision, egg retention/dystocia surgery, cloacal prolapse correction, wound debridement, distal amputations (necrosis).
Clinical warning signs
If any of these symptoms appear, prompt veterinary care is essential. Contact an exotic-pet vet as soon as possible — they can assess your animal's condition and make the appropriate diagnosis.
Common conditions
Vitamin A deficiency
Cause: Diet too heavy in seeds, lacking in greens
Symptoms: Abscesses, oral granulomas, nasal discharge, periocular swelling, dyspnea, poor feather quality, anorexia
Prevention: Variety of vitamin-A-rich greens; transition to complete pellets
Feather plucking
Cause: Lack of stimulation, boredom, stress, nutritional deficits, underlying medical issues
Symptoms: Pulled feathers (body, wings), skin lesions, stereotypies
Prevention: Daily foraging, out-of-cage time, social interaction, dietary variety; vet check if recurring
Pododermatitis (bumblefoot)
Cause: Uniform perches, obesity, poor hygiene, sandpaper-covered perches
Symptoms: Footpad lesions, lameness, granulomas
Prevention: Natural-wood perches of varying diameters; weight management; perch hygiene
Respiratory diseases (chlamydiosis, aspergillosis)
Cause: Inappropriate humidity, fumes (PTFE, tobacco), mouldy seeds, stress, immunosuppression
Symptoms: Dyspnea, open-mouth breathing, nasal discharge, weight loss
Prevention: Maintain 50–55 % humidity, avoid fumes, don't feed mouldy or uncontrolled sprouted seeds
Household poisonings
Cause: Overheated PTFE, lead/zinc, fumes, toxic plants, chemicals (see environmental toxins)
Symptoms: Acute respiratory distress, sudden death (PTFE), neurological signs, hemolysis
Prevention: Avoid PTFE and zinc-galvanized metal, safe houseplants, away from kitchen, no scented products
This food is above the 50,000 IU/kg dry matter threshold, making it a good vitamin A source.
Content : — IU/kg DM
Essential for mucous membranes, skin, feathers and vision. Deficiency: respiratory infections, dysecdysis, eye problems, drop in laying.