Large parrots are distinguished by intelligence and ingenuity. Some species have the ability to reproduce human speech, others perfectly imitate the singing of other birds, and others can easily learn tricks. Any large parrot can become a faithful and devoted friend for many years, you just need to make the right choice and find "your" bird.
Types of large parrots
Quakers. These parrots come from South America. Adults can reach 30 centimeters in length. Quakers live 20-25 years. In natural conditions, they settle in large flocks with a clear hierarchy. In the conditions of an apartment or house, a Quaker considers a person a member of his pack, and therefore requires constant communication. The character of such parrots is playful. The birds are very curious and friendly. They easily memorize words and phrases and sometimes even use them very handily. Quakers quickly learn that talking can attract attention, which they often use. Such a bird will not be able to live long and stay healthy if it is not regularly released from the cage.
Aratings. In the wild (Central and South America), there are more than 30 species of such parrots. These are daring and often arrogant birds about 30 centimeters in length. In captivity, such parrots live up to 20 years. They easily memorize various tricks (collecting matches in boxes, putting rings on a stick, dancing to the music, performing the command "die" while lying on their backs). Before you buy a raiting, it is worth deciding if you can endure his loud and high-pitched voice. In Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, bird lovers most often acquire the sun arata - a friendly parrot with bright yellow feathers. For home keeping, yandaya aratinga and nandaya aratinga are also recommended. These parrots are gullible, quickly get used to a new home. Aratings are not very talkative, but if desired, they can be taught a few words.
Pyrrur. Pyrrhurs were brought from South America. Adults reach 26-28 centimeters in length. They live, as a rule, 15-18 years. The most common are brown-eared pyrrhoid parrots. Their behavior resembles aratting, however, unlike them, pirurrists rarely scream, do not gnaw on wires, furniture and plastic. Pyrrhurian parrots easily memorize words, but pronounce them indistinctly. Easily breed in captivity, physically hardy. They are able to memorize and perform various tricks at the request of the owner.
Jaco. Jaco are African gray parrots reaching 45 centimeters in length. Grays live in captivity for 40-50 years. These birds are not recommended for those who do not have enough experience in keeping other parrots. Jaco require the attention of their owners, and from a lack of communication they can engage in self-plucking, biting through the skin to blood. This leads to various diseases, infections and premature death. Jaco is appreciated for their talkativeness. Such birds easily memorize several dozen words and phrases, and they often use them appropriately.
Necklace parrot. These birds were once brought from India, domesticated, and now they easily breed in captivity. Adults reach 40-50 centimeters in length. They live 20-25 years. Necklace parrots are beautiful and graceful, but very naughty and sometimes pugnacious. Most often you can see in stores and nurseries such birds of green or lemon color. Necklace parrots do not remember words well, but with the proper patience of the owner, they can learn 10-15 phrases. This type of parrot is very unpretentious in content, but requires upbringing, otherwise it can seriously spoil the interior.
Macaw. Macaw parrots are very large (up to 95 centimeters in length, not counting the tail) and very intelligent creatures. Ara will never scream unless there is a good reason. If the macaw decided to vote, then something bothers him or does not suit him. Macaws are easy enough to tame, but you should immediately let them know who is the boss in the house, because with its massive beak the bird is able to bite the finger of an adult. However, it is unlikely that a pet will dare to do this. Macaws are extremely friendly and peaceful. They quickly learn to speak, they have a pleasant voice, fairly clear pronunciation. However, the vocabulary of an adult is at best 50 words. Macaws, unlike most parrots, not only remember phrases, but also associate them with certain situations. With such a bird, if you wish, you can build a whole dialogue.
What to look for when buying
After you have decided which type of parrots suits you in character and to whom exactly you can provide good conditions for keeping, you can start looking for a suitable individual. The easiest way is to go to a pet store and get a parrot there. In large retail outlets, you can often see grays, necklace parrots and even macaws. However, not a single seller will be able to say for sure either the age of the parrots, or tell about his past, habits and habits. It is better to purchase large parrots from people who breed them. You can watch a bird at a show or contact the breeder directly. It is the owner of a pair of parents who knows as best as possible not only about the peculiarities of the species of bird you have chosen, but will also tell you everything that interests you about a particular chick.
It is very important to provide the parrot with a spacious cage, a perch outside the cage, as well as drinkers, feeders and a sufficient number of toys, to take care of food for the future pet of the family in advance. The costs of keeping large poultry are often very high.
The most important thing when buying a large parrot is to choose a healthy bird. Pay attention to the eyes first. They should be clear, shiny, without build-ups and "tears". The wax (the area around the nostrils) should be clean and free of discharge. A healthy bird has clean legs and a beak with an even coating, without "husks". Any parrot must tightly clasp the perch with its paw, otherwise it simply will not hold on during sleep. If it is difficult for a bird to sit on one leg, then health problems are possible. The parrot should not be overly active (restlessly rushing about the cage, beating its wings on the trellis, screaming) or sleepy when other members of the flock are awake. Choose a bird with clean, shiny feathers evenly distributed throughout the body. It should be clean near the cloaca, the remains of feces on the feathers indicate problems with the digestive system.
