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Parrots need to keep busy, as in the wild they fly, forage for food and are very social. Ways to keep your parrots in good mental shape:

Provide interactive toys

Make them work to get their food. When putting your parrot’s food out, think up ways to make him have to search for it. For example, make it so that your bird has go to more than one place to get a full meal. Put food in several small bowls instead of one, so that they have to work a bit to get their fill. You can also think up other ways to make them search for their food. If they have to spend more time feeding themselves, this will give your parrots a more realistic environment, and is one good way to provide mental stimulation that will enrich their daily lives.

As we know, parrots live very long lives. Sometimes we age prior to our beloved birds. If you find you are becoming less able to spend quality time with your bird, either because you are not up to it or conditions have changed and you find yourself away from home more, he may become aggressive, screeching or biting often. Try to solve the problem by consulting with an avian behaviorist. If this does not work, you need to find a new home for your parrot. There are organizations that provide both rescue and sanctuary care for parrots.

The Lily Sanctuary lists a number of resources you can turn to for rescue and sanctuary care for parrots and other birds, both in the Southern California area and in other parts of the United States.

http://www.lilysanctuary.org/Resources.htm

Avian Rescue Network
http://www.avianrescuenetwork.org

Friends of Parrots Rescue and Adoption (310) 459-0166

Echo Station – permanent sanctuary in Culver City, CA
(310) 842-8060

Please check the general info on bird care page for more information on signs of health and behavior to watch for in all birds, including parrots, that mean your bird may need to go the avian professional, or vet.

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