Caring for your Pet Asiatic Parrot

Bird Vet / Avian Vet Melbourne

Indian Ringneck, Plum-headed and Alexandrine Parrots are popular and delightful pets. There are now numerous mutations available, especially for ringneck parrots. Adult birds of most mutations can be reliably visually sexed at 2.5-3 years, when the neck ring appears in the male, before this DNA or surgical sexing may be required.

Housing and husbandry

Asiatic Parrots can be kept in a large cage or aviary:

  • Perches should be natural wood of varied diameters. Place at opposite ends of the cage to encourage flight.
  • Place feed and water dishes so that your bird will not contaminate them with droppings.
  • Asiatic Parrots are great chewers, native Australian tree branches; gum nuts, grasses and greenery are excellent for behavioural enrichment & beak care. Change regularly.
  • Avoid metallic objects such as toys, feeding dishes or wire ties (except for stainless steel).
Diet
  • Fed a combination of formulated parrot pellets, mixed nuts, seeds and fruit;
  • Also give dark leafy green and orange vegetables (spinach, silver beet, grated carrots, beans, peas, broccoli, seeding grasses, etc.) daily. This is especially important!
  • Multi-grain bread, pasta, chicken bones or other meat or small amounts of chopped hard-boiled egg can be given.
  • Avoid chocolate, caffeine, alcohol or avocado, as these may be toxic.
Common illnesses
  • Psittacosis (now called chlamydophilosis), a disease humans can catch from birds;
  • Heavy metal toxicity from chewing metallic objects;
  • Feather mites, worm parasites & coccidiosis;
  • Bacterial infections;
  • Candidiasis and avian gastric yeast infections (‘megabacteriosis’);
  • Bacterial infections;Psychological problems and feather picking associated with close pair bonding with humans.
Health Care
We recommend a health check (with testing as appropriate), when you acquire your new pet and each year thereafter, to check for and prevent common illnesses listed above.

Birds often hide signs of illness and may only appear unwell when they are very sick. It is important to seek advice early if your bird looks unwell.