Brown-headed Parrots: Breeding Advice, Caring, Tips
Brown-headed Parrots (Poicephalus cryptoxanthus) are charming and intelligent birds known for their playful nature and potential to mimic human speech. If you’re considering getting a Brown-headed Parrot, here are some key aspects to consider regarding their pricing, care, and general tips:
Brown-headed Parrots Pricing
The cost of a Brown-headed Parrot can vary based on factors such as location, breeder reputation, age, and whether the bird is hand-raised or wild-caught. Here are some pricing guidelines:
- Price Range: Typically, a Brown-headed Parrot can cost between $400 to $800. Prices may vary depending on availability and demand in your area.
- Breeders vs. Pet Stores: Purchasing from a reputable breeder can sometimes be more expensive, but you may receive a healthier and better-socialized bird.
- Additional Costs: Consider additional costs such as a suitable cage, toys, food, and veterinary care when budgeting for a parrot.
Brown-headed Parrots Care
Brown-headed Parrots require a specific set of conditions to thrive. Here’s how you can care for them:
- Housing: Provide a spacious cage with dimensions of at least 24 x 24 x 24 inches. Ensure the cage has horizontal bars for climbing and perches of varying diameters to promote foot health.
- Diet: Offer a balanced diet consisting of high-quality pellets, fresh fruits, vegetables, and a small number of seeds. Variety is crucial to ensure they receive all necessary nutrients.
- Exercise: Allow for daily out-of-cage time to exercise and explore. These birds are active and need mental and physical stimulation.
- Social Interaction: Spend time interacting with your parrot every day. They are social birds and thrive on interaction and companionship.
- Grooming: Regularly trim their nails and provide opportunities for bathing or misting to keep their feathers in good condition.
- Health Monitoring: Regularly observe your parrot for any signs of illness, such as changes in appetite, droppings, or behavior. Routine check-ups with an avian vet are recommended.
Tips
- Toys and Enrichment: Provide a variety of toys to keep your parrot entertained. Rotate toys regularly to maintain their interest.
- Training: Brown-headed Parrots are intelligent and can learn tricks and words. Use positive reinforcement techniques for training.
- Safety: Ensure your home is bird-proofed by removing hazards such as toxic plants, open water sources, and unsecured windows.
- Behavior: Understand that Brown-headed Parrots may go through hormonal changes, especially during breeding seasons, which can affect their behavior.
- Noise Level: While not as loud as some larger parrots, Brown-headed Parrots can still be vocal, especially during mornings and evenings.
Conclusion
Brown-headed Parrots make wonderful companions for those willing to invest time and care into their well-being. By providing a nurturing environment, a balanced diet, and plenty of social interaction, you can enjoy a happy and healthy relationship with your parrot. If you have any more specific questions or need further advice, feel free to ask!
More information from Rolf Dennison:
The Brown-headed Parrots (Poicephalus cryptoxanthus) are endemic in south-eastern Africa, from Swaziland, Zululand and Natal across north-eastern Transvaal, north to southern Mozambique and southeast Zimbabwe. They are found in almost any woodland within the forest savannahs and the dry woodlands. They prefer baobab trees.
These gregarious birds are usually seen in small flocks of around 12. At favoured feeding places, flocks of up to 50 may congregate. Even though this species is endangered in its natural habitat (Cites II), the Brown-headed Parrots are popular in aviculture.
Brown-headed Parrots Pet Potential
Brown-headed Parrots generally have a sweet temperament. These relatively small parrots also tend to be quieter than other parrot species, making them a good choice for apartment dwellers.
They are energetic, outgoing and generally quite affectionate, although they do not crave attention, as some other parrot species do. They tend to become more independent as they reach maturity (when they are about 2 to 3 years old).
Mature males may show aggression during the breeding season. They can learn to perform tricks and, provided they were well socialized, enjoy being handled. Their playful nature is quite entertaining.
Young birds should be socialized to many people and exposed to new experiences to avoid fear of new situations. Adult parrots are less adaptable to unfamiliar environments.
They can live for up to 30 years, provided good care is given. However, most live only 15 to 20 years.
Talking ability
Some Brown-headed Parrots may learn to talk (some are more talented than others) but, generally speaking, their talking ability is considered moderate, although they are very good at mimicking sound and whistles.
Housing Brown-headed Parrots
These active parrots require as large a cage as possible. At a minimum, the cage should be of the following dimensions:
1.2 m x 1.2 m x 1.2 m or 0.9 m x 0.9 m x 1.8 m, with 1.5 cm or 2 cm bar spacing. The cage should have at least 2 perches, so that they can move between them. Ideally, an outdoor cage / flight should also be provided so that these parrots can enjoy the health benefits of natural sunlight and fresh air (weather conditions permitting). Ideally, pet birds should have and outdoor cage to provide some sunlight and fresh air in good weather.
They should be provided with plenty of toys to entertain them, both in and out of the cage. Daily out-of-cage activities should also be available for exercise and mental stimulation. The type of toys they generally enjoy are wooden blocks and branches from non-toxic trees to satisfy their need to chew.
Grooming
Bathing or showering is vital to maintaining good plumage and healthy skin condition. They can also be misted and allowed to dry in a warm room or in the sun.
There are many arguments for clipping a bird’s wing, as there are arguments against this procedure. If the owner chooses to clip a bird’s wing, please note that injury can occur when the wings are clipped too much. These heavy-bodied birds will drop to the floor like a stone, potentially resulting in serious injuries, such as a broken chest bone. This can be avoided by clipping only enough to still allow a bird to glide to the floor.
Diet
Their natural diet consists of various fruits, berries, figs, nuts, seed, as well as buds, shoots, and flowers. They are sometimes crop pests.
A captive diet should be as close to their natural diet as possible. A high-quality seed / nut mix, as well as fresh fruits, veggies, and greens should be fed. Fresh water for both drinking and bathing should be available at all times.
Brown-headed Parrots that are kept indoors especially tend to develop signs of calcium deficiency, which can be a serious health threat. Natural sunlight or full-spectrum light are often helpful in treating the condition, and also has shown effectiveness in stopping feather picking (which may be a result of calcium or other nutrient deficiency).
Breeding
The breeding season is usually from April to October, depending on locality. Some prolific birds may breed year-round. Brown-headed Parrots usually nest in tree cavities. If available will use old woodpecker nests high above the ground. Captive birds will breed well in a vertical nest box with the following dimensions:
25 cm x 25 cm x 30 cm or, alternatively, L-shaped nest boxes are also accepted.
Brown-headed Parrots breed well in captivity. The average clutch comprises of 2 to 4 shiny white eggs which are incubated for 22 to 26 days.
There chicks are very difficult to hand-rear from the egg and need to be fed often. Ideally, chicks should be kept with their natural parents for 1 to 2 weeks. They will fledge at about 7 to 9 weeks and wean at 12 weeks old. They will be fully mature after 2 years.
By: Rolf Dennison
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