Copyright 2004 ParrotBits

About US

WHY another bird site ?

 

This South African Web-site has been set upset up in the interests of Companion Parrots. I have put some information here that applies specifically to the South African environment.

 

There are however many links to web sites world wide where you can browse some of the most advanced and informative writings, get first hand information about avian diseases, and the current research into a better understanding towards isolation of the causative factors, and the future treatment of these.

 

I have had the pleasure of sharing my life with the smaller parrot species for many years.

 

Since 1988 I have been owned by African Greys (the red tailed Psitticus erithacus erithacus, (renamed Psittacus erithacus) and a “maroon” tailed Psitticus erithacus timneh. (renamed Psittacus timneh) These birds have an expected life span of 50-60 years, and I was heartbroken when I lost 2 to premature deaths. This led me to want to research these birds and to gain a far greater in-depth knowledge of them than I had.

 

There is world wide ignorance of parrot husbandry. The attitude is generally one of feed-em-sunflower-seeds-and-keep-em-in-a-cage. This could not be further from the ideal situation if one tried. Would I like to sit in a round cage where I could touch the bars if I stretched out my arms, and be fed monotonous meals of nothing but e.g. bread?? No!! So why do we assume we can keep parrots like that?? Consider the boredom that some parrots have to endure !

 

The U.S.A has ‘Avian Certified’ veterinarians, who are bird specialists. ZA have a few vets who devote themselves to furthering their avian knowledge, and do extremely well in a field where parrots are covered but scantily in their studies. To my knowledge we have only 2 U.S. certified "avian veterinarians" in the country.

 

I have been making 'Parrot Gyms’, foot held, and hanging toys, and some perches of various materials. These can be viewed from the 'menu' bar under ParrotBits© toys. However I no longer make these for sale - but there are plenty of ideas for any parrot-lover adventurous enough to make toys yourself.

 

This site was brought into existence to improve the lives of companion parrots who live in areas other than their natural habitat.