The Star Malaysia - Star2

Parrots have therapists to teach them how to behave

-

PLUCKING out their own feathers, screaming excessivel­y and becoming aggressive: Parrots can develop behavioura­l disorders if they are not treated appropriat­ely.

Castration can help calm down male birds, but it’s not a catch-all solution to more deep-rooted problems, according to Lukas Reese from the German Veterinary Associatio­n for Animal Protection. In any case, it’s not recommende­d by most veterinary experts, and is even illegal in many countries.

To keep parrots calm and happy in a way that is appropriat­e for their species, owners should pay attention to the following:

Do not keep them alone: Parrots are social creatures and need a partner. A human being can be a great companion, but is no substitute for another bird.

Keep them occupied: Parrots are very intelligen­t and therefore need something to do. Toys, feeders or a home aviary with lots of different sections are great for keeping them busy.

Get to know them: Owners should collect informatio­n on the characteri­stics of their parrot in advance. For example, macaws communicat­e very loudly, and the owner cannot stop their pet parrot from doing this.

If a parrot continues to display odd behaviour, the owner should check the state of the bird’s health. If there aren’t any organic causes, owners are advised to contact a behavioura­l trainer. – dpa

 ??  ?? Parrots are social creatures and need a partner. A human being can be a great companion, but is no substitute for another bird. — FRANZISKA GABBERT/dpa
Parrots are social creatures and need a partner. A human being can be a great companion, but is no substitute for another bird. — FRANZISKA GABBERT/dpa

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Malaysia