Parrot Personality Profiles

There is no single perfect parrot species just as there is no perfect parrot owner. Each species we breed can make a wonderful pet for the well-informed and realistic individual. Each species is a compromise of positive traits as well as some weaknesses. Many incorrect generalizations and outright myths exist about virtually any species you'd care to name and it is a wrong to take them literally. It is important that they be dispelled up front lest they contribute to bad choices being made. For example, articles and Internet chat postings abound about neurotic feather plucking African Greys, aggressive sexually mature Amazons, moody Eclectus or unpredictable Hawkheads. Every type of animal and all of humanity has individuals with the potential for aberrant behaviors. Most behavior problems with companion parrots occur as a direct result of inadvertent mistakes made by the owner which are further exacerbated by a lack of proper information or unrealistic expectations.

Parrots essentially become what their owners teach them to be, either deliberately or inadvertently. Behavioral problems seem to be reported at the speed of light and tend to overshadow any good news. It is absolutely amazing how a few writers can "contaminate" a species with their words of "wisdom". It is simply incorrect to draw conclusions about a certain species from the reported bad behavior of an individual or even a few individual birds of that species, especially when someone who didn't know what they were doing caused the problem.

There is a great deal that can be done to prevent or correct aberrant behavior in parrots and the solution lies in proper education. It is the new owner's responsibility to acquire that knowledge and bring out the best behavior in any companion parrot. Sally Blanchard, one of the most experienced and respected parrot behavior consultants states very clearly in The Beak Book - "Behavioral problems are NEVER the parrot's fault ".

Individual Personalities:
Just like people, each parrot is an individual with it's own unique personality. Many factors such as genetics, upbringing, socialization, training, life stages, and other environmental factors all contribute to personality development. Therefore it is very difficult to generalize about personality traits for any parrot species. Exceptions to any general trait can exist among different individuals, even among clutch mates.

Domestication:
Although Parrots are now bred domestically, they are far from being domesticated animals like dogs or cats. Domestic-bred parrots are at best only a few generations removed from their counterparts in the wild. They are genetically wild creatures socialized to life in the human habitat. They have no conception of being "owned" or how to be a good "pet". Therefore it is essential not to have unrealistic expectations of them. People must learn to understand, accept, accommodate and appreciate natural parrot behaviour rather than become disappointed when their baby bird grows up and behaves differently than expected because of its genetic programming.

A Lifetime Commitment:
The purchase of a parrot should be viewed as nothing less than a lifetime commitment. With proper care many parrots will live a human life span. Never purchase a bird on impulse, under sales pressure or strictly out of pity for a bad situation. Never acquire more birds than you can properly care for and devote enough attention to or problems will surely develop. No one expects a human child to remain cute & cuddly forever. Some children grow up to be perfect angels, yet others become cantankerous old farts. There is a place in our world for everyone and so it should be with parrots. Please take the time and spend a few dollars up front to become properly educated in the principles of normal parrot behaviour (babies vs. adults). There are many excellent books available written by very perceptive, knowledgeable & experienced authors. This will provide a sound basis for a great lifetime relationship with your bird.

The Plain Truth:
Parrots are noisy, messy, potentially destructive, costly to purchase and keep, and they need lots of time & attention. There are just varying degrees of these factors between different species. Also, all parrots have beaks and they will bite the hand that feeds them under certain conditions.

Finally - The Personality Profiles:
The following information on the species we breed is based on personal experience. It is presented in as unbiased a manner as possible so that people can make an informed decision as to which species is best suited for them. The positive attributes are what you can normally expect from a properly raised, properly socialized and well cared for bird. The potential concerns are what you may encounter with certain individuals under different circumstances.

All Species:
Potential for the development of aggressive or unpredictable behaviour certainly does exist for a wide variety of reasons with mistakes made by the owner and the lack of proper training being primary causes. It seems that every dog owner understands the necessity and importance of proper handling and training of their animal. By comparison, very few novice parrot people understand that the same requirements apply to parrots until bad behavior develops.

African Greys:
Unquestionably, African Greys are the most popular species we breed. Many people choose an African Grey after being disappointed with the talking ability of another species. Warning! If you already have a noisy parrot, getting a Grey may quickly double the problem because of its exceptional mimicking ability.

African Grey Positive Attributes:
* African Greys have a reputation as the best talking parrot species. They can develop an extensive vocabulary and repertoire of unusual sounds. They can also replicate the tone of a persons voice to perfection.
* They are highly intelligent and have a great capacity for learning.
* African Greys can be very cuddly and affectionate, but they require an attentive and gentle owner to stay that way long term.
* They are relatively quiet and make a variety of natural sounds that are pleasant to the ear. As a result, African Greys are considered to be easy to live with birds.
* African Greys are relatively non aggressive as a species, even during breeding.

African Grey Potential Concerns:
* African Greys are special birds that require owners with adequate time, patience and empathy in order that the bird can lead a happy and fulfilled life. They do best in stable homes and often poorly in others.
* Some African Greys are prone to becoming nervous or fearful birds. Fearfulness is the most common problem avian behaviourists are asked to deal with in Greys. Certain individuals do become feather pluckers especially if they were raised incorrectly or are constantly under stress. Mistakes made in their care & handling by owners who don't understand the sensitivity of this species can contribute to this problem.
* African Greys thrive best in an intellectually stimulating environment. They can become easily bored.
* Greys tend to dislike change unless the owner deliberately conditions the parrot to accept change early in life and continuously there after.
* African Greys can easily develop into one-person birds.
* African Greys produce lots of feather dust but not as much as a white Cockatoo. People with respiratory illness in the house should seriously consider a different species.
* Their eating habits can be quite messy and wasteful compared to other parrot species. Some Greys love to pick up a fist full of pellets or seeds and see how far they can throw them.
* African Greys are susceptible to calcium deficiency problems if fed incorrectly or if given insufficient access to natural sunlight or full spectrum lighting.

Amazons:
In our opinion, Amazons fit the bill as the best overall species we breed for the majority of people. They are highly resilient and very adaptable birds.

Amazon Positive Attributes:
* Several species (YN, DYH and BF) have exceptional talking ability, which rivals that of African Greys. Double Yellow-heads are also renowned for their opera singing ability.
* Amazons are normally very confident and particularly gregarious.
* Amazons are one of the very least prone species to develop neurotic behaviours such as feather plucking or fearfulness.
* Amazons are very colourful although many bright colours are hidden in folded wings & tails.
* Amazons are normally very playful & entertaining. They are able to amuse themselves with little difficulties compared to other species while their owners are away at work.
In general, Amazons cope very well with changes in their daily routine and lives.

Amazon Potential Concerns:
* Some Amazons can be relatively noisy at times. This varies considerably among sub species and individuals.
* A springtime hormonal rush can cause temporary aggressive behaviour. Read the article Understanding Amazon Behaviour for detailed information.
* Amazons are prone to becoming obese when fed inappropriately.
* In some sub species such as Yellow-napes and Double Yellow-heads, full adult colouration is not achieved for several years. So patience is needed before some Amazons "bloom" in appearance.

Eclectus:
They are a very unique and beautiful species from the South Pacific. They look, act, and behave significantly differently from all other species.

Eclectus Positive Attributes:
* Eclectus are gorgeous in appearance. They are often referred to as having an elegant appearance. They are especially striking when kept as true pairs because they are sexually dimorphic. Males are primarily Green and females are primarily red & blue. Their unusual velvet/fur like feather structure on the breast & head makes them unique in the parrot world.
* They are relatively quiet birds often suitable for apartment living.
* Eclectus are less destructive chewers than other species.
* They have excellent talking ability and a most pleasant speaking voice.
* Eclectus are not normally one-person birds.
* They do not demand a large amount of hands on attention. Eclectus are quite content to be near their owners and interact on an intellectual rather than physical level with their owner.

Eclectus Potential Concerns:
* Eclectus behave much differently from other parrot species. Owners must become educated in this area to truly appreciate the uniqueness of this species. For example, fixation (delayed reaction) behaviour is normal with this species and is generally misunderstood, especially by people experience with other species. Eclectus simply think before they act.
* Some Eclectus are prone to feather plucking especially if mistakes are made in their diet and care. Red-Sided seem to be the least sensitive sub-species in this regard.
* A lack of adequate beta-carotene (precursor to Vitamin A) in the diet can lead to illness in Eclectus more quickly than in other species.
* Excess chemical vitamins, preservatives and artificial food colour agents in the diet can cause a variety of health, behaviour, and plumage problems.
* Eclectus can at times be quite moody (just like people).
* Mature Eclectus hens can be strongly motivated to make a nest and lay eggs, even without a male present. These hens may not actually want a mate. They just want to go through the nesting process even though they are pets.
Allowing a hen to play in dark areas (kitchen cupboards, boxes, etc.) can
trigger this behaviour.
* Some Eclectus can be quite cantankerous as youngsters. They do out grow this phase for patient and tolerant owners.
* Hybrid Eclectus are quite common in the pet trade. This is a very controversial subject. Hybrids do make good pets but are considered to be unsuitable as future breeders by responsible aviculturists wishing to preserve the pure sub species.

Hawk-Headed (Red Fan Parrot):
Personality-plus is something that all Hawkheads have. They are one of the most adorable bundles of feathers you will ever see. This is a fascinating species even for the most experienced aviculturist. We concur with the statement that Hawk-headed parrots make one of the greatest pet birds possible. Because of their rarity especially in companion bird situations, this species hasn't received nearly all the good press it deserves. It is highly under-rated as a companion bird.

Hawk-headed Parrot Positive Attributes:
* Hawkheads are incredibly energetic birds that thoroughly enjoy verbal and physical interaction with their owner. They take advantage of all the cage space available to them as their playground. They are a joy to watch at play.
* These playful clowns can be very affectionate. They love lying on their backs in the palm of their owner's hand or lap. We've observed ours sleeping on their back in the nest box.
* Hawkheads are very exotic in appearance particularly because of their stand up crest, which resembles an American Indian headdress. They project a very impressive presence for their size. They raise their crest whenever they become excited or frightened.
* They have very unusual and beautiful feather colouration.
* Hawkheads have a cute speaking voice and do have the ability to learn many words and phrases.
* Because of the shape of their beak, Hawkheads seem to us like they are always smiling. They are too cute.

Hawk-headed Parrot Potential Concerns:
* In order to have a well behaved pet for the long term, prevention of negative behaviors is extremely important. Advice on behavior issues should be obtained from someone experienced with this species and not from others. Treated with gentleness and respect, Hawkheads make endearing pets.
* Hawkheads may not be suitable for apartment dwellers as they do have a high-pitched natural call. Having said that, we do not find them to be particularly noisy when kept singly or with other quiet birds.
* Juveniles can have more green on the nape and less-defined blue-edged feathers on the chest. They aren't quite as colourful as the adult.

Conclusion:
Education and an open mind are prerequisites to developing a successful lifetime positive relationship with any pet parrot. All good relationships are based first and foremost on trust and enhanced with proper training. We wish you the best of luck with your choice of bird.

Flock Behavior: How It Affects Our Parrots

An often-made mistake by behavior experts and other experienced bird-keepers is to consider all parrots’ behavior as the same, having the same roots and causes. By that thinking, all species react the same to any stimuli. However, we know this is not true. For instance, African Grey parrots have very different social patterns and behaviors than Amazons. Even among the same genus, different species can have very different social needs and behaviors.

THE INCORRECT COMPARISON TO DOGS AND CATS

Sometimes it’s all too easy to compare parrots as we do our dogs and cats. Domestic dogs are different breeds within the same canine species. Likewise, domestic cats are merely different breeds within the species feline. However, parrots comprise many different species within the hook bill or psitticine genus. Therefore, there’s a big difference between the behavior of individual parrot species and that of dog or cat breeds. Even the behavior within a flock of wild parrots varies greatly between the species. According to ornithologists, there are two kinds of flocks in the psitticine world---- multi-species and single-species flocks.

MULTI-SPECIES AND SINGLE-SPECIES FLOCKS

A group of birds are described as a flock when they: 1) fly at the same speed and 2) forage together at the same feeding grounds. This includes flocks where there are more than one species......called multi-species flocks. Multi-species flocks are often found in South America, where a flock of parrots may include several Macaw species, Amazons, Conures and more. They also are seen in Australia, where Greater Sulfur-crested, Galahs (Rose-breasted) and Corellas are often seen flying and eating together.

SINGLE-SPECIES flocks are a group of the same species only, such as African Grey Parrots. They allow no other species to co-mingle with their flock.

Why do we care about who and what makes up a flock of wild parrots? We care because the social structure and behavior of those wild parrots is very dependent upon the type of flock to which the parrots belong. For survival purposes that social structure is hard-wired (instinctive) behavior within parrot genes. That same instinctive behavior establishes the patterns we see with our hand-fed companion parrot behaviors.

For instance, many African Grey Parrots do not tolerate new additions to the parrot family, especially when they are the first bird. As first bird it appears that they instinctively establish themselves and their human flock as if it were a single-species African Grey flock, where a bird of another species would not be welcomed. Try bringing an Amazon home to a now territorial Grey Parrot. Even other African species, such as Poicephalus or Lovebirds, are enough to bring a dark cloud over the African Grey’s house. However, those of you with different Macaw and Amazon species in the same house often see a very different perspective----- a happy, chattering multi-species flock, just like in the wild. Multi-species flock birds are definitely more accepting of other species than are single-species flock birds.

MULTI-SPECIES FLOCKS
Why are there multi-species flocks? Why doesn’t every individual species have its own flock, as do the African parrots?

In South America, there are many species confined to a relatively small area. Competition for nest holes and foraging grounds is great. Apparently, parrots have found the best way to locate a nest hole or feeding ground is by FOLLOWING THE CROWD. Therefore, we see a variety of species within a single flock of New World parrots.

Another consideration for South American parrots is that the scarcity of nest holes limits the numbers produced of any one species. This means there are no huge flocks of Amazons and Macaws that might band together for protection against predators. Instead, they must rely on the numbers brought about through mingling several different species together.

We all know how noisy some South American parrots can be. I’ve always felt this was partly due to the different species inhabiting a flock. If you were a Conure living among Amazons and Macaws, you just might develop a loud voice to be heard by your mate above the dim of the other species’ calls.

Parrots vocalize for a reason. They sound off to call a mate with a contact call. They send alarm calls of impending danger. They call their mates to food sources. Do they care about other species within a multi-species flock? Probably not, since their own species is what they are genetically programmed to preserve. Therefore, they must be loud to be heard. Plus, finding your mate in a large flock of several different and brightly colored species is no mean feat. We, as the human caregivers, should realize that vocalization is a critical factor with certain species and treat it with due respect. Is that Conure really screaming, or is he raising his voice in a natural manner to bring you over to him and away from the strange human with whom you were having a discussion?

African Greys, on the other hand, have no need to be heard above other species. They all speak the same flock dialect. For that reason, Greys often are considered quieter parrots than some of those species from multi-species flocks. Pionus are another example of single-species flock birds that are known as QUIET parrots. Unlike some of their other South American cousins, Pionus are single-species flock birds.

STABLE PERSONALITIES

Individual species personalities within multi-species flocks tend to be more stable than many of the single-species flock parrots. For instance, how many people have heard of a phobic Amazon? Feather mutilation among Conures and Macaws for reasons other than physical causes is rare, while much more often seen as behavior-based with African Grey Parrots, several Poicephalus species and those Cockatoo species that flock by themselves. My own belief regarding the stability of many domesticated South American parrots is that they naturally raise their young in the wild to become individual flock members at a younger age than do many of the single-species flock birds. This may be a necessity due to the lack of large numbers of their own species within a flock, or that multi-species flock dynamics are not suitable for extended parent or family group instruction.

For instance, a Yellow-headed Amazon might be hard-wired (instinctive behavior) to leave its parents and join the flock sooner than would an African Grey juvenile. In our domestic situations, where parrot species are often handled as if they were all the same, breeders often wean Amazons and African Greys on the same schedule.....a big mistake.

Researchers have recorded that Greys appear to stay with their FAMILY GROUP within the flock much longer than do some multi-species flock birds, such as Amazon parrots. This later independence factor may account for the extreme sensitivity and lack of confidence we often see in domestically bred African Grey Parrots. Phobic behavior, while seldom a problem with Amazons, is all too prevalent in African Greys.

SINGLE-SPECIES FLOCKS
African Greys are a good example of single-species flock birds. There are only Greys within their flock. Observations made in the mid-1990's in Africa by Dr. Irene Pepperberg’s student, Diana May, showed Grey Parrots in many separate groups of five or six birds within flocks consisting of hundreds of Greys. This observation presents a possibility that African Greys may have a longer maturation period, where juveniles stay in FAMILY GROUPS for as long as several years, before going into the flock to find a mate.

Should that be the case, it would explain why Grey Parrots often change their bond from the human who took care of them as juveniles to someone else in the family when the bird is between two and three years old. In order to keep the species gene pool strong and prevent inbreeding, a wild parrot would have to reject its family group and find a mate elsewhere within the flock; therefore, they reject the initial primary caregiver (who represents a ‘parent’) and pair-bond with someone else in the family (flock).

Like the single-species African Grey Parrot with its family group structure, the Rose-breasted Cockatoo has a crèche system of raising and socializing its young. As the chicks fledge, they go to what some refer to as a ‘nursery tree.’ There they receive associated learning (socialization) from older Galahs, until they are educated enough and old enough to become independent flock members.

According to Sam Foster, Galahs are now found nearly throughout Australia, and they are one of the few species that have adapted successfully to changes in their natural habitats due to man’s intervention. Therefore, they may or may not have always been multi-flock birds. If this is not the case, they have joined and have been accepted by, other species, such as the Great Sulphur and Corella, in order to survive in certain areas.

The above are two examples of ‘continuing education’ that we do not see and isn’t practical within a multi-species flock, such as the South American parrots. These same two examples are also two of our more troubled species, as far as insecurity behavior problems, such as phobias and feather mutilation. From a behavior viewpoint, we may not be providing the necessary associative learning with our hand-raised Greys and Galahs that wild birds receive in their specialized environments.

PREDATORS
Both African Greys and Galahs are part-time ground feeders, something that, due to dangers from ground predators, requires a strong flock bond. It also requires that all of the birds look alike, so that an overhead predator (hawk) doesn’t see individual birds— just a continuous gray mass. Flying predators don’t like to take a victim from a flock where the predator cannot distinguish individual birds. If it did it would ruin the risk of breaking its own wing should it hit an object other than its individual prey. Single-species flocks can afford to feed on the ground because they all are the same color and blend together easily.

ACCEPTANCE OF OTHER SPECIES---- ONE PERSON BIRDS
I believe that company is a great preventative factor for behavior problems. In the case of multi-species flock birds, adding another bird or two to the room seems to keep everyone happy when the human flock is not present. However, this is not the case with a single African Grey parrot in a household. Bring another bird into that house and it’s as if the cloud of doom descended over the house. Other species are usually not allowed within this single-species flock animal’s domain. It may take weeks or months before the Grey is reasonably comfortable with the new bird and that bird’s cage had better be well out of the Grey’s perceived territory. However, put a mirror in a Grey’s cage and it will be happy for hours, while the human flock-member is at work. A mirror is, to the Grey, like having another of their own species with them......one without an attitude.

You might ask, why then do single-species flock birds accept we humans as ‘flock members?’ When we hand-raise them and they associate food from our hands to their beaks, we become part of the flock. Wild Grey Parrots have, in the past when they were imported, the ability to become our close friends simply because their parents taught them who are birds and who are not. I have also seen African Greys that were hand-reared with Cockatoos and did accept the white birds as flock members, even to the point where the Greys over-preened their own feathers, attempting to imitate the vigorous grooming techniques of the Cockatoos.

TERRITORIALISM
I believe you see far more territorial aggression from single-species flock birds than from multi-species flock birds, with the exception of mating season when competition for nest holes makes some species extremely aggressive. Again, this may be because other species are instinctively not allowed within a flock of African Greys, for instance. Within our homes, where you might have an Amazon climbing over Macaw’s cage with no hostility from either side, many Greys will not allow another species to set foot on their cages. Often just separating the cages by placing them at opposite corners of a room gives the Grey enough breathing room that he accepts the presence of the other parrot in the room.

If we are to learn to live compatibly with our feathered friends, we are going to have to learn more about them. They are not going to adjust their behavior to what they perceive in us. It doesn’t work that way. We are the ones who have raised them in an unnatural manner and keep them in an unnatural them in an unnatural environment. Our responsibility is to make their social lives as close to natural for each species as possible. When we do not do that the result is a confused, unhappy bird with what we call behavior problems.