Do Red-Bellied Parrots Make Good Pets?

Birds are intelligent creatures that do not do well being transferred from home to home if an owner decides, for whatever reason, to re-home a pet parrot. Consequently, bird ownership should be entered into only after considerable research on the species and a thorough understanding of pros and cons of pet bird ownership, in general, and specific breeds, in particular. With that said, many owners of Red-Bellied Parrots enjoy their company because they tend to be funny birds that like to play and be affectionate.

For anyone looking for a bird companion, red-bellied parrots do make good pets. Current and previous owners of red-bellied parrots often remark about their charming and funny personalities. People who do not own birds often don't think that they have individual personalities. Expecting all red-bellied parrots to act the same way would be like expecting all kids growing up in the same household to act the same way. They do have likes and dislikes; some birds might be more gregarious while others prefer to hang back and relax. 

Many new bird owners also prefer to start with smaller birds. Large beaks and talons can be quite intimidating for those who have no experience with their power. A word of caution though, no parrot beak should be underestimated. Even a small beak can chew through wood or easily break the skin if a bite occurs. The damage from a small beak is minimized compared to that of a bird the size of an amazon, cockatoo, or macaw.

The birds' small size also makes them easier to house.  The cages do not have to be overly large, and thus less expensive, and can fit in many different parts of a house or apartment. Chew toys will also be less expensive.

Birds love to be part of the family, and Red-Bellied Parrots make themselves at home once they have bonded with the family. They will gladly entertain everyone for their favorite treats. Finally, as a smaller bird, red-bellied parrots do not make as much noise as some of the larger parrot species. This can make it easier for close neighbors and other family members.

General Characteristics of Red-Bellied Parrots

Red Bellied Parrots are some of the few birds that are sexually dimorphic. This means that the males and female have different color plumage, which makes them easy to tell apart. Males have orange/red chest feathers and females have a grey/green chest feathers.

Red Bellied Parrots are smaller birds that can get up to 8.5 inches in length. They can learn to whistle and make many different noises. Some can even learn to talk a bit. While owners post that these birds can generally be quiet, no bird species is ever that quiet. They love to vocalize their moods: happy, sad, angry, or excited. A part of bird ownership is accepting the noise and mess associated with feathered friends.

Cage Requirements for Red-Bellied Parrots

Cages for birds should always be at least big enough for the bird to stretch out it’s wings and flap. This is one way that caged birds manage to get exercise, especially if they spend long portions of their day in their cages. Bigger is always better, but the cage requirements for a Red-Bellied Parrot is 20x20x24. Cages should also be large enough for the birds to climb and play, which means large enough for them to have many toys. The cage should not be so crowded with toys, however, that the bird cannot open its wings.

Some people prefer to have two cages for pet birds: a smaller cage for sleeping and a larger cage for them to stay in during the day. The two different cages not only gives birds a change of scenery but also prevents them from becoming cage aggressive, which can happen when birds spend all of their time in or on their cage. Some owners also opt for smaller travel cages for veterinarian visits or general outings.

Diet and Feeding

Pet birds require a variety of food, not just seeds. In fact, seeds should be a minimal part of many pet bird species diets because seeds are high in fat. Living on a seed diet is the equivalent to eating candy for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Red-Bellied Parrots should be fed a combination of seeds, a good pellet diet, as well as, fresh fruits, vegetable and other healthy foods. Fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables are the best options; canned foods should not be served due to their high sodium content. In addition, certain foods are poisonous to birds such as avocado, chocolate, and dairy products.

Happy Birds: Toys and Activities

Red-Bellied Parrots, like many companion birds, should have ample time outside of their cages as well as an abundant amount of time with their family members. This helps to keep them sociable and may help to prevent them from becoming one-person birds, bored and destructive, or vocal out of frustration.

Toys should be provided to alleviate boredom and to save the furniture. Birds are chewers and will chew anything in their path that looks interesting. To prevent destructive behavior, a variety of bird-safe toys should be offered. These include rope, sisal, plastic, wood, leather, fabric, or other types of chew toys. Red-Bellied Parrots can be very inquisitive and may enjoy bird puzzle toys. Since these birds are very intelligent, they can be trained to do tricks as well. Training is another fun activity that will keep birds happy.

Living With Birds

Birds can make wonderful pets for those want the responsibility of caring for an inquisitive, intelligent, long-lived, vocal, messy, and potentially destructive pet. While parrots live in homes, they are not domesticated animals and retain much of their wildness. This can account for much of their good and bad behavior.

Pet parrots can give as much joy back to their owners as they receive. Their life spans are significantly longer than those of dogs and cats. Some species of birds have been known to live upward of fifty to eighty years. With proper care and nutrition, a Red-Bellied Parrot can live twenty or thirty years.