TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Introduction 1
- Chapter One: The Exotic Amazon Parrot 3
- Why Amazon Parrots are Popular 5
- How Amazon Parrots Communicate 7
- Is the Amazon Parrot the Pet for You? 9
- Chapter Two: A Home for Your Amazon Parrot 15
- Different Kinds of Bird Cages 16
- Right Size, Right Design 19
- Proper Placement 20
- Accessories for the Bird Cage 22
- Perches 22
- Bird Toys 23
- Cups 25
- Lighting 26
- Cage Covers 26
- Seed Guards and Bloomers 27
- Play Stand 28
- Cleaning Your Amazon Parrot’s Cage 28
- How to Keep Pests Away from the Cage 30
- Chapter Three: Amazon Parrot Nutrition 33
- Base Diet + Supplemental Diet 34
- Foods to Avoid 36
- The Importance of Bird Foraging 39
- Chapter Four: Good Grooming for Your Amazon Parrot 41
- Beak Trimming 42
- Wing Clipping 43
- Molting 44
- Bathing 45
- Chapter Five: Training Your Amazon Parrot 51
- In the Beginning 51
- It’s All about Trust 53
- Before Taming and Training 54
- Taming a New Amazon Parrot 57
- Training a Shy Amazon Parrot 58
- Taming a Fearful Amazon Parrot 61
- Training your Amazon Parrot to Talk 63
- Stages of Talking 67
- Training your Amazon Parrot to “Step Up” 69
- Stick Training Your Amazon Parrot 71
- Potty Training your Amazon Parrot 73
- Using Positive Reinforcement in Training 74
- More Tricks? 75
- Chapter Six: Can You Discipline an Amazon Parrot? 77
- Dealing with Behavior 81
- Preening 81
- Body Language 83
- Plucking 85
- Being “One – Person Birds” 86
- Your Amazon Parrot’s Behavior Can Be Affected by Hormones 87
- Dealing with Your Amazon Parrot 88
- Chapter Seven: Caring for Your Bird’s Health and Getting the Right Vet 91
- Respiratory Infections 92
- Viral Diseases 93
- Bacterial Infections 93
- Nutrient Deficiencies 94
- Cancer 96
- Cloacal Papillomas 96
- Getting the Right Parrot Doctor 97
- Common Dangers inside the Home 100
- Signs that Your Amazon Parrot May Be Sick or Injured 103
- Conclusion 107
- Glossary of Important Terms 111
- Photo Credits 117
- References 119
