By Leslie Wieser

Misunderstood behavior is one of the main reasons that people surrender their parrots to organizations like Companion Parrots Re-homed or to sanctuaries. Many of these behaviors originate from parrot behaviors in the wild. When we consider that most parrots in captivity are just a few generations removed from the wild, it's easy to understand why eliminating instinctive behavior is difficult, if not impossible. Even hand-raised parrot chicks are not domesticated.

One behavior that parrot owners frequently find themselves coping with is screaming. Morning and evening, screaming is hard-wired into your bird because wild parrots use these contact calls upon waking and settling in for the night. For wild parrots, screaming defines territory, signifies play behavior and is used as a form of communication. In the wild, parrots have no walls or ceilings and therefore, the louder the better.

On the other hand, you may be surprised to learn that biting is not a natural behavior, because birds rarely bite or attack each other in the wild. Therefore, biting is mostly a learned behavior, resulting from self-defense, fear or protecting territory or a companion/mate. Let's face it, in the wild a frightened parrot simply flies away, but in captivity, most do not have that ability. Parrots almost always display some type of body language before biting. Learning to read that body language and establishing a positive relationship with your bird is crucial to avoid getting bit.

To help promote their spring fashion line which includes parrot-themed apparel, the Vineyard Vines store at Southpark Mall (Charlotte) is sponsoring a '10/10 Event' to benefit Companion Parrots Re-homed, on Saturday, February 28 from 10 am - 1 pm. Shoppers will save 10% on their purchases, plus 10% of sales proceeds will be donated to CPR. Stop by to see the new selections and enjoy some refreshments and music. And, you might even meet a parrot or two. This is a wonderful opportunity to kick off your spring fashion while helping the birds of CPR!

We're often asked about what temperature is too cold for parrots in the home. Fully feathered birds wear a down coat and can tolerate temperatures as low as 58-60 degrees Fahrenheit, but covering the cage at night or providing a happy hut can be helpful. A bird's cold feet don't always indicate that the bird is actually cold; feeling for warmth under the wing can be a better test, if the bird allows it.

If you're concerned about temperature, bird-safe supplemental heat can be provided, but always leave space for the bird to be able to move away from the heat if he/she desires. External space heaters (never inside the cage), soft heating pads, warming perches and warming units on the side of the cage can also be helpful when used properly. Use these tools only under supervision to be sure that your parrot is always safe. If you have any questions about your situation, please contact Parrot University at 704.889.2325.