The word Parrot covers such a wide spectrum of bird species that covering all of them in one article is very difficult. All Parrots fall under the category of Hookbills. Unlike other hookbills Lories and their smaller cousins Lorikeets are not generally seed eating birds despite their hook shaped bill. They are instead primarily nectar eaters. They use their sharp hooked beak to tear fruit that they eat in addition to nectar.

Look carefully at the tongue. It is covered with bristles that the birds use to gather nectar from flowers. Place a sliced grape in a dish and the bird will use this tongue like a drill to extract the soft core of the fruit leaving an empty grape skin behind.

These birds are extremely active; almost to the point of being clownish in their antics. They have the ability to mimic, but aren’t noted as being as talkative as other parrot species. Usually they have high pitched “squeaky” voice that is endearing. They are chatterers rather than screamers. Add all these appealing qualities to the fact that they are some of the most vividly colored birds and they would seem to be the perfect pet bird.

Their one drawback is that due to their mostly liquid diet, their droppings are also liquid. This can be rather messy so their cage and the area surrounding the cage require constant cleaning.

The information offered here is very general. Before purchasing any bird, carefully research the specific needs of the species that you are planning to buy.

The foundation of their diet is nectar. Quiko Lori is the lowest iron diet on the market. Traditionally the powdered nectar is mixed with water and served in a drinker. Some people offer the dry powder in a dish next to the drinking water so that the birds can dip their beak into the powder and add it to the water on their own. Fresh fruits and vegetables are also an essential part of the diet.

One method of offering the nectar which helps reduce the volume of liquid droppings is to mix the nectar according to the directions, and then soak some Rusk in the liquid nectar. The Rusk absorbs the nectar and is then offered as a semi solid food. This has the effect of firming up the stool so that it is less messy.

Use of an avian daily multivitamin is recommended. These are usually water soluble and can be added to the drinking water or sprinkled over the food. If the vitamin is added to the water, the water container must be thoroughly washed each day.

Fresh water should always be available.

Lories and Loirkeets are housed in cages. There are hundreds of shapes and sizes of cages available. Some considerations to keep in mind when purchasing a cage are the size of the cage, the size of door opening, the gauge of the wire, and the spacing of the wire. The cage should be at least large enough for the bird to be able to turn around completely and flap it's wings with out touching the wires. The door opening must be large enough for you to reach in with your hand and remove the bird from the cage easily. The gauge of the wire must be heavy enough so that the bird can't bite through it or break the welds. The wires should be spaced closely enough to keep the bird from putting it's head through the opening.

A pull out tray at the bottom makes for easier cleaning. A wire grate mounted on the bottom of the cage above this tray keeps the bird from digging through the litter.
Handling & Care Most of the Parrots now available for sale in the U.S. are domestically raised and many have been hand fed. A young hand-fed bird makes a much more desirable companion. Learn how to handle your bird and do so daily to keep it tame and affectionate.

Clipping the wings is recommended to keep the bird manageable. Wing clipping when done correctly does not hurt the bird, and is not permanent. The clipped feathers with be replaced the next time the bird molts.

Birds keep their plumage in peak condition by preening. You can encourage this by occasionally spraying your bird with warm water. Use a clean spray bottle that has never been used for anything else, and mist the bird with warm water.

Parrots can live a very long time. Purchasing one is a life time commitment and the decision to buy one should not be taken lightly. They can be loud, they can an do occasionally bite, and at certain times of the year (breeding season) their personality can change completely. Your sweet, affectionate pet may turn into an unmanageable monster that wants nothing to do with human companionship until breeding season ends, and their hormone levels return to normal.