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New to birds? How to care for a medium parrot like an Amazon.

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Can I take a shower with a Amazon Parrot? What temperature range water is safe? Do I need to give them a cuttle cone? What to chew one? How often do I have to take them for beak/wing/nail trim? What size cage? It would probably be out a lot because I am home most every day. Only gone on Fridays. I want a bird that can do almost everything with me and not too small. About a medium bird? Any recommend birds? I’ve never had a bird but I know a few people that have birds. Right food? (See pic) thx!

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Answered By Miranda Sadar, DVM, DACZM

Veterinarian

Published on March 27th, 2019

Thanks for your questions about birds. You can shower with birds, but it is recommended that they sit on a perch or on the shower rod during the shower, not that they are directly hit by the spray. A safer way to give them a shower is by using a gentle mist directed over the top of them with a spray bottle. When provided with appropriate and balanced nutrition, a cuttle bone is not necessary for parrots. The food that you posted is a reliable pelleted diet, but you would need to ensure that you got an appropriate size for the species - for example, the mini pellets would be good for a conure but not for an Amazon. If you have never had a bird before, it may be a big commitment to get a medium to large sized parrot. When cared for appropriately, these large parrots can live many decades - ideally 50 years or more. You may potentially consider starting with a smaller parrot, such as a cockatiel (life span of up to 25 years) or a budgerigar (life span around 8 years). I hope that gives you some additional information!

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