If pampered and well fed, your parrot can expect a long life. However, parrots are curious birds; they use their intelligence to explore their environment. They face many (more or less predictable) dangers that can suddenly emerge the moment your attention wanders. For example, if your bird is seated on your shoulder, it can decide at any moment to fly away and you will be unable to stop it. You must therefore look out for such dangers as you would with a very young child.

The following advice will help you avoid certain accidents.

1 - Its cage:
Your parrot’s claws should be properly maintained so that it does not get stuck in its cage (or even in your house). A broken or torn out claw will bleed profusely. If your bird is wounded, it will gnaw at its cut nonstop and you will have to take it urgently to your veterinarian. A good way to help your parrot file down its claws is to give it a perch made of wood and rough "concrete" with a sufficient diameter so that its feet are flat (bars in cages are often poorly adapted to the parrot’s needs). Inside its cage, the parrot can also harm itself with objects such as wires. If frightened, your bird can get caught up in them. To prevent your bird from escaping when you are away, you should secure the cage in a way that it cannot open the door: locks, thick shackles, closing springs are efficient but are not provided with the cage or aviary.

2 – The kitchen:
The kitchen is the most dangerous room in your house: burning fat, hot surfaces, hazardous products and food (salt, cleaning products, etc.), electric utensils. Your parrot should only enter the kitchen if nothing is heated!

3 – Water and electricity:

For a small parrot, the tub, pool, toilet bowl or a deep basin are places where it can easily fall and drown. Any object containing a liquid deeper than the height of your bird's legs presents a serious risk of drowning. A wet bird cannot fly; it tires trying to get out of the situation and can catch a cold. Of course hot or boiling water increases the risk by introducing the possibility of burns. A parrot will taste everything in its surroundings and will chew polystyrene, newspapers (lead ink!), paint, electrical wires, and plants with "milky" toxic sap. The first precaution to take is to cover all electrical wires and other hazards or put your bird in a room where the risks are reduced or eliminated.

4 - Windows:
Windows can be deadly. The bird does not "see" the glass and can fracture its skull if it flies into the window. You can place stickers on the glass, hang a non-toxic crawling vine, dangle some toys, install light curtains, etc. to act as an effective deterrent.

5 – Household products:
Household products are all very toxic. Using sprays (lacquers, cleaning supplies, waterproofers, etc.) near your bird and in particular without ventilating the room is the most dangerous of all, since these volatile substances can be inhaled by your bird. Obviously, avoid placing any gasoline, benzene, acetone (nail polish!), ammonia, alcohol or other thinner in the bird's presence. Felt pens with their ink and solvent are also dangerous. Nicotine is toxic, so remove all cigarette packets from the vicinity and cigarette butts from ashtrays. If you ventilate the room, do not leave your bird in the draft, since sinusitis and its consequences can be deadly.

6 – Other animals:
Other domesticated animals do not necessary represent a danger to your bird. Cats and parrots can often get along well since the parrot will dominate and can bite when necessary. Unlike a dog, a cat can turn aggressive. A cat will rarely attack directly, which gives the parrot time to defend itself, but a cat’s scratches can remain undetected and lead to infection. When in doubt, quickly consult your veterinarian. Be extra careful with parakeets since your cat may make a meal of it. Also, be vigilant if your parrot lives with a well-behaved cat or dog since it will not be suspicious of another cat or dog which may one day attack it.

If you adopt another parrot, careful monitoring is essential the first few days. Separate their feeding bowls (seeds and water) to allow the newcomer to eat in peace. Don’t forget that your new parrot should be placed in "quarantine" for 90 days. It is only then that it can join his companion.

To prevent your bird from touching everything, give it countless objects on which to chew: the branch of a fruit tree (un-treated), hard toys, fresh whole fruit, etc. Your parrot should remain busy, because chewing is a natural activity.

Don’t forget: your parrot should always be monitored.
To limit the risks, think Parrot!!!