Your parrot is used to affection and a good diet. For the first day or so after you bring it home, the bird will probably feel shy and will be insecure in its new surroundings. Give it time to get used to its new home and family, and don't be alarmed if it doesn't eat and drink a lot of food and water during the first few days. However, be sure to provide fresh food and water immediately, as the bird will probably eat and drink when you aren't looking.

It may be a good idea to leave the bird in its cage for the first day or two, so that it has a chance to settle in before you play with it. You need to allow your bird to get a lot of rest, just like any other baby, so even after you start to play with it, don't do so for long periods of time. For the first several weeks, ten to fifteen minute play times are sufficient.

Also be careful not to stress your baby. Other pets, especially cats, could really upset the bird. If your new pet flutters down several times while you have it out, you should consider putting it away to rest for a while, because this also is stressful for baby birds, especially if you must chase them to pick them up. New toys are also a little scary, so try hanging them on the outside of the cage until the baby is used to them and then gradually putting them into the cage.

Just giving a parrot seed and water is like giving a person bread and water. The bird might stay alive, but it won't be as healthy or live as long as a bird on a well-balanced diet. Your parrot is used to eating a seed mix containing vitamins, fresh fruits and vegetables, a pelleted feed (we use Roudybush pellets), wheat bread, cheerios, and a bean mix. Even though your parrot is not used to eating all of them, foods from the table are fine additions to its diet. Just be sure the food  doesn't contain much sugar, fat, or salt. Giving just one potato chip means that a large portion of your bird's daily food intake is used up on junk food. They're a lot smaller than us. Birds usually enjoy pasta, meats, eggs, fish, juice, cereals, and fruits and vegetables. However, never give your bird avacado, chocolate, coffee, alcoholic beverages or sweets. These foods and drinks could result in instantaneous or slow, painful death.

Your bird's wings have been clipped for its safety, as many parrots are strong flyers and could be startled into flying into a safety hazard such as a glass window or boiling water. They also could escape and fly away. The feathers will eventually grow out again and we recommend keeping them clipped.

Disturbances during the night, such as sudden noises or movement, may cause your bird to fright in the dark. If your bird thrashes in the dark, provide it with a night light so that it can see to climb back onto its perch.

When your parrot is out of its cage, make sure it is under supervision. Your bird could eat toxic substances, chew furniture and electrical wires, and fly or climb into dangerous areas. Even if your pet does not damage the things he chews on, he could ingest lead or other toxic materials and become seriously ill or die.

Recommended reading: Bird Talk Magazine and Guide to a Well-Behaved Parrot by Mattie Athan.