The period between placing your deposit and your bird's arrival is one of the most valuable you have. Preparation done thoroughly before the bird arrives dramatically reduces stress — for both the bird and you — in the critical first weeks.
Install the cage in its permanent location before the bird arrives. Choose a location that is: part of the household's social centre (not isolated in a back room), away from direct draughts, free from kitchen fumes (non-stick cookware releases PTFE fumes that are fatal to birds — never use Teflon near parrots), and not in direct full sun for extended periods. Ideally at human eye height or slightly above.
Prepare the cage with 3–4 perches of varying diameter and material — natural wood perches from apple, willow, or hazel are ideal. Install 2–3 food dishes (one for pellets, one for fresh food, one for water) securely attached to the cage bars. Add 3–5 age-appropriate enrichment items: foraging toys, chew toys, and hanging items. Do not overcrowd the cage — the bird needs room to move.
Before allowing your bird any out-of-cage time, thoroughly bird-proof the area. Remove or secure: electrical cables (parrots chew everything), toxic houseplants (many common houseplants are toxic to birds — check every plant), candles, air fresheners and scented plug-ins (toxic fumes), non-stick cookware in the kitchen, open water (toilet, fish tank, deep bowls), and open windows without secure screens.
Before your bird arrives, identify an avian specialist vet within reasonable distance. General practice vets often lack the specific training to treat parrots effectively. Search for vets with RCVS accreditation in avian medicine, or ask for recommendations in UK parrot owner communities. Book an introductory health check within 2 weeks of the bird's arrival.
Source quality pellets appropriate for the species before the bird arrives — Harrison's Bird Foods is widely regarded as the gold standard in the UK. Buy a variety of appropriate fresh vegetables and fruit. Do not make dramatic dietary changes immediately — transition gradually over 2–3 weeks if switching from the diet the bird received at the breeder.
Allow the bird 3–5 days to acclimatise to its new environment before expecting it to interact confidently. Keep the household calm, speak to the bird softly from a distance, and allow it to observe its new surroundings at its own pace. Avoid the temptation to handle frequently in the first days — trust is built gradually. Follow our acclimatisation guide included with every bird we deliver.
Browse our available birds or contact us to discuss what would suit your household best.