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Large Hookbill

Large Hookbill Care Sheet

Developed with and approved by a qualified veterinarian.

large hookbill care sheet

This care sheet covers a variety of species, including:

  • African grey parrots
  • Amazon parrots
  • Eclectus parrots

 

Overview

Hookbills are birds in the parrot family. They are called hookbills because they all have a curved, hook-like beak that is strong and capable of crushing seeds, nuts and thick-skinned fruits. Hookbills range in size from very small parakeets all the way up to large macaws. Large hookbills, such as African grey parrots, Amazon parrots and Eclectus parrots, are intelligent, affectionate, active birds who require lots of daily interaction with their pet parents to be happy, well-socialized pets. They live many years—some for several decades—so they are a big commitment as pets.

 

Typical appearance and behavior

  • Large hookbill parrots are a group of birds of various species who have different appearances and temperaments. Eclectus parrots are often calm and quiet in their habitats but can be nervous in new surroundings. They are one of the few large parrots in which males and females look completely different; males are bright green with a yellow beak, and females are red with blue/purple coloration and a black beak
  • Large hookbill parrots are not ideal pets for families with young children, as strong beaks and sharp nails can inflict injury to small fingers reaching into their habitats
  • African grey parrots are perhaps one of the most intelligent pet birds; they are capable of  learning a vocabulary of hundreds of words with humanlike inflections and mimic sounds almost perfectly; they also love to learn tricks and games. Once they reach sexual maturity (at about 5 to 7 years old), they often bond closely with one pet parent of whom they may become quite protective
  • Amazon parrots are typically green and yellow with sprinklings of other colors depending on species. Often loud, stout-looking birds, Amazons are known for their longevity and their sometimes stubborn attitudes. Like African grey parrots, they often mimic, sing and enjoy showing off their skills
  • All hookbill parrots have an innate desire to chew; they must be provided with numerous foraging toys for them to gnaw on and destroy so that they can get both physical and mental stimulation
  • Ensure toys are safe to chew on, made from nontoxic wood or very hard plastic, and do not contain small pieces that are easy to swallow
  • Large hookbill parrots need a lot of space to move around and exercise, both within and outside of their habitats

 

Characteristics

Care Difficulty Advanced
Average Life Span Up to 20-60+ years depending on species
Average Adult Size 10-15 inches, head to end of tail, depending on species
Diet Omnivores
Minimum Habitat Size 36”W x 24”D x 48”H minimum for single hookbill

 

Habitat

 

Habitat size

A habitat approximately 36"W x 24"D x 48"H with strong metal bars spaced no greater than 3/4" apart makes a good home for one large hookbill. Commercially available habitats are generally made with stainless steel bars (either with or without nontoxic coating); homemade habitats and those made of wood or galvanized wire are not recommended because wood cannot be disinfected properly and birds can chew on their habitats and ingest potentially toxic chemicals. Parrots are well-known escape artists, so ensure habitat locks securely. Large hookbills are notorious at using their large beaks and strong tongues to open habitat doors that are not locked.

 

Building your habitat

Large hookbills acclimate well to average household temperatures between 65°F and 80°F; be cautious of extreme temperature changes. Habitats should be placed off the floor in well-lit areas, away from drafts and inaccessible to other curious pets such as cats and dogs. Parrots are very social, so habitats should be placed in an area with lots of household activity. Ensure no habitat parts or toys contain lead, zinc, other potentially toxic heavy metals, lead-based paints or galvanized parts, as these can cause serious medical issues if birds ingest them.

  • Perches - Perches should be approximately 3/4 to 1 inch in diameter; provide a variety of perch sizes so your parrot can exercise their feet and help prevent pressure sores from developing on their soles. Use perches made from different materials, such as wood, concrete, braided rope and natural branches, to give your bird their choice of surfaces to stand on
    • Sandpaper covers on perches are abrasive to the bottom of feet and are not recommended
    • To avoid contaminating food dishes with droppings, do not place food or water containers directly under perches
  • Toys - Parrots are very intelligent birds; a variety of foraging toys are important for enrichment and mental stimulation
    • Toys should have a variety of colors, shapes and textures to entice birds to interact with them
    • Ensure toys are securely attached to the habitat because birds can unscrew the C-clamps that are typically used to hang toys and become injured. Toys should be free of small parts that birds can easily pull off and ingest; toys made from paper, cardboard, wood or hard plastic that your parrot can’t chew up are safest
    • Without toys and attention, birds can get bored, pick their feathers, scream or develop other destructive behaviors, so be sure to rotate their toys regularly to prevent boredom
  • Liner and litter - A metal grate over the habitat bottom will allow droppings to fall away from birds’ feet and keep the habitat cleaner; the tray in the habitat bottom should be lined with habitat paper or other paper-based substrate to ease cleanup and minimize dust
  • Ultraviolet (UV) light - Birds need exposure to UV light to make vitamin D in their skin, which enables them to absorb dietary calcium. UV light is filtered out by glass in windows, so placing the habitat next to a window is not sufficient; UV lights designed specifically for birds should shine on the habitat 10 to 12 hours a day and be changed every six months when their potency wanes
  • Bathing - Water dishes should be large enough for birds to bathe in. Birds who don’t bathe regularly can be misted gently a few times a week with warm water from a plant mister to maintain healthy plumage.

 

Cleaning your habitat

  • Spot-clean the habitat daily, removing discarded food and droppings from perches
  • Thoroughly wash and dry food bowls daily
  • Replace substrate or habitat liner at least once a week or more often as needed, especially if the habitat houses more than one bird
  • Regularly clean and disinfect your pet’s habitat and perches by:
    • Moving your bird into a secure place (such as another habitat or travel carrier) in a separate air space
    • Washing the habitat, perches and toys with a bird-safe habitat cleaner or 3% bleach solution, ensuring all trace amounts of habitat cleaner or bleach are washed off so there is no residue to which your bird could be exposed
      • Do not use any cleaning agents around your bird; birds’ respiratory tracts are very sensitive to anything aerosolized, and cleaning products’ fumes can be harmful
    • Thoroughly drying the habitat and its contents
    • Replacing substrate or liner, perches and toys
    • Returning your bird to their habitat
    • Replace perches, dishes and toys when worn or damaged; rotate new toys into the habitat regularly

 

What do large hookbills eat?

A well-balanced large hookbill diet consists of:

  • Nutritionally complete and balanced pelleted food specially formulated for large parrots, which should make up 60 to 70% of your bird’s diet, plus smaller amounts of fresh vegetables, fruits and fortified seeds as an occasional treat
  • Clean, fresh water, changed daily
  • Do not feed birds avocados, fruit seeds, chocolate, caffeine or alcohol, which are toxic to birds and can cause illness or death if consumed, and avoid salty, sugary and fatty treats

 

Things to remember when feeding your hookbill:

  • Fresh food and water should always be available
  • Vegetables and fruits not eaten within10 to 12 hours should be discarded
  • Treats should not exceed 10% of total food intake
  • Provide separate food dishes for dry food, fresh food and water; if more than one conure is housed in a single habitat, provide multiple feeding stations to reduce competition
  • Although birds are social and like to eat when their flock mates eat, never share food from your plate or your mouth; people have microorganisms in their mouths that can cause illness in birds
  • Since parrots remove the hulls from seeds before eating them, they do not need to be offered grit to grind up food

 

Care

  • Bird pet parents should avoid using nonstick cookware and other appliances with nonstick coating; when heated, these items can release colorless, odorless fumes that typically kill birds when inhaled
  • Birds should be socialized daily by pet parents; they need daily time out of their habitat to exercise and get comfortable with their pet parents and families. When out of their habitat, birds must be supervised at all times so they don’t injure themselves or get into anything inappropriate
  • Birds need regular grooming, including nail trimming every few weeks to months; nails should be trimmed by a trained person to prevent injury to the bird
  • Most birds do not need regular beak trimming, unless they have an underlying condition (such as liver disease) that can cause abnormal beak growth; birds’ beaks normally maintain good condition with daily use
  • Clipping the outermost five flight feathers, when done correctly, can help prevent injury or escape; consult a veterinarian on what is best for your bird

 

Supplies

 

Habitat mates

  • Large hookbills can be kept alone to bond with pet parents, as long as regular socialization and time out of their habitat is provided or, in large enough habitats, in pairs to bond with each other. Different types of birds should not be housed together

 

Health

Signs of a healthy bird

  • Active, alert and sociable
  • Eats, drinks and passes droppings throughout the day
  • Dry nares and bright, dry eyes
  • Supple skin on legs and feet and smooth beak
  • Clean, dry vent
  • Smooth, well-groomed feathers

 

Red flags (If you notice any of these signs, contact your veterinarian.)

  • Fluffed, plucked or soiled feathers
  • Sitting on the habitat floor for an extended period of time
  • Wheezing, sneezing or coughing
  • Open-mouth or labored breathing and/or tail bobbing
  • Regurgitation or vomiting
  • Runny, bloody or discolored stools
  • Straining to pass droppings
  • Favoring one foot when not sleeping
  • Ocular or nasal discharge
  • Red or swollen eyes
  • Crusty skin around face and feet
  • Persistently closed eyes or sleeping during the day
  • Loss of appetite

 

Common health issues

Health Issue Symptoms or Causes Suggested Action
Health IssueChlamydiosis (psittacosis or parrot fever) Symptoms or CausesAppetite loss, fluffed feathers, nasal discharge, swollen abdomen, respiratory difficulty, lime green feces, conjunctivitis. Suggested ActionSeek immediate veterinary attention.
Health IssueDiarrhea Symptoms or CausesFecal portion of stool (versus solid white urine portion or clear liquid urine) not formed. Multiple causes, from change in diet to bacterial or viral infection to internal parasites. Suggested ActionConsult your veterinarian and ensure a proper diet.
Health IssueFeather plucking Symptoms or CausesBird plucks own feathers. May be due to boredom, stress, poor diet or other underlying illness. Suggested ActionConsult your veterinarian and relieve boredom with attention, new toys or more stimulation.
Health IssuePolyoma virus Symptoms or CausesAnorexia, lethargy, weight loss, bruised skin, sudden death. Suggested ActionSeek immediate veterinary attention.
Health IssuePsittacine beak and feather disease Symptoms or CausesAbnormal feather color or shape (clubbed or curled feathers), feather loss, beak deformities, weakness, lethargy, weight loss Suggested ActionSeek immediate veterinary attention; isolate affected bird; thoroughly disinfect habitat.
Health IssuePacheco's virus Symptoms or CausesSudden death, diarrhea, lime green urates, swollen abdomen, weight loss, appetite loss, regurgitation, depression. Suggested ActionSeek immediate veterinary attention; isolate affected bird; thoroughly disinfect habitat.

 

 

 

 

Notes and resources

Ask a Pet Care Center associate about Petco's selection of products available for the care and happiness of your new pet. All products carry a 100% money-back guarantee.

Because all birds are potential carriers of infectious diseases, such as chlamydiosis (psittacosis or parrot fever), always wash your hands before and after handling your bird or habitat contents to help prevent the potential spread of disease.

Pregnant women, children under the age of 5, senior citizens and people with weakened immune systems should contact their physicians before purchasing or caring for birds and should consider having a pet other than a bird.

Go to cdc.gov/healthypets for more information about birds and disease.

The information on this Care Sheet is not a substitute for veterinary care. If you need additional information, please contact your veterinarian as appropriate.

 

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