Home

>

Bird

>

New Pet

>

Small Hookbill

Small Hookbill Care Sheet

Developed with and approved by a qualified veterinarian.

small hookbill care sheet

Care recommendations cover a variety of species, including:

  • Caique
  • Meyer’s parrot
  • Pionus parrot
  • Red-shouldered parrot
  • Red-bellied parrot
  • Senegal parrot

 

Overview

Hookbills are parrots who range in size from parakeets to macaws. They are called hookbills for their hook-shaped beaks that are strong enough to crush hard foods such as seeds, nuts and tough fruits. Hundreds of different species in the parrot family are categorized as hookbills. Found on different continents and varying widely in appearance and behavior, many small- to medium-size hookbills can be kept successfully as pets and make lifelong companions. Friendly and affectionate birds, each small hookbill has unique personality traits.

 

Typical appearance and behavior

  • Small hookbill parrots vary widely in their place of origin, appearance, temperament and other behaviors
  • All of these species require daily interaction with their pet parents and out-of-habitat time for exercise
  • These birds are intelligent and curious and need mental stimulation to help prevent the development of undesirable behaviors such as feather picking, self-mutilation of skin and screaming
  • They need a variety of toys to forage with and chew on to prevent boredom
  • Some can mimic human language and even learn to speak words and phrases in context
  • Many live 20+ years, so having a small hookbill is a long-term commitment
  • Some can be squawky and messy, so they are not ideal pets for the noise-sensitive
  • These birds vary in appearance and personality:

Caique – Native to Australia, black-headed and white-bellied caiques are popular pets. They have a combination of white, black, green and gold feathers. They are known as playful, mischievous clowns and can be great family pets

Meyer’s parrot – Found in Africa, these small birds are known to be quiet, easy going and affectionate. They have gray heads, blue-green bodies and yellow tails

Pionus parrot – Slightly larger than other small-size hookbills, these Central and South American parrots come in a variety of different colors ranging from green to blue to brown and white. Less often kept as pets, Pionus parrots tend to be quieter and more reserved birds who make a distinctive repeated hissing sound when stressed

Red-shouldered parrot – Also called Hahn’s macaw, this South American bird is one of the smallest macaws; with a green body, blue-green head and red underneath their wings, this bird tends to be social and intelligent and is typically easy to train

Red-bellied parrot – Native to Africa, these outgoing, playful birds are not terribly loud and can be quite affectionate; their bodies and heads are gray, with orange (males) or green bellies (females)

Senegal parrot – Originating in Africa, these popular pets are generally calm and even tempered; they have yellow-orange chests, dark green bodies, brownish-green heads and bright yellow eyes

 

Characteristics

Care Difficulty Intermediate
Average Life Span Up to 15-30+ years depending on the species
Average Adult Size Up to 2 inches long, depending on the species
Diet Herbivores
Minimum Habitat Size 24”Wx 24”D x 30”H for one caique, Senegal parrot, red-bellied parrot or Meyer’s parrot
30”W x 30”D x 36”H for one red-shouldered parrot or pionus parrot

 

Habitat

Habitat size

A habitat, approximately 24"W x 24"D x 30"H (for a single caique, Senegal, red-bellied or Meyer’s parrot) or 30"W x 30"D x 36"H (for a single red-shouldered or pionus parrot), with metal bars spaced no greater than ¾ inch apart, makes a good home for one small hookbill. Commercially available habitats are generally made with stainless steel bars (either with or without a nontoxic coating). Homemade habitats and those made of wood or galvanized wire are not recommended because birds can chew on them and ingest potentially toxic chemicals.

Birds need a lot of space to exercise and explore, so provide the largest habitat possible.

 

Building your habitat

Small hookbills acclimate well to average household temperatures between 65° and 80°F; be cautious of extreme temperature changes. Habitats should be placed off the floor in a well-lit area that is away from drafts and inaccessible to other pets, including curious cats and dogs. Ensure no habitat parts or toys are made with lead, zinc other potentially toxic heavy metals, lead-based paints or galvanized parts, as these can cause serious medical issues if birds ingest them. Most small hookbills should be housed individually. If multiple birds are kept in their own habitats in the same room, they should always be supervised when out of their enclosures.

Perches: Perches should be at least ½ inch in diameter; provide a variety of perch diameters so your bird can exercise their feet and help prevent pressure sores from developing on their soles. Sandpaper covers on perches are abrasive to the bottom of feet and are not recommended. Providing perches made from different materials such as wood, braided rope and natural branches allows birds to choose which surface they stand on

  • To avoid contaminating food dishes with droppings, do not place food or water containers directly under perches

Toys: Hookbills are very intelligent, so they need to be able to forage for food and other objects, as well as play with toys for enrichment. Toys for foraging and chewing offer important mental stimulation. Size-appropriate toys may be made from cardboard, paper, wood or plastic that is too hard for small hookbills to bite off and swallow. Without proper stimulation, birds get bored and may pick at their feathers or develop other destructive habits, so rotate toys regularly. Ensure toys are strongly attached to the habitat because birds can unscrew the C-clamps that are typically used to hang toys and become injured. Toys also should not have small parts that birds can easily pull off and ingest

Liner and litter: A metal grate over the habitat bottom will enable 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 products to ease cleanup and minimize dust

Lighting: Birds need exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light to make vitamin D in their skin so they can 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 a few times a week with warm water from a plant mister to help them maintain healthy plumage

 

Cleaning your habitat

Spot-clean the habitat daily, removing discarded food and droppings on perches. Thoroughly wash and dry food bowls daily. Replace substrate or habitat liner weekly or more often as needed, especially if the habitat houses more than one bird.

Regularly clean and disinfect your bird’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 habitat cleaner or 3% bleach solution, being sure to thoroughly rinse all trace amounts so there is no residue to which your bird could be exposed
    • NOTE: Do not use any cleaning agents not specifically made for pets around your bird because birds’ respiratory tracts are very sensitive to anything aerosolized, and fumes from cleaning products can be harmful
  • Thoroughly drying the habitat and its contents
  • Replacing the 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 to help avoid boredom

 

Feeding

A well-balanced small hookbill diet consists of:

  • Nutritionally complete and balanced pelleted food specifically formulated for small parrots should make up 60 to 70% of your bird’s diet, with the rest coming from fresh vegetables and fruits
  • Small amounts of fortified seeds should only be offered as an occasional treat
  • Clean, fresh water should be changed daily

Egg-laying female birds should always have access to cuttlebones, which are an excellent sources of calcium, a nutrient essential for forming eggshells and laying eggs

  • Do not feed birds avocados, fruit seeds, chocolate, caffeine or alcohol, as these are toxic and can cause illness and death in birds; sugary, fatty and salty treats should be avoided

 

Things to remember when feeding your small hookbill:

  • Fresh food and water should always be available
  • Vegetables and fruits not eaten within 10 hours should be discarded
  • Treats should not exceed 10% of daily diet
  • Provide separate food dishes for dry food, fresh food and water; if housing more than one bird in a single habitat, provide multiple feeding stations to help reduce competition
  • Although hookbills 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 hookbills remove the hulls of seeds before eating them, they do not need to be fed grit to grind up food

 

Care

  • Bird pet parents should avoid using nonstick cookware and other appliances with nonstick coatings; when heated, these can release colorless, odorless fumes that typically kill birds when inhaled
  • Birds should be allowed out of their habitats and gently handled daily to socialize them
  • 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 causes abnormal beak growth; birds’ beaks normally stay in good condition with daily use. Mineral cakes can help support proper beak grooming
  • When done correctly, clipping the five outermost flight feathers can help prevent injury and escape; consult an avian veterinarian on what is best for your bird

 

Where to buy

Small hookbills are available for purchase at your local Petco Pet Care Center. Please call ahead to check availability.

 

Supplies

 

Habitat mates

  • Small hookbills should be housed individually
  • Different types of birds should notbe housed together

 

Health

Signs of a healthy bird

  • Active, alert and sociable
  • Eats, drinks and passes stool throughout the day
  • Dry nares and bright, dry eyes
  • Supple skin on feet and legs 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-mouthed or labored breathing and/or tail bobbing
  • Regurgitation or vomiting
  • Runny, bloody or discolored stools or no stool production
  • Straining to pass droppings
  • Favoring one foot when not sleeping
  • Ocular or nasal discharge
  • Red or swollen eyes
  • Persistently closed eyes or sleeping during the day
  • Crusty skin around face and feet
  • 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, lethargy, swollen abdomen, sneezing, labored breathing, lime green feces and conjunctivitis. Suggested ActionSeek immediate veterinary attention.
Health IssueDiarrhea Symptoms or CausesFecal portion of stool not formed; may have multiple causes, from change in diet to bacterial or viral infection to internal parasites. Suggested ActionConsult your veterinarian and ensure proper diet.
Health IssueFeather plucking Symptoms or CausesBird plucks own feathers; may be due to boredom, poor diet, stress, bacterial or viral infection or other underlying illness. Suggested ActionConsult your veterinarian, minimize stress, relieve boredom with daily attention, new toys and exercise.
Health IssuePolyoma virus Symptoms or CausesAnorexia, lethargy, bruising, weight loss, decreased appetite, abnormal feathers, sudden death. Suggested ActionSeek immediate veterinary attention.
Health IssuePsittacine beak and feather disease Symptoms or CausesAbnormal feather color or structure, feather loss, lethargy, decreased appetite, weight loss, beak deformities, sudden death. Suggested ActionSeek immediate veterinary attention.

 

FAQs

  • What are types of small hookbill birds? Caiques, Senegal parrots, pionus parrots, red-bellies parrots, red-shouldered parrots and Meyer’s parrots are all small hookbills.
  • What foods do small hookbill birds eat? Nutritionally complete and balanced pelleted food specifically formulated for small parrots should make up 60 to 70% of a small hookbill’s diet. They also need fresh vegetables and fruits and fresh water daily. Small amounts of fortified seeds should only be fed as an occasional treat.

 

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 (also called 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 your pet is sick or if you need additional information, please contact your veterinarian as appropriate.

Filed Under

Sponsored