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Hi, my name is Wayne, and welcome to my site Waynesparrotstuff.com.   

I have a couple of questions for you?  

• What do you think about caging your bird?
• Do you have a VELCRO BIRD, meaning a bird who insists on being with you all day, regardless of whether you have things to do or not.
• Have you ever bought a bigger cage, thinking that would make cage time better?
• Do you feel guilty locking your bird in a cage every day?
• Have cages overtaken your home, and have you ever said to yourself, "There has to be a better way?"                                                                                             

Well, there is a better way and you've found it.  

Over the years, I've rescued a lot of parrots, at one time, I had 18. These birds started as a new wonderful pet their companions expected to spend their lives with, and ended up as a rescue, and I was the rescuer.  What happened?  How did things go so horribly wrong in months or a few short years.  Well, to understand what happened, we need to first understand how birds live in the wild.

In the wild, parrots wake at sunrise and go about their day making a living.  For them, that consists of foraging for food, dodging predators, hanging out in trees, flying, all the things a free bird does.  At sunset, they return to the vicinity of the roost, and only when the sun is setting do they return to their roost.  The reason is simple.  For predators to know where they sleep is life threatening, plain and simple.  However, there is one time when they spend the day where they roost, and that's when nesting.

As with all animals, nesting times are the most stressful times of a birds life.  They realize predators know where their nest is, and these birds will defend their nest with their lives. 

Now to your parrot.  You were told your bird needed the biggest, fanciest cage you can afford.  Then, you filled that cage with lots of toys, with the idea of making "Cage time" as pleasurable as possible.  So, what's wrong with this picture?  

When your bird spends his days caged, where he roosts,  he begins to think of his cage as a nest.  As the bird matures, this syndrome becomes more and more of a problem and leads to a variety of parrot behavior issues.  

In my opinion, about 90% of all parrot behavioral issues are cage related.  So, what's the solution?

In order for your parrot to live a natural lifestyle, your bird needs two distinct places to spend his days. 

First, he needs a roost.  Basically, the roost is where your bird sleeps.  If you have a cage, using it as a roost is fine.  

Second and most important, he needs a tree to hang out in during the day. 

Suppose your bird had his own TREE that he absolutely adores.  It's comfortable to stand on so it doesn't hurt his feet.  It's interesting and keeps him occupied for hours.  It encourages climbing, playing, hanging upside down, napping and best of all, your parrot isn't caged.  No bars, just looking at the world like a parrot should, as a free spirit, which is exactly what birds are.  

In 1992, I began to develop my line of Bottlebrush Parrot Play Gyms designed from the ground up to provide your parrot with a tree to hang out in during the day. I use the concept of the FAVORITE PLACE.

You and I are creatures of habit.  When you watch TV or read at night, do you sit in the same chair?  Do you have a favorite restaurant, and enjoy the same meal?  Well, parrots are creatures of habit as well.

Suppose your bird had his TREE that was his favorite place to be.  He loves it there, it's fun, interesting, and in his mind, "why would I want to be over there when I like it here?"  And, if his options are being locked in his cage or hanging out in a tree, he'll chose the tree every time.  Again, cages aren't natural, trees are.  

So, I can hear you asking, "Is this possible?"  "Can this possible work?"  "I've bought gyms before and my parrot wouldn't use it and certainly not stay on it for more then an hour or two".  Well, forget your past experiences and let me tell you why mine are different.   

First, and most critical to this concept is the material the gym is made from. Most wood used for parrots is hard and slippery.  This might be good for YOU, but very uncomfortable for your bird.  

I use Bottlebrush.  Bottlebrush is a decorative landscape tree originally imported to South Florida from Australia.  It has thick, lush natural bark that's comfortable to stand on and is never slippery.  Your birds feet are designed to mesh with naturally barked branches without gripping or holding on.  This concept is critical to your birds foot health.  Look at the perches your parrot has now.  Are they hard and slippery?  

Bottlebrush is also the best wood there is for chewing and gnawing.  We all buy our birds chew toys, but actually, GNAWING is more critical because that's how parrots keep their beaks properly shaped and conditioned.  However, it's extremely difficult to provide wood for gnawing because it can't be too hard or too soft.  Well, Bottlebrush is PERFECT for Gnawing.  And, here's another concept we parrot owners have lost sight of.

The branch assembly of my Play Gyms are basically one big chew toy.  Your bird can chew on branches, which is completely natural for them.  In the wild, parrots chew on tree branches, there aren't many chew toys in the rain forest.  And, after 1 or 2 or more years of serious chewing and gnawing, you can simply replace the branch assembly and have a brand new gym.  And for you, the day you get your gym, you won't need to buy any more chew toys.  How long before those savings pay for your gym and you're actually making money, and have a happy, well adjusted bird.  That's what my gyms offer.

Interested?  I realize what I'm offering here is something you've likely never heard before, but clear your mind of your preconceived notions and allow me to show you a whole new way of keeping parrots, and allow your parrot to live the kind of life that's natural.

So, I'm going to ask for a few minutes of your time, and you and I can change your birds life. 

First, I'd like you to read this page, Want to change your parrots life? If your bird seems unhappy, here's why. Follow the links at the end of that page to read about Bottlebrush and then my Gyms.  My site is FULL of info, and if you'll take some time, it'll really help your parrot be a happy, well adjusted bird and a pleasure to share your life with.  I promise the result will be worth the time spent.

If you have questions, and prefer to discuss them in person with me, feel free to call me, Wayne (954) 376.0508 or e-mail your number and best time and I'll call you.   I actually prefer to chat with my clients, so feel free to call me.   

I build everything myself.  Try my Bottlebrush stuff.   I guarantee both you and your bird will be delighted you did.  

Wayne.