indian ringneck Care

Congratulations on taking home your new baby Indian Ringneck! Preparing to bring your new feathered baby home is a very exciting time for you and your family. To ensure that your new companion stays happy, safe and healthy it is very important for you to follow the recommendations listed below and any instructions that your vet may provide. The information on this page is for educational purposes only. We strongly urge everyone visit a certified avian vet within the first 7 days for a well visit and to establish care. 

It is important to have the right setup for your new Indian Ringneck companion.  Be sure to provide a cage that is safe and adequate in size. When ordering a cage online, ensure that it is a trusted brand and made of safe non-toxic materials. Indian Ringnecks are considered medium size birds. Medium to large birds require a cage that is 36-60 inches wide. The larger the cage, the more your friend has the room to spread and flap its wings when caged. Bar spacing on the cage should be no more than ½ - ¾ inch wide for an Indian Ringneck. Any spacing larger than this could allow your new friend to injure itself trying to get through. It is also advisable to have a travel carry cage so you can safely transport your baby bird for short travel such as vet or grooming visits.

We recommended you remove the dowel perch that comes with store bought cages and replace it with natural wood perches. Parrots need perches that offer varying diameters to provide exercise and maintain proper foot health.  All perches require regular cleaning to be free of bird poop. Replace your Indian Ringneck’s perch once they become permanently soiled or destroyed.  Two woods that we recommend for perches are Manzanita and Java wood.  They are excellent choices for parrot perches due to the wood's hardness and how difficult it is for parrots to destroy.

Birds need an adequate number of fun toys in their cage or bird room to keep them entertained and busy. We suggest keeping 4-6 toys plus ladder and ropes in their cage. We also suggest that you rotate their toys every 30 days to keep them entertained.

• When you take your baby home, give your bird some time to settle in and become acclimated to its new home, new people and pets and new sights and sounds. You can place your bird in its cage near you while you work in the same room. Talk to it in a calming tone to allow it to begin to recognize your voice. On the 2nd and 3rd day you can begin directly interacting for about 20 minutes each day. It can take your bird 5-7 days to relax and become accustomed to its new surroundings.
• Your bird may feel a little insecure at first in the new home. Cuddles, snuggles and head scratches are great ways to make your bird comfortable. 
• A bird left in isolation and constantly caged without affection and attention will have a poorly developed sense of security or belonging. Birds are flock animals that need to feel a part of a group. They may develop destructive habits, constant screaming and other unwanted behaviors to gain your attention if left alone and isolated for long periods. 
• Indian Ringnecks require interaction out of their cage with you daily to remain hand tamed.
• Establish one-on-one fun routines to enjoy with your bird every day. These could be target training, interactive games, singing songs, greetings and goodbyes.
• Acknowledge and respond to your bird's contact calls to reassure him/her when you are in other parts of the house. They are flock animals and will call to locate you.
• Don't rush into teaching your bird to step up on your finger. Be sure to allow your baby to settle in and gain your bird’s trust first.  
• Many Ringnecks will go through a period of time called the Bluffing Stage. This is a time when your bird is going through adolescence and may be hormonal and testing the waters (just like our kids do!). One of the best ways we have found to mute this behavior is by target training. Please ask us about this, check out our simplified Target Training video on FB, TikTok, YouTube or Instagram or check out the many amazing videos on YouTube by BirdTricks.

• Parrots need at least 10-12 hours of uninterrupted sleep. In the wild, parrots usually sleep from sunset to sunrise, roughly 12 hours.
• Parrots can start to display unwanted behavior like nipping, biting, screaming, feather plucking and not wanting to socialize if they are sleep deprived.
• During the night, it is very important to put your bird in a room that's undisturbed with minimum light. 
• To reduce "night frights", provide a calm and predicable sleeping environment.  You may cover the cage at night to block out light and noise. Some birds do not do well in complete darkness.  In cases like this, you can consider a night light or leave a portion of the cage uncovered.

• Offer a clean place with fresh clean water for your bird to bathe. Bathing will help soften dirt or food on the feathers and skin as well as encourage preening (self-cleaning). This is especially important during times of molting.
• In the summer, offer clean fresh water for your bird to bathe in several times a week. During cooler months you may consider minimizing bathing.
• Allow your bird to air-dry. NEVER use a hair dryer to dry your bird.
• HOW TO INTRODUCE BATHING TO YOUR BIRD

Daily cleaning of the cage floor and bowls helps to prevent problems with food spoilage, bacterial and mold growth and permits the owner to inspect the cage floor. Feces and food allowed to spoil for days can grow bacteria and mold that can be harmful to the health of your bird.  A weekly deeo cleaning of the cage is highly recommended. You can use shipping paper or paper towels as liner for the cage bottom tray. Do not use cat litter as it contains deodorizer and dust that may be harmful for birds. 

It is important to establish a relationship with a qualified avian vet of your preference. Once you take your new bird home, we HIGHLY recommend a well check visit to establish care for your baby Indian Ringneck.

WHEN TO VISIT YOUR VET

WEANING YOUR BABY

BEYOND WEANING -

A healthy parrot diet should consist of about 70-90% pelleted food and 10-30% fresh foods. Fresh foods include fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts.

High quality food rich in nutrients is essential for a bird’s growth and wellbeing. We also recommend using as much organic food as possible.  Pesticides on food, especially soft skinned fruits and leafy greens, can harm a small bird.  

Before offering any fresh fruit or vegetable, please always check to be sure the vegetable or fruit is safe to offer your bird. Some foods that are safe for you to eat are NOT safe for your birds.

Sample Fruit List

All fruits are high in natural sugars and should be offered as an occasional treat

• Apple
• Banana
• Papaya (limited)
• Mango (peeled)
• Plum
• Strawberries
• Blueberries
• Pomegranate
• Pineapple
• Cranberries

Sample Vegetable List

Most of your pet bird’s fresh chop should consist of vegetables.

(*medium sugar & **high sugar)

• Broccoli
• Snow Peas
• Brussel Sprouts
• Bell Pepper
• Cauliflower
• Carrot*
• Squash*
• Sprouts
• Sweet Potato**
• Corn**
• Kale
• Spinach

Grains and Legumes (cooked)

• Brown & White Rice (cooked)
• Quinoa
• Wheat
• Barley
• Pasta (cooked)
• Sprouted Whole Wheat Bread (no salt)
• Oats
• Couscous
• Garbanzo Beans (cooked)
• Black Beans (cooked)

• Meat Products
• Sodas
• Onion
• Avocado
• Alcohol
• Chocolate
• Cocoa
• Bread
• Crackers
• Fruit Pits
• Garlic
• Mushrooms
• Caffeine 
• Dairy
• Cheese
• Human snack foods (cookies, chips)
• Salt
• Sugar

IN ADDITION

• Do not add any minerals or supplements if you are giving your birds pellet food.  A healthy well-balanced diet for parrots should consist of 70-90% and 10-30% fresh fruits, veggies, grains, nuts, sprouted seeds and seeds.
• A diet based primarily on seeds is deficient in many nutrients, including vitamin A and calcium and is too high in fat. This can lead to many chronic diseases down the road.
• Keep in mind that birds can only eat about 15-20% of their body weight. Be careful not to force your bird into overeating
• Berries are particularly rich in antioxidants, fiber and can help curb inflammation and act as natural plant-based probiotics, particularly cranberries.

If you've adopted a parrot who is on an all seed diet.  Please read the information found in the following link: TRANSITIONION PET PARROTS AWAY FROM SEED DIET

Indian Ringnecks need Vitamin D3 just like humans do to remain healthy,  Vitamin D3 is synthesized in their skin when exposed to UVB in sunlight.  Ideally, parrots should have access to natural sunlight for at least 30 minutes several times a week.  You can take your bird outside with you in their cage or in an avian harness.  NEVER take your bird outside unrestricted unless it is highly recall trained.  Even a bird with clipped wings can fly for miles with a strong gust of wind!  To make sure your bird does not become overheated, remain outside with your bird.  If you are uncomfortable, so is your bird! 

Below is a sample list and should NOT be considered all-inclusive.  Some items are lethal and can cause instant death. Birds have a very fragile respiratory system and may die within minutes of coming in contact with certain fumes and hazardous materials. This is why canaries were used in coal mines to detect harmful gases. If the canary died, the workers knew to get out of the mine!!

• Perfumes 
• Body Lotion
• Insect Spray
• Glue Pads
• Cleaning Chemicals
• Nail Polish
• Nail Polish Remover
• Hair Dyes
• Scented Candles
• Plug-ins
• Air Fresheners
• Incense
• Cigarette/Tobacco/Vape smoke
• Fumes of any kind
• Cooking with Teflon found in non-stick cookware 
• HOUSEHOLD DANGERS