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Let’s go and buy a parrot for the family!!! Not such a great idea if you have not done any research or homework and decided what parrot would suit your family best. Buying on a whim is normally not the best way to go.
As most of the parrots outlive us humans, having a lifespan of up to 70 years of age, buying a parrot is a long term commitment. Not like dogs or cats, which if we are lucky can live to 14 years or more. Once the parrot is brought home and the bird matures many of the birds’ ‘needs’ are not met, leading to very unhappy parrots. ‘Needs’ would include adequate cage size, balanced diet, environmental enrichment, training and social needs.
Noise levels
Just one example is an Umbrella Cockatoo. These birds are the most adorable, cuddly, loveable babies and it is so easy to ‘fall in love’. But have you heard an adult Umbrella Cockatoo in full cry? The whole neighbourhood hears it as well! Some of the Amazon parrots, Conures and Macaws have voices that are very loud and piercing.
Not the best method of keeping your neighbours as friends. But this is a fact of life when you own a parrot. It is part of their normal behaviour. This is how they communicate and at certain times of the day it is acceptable parrot behaviour but not that acceptable to us humans.
Needs attention
Once you have brought your Umbrella Cockatoo home it is so easy to spend a lot of time with the bird, as it is to spend time with a new puppy or kitten. But unfortunately these birds do not grow out of needing attention. It is like buying a two year old that never grows up and as the infatuation passes they are often left to their own devices a lot of the time leading to screaming, bored, plucking and very unhappy pets.
The result of this is often that the bird is sold on, given to someone else or handed in at a zoo or bird park. Parrots do suffer emotional stress and this causes behaviour problems. Depression sets in. Very often there are staff shortages at a zoo or bird park and the bird will not get any individual attention. Coming from a home where the family was important to the bird it now has to try and come to terms with its loss.
What to consider
Not all parrots make good companions. Here are some factors to be taken into consideration before buying or taking over someone else’s parrot.
- What size parrot? Bigger birds can be more difficult to handle especially for children. Choose the correct parrot for your household.
- The gender: male or female?
- The source of the bird: hand reared, wild caught, cage reared, pet shop, friend?
- Why are they getting rid of the bird?
- Some birds tend to bond with one person only and some with the whole family. What do you want from your parrot?
- The ‘noise factor’ - some are noisier than others.
- How much experience do you have in parrot keeping? Some are more difficult to keep and display behavioural problems.
- How much time will you spend with the bird each day? Some need more attention than others.
- What temperament are you looking for? Different breeds, different temperaments.
- What cage size can you afford? Can you afford enrichment toys?
- The ‘mess’ factor? Parrots are by nature messy pets.
- What provisions will you make for the parrot when you go on holiday?
- The price will also determine your choice of bird.
Pet shops, breeders or any person selling birds should make it their priority to inform the purchaser what to expect from a specific breed, what the birds’ needs are and what your role is. If this is done we would have more contented happy birds and happy owners.
Once you invest time and love into your parrot, the rewards can be joyous and you will have a friend for life. If you don’t have the time or energy to put in long term, please think seriously before purchasing a bird.
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