The Truth About Parrots

[awashinlove]

The Truth About Parrots​

By Rebecca Margison



Maybe you've seen one in a pet store, or maybe you have a friend who has one. Parrots are everywhere these days, and their beautiful plumage and notorious talking abilities have made them very popular pets. But if they are so wonderful, then why are parrot rescue facilities full of them? Why are many of them facing euthanasia because frustrated humans are at the end of their ropes? What exactly is the truth about parrots?



There are two general rules you need to know about parrots. First, they are a lot of work. Second, they are not domesticated, meaning they carry with them all of their instinctual behaviors into your home. Parrots are not "easy care" pets. They are extremely intelligent; some species have been described as having the intelligence of a four-year-old child. So, you may be wondering, how much work can a parrot be, and why does it matter that they technically are not domesticated?



Parrots create work for humans. They are extremely messy. This is an instinctual behavior. In jungles and forests they consume only part of the plant or fruit they may be interested in, throwing the rest of it to the forest floor. They see no difference between the forest floor and your living room rug. You will need to wash walls, vacuum carpets, and clean cages every day of your life if you are living with a parrot and feeding him properly. Leaving food and feces on the bottom of a parrot's cage can and will lead to the bird contracting a nasty disease or infection. Veterinary care for birds is very expensive. Routine physicals and tests can run approximately $150-$400 for a healthy bird. Bring in a bird that is acting ill, and your costs skyrocket. You need to factor this cost in to the cost of the bird (along with adequate caging, playgyms, toys, food, etc).



Parrot's instinctual, normal behaviors often don't fit into the normal American home. Parrots make noise, from the smallest Parrotlet to the largest Macaw. If you are looking for a quiet pet, buy a fish instead. Some parrots simply chatter constantly, others produce ear-piercing screams. You should never get a parrot if you are not able to handle noise.



Parrots are instinctively destructive. In the jungles, they make nests by chewing cavities out of tree trunks. You must provide similar opportunities for chewing in your home or else they will find something to chew on, probably a piece of furniture or wood molding if they can reach it. Toys are a must, and you will find yourself spending lots of money on great toys only to find them chewed to splinters on the bottom of the cage. This is a necessary part of parrot ownership.



Parrots bite. Even if they are tame, sweet, bundles of joy, they can and will bite you at some point. Larger parrots can deliver a bite that can break a bone. Medium-sized parrots can deliver a bite that can break your skin. This is a normal behavior that can get out of control, and must be worked with tirelessly if patterns develop. Children need to be closely supervised when around any parrots due to this behavior.



Parrots live a long time. The smallest Budgie can live to be 15 years old, the largest Macaw or Cockatoo can live to be well over 80 years old. Are you prepared to live with a creature that can be loud, messy, destructive, expensive, and dangerous, for as long as you live?



Of course, parrots aren't all bad. It simply takes extensive education, patience, and determination to live happily with one. Parrots can be absolutely delightful creatures to share your home with if you respect their needs and their instinctual behaviors. Most parrots bond with a mate for life in the wild. In captivity, you become that mate. This bond is extremely important to a parrot. Parrots are never alone in the wild; to be alone means they've been abandoned by the flock and will soon die! You must respect this instinct. Bonding with a parrot can be positively sweet and loving. They can be cuddly, charming, and snuggly. Some of them can learn to talk, and some species can even learn to use language appropriately. Many parrots can sense our emotions and react to them, strengthening that bond. Parrots can be darling little clowns, playing enthusiastically with toys, showing off their acrobatic abilities, interacting with other animals (feathered and furred) in your household. Some of them can whistle a tune to lift your spirits, charm strangers with sweet chatters, and purr as you scratch their necks at bed time.



Parrots are work, and parrots are wild. You need to remember that if you decide that a parrot is the pet for you. Do your research, and educate yourself to the fullest. If you have the drive and the understanding, you are in for a lifelong friendship with a glorious parrot.


**Actually, parakeets often live into their late twenties early thirties in captivity if given proper care, and many large parrots can live well past 100 years of age with correct care. Also, parrots aren't always friendly companions for life no matter how well you treat them, but for those who get parrots it is your job to treat them right for life.

Blessings,
awashinlove

 

[forgivenmuch]

they most likely should of been kept in the wild.

 

[country woman]

The largest bird I would get is a cocketiel. A friend of mine has one. She takes him out of the cage almost every evening when no one is there. She has toys for him and a large cage.

 

[fieldlily]

I thought the cockateil we had for years and years was work, but I can see a parrot would be even more work. Thanks for all the information. Most interesting. The only parrot I have and probably ever will have is a stained glass beauty hanging on my enclosed screened porch. It requires dusting and cleaning every six months or so...Looks great and is about the size of a live parrot.

 

[Heather S.]

lol. Good post. I have an umbrella cockatoo and a quaker, and they are definately a handful. I would say that 80% of people who get birds do not have any idea what they are getting into. Even little budgies live a lone time.

Heather