Parrots As Pets: Are They The Right Pet For You?
Posted: Wednesday, January 20, 2010
by Karla Deacon
http://parrotcarebasics.com
Parrots are bright and lovely and the idea of having one at home and teaching him or her to speak is impossible to resist for some of us. Here are some things to keep in mind before you bring home that lovely macaw you saw at the pet store.
Parrots are pets that demand time and attention. They are more akin to dogs than to hamsters although you may place them in a cage. This is to say that they are highly sociable and do well in environments where they feel physically and mentally stimulated and engaged.
Parrots are extremely intelligent creatures that are often compared in their intelligence to chimpanzees, dolphins and even human toddlers. So having a parrot at home can be a really exciting experience for the humans around. You will have the opportunity to see the way this bird processes the world around it. If you choose to train it in talking or doing tricks it will be a fascinating pedagogical exercise.
What are the hands on mechanics of having a parrot at home? Parrots have to be fed nutritious food but fortunately commercial pellets provide most of what is necessary and you can be creative in the vegetables and protein you feed your bird. Parrots have to be kept in clean cages and you should ensure that they are housed in large enough cages where they can spread their wings. They can be messy eaters and this means that you have to be prepared to do some regular clean-up in and around the cages. Parrots need stimulation and you can provide this through some one-on-one time and through judicious use of toys.
Educate yourself thoroughly about the various types of parrots that are available as pets. Some of the most common parrot species people choose as pets are Cockatoos, Conures, Cockatiels, Lovebirds, Budgies, Macaws, Amazons, African Grays, Caiques, Pionus and Poicephalus. Everything from size to temperament, to sociability and mimicry ability are relevant in making a choice that will work with your life style. A four feet macaw may not be the best bet for someone with limited space and getting a lone lovebird may not be a great beginning for a happy pet-owner relationship. Once you know what is out there, make an honest assessment of how much time and effort you are willing to spend on your pet and choose accordingly.
Parrots are birds with a long life span and any commitment that you make to this bird should be taken seriously. They are interactive and capable of strong emotional connections and so it is advisable that you do a test run before deciding that this is the right choice for you. There are breeders who will allow you to bring a bird home for a couple of days to see if there is a good match between you and the bird before you take the final step of taking on parrots as pets.
For more great information on parrots as pets visit ParrotCareBasics.com.
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Top-level comments on this article: (8 total)I've never had birds. Even with hamsters I feel bad about limiting their freedom. My cousin has a parrot and a dove. I feel bad since doves mate for life and it's alone. My cats have a 'door' to go and come as they please. My dogs live inside-sleep on my bed or sofa. Thanks for the info, thoughI agree with you about feeling bad about limiting their freedom! I have 5 birds, 3 are rescues and are out of their cages every day for flight time and play. I also agree with the whole dogs on the furniture thing! I love cuddling with my dogs.
I'm a pet lover with two dogs, a cat and a hamster. We though about getting a bird and now I feel that I have more knowledge on the topic. Thank YouYou're welcome! I am for learning all you can about any animal before you acquire them.
nice article...I once upon a time had a room-mate who had a "quiet" nande conure...you could tell how quiet he was by how high the pile of shoes under his cage in the morning...we hated that bird.Very good article with lots of information.LOL...funny story!...but they do taste like chicken!
Hi Karla. Welcome to Searchwarp. Great article, informative and well done. Thanks for sharing your knowledge about parrots. All the best to you and yours, ~Nenita~Thanks Nenita. I appreciate it! All the best to you and yours as well!
I'm commenting again on Readers Club. I still say, what I said last time. Thanks
That was an interesting article. I've thought many times about getting a parrot. I like to hear them talk, and think they're beautiful creatures, but I'm afraid I wouldn't do well if I owned one. I think I'd rather visit with someone elses bird, as I have been. Kind of like grandchildren, you can enjoy them for a while and then give them back to their parents.LOL- EllaLOL...they are as demanding as grandchildren can be!
Can't they even outlive humans? I am allergic to feathers so it is a moot point. Well written piece.Thanks Marijo. Yes they can outlive humans. Owning a parrot is a big commitment!
Nice article. I love parrots but unfortunately I don't have one.
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