Buying A Parrot
So you're interested in buying a parrot? Parrots can make great pets, but they're not suitable for everyone, so you'll need to think very carefully before reaching for your wallet at the pet store.
Parrots are among the most difficult (and at the same time rewarding) pet birds you can own, so you should make sure you know exactly what you're letting yourself in for before you decide to bring a parrot into your home.
Why are parrots such difficult birds to own? There are lots of reasons, but we can list a number of the most important below.
Size Parrots are often large birds, which means they need a lot of living space to lead happy and healthy lives.
You'll certainly need a large and potentially expensive cage for your new parrot, but even if you buy the biggest cage available, your bird still won't be able to spend all his time behind bars.
He'll need to be allowed out of his cage for play and exercise for at least a couple of hours every day, so you'll need to invest in a free-standing perch or, even better, a specially designed 'play gym' with a selection of perches, swings, and toys to keep him entertained.
You'll also need to 'parrot-proof' the room he'll be living in, making sure no electrical cables are left lying about to be chewed on.
Ideally you should also consider building an aviary in your backyard so your parrot can enjoy some sunshine and fresh air whenever the weather permits.
If you do build an outside aviary, make sure to provide at least one shady area so your parrot can cool down if he gets too hot.
Intelligence Parrots are extremely intelligent birds.
This makes them among the most rewarding birds to own, as they can easily be trained, but it also means they are among the most challenging to care for.
Parrots can easily become bored in captivity, and bored birds are susceptible to depression, feather-plucking, screeching, and other problematic behaviours.
You'll need to provide your pet parrot with the most interesting and stimulating environment you can to prevent boredom.
Partly this means providing your parrot with a constant supply of chewable wooden and cardboard toys to play with; partly it means providing him with an interesting and varied diet that mimics the rich variety of foods he would have eaten in the wild.
Sociability Parrots are sociable birds by nature - indeed, their sociability is one of the reasons they make such good pets.
A pet parrot will generally form a strong and lasting bond with its owner and quickly become a firm and affectionate friend.
This sociability has a downside however.
Parrots don't just enjoy the company of their owners - they need it.
Pet parrots require regular attention, affection, and companionship, and unless you can spend at least a couple of hours with your parrot every day you should consider opting for a less time-intensive pet instead.
Lifespan Parrots are extremely long-lived birds.
Even small parrot species like budgerigars and lovebirds regularly live up to 15 or 20 years, and a large parrot like an Amazon or Macaw can live for more than 60 or 70 years.
Buying a parrot means making a long-term - possibly a lifetime - commitment.
You need to be sure you're making the right decision, so you should research your chosen species carefully.
There are many different species of parrot, all with different needs and different characters.
Taking the time to ensure your chosen species is right for you is essential.
Parrots are among the most difficult (and at the same time rewarding) pet birds you can own, so you should make sure you know exactly what you're letting yourself in for before you decide to bring a parrot into your home.
Why are parrots such difficult birds to own? There are lots of reasons, but we can list a number of the most important below.
Size Parrots are often large birds, which means they need a lot of living space to lead happy and healthy lives.
You'll certainly need a large and potentially expensive cage for your new parrot, but even if you buy the biggest cage available, your bird still won't be able to spend all his time behind bars.
He'll need to be allowed out of his cage for play and exercise for at least a couple of hours every day, so you'll need to invest in a free-standing perch or, even better, a specially designed 'play gym' with a selection of perches, swings, and toys to keep him entertained.
You'll also need to 'parrot-proof' the room he'll be living in, making sure no electrical cables are left lying about to be chewed on.
Ideally you should also consider building an aviary in your backyard so your parrot can enjoy some sunshine and fresh air whenever the weather permits.
If you do build an outside aviary, make sure to provide at least one shady area so your parrot can cool down if he gets too hot.
Intelligence Parrots are extremely intelligent birds.
This makes them among the most rewarding birds to own, as they can easily be trained, but it also means they are among the most challenging to care for.
Parrots can easily become bored in captivity, and bored birds are susceptible to depression, feather-plucking, screeching, and other problematic behaviours.
You'll need to provide your pet parrot with the most interesting and stimulating environment you can to prevent boredom.
Partly this means providing your parrot with a constant supply of chewable wooden and cardboard toys to play with; partly it means providing him with an interesting and varied diet that mimics the rich variety of foods he would have eaten in the wild.
Sociability Parrots are sociable birds by nature - indeed, their sociability is one of the reasons they make such good pets.
A pet parrot will generally form a strong and lasting bond with its owner and quickly become a firm and affectionate friend.
This sociability has a downside however.
Parrots don't just enjoy the company of their owners - they need it.
Pet parrots require regular attention, affection, and companionship, and unless you can spend at least a couple of hours with your parrot every day you should consider opting for a less time-intensive pet instead.
Lifespan Parrots are extremely long-lived birds.
Even small parrot species like budgerigars and lovebirds regularly live up to 15 or 20 years, and a large parrot like an Amazon or Macaw can live for more than 60 or 70 years.
Buying a parrot means making a long-term - possibly a lifetime - commitment.
You need to be sure you're making the right decision, so you should research your chosen species carefully.
There are many different species of parrot, all with different needs and different characters.
Taking the time to ensure your chosen species is right for you is essential.
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