Things to Consider When Owning a Parrot

Many people think that parrots don’t require much care like other pets. They assume that these winged and talking animals can survive without maintenance or the like. As a result, when they decide to raise one as a pet, they get surprised of the many responsibilities that await them. At the same time, they also become disappointed for being too confident about what they know.

The truth is that these birds need a lot of things in order to stay healthy – from diet, play, to attention. They are not just additions to a home that can be left in one corner and housed in bird cages. Take note that they are still living creatures that need to be cared for.

In this ever-busy world, nobody else knows and understands the satisfaction of raising a parrot can bring than a dedicated and avid bird owner. So if you are just planning to bring in a pet parrot at home, here are five things you might want to take into perspective:

1. Parrots may bite, like all other birds.

 

Whether you believe it or not, even the tamest bird can bite. Unlike typical domesticated household pets like cats and dogs, parrots are prey animals. That means that by nature, if birds feel there is something suspicious or a potential threat is just around the corner, they would do everything to defend themselves, even if it’s their humans.

That isn’t meant to discourage you from raising parrots. With the right kind of training, perseverance, and determination, you can get your pet bird to be comfortable with you and not to bite you. But then again, it could take time.

Remember that there is no such thing as birds that don’t bite. As long as you have proper understanding of what you are about to get into, you can easily deal with the inevitable.

2. Birds are messy at times.

Because it is impossible for you to take your pet parrot outside of the house to do their business, that doesn’t mean you can just leave their droppings inside their bird cages the whole day.

Again, do take note that the bird cage is the place where they spend most of their lives. It’s basically a place where they eat, sleep, and play. So if you don’t clean it and just leave all the mess they created in there for quite some time, it could pose a threat, not only to your bird’s health, but also yours.

Being messy is just natural for these birds. Thus, if you insist to keep parrots, I suggest that you start with their cages.

3. Parrots need a fresh and healthy diet.

Over the years, lots of bird feeds have been developed and introduced by commercial manufacturers. Although they are all known to meet the nutritional needs of parrots, these aren’t always healthy. (You can learn more about this in the eBook I wrote, which you can download below.)

According to avian experts, daily offerings of fruits, whole grain, and fresh veggies are still the best options for your parrot friends. Apart from that, homemade treats also appeal to them. With the help of Google, you can add a new twist to typical healthy diets and make them appear more enticing to your feathery friends.

Do you think you are capable of preparing this kind of diet? If yes, then you are most likely qualified to care for a parrot.

4. They can get really loud.

Brace yourself! Parrots can get really loud, as in very loud. Though it is normal for them to talk or imitate what they hear, there are times when they just scream out of the blue.

Of course, you can discourage them to do that. But if you think all those noises are too irritating or your neighbours are already complaining about their loudness, you might want to consider getting another bird that is more quiet like a cockatiel.

5. Parrots have a very long life span.

While smaller birds can live as long as an ordinary dog, parrots have the lifespan similar to that of humans. That means that if you adopt a baby parrot, there are greater chances that it will outlive you.

Raising a pet parrot is a lifetime commitment. I’m not just referring to the length of years. What I’m trying to imply is that you’ll be spending five, ten, or fifty more years of quality time with them. And considering these facts, ask yourself if you are prepared for all sorts of responsibilities that await you.

Before getting a parrot, do a couple of research about them – behaviour, characteristics, and diet. Gather all possible information you can to know whether this bird species fits your lifestyle. By doing that, you won’t just be rewarded with a faithful companion. You will also win a friend that will be with you through the years.

Image Sources: [1] [2]