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Can I Make The
Commitment?
 At
times, owning a parrot can be frustrating, time consuming, and
exhausting. These creatures demand much more than we would like to
think, and yet they are sill popular pets. I’ve always wondered if
people know what they are getting into when purchasing a parrot? The
answer is NO! Most parrots, who are purchased, are victims of
breeders and pet stores who wanted to make a quick buck. They use
catchy sayings like, this species can talk really well, or that
parrot is as intelligent as a five year old, etc. These types of
statements mislead buyers, and parrots suffer as a result. Before
you decide to purchase a parrot, be aware of how complex and time
consuming these birds are—you’re in for a life long commitment!
What can be expected of a parrot?
Firstly, it’s important to understand parrots are not children and
they cannot talk or reason like children. They are not dogs nor are
they cats. Parrots need to be thought of as parrots, and not be
compared to other animals or people. Though similar, these
creatures have so many complexities and desires, that if they are
not met, they can develop psychological problems or illness.
Parrots are fantastic pets; however, the time required to care for
them takes dedication, patience, and lots of love.
How much time is required to spend
with my parrot? Spending time
with your parrot is essential. It is unacceptable to own a parrot
and let days pass without giving him interaction. All parrots are
social creatures and they require lots of attention daily. So,
before you purchase or think about owning a parrot, ask yourself
this, “Can I spend time everyday with my bird?” Yes, everyday! A
parrot needs to be treated like one of the family members to be a
good pet. Parrots need lots of interaction, especially if you want
them to be social and friendly to others. They spend their lives in
flocks, and do not cope or deal with loneliness well. If you fail
to offer enough company, or fail to make your bird feel safe in
their environment, they might become ill, scream uncontrollably, or
become vicious towards you or your family. Are you willing to cope
with a crazy bird that could pluck its feathers? Scream until you
go crazy? Or bite you out of frustration? If you answered NO, then
be ready to put in the time. Otherwise, a parrot is not the pet for
you. This does not mean that a day cannot go by without you taking
your bird out of his cage. Simply, the more time you spend with
your bird, the more affectionate, friendly, intelligent, and loyal
he will become. Acknowledging your bird, by speaking to him as a
daily routine, will help him feel safe and welcome in your home. If
you want your parrot to speak well, perform tricks, or show off for
your friends, spending time with him is the way to do it. By
building a bond with your bird, he will trust you enough to let you
teach him tricks, he will speak for you to gain your affection, and
he will be comfortable enough to put on a show for your friends and
family.
What are the other commitments of
owning a parrot? Spending time with your parrot is not the only
commitment you’re in for. Parrots are messy! Have you ever seen a
parrot devour fruit, or spill its seeds out of his food bowl? It
will get messy daily. What about how frequent parrots poop? Some
species poop every 10 minutes—what a mess! Because these creatures
enjoy eating, and need a variety of foods to maintain their
happiness, cleaning the cage regularly takes work. On the weekends
be prepared to wash and sanitize everything. That’s not all,
parrots molt yearly, so expect feathers wherever your bird may be.
Also, expect to run the vacuum daily. Still convinced a parrot is
for you?
Are parrots noisy? Parrots are
noisy by nature. As babies they may give the notion that they are
quiet pets. But, be warned, parrots scream!!! The bigger they are,
the louder they scream! Even the smallest parrot can be annoying
if you don’t feel like hearing them squawk and chirp! If you decide
to get a larger parrot, such as a Macaw or Cockatoo, expect the
windows to shake and the neighbors to hear the noise a few houses
down! Now, if you think parrots can be trained to keep quiet, you’re
wrong. No matter how much you train your parrot it will squawk in
the morning, noon, and night. These are natural calling and
gathering times. If you walk out of the room, expect a deafening
contact call. Parrots can be trained to keep screaming to a
minimal, but it can’t be eradicated. It’s very unnatural for
parrots to keep quiet. Parrots in the wild make no effort to
contain themselves when it comes to screaming, and your home is no
different. They don’t care if the neighbors are sleeping, or you’re
trying to read or watch TV; when they scream, talk, or squawk they
do so when they want.
Do parrots bite? Now that you
know parrots are noisy, did you also know they bite? The tamest
parrot will bite. It’s important to understand parrots are not
domesticated just because they are handfed, nor do they understand
the dominance of a pack mentality; like so many people like to
believe. Parrots bite for various reasons, out of jealously, fear,
being frustrated, or being territorial. Do you have children or
expecting to have children? A bonded parrot usually bonds to one
person, “a one person bird,” and may be very protective of their
owner. This includes protecting you from your own children or
spouse. However, if everyone takes part in socializing the parrot,
then the bird will accept and bond to everyone. Keep in mind
that this is not always the case, and occasional biting or nipping
should be expected; because, even a well socialized bird has its
days! NEVER leave a child unattended with a parrot, no matter
how small. Severe injury can occur. Even the well
socialized parrot can all of a sudden decide to bite during sexual maturity and during
its
breeding season.
This article was not intended to drive
you away from parrots, but rather it was written to help you deicide
if a parrot is right for you. There is nothing more frustrating
then watching a parrot go though several houses, or mutilate itself
because the owner was not able to provide or deal with the parrot.
Parrots are such complex creatures that if cared for properly, they
will enhance your years with entertainment, excitement, and
company–you will have a friend for life! I can’t stress what a joy
it is to own a parrot, but be prepared for the work and educate
yourself before you make a purchase. |
