27/05/2022
So why do you really want a parrot?
Sometimes you come across a video of a cockatoo dancing or cuddling, sometimes it's a video of an african grey with amazing talking skills, sometimes it's a macaw with it's beautiful colours...........
and then you think..... I want a talking parrot or a cuddly parrot BUT this is a tiny clip of that actual parrots life. Do you really know what it takes to keep that parrot happy?
Parrots are wild animals and before you consider even welcoming a parrot into your family these are just some points you need to consider...
1. Time, how much time do you have to give a parrot. Some parrots have the intelligence of a child, would you leave a child to it's own devices locked in a cage all day?
2. Space, parrots need a lot of space. The bigger the better! The cage needs to be big enough that he/she can stretch their wings out and still have room. Cages are expensive! They need space to fly and climb. Lack of exercise can cause bone growth issues.
3. Exercise and mental stimulation. As already said they need exercise daily but also mental stimulation, foraging, games, toys, time with their humans. If it's not enough, it can lead to behavioral issues, biting, screaming, destruction of your home, feather plucking and even self mutilation.
4. Diet. You see that parrot food in the pet shop and think gosh that is cheap! That cheap parrot food full of sunflower seeds and those peanuts is slowly killing your parrot. Fatty liver disease and if very unlucky aspergellosis. Aspergellosis an infection of a parrots respiratory air sacs, very very expensive to treat and often fatal. Have other parrots too? It will spead to them too! A good diet costs money and time to prepare fresh fruit and vegetables but is a requirement for your parrot to live a long and healthy life and avoid the vet bills.
5. Not all parrots will like your whole family. They might only bond with one person, that means the rest of the family isn't allowed to feed them, clean them, go anywhere near them. This is very common in african greys.
6. Parrots are wild animals, they bite! Even the tamest of them can bite. Be prepared and prepared to still live with them.
7. Vet care. Parrots need specialised vet care, not your general vet that treats your cat or dog. They need an avian vet. These are limited, make sure you can get your parrot to one when needed and they are expensive.
8. Noise. Parrots make noise ALL day, noise level depends on species but have you heard the noise of a screaming cockatoo or macaw? Have a look on youtube, could your neighbours handle the noise too?
9.Mess. Oh boy the mess!!! Parrots chew, shred their cage paper, toys, throw their food all the time and are p**p machines! Can you handle this?
10. Do you love your scented candles? Your lovely smelling cleaning products? Perfumes? Get rid of them, they are toxic to parrots.
11. Parrots are a lifelong commitment they can live 70+ years so they are exactly that!
Do you still want a parrot? Please do your research and not a cute video on youtube!
Post credit to our friends at Brainy Birds - Parrot Rescue and Rehabilitation.
http://www.brainybirds.co.za/
Photo credit to Sharee Bullard and Racergirl.