Be An Informed Parrot Buyer

So you think you want to own a parrot? This article is a "must read" before becoming a parrot owner. Your parrot will become an intricate member of your household. Bringing a parrot into your house is very similar to bringing in a roommate. Check out the Personal Ad below and decide if you would consider bringing this roommate into your house?

Personal Ad - Roommate wanted! I won't pay rent but I will require that you buy me food, toys and treats. I also require that you pay my health care costs. I love to make noise in the morning and near dusk. I'm messy and require that my room is kept clean. Did I mention that I might scream, bite and tear up your furniture?

Sound like a good roomie? Probably not to most people but if you're going to be a bird owner then you may want to consider all of these potential characteristics. We'll cover each of these characteristics and more in this article and also go through a simple checklist/worksheet at the end of the article to see if you're ready to be a parrot parent. Before we continue, let's look at another potential roommate's Personal Ad.

Personal Ad - Roommate wanted! I am intelligent, responsive and perceptive. I'm also social, entertaining, and fun to watch and listen to. I'm full of personality, conditional love, and energy. I don't like to brag but did I mention that I'm cute and a great conversation piece?

So which Roommate would you want to live with? Your new parrot may be like one of these Personal Ad profiles. Chances are that it will be a combination of the two. Unfortunately some first time parrot owners only consider the second Personal Ad and don't take into consideration the first Personal Ad.

Here's a preview of the topics covered in this article.

1. Introduction - Is this article for me?
2. Buyer Beware and Be Aware - It's YOUR responsibility not the seller's
3. Space - Do I have room for a parrot?
4. Time - Do I have time in my schedule/lifestyle for a parrot?
5. 4-Legged Friends and Babies - Are there other pets or babies in my house?
6. Noise - Can my neighbors and I tolerate the noise?
7. Feeding - Am I able to prepare meals for a parrot?
8. Cleaning - Am I willing to clean the cage daily?
9. Cost - Can I afford the initial costs and recurring costs?
10. Environment - Can I provide an unpolluted environment with clean air?
11. Selecting a Breed - What breed is right for me?
12. Concluding Remarks - So you still think you want to own a parrot?
13. Checklist and Worksheet - Am I ready to be a parrot owner?
14. Suggested Reading List - Want more info? Start with this reading list.

1 - Introduction

There are a lot of positive reasons for owning a parrot. They're intelligent, responsive, perceptive, social, caring, entertaining, companions. If you're reading this article then you probably already have a list of positive reasons for becoming a parrot owner. Owning pet birds is very popular in the US. According to the American Pet Products Manufacturing Association (APPMA) there are projected to be 17.3 Million pet birds in 6.4 million US households in 2005. Birds are increasingly becoming family pets. However, they can be challenging and a handful for some people. This article will focus on the aspects of becoming a parrot owner that are often overlooked or ignored. "Ready, Informed, or Not?" that is the question. Purchasing a parrot for the first time will change your life. If you're not ready to make some changes then you're probably not ready to purchase a parrot.

I have one final word of caution before we continue. This article is written in general terms. Not all parrot breeds have all of the characteristics that are discussed in this article. And not all parrots even within a breed have the same characteristics. I will offer this disclaimer now instead of putting this disclaimer at every section in this article. Disclaimer - The discussions in the article are general and may not apply to all breeds and may not apply to all parrots within a specific breed. There are some great sources of information that specifically addresses each breed of parrot. I recommend that you read "Birds for Dummies" or "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Bird Care and Training" for an introductory coverage of the appearance and characteristics of different breeds of parrots. This article will focus on parrots in general but will occasionally point out some differences in breeds. Check for the "Heed the Breed" boxes in this article for breed specific information. There are also "Warbler Warning" boxes for specific warnings to consider. Finally there are "Parrot Parent" boxes which pose the key questions that you should answer before becoming a parrot owner.

2 - Buyer Beware and Be Aware

It's your responsibility not the seller's to determine if you're a good fit for a parrot. Most sellers are in the business to make money. The parrots needs and your needs are usually lower than money on the priority list. It's your responsibility to do the research before purchasing a parrot. The parrot sellers are just one small source of information. Please don't rely on the seller alone to make an informed decision. Reading this article is an excellent step toward becoming informed. There are some other excellent sources for doing your research listed in the "Selecting a breed" section later in this article.

3 - Space

This is not the "I need my space!" type of "space". This is the "I need space for all my stuff" type of "space". Do you have room for a parrot? This is usually the first consideration before buying a parrot. Just like you wouldn't think of purchasing a horse if you lived in an apartment, you should consider your environment before making your decision to purchase a parrot.

Warbler Warning - Avoid pet store labels on cages. Some are specifically labeled with specific breeds and often are the absolute minimum size recommended. Do your own research for your species.

The space required for a parrot varies across breeds. In most cases, you must have room for at least a cage and an out of cage area such as a play stand. Obviously the larger the bird, the larger the space requirement. Let's begin by looking at the cage. "The bigger the cage the better". This often becomes a budget consideration because "the bigger the costlier". It's best to buy the biggest cage possible considering the bird's requirements, cost, and the obvious requirement that the parrot can not stick it's head between the bars. So what are the minimum requirements? As with anything, it mostly depends on the breed and the size of the parrot. An African Grey can make due with a 24" long, 18" wide, and 30" tall cage. Assuming that it's allowed sufficient time outside the cage like spending time with you and/or on a play stand.

Heed the Breed - Most Macaws are not suitable for apartment living due to space requirements and noise levels.

While a larger Blue and Gold Macaw can make due with a 5' long, 3' wide, and 5' tall cage. Again this assumes time out of the cage to stretch and play. You also must have an appropriate place to put the cage. It should be placed where the parrot has a sense of belonging to the family (not isolated in the back room). It should not be placed near drafty windows, near drafty outside doors, or next to "high traffic" areas in the house. It should also be placed where at least part of the cage is not in direct sunlight. Finally, it should be placed where it's safe, secure and a quiet place to sleep.

Parrot Parent - Do I have room for a cage and play stand area?

In addition to the cage, you should consider a play stand or "play gym". These also come in various sizes and varieties. Some attach to the top of the cage and some are standalone models. Again the size of the stand depends on the size of the bird. A tree stand, Parrot Tower style, that's 3'long, 2'wide, and 4'tall is perfectly adequate for a Amazon or a larger Macaw parrot depending on the time spent on the stand.

4 - Time

Do you have time in your schedule/lifestyle for a parrot? Some of the obvious time consuming activities such as feeding and cleaning will be covered later. A very important activity is the time spent bonding with your parrot. Most parrots love attention and require your time. There are basically three types of interaction that your parrot will require. The first is "Idle Interaction" which just requires that you be in the same house and occasionally that you talk to your parrot or otherwise interact with your parrot. Basically this is "your time" with an occasional recognition of your parrot. This requires very little additional time from you and can be accomplished while doing other activities in the house such as cleaning, cooking, or watching TV. However, this does require that you be in your house. If you travel frequently and are not in your house often then you may not want to purchase a parrot. Just "Idle Interaction" isn't sufficient for most parrots. Most parrots need much more attention.

The second type of interaction is "Passive Interaction". This is time spent near or around your parrot and communicating with the parrot. The parrot may be sitting next to you on a play stand or across the room on a play gym. Frequent interaction between you and the parrot is typical during this type of interaction. Basically this interaction is time spent sharing your space with your parrot. The parrot will often be entertaining itself but does require your occasional attention. Just "passive interaction" is sufficient for some parrots but most parrots need even more attention.

Heed the Breed - African Grey parrots and Cockatoos require "Focused Interaction".

The third type of interaction is "Focused Interaction". This interaction is the time spent directly interacting with your parrot. Your parrot has your complete attention. You may be playing together with toys, "petting" the parrot, or training the parrot. Almost all parrots like this type of interaction, most parrots crave this type of attention and some absolutely require this type of attention.

Parrot Parent - Do I have the time in my daily schedule to spend "Focused Interaction" with my parrot?

This type of interaction is generally required at least daily if not more frequently. You will find that this interaction is as rewarding for you as it's for your parrot.

Another consideration regarding "time" is your time away from your parrot. If you travel frequently then a parrot may not be a good fit for you. They require daily interaction. The best option when you travel is to take the parrot with you. If done properly, the travel will be less stressful on the parrot than its time away from you. This is especially true after the parrot has bonded with you.

Parrot Parent - Do I travel frequently and do I have a Pet Sitter available for when I must travel?

If you're going to be away from your bird then you will need to provide care for your bird while you're away. If you're going to be away for a day then a friend, family member, or neighbor can be used to care for your bird. This would include feeding, changing the water, and providing some social interaction. If you don't have someone available then you will need to hire a professional Pet Sitter. Choose your Pet Sitter carefully and screen them based on their avian experience. They should have experience with parrots, be familiar with warning signs of health problems, and be able to provide emergency care.

Parrot Parent -Am I prepared to provide more than a lifetime of care?

One final consideration regarding "time" is the time after your life ends. Parrots live a long life and often outlive their owners. In many cases, the parrot's life span is comparable to a human's life span. Passing the parrot to an uninformed parrot owner if your parrot outlives you can lead to severe behavioral problems. You should plan and prepare for this event to ensure that your parrot continues to get the care that it deserves after your life ends. This plan may include a capable friend, family member, or a reputable rescue organization. It's your responsibility to provide more than a lifetime of care.

5 - Four-Legged Friends and Babies

Are there other pets or babies in your house? Remember that cats and dogs are predators. Both can be potentially dangerous to a bird. It's not recommended to let them share the same space for several reasons. If a bird is frightened or upset about something then it may respond by biting. You dog's tail may be wagging and accidentally hit your bird. This may frighten the bird and the bird may respond by biting the dog's tail. The dog's natural response may be to snap at whatever is biting it's tail. One "snap" of a dog to a bird may be enough to kill the bird. Also, a playful "swat" of a cat's paw or dog's paw to a bird may be enough to kill the bird. Having a bird share space with one of your 4-legged friends may be fatal! This is a risk that you must consider if you're going to let your animals interact.

Parrot Parent - Can I protect my parrot from predators in my home?

Having said that, there are plenty of parrot owners that allow their animals to interact under supervision. They seem to think that the "supervision" will prevent any harm. I propose that "supervision" will not prevent the "biting the tail" example described above. Owning a cat and/or dog and a bird is still possible. However, is recommended that you isolate your bird from potential predators while it's outside of its cage.

For similar reasons, it's not recommended to have birds interacting with babies. In this case, either one hurting the other is possible. Direct interaction between the two should be avoided. Is it possible to have a parrot and a baby at the same time? Of course and in fact it can provide mutual fascination between the two. Most parrots tend to enjoy loud noises and seem to get energy from it and often respond with their own noises. So in this case, the baby may provide some entertainment to the bird. On the other hand, the parrots plumage, activity, and personality is sure to entertain an inquisitive baby.

6 - Noise

Heed the Breed - If you live in an apartment, you may want to consider the Pionus. They're often less active and quieter than other parrots.

Parrot Parent - Can my neighbors and I handle the noise generated by a parrot?

You often have to consider your neighbors first. If you live in an apartment then a noisy bird can cause serious problems. Apartment dwellers should seriously consider the noise level that a potential parrot is likely to make. It's not "if the parrot" is going to be noisy, it's "when the parrot" is going to be noisy. All parrots are noisy to some level at some times. Some parrots are noisier than other parrots in both volume and frequency.

Even if the muted noise level that your neighbors hear is acceptable to them, is the noise level that you hear acceptable to you? Be prepared for noise in the morning when you're trying to sleep in. Also be prepared for noise at dusk because a lot of parrots enjoy being vocal at both dawn and dusk. Also be prepared for your parrot to be vocal when reacting with its environment.

Examples are when it's afraid, isolated, or just playing with its toys. Parrots also increase their noise level in response to the ambient noise level. For example, if children are playing and being loud the parrot may become loud. It's important to select your breed carefully while realizing that all parrots are noisy to some level.

7 - Feeding

Feeding a bird is a little different than feeding a dog or cat. Feeding dogs and cats can often be accomplished minimally by feeding and watering once a day using dry pellets. The pet parrot requires more than this. It's recommended that parrots be fed and watered at least twice a day. It's also recommended that their diet include fresh fruits and vegetables.

Parrot Parent - Do I have the time and inclination to feed my parrot fresh fruit and vegetables?

The recommendations for feeding vary from one extreme to the other. Some parrot owners suggest that only fresh organic fruits and vegetables be used to feed the parrot. On the other extreme, some people feed their parrots only seeds or pellet foods. I recommend that at least one meal a day be fresh fruits and vegetables.

Warbler Warning - Some Pellet foods claim to be everything your bird needs. Would you eat a pellet food or would you prefer a balanced diet of fresh fruits and vegetables?

If you can feed your pet parrot only fresh fruits and vegetables then that's the best option. However, the minimal goal should be fresh fruits and vegetables at least once a day. Some breeds such as the Lories or Lorikeets require a special diet. These are examples of "nectar-eaters".

There is a variety of bird pellet foods on the market that can be used but expect to be preparing at least one meal a day for your parrot. This is in stark contrast to a cat for example that can be given a bowl of food and water and left alone for a couple days. This is not an option for a parrot. Feeding a parrot requires attention several times a day.

8 - Cleaning

Parrots can be "as messy as a bird". This is their nature. Their "mess" is a result of several natural behaviors including molting, eating, droppings, and play. Their feathers are replaced periodically (molted) which means feathers everywhere! You will find down feathers everywhere and I do mean everywhere. Secondly, they're very messy when they eat. Again this is their nature. Their eating habits help spread their food and seeds which promotes vegetation propagation in the wild. There are seed/food catchers that go around the bottom of the cage which catch some of their dropped food but they don't catch all of their dropped food.

Heed the Breed - The "messy-ness" partly depends on the breed of bird. For example, some consider Lories and Lorikeets to be some of the messiest birds.

In addition to the dropped food, there is also "flinged food". This is food that's flung from their beaks when they shake their head. Have you ever seen a dog shake to remove water from its body? Birds do a similar thing to remove food from their beak. They try to wipe it off on a perch then shake their head and it's flung everywhere. This "fling food", which is often fruits and vegetables can be flung considerable distances and found in strange places. If you're luck it's on the wall where it can be spotted and cleaned off easily. The third source of mess is the obvious "bird droppings". This is usually collected in the bottom of the cage. However, when the bird spends time out of the cage, you may find droppings anywhere the bird goes.

Parrot Parent - Can I handle a messy pet? Am I prepared to do daily cleaning of the cage, the play stand, and the surrounding areas?

Finally, chewing toys also contributes to the "mess". Birds need to have wooden toys that they can destroy. This is required for them to keep their beaks trimmed down. A bird that doesn't have something to keep its beak trimmed down will grow an "over-beak" which is similar to an "over-bite". This will result in eating problems and must be corrected by a veterinarian.

9 - Cost

There are also recurring costs in addition to these initial costs. The recurring costs are food, cleaning supplies, toys, periodic avian vet visits (Grooming and Emergency visits), and Pet Sitting Services. You will be surprised at the costs of bird toys and how quickly your parrot will destroy these toys. A single toy for a large parrot can cost $10-$50 each. Large parrots can shred these toys very quickly. Smaller toys are obviously cheaper and smaller birds are usually not as efficient at shredding their toys.

Heed the Breed - Smaller parrots cost between $50 and $100. Most large parrots like the Macaws sell in the range from $500 to $2000. Hyacinth Macaws can sell in a range as high as $8000 to $12,000!

Warbler Warning - "All You Need Packages" often have a cage that's a very minimum size. These packages also usually don't include a play stand, don't include toys (or enough toys), and don't consider the initial avian vet visit.

Owning and caring for a pet parrot can be a very costly endeavor. The initial costs can be overwhelming. The costs vary depending on several factors but the initial requirements are standard. In the beginning you will need a cage, cage accessories (perches, food containers, etc), play stand, initial avian vet visit, food, and some toys. Depending on the bird species, the initial costs could range from $100's to $10000's of dollars. Most pet stores are more than willing to put together an "All You Need Package".

Breeders are usually a little better at providing a more comprehensive "All You Need Package". Even the breeder packages don't include the initial vet checkup. I recommend that you take your new bird to a CAS (Certified Avian Specialist) vet for a check up to ensure that it's a healthy bird. Beware of any parrot seller that does not recommend an initial trip to the avian vet for a checkup. You should put together a cost list of all the items required and determine if it fits within your budget. See the Checklist and Worksheet at the end of this article.

There are "Toy Part Kits" which include the materials (wood, rope, chain links, etc) for you to build your own bird toys. This will save you some money but it still may be costly depending on your bird breed. There are also Internet Groups specifically for "Do It Yourself" help on building your own bird toys. These kits and groups and the level of interest in this topic give you an idea of the cost for bird toys.

Parrot Parent - Have I considered all the costs of owning a parrot? Can I afford to provide the care required of me to own a parrot?

Parrot Parent - Can I afford the initial costs of owning a parrot? Can I afford the recurring costs of owning and caring for a parrot?

Cleaning materials are a minimal cost. However, bird-safe cleaning materials are required. Birds are very susceptible to chemicals and odors so the cleaning materials that you use around the parrot must be selected carefully.

Parrot Parent - Is there an Avian Veterinarian in my area?

One final consideration regarding cost is the avian vet visits. As mentioned above, an initial visit is recommended and yearly checkups are recommended. Some birds have a tendency to hide their illnesses until it becomes very critical. This is a wild behavior that shields them from appearing to be the "weakest link" in their flock and in the wild. This natural behavior may be hiding a serious illness. It's very important to choose a vet with avian experience. Avian vets have had special schooling to enable them to effectively treat birds. The vet should be a CAS (Certified Avian Specialist). Don't rely on this alone. Verify that your vet also has sufficient avian experience and belongs to the AAV (Association of Avian Veterinarians).

10 - Environment

Parrot Parent - Can I provide an unpolluted environment with clean air?

Parrots are very susceptible to pollutants in the air. Cigarette smoking, pipe smoking, cigar smoking, scented candles, household cleaning products and laundry chlorine are just a couple of the common air pollutants that can be fatal to parrots. The air quality that you provide for your bird must be unpolluted beyond your normal requirements and beyond other pet's normal requirements.

11 - Selecting a Breed

Some would think that this is the first step in the process of owning a parrot. I believe that this is the final step in the process of owning a parrot (except for the obvious purchase). All of the previous sections should be considered and further researched before selecting a breed. Unfortunately, this section will not help you select a breed. There are too many options to consider and this article would not cover them sufficiently. Instead, this section will point out several options for researching your decision. The answer to the "How do I choose a breed?" question is Research, Research, Research! Several suggestions for research material are shown below.

Parrot Parent - Am I willing to do the research required to make an informed selection?

• Read books at the local library
• Read and ask questions on discussion groups on the Internet
• Read other people's stories experiences on Internet Homepages
• Ask your pet store owners questions
• Ask your local breeder questions
• Ask friends/relatives questions

At this stage you should begin researching and paying close attention to specific breeds of birds that may fit your lifestyle. Keep your eyes open to other opportunities to learn as you use the above research tools. It will be like a tree of knowledge. Each branch will lead you to several other branches of information. You will be amazed at the volume of information that's out there for you to utilize.

12 - Concluding Remarks

So you still think you want to own parrot? Many successful parrot owners have traveled this path of answering this question before you and have left a trail of their findings for your benefit. Read as much as you can and ask as many questions as you can before ultimately answering this question. Below is a summary of the steps that I recommend before making the decision to own a parrot.

1. Read this article
2. Research, Research, Research
3. Put together a "short list" of possible breeds
4. Research, Research, Research (Use your "short list")
5. Select a breed from your "short list"
6. Complete the final Checklist and Worksheet in the following section

I also recommend that you keep this Checklist and Worksheet from step #6. Review this Checklist/Worksheet a month after you make the purchase or after several months. This is an excellent opportunity to see how successful you were in selecting an appropriate breed. This is also an excellent opportunity to see how well your hard work and research prepared you to become a successful parrot owner.

Parrot Parent - Am I willing to follow the steps outlined in the Concluding Remarks section?

The Checklist and Worksheet included in this article could be used as a contract to show that everyone in your household agrees with the decision to purchase a parrot. Each member of the household can show their support for bringing a parrot into your household by signing the Checklist and Worksheet. A problem sometimes arises when one member of the household such as a spouse or roommate wants to get rid of a parrot. By signing the Checklist and Worksheet, all members show that they agree and understand the responsibilities of owning a parrot.

Please don't begin "shopping" for a parrot until you have completed the process outlined in this section. This journey will improve your experience and your parrot's experience. Remember that you're responsible for your pet parrot. It's critical that you make an informed decision to ensure that you can and will provide a healthy home for you bird. Your experience will be vastly more rewarding if you select a compatible breed. I hope that you have found this article helpful. Good luck in your research. I wish you and your future parrot the best.

13 - Checklist and Worksheet

Use this link to open a printer friendly version of the Check List.

Use this link to open a printer friendly version of the Worksheet.

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Checklist

Worksheet

Initial Cost List for a _____________ (Specific Breed) Parrot

Recurring Cost List for a _____________ (Specific Breed) Parrot

14 - Suggested Reading List