Ten Questions to Ask
Before Buying a Parrot

Here are 10 essential questions to ask yourself before buying a parrot. There is more information on Kibibi's Bird Info Page and more information in the Be An Informed Parrot Buyer article.

1. Do I have the room for a parrot? Owning a bird requires that you have room for a cage and a play-stand for the bird to play outside of it's cage. For large birds, these can be large spaces. Find out what size cage is required for the breed that you are considering.
2. Do I have time to spend "focused interaction" with a parrot? This also depends on the breed but most parrots require a significant amount of time. In addition to daily upkeep and cleaning most parrots unlike dogs and cats require daily playtime and direct focused interaction.
3. Can my neighbors and I handle the noise? Most parrots enjoy making noise at dawn and dusk. Some of the larger (and even some of the smaller) can be very loud at times. The noise level doesn't depend on the size of the parrot. If you live in an apartment or are sensitive to a noisy environment then choose your parrot very carefully.
4. Can I tolerate a messy parrot? Parrots tend to be very messy. This is a result of molting and eating. Most parrots fling and/or throw food. The cage, play-stand, and their surrounding areas require daily cleaning.
5. Can I afford the initial costs of a parrot? There are several "up front" costs associated with a parrot. These include the bird, cage, cage accessories, toys, play-stand, food, cleaning supplies and avian vet visit. These initial costs can range from $100's to $10,000's of dollars depending on the parrot breed.
6. Can I afford the recurring costs of a parrot? There are several recurring costs of owning a parrot. These include cleaning supplies, food, Pet Sitting, and regular avian vet visit costs.
7. Am I willing to do the research of selecting a breed? Selecting the type of parrot that you will purchase requires a lot of research before the purchase. There is a detailed explanation of the process in my article Be An Informed Parrot Buyer.
8. Do I live in an unpolluted environment? Parrots are very sensitive to airborne pollutants. Some of the common but often overlooked pollutants are cigarette smoke, scented candles, finger nail polish, household cleaning products, laundry chlorine, etc. Without the proper ventilation, these and other poisonous pollutants can kill birds, lead to behavioral problems, or lead to feather plucking.
9. Am I prepared to provide more than a lifetime of care for my parrot? Parrots often outlive their owners. Their life spans are comparable to humans. You should be prepared to plan for the event that your parrot needs care after you are gone.
10. Do I have an avian vet in my area? Your vet should be a CAS (Certified Avian Specialist). However, don't rely on this alone. Also verify that your vet has sufficient avian experience and belongs to the AAV (Association of Avian Veterinarians).