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Thread: You are thinking about getting a Parrot?

 
  1. #1
    Senior Member
    Honesty's Avatar


    You are thinking about getting a Parrot?

    I often hear people say how they would love a parrot as they think it would be pretty cool to have a pet that talked. Sadly, some people rush into buying a parrot without doing any research There are so many things to consider before becoming a parront!

    Parrots are not like other pets. Their intelligence will not allow it.

    If you want a parrot, then I really hope that before you have even started looking for that cute baby bird or even an adult, that you will consider the following points.

    Do you have your own home? Living with room mates isn't an ideal situation to have a parrot in. If you are still at home, can you take the bird with you when you move out - what about when you go to college? Work? How many hours will you work for? How many hours will the bird be alone? If you are with a room mate, is it fair to inflict upon them the noise and the mess? or, they cannot have parties because parrots require 8-12hrs of uninterupted sleep?

    Do you have plenty of time to spend with your bird? By this I do not mean a few hours of an evening, I mean a lot of time.....

    Are you financially stable?

    Are you aware that your bird must be taken to an Avian Vet that will charge almost double to a regular vet?

    Does everyone in your household support the idea of living with a parrot and are prepared to roll up their sleeves and get stuck in with the training and care? Can everyone take a blood drawing bite or two? Because it will happen. Additionally, some birds will always dislike some human, even in it's own family. Are you ready for this?

    Can you take the time to learn the mentality of a parrot?

    Have you considered what you will do if you find yourself with a bird that is aggressive,noisy, or messy? We can't pick their personalities.

    Can you offer a stable routine? Too many different times for feeding,out of cage, bed are not good for a bird and can make them stressed!

    Can you offer your bird lifetime care?

    Life with a parrot is fantastic and rewarding and there is never a dull moment but let me point out the downsides to owning a parrot.....

    Parrots are:

    Messy.... They love to throw food, delighting in throwing it at your walls or furniture
    They love to poop in very strange places!

    Noisy.... All parrots can be very noisy, especially at dawn and dusk! You can prevent screaming, but, it is something you will have to work at for a long time.

    Moody..... Some can get very uppity and bite if they are in a bad mood, so stock up on plasters

    Demanding.... You must be able to have your parrot out of their cage for a few hours a day at least. They will not let you have any time off from this! They decide they want out? They want it now and they will not behave until you give in to these demands!

    Bossy.... When you bring a new bird home, you cannot force them to do anything they don't want to do. If you do, they will never trust you and therefore initially, things need to be on their terms.

    Destructive.... Depending on the species and the personality of the bird, you may get one who is capable of ripping your sofa to shreds in the space of half an hour. Wallpaper, woodwork, curtains, cables....it all needs to be parrot proofed. I am lucky in this respect as Codie does not destroy anything in my home

    Specific health needs.... All parrots need a good pellet mix as a base food. These are quite pricey. They need seed and nuts - human grade. They need plenty of fruit and veg which really, need to be organic - unless you want to risk the pesticide issue.
    The subject of care is a minefield with many people, there are many dangers. No peanuts in shells, no chocolate, no onions, no caffeine...no avacado, the list is endless!. Non stick pans that release deadly fumes need to be binned - stainless steel is hard to clean. No air fresheners. No heavy duty cleaning products. Only stainless steel for your bird - metal poisoning is deadly. No open windows. Only natural cleaning of the cage. No cables within beak range. There are so many I could not list them all!

    Parrots are different from other pets, gaining their trust can take quite a long time! Bonding can take years. Lots of patience is needed!

    Talking.... If you want a parrot just because they talk then you really shouldn't be getting one. Only happy, healthy, settled parrots will talk and then there are some that no matter how content in life, will never attempt to imitate a single noise.

    Time ..... Several clean ups a day, wiping away with warm water and lemon juice,vinegar, bi carb, natural products! You can buy products such as "PoopOff" which is very good, but quite expensive! Provide fresh water several times a day. Cooking and preparing mini dinners. Taking the time to buy lots of different safe toys so they can be rotated. Keeping him entertained.

    Things to consider.....

    Cages.... Research what size and shape you need. This is a most important point. Too big for a small bird will result in fear. Too small will make for a miserable bird. The bar spacing needs to be correct for safety.. The shape is important. Good quality cages are a must! No rust. Playstands are also quite important.

    Knowledge... You need to get the correct knowledge and be confident you know how to handle your future bird before you bring them home. Too many people take a bird home and then ask questions that they shouldn't need to ask. For example: How do I get my bird out of it's cage? How do I get my parrot to like me? How can I get my parrot to cuddle me? Anticipate every problem you can before you home your bird.

    These are very basic needs of a parrot

    The main thing is... if you love and care for your parrot, you will have a friend for life

    Feel free to add to this


  2. The following 5 users like this post:

    Debra (03-20-2014), Maddy (03-20-2014), Pinkbirdy (03-21-2014), plax (03-20-2014), Turquoise (03-21-2014)

  3. #2
    Nobility Member
    Maddy's Avatar


    Parrots

    Peatree, Honey, and Pressie the GCCs, Paris the budgie, Grey Bird the CAG, and Jester Bean the C2
    Great post! I hate it when I hear people who want parrots because they are cool. A friend once told me that she wanted a 'big colorful parrot' that would sit on her shoulder, not bite, and talk. Things like that just upset me.
    "Every once in awhile, a bird comes into your life and changes everything."

    Always, Weasley. 2010 ~ 2013

    Custom Pet Portraits ~ Art by Madalyn C

  4. The following 2 users like this post:

    Honesty (03-20-2014), Turquoise (03-21-2014)

  5. #3
    Senior Member
    Honesty's Avatar


    I get very annoyed over this too Maddy


  6. The following user likes this post:

    Maddy (03-20-2014)

  7. #4
    Senior Member
    Debra's Avatar


    The secretary at my work just got her granddaughter a budgie. All she had gotten him to eat was treat sticks. I'm now in education mode. I've taken her some millet to help him become friends with them, pellets to get him on the right road, and a toy. I'm also talking with her about what he needs. They didn't do any research before buying this bird so I'm sure once they learn how much work it is to have one they will be surprised. I really hope I can do a good job for her. If anyone knows of any web sites dedicated to budgies that will help her, please give me the link so I can pass it on to her. I really want this little one to thrive.

  8. The following user likes this post:

    Turquoise (03-21-2014)

  9. #5
    Senior Member
    Honesty's Avatar


    Here is a very good site Debra

    http://www.budgieplace.com/basic.html


  10. #6
    Senior Member
    Debra's Avatar


    Thank you so much for that! That is exactly what she needs. I'll give her the link.

  11. The following user likes this post:

    Honesty (03-20-2014)

  12. #7
    Senior Member
    Honesty's Avatar


    You're welcome


  13. #8
    Senior Member
    Turquoise's Avatar


    Parrots

    2 Male Catalina Macaws, Roscoe & Angel~1 Female Green Wing Macaw, Ruby Jewel~1 Female Solomon Island Eclectus, Leyla Belle~1 Female Pineapple Green Cheek Conure, Peta (R.I.P.)~1 White Capped Pionus, Sierra Sunrise~ 1 Rose Breasted Cockatoo, Dakota Nakira'Too~1 female Pineapple Green Cheek Conure, Serita Lynae, 10 Parakeets
    Very good examples of what it is like living with our feathered kids, Wendy. I think you just about covered it well.
    ~~My Flock~~
    *In Loving Memory Of My Sweet Little Peta Girl~~R.I.P~~Love Mom*
    ~~Gotcha'~04/20/2012~~Flew Over The Rainbow Bridge~02/28/2014~~

  14. The following user likes this post:

    Honesty (03-21-2014)

  15. #9
    Junior Member
    dannyrosario's Avatar


    I like noisy parrots.. because they can give me company. i am also noisy..
    ratings

  16. #10
    Super Moderator
    Lady's Avatar


    Parrots

    Illiger Macaw (Primolius maracana)
    Noisy parrots can be fun as long as we make sure they don't get into anything that can hurt them and always under a watchful eye.

    Hi Danny,
    How wonderful that you've joined us. What species of noisy parrot do you have ? It would be great if you made an introduction post and told us a little about you and your bird/birds. BTW, we love to see pics too.

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