Before You Buy a Parrot, Read This

Have you been thinking about buying a parrot as a pet? Their great coloration and attention getting mimicry create a lasting impression on anyone who sees them. Parrots are very different from other pets. They have distinct attributes that make them both fascinating and frustrating. Do yourself a favor and read this article to make sure a parrot fits in with your lifestyle.

Mess - there is no way around it, birds are messy regardless of the species. Parrots can be messier because they are so big. All birds have a natural instinct to throw seed around their living space whether inside or out. Have you ever seen the ground at the bottom of a bird feeder? The messy condition you see there will be what you will need to deal with when cleaning your parrot's cage. If you do not clean the cage often, it can lead to the parrot getting infections and becoming ill. Birds are frequently allowed to fly around the house. While a small parakeet may not be a problem, a large parrot flying around a house can cause some serious damage to furniture and other household items.

Life span - Many birds have a short lifetime. While most pets like dogs and cats tend to live 10 to 15 years, a parrot can live up to 65 years! Are you truly willing to care for your pet parrot that long! That is your entire lifetime! This is a scary thought to contemplate; you caring for your parrot while you are scrambling around with your walker!

Noise - Pet birds usually have pleasant sounds. One reason people but birds for pets is because they have a sweet sounding chirp or in some cases can sing "songs". A parrot, on the other hand, does not have a sweet sounding chirp. While you may find their calls and chattering adorable, don't be surprised if your neighbor doesn't agree. Several species of birds like the Cockatoos are extremely loud.

High Maintenance - It can be very costly to properly care for your parrot. Since they are large birds, they will need lots of food and require a large cage. If you have other animals like a dog or cat, you will need to protect your parrot from your other pets. A parrot is a social and very intelligent bird. Because of these two qualities, they need to be interacted with often. If you are a busy adult and can't spend time with them, your parrot will become bored and cause trouble. As with people, a parrot will crave the company of another bird. This means you will have to provide another bird for your parrot to keep him or her happy. Another bird means more cost and demand more of your time.

In spite of these demands that parrots make upon their human owners, they can be a marvelous pet. You must be aware of all the expense, work, and demands that a pet parrot will be. If you are willing to shoulder that burden, then a parrot may be a marvelous addition to your life.