Saturday, December 11, 2010

The Rookie Files: Pondering Parrots as Presents and Pets

It’s that time of year again!  The time when many of us run out to the stores to buy presents for our loved ones, scouring high and low for that perfect present.  
A Red-lored Amazon Parrot - one of the smaller parrots--possible lifespan 100 years
Sometimes that one of a kind present is an animal, a special pet, and many people get excited over the idea of a talking bird.  After shows or visits to our nature center many people, especially children, start thinking about getting a parrot as a pet. 
  A Red & Green Macaw--one of the larger species of parrots--may outlive you
Before you go rushing off to the pet shop or call a breeder to get that special someone a feathery holiday surprise, we ask that you keep a few things in mind.  Parrots are a lifetime commitment.  Depending on the species, they can range from fifteen to up to a hundred years old.  Many of them outlive their human owners and they have to be provided for in their wills. 
 A Parrot cage of an ample size to house your new pet could prove to be quite pricey 
This also means a lifetime of veterinary charges, food and toys.  They are very intelligent animals, often compared to three year old children.  Many parrot owners describe life with their companions as having a perpetual three-year old.
  Because of their high intelligence Parrots need to be kept busy by providing a variety of toys for them to explore
Due to their intelligence they need many different toys, usually three at a time to help keep them entertained. They love to chew, and much like children, they explore everything with their mouth--or in their case their beak.  That beak is capable of biting down with up to one thousand pounds per square inch of pressure.  This can cause damage to furniture, people and anything else they can get their beaks on. 
  Parrots use their beaks for many of the tasks we do with our fingers.  They may damage our belongings in the process of exploring
Like the three-year olds they are compared to, parrots need a lot of attention.  They are social by nature, often living in large flocks.  Flockmates will talk to, preen and protect one another.  Your parrot may call loudly in the house if it is upset, either to get your attention or to warn you of some perceived danger.  These calls can be very loud; macaws can be heard for three city blocks and all throughout the rainforest.  In close proximity humans need hearing protection from macaw screams!

It may also try to protect you or itself from what it perceives as a threat to its territory; and sometimes those threats can be other pets or even people.  Remember that beak I talked about?  Not only is it useful for chewing and cracking open hard nuts but it makes a great defensive weapon…ouch!  Parrots that don’t get enough attention can become destructive to themselves and their caretakers.
 Beak of a Blue & Gold Macaw.  Their strong beaks can be quite destructive 
We don’t want to turn people off from the idea of parrots because they do make great companions.  There are also many people who are fantastic parrot parents.  Their birds are happy, healthy, and could not ask for a better life.  We just ask that you do the research before you commit to anything because that’s what a parrot is--a lifelong commitment. 
 Cockatiels are very popular because of their small size and easygoing personalities--average lifespan 15 years
Parrot species run the gamut in terms of size and intelligence, so be sure you know which species you will be able to care for the best, given your lifestyle.  If your loved one loves parrots but is not ready to own one, consider sponsoring one of ours.  And if you or a loved one is ready for a parrot then we wish the both of you the best of luck and hope you keep one another company for years to come.

Submitted by Leah Tyndall, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist

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