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Why
do you want a parrot?
Why do
you want a companion parrot? Because it will talk? To look cool? To be
a status symbol? To be macho? To match your couch?
None
of these are good reasons for acquiring a parrot. Parrot acquisition
should never be done on impulse. You have to be ready for the
commitment and know what you are getting into. These are very
long-lived creatures that may out live you; they need to be provided
for in your will. Parrots are highly intelligent and emotionally
sensitive animals that, depending on the individual bird, may or may
not ever learn to talk. They can be loud, destructive, messy,
demanding animals that take more time and energy to care for than dogs
or cats but less time, energy and expense than, for example, horses.
See
the top 10 reasons people don't like living with parrots.
Read on and think
deeply on these issues before you decide that a parrot is the right
pet for you.
On the
positive side, they are beautiful, clever, complex, instinctive
animals that are one or two generations removed from the wild.
Therefore, they still have some wild tendencies. They have the
potential to learn to talk very well, and can even learn to count or
identify colors. Some imitate strange sounds. Sometimes they call the
family dog or cat. Singing is a favorite of some birds. (Make sure
that if your bird watches TV, you really like the theme song. The Andy
Griffith Show is a real favorite!) If you are looking for a loving,
intelligent, beautiful, affectionate, long living companion, then a
parrot may be your ideal pet.
What
is your lifestyle?
How
often are you home? For how long? At what hours? Parrots need much
more of your time than dogs or cats and they can't be left alone for
too long without risking their running out of food or safe water to
drink. Parrots are creatures of the day; when it is dark, they want to
go to sleep. Do you have enough time to spend every day with your bird,
or do you rapidly lose interest in new things? Each parrot needs at
least 20 minutes of 1:1 loving attention, including being held, direct
eye contact and kind words. Beyond that, a parrot needs to be out of
the cage for much of the time you are home and awake. Your bird needs
to be on a playstand in the same room you are in. There, your bird can
hang out and be a flock (family) member and do things (play with toys)
while you do things (watch tv, play games, etc). Do you party a lot,
have a lot of people over? Will they respect your bird, or can you put
your bird safely in the back room to protect him and enable him to get
a good night's sleep even if you can't? Do you travel a lot? You can't
leave a bunch of food in your parrot's cage and go away for the
weekend without arranging for someone to come in and feed the bird
twice a day, or without boarding your bird. Who will take care of your
bird while you are gone?
Do
You have other animals?
Some
dogs, cats, ferrets and snakes are predators of birds. It is important
to introduce other animals to your parrot cautiously, and to supervise
any time they have togther to keep both your other animals and your
bird safe. Additionally, larger birds may hurt smaller birds and they
need to be kept separated. They need to have separate cages, separate
play stands. You need to make sure it is not possible for the littler
bird to get into the cage with the larger bird. If your littler bird
is flighted, you need to keep it away so it cannot fly over to the
bigger bird where it might startle the bigger bird and get bitten. If
you have multiple birds, it is seldom possible to cage multiple
parrots together, even if they are of similar sizes. Especially as
they get older, each bird really needs its own cage and space, and
they may argue if forced into co-habitation. It is even possible
parrots may argue with their mates, when caged with a mate of the same
species.
Is
a parrot right for your home and family?
Unlike
dogs and cats, parrots can be tamed but they are not domesticated.
Each bird has a distinct and unique personality. While some people
have parrots that are great friends with other animals and people in
the house, that isn't always the case. If you have small children,
your parrot may not understand their swift movements and high-pitched
voices and find them stressful and frightening to be around. Parrots
that are afraid may fear-bite smaller children. Parrots and smaller
children need full time supervision. Parrots and wilder older children
are also a bad idea. Some one will get hurt, and the poor bird will be
the loser.
Where
will the parrot live in your home?
Parrots
need to be an integral part of your family. Cage size will have to be
proportional to the size of the bird. Some birds require a cage the
size of an entertainment center! The cage needs to be located against
a wall, not in the center of the room. Birds need to feel safe and
have something solid on at least one side of their cage. The cage also
needs to be away from any drafts, not right above any heating or
cooling duct or near any drafty windows. If you would be comfortable
sitting all day and all night where the bird's cage is, your your bird
will be comfortable. Parrots also need a separate play area away form
their cages for intellectual, physical, visual and emotional
stimulation and to help them be with their family (flock) in another
room away from their cage. You must plan out the living space for your
new friend before making the decision to acquire him.
Have
you considered not only the cost of the parrot, but all the associated
expenses?
Parrots
are expensive, high-maintenance pets to have. Initial essentials
include at least one cage, a play area, perches and toys that are
rapidly destroyed and have to be replaced, a high-quality diet, an
avian vet visit and an appropriate carrier. For many birds, the added
initial cost can be as much as the original bird purchase, and then
there are significant on-going expenses of maintaining their good
diet, replacing toys, new perches, annual vet visits… parrots are
not inexpensive pets to have.
Källa:
Avalon
Aviary
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