What does it take to own a companion parrot?
The path of happiness for both your new friend as well as yourself begins even before you walk into a reputable pet store and say, "I am interested in owning a parrot. Can you help me?" You first must ask yourself a few very short but very important questions:
What is your reason for wanting a pet bird?
Hobby? Companionship? Decoration? A bird is not a throw away pet; they can be expensive, they are a lot of work, and they are smart so they can develop mental problems such as screaming and feather plucking. Ask yourself why you really want a bird, before you buy because you may not want a bird, you may want a goldfish.
How much time do you have to spend with your bird?
Day to day you must consider the time it takes for food preparation, cleaning training and playtime. Some individual birds need more time than others. My bird just enjoys me being in the same room with her but she still needs playtime with Mommy at least once a day. Another bird may need more time, such as a cockatoo, another less. As a rule though, the larger and more tame the bird, the more time it will require.
How much space do you have in your home to keep a bird?
Birds need to have a cage not only to keep them out of trouble but to give them a safe place away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. A bird's cage should not be a prison, there should be plenty of exciting toys to beat on and destroy and still room to flap around while screaming (don't laugh, it's true ). In general the bigger the bird, the larger the cage.
What personality traits are most important to you?
Some birds like to snuggle, some are more stand offish. Some talk, some sing. Some can be more aggressive than others while others just want to meet people. Some are very loud, some are not so loud. Different species of birds have different characteristics. Not all birds like to be pet or snuggle, not all will learn how to talk up a storm. The bird you fall in love with at the pet store may be the wrong bird for you.
Do you want a bird that will talk?
You must keep in mind that if you want to own a bird only because it will talk, you SHOULD NOT OWN A BIRD. An owner must love the bird for whom he is, not whether or not he performs Shakespeare. Not all birds will talk. Even in species that are famous for talking, such as African Greys, some individuals may not speak a word. If talking is important to you, consider that when narrowing down the species.
What can you afford to pay for a bird?
Keep in mind that the total cost of a bird is not just the bird itself but it is also its cage, food, toys and vet needs. Okay let's do a little math with small, medium and large birds.
-A small bird, such as a parakeet or a normal grey cockatiel, will generally cost between $20 and $100, the cage will cost $30 to $100, the starting cost for food is $15 to $20, and the birds toys can cost from $5 and up.
-A medium sized bird, such as a conure or quaker, will cost from $350 to $525, the cage will cost from $85 to $300, the starting cost for food is $15 to $25 and toys are again $5 and up.
Note: a small bird, such as a parakeet, may not need veterinary appointments, but the larger birds, such as the conures and larger will need "healthy bird checkups", as well as a yearly checkup and complete avian blood profiles every 2-3 years. (Birds must be taken to an avian vet not a dog or cat vet.) These vet expenses can add an extra $100-$200 to the initial cost of the bird, not counting costs of yearly exams, or emergency visits.
-The larger birds, such as African Greys and Macaws, can cost from $1000 and up. The cage will cost from $120 to $600+, food will cost $25 to $35, and toys will cost $10 and up. Keep in mind that larger birds need larger, thus more expensive things.
So the total cost for a small bird is around $75 to $225 with three toys and no vet expenses.
The medium bird is around $470 to $835 with three toys and no vet expenses. The large bird well, you can do your own math if you need to.
All in all, buying a bird is not a cheap purchase and before you buy you must have the money to take care of the bird, and that means, not only the initial expenses but also having a couple hundred dollars in the bank in case of emergencies (trust me, I learned the hard way.)
What about cleanliness?
Birds can be very messy. Not only will you have to clean the cage because of droppings but you may have to clean all of the surrounding areas (i.e. the walls, the floor, under the couch) after Polly's morning "fling the food" game. If you cannot handle poop on your floors, carpets, beds or anywhere else that your new bird will be allowed to go, as well as frequent vacuuming around the cage, you may want to think again.
How much noise, if any, is all right to live with?
Birds make noise. It is part of their natural behavior to welcome the morning or evening with a symphony of jungle noises. Sometimes even the "quiet" birds can make quite a racket. If you live in an apartment you must be very careful what kind of bird you choose because if you do not, you may find your landlord telling you and your bird to shape-up or ship-out. (I say this because it has happened to too many people who either have to give their beloved companions away, or find new homes for both themselves and their birds.)
Is the destructiveness of a bird a concern?
Most birds love to chew and they do not know that the dining room table is really meant for eating on and that it is not just a giant chew toy. Any time a bird is out of its cage, it must be supervised.
The next step: READ!!!
Do your homework for both yourself and your bird to be. Learn about what to feed your bird, behaviors to expect, how to prevent problems both physically and mentally, vet care, how to establish rules, how to bird-safe your home, and finally which bird is right for you.
After all of this hard work and thinking, now go into a reputable pet store. To find that store, you need to do more homework. ( And you thought you were through with homework when you got out of school! ) Look at the birds and make sure that they are healthy, bright-eyed and active. Check that they are eating healthy pellets and human food, not just seeds, and most of all make sure the employees care and know what they are talking about. If you do not feel comfortable with the store, the people and most of all the health of the birds, do not do
business!
1 know I have given you a lot to think about, but by reading this you have brought yourself closer to buying your bird the right way. If you do your homework, and not buy impulsively, you WILL find your bird. I promise.
GOOD LUCK * HAPPY READING
Recommended Reading
The Companion Parrot, by Sally Blanchard
The Beak Book, by Sally Blanchard
Companion Parrot Quarterly
Guide to a Well Behaved Parrot, by Mattie Sue Athan
Birds For Dummies
Birds USA - Annual Directory Issue
Birdtalk Magazine
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by intellectual property laws and any use other than for private viewing is strictly prohibited. Any copying, distribution, or modification,
whether for free, or for profit, and whether or not for personal use is prohibited.
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