Parrots are NOT pets. They should never have been taken from the wild in the first place. But if you're considering adopting one, there are a few things you should know. First of all, there are many different species of parrots. From the smallest parrotlets and budgerigars (commonly known as parakeets), to the largest macaws, they're all classified as parrots. Just because you want a bird that is much smaller than what you think a parrot is, doesn't mean the bird will be less work. The smaller ones, the budgies, lovebirds and cockatiels, may be more forgiving of your lack of education than the larger ones. That doesn't mean it's ok to get a small bird, let it sit in a small cage with some seed and water all day while you're out doing other things. All parrots, no matter how small and inexpensive, deserve the same quality of care.
All parrots make noise. That's what they do. If you want a quiet pet, get a fish. Even the smallest, most adorable parrots can make noise that might drive you crazy. Do not expect your bird to talk. Some do learn to talk, but it's never guaranteed. Definitely plan on a certain level of noise. Think about your lifestyle: Do you have small children who will be adversely affected by the noise? Do you have neighbors who may complain? Could you be evicted from your apartment due to your bird? Are you bothered by loud noises? Do you live with someone who is bothered by loud noises? Some parrots can develop excessive screaming, due to a variety of reasons including neglect, abuse, or otherwise not having their needs met. You need to let your bird be a BIRD.
If you're read through the rest of this site, you know that all exotic birds are messy, noisy, can be destructive, require a specialized diet, and veterinary care. Are certain species more difficult to keep happy than others? It all depends on who you ask. It is a general opinion that the larger the bird, the more challenging that bird can be.
Small parrots (Budgies, Cockatiels, Parrotlets, Lovebirds)
Small parrots tend to be much more forgiving on new guardians. Cockatiels and Budgies do make noise, but in general their voices are not so loud that you or your neighbors should be bothered all the time. Budgies can live 10-15 years, with Cockatiels living 15-25 years if cared for properly. These two species tend to get along quite well and can often be housed together without any problems. Lovebirds shouldn't be housed with other species, and they can even have difficulty if housed together. Just be careful and watch any new birds you put together. They can have very shrill calls and have a similar lifespan of Budgies and Cockatiels. Parrotlets, while very tiny, have all the personality of a large parrot. Only experienced guardians should take one on. Small birds are often given up by their guardians for many reasons, including lack of time. Unfortunately, the little ones are often thought of as "disposable."
Medium parrots (Conures, African Greys, Psittacula, Poicephalus, Pionus)
Medium sized parrots require everything other, larger parrots do. If you know only one thing about Conures, let it be this: Conures are NOISY. They may be one of the noisiest parrots kept in captivity. These feisty little guys can also find themselves living with humans who don't understand them. Conures can be very playful and rambunctious. They are NOT meant to live in apartments, unless your neighbors enjoy listening to your bird scream and make noise day in and day out. Their lifespan is similiar to that of other medium-sized parrots: 30-40 years.
African greys are considered one of the most intelligent parrot species. They can live 50-60 years in captivity. They do not have a natural call or scream, but they often pick up any noise that catches their fancy, so while they may have not a natural scream, they might pick up the natural scream of your conure and repeat it at full volume! Greys are generally sensitive and often pick up on their owner's feelings. They can learn to speak, even use words appropriately. But these birds are so intelligent and so sensitive, that unless they are in an optimal environment, they may pick all their feathers out, or develop other signs of distress such as fear biting. You must be sensitive to their needs and their instinctive fears. The high demand for these birds as "pets" is causing their extinction in the wild.
Birds in the Psittacula family tend to be a bit more independent and not as cuddly as some other birds. Pionus tend to be relatively quiet birds.
Large Parrots (Cockatoos, Amazons, Macaws)
Many parrot lovers would agree that Cockatoos are one of the most challenging birds kept in captivity. Cockatoos are birds that bond very intensely with their mates in the wild. In captivity, you are their mate. Most baby Cockatoos in pet shops are incredibly cuddly. You can just pick them up and bury your face in their feathers. This is pretty cute, but when well-meaning guardians take home that baby and lavish them with attention and love, the bird generally develops some serious separation anxiety! Your Cockatoo does not want to be separated from you for one moment. Without the proper training and guidance, your Cockatoo will drive you crazy. They are LOUD! Their screams can deafen you in minutes.
Cockatoos are extremely intelligent, and without the proper stimulation, they will take their aggressions and boredom out on you, or out on themselves, in the form of feather destruction and body mutilation. Of course, many Cockatoo guardians will tell you that their 'Toos are well-behaved, and are absolute joys to have around. They will tell you their bird is cuddly and talkative, yet able to play well independently. These people have done their homework and have figured out what it takes to care for such a creature. Cockatoos are one of the most often disposed of birds today -- they have filled avian rescue facilities and can be difficult to adopt out. Cockatoos are notorious for becoming quite aggressive when they are hormonal. These birds can be unpredictable and have been known to cause serious damage to their guardians with their beaks requiring plastic surgery.
Macaws also tend to find themselves homeless due to natural behaviors that humans find themselves unable to cope with. Screaming, biting, chewing; all these things are normal behaviors. Many people are so intimidated by their size (especially the size of their beaks!) that they just let the bird rule the household. Either that or they shut the bird away in a closet, basement, or garage. Clearly, these practices are inhumane and immoral. Macaws are glorious creatures. They can be sweet and cuddly and mischievous. It takes a special kind of person to love these big guys through and through. Most adoption agencies will not adopt them out simply due to their insuitability for captivity. As with all large parrots, their beaks are very dangerous. Large parrots, and most medium parrots, should not be left alone with children.
Amazons are also very popular parrots in captivity. Unfortunately, this has caused them to be bred out of control as demand for them as "pets" has skyrocketed. But what happens when the hormones kick in during breeding season, and your cuddly "pet" starts drawing blood when he bites? Amazons are commonly given up due to hormonal aggression. However, they can become excellent talkers, little clowns, and cuddlebugs. It all depends on the bird, and on the guardian.
Breeding Behaviors
Most new bird guardians have no idea that their parrot is a sexual being. Parrots are not routinely spayed and neutered like dogs and cats. Therefore, all of their sexual hormones are present and they will go through stages of sexual maturity. This is important for you to be aware of and so that you can learn to manage your bird to avoid certain breeding behaviors. Most birds will enter into sexual maturity at a certain age, and it's different for all species. You might notice your bird maturbating, using toys or other objects to stimulte the area under their tail with. Or, your bird might regurgitate some food for you or for his toys. Your female bird might lay some eggs on the bottom of her cage.
Cockatiels are considered prolific breeders. They will breed and raise babies under nearly any condition. They will go through the motions of breeding even without a mate. Females will lay eggs, which can delplete their calcium and other resources. Male Cockatiels who are "turned on" can be quite aggressive.
Cockatoos and Amazons can also get aggressive during "breeding season."
Avoiding breeding behaviors:
- Try to keep your bird to a 12/12 schedule: 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness. Longer days (more light) signal to your bird that it's breeding season, so even if it's dark outside at 4:30 in the middle of December, if your bird stays up late with you watching TV, he could be triggered by the "long day."
- Keep your bird out of small, enclosed, dark areas, like under the couch, in a cupboard, in a box, in a sleeping hut, etc. These areas resemble a nest to your bird, and will seem a quite inviting and comfortable space in which to lay eggs and raise some chicks.
- If you sense that your bird is exhibiting some breeding behaviors (aggression, keen interest in dark areas, excessive chewing), you can restrict her access to warm, soft food. In the wild, males will feed females who are nesting on eggs through regurgitation.
- If you notice your bird masturbating, try to stop him from doing that if you can catch him. If he seems to be especially attracted to a certain toy, perch, or object, remove it for a little while and see if that helps.
- Don't pet your bird anywhere on his body besides his head and neck area. The rest of the body is pretty much one big erogenous zone, and if you pet your bird under his wings, on top of his back, or under his tail, you'll be giving him signals that you're ready to mate with him!
- Sometimes one of your birds might have an unhealthy attraction to another bird, such as a larger, more dangerous bird. If this happens, you may need to clip the little guy's wings and keep them separated to keep everyone safe.
Avoiding Chicks
If you notice two birds actually copulating, or if you find eggs in the cage of a female who has access to a male bird, you'll want to take some measures to insure these eggs don't hatch. It sounds cruel and mean, but your bird really won't mind, and you're saving yourself, your mother bird, and any potential chicks quite a bit of time, energy, and heartache. Having babies around might sound like fun, but it's a lot of work, and if your bird has never parented chicks before, she's going to find it quite stressful, and she may not be successful at it. Then you would have to decide if you could care for these additional birds, or if you'd have to give them away. Who knows what kinds of homes your chicks might go to. It's just best for you and for the birds to make sure the eggs don't hatch. You can do this by gently removing the eggs from the mother bird and shaking them up, or hard boiling them. Don't just take them and throw them away, as this will induce the female to lay more eggs to replace those she lost. Replace the shaken/hard boiled eggs and let her sit on them for as long as she wishes. She'll give up eventually and abandon them. After that, you can toss them.
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