March 30, 2025

I want a parrot!

Cockatoo
Hopefully you are reading this before actually getting a parrot. You are thinking about it, and want to know more. I thought about writing this as a list of pros and cons, but I thought that instead I would just share what I think are some important thoughts.

Pro or Con -- they live a long time. This is a wonderful thing, sort of. If you take proper care of a large parrot, there is a very good chance it will outlive you. And then what? Many (most) people don't want to think about this and just ignore it. I am getting older, I love my parrots, and it is not clear what is going to happen to them when I am gone.

Pro -- they are very smart. Some learn to speak words, and even talk. This can be fun, but I don't recommend focusing on it. The bird you get may never talk, yet be a wonderful companion. Dogs never talk and they are wonderful companions.

Cons -- they are messy. To me, this is just part of life, but you may not know what you are in for. Any animal requires work, care, and attention. Dogs can make terrible messes and sometimes do Birds can chew up furniture, walls, anything that isn't steel or rock. Will you be able to forgive when they do what instinct tells them to do?

Cons -- they can be expensive. Not just the bird. I tell people they should spend as much on the cage (or more) than they do on the bird. A macaw needs a cage about the size of your refrigerator.

Pros - they are beautiful. What more needs to be said.

Cons -- they won't do what you expect. They aren't domesticated like dogs and they will behave in surprising ways. You must adjust to them, not expect them to conform to your expectations. They are basically wild animals. Each one is an individual, like any animal, and almost certainly won't behave like someone elses bird of the very same species.

Con -- what are you going to do when you want to go on vacation? My lifestyle has changed as a result of having parrots and for the most part I don't travel and stay home other than short "weekend" trips. Longer things are possible, but involve planning and significant effort. Think about this in advance.

The above is meant to be "food for thought" if you are contemplating getting a parrot. I love my birds and accept their ways. Maybe I should say, I have learned to accept and even enjoy their ways.

Have any comments? Questions? Drop me a line!

Tom's parrot pages / [email protected]