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What to Know Before Buying a Pet Parrot
How delightful it
is to be in the presence of such magnificent creatures
as parrots! Their stunning color combinations and attention
grabbing mimicry create quite an impression on both
young and old alike.
Have you been thinking about buying
a parrot of your own? Parrots are quite unlike any other
pet and they have distinct attributes that make them
both loveable and frustrating. Before you choose to
own a parrot it is a good idea to familiarize yourself
with some of their qualities to ensure that they will
fit with your lifestyle.
LIFE SPAN
Are you planning to commit to a pet
for your entire lifetime? While a dog may average 10
to 15 years and a cat slightly longer, some species
of parrots live up to 65 or 75 years! That means that
not only will the bird live as long as you, quite likely
it will survive you and its living arrangements will
need to be provided for in advance.
Many parrots find themselves in new
homes every few years. Despite your loving commitment
your bird will likely need a new home when you are no
longer able to care for it. You don't want your aged
bird to suffer the stress of constantly changing homes
so determine what arrangements can be made to satisfy
your bird's needs.
MESS
Birds are messy - no matter what species.
Their natural instincts to spread seed throughout the
forest has not disappeared and you will need to deal
with the seeds thrown out of the cage on a daily basis.
Leaving seeds strewn about can attract rodents and become
a source of bacteria.
Parrots will also produce a fair amount
of waste every day. Not cleaning their cages and dishes
routinely can lead to infections and is also not healthy
for humans.
Parrots that are allowed to roam freely
can also cause extensive damage to furniture and other
items. Large species like the Macaw have a strong bite
and can chew furniture, rip wallpaper or knock items
over.
NOISE
While you may find their calls and chattering
adorable, your neighbors may not. Different species
have different vocalizations. If you live in an attached
or semi-attached housing you may have to rule out certain
species like Cockatoos which are extremely loud.
RESPONSIBILITY
Owning a parrot is a privilege and with
that comes responsibility. Taking care of your bird
does not have to be costly if you clean and feed your
bird properly but you will have to invest in proper
housing so your bird is comfortable.
If you have other pets, such as dogs
or cats, you must protect your parrot from being harmed.
Never leave other pets alone with your parrot.
Many parrots will also develop strong
attachments for a certain individual in the family.
While the growing loyalty may be appreciated by the
favored person it can cause problems when birds become
overly protective of their loved one. On the other hand,
a parrot is a social and intelligent animal which will
become easily bored. A busy home or single owner who
has time to give plenty of attention to the bird would
be best.
Along with people you may find your
parrot craves the company of another bird. This is particularly
true when the bird matures (around 5-8 years for large
species). If you decide to provide a mate for it you
must also take responsibility for the increased care
and possible babies that may arrive.
Parrots bring great joy to the lives
of individuals who appreciate them despite the work
involved. You owe it to your pet to learn as much as
possible about their care so you can commit to them
and provide a loving home for as long as possible.
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