Unusual Pets — Going Beyond Cats and Dogs

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.

Parrots are quite unlike any other pet and they have distinct attributes that make them both lovable 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 and family.

LIFE SPAN

Are you planning to commit to a pet for your entire lifetime? Surprised by the question?

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.

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, so you definitely will need to deal with the seeds thrown out of the cage on a daily basis. Leaving seeds strewn about not only makes for a messy house, it can attract rodents and become a source of nasty bacteria. Think carefully about the cage location in terms of an easily cleanable area of your home or apartment.

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.

You also will need to make decisions about your parrot’s freedom of access. Do you plan to allow the bird to roam freely? 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. Consider the restrictions necessary to preserve your home and furnishings — while allowing your parrot definite periods of “out-of-cage” time.

NOISE

While you may find their calls and chattering adorable, your neighbors may not. When my wife and I bought our first parrot, he was very quiet the first night he was in our home. By early the next morning, he felt comfortable. When he let out a very loud squawk to greet the sun, it not only woke us up, but our upstairs neighbor’s feet hit the floor running. To preserve peace with the neighbors, make sure you and they know what’s happening before you purchase your parrot. If you live in attached or semi-attached housing you may have to rule out certain species, like Cockatoos for example, which are extremely loud.

RESPONSIBILITY

Owning a parrot is a privilege and with that privilege 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.