Parrots Say Do Not Throw Us Away
Research Birds Before Buying and Help Eliminate Second Home Parrots
Some people go through parrots like purses, or pairs of shoes. Treating the parrot like a throw away commodity. When the parrot does not meet the person’s needs, the owner sells the parrot, finding a new parrot. In essence, the bird owner is starting over again with a new parrot species. This is unfair to the past and present birds. A responsible parrot owner must do research prior to buying a feathered friend. Learn what parrot species best meets the needs and life style of the family, before adding a parrot to the home.
Birds of all sizes
There are Parakeets and cockatiels, both are smaller, more musical, and easier to care for in a smaller home or apartment. Then there are the slightly larger Conures. Conures are beautiful, brightly colored birds, yet the noise level from conures is unsuitable for apartments or small homes. The larger parrots are usually more suited for homes and not apartment life due to not only their noise capabilities but also due to their destructive qualities. The size increases with the Amazons, African Greys, Cockatoos, and Macaws.
Reality Bird Websites
There are several websites recommended for the person thinking about adding a parrot to the home or family. These websites are reality websites truly showing the problems associated with owning a bird. Every potential bird owner should be required to view both websites. The first site is The Gabriel Foundation which is a parrot welfare organization based in Colorado.
Pet Shop Birds
The Gabriel Foundation is dedicated to educating potential bird owners and communities regarding the growing concern of unwanted birds resulting from pet stores. When the relationship between bird and owner fails, the bird is the only one who truly suffers. Unlike local Humane shelters for cats and dogs, there are few places to “drop” off unwanted birds.
Birds for Sale
Most parrot owners sell birds on places like Craigslist, or in local newspapers. The owner’s interest is in the highest bidder, and in earning back money spent on the bird. Rarely is one looking for the best home or checking to see if the next owner is knowledgeable about birds.
Bird Skeletons
Unfortunately, rehomed birds usually have baggage. Baggage means that the bird has learned a bad habit like screaming, biting, or feather picking due to neglect, or improper care from the previous owner knowing little or nothing about birds. The original owner is rarely forthcoming regarding bad habits the bird has acquired.
Velcro Birds
The second website is for people in love with the idea of adding a cuddly Cockatoo to the family and think, “I need one of those Velcro birds.” Anyone considering a Cockatoo should visit the web site MyToos.com. The Moluccan Cockatoo is a light salmon pink color with super soft feathers, and like the only slightly smaller white Umbrella Cockatoo prefers to sit on its owners lap than anywhere else.
Banshee Screams
The screams that come out of a Moluccan or Umbrella Cockatoo will sound like your neighbor is murdering his wife. The shrill and high-pitched sounds could peel the paint off the ceiling of your home. The Cockatoos are definitely not for the faint of heart. In essence having a Cockatoo is like having a demanding toddler that resides in your home.
Timing is everything
In the end, it is important to realize there are many differences among the variety of birds available to pet owners today. If after doing research, one decides that the time is not optimal for adding a parrot or bird to the family, that is being a responsible pet advocate, rather than buying a bird and saying; “if it does not work, we can always find it another home.”
