Why is a parrot "a good pet/companion"? Why do you have one?

[trademark]

Besides the no brainers like colorful, large and impressive, talking ability, learning entertaining tricks, Why do you have a parrot? What do you come home to or wake up to everyday with your bird? There are many reasons not to get one, but what are your reasons to have one, or more? What makes it so worthwhile for 10, 15, 30, 50, or 80 years?

I've been wanting a "bigger" parrot- as in not a budgie, lovebird or cockatiel which I have owned before and currently a peach faced lovebird- for a while. I am responsible, have 5-7 hours a day to spend with a parrot, would provide the proper diet, cage, and toys, there are quite a few avian vets in my area, and I would be prepared to spend time with training, taming, and socializing. I am very interested in white eyed, blue crowned, or dusky conure.

I have done this with my current and past birds, which all but one were untamed adults that were no longer wanted. They all got to the point where they would be comfortable on their play gyms 24/7 if allowed, but never enjoyed petting, or any human attention, thought they could tolerate some.

If I get a hand fed baby, do my best at socializing and training, work with screaming and aggression, would it actually be worth it?-which brings me back to my top questions. I know every parrot has a different personality and anything can happen. Would it stay tame after sexual maturity, enjoy hands on interaction, and possibly be an "ideal" pet as some people might describe their parrots?


A pro about

[Michael]

Besides the no brainers like colorful, large and impressive, talking ability, learning entertaining tricks, Why do you have a parrot?

Well this is simple. They are can be just wonderful pets. They are the most intelligent animal you can practically keep as a pet. The relationship is very personal. It is challenging and you get what you put in (or half that ). They fly and it's amazing watching a bird fly around in your home zipping past and then coming to you for scratches. They are like no other pet and combine a lot of exciting features into one feathery bundle of joy.

Of course they can also be a major pain. You can find all kinds of topics about dealing with problems throughout this forum. These must not be overlooked.

[laducockatiel]

Yep, Michael described it all. They are also very comical LOL, e.g. You come home and your parrot is hanging upside down on its perch my cockatiel does this and hes a bit weird but they all are weird and funny in different ways. My cockatiel sometimes flies to my lap and puts his head down on my lap telling me to pet him put it this way, you will never get bored with a parrot in your household.

[Zanizaila]

I've always said that there is nothing "universally good" about parrots that I can explain to just any human who will then understand.
For example, dogs - they are good companions, will always love you and want to please you, and be your friend for life. Not everyone understands or would (or could) ever have a dog, but I can always say that, to explain why I have a dog.

But with parrots - there is nothing like that, that I can say.
I only have them because they are fascinating creatures, that I am interested in. Mine don't talk, they don't perform tricks, they don't cuddle with me, I don't have them because they are large and impressive (Saga is nowhere near that anyway ), and frankly, I have never found parrots to be good companions, and I've lived with 4 larger parrots, and about 17 psittacines as a whole in my life.

If you want a nice companion, dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits etc. are better.
Right now, I am again wondering why on Earth I have a macaw. Or parrots overall, since the Meyers I've had for eight years bit me right by my eye a couple of weeks ago. I could have lost my sight on that eye completely, and I'm just twenty years old.

They are a PITA, they scream, make a horrible mess, cost loads of money, bite (even causing permanent damage), and are - the way I feel now - barely any fun to be around at all.

If I get a hand fed baby, do my best at socializing and training, work with screaming and aggression, would it actually be worth it?-which brings me back to my top questions. I know every parrot has a different personality and anything can happen. Would it stay tame after sexual maturity, enjoy hands on interaction, and possibly be an "ideal" pet as some people might describe their parrots?

PLEASE don't get a hand fed baby. Don't buy into the myth of a hand fed parrot being the "perfect pet", and don't feed the pockets of the breeders and pet stores when there are millions of unwanted birds.

I am going to sound harsh now, but look at it like this - for every one (1!) chick bought, one more bird will be brought into this world, because you bought a "product" that has been "sold out", so another one will be put in its place.
Then one bird in a rescue loses the chance of a home, since you could have taken it, but didn't.
And one bird will have to be put down (killed) or "thrown away" to god knows where because there is not enough room in rescues.

That is the harsh thruth, whether we like it or not.

Take in a rescue or rehome, and one less will be brought into this world (if no one bought the "products", no more would be produced), one in a rescue will have gotten a new chance, and one more bird can be taken into a rescue.

Also, hand feeding (parental deprivation) is not good for the birds at all and should not be encouraged. It is a myth created by breeders to give them extra money. If you remove the eggs or young from a pair, they will immediately breed again to replace the clutch they lost. Meaning more income per pair, per year.
Also, breeders often force-wean the young too soon, so they can be sold much sooner. More income for less work.
Also, they can charge much more for a hand fed, already tame bird, than for a parent raised one.

But hand fed birds will still scream, they will still bite, they will still hit sexual maturity and attack people, they may still pluck. In fact, hand fed birds do that more often, they have much greater tendency to become aggressive, fearful, neurotic, and develop behavior problems such as incessant screaming and plucking. (Google "Greg Glendell", one of the world's best parrot behaviour experts, and "Parental deprivation in parrots".)

I have had much better experiences with parent raised birds than hand raised ones. The hand raised ones view human hands as something to get food from, and they have neither bird skills ("people skills") nor any respect for your hands. (Note - respect is not fear, it has nothing to do with fear. Your bird should respect you and you should respect your bird, equally.)

A parent raised bird who has been tamed in a natural way (by trust, not forced from birth) learns a respectful relationship to humans, and they have the social skills in them, which they were taught by their parents. They also know they are birds, and know how to behave like a bird, which causes less mental distress and frustration, and personally, I like my birds to act around me like I am another bird, rather than the bird trying to be a human.
It makes the communication much easier, it's better on the bird's psyche (and I quite like them preening my fingers, which my hand fed birds have never done).

[Mona]

Well...personally....I think if you read the posts from those of us who DO have well socialized babies...and then read the posts of those who do not have well socialized parrots, you are going to find differing opinions.

I think those of us who do have well socialized parrots (and I have had just that for over 20 years) will tell you that parrots are exceptional companions. Personally, I think they are superior to dogs and cats. LIke any animal, there is a lot to learn and they are specialized so you really do have to study and do your homework, but if you do, you are rewarded every single day.

What makes them special? Mine are affectionate, loyal, curious, silly, funny, social, intriguing....a joy and a surprise every single day. I write a lot about them and you can read more on my website....

I think if you are one of those who prefers a bird that has not been well socialized and you want to take on that challenge....good for you. I hold no judgment and I think it is wonderful; however, I do think if you start with a good breeder who socializes your baby, you will have a different experience - and it will be a good experience.

Socializing may or may not include hand feeding. I don't think the hand feeding is as important as raising a secure, socialized parrot - and that takes time on the part of the person raising the baby.

As far as sexual maturity, I have five birds all over 9 years old....the oldest is 20...and like any animal, they do change as they mature but they also grow into your household. You work with them just like you would any other being that you care for...adapt, make changes....but there are a lot of myths that somehow they lose their pet quality and that will be up to you and how you raise them. If you don't give them attention, they will lose their pet quality but if you do raise them and give them attention, pet quality increases exponentially....

Thx

[cml]

I've always said that there is nothing "universally good" about parrots that I can explain to just any human who will then understand.
For example, dogs - they are good companions, will always love you and want to please you, and be your friend for life. Not everyone understands or would (or could) ever have a dog, but I can always say that, to explain why I have a dog.

But with parrots - there is nothing like that, that I can say.
I only have them because they are fascinating creatures, that I am interested in. Mine don't talk, they don't perform tricks, they don't cuddle with me, I don't have them because they are large and impressive (Saga is nowhere near that anyway ), and frankly, I have never found parrots to be good companions, and I've lived with 4 larger parrots, and about 17 psittacines as a whole in my life.

If you want a nice companion, dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits etc. are better.
Right now, I am again wondering why on Earth I have a macaw. Or parrots overall, since the Meyers I've had for eight years bit me right by my eye a couple of weeks ago. I could have lost my sight on that eye completely, and I'm just twenty years old.

They are a PITA, they scream, make a horrible mess, cost loads of money, bite (even causing permanent damage), and are - the way I feel now - barely any fun to be around at all.

If I get a hand fed baby, do my best at socializing and training, work with screaming and aggression, would it actually be worth it?-which brings me back to my top questions. I know every parrot has a different personality and anything can happen. Would it stay tame after sexual maturity, enjoy hands on interaction, and possibly be an "ideal" pet as some people might describe their parrots?

PLEASE don't get a hand fed baby. Don't buy into the myth of a hand fed parrot being the "perfect pet", and don't feed the pockets of the breeders and pet stores when there are millions of unwanted birds.

I am going to sound harsh now, but look at it like this - for every one (1!) chick bought, one more bird will be brought into this world, because you bought a "product" that has been "sold out", so another one will be put in its place.
Then one bird in a rescue loses the chance of a home, since you could have taken it, but didn't.
And one bird will have to be put down (killed) or "thrown away" to god knows where because there is not enough room in rescues.

That is the harsh thruth, whether we like it or not.

Take in a rescue or rehome, and one less will be brought into this world (if no one bought the "products", no more would be produced), one in a rescue will have gotten a new chance, and one more bird can be taken into a rescue.

Also, hand feeding (parental deprivation) is not good for the birds at all and should not be encouraged. It is a myth created by breeders to give them extra money. If you remove the eggs or young from a pair, they will immediately breed again to replace the clutch they lost. Meaning more income per pair, per year.
Also, breeders often force-wean the young too soon, so they can be sold much sooner. More income for less work.
Also, they can charge much more for a hand fed, already tame bird, than for a parent raised one.

But hand fed birds will still scream, they will still bite, they will still hit sexual maturity and attack people, they may still pluck. In fact, hand fed birds do that more often, they have much greater tendency to become aggressive, fearful, neurotic, and develop behavior problems such as incessant screaming and plucking. (Google "Greg Glendell", one of the world's best parrot behaviour experts, and "Parental deprivation in parrots".)

I have had much better experiences with parent raised birds than hand raised ones. The hand raised ones view human hands as something to get food from, and they have neither bird skills ("people skills") nor any respect for your hands. (Note - respect is not fear, it has nothing to do with fear. Your bird should respect you and you should respect your bird, equally.)

A parent raised bird who has been tamed in a natural way (by trust, not forced from birth) learns a respectful relationship to humans, and they have the social skills in them, which they were taught by their parents. They also know they are birds, and know how to behave like a bird, which causes less mental distress and frustration, and personally, I like my birds to act around me like I am another bird, rather than the bird trying to be a human.
It makes the communication much easier, it's better on the bird's psyche (and I quite like them preening my fingers, which my hand fed birds have never done).

With no disrespect, without a good finishing punch line (like: ...but its all worth it anyway =)), this post contributes nothing but negative energy. I feel for you and I hope you can find the joy in keeping parrots again =)! Im also very glad you're okay after Saga's attack on your eye.

The debate regarding handfed, or parentraised is a valid one, but try to stay objective and helpful. Dont get me wrong, I am all for parentfed birds, but for this to be a happy place were we all help eachother out, we need to keep the tone of our posts nice =)!

[Sixwing]

Why is a parrot a good pet or companion?

They're a constant challenge.

They can be little clowns; it's impossible for me to stay angry while I'm watching a bird play. (See also: bath time.)

They really are beautiful; though that by itself is probably not enough reason to commit to one, any more than it would be for a human relationship.

They are constantly changing, learning, seeking, and finding new things. They teach me even as I teach them - I am learning to communicate with them as surely as they are learning to communicate with me.

I can't afford to space out with a bird out - they require my attention and focus, and that, for me, is a very good thing.

My birds inspire me to make them new toys, push me to keep teaching them new things, and entertain me endlessly. They keep me mentally flexible as I try to stay one step ahead of them. (For instance, I have now built five iterations of Jetty's favorite forage toy in a month, each one different.) Working with them has given me more patience, a keener eye for detail, and a new appreciation for the simplest things - for instance, watching a parrot enjoy the heck out of a stick.

They give me a reason to build little simple things out of wood and rope, which is a fun challenge for me that will become a fun challenge for them.

They have their downsides, but for me, the up sides outweigh those enormously.

[trademark]

I feel more encouraged to get a parrot. I have really wanted to for a while, I just wasn't sure it would be worth all the effort. I didn't want a semi tame "pet" animal who preferred to not even be looked at like my past birds, who were all adult rehomes. I wanted a fantasy dream bird like so many people seem to describe their pets as-super cuddly birds who rarely bite or scream, wonderful pets, great clown birds etc.
I have been around some pet parrots and know what a parrot can be like and, though not exactly what some people describe them as, they still make very fascinating animals. In short, the last thing I want is a bird that will make me want to run off the edge of a cliff because of wild jungle shrieks 24/7, and biting and attacking everything for no reason, and mutilating itself making me feel guilty that it would have been much happier with someone more experienced. (and I do realize that all parrots make noise and most will not be "canary chirps" especially in the morning and evening, and will bite if feel threatened or exited) I didn't know that about hand raised baby. Does any one know where I can get a parent raised white eyed conure? Or just any info besides loudness, since they are aratinga species. They don't seem very common anywhere, even on this forum.

[Cage Cleaner]

They think they are your equal--or at times even your superior. And they have the intelligence to back it up. From this fact comes many aspects of parrot ownership that just doesn't exist anywhere else on the pet spectrum.

From what I can see, they are the only type of pet that can and will actively go out of their way to use -your- communication form to work with you. This includes talking, obviously, but also other things such as imitation of motions, and daily routines. My parrots eat when I start eating. Mine imitate kissing motions with their beaks, accompanied by kissing sounds (though in a hilariously pathetic way since they have no lips to speak of and it just look as if they are opening and closing their mouths very quickly). The GCC will laugh with me, nod along with me to music, and try to include himself in a phone conversation by imitating what a phone conversation sounds like on his side. They know words in context, and use them.

This is of course a great thing, but also a horrible thing for someone who is not expecting what living with a parrot is actually like. I stress the use of the term -living with- and not owning, because really at times it is debatable . The negative part comes in when the parrot will tell you "bad bird" and then bite. Or if it knows you are waking up or rushing out the door and screams to get your attention at a certain time of day.

What else? Parrots are extremely complicated and well as delicate psychologically, and being in a relationship one is much more of a challenge than with any another animal. The love of a parrot needs to be earned, and kept. There has to be mutual respect, which sometimes means that the owner cannot just assert dominance and make the parrot do whatever she wants him to do without damaging the relationship. They will tell you when they are done with you, and if that is not respected, they will make their body language louder. They are not a pet that's always ready to be with you, and should not be expected to be so. However, when the parrot-person relationship is figured out, and the parrot falls in love with you, it is easily one of the most flattering things in the world.

And what else? They live a while. The relationship that is fostered doesn't automatically start hinting that it's reaching its end at around 8-10 years of age. They can be true life companions, which is of course again a bad or a good thing. Bad, if the owner is not ready for it. Good--even great-- if she is.

Parrots are absolutely phenomenal, but they are not like any other pet. And the reasons, some listed above, that make this true can either make them true man's best friend, or mans worst enemy.

[liz]

The dog is man's best friend. Of course my cats don't know that and act like the dogs with greetings and unconditional love.

The parrot is a companion. It will laugh with you and cry with you. It can hold a conversation and ask questions as well as answer them. Of course there is a down side. I have never had a dog or cat tell me off when it didn't like what I said.