Difficulty of Parrot Ownership Over Time

[MandyG]

I decided to say that it stays the same. Some things get easier and then new things come up as the parrot's personality develops and as new behaviours emerge. I'd say owning a parrot never becomes a walk in the park but on the other hand it doesn't get increasingly more difficult. The types of issues at hand just change.

Although I'm starting to think that I'm doing something wrong since most people are saying it gets easier... Maybe it also depends on the type of parrot you have? My conure has never been difficult to keep, I'd say having her has gotten easier. She makes a huge mess and eats a lot but after having her a few months I can clean her cage and her other messes much more efficiently than when I first got her. My Amazon is constantly making my life interesting. That can be due to the 'terrible two's' or from seasonal aggression. Maybe Amazons are more difficult to keep, or he's just starting to get to that age where he's getting to be sexually mature while Pele is a mature hen?

[born2fly]

I enjoy taking care of my birds and I don't find it as a chore, so I can't really say it’s easier since it was never hard. But as MandyG mentioned already the one thing for me that seems to get more difficult is keeping them mentally and physically stimulated. Coming up with new ideas, toys and activities that for one they are interested in and two are interested longer than few minutes has been more challenging over time.

[Giantmoa]

hmm, we definetly have our ups and downs but I'd say its gotten easier because I understand her better with time. I was one of those accidental parrot owners who found a cockatiel flying free and never was able to find the owners. It was a HUGE learning curve- I didn't even know the type of bird I'd found at first. After reading all the bird care books I could get my hands on and learning to interact with Lucky (my 'tiel, r.i.p.) things certainly got easier.
When Rainbow came along, it was a difficult first few weeks just because she wasn't used to much human contact. In that respect its gotten easier because of training, bonding,and all that jazz. Now that the adorable baby stage is passing I do see signs of her "Teenage" stage coming along, which is something I never had to deal with with my 'tiel since she was already an adult...

with some birds more than others I think there are rough patches to watch out for- breeding season, ect. but so far I think it stays the same or gets easier with time unless outside or unusual circumstances play a role

I haven't thought about it before, but I've had parrots for 6 years now!

[zazanomore]

I find it gets easier. When I first got the budgies and Einstein, I had to get used to their own personalities and start to begin routines. Over time I get to know my birds better and better. I can see small changes in body language, and I know there personal likes and dislikes. Routine makes everything a lot easier with birds.

I think over the next few years it will be easier and easier.

[patdbunny]

For the most part "easier" and less stressful because I know what to expect now after 20 years, and am now in a "groove" in taking care of the birds.

More time consuming in that I've amassed more than the original few pet birds.

The biggie for me is to not get closed minded after all this time and keep reading, observing, and learning. Keep reminding myself I DON'T know everything, or new/change isn't bad.

Roz.

[Natacha]

I found it got easier.

Specially in the context of having taken in rehomed birds with whom I had to build a relationship of trust - as time goes by and the relationship becomes stronger, it's just easier

[mrstweet]

I voted more difficult for several reasons.

1. Puberty - if you start with a juvenille you will experience this, and it is hard
2. Addition of more birds - if you become a bird lover, at some point or another you will probably add another bird. This adds more time and stress (birds interacting, $, etc). However, highly rewarding.
3. Training doesn't ever end. As birds age (especially the larger ones) you can meet new problems. More work, more difficult.
'4. Life changes - when you get a bird at that moment you're finding a way to fit the bird into your lifestyle. Things can change (moving, new baby, new pets, new landlord) that can be a big headache, and while most of us wouldn't give up our bird for the world, some people do for changes like these. It's a lot of difficulty to make room for something atypical when you're leasing an apartment, or when your cockatoo starts fighting for attention with the new baby...

Just a couple of reasons. Maybe I was thinking to generally, but now that I'm involved with a rescue I think the facts are fact when birds get surrendered, and since we have so many in our care that "difficulty" shows its ugly head a lot.