Both parrots and children are precious beings. None of them is better or worse than the other because in my opinion all creatures are equal. Our association with them and the experiential value gained from it is what make us being fonder of the one over the other. For a loving parent, it is natural to think that his child, his own creation is the most beautiful existence in his life and it is logical to draw a similar conclusion for a person who hadn't had the chance or the desire to have a child, but has a pet which he dearly loves and means the world to him.
Personal values, preferences and experiences differ, but the universal value of all creatures should be equal. So terms like better or worse matter only to the individual...
Alexander