Choosing your Exotic Bird Commpanion

Alright you think that you want an exotic bird for a pet, but before you take the plunge and bring home a new bird, consider a few points:

• Do you and your family have enough time for a bird? Birds are highly social creatures and some of them are very demanding of attention! Cockatoos, for instance, can become depressed and unhappy if not given the attention they require. An unhappy bird may begin to pluck its feathers or start screaming constantly for attention. Unless you have the time to devote to one of the more demanding breeds, pass on these lovely birds. You owe it to yourself and to the bird to be sure you are making the right choice. 

• Do you live in an apartment where bird noise may be bothersome for your neighbors? A large parrot has very healthy vocal cords! These beauties can, and will, be quite vocal at times. Some of the smaller birds, such as cockatiels, love birds, some of the smaller conures, or parakeets and canaries make wonderful apartment birds. Each of these birds is packed with personality and, though noisy in their own rights, are not noisy enough to disrupt an entire apartment building!

• Do you have other pets in your home? Many birds have been killed by their owners pet dog or cat. Can you seperate them so your parrot can have the time out of its cage that it needs? Is your pet going to leave your bird in peace and safety while it is in its cage?

• Do you realize the importance of a good diet for your bird? Seed is NOT sufficient. An all seed diet is horrible for your birds health. Your bird will need fresh fruits and vegetables, pellets,  grains, and protiens.

• Are you willing to purchase the largest cage you can afford for the bird? Bars must be spaced closely enough together to prevent the bird from getting its head caught and to prevent the smaller birds from squeezing through and escaping. A large enough cage is one that allows the bird plenty of headroom with enough room to spread its wings fully with a few inches of space on either side. You wouldn't want to spend all your time in a closet...don't expect your bird to be happy in a cage that's too small.  You cannot purchase too large of a cage for your companion parrot.

• Do you have your heart set on a large macaw, cockatoo or Amazon? Adopt, Adopt, Adopt!!! If you are set on a handfed baby only, make sure you are buying from a reputable breeder, and make certain that it has been properly weaned.

•   Also, don’t overlook the small birds! Cockatiels, lovebirds, parakeets and conures are fantastic companion birds. They don't know that they're not 'big birds' and have personalities as fabulous as the larger species. They can learn to talk, too!

Although parrots are intelligent, playful, social, beautiful and curious, they are still wild animals and their connection to their own wild roots run deep in their veins and in their genes. Parrots are not domesticated pets. Don’t let that beautiful picture in the magazine of the majestic Macaw sitting so lovingly on his pet humans arm lull you into a false sense of security. Owning a parrot is something that must be considered closely.

Your tame, but still wild bird will at one time or another (or everyday)

• Bite you

• Bite others

• Be very, very messy 

•  It may not want to talk to you, or anyone else. Just because the species you pick can talk doesn’t mean it will be inclined to do so, or choose to talk to you. 

•  It will chew: the trim off of your door, your bedpost, that antique grandfather clock your grandfather left you and just about anything else that strikes it’s urge to forest.

• It may not like you 

• It will cost you a lot of money and a lot of time

• It may decide that it detests your wife/husband/brother/sister or your child.

• It may want to attack your dog or cat, or other pets (including other birds)

• It will be very expensive and time consuming. Some parrots require HOURS a day outside of its cage, interacting with you and its environment.

• It won't be young, cute and cuddly forever. It will reach sexual maturity and it will put you through all sorts of "coming of age" drama. This is much more pronounced in the larger parrot species.

Sharing your life with a companion bird can be extremely rewarding, but it is also a HUGE commitment, both in time and finances. Study up on the birds you are interested in, read books, ask questions, visit a exotic bird rescue, and get some hands-on experience before making your decision.

By asking all the right questions, looking at all the angles and playing with lots of different birds, you will be able to make the right choice and share many wonderful years with your avian companion.