Companion parrot

Congo African Grey Parrot on top of its cage. It has a ring on its right leg.

Companion parrot is a general term used for any parrot kept as a pet that interacts with its human a great deal. Some parrot species are endangered in the wild and rare in captivity are better suited to conservation programs than as companions.

Generally, almost any species of parrot can make good companion parrot. All larger species of parrots, such as Amazons, African Greys, Cockatoos, Eclectus, Hawk-headed Parrots, and Macaws; most mid-sized birds such as Caiques, Conures, Pionus, Poicephalus, Rose-ringed parakeets, and Rosellas, and quite a few of the smaller types including Brotogeris, Budgies, Cockatiels, parakeets, Lovebirds, and some Parrotlets are often considered companion parrots. Trapping wild parrots has endangered or reduced some wild parrot populations

Species of pet parrots that are not generally considered companion parrots include lories and lorikeets, Hanging parrots, and Fig parrots, fruit and nectar eating birds which are generally kept in colonies. Such species as Pygmy parrots and Kakapos, Night Parrots, and about half of the species of parrotlet, are not considered companion parrots due to the difficult dietary requirements.

Maintenance

Parrots are not easy or low maintenance pets; they require daily attention and interaction with their owners, a diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables (exact dietary requirements vary with species), a large cage, toys to chew up, veterinary care, and time out of the cage whenever possible. They are expensive to care for, messy, and large parrots can be quite loud and destructive. Some parrots end up in rescues because their owners did not realize the level of care required when they bought a parrot.

As pets

Are said to be are rewarding as pets, due to their high intelligence and desire to interact with people. They have a tendency to bond to one or two people, and dislike strangers, unless they are regularly and consistently handled by different people. Many parrots are affectionate and require a lot of attention. Most pet parrots take readily to trick training. Trick training can help to redirect a bird's energy and prevent or correct many behavior problems. Some owners have trained their parrots to wear parrot harnesses so that they can be taken outdoors relatively safely. Some owners even successfully use well behaved parrots as therapy animals.

Behavior

Different species (sometimes even different individuals within species) can vary greatly in temperament, noise, and talking ability. Most larger parrots are unsuitable in an apartment setting due to noise level. Some parrot species are often good talkers, but there is no guarantee that any individual parrot will talk. Some species are poor talkers, but popular for their affectionate personalities. Budgies, cockatiels, and lovebirds have been bred in captivity the longest and are readily available in many color mutations. Budgies have been strictly captive bred as pets for well over 100 years, exist in two distinct breeds (American and English), and are usually considered to be domesticated.

Household settings

While many parrot species do well with children, and can be good family pets, they are generally not a good child's pet due to their potential lifespan and care required. Lifespans range from around 15 years for a budgie or lovebird, to 20-30 years for a cockatiel or small conure, to, in rare cases, up to 80-100 years for Amazons and Macaws. In addition, a large parrot's bite could injure and scar a child.

Adoption

There is a small industry in breeding parrots for the pet trade. When chicks are small breeders put a specially made closed bird ring on one of its legs with identifying characters stamped into the metal. A closed ring would not fit over the foot of a grown parrot, so its presence proves the bird was not trapped from the wild.

The best source for a young parrot is from a good breeder or good specialty bird store that takes time to ensure their babies are healthy, well socialized and raised properly. It is important that hand-reared baby birds are fully fledged (have been allowed to learn to fly) and are cracking nuts and seeds for themselves (hence can eat a suitable diet) before going to a new home. Adult parrots that are being sold by their owners or offered for adoption from a rescue often make excellent pets after they adjust to a new home. Some of these, however, may have been neglected or abused in the past, and may do best only with an experienced parrot owner.

External links

• Good Bird - a parrot magazine site with information on training, behavior problems, and enrichment
• Bird Clicker training (an excellent all positive training method)
• Birds n' Ways - information and lists of suppliers, avian veterinarians, and aviaries
• Information and listings of suppliers, veterinarians, rescues, aviaries, and classifieds
• Tinkerbell - Account of flighted CAG parrot in Taiwan and how to keep a companion flighted parrot at home
• Problems Faced by Parrots in Captivity
• Don't Breed. Don't Buy. Adopt a Parrot!
• Bird Mills - Avian Puppy Mills