Is a Parrot A Good Pet?

I am sure you have all heard the saying – 'Parrots have more personality than a goldfish'- and while this is very true, there are a few home truths to be known about parrots before rushing out to buy one as a pet.

Parrots are amazing animals, because, like a dog, they have the ability to become a very close companion for you. But it is far easier to train a dog initially than a parrot. Parrots are sensitive creatures that must be looked after and nurtured, and the more love and attention that they are given, the more their individual personalities will shine out.

You would do well to remember that a parrot is actually a wild animal that is meant to be living out in the wild. Therefore they can be dangerous at times and also temperamental. Although it is not possible to send a bird that has been domesticated back into the wild to fend for itself, you will need to make sure your bird is given lots of attention and kept stimulated to avoid it becoming stressed and bored, which can result in it pulling out its feathers.

A word of caution – do not buy a parrot for a small child. Parrots have very sharp beaks that can cause some serious damage if one is not careful. For this reason they need specialized training and handling initially, so that they can be taught not to bite or attack.

If you are looking for a parrot as a family pet, you may need to change to a dog for this, because most parrots only bond with one person and tend to be aggressive or just ignore other members of the family. They can also get quite possessive over the person that they have chosen to bond with.

An Amazon parrot is probably one of the most aggressive, and would make the least suitable family pet. If it is a family bird you are after, rather go for a budgie or a cockatiel.

If you do not like a noise, then a parrot is not for you. Parrots tend to be very vocal and this can irritate some people. This is another thing that you will need to train out of them and it can be done with patience, but they will still be quite noisy at certain times of the day, even once they are trained.

Make sure that you purchase an adequately sized cage for your pet, as they do need a fair amount of space to move around in, and it is cruel to keep them in a cage that is too small for them. Make sure to keep your bird out of the wind as birds hate drafts.

A well trained and cared for parrot can be a wonderful addition to your home and your life, and they can give you years and years of joy, as they have a long life span.

Those are the main points, and hopefully this article will help you decide for yourself whether or not a parrot will be a good choice of pet for you.