10 Top Considerations Before Adopting A Parrot

Most people like to adopt parrots because they are physically and generally attractive having colorful feathers and great vocal personalities. However it is best to carefully consider various aspects before adopting a parrot.

Some top considerations before adopting a parrot:

1) It is interesting to observe that parrots like parakeet, lovebirds and cockatiels are noisy, messy and destructive; they love eating all day and drop and discard pieces of food everywhere. They love to chew and shred wood from a perch, toy, furniture, curtains, electric cords and paper. They also like vocalizing by squawking, chirping, and talking.

2) Parrots need exposure to light by UVA and UVB rays of the sun or full spectrum light for at least 4 hours in a day; it provides them with Vitamin D to promote absorption of Vitamin A, so critical for their upper respiratory health. Parrots also need a minimum 10 hours sleep at night.

3) Parrots need good quality air; parrots replace 100% of the air in their lungs with each breath, so they need air free of pollutants. They should not be exposed to pollutants like tobacco smoke, chemical fumes from hairspray and cleaners or Teflon coated materials; chronic exposure to toxins cause premature or even immediate death.

4) Parrots transmit Chlamydiosis (psittacosis) and avian tuberculosis to human beings; those with compromised immune system are significantly affected. Also parrots continuously shed feather dust that aggravates asthma in some people. So it is significant that the rooms used by parrots have HEPA-type air filters to control allergies from bird dander.

5) Parrot varieties that are the native species of other countries are not distinct than their wild ancestors; they are different from domesticated animals like cats and dogs that are distinct from their wild ancestors.

6) Parrots are extremely social creatures and are like children as far as their emotional and social life are concerned; you need to give them quality time throughout their lives and they never grow up.

7) Adopting a species of parrots means a life-long commitment, as all parrots live for a long time of 20 to 50 years or more.

8) Parrots are inquisitive and active and require a lot of room to play and move about; an indoor or sheltered outdoor aviary or a flight safe room would help them get exercise. It is also significant to note that parrots with clipped wings need exercise in the form of climbing, swinging, and flapping, and need ample space, toys and climbing structures.

9) Parrots need a varied diet of seeds, pellets, grains, beans, fruits and vegetables.

10) Lastly parrots need the regular care and consultation of a veterinarian who has specialized in birds; this includes the recommended tests and examination on adoption and the regular annual well-bird examinations.

Image Courtesy: Google