The Joys of Owning a Parrot - Family - Pets

Parrots make friendly, intelligent, affectionate pets bringing joy, friendship and companionship to their owners. Each parrot is unique and owners will spend many happy moments getting to know and caring for these energetic and interesting new friends. Parrots are social, sensitive and empathetic birds requiring attention and interaction with the people who take care of them. The joy of owning a parrot comes from the owner interaction in providing a suitable home, daily care and feeding, training and the realisation that their new friend has his or her own unique personality and capabilities.

There are approximately 330 species of parrots in the world and most come from tropical and semi-tropical regions. Parrots have long lives and many will sometimes live beyond that of the owner. Cockatoos and macaws may live to eighty years of age. Cockatiels and budgies have life spans from ten to up to twenty-five years. Conures live between thirty and forty years.

Each parrot species possesses a unique personality that may require special care. Conures and Pionuses are quieter than other parrots and require large doses of attention and understanding from their owners. Cockatoos are attached to the individuals taking care of them and are very possessive of them. Normal Macaw behaviour includes bawling, biting and excessive chewing. The nine species of parrot lovebirds mimic the human voice and other sounds they hear. These roguish birds are cuddly and crave hand feeding.

Loving, caring and feeding a parrot is one of the joys of ownership. Parrots normally consume a combination of seeds, leaves, insects and carrion. They also desire fruits, vegetables and nuts in addition to their normal diet. Parrots need enough cage space to play with toys, eat, drink, climb, swing and move around. Cages should come equipped with enclosed bars to prevent the bird from escaping and should accommodate the bird's size. Parrot cages should contain a play-stand to perch upon, ladders, ropes swings and toys that the parrots can spend many solitary hours playing with.

Parrots have the capability of learning to communicate with their owners. Teaching a parrot to talk is one of the more enjoyable ways owners have of interacting with their pets. Parrots are the most vocal in the early morning or evening so owners should try to structure short daily speaking lessons during these times. It is recommended that owners begin parrot speaking lessons by scratching the parrot behind its head and speaking out loud the words "I love you" to incorporate action so that the parrot will learn the meaning of the words.

Owning a parrot takes hard work and determination. You have to make sure that you are able to look after their needs and provide them with a suitable habitat.

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