Parrots might not be the first port of call when you’re thinking about getting a pet, but if you’re interested in a long term animal that is going to give you endless hours of fun and entertainment, our feathered friends are definitely worth considering. Most pet birds will live for over 15 years and they make excellent companions if you know how to take care of them. They can be trained too, of course!
There are a few things to think about first if you’re interested in getting one of the bigger pet birds, parrots especially. They are expensive, to begin with. They require a lot of room, spacious parrot cages and tend to get very attached to one person. Like any pet, you can’t just leave them by themselves all day. They get lonely and they deserve as much attention as they want. They’re your responsibility after all, so don’t go thinking they’re just something pretty to look at when you’re bored, or a household accessory to entertain guests!
If you’ve ever visited a home with birds, you will probably understand how noisy they can be. This can be individual bird dependent, but the vast majority of pet birds can be startlingly loud – and the bigger they are, the louder they’re going to be. It won’t be just you who has to put up with the noise, either. Think of the neighbours! Think of the mess they can cause too – birds, not the neighbours. Some species can be incredibly destructive, so just be aware that you should probably keep anything valuable well out of their reach.
Diet for most bird species is relatively simple, but some of the large bird species can have quite complicated dietary needs. If you get your parrot from a breeder, make sure you ask them for as much information as they can give you about precisely what to feed your new companion. There are also plenty of books to help you get the menu exactly right!
Ok, so it isn’t all bad. Parrots especially can make wonderful and enjoyable pets that are very intelligent and learn quite quickly. As everyone knows, parrots can be taught to talk! Not only that, but you can train them to do a lot of tricks. It’s likely they enjoy the mental stimulation and it means you’re spending time interacting with your parrot, too.
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