Parrots as Pets, Finding a Match
After days of thinking about it, you finally decided. With a voice full of conviction you say: I will get a parrot for a pet. Okay, this maybe an overreaction to some but owning a pet should not be taken lightly. I have seen a number of individuals who took the plunge of getting an animal companion without carefully considering what it takes and ends up giving away their pets for adoption. If you’re not prepared to own a pet, be it a parrot, a dog, a cat, or even a gold fish, then don’t get one. If you’re prepared, then continue reading.
Parrots can come from the wild or through breeders. A wild parrot might have some problems with captivity plus you really don’t know if the bird has some sort of disease. Since such is the case, it is highly recommended that you go to breeders when you’ve decided to get a parrot. Birds that are bred in captivity generally are tamer than their wild counterparts.
However, you must remember that parrots are wild animals by nature and thus will not behave like your pet dog or cat. Although it might be true that parrots bred in captivity might have been hand tamed making it easier for you to handle the bird, you must be prepared when it throws a fit or is super moody.
On another issue, I personally discourage getting pre-owned birds or parrots, those usually set up for adoption. I’m not against it but there’s a chance that the bird may have picked up several words from previous pet owners which you may not like. This is a personal issue, but such things do not bother you then go ahead, as long as the parrot is in good health of course.
Some of the more popular parrot species picked as pets include Cuban, Hyacinth, Scarlet, Macaws, Moluccan Cockatoos, Tucuman and Green-cheeked Amazons.
When trying to spot a healthy bird, look at its features. The feathers should be tight against its body instead of ruffled up or are in constant disarray. The eyes need to be bright and the bird should generally be lively. Be wary of birds that sleep all the time for this might be a sign that they are sick. If you find one, call the attention of the breeder since they might have overlooked this fact. The bird may be in trouble.
Most reputable dealers today provide medical papers showing their birds are in good health. This is an advantage to pet owners.
Once you’ve picked one, you need to be careful when transporting your new pet. Be aware of how your new pet feels. If the parrot is already agitated, then don’t transport the bird in a cage. The parrot might dash and fly about the cage, banging itself on the bars eventually hurting a wing or leg. A dark box would be ideal for such situations then.
After you get your new pet home, a whole new process of taking care of it lies in front of you. Take on the challenge by being well prepared and you will do just fine.