If you are considering bringing a parrot into your home, there are a few things you ought to know about living with parrots. I'm not here to tell you about how much attention they need (a lot) or how much enrichment they need (also a lot) or what a healthy diet consists of (not seed!) I'm here to tell you about the long term toll on your life that parrots provide.
Howdy neighbor!
Many of parrots’ wild behaviors cause issues in our living areas. Loud vocalizations are necessary to communicate in the wild, and they don't grasp the concept of an "indoor" voice. Though you may be able to tolerate the constant yelling of a parrot, will your neighbors? Even the smaller ones have calls that carry. Will you ever have to move? If you do need to move, will you be able to find a home far enough from other people that they won't complain? Just because an apartment complex allows parrots doesn't mean complaints from your neighbors won't get you evicted. Even homes that are a couple of lots away can often hear your bird yell, whether the windows are open or not. This isn't to say that the vocalizations are a reason not to give a parrot a home, but truly consider the ramifications.
Food flinging fun!
Another behavior that parrots engage in is flinging their food. Parrots can get food from the tops of trees, and the scraps flung below provide food to ground foragers, rot to provide nutrition for new plants, and also allows seeds to germinate. In your home you probably don't have ground foragers (though many dogs will gladly oblige) and wouldn't want plants sprouting from compost in your carpet. When parrots eat, they often take a bite or two and fling the rest. Even if it's their favorite food, crumbs will fall. The walls and floor near their eating area, as well as any furniture or decorations will inevitably have food stuck to or embedded in them. If you don't mind scrubbing walls and floors daily, and the colorful splotches from berries only give character to your white carpet or walls, then perhaps living with parrots will not be disruptive to your lifestyle.
I choose to chew!
Many people mention biting behaviors in parrots, usually in reference to avoiding being bitten. Whether your bird bites you or not, they need to use their beaks or they will become overgrown. This means biting and chewing on things. No matter how many toys you provide for them, something else will always seem more appealing. Your baseboards are good for making toothpicks, as are your dining chairs and other furniture. Fluffy things like couch cushions or carpet make fun nesting material. Electrical wires have a fun texture (especially ones difficult to replace.) Books are also great fun to tear up. If you require your home remaining intact, as well as the items you've placed in it, living with a parrot will be difficult.
What did you say?
The attention they require will also often lead to excessive vocalizations, especially when you are on the telephone. This negates work from home positions that require a quiet environment, and can make speaking to your soft spoken aunt long distance difficult. If everyone you communicate with is comfortable with email, then it may not be a problem. Of course, that's providing that your parrot hasn't chewed through the internet cable.
Consider carefully your desired lifestyle before committing to living with parrots.
• This is based on my personal experience.
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