Before You Buy a Bird
The number of exotic birds being kept as pets in U.S. households is estimated to be anywhere between 20 and 40 million. Most exotic birds kept as pets are considered to be part of the “parrot” family. Exotic birds are not domesticated animals as they still retain all of their natural instincts. It’s important to always remember that exotic birds are wild, prey animals, even if they have been kept as pets for many years.
Is an exotic bird right for your lifestyle?
Many people are attracted to exotic birds due to their bright and beautiful colors, their playful personalities, and their ability to talk. Yes, parrots are amazing and beautiful animals, but beware! Parrots are often a lifetime responsibility, so you need to be sure before taking the plunge.
How long do you expect to be able to properly care for a bird?
Some birds have much longer life spans than others. Some live as long as a dog or cat; 10-15 years. Others live much longer; 60-80 years, or more! Continue to ask yourself the questions below to determine if you have the ability to provide many years’ worth of care to an exotic bird.
Do you anticipate any major life changes?
Getting married, having a baby, starting a new job (or increasing your work load), going back to school, or caring for an ill or aging relative are some reasons people give birds up, claiming an inability to properly care for them any longer. If you think you might experience any of these major life changes, you might want to think more about the kind of bird you bring home, or about bringing home any bird at all. Additionally, many species of parrot can be dangerous to small children.
Are you, or anyone you live with, very sensitive to loud noises?
If so, a bird is definitely not the right pet for you. All birds are noisy. In fact, many species of birds are downright loud! Some of the smaller species have more tolerable noise levels, but there is no such thing as a quiet bird. Birds use songs, screeches, calls, and other noises to communicate, to express themselves, and to alert others of danger. This is a natural behavior that everyone in the household should be able to tolerate and even enjoy!
Are you a neat freak?
If constant mess makes you crazy, a bird might not be the best pet for you, as they are naturally messy. They fling their food, they poop, and they love to chew things. Most people who live with birds find that cleaning up after their pets is a daily activity. Between vacuuming, sweeping, changing cage papers, and wiping down cage bars, it is a constant chore that you need to be able to attend to. A dirty living environment can easily cause your bird to get sick, which leads us to…
Do you have the finances to properly care for an exotic bird?
Birds are not cheap pets. Many people pay hundreds, even thousands of dollars to buy a bird from a pet store or a breeder. Along with that pricey bird comes a large cage made of bird-safe materials like stainless steel, quickly destroyed toys, an often specialized diet, regular veterinary care from an avian specialist, and other miscellaneous expenses, like playstands, subscriptions to avian care magazines, carriers for outings, etc.
Do you have the time to devote to your feathered companion?
Birds are extremely social animals. In the wild, they live in flocks, which provide them with companionship and safety. They are rarely if ever alone. They need at least 2-3 hours out of their cages every day in which to interact with you or other birds who may live in nearby cages. Birds who live with and are bonded to other birds will require less time with you for socializing, but they may also be less friendly and less tame to humans.
Does everyone in your household want a bird?
Even if you think you will be the birds’ primary caretaker, a bird will affect everyone in your home. If even one person is opposed to having a bird in the house, it’s probably not a good idea to get one.
