Owning a parrot is it a burden?

Question

Is all the negative replies i read about owning a parrot really justified and what is the best tempered bird to own, also how old before a CAG becomes an 'adult'? My red tail is 3 months old and follows me around like a puppy.

Answer 1

well, i own two Cockatiels, and boy are they loud! They aren't very destructive, though. They do chew the toys that can be chewed, and they spill their seeds and food every where, and they p**p! But having a bird can be fun! Training it to talk, creating a bond, playing with it, and other things is really fun. But commitment comes with owning one. You MUST feed, water, and play with it all the time! If it bites a lot, like our Cockatiels, then you can still have fun with it. We take our aggressive 'tiels out anyway, but we use gloves, and we bring them into a separate room and let them fly around and stretch their wings.

Yes, owning a parrot has it's pros and cons, but there are just as much pros as there are cons!

and parrots (depending on what type you are getting) can live a LONG time, with proper care of course! But why wouldn't anyone want their feathered friend to live a long and happy life????

parakeets are nice to own too! my family owns 6 parakeets! They are mess-makers, but they aren't very loud. they loved being handled if they are trained at a young age to like you. They can sing really well, whistle, and even talk! Males have a waaay bigger vocabulary than females though.

Good luck with your parrot!  

Answer 2

Owning a parrot is a joy, a huge challenge and a commitment.  If you are burdened by commitment then you will be burdened by owning a parrot.

A parrot is a wild creature that has been bred in captivity for very few generations.  It is not domesticated like a dog or cat that has been bred in captivity for many, many generations.

Parrots are frequently loud, destructive and messy.  They are highly intelligent, emotional and demanding.  They hide their illnesses well and require a veterinarian that is skilled in avian medicine.

All parrots, from the little inexpensive budgie to the largest and most expensive macaw, deserve the same level of care and veterinary attention.  At some point you will spend hundreds of dollars for an avian veterinary visit.  If you love your bird, you'll do this willingly and be grateful that your vet was able to help your bird.

A parrot can never be left alone because you want to spend a weekend at the beach.  You'll either make arrangements to safely bring your parrot with you or you will find a qualified pet sitter or a qualified boarding service.  

Depending on the species of parrot you choose, your bird will be your companion for 10 - 75 years (or more).  During this time you owe your parrot all the love, care and attention you would give  your child or spouse.

If this is a burden to you (and it IS a burden to many), a parrot may not be the right companion for you.

Hope this helps,

Colette

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/Parro...

Answer 3

I don't feel as if my birds are a burden, it's just a matter of who you ask. To some people, their kids are a burden. Birds are a lot of work, but well worth it. I love all of mine. I am really bonded to my Lorikeet and she is to me. I love to teach them new words and watch them play. I have good birds. There are birds who bite and lunge at people, or have severe behavior/health issues, which I guess could constitute them being a burden. They are very much like kids, so if you feel like kids are burdens, then you will probably feel that way about birds. They are totally dependent on you and always will be.  I can't really say that there is a "best" tempered bird because each bird varies in personality. There are so many bird owners out there that you have to think about the percent who actually get on yahoo answers, which probably isn't too representative of how most bird owners feel. Another words, like always the negative is what always sticks out. I wouldn't really give too much weight to all the negative comments/questions. There are pros and cons just like everything else.  

Answer 4

I own a sulphur crested cockatoo and yes it is a burden, even if you don't mind it screaming you'll find that the neighbours don't like it.

Plus they are destructive, buying the parrot is the cheap part, replacing all the stuff it wrecks is what costs you.

Plus they live for years and years, I'm sure this one will outlive me, then the next generation will have to put up with it.

Smaller quieter parrots aren't so awful though.

Answer 5

I have a Hahn's Macaw.  Got her as a baby and she was 7 this past June.

She's the love of our life and an active part of our family.  We include her at meals (on a 'T' stand) at the table, introduce her when we entertain,and travel, shop and take walks with her.  She's toilet trained, and napkin trained for when we visit indoors.  She talks, follows us all over the house, likes to b included in conversations and generally NOT very noisy.

Just my 2 cents worth.  I also HIGHLY recommend parrots as companion animals for seniors.  They are very low maintenance, relish the attention and speak your language :-)