Comments on: The Parrots And People Paradox

A Popular Pet, Parrots Can Live As Long As Humans And Require Time, Attention And Patience

[BethandtheFlock]

This article is typical of the Animal Rights movement. They do not want any of us to have pets. Wayne Purcell of HSUS has said he has 'no problem with the extinction of domesticated animals'....Hmmm, so we're supposed to believe them when they say we should KILL parrots simply because it takes some time to find the right home for them? All my dogs, cats and most of my parrots are rehomes. That includes my wonderful 20 year old Amazon. Yep, she's twenty, and she is as sweet as any animal can be. That's far beyond sexual maturity! We no longer take parrots out of the wild for the US. That is illegal. ALL the birds sold in the US are raised here. Yes there are good breeders and not-so-good. The job of the person looking for a bird is to educate themselves as to what constitutes a good breeder and only buy from them. Sally Blanchard's magazine was a great source of such breeders-she only accepted ads from the best.
I offer free bird education programs to local schools and nursing homes. This has two benefits: the people who get to see birds up close and learn about them, and the birds' opportunities to see new people and places. Everyone benefits.
Don't let the AR people fool you. They aren't out to help animals. They want to take our pets. Check out the House bill HR669 currently being debated in Congress. HSUS is one of the sponsors. ALL exotic animals would be banned under this bill: all birds, all reptiles not native to the US, most small animals. ALL tropical fish. Scary stuff!

[tmittelstaed]

I've never understood the parrot thing myself. Every time I've been in a pet store I've looked at them and the prices are horrific. Thousands of dollars for a bird?

[parrot111]

Like the video clip stated, parrots can be a handful at times, but generally they are quite manageable. I don't think that they're any harder to care for than a dog. But, be prepared for them to live a long time. Know what you're getting into buying them. I think that the 2 most common problems other than the owner getting bored of them is feeding them too much and not giving them enough exercise.

[summarex]

I don't get it. Is this part of some conditioning plan to ban people from owning parrots?

Beware the self appointed animal experts!

[piercesdesigns]

I am torn about the piece. I don't want to see parrots maligned, but at the same time I work with a parrot rescue and currently have 6. We have hundreds in foster homes and hundreds more waiting to come in.

Parrots are noisy, messy, a ton of work. Most people do not think through this aspect when buying that cool, pretty creature that talks. My life revolves around the flock in my care. I think people need to think it through before jumping in,

Btw, if you look up my id on youtube it is devoted to my parrots. Like my 7 yr old GW macaw. We are his 5th home! 5 homes in 7 yrs. He was deemed dangerous. He was actually misunderstood. His body language is very clear. People just don't take the time to learn it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyBl2teh3rM

[Ali_Mint]

Derron/Spazspaz1--

You are the exact problem here--a breeder and a seller of parrots. Of course you don't like my post, because it's the truth and people like me, who truly appreciate parrots will eventually put people like you out of business. I love my parrots. My parrots are fully flighted and fly around my home. I take them for walks in warm weather. They have a screened in porch in the summer. They have the finest food money can buy, new toys every single day, and board with a veterinarian in his home when I am away, where they also are allowed to fly around. I clean their cages twice a day. Where do your parrots spend their days? In tiny cages until you make a profit off of them? I love all parrots. That is why I know they do NOT belong in pet stores, breeder's businesses, or homes. They belong in the wild with their own kind, not in cages. People who make money off of animals have nothing to say here. It's like a slave owner defending slavery or Hitler defending a concentration camp. Shame, shame, shame on you.

[LADYBIRD3742]

I own several parrots and while they do require a commitment they also provide hours of entertainment and joy to their family. Those who think it sensible to euthanize. a pet simply because it is time consuming has NO feeling for the animal. The Humane Social should be ashamed to put their name to such a thought. We don't even euthanize. criminals in our prison system that have done FAR worse. People many times buy a bird, get bored with it down the line BUT want their money back that they paid for it. There are homes out there willing to accept the birds but might not have the extra cash to buy one.

[scolson]

Parrots are ending up in rescues and sanctuaries left and right. I volunteer at a rescue/adoption organization, and the way some parrots come in, and what they have gone through, just breaks my heart. There are parrots who choose to bond with only one member of the family, so they are given up. A parrot may go through a hormonal period and bite, so it will be given up. A parrot screams, chews, picks its feathers..it's given up. A parrot bites once and is labeled as "mean, vicious, dangerous." Most parrots go through an average of 7 homes in their lifetimes. Seven. That is like passing a child around...Who in their right mind would try out a child, get frustrated, and pass it from person to person? Parrots are extremely intelligent, yet they are immature. They throw tantrums, hold grudges, and never seem to forget a wrongdoing against them. Yes, they are colorful, some talk, and they can be very amusing. But once many people hear the screams for a cockatoo (who screams in the morning and evening purely for the fun of it), they don't give the bird a chance. Once they realize their Amazon parrot is finicky about who it likes, they don't bother to work through the issue. This is NOT true for all bird owners; I know many people who are absolutely wonderful and are constantly learning from their bird. But owning a wild animal is going to come with problems. The way a parrot appears in a person's home is exactly how they appear in their natural environment. They are not domesticated. They are dangerous, they can and will bite, they will scream (and will often be heard from down the block..), and many will pluck their feathers at some point in their lives. They are horribly misunderstood. Parrots do not make good pets for this reason. People who are devoted to their companion parrots will know about the issues that come about. Parrots are a joy to be around if you work with them and try to understand their antics. They can be loving, they ALWAYS want to be around you, they learn from you, and they can and will become part of the family. But the fact that these beautiful, majestic creatures were taken out of their natural enjoyment for our pleasure will always be a consequence for the birds. We cannot supply them with everything they would have in their natural environments. We can try our best, provide them with many toys and great food and time out of their cage and shower them with love, yet captivity will always be detrimental to these incredibly intelligent creatures.

[lillybeth0]

I loved Dom Deluise, who passed yesterday at the ripe age of 75. I saw him for the first time in Mel Brooks' "Silent Movie" (my first date, too) and was smitten. What a lovely man, with a big heart. But, when it comes to pets, most people don't realize that parrots can, do, and given the species, should (like amazons, cockatoos, greys, and macaws) live as long as Dom did.

I have 4 conures. 2 Patagonians, a Finsche's, and a beautiful Sun. All on average 2 years. They can drive me insane. I love them all, but they are an incredible amount of work and time ,and emotion, and wholly dominate me. Do you want a pet that clings to you constantly, poops wherever, and screams, yells, talks all day on your head, shoulder, or your white drapes, while saying "Good boy" or "come on, come here" over and over and over?) They are extremely extremely, expensive to upkeep as well, from the complicated diet to their highly priced wood chew toys. (life threatening) Lead poisoning from and follow-up treatment for the cheapo earrings ingested? $2,000; regular checkup w/blood work, $300) I had to have them sexed, so I know the sun is the sole girl of 3 parrots (1st problem: you don't necessarily know your bird's gender by looking at it given the type; sexing is expensive!. When they reach sexual maturity, watch out! they go from lovable to anywhere from aggessive to even more destructive) .

I purchased my conures based on my own age; I did research, and didn't want to get a bird that would outlive me. This is before, I must stress, I knew of the tragic problem of abandoned and homeless captive pet birds. I hadn't any idea of the whole situation. Had I known, I would not have bought birds. I would have adopted. Period. I love my birds and am of the disposition to care for them; most people would not be. They are wild animals and every day I feel guilty that i was so uninformed about the growing population of abandoned parrots to shelters and rescue agencies that needed to be founded to take them in. I have visited some in NYC and I donate money, toys, cages, etal. to them all over the country. iI's as heartbreaking as abandoned dogs and cats. Even sadder, because they are not even a little bit domesticated animals. And their population in the wild - where they belong - is in stark, precipitous decline.

I own many of Sally Blanchard's books She is a very experienced behavioral speciialist, and I have found alot of her information very useful. My parrots have happily eaten portions of all of them. However, in this post t I feel that her comments have an ulterior motive, since parrot mis-behavior and parrot neurosis have been the core basis of her career for 20+ years. Mira is sounding the alarm about this planet's fastest-grrowing species wipe-out in the wild, whichi is concurrent with the greatest, increasing population of abandoned animals. There is a terrible contradiction here, and Mira wants us all to wake up to it, take notice, and do something about it.

[gabyrdgrl]

I have dedicated most of the last 15 years of my life to caring responsibly for my parrots. All but two of the nine are rehomed birds. Two in particular have long term behavioral issues due to the improper care they got before they came to me.

My birds are well fed, well cared for and yes they require a HUGE amount of time and attention. They are messy and they are loud. Most of all they are loved and appreciated always.

I do agree that the average person and probably not even the majority of people are cut out for life with birds. More of us need to get out an educate before we start seeing birds euthanized in the thousands.

[spazspaz1]

I really believe that this piece was really one sided. I read through some of the comments here from people that say they own parrots and that anyone who sells parrots should be ashamed of themselves - well, I feel sorry for Ali_Mint's parrots - she really sounds like she hates her parrots and needed to be educated on the commitment before making her purchase..

I have been in the parrot industry for over 15 years. There have been some potential customers that I have turned away. People that look at a parrot as a "status" or for ornamental purposes should not own parrots. People that understand the commitment that it takes to own a parrot as a companion and are willing to be in it for the long haul certainly reap the rewards of sharing their lives with these incredible creatures.

Why is it that people are willing to spend hundreds and thousands of dollars on dog obedience school, but are not willing to read a great book like Sally Blanchard's Companion Parrot Handbook in order to keep their parrot and learn how to provide the proper environment of which to keep them.

Education is the key. If you are willing to take the time to research and do your homework on the species you are contemplating purchasing, you too could enjoy the companionship of one of these awesome parrots.

Too many people out there claim to be "rescues" and hide behind that title. I personally look some of them as "hoarders".

Derron

[Horace24]

I have done parrot rescue for 20 years. How sad they are so beautiful and can talk which fascinates people and thus is their downfall! People want to own them without the commitment or any idea what is involved in their care. They scream and chew and poop so they ultimately get dumped. Divorce, moving, a new baby and no time are more reasons to dump them. I am offered 20 parrots a week, especially screaming cockatoos. I can take no more. I have no life other than this and it consumes me. I love parrots and cannot bear the constant abuse and neglect I see. And people buy more. They buy them to own something exotic that will do tricks or to match their decor. THIS IS A WILD ANIMAL, not domestic even though they are "domestically" bred. THEY DO NOT BELONG IN CAGES!!!!!!!!! I wish the breeding and greed would stop!! Breeders have NO clue as to what happens to all the babies they sell. It's only about money and the parrots suffer. There are too many unwanted and abused parrots for the rescues to handle. Also beware of "RESCUES" Many "rescue" in the front door, breed and sell out the back door and the conditions in these so called rescues are horrific! Please don't buy a parrot! Please adopt and care for him wisely and well! Sabra Brea, Sabra's Parrot Rescue. Miami, Florida

[malee74]

Parrots simply don"t belong in cages.... They are not happy there.... and yes, they will go crazy if left alone for longs periods... These are highly social and intelligent animals. But they are also moody and irritable if they don't get their way.... There should be a law against pet stores selling birds because most people don't know how to care for them, and the one who suffers is the bird.... For those who really want to get a bird, please adopt one from a sanctuary. There are many wonderful ones from which to choose.

[gravyboat45]

I don't think any birds should be had as captive pets.

And they're so loud and dirty. I house sat for a friend, and he had several birds. At first I thought they were pretty cool, but it only took one day and night for me to make up my mind. Birds belond in the air, not in a cage.

[CJanetH]

Where did they get this woman? What a misleading representation of parrots!

The biggest problem I have seen in parrot rescue is that people overload a bird with attention intially and when the novelty wears off the bird gets neglected; unsurprisingly, negative behaviors commence. Almost as bad, the owner gives/sells the parrot without the cage,(this infuriates me) so it is stripped of everything familiar to it.

Parrots are wonderful companions if handled appropriately.

Sally, thank you for speaking up.

Janet Huey
petstuffresale.com
Houston Texas

[j40405]

Parrots are like other exotic pets, they really do not belong in captivity. All pets, especially Exotic pets require a lot of attention and care. Most who buy these type pets never realize how much time and money they really require, And many people cannot handle theirselves or their own children much less exotic pets. Exotic pets should be left in the wild, in their country of origin where they belong.

[debbietpl]

I felt that this news story had quite a bit of the element of truth to it. It is true that many parrot owners are giving up their pet parrots. In today's economy especially, pets are abandoned at an alarming rate. The number one excuse I have heard lately is either no money or no time. People have been too spend-thrift and too disposable about everything, putting us into this mess. Kids, animals, families, are not disposable. The decision to add an animal to a household should be made from the exact perspective of what it is like to be that animal. If you want to own a parrot, I tell people all the time, you need to consider that it's like adopting a child into your life. Your entire life will be forever changed. If you open your heart to these guys and accept the bumps along the way, you will be amazed about how much they can teach you. If we are not careful with our decisions and be mindful to make educated ones, we will all suffer, not just the birds. I see that the future of these sentient, intelligent beings will be euthanasia if we do not stop the problem of "giving them up". Do not deny that very likely possibility. Do not let it become reality--how awful.

As far as the wild flocks, most of them were established NOT from pet releases so much as accidents and subsequent additional pet releases that rarely survive but occasionally manage. Also to note, there has been little to no environmental impact on the parrot species living in the US. The only negative impact on the environment has been with Power Companies with the Quaker Parrots. There are resolutions to this problem that are not harmful to the parrots and let the power companies continue operation. Feral parrots, overall, are not a problem unlike feral dogs, cats, snakes, ferrets, fish, etc. There is legislation being debated about banning the trade and breeding of parrots. We must continue being able to breed parrots but I BEG that we do it RESPONSIBLY!!

Parrots are the third most-owned pet in the US only under dogs and cats. Even over fish, small mammals and reptiles...

Debbie Goodrich
Owner
The Parrot Lady Educational Entertainment
www.parrotlady.com

[Ali_Mint]

This piece was very informative and realistic. Unwanted and abandoned parrots are a huge and growing problem. I have two parrots and they are more difficult than having children. Pets are a lifelong committment--the life of the pet--and if someone can't honor that they should not get the pet. It is true that some parrots can live 80-100 years. I love my parrots and they will be cared for for life, but they make terrible pets and should not be living in people's homes. Anyone who sells parrots or profits from the parrot trade should be ashamed of themselves.

[sadfreak]

this country was created to give people many freedoms...if you don't like the way its going get the @#@$# out. As for the parrots, I just wish that people learn about the pets before they buy them.

[grabandgo]

I have had parrots for 20 years, yes they are demanding, because they are intelligent. They are a lifetime companion and worth every minute of it.
Owning any pet is a responsibility. You need to take it serious!