Be ready for a loooong commitment. Most larger parrots live over 60 years. We've had our African Grey for 30 years. She's just now middle age. I'll have her until I'm 90.
My Grandmother had a parrot. She had been her father's bird and she inherited her. As a child, visiting was always special, as Polly actually remembered me. My mother grew up with the bird and hated her probably because Polly knocked her off roller skates on the sidewalk.
Polly was a hit at all the local schools and got a huge obit in the Bismarck, ND paper when she died in the 70's. As far as we know Polly was close to 75 years old.
You don't need someone to stay with them. But you will need someone to stop in and care for them every day. If you leave out extra food and water, they'll just throw it around and be out after the first day anyway.
I have a couple friends on Fecebook who have African grays, and I used to be friends with a couple that had a pair as well. Pretty cool birds. A lifelong commitment, unless you get one that's already older. Otherwise your kids might be inheriting them.
I had a friend with a parrot that went nuts. The parrot… not the friend. But apart from making tons of noise, it started pulling all of its own feathers out. The only feathers left were the ones it couldn’t reach… the head. It looked like one of those fake rubber chickens from the neck down.
Would you like to have a loud, moody toddler who can fly their way to any part of your house and doesn't wear a diaper?
Because in my experience, that's what having a parrot is like. Sure its great when you teach them to say things...but that's kinda the only great part...
. they are wonderful but require way more than a dog. i have 30 yr macaw. it's full time toddler stage until hormonal. right now she's not nice! honest truth. i love birds
I owned several - had to give up because of a toxic home.
They are very high maintenance - need lots of healthy food, and stimulation due to high intelligence. They are VERY loud! You need an excellent avian vet as well.
If you are determined, rescue a parrot! https://www.iowaparrotrescue.org/
I've been watching parrots and other birds on tiktok. I may be under the influence of a foreign government, or this may just be a plot on the part of parrot breeders to make a fortune off of innocent retirees like me.
Personally, I highly recommend Cockatiels. They are part of the parrot family. Make sure the one you get has been hand raised. They are the sweetest, smartest and most friendly. They live to about 20 - 25 years. They generally cost around $200.
I've never had a parrot. Our cockatiel, Norm (cuz everybody knows his name, lol), genuinely thought he was one of my boys. When I would cook dinner, he would make the oven timer sound. I would have to give him a little plate of whatever the kids were having. He would even try and play the guitar.
I had a shih tzu for 15 1/2 years that I adored. He was a super smart dog. My cockatiel was smarter. Also, super affectionate. Only downside is they poop EVERYWHERE!!
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They’re extraordinary, chatty, and have strong emotional needs. If that’s for you, I’d recommend finding a rescue. 🥰
They are also very demanding and ruthless.
You will be treated like a servant and told how insufficient your efforts are.
goldfish it is.
What about vacations and leaving them alone? Do you hire a parrot nanny?
Because in my experience, that's what having a parrot is like. Sure its great when you teach them to say things...but that's kinda the only great part...
They are very high maintenance - need lots of healthy food, and stimulation due to high intelligence. They are VERY loud! You need an excellent avian vet as well.
If you are determined, rescue a parrot!
https://www.iowaparrotrescue.org/
I've been watching parrots and other birds on tiktok. I may be under the influence of a foreign government, or this may just be a plot on the part of parrot breeders to make a fortune off of innocent retirees like me.
Cockatiels are better pets.