Parrots: Are You Ready for a Lifetime Commitment?

Rita Sambruna, Director of Homes-for-Life Program, The Phoenix Landing Foundation

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Oscar is a cherry-fronted conure who was never let out of his small cage in 15 years and is now afraid of hands. Beau, a Nanday conure, plucked his chest bare when his caretaker started her second job, keeping her away from home long hours. Budgies Pete and Sweet were left at a bird store in a paper bag. Melody, a wild-caught sulphur-crested cockatoo, was relinquished from her 20+ year home when the family expanded. The list goes on and on...

These are a few of the rescue parrots currently in our care at the Phoenix Landing Foundation, a non-profit organization serving Northern VA (www.phoenixlanding.org). The parrots are placed in foster homes while waiting to find the right person to adopt them.

Parrots are the second most popular companion animals in the US. According to Sybil Erden, Director of The Oasis Sanctuary in Arizona, there are between 20 and 50 million birds in captivity in the US, the majority of which are parrots. The charm of parrots as pets is easily understood: people are attracted to their vibrant colors, antics, and ability to talk.

But why does anyone want to get rid of their parrots? After all, you stick them in a cage with food, some toys, and they are fine, right?

Wrong.

Parrots are highly social animals and have a strong sense of flock. When we take them to live with us, we become their flock and they expect to spend as much time as possible with us. When this is denied, many birds will literally die of stress, thinking they were abandoned. Moreover, parrots are highly intelligent. Research by MIT Professor Irene Pepperberg demonstrates that parrots have the intelligence of a 5 year old child and the emotional development of a 2 year old. They understand the meaning of what they are saying and use words in context to communicate with us. Perpetual toddlers, parrots need attention, and mental and physical stimulation to thrive.

Most importantly, parrots are wild animals. Unlike cats and dogs, bred by humans for thousands of years, companion parrots are only one or two generations removed from the wild (fortunately, importing wild-caught birds is illegal in the US). And while many pet parrots are hand-fed and hand-tame, by no means are they "domesticated". Companion parrots bring all their wild instincts and behaviors to our homes.

Parrots do not know how to behave in our homes; they have to be taught what constitutes acceptable behavior and what does not using what behaviorist and author Sally Blanchard calls "Nurturing Guidance" (learn more at www.companionparrot.com). Factor in their longevity (many species live up to 80+ years) and you see how parrots are a lifetime commitment.

Do not get me wrong. Parrots can make wonderful companions. But only for the right person - and most definitely not for young children.

Parrots are a "lifestyle": to care for them properly over so many years requires considerable time, energy, and money - vet bills, toys, proper diet, and roomy cages are just some of the necessary items. Unfortunately, most people never take the time to do their homework before getting a parrot. And thus, after the initial honeymoon is over and undesirable behaviors pop up, or the bills pile up, the owners decide that "the bird has to go". Or maybe they move, have a baby, or divorce. The result is still the same: the bird ends up in For Sale ads, entering a "merry-go-round", is given to rescue organizations, or just languishes alone in the basement.

The Phoenix Landing Foundation was born out of a deep concern for the well-being of parrots in the Northern VA area. We have two goals: 1) provide homeless parrots with the best possible permanent homes, and 2) educate the public about their nature and needs. The Foundation hosts monthly seminars aimed at improving the lives of companion parrots through augmenting the knowledge of their caretakers. Check our Web for the schedule. Don't miss the December 13 event with behaviorist Liz Wilson and the holiday sale!

If you think you can provide a parrot with the lifetime of love s/he deserves, we would like to hear from you. Prior knowledge of how to care for a parrot is not required, as we can teach you. Adoption and fostering applications can be downloaded from our Web page. All applicants will be screened.

Parrots are not for everyone. They are a lifetime commitment and a great responsibility. But the bond with a parrot can be one of the most rewarding experiences of life. If you decide you are "parrot material", consider fostering or adopting an older bird. There are thousands of homeless parrots who make excellent companions. One of them may be looking for you!