PARROTS AS PETS

Have you ever watched those amazing videos of talking parrots doing tricks and thought “I’d sure love to own a parrot!” Before you do, think twice and do some serious homework first. It’s illegal to bring wild-caught species into the U.S., including parrots. Many species of macaw, cockatoo, and larger parrots are declining in the wild, in part due to the illegal pet-trade. As nestlings, these birds are stolen from their nest and sent to local markets or other countries to sell, but the journey is often deadly. Only a fraction survives the trip. Most nest-robbers plan for such deaths by capturing four or five times as many birds as make it to market. For more info, see parrotsinternational.org.

Larger parrots, cockatoos, and macaws require a lot of attention – without it, they can have serious behavioral issues. When young ones reach sexual maturity, they can become more aggressive and bite. These birds are long-lived attaining ages of 60 years or more. Depending on your age, such pets might outlive you. They can get very attached to a specific owner, so when passed down to your kids or re-homed, parrots may not form another bond with the new owner. If you must own a cockatoo, macaw, or parrot find a responsible breeder to ensure that it’s captive-bred and not wild-caught. The illegal trade of parrots must stop as several species are facing extinction. If you’re ready for a new pet, adopt a sweet dog or cat at your local animal shelter. Do it for the owls.

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