I positively adore animals, and parrots are no exception. I’ll eagerly handle and talk to my friends’ birds, and the macaws and African grays at the zoo are among my favorite attractions. But, while I’ll eagerly adopt animals ranging from rabbits and fish to ferrets and cats, I know with certainty that I will never, ever own a parrot. I personally believe that, while responsible parrot owners do exist– my friend Michael Segers is one of them– the vast majority of parrot-guardians are not equipped to handle these animals’ special and complex needs. I certainly wouldn’t be able to do so.
Here are five reasons that I will never own a parrot.
1. I don’t have time for one. Parrots are extremely intelligent and social animals and require a significant time investment. Large parrots need almost as much attention as a baby, and significantly more attention than a cat or a dog. I already have a child, and barely have enough spare time for my significant-other and my rabbits. Adopting a parrot is much like adopting a child, and should only be done when a person can commit to making time for the new family member.
2. Parrots live too long. I have had many pets in the past who have lived to ripe old ages, and of course I have missed them when they’ve been gone. But, in some ways, the short life spans of most pets are actually convenient. I don’t know what the future holds for me. My two beloved rabbits will likely pass away within a few years, and this will make it possible for me to alter my lifestyle in ways that I can’t right now. If I adopt a dog next year, I will know that it will die before my daughter goes to college, so a pet-free apartment or flights to Europe will become a possibility. However, in the case of parrots– which can live to be 80 years old or more– the animal is truly a lifetime commitment on the same level as parenthood or marriage. I am not prepared for that sort of commitment.
3. Parrots die unnecessarily in many human homes– and would die in mine. I burn candles frequently, and the fumes from these sweet-smelling pleasures are acutely toxic to birds. I also use essential oils as perfume and potpourri, and they, too, could claim a parrot’s life. I want to leave the door open to adopting a pet cat or dog in the future, but these predators would quickly hone in on a parrot and destroy it. Because I love animals, I understand and accept that I can not responsibly own a parrot because of my lifestyle.
4. Parrots can be very aggressive. Unless hand-raised and kept in humane, loving homes with adequate attention and space, parrots can become frighteningly aggressive. We may not think of parrots as being as dangerous as pit bulls, but an angry bird with claws and a sharp beak can seriously injure its handler. Concerns about my daughter’s safety and the safety of my other pets prevents me from wanting to own a parrot.
5. Pet parrots are dirty and can spread disease. Parrot owners spend a significant amount of time cleaning up the droppings of their beloved pets. Parrots produce large amounts of often-foul-smelling feces and tend to shed feathers and skin in surprisingly large quantities. They can also carry diseases, such as salmonella, that can be transmitted to humans. Although it’s possible to keep parrots in a safe and sanitary manner, people who don’t like to clean or who have compromised immune systems are best off avoiding them.
Although I respect responsible parrot owners, I personally have no desire to keep one of these high-need birds in my own home. If you are considering owning a parrot, visit the ASPCA’s website and carefully consider the ramifications of adopting a pet bird. No animal deserves to be unwanted, unloved, or uncared-for.