May 31st is Parrot Day! Parrots are fun, vivacious, and full of personality. It can be easy to be charmed by videos of Polly dancing around being adorable, but owning one of these birds is a huge commitment, and requires a lot of work. A local Bucks County, PA vet lists some things for you to consider before adopting a parrot in this article.

Research

There are over 350 types of parrots, most of which live in the wild. It’s worth noting that only a few types of parrots are actually considered domesticated: the vast majority of pet parrots are only a few generations removed from being wild. Parrots vary wildly as far as their appearance, size, volume, personality, and lifespan. Speech capacities also vary widely from bird to bird. Before adopting Polly, you’ll need to do a lot of research on her species.

Commitment

One of the biggest things to consider when adopting a parrot is Polly’s longevity. Some of these colorful birds can live to be 100. In fact, there’s a parrot in England that is over 114 years old, and was rumored to have belonged to Winston Churchill! Lifespan also varies from bird to bird. Even smaller parrots, such as cockatiels, may live to be 30 years old. Like our other animal companions, parrots become very attached to their humans, and can be traumatized by changing owners. Keep this in mind before adopting Polly.

Care

Parrots are definitely not the easiest pets to keep. Polly is cute and lovable, but she’s also a rather messy roommate, and has a habit of spilling her food everywhere. You’ll need to provide your winged pal with lots of toys, and make sure that she gets daily free time outside of her cage. Parrot-proofing is also a must: this will ensure that your home is safe for your pet. Another thing to keep in mind is the fact that parrots  can be, well, a bit loud.

Proceeding

While our feathered friends may not be the right animal companion for everyone, they definitely have some very devoted fans. Many people are absolutely smitten with their winged pals. If all lights are green, go for it! Adopting a parrot can be fun and enriching. The biggest thing is to know what to expect.

Do you have questions about parrot care? Contact us, your local Bucks County, PA animal clinic, today!