Companion parrot: Difference between revisions

[[Image:Congo African Grey pet on a perch.JPG|right|249px|thumb|[[Grey parrot]] on top of itstheir cage.]]

A '''companion parrot''' is a [[parrot]] kept as a [[pet]] that interacts abundantly with theirits [[human]] counterpart. Generally, most species of parrot can make excellent companions, but must be carefully managed around children and other common pet species like dogs and cats as they might be hostile towards them.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fabclinicians.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Bird-multispecies.pdf |title=Multi-species household |via=fabclinicians.org |publisher=Fellowship of Animal Behavior Clinicians}}</ref>

[[Image:Black-headed Caique (Pionites melanocephalus) -cage bars.jpg|left|thumb|[[Black-headed parrot|Black-headed caique]] in itstheir cage]]

With the right home, parrots have the potential to make excellent, highly interactive, affectionate, and entertaining pets prized by their owners, but should not be considered easy care or low-maintenance pets. Tame companion parrots require daily attention and interaction with their owners, and need to be housed in a [[Cagebird|cage]] at least large enough to allow the bird to spread itstheir wings and move about comfortably. Companion parrots also need to be fed a diet that includes fresh vegetables and fruits, and a smaller amount of seeds and grains; dietary requirements vary with species and activity level.

Other elements essential to a companion parrot's well-being include appropriate toys to chew up and play with; veterinary care; and social time out of the cage whenever possible—preferably on playgymsplay gyms or other out-of-cage perches. The largerLarger parrots can be expensive to care for, messy, destructive, and loud, and some individuals may exhibit some aggressive behaviors during adolescence. Like dogs, parrots require some amount of basic training and proper early socialization to mature into good companions. Their intelligence means parrots learn new behaviors—both good and bad—easily.

Many birds end up having to be rehomed because their owners did not realizeadequately understand the level of care required when they purchased the bird, did not understand how loud they can be, or did not understand how to properly socialize and train their bird. This is especially true for macaws and other species with dramatic, beautiful colouring, as well as cockatoos due to their intensely affectionate demeanor. These traits unfortunately make them tempting impulse purchases, leading to hundreds of macaws and cockatoos being put up for adoption.

In more recent years,{{when|date=June 2023}} pellets or formulated diets have become very popular, especially in the US. They offer an advantage over a seed-based diet in that a parrot cannot pick out and eat only its favorite (usually fatty) seeds.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://birdcareco-shop.com/pellets-for-birds-yes-or-no/|title=Pellets for birds - yes or no|website=birdcareco-shop.com|access-date=2019-12-10 December 2019}}</ref> The majority of avian veterinarians will recommend a pelleted or formulated diet, and will extensively discuss with owners what their bird should and should not eat.<ref>Laurie Hess, DVM, Diplomate ABVP (Avian Practice) [http://www.birdchannel.com/bird-diet-and-health/bird-care/what-to-expect-from-your-avian-vet.aspx "What To Expect From Your Avian Vet"].</ref> However, although these offer an easy alternative to other foods, they are not the best for many species.<ref name=":0" /> Many pellets contain artificial food dyes and preservatives that may be harmful;<ref name=":1" /> however there are "no-color-added" options available on the market.<ref>Susan Chamberlain [http://www.birdchannel.com/bird-diet-and-health/bird-nutrition/polly-doesnt-want-cracker.aspx "The Truth Behind Popular Pet Bird Food Myths"]</ref>

Most pellets contain soy, which is not a part of a parrot's natural diet; however, the diet of wild parrots cannot be replicated in captivity. Avian veterinarians and nutritionists agree the pelleted and formulated diets are the best base diet for pet birds. Although pellets may be advertised as a "complete diet," there are dozens of species of parrots commonly kept as pets, all with varying nutritional needs.<ref>Donald J. Brightsmith & Debra McDonald. [http://www.beaksup.com/articles/Scarlet%20Macaw%20Diet.pdf "Scarlet Macaw diets in Tambopata, Peru: studying wild parrots to improve captive bird nutrition"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707220112/http://www.beaksup.com/articles/Scarlet%20Macaw%20Diet.pdf |date=7 July 2011-07-07 }}. Retrieved on 2009-12-17 December 2009.</ref><ref>Carol Highfill. [http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww72eiii.htm "Different Species, Different Diets Environment, Climate, Evolution"]. Retrieved on 2009-12-17 December 2009.</ref> There are still many birds which develop problems such as vitamin toxicity, fatty liver disease or gout, despite being on a pelleted diet.<ref>Bill and Sandy Harrison. [http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww47e.htm "FEEDING OUR BIRDS Part I - Nutritional Needs"]. Retrieved on 2009-12-17 December 2009.</ref>

A common mistake made by owners feeding pellets is over-supplementing them with fresh food. As a pellet is, essentially, a supplemented grain, supplementing them even more "dilutes" the diet, making the pellets less efficient and the diet unbalanced.<ref name=":1">Malcolm Green. [http://www.birdcareco.com/English/Arts/Pet_arts/PelletsOrSeed/POS.html "Pellets - Yes or No"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410072937/http://www.birdcareco.com/English/Arts/Pet_arts/PelletsOrSeed/POS.html |date=2009-04-10 April 2009 }}. Retrieved on 2009-04-10 April 2009.</ref> The best diet for a bird should be determined by an avian veterinarian.

==== '''Additional Diet Requirements'''diet requirements====

While a wild diet can never be replicated, it can be used as a guide for a companion parrot’s diet. One aspect that can be followedmimicked is the variety. The amount of foodfoods providedin tothe your companion parrot varies based on their size and energy expenditurediet. Parrots in the wild spend a lot of time being active;, flying and searching for food. In captivity, parrots spend much less energy daily, so the amount of food neededbird will beneed less food.<ref name=":2">World Parrot Trust. (2017). Parrot nutrition: Keeping your feathered companion healthy. <nowiki>https://www.parrots.org/pdfs/all_about_parrots/reference_library/health_and_nutrition/WPT-Parrot-Nutrition-Guide.pdf</nowiki></ref> ThisBecause isof also a reason to limitthis, foods with a high-fat content (such as fatty seeds) becauseshould be fed sparingly, since a companion parrot does not get the amount of exercise necessary to eatnecessitate such a high-fat diet. Adding some variety into yourthe parrotsparrot's diet not only adds nutritional value but also enrichment for the mind.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=Fruits and Vegetables in Bird Diets|url=http://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/fruits-and-vegetables-in-bird-diets|access-date=2021-03-10 March 2021|website=vca_corporate|language=en}}</ref>

==== '''Adding Freshfresh Fruitfruit and Vegetables''' vegetables====

TheFresh bestfruits additionand tovegetables aprovide pelletedvitamins dietand isminerals freshand fruitsare andan vegetablesimportant becauseaddition theyto providea vitaminspelleted and mineralsdiet. Raw fruits and vegetables are bestmost suitable, butif makethoroughly sure to rinse them thoroughlyrinsed before feeding them to yourthe petparrot. Canned produce musthas a high-salt content and also berequires rinsedrinsing becausebefore ofserving to the high-salt contentbird. Cooking the produce removes some of the nutrition but is okay in small amounts. Try to provide a variety of fruits and vegetables so that your pet benefits from various nutrients.<ref name=":3" /> ThereCompanion areparrots manyenjoy fruitsa andwide vegetablesvariety thatof yourfruits companionand parrotvegetables, can enjoy. Listslists of thesewhich canare beoften found in some ofon the resources belowinternet.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />

==== '''Foods to Limitlimit or Avoid''' avoid====

Some foods (including some fruits and vegetables) are toxic to parrots and should never be fed to them. All fruit pits and seeds, any part of an avocado, chocolate, caffeine and alcohol should never be given to parrots.<ref>Milpacher, D. (2010). Human foods: Are some dangerous for parrots? World Parrot Trust. <nowiki>https://www.parrots.org/pdfs/all_about_parrots/reference_library/health_and_nutrition/dangerous_foods_for_parrots.pdf</nowiki> </ref> <ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=List of Food Not Good for Parrots|url=https://pets.thenest.com/list-food-not-good-parrots-6575.html|access-date=2021-03-10 March 2021|website=Pets - The Nest|language=en}}</ref> Other foods are not necessarily toxic, but should only be given in a limited capacity. Two examples of this are garlic and onion.<ref name=":4" /> Another food to be limited is dairy products. Parrots cannot digest lactose and can have digestive problems if given too much dairy. Owners are instructed to give dairy products as a treat and only sparingly.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|last=Driggins|first=Christopher|title=Toxic Foods • NW Parrot Rescue|url=https://nwparrotrescue.org/important-documents/toxic-foods|access-date=2021-03-10 March 2021|website=NW Parrot Rescue|language=en-US}}</ref> AlsoWhile becompanion waryparrots can enjoy many of anythe foodfoods that their human caretakers eat, foods that are too high in salt, fat or sugar. These foods can cause health problems and lead to poor diet and nutrition if given to parrots too regularly.<ref name=":5" /> While companion parrots can enjoy many of the foods that their human caretakers eat, it is best to always research any food item before letting a parrot consume it.

When tame, parrots may allow and appreciate petting and cuddling from their owner,; however, in certain circumstances, such as petting the back and beneath the wings (in the wild, only the bird's mate will touch a parrot in this manner), the bird may misinterpret this physical contact as sexual behaviour. This may then lead to unwanted hormonal aggression, nesting behaviour and [[chronic egg laying]] in pet birds.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://threebirdsandacloud.wordpress.com/2014/01/19/cuddles-mean-sex/|title = Cuddles Mean Sex|date = 19 January 2014}}</ref>

Many of the larger parrots are unsuitable in an apartment setting due to noise level. Although all parrots will make some noise, species that are generally less noisy include parrotlets, budgies, cockatiels, ''[[Pyrrhura]]'' [[conures]], ''Pionus'', caiques, greys, and usually ''Poicephalus''. Many of the other species of [[conures]] can be loud birds. [[Cockatoos]], and many macaws and amazon parrots can be very loud, though normally only at certain times of the day and some birds will learn to scream for attention.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.idausa.org/campaign/wild-animals-and-habitats/parrots-as-pets/|title=The Truth About Parrots as Pets|website=IDA USA|language=en|access-date=2019-12-10 December 2019}}</ref>

Parrots use their hooked beaks to help them to climb around, as well as to shell seeds and nuts. It is normal for a parrot to use its beak to explore and to get around; it is common, for example, for a parrot to rest its beak on a person's hand to steady itself as it steps up. Many parrots also like to gently beak or attempt to preen their owner's hands. However, even tame parrots can bite humans, particularly if confused or frightened, so it is wise to keep larger birds caged around small children they are not familiar with. Large parrots such as macaws and cockatoos have powerful beaks designedthey use for crushing large nuts.<ref name=":0" />

Additionally, a young child could unintentionally injure a small bird such as a budgie; some parrots unaccustomed to children may find the high energy level and noise of a young child threatening and may bite. The bite strength of larger birds such as Macaws can be very dangerous and is well in excess of even a pit bull dog (375 psi comparecompared to 275 psi).<ref>Dr. Brady Barr of National Geographic, Dangerous Encounters: Bite Force</ref> Parrots that have been raised and socialized around children from a young age typically do much better with children than parrots who are introduced to children at a later age.

There is a small industry in breeding parrots for the pet trade. Breeders may range from small hobby breeders caring for just a pair or two to large breeding farms that may house hundreds of pairs. When chicks are small, breeders may put a specially made closed [[Bird ringing|bird ring]] (bird band) on one of their legs with identifying characters stamped into the plastic. A closed ring would not fit over the foot of an adult parrot, so its presence proves that the bird was banded when it was a young chick.

Some breeders leave the chicks in the nest longer and thus have to use an open band on the bird's leg. However, some breeders do not band the smaller commonly bred parrots, and some owners may have their bird's band removed after purchase because of the possibility that a band might become caught on a toy or other object and cause injury (removal of a band should be done by a veterinarian or experienced person). Bands are the main method for identifying an individual bird, which is helpful if thethat bird is lost. Sometimes the larger and more expensive parrots are micro-chipped with a tiny security device, as well as being tagged with a leg ring.

Places for young parrots include breeders and specialityspecialty bird stores that ensure the chicks are healthy, well socialized with people and raised properly. Before being taken to a new home, hand-reared chicks will be fully fledged (have been allowed to learn to fly), can crack nuts and seeds for themselves, and will have been fully weaned from semisolid hand-rearing food (or fed by itstheir parents) to an appropriate diet. Some breeders will additionally accustom their young parrots to different experiences, such as harness-training, traveling, and handling by a variety of people including children, taking advantage of this impressionable period of development.

Adult parrots that are rehomed by their owners or offered for adoption from a parrot shelter often make excellent pets after they adjust to a new home. Some of these, however, may have beenexperienced neglectedneglect or abusedabuse in thetheir past, and may do best with an experienced parrot owner. The rehoming of a companion parrot, in most cases, can be avoided by doing enough research before acquiring one and determining whether the potential buyer has a lifestyle that suits the species he/shethey isare considering, and choosing a bird that is most compatible with the human'stheir lifestyle. Owners should also consider potential lifespan when selecting a species, and make appropriate arrangements if the bird is likely to outlive the owner.