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 its [[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>

Species of parrots that are kept as companions include large parrots, such as [[Amazon parrot|amazons]], [[Psittacus|greys]], [[cockatoo]]s, [[Eclectus parrot|eclectus]], [[Red-fan parrot|hawk-headed parrots]], and [[macaw]]s; (Species include hybrids like the [[Catalina macaw]]) mid-sized birds, such as [[caique]]s, [[conure]]s, [[monk parakeet|quakers]], [[cockatiel]]s, ''[[Pionus]]'', ''[[Poicephalus]]'', [[rose-ringed parakeet]]s, and [[rosella]]s; and many of the smaller types, including ''[[Budgerigar|Budgies]]'', [[brotogeris]], [[cockatiel]]s, [[parakeets]], [[lovebird]]s, [[parrotlet]]s and [[Barred parakeet|lineolated parakeet]]s.

Some species of [[lories and lorikeets]] are kept as pets but are quite messy, and often more popular as [[aviary]] birds. [[Hanging parrot]]s and [[fig parrot]]s are normally kept as aviary birds and not as pets. Some species as [[pygmy parrot]]s and [[kakapokākāpō]]s, [[night parrot]]s, and about half of the species of parrotlet, are not considered companion parrots due to difficult dietary requirements or unavailabilitylack of availability.

The ''Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora'' (also known as [[CITES]]) has made the trapping and trade of all wild parrots illegal, because taking parrots from the wild has endangered or reduced some of the rarer or more valuable species. However, many parrot species are still common;, and some abundant parrot species may still be legally killed as crop pests in their native countries.

[[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=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>

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 mimicked is the variety of foods in the diet. 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 bird will need 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> Because of this, foods with a high-fat content (such as fatty seeds) should be fed sparingly, since a companion parrot does not get the amount of exercise to necessitate such a high-fat diet. Adding some variety to the parrot'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=10 March 2021|website=vca_corporate|language=en}}</ref>

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=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=10 March 2021|website=NW Parrot Rescue|language=en-US}}</ref> While companion parrots can enjoy many of the foods that their human caretakers eat, foods that are too high in salt, fat or sugar can cause health problems and lead to poor diet and nutrition if given to parrots too regularly.<ref name=":5" />

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 specialty 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.