How to Decide if a Parrot Is Right for You

Co-authored by Marlene Mc'Cohen

Last Updated: February 15, 2024 References

Parrots make wonderful pets, but they're not for everyone. Many parrots end up homeless because their owners did not make a good choice. Before welcoming a parrot into your home, it is important to know whether you can provide the necessary care and attention that parrots require and whether you can afford the costs of keeping a parrot healthy and happy. Knowing what sort of time, financial, and emotional commitment you are making to care for a parrot will help you to decide if a parrot is right for you!

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Getting to Know Parrots

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Consider the various types of parrots. Parrots vary widely in size, color, lifespan, and habits.^{[1]
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Research source} Understanding the differences between these birds, and knowing what to expect in terms of their cost, care, and habits is crucial to deciding which, if any, is the right one for you.^{[2]
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- Smaller varieties (Budgies and small Parakeets,^{[3]
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  Research source} Cockatiels,^{[5]
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- Medium-sized parrots (Caiques,^{[7]
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  Research source} smaller Conures,^{[8]
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  Research source} Lories,^{[9]
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- Large parrots (African Greys,^{[11]
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  Research source} Amazons,^{[12]
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Locate local parrot owners through groups online^{[15]
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Research source} and visit with their adult birds. You should also look into parrot sanctuaries if you have any close to you. Many of these have classes on parrots that are a good resource to first time bird owners, or people looking into adopting an older bird. Remember, if you get a baby parrot, his or her personality is not guaranteed! Just like with a child you experience babyhood, puberty, young adult, and then adult stages of life.
3
Find a good breeder or pet store that specializes in birds. Spending time with parrots is a good way to see what it might be like to have one as a pet. And since each parrot has its own personality, this is an opportunity to get to know some parrots. The more parrots you can spend time with, and the more experienced parrot people you can talk to, the better equipped you'll be to make a responsible decision about owning a parrot.
- Breeders tend to have mostly babies, and baby parrots act very differently than adult parrots. They are often quieter, more friendly, more adaptive to change, and more interested in cuddling.
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Considering Care and Attention

Parrots are complex and misunderstood animals.^{[16]
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Research source} While parrots are beautiful and some can learn tricks, if you are looking at a parrot because of its appearance, don't waste your money or time. Parrots are intelligent additions to your family and need the right kind of attention, varied activity, and a fresh diet.^{[17]
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Research source} Caring for a parrot is a lifetime commitment of time and energy every day.^{[18]
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2
Be prepared for a social and playful animal. Parrots are companions, not ornaments; they want significant daily interaction and stimulation, in addition to training. If a parrot would be left alone all day in your home, then it is probably not a good pet for you. Larger birds require more handling and training than smaller varieties. Improper care or handling of a parrot can lead to behavioral and even health problems.
- While a cage is a practical necessity and a home for a parrot, this doesn't mean that they're happy while in them. All parrots need cages large enough for them to be active in as well as time outside their cage.^{[19]
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  The Humane Society of the United States
  National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare
  
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- They also like to be handled, and may learn to talk or mimic sounds. And they will definitely make a lot of noise; parrots are naturally noisy and will do flock calls several times throughout the day, though smaller parrots have a quieter call then others. Most parrots are not good for people living in apartments or who don't like noise.
- Parrots bite to communicate that they don't like what is happening to them. If you don't like being bitten or the idea of going to work with a bite on your face, a parrot may not be right for you.
- Parrots are masters at hiding illness; as a defense mechanism that evolved in the wild, they do not show signs of illness unless they are extremely sick. It takes a caring and attentive bird owner to catch the early signs of illness.
There is no such thing as a parrot who isn't messy. Parrots can, and will, fling food and they will poop almost everywhere. They'll make a big, big mess! It's really ideal to have the parrot cage on a hardwood or tile floor. Expect to vacuum or mop around the cage daily. You'll also need to wash bowls and toys, and clean the bottom of the cage daily.
4
Know what parrots eat. Parrot diets vary greatly, though the core of their diets consist of pellets, fresh fruits and vegetables, and whole grains.^{[20]
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Trustworthy Source

The Humane Society of the United States
National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare

Go to source}
- Cooking for your parrots is a great way to display your love for them. Its also a great way to offer them more food and expand their eating options and habits.
- Parrots can also eat in moderation almost anything that humans eat, including cooked meat and fish, and cheese.
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Assessing Costs

Visualizing startup and recurring costs will help you to decide if you're financially capable of providing the care and conditions that a parrot needs to thrive. For a small parrot, initial costs could be $110 to $150 with annual recurring costs of $300 to $500. Larger parrots could cost $1,500 to $11,000 initially and then $700 to $1,200 annually.
2
Calculate initial costs. At the outset you will need to consider the cost of:
- the parrot. A parrot can cost anywhere from $20 for a Parakeet to $12,000 for a Macaw, though most people spend between $50-$2,500 for a hand-fed baby parrot.
- a cage. Cages can cost between $35 and $1,000. This can be expensive, especially for larger birds, but think of it as an investment. The initial purchase of a cage and other essentials will last for years to come. If you can't afford the cage you want for the parrot you want, rethink the purchase.^{[21]
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- water and food bowls. You should have 3 bowls in the cage at all times: one for fresh water; one for the regular diet; and one for fresh daily food. You can add a fourth bowl for treats and toys if you like.
3
Calculate recurring costs. In addition to costs at startup, you have to consider the cost of a parrot's upkeep. Be prepared to spend regularly on:
- food. Seeds and fresh food will cost between $10 and $60 a month, depending on the size of the bird.
- toys. Healthy and happy Parrots love to chew and destroy items. You should buy several toys of every type that are appropriate for your parrot, including acrylic, wood, and rope toys. Replacing toys will cost between $10 and $40 per month. Cardboard boxes and empty toilet rolls also work well.
- cleaning supplies. A dustpan and brush, reusable rags, as well as carpet cleaner are musts.
- trips to an avian certified veterinarian. A typical annual checkup will cost between $50 and $75, while a typical exam if the bird is sick or requires medication could cost between $200 and $500. Real emergencies could cost upwards of $1,000. You need to have the financial ability to pay high veterinary bills if the need arises. Avian medicine is more specialized and expensive than medicine for other common domestic pets.
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Question

Can I leave a budgie's cage outside, and what is a safe temperature?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

There are two aspects to this question: safety and the environment. Budgies do enjoy time in the fresh air, but never leave your bird unsupervised, even in a cage. Local cats or even predatory birds may give the budgie a nasty fright. Indoor birds won't be hardy, so it's best to take the cage out only in good weather (no rain, wind, or extreme temperatures) and make sure the bird has access to shade at all times. The temperature range budgies are comfortable with is around 70 - 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

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Question

Why do parrots bite?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Birds have a natural instinct to protect themselves, but relatively few ways of doing so. Using that powerful beak to nip is a highly effective means of defense. Parrots are intelligent birds, and rapidly learn that biting causes people to withdraw. In behavioral terms, they learn biting is a rewarded with the very thing they want to happen: the person takes his hand away. The bird may even learn that by acting aggressively as a person approaches, this successfully stops them from coming closer.

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Question

Is a parrot a good pet?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Getting a parrot as a pet requires a lot of careful thought. They need a lot of mental stimulation and attention, and if ignored, will be noisy and destructive. They also live for decades, so the prospective owner needs to plan ahead and be certain they can still care for the bird in 10, 20, 30 or even 40 years time. In addition, avian vets can be tricky to find and are expensive, so there is a financial commitment to consider.

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Tips

In addition to online resources, start reading! A good parrot book can tell you almost everything you need to know about owning different species of parrots.^{[22]
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If you've decided that a parrot is what you want, and you've decided on the species you want, research a breeder carefully.

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Consider fostering a rescue parrot to experience having a parrot on a temporary basis

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Warnings

NEVER rescue a parrot from a bad pet store! Buying a parrot from a bad pet store financially rewards them, and guarantees they will continue to purchase and harm more parrots in the future. Report them to appropriate authorities, and boycott the store.

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Do not get a parrot with behavioral problems unless you've received training or classes on how to deal specifically with those issues. These problems exist in rescued parrots, or older parrots who are being re-homed.

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Do not buy a parrot that is not weaned. Hand feeding a baby parrot is a VERY specialized skill and you can seriously injure or kill a parrot by improper feeding. The parrot will not be more bonded to you personally because you were the one to hand feed it! Unless you're an expert, wait until they're weaned to bring them home.

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