Long-Term Responsibilities of Adopting a Parrot

Owning a parrot comes with a lot of responsibility. Some species live more than 50 years. If you plan on adopting a parrot, you̵7;ll need to provide your feathered friend with lots of attention, plus toys, training and regular health care over her lifetime.

  1. Long-Term Care

    • Life span varies among species; some parrots live no more than 20 years, while others live to 80 or older, according to the SeaWorld San Diego website. Because of this, plan on caring for your pet parrot for the rest of your life. This may mean making arrangements for your parrot in your will so she's cared for even after you pass away. Parrots bond closely with their owners, so you need to factor this into your life: You must be committed to caring for a feathered friend regardless of circumstances. Moving, getting a housemate or starting a family can disrupt the parrot's security, to his detriment.

    Interaction

    • Parrots are like small toddlers for their entire lifetime. They need a lot of attention from you. These social birds need to feel like part of your family, and you need to spend at least two to three hours each day engaging your parrot with interactive play outside of her cage, training and simple us time, the Best Friends Animal Society advocates. To make your bird feel like part of the family, you must place her cage in the middle of a high-traffic area of your home so she doesn't feel alone or ignored. Keep in mind that a bored bird can quickly become destructive or develop behavioral issues. You'll want to provide Polly with a variety of toys to occupy herself when you're not around.

    Health

    • Just like any other pet, your parrot requires regular vet care and an annual exam with an avian veterinarian, recommends BirdChannel.com. Your avian vet will physically examine your bird and possibly perform stool and blood tests to check for disease. Along with providing Polly with medical care, you'll need to feed her a nutritious, well-balanced diet of seeds, grains, nuts, pellets, lentils, fresh fruit and vegetables, and legumes, according to the Phoenix Landing Foundation website. Seeds alone won't provide your parrot with the amino acids, vitamins and minerals she needs to stay healthy. Your avian vet may recommend feeding your parrot supplemental vitamins or proteins like chicken, eggs or fish. Keep Polly away from sugary foods, avocado and chocolate, all of which can harm her.

    Considerations

    • Parrots are not simple pets to care for. They are messy and vocal, and they may even bite sometimes. You'll need to bird-proof your living space to prevent injury to Polly both in and out of her cage. Hide electrical cords, turn off fans and avoid tobacco smoke, toxic cleaners and pans with nonstick coating, all of which could harm your parrot. Your feathered friend requires a regular regimen of care each day during her lifetime. This includes 10 hours of sleep at night in her cage, covered with a blanket to prevent disturbances, and at least four hours of daylight to provide Polly with the vitamin D her body needs to function, according to the Avian Welfare Resource Center. Parrots need regular baths from a shallow dish of fresh water every couple of days to stay clean.