Can Parrots Live Outside?

If you've taken a trip to a tropical locale -- or if you live in one -- you've probably seen wild parrots flying free. For such birds whose homelands are warm, living outdoors in any colder climate would probably be a hardship. Captive birds are indoor birds. Occasionally a domesticated parrot escapes captivity, though. If he's in a region whose climate is unlike his natural one, a heartbroken human is left to wonder if the bird will be able to live outside.

  1. They Can Adapt

    • Although the comfort zone for most parrots is between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, they can tolerate temperatures as cold as 40 degrees and as warm as 90 -- provided the fluctuation is gradual. Parrots can acclimate to living in cooler-than-optimal temperatures. In 2010, George P. Sommers wrote a book for kids, "I Saw Wild Parrots in New York City," that describes how a colony of parrots lives wild in New York, nesting in trees and on telephone poles and eating buds, berries and the seed offerings left out by birdwatchers.

    Outdoor Issues

    • Birds who find themselves outside should be able to locate food and water, leaving temperature and predators as the biggest outdoor concerns. If your bird escapes into an environment that is not prone to severely hot or cold weather, the temperature shouldn't be a problem. A pampered bird whose room has always been a steady 78 degrees Fahrenheit day and night, though, is at risk if he's suddenly subjected to much higher or much lower temperatures, or to the fluctuations. A bird who has been brought up to believe the family cat is a friend is easy prey for an outdoors cat. Raccoons, hawks, coyotes and dogs are other predators.

    Keeping Your Parrot Outside

    • In "The Parrot Breeders' Answer Book" published in 2001, Gayle Soucek advocates outdoor aviaries for keepers who have limited room indoors for their parrots. An outdoor habitat for your bird will allow for a larger living space and will give him a constant supply of sun and fresh air. If you decide to build an outdoor flight for your parrot, make sure it includes shelter to allow your parrot to escape from the sun, the rain or colder conditions. Soucek also points out that you'll want your bird's outdoor habitat to have easy access to water and electricity so you can keep it clean and provide heat when necessary.

    Outdoor Flight Considerations

    • Before staking out a section of the back yard for an outdoor aviary, take a look at the big picture. Consider climate to determine whether your bird will be comfortable living outside. Talk to neighbors and be honest about the noise that parrots generate. If the neighbors object to boisterous hook-bills, you could end up in court. Find out if the zoning for your property prohibits housing parrots outdoors. Also consider whether you can keep your parrot safe from neighborhood predators, both domestic or feral, as well as from thieves who might bird-nap your baby, either for themselves or to sell to the highest bidder.