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Parrots Are a Lot More Than ‘Pretty Bird’

nytimes.com

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Re: Parrots Are a Lot More Than ‘Pretty Bird’

#11

Post by mark_l_watson »

I have had my Meyers Parrot for about 12 years. I always try to talk people out of getting a Parrot if they express a lot of interest in mine. I work a light schedule (for the last 20 years I average perhaps 25 hours a week) so I have lots of time to devote to him. He takes up a lot of time but is a lot of fun. I have a bird specialist who takes care of him when my wife and I travel and she and her Dad have agreed to take my Parrot if anything happens to me.

Edit: also, you really can't leave a Parrot alone. I work from home at least 90% of the time and my wife is retired and is at home a lot so we basically have the little green guy covered as far as company goes. But, for couples who work all day out of the house, having a Parrot would not be good.

Re: Parrots Are a Lot More Than ‘Pretty Bird’

#12

Post by mark_l_watson »

justsaysmthng wrote: post #10

I've lived with parrots on and off since I was a child. Each of them has been influential in my life, especially the last one, who was living on my shoulder and having sex with my Microsoft Keyboard :). During the heat period, she began communicating with a parrot from a nearby building block (with high pitched screams which penetrate concrete).... One day we accidentally left the window open and she flew right out t…

I agree with you that they are a powerful dynamic in a household. A local Parrot specialist picks up my bird the day before my wife and I travel. Once she picks up my Parrot our house has an empty feeling which I don't care for.

Re: Parrots Are a Lot More Than ‘Pretty Bird’

#13

Post by jdcarter »

foltz wrote: post #7

Amazing creatures. Before you consider one as a pet realize that the combination of their long lifespan and their intense desire to bond means you need to make a serious commitment that people often break. Watch Nature's 'Parrot Confidential' to get an idea of the consequences of breaking this commitment. Parrot Confidential is an excellent, though heartbreaking, documentary that highlights the plight of these intell…

Came here to say much the same. I've had a Meyer's Parrot for 14 years--she was a 2 year-old rescue when I got her--and it's nearly impossible to keep a parrot entertained and socialized. These animals really need to be in the wild, among their kind and with daily foraging/nesting tasks to keep them busy.

Second, if you really really don't want to take my advice, at least consider buying a second-hand bird. Birds can form new bonds; you don't need to buy a chick to have it bond with you. Mine bonded to me almost instantly.

Re: Parrots Are a Lot More Than ‘Pretty Bird’

#14

Post by jdcarter »

jerryhuang100 wrote: post #4

not just parrots, crows also have extraordinary ability to use tools or solve problems: https://youtu.be/AVaITA7eBZE

Growing up in Davis, CA, there were Magpies that would grab walnuts, drop them in the street, and wait for a car to pass and crush the nut's shell. When the coast was clear, the Magpie would fly over and grab the freshly-cracked nut.

Re: Parrots Are a Lot More Than ‘Pretty Bird’

#15

Post by mark_l_watson »

jdcarter wrote: post #13
foltz wrote: post #7

Amazing creatures. Before you consider one as a pet realize that the combination of their long lifespan and their intense desire to bond means you need to make a serious commitment that people often break. Watch Nature's 'Parrot Confidential' to get an idea of the consequences of breaking this commitment. Parrot Confidential is an excellent, though heartbreaking, documentary that highlights the plight of these intell…

Came here to say much the same. I've had a Meyer's Parrot for 14 years--she was a 2 year-old rescue when I got her--and it's nearly impossible to keep a parrot entertained and socialized. These animals really need to be in the wild, among their kind and with daily foraging/nesting tasks to keep them busy. Second, if you really really don't want to take my advice, at least consider buying a second-hand bird. Birds can…

I have had my Meyer's Parrot for 12 years. If I may ask, what do you do to keep your bird entertained? I let mine fly around the house when my wife is out of the house, and he generally likes to be handled, rolled around in my hands, head scratching, etc.

You are right about birds being able adapt to new owners. We got our bird as a baby and he was my wife's pet. After a few years she decided that she could not deal with his occasional biting. When she announced she was going to get rid of him, I wanted him, even though I rarely handled him before. My wife now has no physical contact except scratching his head through his cage bars, and I am the one who plays with him. I work with him on my shoulder.

Re: Parrots Are a Lot More Than ‘Pretty Bird’

#16

Post by Philadelphia »

mark_l_watson wrote: post #11

I have had my Meyers Parrot for about 12 years. I always try to talk people out of getting a Parrot if they express a lot of interest in mine. I work a light schedule (for the last 20 years I average perhaps 25 hours a week) so I have lots of time to devote to him. He takes up a lot of time but is a lot of fun. I have a bird specialist who takes care of him when my wife and I travel and she and her Dad have agreed to…

Whether you can leave a bird alone during the day does depend on the bird. My lovebird actually got upset when I worked from home; apparently, I interfered with his afternoon nap. He'd start squawking pointedly at me around 1 and wouldn't stop until I left the room, whereupon he would tuck his beak into his back and sleep for three or four hours. The conure I have now likes to have me around during the day, but is fine if I'm not, as long as she gets a few hours of company and attention.

Re: Parrots Are a Lot More Than ‘Pretty Bird’

#17

Post by BoysenberryPi »

mark_l_watson wrote: post #15
jdcarter wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Came here to say much the same. I've had a Meyer's Parrot for 14 years--she was a 2 year-old rescue when I got her--and it's nearly impossible to keep a parrot entertained and socialized. These animals really need to be in the wild, among their kind and with daily foraging/nesting tasks to keep them busy. Second, if you really really don't want to take my advice, at least consider buying a second-hand bird. Birds can…

I have had my Meyer's Parrot for 12 years. If I may ask, what do you do to keep your bird entertained? I let mine fly around the house when my wife is out of the house, and he generally likes to be handled, rolled around in my hands, head scratching, etc. You are right about birds being able adapt to new owners. We got our bird as a baby and he was my wife's pet. After a few years she decided that she could not deal…

2 questions. Does he try to peck at your eye when hes on your shoulder? That's like my one fear that prevents me from getting a bird.

Also how did you birdproof your house so he can fly around freely?

Re: Parrots Are a Lot More Than ‘Pretty Bird’

#18

Post by jdcarter »

mark_l_watson wrote: post #15
jdcarter wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Came here to say much the same. I've had a Meyer's Parrot for 14 years--she was a 2 year-old rescue when I got her--and it's nearly impossible to keep a parrot entertained and socialized. These animals really need to be in the wild, among their kind and with daily foraging/nesting tasks to keep them busy. Second, if you really really don't want to take my advice, at least consider buying a second-hand bird. Birds can…

I have had my Meyer's Parrot for 12 years. If I may ask, what do you do to keep your bird entertained? I let mine fly around the house when my wife is out of the house, and he generally likes to be handled, rolled around in my hands, head scratching, etc. You are right about birds being able adapt to new owners. We got our bird as a baby and he was my wife's pet. After a few years she decided that she could not deal…

I'm mostly able to work from home, so I have a medium-size cage in the room where I work. I attach a cardboard box inside her cage and she burrows into it. She'll destroy a small-ish (say 4x6x12") box in a day.

Then, upstairs our master bathroom is basically the parrot's room. I built a large stand from tree branches and hang some toys and a rope ring from it. She loves playing in front of the bathroom mirror.

Having a flighted bird can be annoying at times--mine loves to play "chase me around the house" at times--but I think it's essential to the bird's state of mind. Caged birds that never fly can literally go insane. My vet (author of the book "Holistic Care for Birds") is a strong supporter of letting your bird fly, despite the possible hazards that entails.

Honestly, my bird would like more social attention than she gets, but there's only so much of me to go around. My wife and daughter don't handle her for fear of getting bitten.

One recommendation: there's a DVD called "Captive Foraging" which has a lot of ideas for giving parrots foraging-type problems to solve. Even buying shelled nuts (unsalted of course) gives them something interesting to do.

Re: Parrots Are a Lot More Than ‘Pretty Bird’

#19

Post by jdcarter »

BoysenberryPi wrote: post #17
mark_l_watson wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have had my Meyer's Parrot for 12 years. If I may ask, what do you do to keep your bird entertained? I let mine fly around the house when my wife is out of the house, and he generally likes to be handled, rolled around in my hands, head scratching, etc. You are right about birds being able adapt to new owners. We got our bird as a baby and he was my wife's pet. After a few years she decided that she could not deal…

2 questions. Does he try to peck at your eye when hes on your shoulder? That's like my one fear that prevents me from getting a bird. Also how did you birdproof your house so he can fly around freely?

I'm not the one you're asking, but I'll give you my experience. I haven't had any problem with my parrot on my shoulder; she snuggles up against the back of my neck and is pretty content there. One big warning about shoulder time, however: no earrings! You can imagine how that ends.

As for bird-proofing your house, unfortunately you really can't. Parrots chew through soft woods (e.g. pine trim) quickly. In my case, I only allow my bird free flight in certain parts of the house. I've put clear plastic bumpers--the kind of thing you can put on wall corners--which prevents her from destroying the trim on my door jambs. In other cases, e.g. the trim around my bathroom mirror, I've just given up.

Also, keep in mind that parrots are burrowing creatures, so if you give them other stuff to burrow into (aka chew/destroy), then they won't destroy your house as much. My parrot burrows into cardboard boxes that I give her. Think of it like providing a scratching post for a cat.

Re: Parrots Are a Lot More Than ‘Pretty Bird’

#20

Post by sehutson »

mark_l_watson wrote: post #11

I have had my Meyers Parrot for about 12 years. I always try to talk people out of getting a Parrot if they express a lot of interest in mine. I work a light schedule (for the last 20 years I average perhaps 25 hours a week) so I have lots of time to devote to him. He takes up a lot of time but is a lot of fun. I have a bird specialist who takes care of him when my wife and I travel and she and her Dad have agreed to…

Totally agree. My little green cheek conure is turning 13 tomorrow, and I've had her and a sun conure since they were babies. Cats and dogs are pets, but a parrot is a lifestyle. I can't imagine being able to keep them happy and healthy if I didn't work from home.

The other thing a lot of people don't understand is the fact that you have to get rid of anything that might cause problems for their delicate respiratory systems - most cleaning products, candles, air fresheners, teflon cookware, most heaters and hair dryers and straighteners, etc (or go to great lengths to make sure they're never anywhere near those fumes).

Depending on the breed, it can also be really tough to find an apartment where you won't get yelled at all the time for their noise.

There are very, very few people for whom I would recommend parrothood.

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