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What you should know before you buy a Pet Bird!
- Think of it as buying a luxury car. A bird is a lifetime investment, not something you should buy on impulse. With a luxury car, you carefully research the differences between each car and what features they have to offer. By doing your research, you narrow it down to a few models. Then you take a few for a test drive to get a feel for what each car has to offer. After careful analysis you finally make your decision. The same should be done before owning a pet bird.
- Research, Research, Research! Different species of birds have different personality traits and special needs. Not knowing what your particular bird physical and emotional needs are can cause great turmoil for both owner and bird. Do your research before you buy a pet bird. It will save you time, money, and sanity because you will know what is expected of you as a responsible bird owner.
- Lets Play! Parrots are very social creatures and require a lot of attention and time from their owners. They are also very active and can easily become bored. Therefore they need activities to keep them busy, such as toys to play with, things to climb on and swing on, ect. Their cage should be at least 1 ½ their wings span. This will give them plenty of room to stretch and flap their wings. (Remember: Make sure you know what cage size and special accessories are needed before you purchase a bird).
- Wild at heart! Parrots are not yet considered domesticated animals. They are still are considered “wild”. On that account, you need to respect them and understand how they react to certain situations. They need to feel safe and secure in their environment. Carelessness, neglect, or abuse can cause birds to become untrusting. An untrusting parrot can become extremely timid, aggressive, or hard to handle. They are highly intelligent creatures. They can be challenging in many ways, but they are worth the effort. They need to be taught boundaries, and discipline (just like a child does). Earn their trust and respect and the rewards of a companion bird are endless.
- Be Patient! Parrots go through many stages of development, and as a owner you need to understand their different stages to be able to help them through each one. As I said before they are still considered “wild”; they can be noisy, messy, destructive, and demanding, but if you are up to the challenge, you will be repaid with loyalty, love, and laughter.
- Thirty To Life! The life spans of most parrots are 30 or more years. Making the decision to own one is a lifetime commitment. Therefore, purchasing a parrot as a companion should not be taken lightly.
The purpose of this article is not trying to discourage you from buying a companion bird. It is to inform you! I have seen many people rush into buying a bird (or for the wrong reasons) without fully understanding what is required of a responsible, dedicated bird owner.
With the proper information, and knowledge of what is expected of you as a pet bird owner, you will be prepared to make the right decisions for you and your bird. Making life with your bird entertaining, rewarding, and enjoyable.
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