When talking to prospective parrot owners, I have often heard phrases like "I've had dogs all of my life...". Unfortunately, this experience provides very little insight into life with a parrot because dogs and parrots have about as much in common as ants and elephants. Here are a few reasons why.
	The first big difference is that dogs are domesticated animals and have been for as much as 100,000 years. On the other hand, parrots are separated from the rainforests by only a few generations. In acquiring a parrot, you are bringing what is basically a wild animal into your home.
	Dogs are, for the most part, naturally friendly toward humans unless given reason to be otherwise. Parrots, like any wild animal, are just the opposite. A great deal of time and effort will be required in building a trusting relationship and consistant daily interaction and reinforcement will be required to maintain it. A dog that is neglected will simply lie around and take it's pettings as it can get them. A parrot that is negelected will revert to the wild, develop behaviorial problems such as aggression or feather-plucking, and can decline to the point of self mutilation. (Warning: This link is graphic)
	Dogs are no longer pack-dependant, will mate with any available partner, and will easily and quickly bond with anyone who will feed them. Inversely, a parrot will spend it's entire life as a member of a tightly-knit flock. This sense of belonging is absolutely essential to the health and well-being of the bird. A parrot will select it's own mate, for it's own reasons, and bonds to it's mate for life. This flock instinct will never go away. You and those in your household are now the bird's flock. Hopefully, but not necessarily, the bird will bond to you as it's mate. The bird will be just as dependent on these "flock" relationships as it is in the wild. Parrots who have lost their flock or their mate have been know to lanquish and die.
	Dogs can thrive on any quality off-the-shelf dog food product, but not so parrots. A high quality pelletized diet is required, but not just any pellet. Dietary requirements vary from species to species. For example, macaws require a high fat diet or they will suffer rapid weight loss among other ill effects, yet the same pellets will ultimately kill other species with Fatty Liver Disease. You will have to become an expert on the dietary needs of the species you select. Thats right, more homework! But wait, you're not done yet. The best pellets available are just enough to keep your parrot alive, not healthy. All species of parrots require a varity of fresh (yes fresh, not canned) fruits and vegetables on a daily basis. How do you feel about dicing fruit and slicing/cooking veggies  for a parrot every day for the next 80 years? Can you honestly make that commitment?
I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea. Parrots are completely different then any other kind of pet you might have had. You should not acquire a parrot until you have read every parrot book you can get you hands on, scoured the web, talked to parrot owners, maybe attend some local bird club meetings. The point of all this is that parrots are not "easy-keepers" like dogs or cats. You will find the term "slave" used frequently among parrot owners. Believe me, they are not kidding!
So you want to own a parrot?