|
|
With
few exceptions, a parrot needs and must have, a certain amount of your time and
attention every day of it's life. Some of the smallest species, such as
parakeets, can tolerate, for the most part, being left alone. Actually, most
prefer it that way. However, this is not the case with the larger birds. The
larger they are, the more of your time they will demand. This can range from an
hour or so to several hours every day depending on size, species, and
individual personality. When not given the one-on-one attention that they need,
they will quickly lose the socialization they achieved as younger birds and
will revert to the wild, developing behavior problems such as aggression,
screaming, feather plucking, or even self mutilation. Their socialization has
to be reinforced and built on every day. Parrots are not ones to
forgive-and-forget. Once these behaviors start, they are extremely difficult to
reverse and often require professional assistance. If you are going to own a
parrot, you must make a commitment to plenty of one-on-one interaction with
your bird EVERY day and honor that commitment.There
are several types of interaction that a parrot will require from you on a daily
basis.
|
 |
|
 |
 |
The
first is on a communal level. Parrots are flock animals and consider themselves
to be a member of your family with equal standing to all present. They will
demand to be out of the cage and included in family activities such as eatting,
playing, and watching TV. Meals are going to be of particular interest because
feeding time is a flock activity. When you sit down to dinner your parrot will
expect to be at the table with you, or at least close by, and is going to
expect a share of whatever you are eatting. After all, that's the way it works
in a flock.
|
|
|
The
second type of interaction your parrot requires relates to dominance. In the
wild, "pecking-order" is everything and there is a daily struggle for the "top
branch" within the flock. This instinctive desire to be Number One does not go
away just because the bird lives with humans. Remember, you are it's flock so
who do you think your parrot is going to try to dominate? Right! It will be
critical to the long-term success of you relationship that your bird be
reminded in a gentle but firm manner that you are in charge. There are a couple
of simple steps and exercises to help you establish this rule. However, these
exerises must be practiced daily because, when it comes to dominance, your
parrot may let up but it will never give up.
|
|
|
A
third type of interaction your bird will require is dedicated one-on-one time
with you. If you are home during the day, this can be 5 minutes here, 10
minutes there. If you are only home in the evenings, this will need to be a
minimum of 30 - 60 minutes with no distractions, the longer the better.
Whichever, it must be every day.
This one-on-one time is critical, because it is the cement of your relationship
with your bird. What is so important here is that you do not lavish attention
on your new parrot when you first get it and then fade away as the newness
wears off. Nothing will distroy your chances of a rewarding relationship with
your new pet faster.
|
|
|
The
fourth type of interaction is the only one that is optional, but it is also the
most enjoyable. Everyone wants a parrot that talks or does tricks. You need to
know that some birds talk, some don't. Some learn quicker then others. Some
species are better then others, but it really depends on the individual bird.
The only way you can be sure of a talking bird is to buy one that already
talks. Even then, once in it's new surroundings, it just might quit! The only
certainty is that if and when your bird learns to talk or do tricks, it will
learn it from you. This means time from you every day for training and
reinforcement. |
|
|
Of course, all of the above can be
combined into the same time period. The
point is to make you aware that a parrot is going to demand a lot of your time.
If you are not willing to make this commitment but you still want a bird, then
buy a nice little parakeet or finch.
|
|
So you want to own a parrot?
|
| |
|