Which Parrot is Right For Me?

Which parrot is right for me? This is a question that you must ask yourself before you think of keeping these lovely birds as pets. It is as important as your decision to have a child. You need to ask - which parrot is right for me - because every parrot has its distinctive temperament and nature. No two parrots are alike.

Parrots need a lot of attention and love to become adorable pets. Once they bond with you, you will realize how precious they are as pets. Choose your parrot according to your lifestyle.

10 Commandments for choosing the right parrot for your household:

No Impulse Shopping : Try not to adopt or purchase a pet on a whim or inspiration. Make it a deliberate, thought-out action.

Shop Around : Take the time to learn all about the kind of pet you are considering buying.

Visit The Humane Society And Animal Rescue Organizations : Pay a few walk-through trips to your local humane society. Just observe the pet when it is alone with you and try to make a mental list of its positive and negative points.

Match Your Pet To Your Life Style : Do you work long hours? Do you have children? Are they mature enough not to be a threat to the pet you choose? If you travel a lot who will care for the pet while you are away?

Match Your Pet To Your Home Environment : How much free space is there? Is there a back yard? Is it fenced? How will your neighbors feel about this new pet? If you rent, what will your landlord think about this pet?

Decide Why You Want A Pet : Is this pet going to be a child substitute? Do you want to teach it tricks and interact with it? Do you want to play with it and caress it? Your personality traits are very important.

Decide If This Is The Right Time In Your Life To Get A Pet : Frankly consider if this is really the right time in your life to own a (another) pet. If you already have other pets how will they get along with the new one? How stable are your human relationships? How good is your health?

Decide How Long You Want Your Pet To Live : Small parrots live 8-14 years; larger ones 35-60 years.

Decide If You Are Able To Meet This Pet's Specific Needs : It is a good idea to do some research at the library as to how much care your pet will need and visit pet owners. Do you have enough time to properly feed and clean for it? Many pets get bored if they do not have enough one-on-one contact. This boredom can lead to a host of undesirable behaviors.

Cost : Besides the initial cost of the pet you may incur considerable expense in purchasing the pet a suitable cage. Over time, the cost of a good diet will far exceed whatever you paid for the parrot. It may need veterinary care and grooming from time to time.

The main species are - parrots, macaws, conures, cockatoos, cockatiels, parakeets and budgies.

Parrots - Parrots are a very popular group of birds. Parrots are intelligent animals who depend on some degree of socialization and training. Different parrots have different needs. See that you cater to all these needs to have a healthy and happy parrot in your house.

Macaws - Macaws have been rightly called winged rainbows. Macaws are flamboyant, colorful, intelligent and captivating birds. Their personalities are legendary. Because of their great beauty and engaging personalities, macaws have been kept in captivity for centuries.

Conures - Conures are known for their sweet dispositions and playfulness. They definitely have a mind of their own. In the wild conures are friendly, peaceful birds and seldom fight with each other.

Cockatoos - Most are colored mainly in white, but others come in grays and pinks, blacks, and in the Palm's case, deep blue. Well-raised cockatoos are adorable; a hog for attention, a socialite , and just a pleasure to have around.

Cockatiels - Cockatiels are ideal for the first time pet owner. They are characteristically happy and cheerful birds, never moody or demanding. They demand to be let on your shoulder for a ride, and make cute noises.

Parakeets - 'Parakeets' means "small parrots". Their small size, bright colors, and cheerful disposition make them perfect pets. It is calming to listen to their quiet chattering and chirping. Some parakeets even learn to talk.

Budgies - Each has its distinctive personality. Some budgies may be sensitive while others might get into mischief at every opportunity. Its popularity is gained mainly by its amazing powers of mimicry, and its antics are very amusing.

Ask yourself again - which parrot is right for me? All parrots need time and patience to make wonderful pets. Some parrots are cheerful all the time, some are often moody. Some play on their own, while some always demand your company. These birds can make your life beautiful and chirpy, but they can also die of heart aches. Think hard before you make your choice!

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The author is a parrot owner for the last 12 years. She works for http://www.pet-parrots.com