Do you love Parrots? Do you just love how colorful their plumage is and is just the idea of having a unique, intelligent creature cohabitating with you, make you want to run out to go adopt a Parrot immediately?

Before adopting a Parrot you should consider the following:
• Even though all dogs and domestic cats are the same species, there are more than 350 species of Parrots. When you adopt a Parrot, you’ll need to learn about that particular species’ care and behavioral needs, and adjust your lifestyle accordingly.
• Parrots are highly intelligent; in fact, in some species, their intelligence is equivalent to that of a three to five year old child.
• Small parrots, like cockatiels, may live to be 20–30 years old. Larger parrots, like amazons, cockatoos and macaws, may live to be 60–80 years old. So, adopting a parrot is truly a lifetime commitment. While adopting a dog or a cat is a commitment to the lifetime of the animal (generally 10–15 years), adopting a parrot is a commitment for your lifetime and beyond. If you think your parrot might outlive you, you will need to arrange for a future home for your parrot after you are no longer around.

One of the first things a new Parrot owner should do after adopting a new Parrot is to take the Parrot to a Certified Avian Veterinarian for a Well-Bird Exam. This examination will ensure that your new Parrot is healthy and happy before bringing him home to your family.

Parrots are very active and inquisitive and must be provided with plenty of room to move about and play. An indoor or sheltered outdoor aviary or a flight safe room (windows covered, no cats/dogs, no ceiling fans, etc.) that will allow your Parrot to fly is good for exercise. Parrots with clipped wings can get exercise by climbing, swinging, and flapping, if provided with ample space, toys, and climbing structures.

You will also need to learn exactly how to ‘parrot-proof’ your home. You’ll need to do this for both the safety of your parrot and also to prevent damage done by you parrot. Many common household products and items may be hazardous to your Parrot.

The biggest mistake that new Parrot owners do is to feed their adopted Parrots a seed or pellet only diet. This is very harmful to your Parrot. All Parrots need a varied diet including grains, beans, fruits and vegetables.

Another thing to keep in mind when adopting a Parrot is the quality of light and air in your home environment. Light exposure and sleep are very important to all Parrots. They need at least 4 hours of exposure to UVA and UVB rays from sunlight or full-spectrum lighting to provide them with vitamin D, which promotes vitamin A absorption, which is very importation to promote upper respiratory health. Parrots, like young children, must have a minimum of 10 hours of sleep each night.

Parrots are very sensitive to air quality as well. The difference between humans and Parrots is that a Parrot restores virtually all the air in its lungs with each breath it takes. Since there is no remaining air left in the lungs during the ventilation cycle of Parrots, they transfer more oxygen and more pollutants during each breath. Therefore Parrots should never be exposed to tobacco smoke, chemical fumes such as hairspray and air fresheners/cleaners, or any Teflon coated materials.

Parrots are very unique creatures that deserve all the love and attention that you can give them. Owning a Parrot is a very rewarding experience so make sure that you read our guide to adopting a Parrot to guarantee both yours and your Parrot’s happiness!