Flights of Fancy (Parrot Companions)

Sam Foster and Julie Weiss Murad

"I remember well the day I 'lost' my best friend Umba. This beloved cockatoo, who spent long periods of time with me each day - eating meals, playing, singing, cuddling - had suddenly determined that my presence was not to be tolerated in my own home. It seemed that my husband had become Umba's 'person of choice, ' and I was either completely ignored or shown by his sometimes volatile actions that I was not welcome in the same room as the two of them." - Sam Foster

Living with a companion parrot can be more challenging and time-consuming than you ever imagined. Living with a companion parrot can be entertaining, rewarding and illuminating. It can also be challenging, frustrating, disappointing - even heartbreaking. Parrots are charismatic, highly social creatures. They are easily able to recognize and distinguish people, and many can learn to communicate with us in our own language.

All parrots are not alike. It's important to note that familiar parrots, such as budgerigars, cockatiels and now - after 1998's popular movie, Paulie - conures, are not different breeds, as beagles and pugs are, but are different species, which means that each may be different from the others in substantial ways. Some are independent, others can be emotionally demanding, and certain high-energy species give new meaning to the term "perpetual motion." Thus the search for the "right" individual parrot begins with extensive research into various avian species: their natural instincts, general personalities, typical behavior and physical requirements.

Anyone who believes that responsible parrot care consists of a clean cage, fresh seeds and water has been grievously misinformed. In reality, the terms "labor intensive," "high maintenance" and "expensive" are probably more applicable to many parrot species than to other popular pets. Their physical, emotional and intellectual needs require more time and personal energy than many people can or want to provide.

Getting hooked

Parrots belong to an order of birds known as Psittaciformes, whose prominent physical feature is a blunt beak with a down-curved upper mandible, commonly referred to as a "hookbill." This beak is a multipurpose tool used for climbing, nest-building, digging, opening nuts and seed pods, self-grooming and the preening of flock members. Parrots are also zygodactyl, which means that each foot has two toes that face forward and two that face backward. This gives the bird the manipulative dexterity needed for climbing, swinging, hanging, eating and using tools.

According to pet industry statistics, psittacine birds, or parrots, are the third most popular companion animal in the United States, after cats and dogs. A recent study by a national bird food manufacturer determined that there are now approximately 30 million pet birds in this country. Some five million are cockatiels, and 11 million are budgerigars (often referred to in the United States as parakeets), with Amazons, African greys, cockatoos, conures, macaws and other parrot species comprising the balance.

Until roughly the turn of the 20th century, parrots could be found in many areas of the globe, including the tropical islands of the South Pacific and Java Sea; New Guinea, New Zealand and the woodlands, scrub forests and arid interior of Australia; the savannas of Africa; the mountains and valleys of India and Asia, and vast portions of South and Central America, Mexico and even North America.

Sadly, about 70 species of parrots, including some of the most widely known, are expected to disappear within the next decade. Of the world total of 332 species, all but three are considered threatened or endangered, not only due to the pet trade, but to the same loss of habitat that imperils so many wild species. However, some conservation experts believe that ecotourism now offers hope for the future, as tourists wishing to view parrots in their native habitats bring dollars into third-world nations instead of removing natural resources, and former poachers find new employment as wildlife protectors. The popularity of parrots in the United States - where the two indigenous species are now extinct - has steadily increased over the past 100 years. This popularity, however, has not been without cost or controversy. Parrot importation was banned in 1930 by the U.S. Department of Public Health due to a disease called psittacosis or "Parrot Fever" (known as ornithosis in other birds), which is transmissible to humans. Caused by the Chlamydia psittaci bacteria, the disease is easily identified and treated in parrots, but is potentially dangerous to individuals with immature or compromised immune systems, such as the elderly or very young, those already ill or those suffering from upper respiratory disease. Symptoms include severe congestion, fatigue, fever and vomiting. In rare instances, psittacosis may be fatal.

Protocols for quarantine of imported birds were established in 1968, and the importation ban was lifted, but just four years later, in 1972, the parrot again achieved public enemy status. In this instance, several Amazon parrots in California escaped from a bird importer and infected chickens on a poultry farm with the extremely contagious and lethal velogenic viscerotropic Newcastle disease (VVND), also known as Exotic Newcastle Disease. Parrots were depopulated by the tens of thousands in the United States, and as a result, quarantine stations and many current avicultural organizations were organized to protect both parrots and their owners. In 1993, a law was passed that bans the importation of wild-caught parrots into the United States.

The wild life

Unlike dogs and cats, parrots are not domesticated animals; they are still very much the wild creatures originally taken from various habitats around the globe. Even when domestically bred in an aviary and hand-raised by humans (see "Bird Words," below), they are still subject to instinctive behaviors that may conflict with human expectations and preferences. Though owners may interpret these actions as "behavioral problems," the way a parrot acts and reacts in the home setting is a direct reflection of how parrots behave in the wild. The two key strategies that wild parrots need to survive and reproduce are also the two most commonly misunderstood and unappreciated in our pet birds. These are vocalization and dominance displays.

Many avian species engage in "contact calling" throughout the day. While flying, they may call to one other to keep in close contact and to relate pertinent information, such as where they are going, if a food source has been spotted, where mates and other family members are in relation to the flock and if danger has been sighted. This type of communication is natural and important to wild and captive parrots. Some owners are able to live with the parrot's need to vocalize, while others - or their neighbors - view it as unacceptable or problematic noise.

Similarly, as wild birds reach maturity, they instinctively prepare for mating and nesting by testing their ability to dominate other flock members. The techniques they use to compete for mates, nesting sites and other resources include body posturing, intimidation and vocalizations. Attempts to display dominance are seen in many companion parrots, both male and female, and their sometimes sudden, determined actions can present quite a challenge to the unsuspecting and unprepared owner. In a multiperson household, some birds may at times feel the need to protect and defend the perceived "mate" against other members of the "flock," including persons with whom they had previously shared a very close bond. Parrots may become extremely protective of their cages, certain rooms in the house, even pieces of furniture - whatever they perceive as their territory.

Ironically, the qualities that we often consider to be "problems" are those that best suit life in the wild. The freedom that wild parrots have to take flight in their vast natural habitat prevents territorial squabbles from becoming major altercations. In contrast, since pet birds' wings are normally clipped for their own safety, they cannot fly away from a threat or uncomfortable situation. Pet parrots may become confused when their displays do not cause their "mate" or flock members to fly away. Conflicts between natural instincts and the limitations of living in a human environment can be stressful to the bird, and this stress may lead to aggression, biting or attempts by the bird to literally chase a human intruder from his or her territory. In addition to persistent vocalizations, biting and testing for flock dominance within the human social group, pet birds may display fear or anxiety or engage in behavioral feather destruction or self-mutilation (this is not to be confused with the feather or skin mutilation that results from physical influences, illness or disease). Owners who are confronted with these or other issues concerning a parrot's care or behavior may find it necessary to seek professional help. Fortunately, there are a number of highly experienced and respected avian behavioral consultants throughout the United States who are available to consult by phone or in person to assist in these situations.

Selecting your parrot

If you feel certain you understand and are willing to make the kind of commitment necessary for living with a parrot, it's time to think about what kind of bird will best suit your family, and where to acquire it. Begin by asking for recommendations from an avian veterinarian or local bird club of established and ethical breeders or pet shops. Also, look into your heart to see if you might consider offering a home to a bird who needs a second, third or further chance.

What's the "best" age to acquire a parrot? Some recommend buying a young bird, even an unweaned baby, so that the bird will "bond" to you instead of the hand-feeder. Not only is this a misleading statement - in that it implies a bird can bond to only one person - but successfully hand-raising any parrot requires extensive knowledge and experience and should be left to professionals. There is certainly little doubt that parrots have the capacity to bond with us. In the wild, they enjoy relationships on different levels and are also capable of changing bonds or "rebonding." For example, those species considered monogamous may have several mates during their lives, perhaps when a mate dies or a relationship proves incompatible. Also, many people purchase or adopt older birds who have already had one or more homes. Such birds are able to form new relationships and can often be a wonderful and rewarding addition to the family.

In any household, there is typically a primary caregiver, and a very close bond often forms between this person and the parrot. But this is not always the case. Some birds may show a preference for another family member. When we offer a parrot a rewarding, interactive and stimulating environment and a relationship based on trust and mutual respect, the success of forming a positive bond increases, although it is not guaranteed. Some of the problems seen in human/avian relationships may be attributed to our eagerness to think for our parrots and give them what we are convinced they want or need, rather than viewing the situation from the parrot's perspective.

For example, holding and cuddling a young bird for long periods of time may be gratifying for us and is certainly enjoyed by many parrots. Yet prolonged holding does nothing to encourage socialization or teach the parrot the valuable lessons he will need to become a well-adjusted adolescent and adult. Baby birds in the wild receive a tremendous amount of personal attention from parents, which is necessary to their early socialization. Parrots are ill-prepared - anatomically or psychologically - for a sedentary lifestyle with limited outlets for physical exercise, visual diversity and intellectual stimulation.

As their substitute families, it is our responsibility to stimulate our baby birds intellectually and emotionally by teaching them to play independently as well as interactively with the "flock" and to feel comfortable in a variety of circumstances, such as in their cage or on an entertaining play gym. Unlike with human children, this teaching needs constant reinforcement throughout the life of the parrot.

Bringing your parrot home

Any new bird should be carefully examined by a reputable avian veterinarian, and a quarantine period is always advisable when there are existing birds in the home, even if a health certificate is provided by the seller. Birds may harbor serious illness without being symptomatic; they instinctively mask illness in order to remain with the flock, which affords better protection from predators. As a result, by the time a parrot shows serious or overt signs of illness, it may be too late. For this reason, a yearly physical examination is extremely important to the long-term well-being of your pet bird and should be performed by an avian veterinarian or one with a special interest in avian medicine. Look for a doctor (preferably one who is board-certified) and staff who handle your bird in a compassionate, secure and expeditious manner. A visit to the veterinarian may be stressful for your bird, and all tests should be completed as quickly and efficiently as possible.

The annual physical should include weighing the bird, a stool exam, a thorough examination of the eyes, ears, nares (nostrils), mouth, beak, cloaca (vent area), feathers, skin, feet and wings. Unless your bird is sexually dimorphic (that is, males and females of a species are visibly different from each other), you should have DNA sexing performed. Knowing your parrot's gender can be important in understanding some instinctive behavioral issues or in the event that your bird becomes acutely ill. In addition, basic laboratory testing should be performed annually, since many avian diseases are difficult to detect on examination. Any new parrot should be tested for psittacosis, and old-world (Australian, Asian, African) birds, including budgerigars, cockatiels and lovebirds, should be tested for psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD). If you or your bird are exposed to untested or infected birds, these tests should be performed annually or as recommended by your avian vet. A CBC (complete blood count) should be performed annually to assist your veterinarian in determining a baseline of your bird's state of health.

Novice parrot owners often are surprised to learn that their birds are highly vulnerable to airborne toxins that may not affect humans or other pets in the household. These include secondhand cigarette smoke, fragrance sprays or aerosols, incense, scented candles, air fresheners (including plug-ins) and aromatherapy candles. Perfume oils can be toxic if they come in contact with the bird's skin or feathers, as can products used to clean the bird's cage. Any product with a nonstick surface, if overheated, produces a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that may be instantly lethal to birds, even if in a separate area. This applies to irons, self-cleaning ovens, toaster ovens, coffee makers, etc.

Other household dangers include open toilet bowls, filled bathtubs or uncovered pots or pans of water (parrots cannot swim!); many kinds of houseplants; unsupervised cats and dogs, even familiar ones; electric cords and outlets; and varnished, painted or stained wood trim. A major household hazard is an open, unscreened window or door. Uncaged parrots, even those with trimmed flight feathers, should never be left unattended, indoors or out. Many horrified owners have watched helplessly as their beloved parrots simply flew away.

Meeting your parrot's needs

To keep our feathered friends healthy, happy and well-adjusted, it is up to their human families, as committed caregivers, to create an environment and lifestyle that simulate the kinds of experiences the parrots would have in the wild. These include appropriate housing and a varied, nutritious diet. Other critical needs include challenging toys and the opportunity for daily exercise, play and positive human interaction.

The traditional standard advice that "a cage just needs to be large enough for a bird to spread its wings" is completely outdated. With only a few exceptions, which might include a debilitating injury or severe phobia, fully grown birds should be provided with the largest area possible in which to live, since most parrots spend a minimum of 15 to 20 hours a day inside their cages. Cages should be well-constructed, free of toxins such as zinc or lead and large enough to allow the parrot to run, climb, play and "hide." Perches should be of various sizes, shapes and textures, regularly cleaned and changed, and the bird should have a rotating supply of safe, colorful and stimulating toys such as puzzles to solve, items to assemble and dismantle, knots to untie, safe bells (with securely welded clangers) to rattle, as well as items to satisfy their destructive urges. Other important "environmental" factors include play gyms and climbing trees outside of the cage, opportunities to bathe regularly, good natural or quality artificial lighting throughout the day for maximum feather condition and overall health, a continuous supply of recirculating clean air and 10 to 12 hours of dark, quiet and uninterrupted rest at night.

Aviculturists are just learning the extent to which diet influences not only physical health and longevity, but behavior. Some birds who show extreme aggression or agitation, persistent screaming, plucking or even phobic behavior may improve when dietary changes are made. Chronic malnutrition is the major cause of death in companion parrots. An all-seed diet, high in fats and low in nutrients, can result in a suppressed immune system that can leave a parrot susceptible to opportunistic diseases.

Offering diverse and abundant foods every day, prepared and presented in different ways, will help keep birds from becoming bored and encourage their instinct to forage, e.g., to eat different types of foods as they become seasonally available. Choices include fresh vegetables and fruits, organic lentils, legumes and vegetable pastas, as well as items such as organic dried bean and vegetable soup mixes, quality seeds made for sprouting at home and avian "soak-and-cook" blends. Many avian specialists now feel that avian-formulated pellets should be included as part of the daily diet to ensure that birds receive necessary vitamins, minerals and amino acids.

Because parrots are long-lived and may survive their human guardians, providing for the long-term care of a parrot is an important component of responsible ownership. Professionals around the world who are involved in parrot sanctuary and rescue hear daily from people who, due to age or illness, can no longer care for their cherished avian companions. Providing for your parrot in your will, setting up a trust fund for your bird or creating a power of attorney so that a trusted person can care for your parrot are three ways to make sure this special friend will always be cared for as you wish.The Gabriel Foundation™ has a brochure that outlines various ways to make outright or planned gifts for this purpose. Your attorney or tax advisor can determine the gift plan most appropriate for you.

Unfortunately, even more often, parrot rescue groups hear from people who were unprepared for the constant demands of living with a parrot and want to find their pet a new home. Parrots frequently are purchased on impulse: because they're pretty, because they talk or because they look so miserable in the pet shop. Every year many parrots lose their homes because owner expectations are unrealistic.

It is a sad reality that rescue groups receive many more requests to take in birds who need help or rehoming than they can accommodate, due to lack of space, funding and/or adequate staffing. Unless we can stem this tide, the future is grim for many thousands of parrots in captivity. It is up to all current and prospective bird owners to ensure that their parrots will not be among those numbers. That is the least we can do for these special creatures whom we have taken from the skies to be our companions and friends.

Julie Weiss Murad, an avian behaviorist in Aspen, CO, and the founder/president of The Gabriel Foundation , has been involved with companion parrots for 30 years. Sam Foster, a FL-based avian writer and consultant, is the Gabriel Foundation's conference planner.

2000 ASPCA Animal Watch

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