Break out of Framesby Lance Engle * 4-14-00 Click linked photos, use your "Back" browser button to return to this page. The wonderful world of companion bird ownership usually begins with a family member seeing a beautiful Macaw or Amazon parrot on a television show, or a visit to a "Rain Forest" park which specializes in housing many South American, Central American and African species. The family starts visiting pet stores and web sites, asking about prices and costs of parrot ownership, then begins the search for a baby to adopt. Our family has lived with and loved companion birds and parrots for almost 20 years. We offer support, advice and mentoring to families and individuals that wish to adopt a companion bird. I'll start by giving a brief history of their popularity and leave you with enough information that encourages further research before you commit to adoption.
Many historians believe that the Chinese were the first to develop an appreciation for the very colorful variety of birds dating back as far as 4,000 BC, leading up to the sport of falconry which first began in China around 2,000 BC. It is Alexander the Great that is actually credited with being the founder of modern aviculture. It wasn't until the 18th century that companion bird ownership moved into common homes with the introduction of the popular budgerigar (common parakeet). First and foremost explore your motivation to own a bird. Is it companionship, becoming a breeder, a child's pet, or a friend for your current bird? There are many reasons people adopt birds as companions, and there is no one right answer. One of the best reasons to own a bird is also one of the best reasons not to own one. Unlike our familiarity with dog and cat ownership which mandates we grieve their death every 7 to 15 years, companion birds live much longer and, therefore, require a thoughtful commitment prior to embarking on a life quest for the right companion bird. The lifespan of the average companion bird ranges from 25 years to over 80 years, depending on the species, individual genetics, and nutritional health. One can readily see that taking time to read many book and magazine articles, and to ask lots of questions is imperative. Most ethical breeders and pet shops do not want to sell a bird to an uninformed customer, only to find that it was an "impulse purchase" and the owner is trying to get rid of the bird in the local classified ads. I say this in hopes that the prospective bird owner heeds the warning; companion birds have an uncanny ability to bond with their owner(s) due to a natural Flock Behavior. The next question is almost as critical as the first because it addresses the time you have in your home to commit to a long-term relationship with the adopted bird. On a daily basis, bird owners organize their time commitments around food preparation, cleaning, training and playtime. Some species demand more of your time than others. You also need to examine space availability for the cage and stand, as cage space is dependent on the size of the bird. Bigger is always better with most companion bird cages; bar spacing is the only limitation with size as it relates to small to medium birds (you do not want them to get their head or wing wedged between the cage bars). I encourage you to visit local pet shops that carry one or two lines of bird cages and accessories. Deciding where the cage fits in the house is dependant on space availability and safety; you want to avoid areas that have a breeze, or direct sunlight, or a heater vent that blows directly onto the bird. Once you have successfully answered the previous questions, we can move to the more fun and exciting issues relating to individual characteristics of companion birds, and which characteristics you desire most. Do you want a great talker, or a bird that loves to play and is "high energy"? Or do you want a bird that is more sedate and enjoys being held, versus the bird that reminds you of the attention deficit child living next door. I do not have the space to address each and every species, but generally speaking, the African Grey Congo is extremely popular with owners that want a great talker and don't require a "cuddly-type" of bird. This is not to say that they are not devoted to their owners, but some other species have a greater need for "handling" and are considered more active. Many of the popular Macaw species have wonderful personalities and become very good talkers. The ability of your bird to "talk" or mimic words and sentences is dependent upon the quality time and training you devote to the relationship. Good talkers become moderate talkers and moderate talkers surprise even the most experienced bird owner with their ability to talk when their owner spends time "bonding" and teaching appropriate words and sentences. One word of caution with homes that have high-energy people who sometimes speak inappropriately; birds will many times pick up words or sayings when a person is in an excited state of mind. Birds in the wild tend to be gregarious and demonstrative in their communication to other birds. Last, but not least, the amount of money available for the initial purchase of your bird, cage and accessories will limit your choices. Although there is not a direct correlation between bird size or color and price, generally speaking, the smaller the bird the less everything costs to outfit their new home. Please remember to include money for toys and a play stand. Birds can discern colors, smells, textures and flavors in their natural habitat. Their desire to play and chew is also directly related to their emotional health; lots of playtime and cage toys (rotated on a regular basis to avoid boredom) means a happy, healthy companion bird. I wish you good luck as you explore owning companionship birds in depth.
Lance and Vicky Engle have loved and lived with exotic birds for almost 20 years. During that time they have learned to raise and nurture babies that are bonded to humans, but still know they are birds. All Animals owns all rights to this article and the photos. You may link to the article (not the photos), but you may *not* copy it, nor reprint it anywhere else. You may print the URL which is www.all-animals.com/parrots.html Advertising | Site Design | Site Hosting | About Us | Home | Email |
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