I’m going to add something to this as well. I volunteered at a bird store that leaves the birds out on stands so people can come in and socialize with the animals, I volunteered there because I was thinking of getting a bird and I spent time with many types of birds there. I got bit by a Macaw, got bit by an African Grey, and many others but I realized after volunteering there that I turned into a bird person. I loved the animals and respected them. Now I was discouraged from getting a bird, I had long nights thinking about it, very long nights and I decided that instead of ignoring the person who had warned me I would address them and ask why they had discouraged me.
The answer I got was simple, “My bird is too much trouble. She destroys all of her toys, has to go to the vet, makes noise, and nips. She is a pain in my butt. I have to pick up after her and clean all of her belongings and give her a bath. I would give her back if I could.”
After I heard that, I got a little irritated, everything explained to me by that person is something that a dog or cat would do as well. I have a dog, she has torn my clothes to shreds, goes to the vet, destroys all of her toys, I need to pick up after her, and she can get noisy when she wants to. I didn’t reply to the woman in a rude way but I asked her very kindly if she had had animals before and she said “no, my parrot is the first pet I have had.” Then I asked her if she had any kids and she also replied with “no.”
See after owning my birds for a while I realize that yes they are a little more work than my dog but I love my birds like crazy. I would do anything for them. After thinking again about what the woman had said I decided to go ahead and adopt my friend’s bird and from there it was just love at first sight. I did discourage that woman from owning another bird because she wanted to get a Lorikeet for the “pretty colors” but after hearing all of her complaints about her current bird, I said it wouldn’t be a good idea.
I did as much as I could to make sure I was ready to own a parrot, research, volunteered, birdsat for some people I knew, and cleaned some of the house to make sure they would have a very healthy enviroment. Of course my house was still cluttered but in the last two days I have basically solved that problem. I enjoy my birds and when asked about owning a parrot I tell people everything I have experienced, the good, the bad, and the ugly but I make sure to let them know that birds are not domesticated like dogs. When i volunteered kids would come in and mess with the African Grey I had gotten bit by, they would snap fingers at him and move their hand around quickly across his line of sight then shout “boo” at him and obviously one of these kids got snapped at before I could jump over and tell them to knock it off and the mother got mad at me, asking why the bird had bit her son, first I stated the store has a sign that says “Although these birds are mostly still young. They can bite. Touch at your own risk.” and then I went to tell her “Birds are not like dogs. They are not domesticated. Birds take a lot of patience, time, money, and can very much bite if they feel threatened and it does hurt. I would be very careful if your son or you want a bird in the future. Do not do it on a whim, think about it for two or three weeks. Try volunteering at a shelter or a bird specific place.”
and pretty and well-behaved (mostly) and tell me they want one etc etc..then when I mention how old he is,how long he has been with me,how long he can LIVE..the doc appointments,trying to go on vacations,feeding,cleaning,toys etc etc,they usually think twice,or three times lol.
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