[foltz]

Amazing creatures. Before you consider one as a pet realize that the combination of their long lifespan and their intense desire to bond means you need to make a serious commitment that people often break.

Watch Nature's 'Parrot Confidential' to get an idea of the consequences of breaking this commitment. Parrot Confidential is an excellent, though heartbreaking, documentary that highlights the plight of these intelligent creatures in captivity.

https://youtu.be/ZQjm18JapGc

[JoeAltmaier]

I met a very old parrot in a pet shop. I asked about it - "Estate sale" said the clerk. I just went back and stood companionably beside the cage for a while. When I had to leave, I said "Sorry, bro!" The parrot looked at me, then in a perfect imitation of a child's voice said "Polly want a cracker? Ha ha ha ha ha ha" in the most sarcastic tone possible.

Heartbreaking.

[jdcarter]

Came here to say much the same. I've had a Meyer's Parrot for 14 years--she was a 2 year-old rescue when I got her--and it's nearly impossible to keep a parrot entertained and socialized. These animals really need to be in the wild, among their kind and with daily foraging/nesting tasks to keep them busy.

Second, if you really really don't want to take my advice, at least consider buying a second-hand bird. Birds can form new bonds; you don't need to buy a chick to have it bond with you. Mine bonded to me almost instantly.

[mark_l_watson]

I have had my Meyer's Parrot for 12 years. If I may ask, what do you do to keep your bird entertained? I let mine fly around the house when my wife is out of the house, and he generally likes to be handled, rolled around in my hands, head scratching, etc.

You are right about birds being able adapt to new owners. We got our bird as a baby and he was my wife's pet. After a few years she decided that she could not deal with his occasional biting. When she announced she was going to get rid of him, I wanted him, even though I rarely handled him before. My wife now has no physical contact except scratching his head through his cage bars, and I am the one who plays with him. I work with him on my shoulder.

[jdcarter]

I'm mostly able to work from home, so I have a medium-size cage in the room where I work. I attach a cardboard box inside her cage and she burrows into it. She'll destroy a small-ish (say 4x6x12") box in a day.

Then, upstairs our master bathroom is basically the parrot's room. I built a large stand from tree branches and hang some toys and a rope ring from it. She loves playing in front of the bathroom mirror.

Having a flighted bird can be annoying at times--mine loves to play "chase me around the house" at times--but I think it's essential to the bird's state of mind. Caged birds that never fly can literally go insane. My vet (author of the book "Holistic Care for Birds") is a strong supporter of letting your bird fly, despite the possible hazards that entails.

Honestly, my bird would like more social attention than she gets, but there's only so much of me to go around. My wife and daughter don't handle her for fear of getting bitten.

One recommendation: there's a DVD called "Captive Foraging" which has a lot of ideas for giving parrots foraging-type problems to solve. Even buying shelled nuts (unsalted of course) gives them something interesting to do.

[gozur88]

> Honestly, my bird would like more social attention than she gets, but there's only so much of me to go around. My wife and daughter don't handle her for fear of getting bitten.

I don't blame them. Getting bitten by a parrot hurts like a MF'er.

[mark_l_watson]

Thanks for the recommendation: I just ordered the DVD.

When our bird was young my wife used to make food puzzles that he would play with to get treats. I need to start doing that again, hopefully the DVD will give me more ideas.

[BoysenberryPi]

2 questions. Does he try to peck at your eye when hes on your shoulder? That's like my one fear that prevents me from getting a bird.

Also how did you birdproof your house so he can fly around freely?

[mark_l_watson]

I have several Parrot books and one recommends always wearing eye protection so I always have my computer glasses on when the little green guy is out. These glasses have old fashioned large lenses. My bird will bite me hard once or twice a year. The beak is a formidable weapon.

I let the bird fly all over the house but I pay attention to him: if he is in a grumpy mood he might chew on something he shouldn't. If he does behave badly, he likes witnesses to his transgressions.

He does not fly that often because he does crash occasionally and doesn't like that, but when he is zooming through the house at high speed he is impressive. He often prefers to grip my hand with his feet and 'fly in place.'

[jdcarter]

I'm not the one you're asking, but I'll give you my experience. I haven't had any problem with my parrot on my shoulder; she snuggles up against the back of my neck and is pretty content there. One big warning about shoulder time, however: no earrings! You can imagine how that ends.

As for bird-proofing your house, unfortunately you really can't. Parrots chew through soft woods (e.g. pine trim) quickly. In my case, I only allow my bird free flight in certain parts of the house. I've put clear plastic bumpers--the kind of thing you can put on wall corners--which prevents her from destroying the trim on my door jambs. In other cases, e.g. the trim around my bathroom mirror, I've just given up.

Also, keep in mind that parrots are burrowing creatures, so if you give them other stuff to burrow into (aka chew/destroy), then they won't destroy your house as much. My parrot burrows into cardboard boxes that I give her. Think of it like providing a scratching post for a cat.