I receive e-mails and phone calls from pet owners often asking if we would take their pet for the Zoo’s Animal Collection. I would say that 75% of these offers are people asking if the Zoo would take their birds. It is usually the same story: “We have a great bird that we simply can’t care for anymore.” I would love to take all the unwanted birds, but we simply do not have the room nor the need at the Zoo to house all these birds.
Sun conures. Photo by Kelli O'Brien
Many people end up buying a pet bird because they see a one doing something interesting on television, the Internet, at a friend’s house, or at a zoo and think, “Hey that bird was great, I should get one!” After a little while, they realize they cannot provide the bird with all the needs it has, and that caring for it has become overwhelming. The truth is birds are extremely difficult to care for. They are messy, loud, many live a long time and unless they are properly trained, can become aggressive and dangerous.
Some species of parrots can live for 50 to 75 years. This is a huge time investment! In addition, parrots have extremely strong, sharp beaks they use for cracking nuts and seeds and to help with climbing. A parrot that becomes a biter is not something you want in your home. Also, many parrots learn an annoying habit very quickly. They learn, for instance, that if they scream, you will pay attention to them. Most people will yell at the parrot when they scream, and all that does is reinforce the behavior.
Minnow, the African grey parrot. Photo by Ryan Egan
We have an African Gray parrot named Minnow here at the Zoo. I think he is great; the absolute best bird in the world! Would I want him as a pet? Absolutely not! Being at the Zoo, he gets contact from all sorts of people during the day, and then he has the night by himself. Parrots crave attention, and most people do not have the time to give a parrot all that attention at their homes.
There are other birds people get as pets as well. Many people get finches, or parakeets. These can be simpler to care for, but you still run into the noise and messiness issues. My best suggestion is to avoid getting a bird as a pet altogether until you know you are absolutely ready. Go to your local library or buy books on the subject. Contact a breeder and ask questions; we have a wonderful store in Rochester, Birds Unlimited, with tons of books for sale on birds as pets and a very knowledgeable staff who have kept all sorts of birds. Consult with a professional and start with a bird that seems the best fit for you. A cockatoo may not be a good bird to start with! Like in my last blog, I see keeping birds as a hobby of love, and something you need to work at for your entire life.
Every time I work with a parrot as part of a program at the Zoo, or any bird for that matter, I always talk about responsible pet ownership. We usually cannot take unwanted pets so if you buy a bird as a pet, please make sure you are prepared to provide care for it for its entire life. If you are unsure on whether a bird is a good pet for you, wait before you get one. Birds are beautiful creatures that can provide great friendship and entertainment, but only if you are responsible in your choice of a bird as a pet.
- Kenny Nelson, Education Animal Programs and Training Coordinator
