Should I get a parrot? Lifespan, noise, social needs and choosing a species

TUREFF• •0

Parrots are clever, affectionate and funny, and they are also among the most demanding pets a person can take on. Many end up rehomed, often more than once, because the first owner did not realise what daily life with one involves. These are the questions worth answering honestly before you bring a bird home.

How long will it live?

Longer than most people expect. A budgie kept well commonly lives around a decade and sometimes into its mid-teens. Cockatiels often reach their mid-teens to around twenty. The larger parrots, such as Amazons, African greys, macaws and cockatoos, can live for several decades, and some outlive their owners. Before choosing a large species, think about who would care for the bird if your circumstances change, and be realistic about moves, children, travel and old age.

Noise and mess

Every parrot makes noise. Even small birds chatter and call, especially at dawn and dusk. Conures and cockatoos can be loud enough to bother neighbours through a wall, which matters in a flat.
Mess is part of the deal. Parrots fling food, shred paper and toys, and drop feathers and dust. Some species, including cockatiels and cockatoos, produce a fine powder down that can bother people with allergies or asthma.
They chew. Furniture, window frames, cables and books are all fair game to a bird out of its cage, so supervised time out needs a safe room.

Parrots are social animals

In the wild, parrots live in flocks and are rarely alone. A pet parrot treats its household as its flock, and a bird left alone in a cage for most of the day is likely to become bored, stressed and noisy. Plan for:

several hours of interaction and time out of the cage every day
toys rotated regularly, and foraging so the bird works for some of its food
a regular routine for light and sleep; most parrots need a long, quiet, dark night

Small species such as budgies are often happier kept in pairs or small groups of their own kind, especially if you work long hours. A bonded pair may be a little less hand-tame, which is a fair trade for a bird that is never lonely.

Choosing a species

Budgies: small, cheerful and easy to keep in a modest space. Good for a first bird, but still need daily attention and room to fly.
Cockatiels: gentle, often affectionate, known for whistling more than talking. A common recommendation for beginners.
Lovebirds and parrotlets: tiny but bold, and can be nippy without patient handling.
Conures: playful and cuddly, but some species are very loud.
African greys, Amazons, cockatoos and macaws: intelligent, long-lived and demanding. Better suited to experienced keepers with plenty of time and space.

Meet the species in person before deciding. A local rescue or bird club can introduce you to adult birds whose personality is already known, and rescues often have more parrots needing homes than people looking for them.

Costs to plan for

Beyond the bird itself, budget for a properly sized cage, a steady supply of toys (they are meant to be destroyed), good food, and veterinary care from a vet who treats birds. Check before you buy that there is an avian vet you can reach; general practices may not see birds.

Questions to ask yourself

Will I still want this bird in fifteen years, or forty?
Can I live with daily noise and mess?
Is someone at home for a good part of the day?
Is there an avian vet nearby, and someone to care for the bird when I travel?

If the answers are yes, a parrot can be a wonderful companion. If you are thinking of getting one, tell us which species you are considering, or share what you wish you had known, in the comments.