10 Tips for Buying a Parrot
Milo Piros
Parrots are one of the most attractive and rewarding animals
in the world. Though parrots are very intelligent their
requirements and demands are quite different from other
types of pets. They need the care and attention of their
owners far more than other household animals. Most of the
parrot breeds are both noisy and destructive; and the larger
breeds live for a much longer time than the smaller ones.
Therefore it is necessary for you to think carefully about
the following issues before buying them.
- The foremost thing to consider is whether you want to buy
a single parrot for your entertainment and pleasure. If so
you might want to purchase a small group of parrots for
keeping in indoor cages. They will make a beautiful
collection and can also breed.
- The price of your parrot is another matter of concern
that must be taken in to account. You must decide on roughly
how much money you are willing to spend - not only on the
bird but also on its food, housing, training, and care.
These things can sometimes cost a great deal. Sometimes,
people spend a significant amount on buying a parrot but
then at a later stage, hesitate to spend money on its care.
Parrots are not cheap pets, and in recent years, their
prices have increased hugely.
- The next thing to take into account before buying a
parrot is the environment where you are planning to keep it.
You must decide which type of parrot you want to keep and
whether it can survive and adapt to your environment and
lifestyle. Whether big or small, all types of parrots
require sufficient space for exercise and play. Therefore,
you will need to keep them in a cage that is big enough for
them to spread their wings and move a little bit.
- You also need to think about your neighbors - because
some of the big parrots like cockatoos and Amazons make a
lot of noise that can cause significant disturbance. Their
twice-daily periods of vocalization at sunrise and sunset
are appreciated by those who love birds but can be quite
disturbing for those who do not like birds or loud noises.
- Since parrots require a lot of both mental and physical
stimulation you will have to make sure that can you have
enough time for taking good care of your parrot. If you are
planning to keep more than one parrot then you will have to
allot sufficient time to take care of each member of the
group. Also, you will need to find a reliable person who can
take good care of your pets when you are not in town or you
want to go on a vacation.
- When you select a breeder from which you want to buy a
parrot make sure that the supplier offers a money back or
exchange facility on your bird for a reasonable period after
purchase. This is because if the birds you choose do not
turn out to be suitable for your requirements or they
develop any signs of disease, just after short period of
your purchase, then you will be able to exchange them.
If you are buying an adult parrot then check carefully that
the bird looks healthy and appears to be bright and alert.
If you want to buy a baby then before buying check that the
baby you have selected has bright eyes and healthy skin
which should be free from clinging hand feeding formulae.
Check that the birds have been kept in a clean place.
After you have completed your research and decided which
parrot you want to purchase, the next thing you must decide
is where to buy your bird. Here are some of the options at
your disposal:
- Breeders: Many of the breeders are bird-loving, caring
persons who breed parrots out of love. However, some
breeders just breed birds for the sake of earning money.
They do not have complete knowledge of breeding and rearing
young parrots. So before buying a parrot from a breeder you
should talk to different breeders; look at the cage, living
area, and other facilities they are providing for their
birds.
- Pet Stores: Most of the pet stores are generally not a
good place for buying a bird. Usually the staff members and
storeowner of a pet store are not breeders and they do not
have up to date information about all their birds. The
information provided by them for the customers is usually
not accurate. They only know one thing well - and that is
how to sell their animals.
- Bird Specialty Stores;- These can be a good option to
buy a bird. They are generally pet stores that deal
particularly in birds only and have good a knowledge of
them. Since their livelihood depends upon their bird quality
they usually sell good birds. Often the birds available here
are bred on site, as most of the owners of the pet sores are
themselves good breeders.
- Rescue Groups: Rescue groups adopt the birds, which have
often been discarded or left by their owners. These groups
take good care of the birds and adopt them out to people
after making sure that bird is healthy and ready to adopt
the new environment. While adopting a bird for a rescue
group don't think that you are buying a scratch but think of
it as the reward of offering a home to someone who needs
your help.
Milo Piros is the Author of "The Parrot SuperPak"
Sign up for his FREE 4-part parrot training course, learn:
Speaking, Trick Training, No Biting and the 'Up' Command
Click here ===>
http://www.parrotadvice.com
<< ------------- End of Free Reprint Article ---------- >>
Find More Free Articles
See Also:
All Free Articles about Animals & Pets
Index of All Free Reprint Articles
How You Can Make Money Helping Pets
