My Turn

........now it's My TURN TO SPEAK, if I may......

LEARN ALL ABOUT PARROTS BEFORE YOU DECIDE ON ME…….Have A “Bird Doctor” (Avian Vet) Set In Place…….and THANK YOU FOR Providing A Safe, CARING and LOVING Home For Me.

It’s my nature to fly through rainforests or savannahs but I’ve given up this great gift for your pleasure ~ so at the very least, please give me enough room to flap my wings and exercise.

I need some safe and challenging toys for brain stimulation and also for my amusement. Provide me with safe woods that are fun to chew, otherwise, I might confuse your home with the forest and its trees.

Feed Me A Nutritious Diet

I need a wide variety of fresh and nutritious foods every day, even though preparation may take some time. Refer to the Parrot Guide and other reliable sources.

Allow Me To Have A Social Life

I am a gregarious flock animal who needs socialization to learn how to interact with you and others, but make sure they know that I’m always on guard and expect to be treated with kindness and respect.

I Need Cleanliness

My food and water needs to be fresh each day. Sure, I drop my food and fling it around, but that’s just how we birds are, so please keep my cage clean and don’t allow those droppings to pile up. You can use old newspapers for cage liners then toss them away before “hitting the sack each night”.

I love those daily mistings with warm water sprayed above my head…It keeps my skin and feathers healthy.

I Need My Own Doctor

You may not understand my physiology and therefore be unable to recognize early signs of illness which all birds try to hide. That’s why I need a good Doc secured... B-4 you bring me home, in case of an emergency. Also, I heard that those bills can be steep at times, so hope you have a bank account for me. (ha)

Please Don’t Punish Me

Just as I don’t always understand your peculiarities, you may not understand mine. I don’t TRY to get into trouble ~ remember, a house is not the jungle. If I do mess up, don’t yell at me and NEVER hit me. Remember, we birds don’t understand punishment. I’m sensitive and may never trust again if you strike me. Hands are sometimes scary things. We’re gentle creatures who only strike back to protect ourselves. We learn through patience and love.

Speak My “Language”

I know you become upset with me should I knock over my water bowl, scream or pluck my feathers, but I’m probably just trying to tell you something…like perhaps I’m hurting, lonely, sad, or you haven’t given me my favorite treat lately.

I am most likely the only creature on this planet who can often learn to speak YOUR language so please, won’t you try to understand MINE?

See Me As An Individual

I am a unique and feeling being. No two of us are alike. Please don’t be disappointed in me if I don’t talk as you expected, or if I can’t do tricks like your friend’s parrot ~ but if you give me lots of love and attention, I’ll show you a loyal and devoted companion.

I'll Need A Reliable Bird Sitter

I’ll miss you when you need to leave for a day or longer, but when you go, hope you know of a responsible, knowledgeable, and caring bird sitter who can be trusted COMPLETELY. You can show them the information I’ve provided, OK?…And sure hope they adore birds!

I hope all of this responsibility Isn't too overwhelming for you. If so, then you should have done your homework before choosing me as a pet, because once you make that commitment to keep me, my quality of life depends on you.

If that dreadful day should ever come when I no longer fit into your schedule, or should you pass away, please prepare ahead of time and see to it that I’m taken care of by the best people around town. If I must end up in a shelter, please let it be Top Notch! (See the check list under “Unwanted Birds”).

I Promise You…

That if I’m treated well, you’ll be rewarded with unwavering love, humor, knowledge, and dedication, along with a sense of awe and wonderment that you haven’t felt since you were a kid.
You will become my “flock leader” ~ my entire universe ~ for life!
I would hang the moon and stars for you if I could.

We are one ....... Heart and Soul.

* Thanks to Dr. Stewart Metz for his inspiration.

Check out the many sources where fascinating information about PARROTS and other birds can be found. One captivating book, ALEX & ME, Is about a Congo African Grey Parrot, (origin - Central Western Africa) and a scientist, Dr. Irene Pepperberg. She and ALEX uncover a hidden world of animal intelligence and form a deep bond in the process.