Top Ten Reasons to Adopt a Pet Parrot

I may be a little biased and the pet stores and breeders probably won't agree with some of these reasons to select adoption over purchasing and breeding. I'm not saying all pet stores are bad and all breeders are bad but I just happen to favor adopting birds from all the adoption and rescue organizations over purchasing from stores and breeders. So if you're thinking about getting a parrot, consider these reasons for adopting rather than getting a parrot from your local pet store or breeder.

Be a part of the solution. Many people every day purchase a parrot without fulling considering the reasons NOT to purchase a parrot. A pet parrot isn't for everybody or every lifestyle. Literally 1000's of unwanted parrots are placed up for adoption and are in need of good homes because the new owner learns that a parrot isn't compatible with their life. The adoption and rescue organizations have to turn away parrots in need due to the large volume of parrots being given up for adoption. This is a major problem and you adopting a parrot is part of the solution.

Save some cash! Breeders and pet stores often charge premium prices. On the other hand, rescues are usually more interested in finding a good home for a bird than they are in finding a huge profit. Adopting is often less expensive and the parrot frequently comes with a cage and the basic accessories. And if you're lucky, it will be the same cage and toys that the rescue parrot is currently living with so it will help the parrot transition into it's new surroundings.

Rescue orgs need your support to continue their support. All that bird food, toys and care for rescue birds has to come from somewhere. If you've ever visited a rescue (I'd recommend it) then you probably noticed that it's probably not a highly profitable operation. It's often very expensive to operate and most new rescues fail because the costs of operation exceed the income from operations.

Learn a little or a learn a lot. If you're new to the pet parrot world this is a great opportunity to educate yourself. Rescue personnel are often very knowledgeable and will start you off on the right foot. They're often a great source of information unlike some of the people at the local pet store. Rescues often offer and provide information, education and training for new adopting 'parronts' as a public service.

Are you ready for a parrot? Rescue's will screen you and inform you about your decision to own a parrot instead of selling you whatever you want. It's in their best interest to help you become a life long parrot owner instead of someone that will be coming back it a couple weeks to place the parrot up for adoption AGAIN! Take this opportunity to see if you're ready for taking on this new responsibility.

Stand up and be counted! Cast your vote for the parrots in need! You can do this by using your dollars to cast your vote. Spending money at a pet store supports the sale of parrots at pet stores which takes away from the birds in need of being rescued. Likewise, spending money on wild caught birds and/or breeders supports their methods instead of supporting the parrots in need of being rescued.

These parrots deserve a nice home. Many have spent time in several homes by the time they reach the rescues. Often abused, mistreated or neglected. Take a look at some of the parrots waiting for you to rescue them. Just be prepared for your heart to melt.

Get to know the parrot before you bring it home. You can often spend quality time with the parrot and get to know the parrot before you adopt. In fact, some rescues REQUIRE that you visit numerous times to acquaint yourself with the bird. Visiting 3 or 4 weekends for a couple hours each visit is a great opportunity to see if your ready and to see if that's the parrot that you really want to adopt.

Want a talking parrot? "Because they talk." is cited as the number one reason that people select a parrot as a pet. Parrots up for adoption are often mature parrots and you'll know if this one talks before you adopt it. Despite what some sellers might tell you, not all parrots will talk (not even the good talkers - African Greys). So instead of taking a chance, visit your rescue and see for yourself which ones are the good talkers. One word of caution, if this is the only reason that you're getting a parrot, then you probably want to reconsider getting a parrot.

"Every charitable act is a stepping stone toward heaven." That's true at least according to Henry Ward Beecher (US Congregational minister, 1813-1887). Tap into your charitable soul and do something for a parrot in need. You'll feel good about yourself, and your new parrot will feel good about finding a caring and stable home.


Hopefully you've read this and agree that adoption is something you're interested in. If you are then here are a few parting words of advice.

Do some research. Make sure you're ready to get a parrot or another parrot. There are a lot of reasons NOT to get a parrot.

Do some more research. Make sure you check out the rescue organization that you're considering.

The Author is the creator of the InfoSuperFlyway.com. It's a webpage dedicated to Kibibi a Congo African Grey Parrot with parrot recordings, funny parrot videos, top ten lists, parrot jokes, clicker training info and a large database of parrot articles. For more articles about African Greys and other Parrots, check out Kibibi's Parrot Article Archive.