Bringing up Polly

Smart and sociable, birds make perfect pets for the right family

By Matt Lea

Photos by Bryan R. Scott

American culture has taught us that man’s best friend must walk on a leash or sit in our lap and purr. As an exotic bird owner, I can tell you nothing is further from the truth.

Growing up, I had several pets, but I never thought about having a bird until I met my wife. I often tell people that when I married Sharon, not only did I lose my closet and my bathroom, I gained a finicky, yellow ball of feathers named Butch. Since then, our little family has grown to include three parrots.

Our largest, an Indian Ringneck named Casper, goes everywhere on my shoulder. On any given Saturday, you may see him shopping with me at the mall or perhaps at the electronics store, staring at the 60-inch plasma TVs. I’ve learned to expect surprised looks when I walk into Home Depot; you’d think people had never seen a man buying lumber with a parrot sitting on his shoulder.

Owning a parrot is much like living with any other pet, except instead of barking when they are happy or lonely, parrots talk, sing or, in some cases, repeat things you wish they hadn’t heard. You never know what they’ll learn from the TV; Smokey, one of our cockatiels, whistles the theme from The Andy Griffith Show. But no two parrots are the same. Some may only communicate through squawks and other sounds, while others seem to talk all day, stopping only to sleep and eat. Either way, they make wonderful pets.

Pet birds come in a variety of sizes and colors, and each type has its own remarkable characteristics and behaviors. The key is getting the right bird for you and your family.

First things first

Before you get a bird, keep in mind that it can outlive dogs and cats by many years, with some species living more than 50 years. Sharon has had Butch for 24 years, and he is still going strong. Make sure you have enough space; certain birds require large cages, and proper bar spacing is critical. And be prepared to pay for annual checkups and a proper diet.

Finally, if your family keeps a hectic schedule, consider whether you have the time to devote to a bird. Birds are very social animals; especially if you have only one bird, you and your children are its “flock.”

Birds and children

Unless you have pet birds before you have kids, it’s best to wait to get a bird until your children are 10 to 14 years old, when they can understand the responsibility and logistics of keeping it clean, safe and healthy.

Children and young teens often do well with parakeets and cockatiels, which have good talking capabilities, unique personalities and sweet dispositions. They live between seven to 15 years and are relatively low-maintenance. (They also make great companions for adults who live alone.)

For older teens and adults, the medium parrots—including Indian Ringnecks, Conures, African Grays and Amazons—tend to be more satisfying because of their ability to mimic words and their hardy personalities. They don’t scare easily, are generally funny and smart, and usually become very tame and easygoing.

As with any pet, always supervise your children around pet birds. Their beaks are strong; even the smallest varieties can cause injury. And just like puppies, even the sweetest birds can nip and want to play rough from time to time.

Toys, activities and play

Birds get bored easily. Most of them love playing with toys, and all of them like to chew. So it is necessary to have a variety of size-appropriate toys, from little bells and beads for the smallest birds to pieces of a two-by-four hung on a string. A well-stocked cage will have some toys that make noise and others that are destructible. I make my own bird toys, not only because it is cheaper, but also because I enjoy letting my birds play with the pieces as I put them together. If you have children, this can be a fun and productive family activity.

Many a night we have sat on the couch, Casper playing with pieces of leather, wooden alphabet blocks, plastic circles, and small shiny bells, while I carefully piece together a new toy. And it never fails: Just as I finish, I’ll look up to see Casper scamper to the bathroom to unwind the toilet paper roll.

Nutrition and diet

Just like people, parrots need good nutrition and a varied diet to stay healthy. Never feed your bird a seed-only diet, which is high in fat and can cause obesity. The best diet consists of size-appropriate pellets containing a balanced blend of dried nutrients, vegetables, seeds, fruits and vitamins, all in one bag. As with other pets, avoid giving your bird certain foods, like chocolate or caffeine, which can be harmful or even fatal.

Raising a pet bird can be a useful opportunity for parents to discuss the importance of proper nutrition with their children and help them adopt good eating habits early.

In and out of the cage

The most important thing you will ever give your pet bird, other than love and food, is its cage. Buy one that “fits” your bird, allowing it to turn around, climb and play. In general, buy the biggest cage you can afford and have room for. Make sure it is clean, and never buy a used cage that is rusty, unpainted or broken. If you wouldn’t want to live in it, chances are your bird won’t, either.

All birds need exercise and time out of the cage. This means bird-proofing your home and keeping your pet’s feathers trimmed. Trimming their feathers is like trimming our fingernails; a veterinarian, pet store staff or bird club members can show you how to do this without harm or injury to your bird. If their feathers aren’t trimmed, birds can get into places where they can be injured, fly out an open door or window, or get caught in a ceiling fan. Never take a fully flighted bird outside without securing it in an appropriate cage.

Bird fair May 9–10

Owning a pet bird can be a very satisfying and rewarding experience for you and your children. But never buy a pet on a whim, or because you think it will do something someone else’s pet does. Before buying a bird, take time to learn about different species and the responsibilities of owning one. You can learn a lot from books and websites, as well as your local pet store, bird fair, animal shelter, or local breeders or bird enthusiasts.

For those interested in pet birds, the Southeast Tennessee Aviculture Society will host its first-annual fair/show/lecture series May 9 and 10 at the Tennessee National Guard Armory on Holtzclaw Avenue. This will be a wonderful opportunity for parents and children to see all sorts of birds and parrots. There will be many varieties of birds and parrots for sale, as well as food, cages and supplies. Those who already are bird owners can enter their pets in an all-access bird show or attend a lecture series taught by Chattanooga Zoo Director Darde Long, veterinarian Tony Ashley, and nationally accredited North American Parrot Society judge Cecil Gunby.

Educate yourself, and you may find the perfect feathered friend for you and your children. See you at the fair!

Matt Lea is a board member and legislative liaison for the Southeast Tennessee Aviculture Society and contributing author to BirdChannel.com and SmallAnimalChannel.com. He serves as special assistant to Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield.  E-mail him at MattLea@comcast.net

Bryan R. Scott is a contributing photographer for Chattanooga Parent. See more of his work soon at PhotoByways.com.