For those of you anxiously waiting for
the day when your new baby parrot comes
home, the above three words should be etched
firmly in your mind. While everyone dreams
of the perfect pet bird, a fluffy joy to
be with on a quiet afternoon and the life
of the party as you proudly show off its
intelligence, these treasured moments don't
happen all by themselves. Just like a human
child who needs guidance and loving care
to grow into a healthy adult, parrots especially
need dedicated human guidance in order to
thrive and survive in the world of people.
Parrots are, after all, flock animals and
learn everything from their bird "family".
You are their only source for guidance on
how to grow up and your role as teacher
is critical. (Imagine yourself having to
grow up in a tree with parrots!)
Education
First of all, read, read, read, read....(you
get the point). There are many periodicals
on companion parrots ranging from beautiful
picture-filled magazines to newsletters
and books with in-depth articles for breeders.
A companion parrot's life is very complex,
and every bird owner should take the time
to learn about their feathered friend's
psychological makeup and how to provide
guidance. Somewhere in the middle is a solution
that allows you to teach your bird to accept
new things while developing trust in you
and looking to you for assurance that these
things are "okay." These lessons
are critical to your bird's emotional well
being and your long and happy relationship.
Finally, the articles "Quick Fixes
and Why They Don't Work" and what to
do about "Excessive Screaming"
give the reader some comfort in knowing
they aren't the only one with a case of
the "terrible twos", and there
are solutions!
Commitment
Once you've decided on a parrot for a pet,
and decided to learn something about parrots,
don't quit! Keep up your pursuit of information,
keep up with the guidance and emotional
care of your bird, establish and practice
the behaviors you learn about, and question
practices that seem unusual to you (everyone
has an opinion). Making a commitment to
the emotional well-being of your bird is
the best gift you can give your feathered
pet. Any bird, animal or human child will
try its parent's patience but as anyone
who has kids should know, you are ultimately
in control and what you get out of your
relationship with your pet is solely dependent
upon what you put into it. Even Peaches
who is a spoiled rotten "shoulder bird"
is learning the "up" and "down"
commands (albeit slowly). Although your
life may become so hectic you don't think
you even have time for yourself, remember
your little buddy is not there by choice,
you chose him or her to be there with you.
Satisfying your bird's basic emotional needs
such as "greetings" and "good
byes" (communication to the "flock"),
and providing loving attention and guidance
will force you to slow down and take a moment
for yourself as you think about your relationship
with your bird. This brings up the last
part of the equation in this article.
Reward
This is definitely a two way street! Not
only are rewards something for your bird,
like millet sprays and toys to happily munch
on, they are emotional morsels for you as
the owner to savor. If you take the time
to educate yourself on your bird's behavior
and commit to the time and efforts needed
to develop a trusting relationship, you
will be rewarded many, many times over.
You will experience that warm glowing feeling
when your bird learns its first words or
lovingly snuggles against your cheek. You'll
see the benefits of your commitment when
its hesitant eyes look back up to yours
for reassurance as you introduce something
new, and when you watch it quietly and contentedly
destroy the latest chew-toy you brought
home (instead of screaming for attention
out of insecurity). You can continue the
reward of joy you felt when you picked out
your precious little bird and the excitement
you'll feel when your little parrot first
comes home. The ultimate reward we all hope
for is a pet bird that trusts us and is
a loving, well-behaved companion. This can
be accomplished if you and your parrot learn
how. This is what must fuel your efforts,
the knowledge that a wonderful relationship
with your pet parrot is yours to be had
with time and patience, but above all with
Education and Commitment.
