# Do Parrots Make Good Pets? What to Consider First Do parrots make good pets? For some people, yes. Parrots are intelligent, social animals that can become deeply bonded companions, but they are also loud, long-lived, and demanding. A parrot fits your life only if you can meet its needs for decades, not months. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - Parrots are not low-maintenance pets. Large parrots such as cockatoos and African gray parrots want a lot of attention and need daily interaction with people [1]. - Noise is a real issue. Cockatoos have a screaming voice that is very loud and can irritate neighbors [1]. - Behavior problems are common. Aggression, screaming, and feather picking are the problems owners report most often [2]. - Parrots need more than a cage. They are intelligent, social animals adapted for flight, and keeping them in small indoor cages with little exercise has physical and psychological consequences [3]. - Plan for veterinary care and cost before you buy. Consider how much the bird costs, how much time and effort it takes to keep it healthy, its size, and how loud it can be [1]. ## Do Parrots Make Good Pets? Start With an Honest Self-Assessment Before you look at a single bird, look at your daily routine. Parrots are social, and many species evolved to live in flocks. A solitary bird in a quiet house is a bird with unmet needs. Ask yourself these questions. **How many hours a day will you actually be home?** African gray parrots and cockatoos need a lot of time and attention [1]. If you travel often or work long shifts, a large parrot is a poor match. **Can you tolerate noise?** Some parrots are quiet compared with others. Parrotlets, sometimes called "pocket parrots," are quiet compared with other parrots [1]. Cockatoos are at the opposite end, with a screaming voice that is very loud [1]. If you live in an apartment with thin walls, this matters more than almost anything else. **Can you commit for the bird's whole life?** Parrots are long-lived. A bird that outlives your current situation needs a plan. Will the bird move with you? Who cares for it if you become ill? **Can you afford ongoing care?** The purchase price is the smallest cost. Food, a proper cage, toys that get destroyed, and veterinary visits add up every year [1]. **Do you want a bird that likes to be handled?** Not all pet birds do. Canaries and finches prefer to be on their own and do not enjoy being held [1]. If you want a hands-on companion, you need a species that tolerates handling. If you are still deciding between species, read [Choosing the Right Pet Bird for You](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/pet-bird-care/choosing-a-pet-bird) and [Parrot Species Comparison: Choosing the Right Parrot for You](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/pet-bird-care/parrot-species-comparison-choosing-the-right-parrot-for-you) before you commit. ## A Step-by-Step Plan Before You Bring a Parrot Home ### Step 1: Match the species to your lifestyle Different birds have different personalities [1]. A conure can be very affectionate if given enough attention and care, and many are good, quiet talkers, though their screaming voice is piercing [1]. An African gray is highly intelligent, often develops behavior problems, and does not like to talk in front of strangers [1]. A macaw needs a lot of exercise and a lot of time and attention [1]. Pick the species that fits your noise tolerance, space, and schedule. Do not pick the bird that looks best in photos. ### Step 2: Set up the environment before the bird arrives The cage must match the bird's size [1]. A larger bird needs a larger cage. Set the cage in a room where the bird can see household activity without being in the kitchen. Fumes from overheated nonstick cookware are a well-known hazard to birds, so keep the bird out of the kitchen. ### Step 3: Find an avian veterinarian before you need one Wellness care now focuses on nutrition and behavior, not just infectious disease [3]. A veterinarian who sees birds can identify common species and knows normal species-specific behaviors [4]. Establish that relationship early so you have someone to call when something changes. ### Step 4: Plan the first month Expect an adjustment period. Keep handling calm and predictable. Watch how the bird eats, sleeps, and vocalizes. Changes in droppings or vocalizations, or sleeping more than usual, can be early signs of illness [4]. ### Step 5: Build enrichment into every day Parrots need a psychologically suitable environment [3]. That means foraging opportunities, things to chew, and time out of the cage. A bored parrot often becomes a loud parrot. ## Daily and Yearly Care Schedule | Task | How often | Why it matters | |---|---|---| | Fresh food and water | Daily | Basic husbandry and a chance to check appetite | | Out-of-cage time and interaction | Daily | Large parrots need daily interaction with people [1] | | Dropping check | Daily | Changes in droppings can be an early sign of illness [4] | | Cage cleaning | Weekly, spot clean daily | Reduces waste buildup and parasite exposure | | Toy rotation and foraging | Weekly | Supports the psychological environment parrots need [3] | | Nail and beak check | Monthly | Overgrowth can signal illness or poor setup | | Wellness veterinary visit | At least yearly | Nutrition and behavior are core parts of wellness care [3] | ## Signs That Something Is Wrong Birds hide illness well. Feathers can mask even severe emaciation or abdominal distention, so a bird can look normal while it is seriously ill [4]. You have to watch behavior, not just appearance. Call your veterinarian if you notice: - Changes in droppings [4] - Changes in vocalizations [4] - Sleeping more than usual [4] - Fluffed feathers that stay fluffed for hours - Sitting on the cage floor - Reduced appetite or weight loss you can feel at the keel - Feather picking or self-mutilation, one of the most common behavior problems in pet parrots [2] - Sudden aggression or screaming that is new for your bird [2] Some species have odd normal behaviors that can look like illness. Parrots of the genus Pionus often make rapid sniffing noises when stressed, and owners sometimes mistake this for respiratory distress [4]. Knowing your species' normal behavior helps you tell the difference. ## Common Mistakes New Parrot Owners Make **Buying on impulse.** The pet industry has long kept a ready supply of animals for public purchase, and birds raised in production settings can develop behavior problems that lead to an unhappy experience for the owner [5]. Ask about the bird's history and early rearing. **Skipping the veterinarian.** Most owners who seek behavior advice go somewhere other than their veterinarian first [2]. That means many behavior problems go unaddressed. When veterinarians are consulted, they usually recommend a combination of a medical workup, nutritional changes, housing changes, and environmental enrichment [2]. **Choosing by color instead of temperament.** A bird that is beautiful but screams all day will not stay charming for long. **Underestimating the cage.** Keeping a solitary bird in a small indoor cage with limited exercise has both physical and psychological consequences [3]. **Ignoring zoonotic risk.** Parrots can carry organisms that spread to people. In one study of psittacine birds and their owners, Chlamydiaceae DNA was found in about 39 percent of birds, and C. psittaci was the only species detected in owners, at about 18 percent [6]. Wash your hands after handling birds and cleaning cages, and ask your veterinarian about testing. **Forgetting parasite screening.** Intestinal parasites occur in pet birds. In one survey, helminth infestation was found in about 8 percent of pet birds and intestinal protozoal infections in about 11 percent [7]. Routine fecal testing is part of good preventive care. ## Setup Details That Affect Health **Cage size and placement.** Match the cage to the bird's size [1]. Place it where the bird gets social contact but not kitchen fumes. **Perches.** Use a mix of diameters and materials. Variety supports foot health and gives the bird choices. **Diet.** Nutrition is a core part of psittacine wellness [3]. Seed-only diets are a common mistake. Ask your veterinarian to build a diet plan for your species. **Enrichment.** Foraging toys, chew items, and rotation keep the bird busy. A parrot with nothing to do will find something to do, and it is usually something you dislike. **Welfare check-ins.** Caregivers can now use structured tools to assess companion parrot welfare, because many parrots experience significant welfare challenges when their behavioral, environmental, and social needs are not met [8]. Reviewing your setup honestly every few months catches problems early. **Handling and restraint.** If your bird needs to be held for a veterinary visit, the head is typically immobilized with a thumb on one side of the mandible and a finger on the other, while the feet and wing feathers are held by the opposite hand in medium to large parrots [4]. This leaves the chest and abdomen free to expand with breathing [4]. Birds should be watched closely during restraint, and if breathing becomes increased or labored, or the bird becomes weak, it should be returned to its cage [4]. This is a job for someone trained to do it. ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian This article gives general guidance. Your bird's individual case needs a veterinarian who can examine it, ask about its history, and run tests. **Contact a veterinarian the same day if you see:** - A change in droppings that lasts more than a day [4] - A change in vocalizations or unusual quietness [4] - Increased sleeping or weakness [4] - Fluffed feathers, sitting low, or not eating - New feather picking or skin wounds [2] **Go to an emergency clinic now if you see:** - Labored or open-mouth breathing - Bleeding that will not stop - A bird that cannot perch or is lying on its side - Straining to pass an egg - Seizures or sudden collapse **Schedule a routine visit if:** - You just brought a new bird home - Your bird has not had a wellness exam in the past year - You notice behavior changes such as new screaming or aggression [2] - You want help with diet, housing, or enrichment [2] ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Are parrots good pets for beginners? Some parrots are better first birds than others. Parrotlets are relatively easy to tame when young and are quiet compared with other parrots [1]. Conures can be very affectionate with enough attention and care [1]. Large cockatoos and macaws are usually a poor first choice because of their noise and attention demands [1]. See [Best Pet Birds for Beginners](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/pet-bird-care/best-birds-for-beginners) for more detail. ### Which parrots are the quietest? Parrotlets are quiet compared with other parrots [1]. Conures tend not to scream as much as many other parrots, though their scream is piercing when it happens [1]. African grays do not scream but do growl [1]. Cockatoos are the loudest of the common pet parrots, with a screaming voice that can irritate neighbors [1]. ### Do parrots talk? Some do, and some do not. African grays are excellent mimics that potentially know the most words, but they often do not like to talk in front of strangers [1]. Macaws can talk but usually know fewer words than Amazon or African gray parrots [1]. Many conures are good, quiet talkers [1]. Talking ability should never be the main reason you choose a parrot. ### How much time does a parrot need each day? Large parrots need daily interaction with people [1]. Cockatoos and macaws also need a lot of exercise and attention [1]. Plan for at least one to two hours of out-of-cage time and social contact daily, plus daily cage and food care. If your schedule cannot support that, choose a less demanding species or wait. ### Can I get sick from my parrot? Yes, in some cases. Avian Chlamydia species can pass from pet birds to their owners, and C. psittaci was detected in owners in one study [6]. Wash your hands after handling your bird or cleaning its cage, avoid kissing the bird near your mouth, and ask your veterinarian about testing and prevention. People with weakened immune systems should talk to their doctor before getting a parrot. ### What should I buy before the bird comes home? You need a cage sized to the species [1], perches of varied diameters, food and water dishes, a species-appropriate diet, and enrichment toys. You also need a veterinary appointment scheduled and a plan for daily out-of-cage time. Set all of this up before the bird arrives so its first days are calm. For cage guidance, see [Parrot Cage](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/pet-bird-care/parrot-cage). ## Related Articles - [Choosing the Right Pet Bird for You](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/pet-bird-care/choosing-a-pet-bird) - [Parrot Species Comparison: Choosing the Right Parrot for You](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/pet-bird-care/parrot-species-comparison-choosing-the-right-parrot-for-you) - [Best Pet Birds for Beginners](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/pet-bird-care/best-birds-for-beginners) - [Parrot Cage](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/pet-bird-care/parrot-cage) - [Types of Parrots: A Comparative Overview for Prospective Owners](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/pet-bird-care/types-of-parrots-a-comparative-overview-for-prospective-owners) - [Quaker Parrot Care Guide](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/pet-bird-care/quaker-parrot-care) - [Do Cockatiels Make Good Pets? Honest Owner Guide](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/pet-bird-care/are-cockatiels-good-pets) - [Do Budgies Make Good Pets? Honest Owner Guide](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/pet-bird-care/do-budgies-make-good-pets) - [Do Parrots Fly? Flight, Clipping and Safety](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/pet-bird-care/do-parrots-fly) ## References 1. [Choosing a Pet Bird - Bird Owners](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/bird-owners/choosing-and-taking-care-of-a-pet-bird/choosing-a-pet-bird). Merck Veterinary Manual. 2. [Surveys of avian practitioners and pet owners regarding common behavior problems in psittacine birds](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21877448/). Journal of avian medicine and surgery, 2011. 3. [Overview of Pet Birds - Exotic and Laboratory Animals](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/exotic-and-laboratory-animals/pet-birds/overview-of-pet-birds). Merck Veterinary Manual. 4. [Management of Pet Birds - Exotic and Laboratory Animals](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/exotic-and-laboratory-animals/pet-birds/management-of-pet-birds). Merck Veterinary Manual. 5. [Are there long-term effects of production-based rearing on pet bird behavior?](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22640537/). The veterinary clinics of North America. Exotic animal practice, 2012. 6. [Prevalence of New and Established Avian Chlamydial Species in Humans and Their Psittacine Pet Birds in Belgium](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36144360/). Microorganisms, 2022. 7. [Prevalence of helminth and protozoan infections in pet birds of Chattogram, Bangladesh](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36251725/). Veterinary medicine and science, 2023. 8. [PsittaWel: A welfare assessment tool for companion parrots](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42147779/). Animal welfare (South Mimms, England), 2026. ## Further Reading - [Merck Veterinary Manual: Bird Owners](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/bird-owners)