Adopting a parrot can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but it is also a major commitment. Parrots are intelligent, social animals that require appropriate nutrition, housing, enrichment, veterinary care, exercise, and regular interaction.
Many parrots need new homes because their previous owners can no longer care for them. Changes in family circumstances, moving, financial difficulties, an owner’s health or age, and simply underestimating the commitment involved can all lead to a parrot being rehomed.
Adopting through a reputable parrot rescue gives you an opportunity to provide a home to a bird that needs one. However, choosing the right parrot should never be rushed. The bird’s personality, history, needs, and compatibility with your household are more important than appearance alone.
- See also Best Parrots for Beginners: Top Choices.
Why Consider Adopting a Parrot?
There are many reasons to consider adoption.
A rescue may already know important information about an adult parrot’s personality, behavior, preferences, health, diet, and previous living situation. This information can help determine whether a particular bird is a good match for your household.
A reputable rescue may also provide veterinary care or health evaluations before placing a bird for adoption. Policies vary among organizations, so always ask exactly what veterinary care and testing have been performed.
Adoption also provides a home for a bird that has already entered the companion-animal population and needs a new caregiver.
Most importantly, adopting shouldn’t simply be about finding the parrot you want. It should be about finding a situation that works well for both you and the bird.
Parrots Can Be a Long-Term Commitment
Before adopting, consider how long your parrot may be part of your life.
Depending on the species and individual bird, parrots can live for many years, and some larger parrots can live for several decades.
This means you should think beyond your current situation.
Consider what might happen if you move, change jobs, retire, develop financial difficulties, or can no longer care for your bird.
A responsible long-term plan is particularly important when adopting a species with a potentially long lifespan.
Meet the Parrot Before Adopting
Whenever possible, spend time with a parrot before deciding to adopt it.
Don’t choose a bird simply because of its color, species, talking ability, or appearance.
Observe how the bird responds to you and other members of your household.
Ask the rescue or foster caregiver about:
- The bird’s known history
- Personality and temperament
- Favorite foods and treats
- Current diet
- Daily routine
- Previous veterinary care
- Known medical conditions
- Handling preferences
- Noise level
- Training history
- Behavior around other people or animals
- Favorite toys and activities
- Any known fears or behavioral challenges
No bird will be perfect. The goal is to understand the individual parrot and decide whether you can realistically meet its needs.
Don’t Expect an Adopted Parrot to Trust You Immediately
Moving to a new home can be a major change for a parrot.
Your newly adopted bird may need time to become comfortable with its surroundings and with you.
Some parrots adjust relatively quickly. Others may need considerably more time.
Avoid forcing physical contact or expecting the bird to immediately step onto your hand, cuddle, or perform tricks.
Allow the parrot to observe its new environment and gradually learn that you are safe and predictable.
Positive-reinforcement training can be an excellent way to build communication and trust over time.
Prepare the Parrot’s Cage Before Adoption
Your parrot should have an appropriately sized, safe cage ready before coming home.
The cage should provide enough room for the bird to move comfortably and fully extend its wings without hitting the sides, toys, or perches.
You’ll also need appropriately sized perches, food and water dishes, bird-safe toys, and opportunities for chewing and foraging.
Place the cage in an appropriate location away from dangerous household fumes, smoke, overheated non-stick cookware, drafts, and other hazards.
- See also Parrot Bird Cage: What to Know.
Learn What Your Parrot Should Eat
Proper nutrition is an important part of parrot care.
Don’t assume that a bowl filled with seeds provides everything a companion parrot needs.
Dietary requirements vary somewhat by species, but a balanced companion-parrot diet may include an appropriate formulated food along with suitable vegetables and other foods recommended for the species.
Ask the rescue what the parrot currently eats before making sudden dietary changes.
If the bird’s diet needs improvement, an avian veterinarian can help you determine an appropriate feeding plan.
Plan for Veterinary Care
Veterinary care is one of the responsibilities and expenses to consider before adopting a parrot.
Ask the rescue whether the bird has received veterinary care and whether any records are available. It can also be helpful to identify an avian veterinarian in your area before bringing a parrot home.
For questions about a parrot’s health, medical care, testing, or treatment, consult a qualified veterinarian.
Consider the Cost Before Adopting
The adoption fee is only one part of the cost of caring for a parrot.
Depending on the species, expenses may include:
- An appropriately sized cage
- Quality food
- Fresh foods
- Toys and enrichment
- Replacement perches
- Veterinary examinations
- Medical testing and treatment
- Carriers
- Cleaning supplies
- Boarding or pet care when you’re away
- Replacement of damaged household items
Larger parrots can be particularly expensive because they require larger cages, stronger toys and equipment, and greater quantities of food.
Make sure you are comfortable with the ongoing expense before adopting.
Consider Noise, Mess and Chewing
Parrots aren’t quiet, decorative pets.
They may call loudly, scatter food, shred paper, chew objects, drop feathers, produce dust, and make considerable messes around their cages.
Some species can produce extremely loud vocalizations.
Chewing is also natural parrot behavior. A parrot doesn’t understand that your furniture, molding, electrical cords, or favorite possessions are expensive.
Providing appropriate bird-safe chewing opportunities and supervising your bird outside the cage are important parts of living safely with a parrot.
Provide Enrichment and Social Interaction
Parrots are intelligent animals that need more than food and a cage.
Depending on the individual bird, enrichment can include:
- Foraging activities
- Bird-safe chew toys
- Training
- Climbing
- Appropriate exercise
- Puzzle toys
- Exploration
- Social interaction
- Opportunities to make choices
Rotate appropriate enrichment periodically and pay attention to what your particular bird enjoys.
A play stand can also provide a designated area for supervised activity and enrichment outside the cage. See our guide to parrot play stands for options to consider.
A stimulating environment helps give companion parrots opportunities to express natural behaviors and remain active.
What to Look for in a Parrot Rescue
Not every organization operates the same way, so ask questions before adopting.
A responsible rescue should be willing to discuss the bird’s known history, care, temperament and health information.
It is also reasonable for a rescue to ask you plenty of questions.
A careful adoption process isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The organization is trying to determine whether the home and bird are a suitable match.
For example, Florida Parrot Rescue currently describes an adoption process involving an application, veterinary-reference check, educational tutorial, home consultation, and meeting the prospective bird.
Florida Parrot Rescue — Adoption Guidelines
For help finding established parrot rescue and adoption organizations in different parts of the United States, see our Parrot Rescue Resources guide.
Questions to Ask Before You Adopt a Parrot
Before agreeing to an adoption, ask:
- Why was the bird surrendered?
- How old is the bird, if known?
- Has the bird seen an avian veterinarian?
- Are veterinary records available?
- What does the bird currently eat?
- Does the bird have any known medical conditions?
- What behaviors has the rescue observed?
- Does the bird step up?
- What toys and activities does the bird enjoy?
- Is the bird comfortable around multiple people?
- Has the bird lived around children or other pets?
- Does the bird have any known fears?
- Is a cage included?
- What happens if the adoption doesn’t work out?
- Does the rescue provide post-adoption support?
The more you know beforehand, the better prepared you’ll be.
Give Your Adopted Parrot Time to Adjust
Bringing the bird home is the beginning, not the end, of the adoption process.
Maintain a reasonably predictable routine while your parrot becomes familiar with its new surroundings.
Spend time near the bird without demanding interaction. Learn its body language and reward calm, desirable behaviors.
Trust develops at different speeds.
Instead of measuring success by how quickly your parrot allows physical contact, focus on creating a safe environment where positive interactions can develop gradually.
Is Adopting a Parrot Right for You?
Adopting a parrot can provide a deserving bird with a new home while giving you the opportunity to build a rewarding relationship with an intelligent and fascinating animal.
But adoption should never be an impulse decision.
Before bringing a parrot home, consider the bird’s expected lifespan, noise level, housing needs, diet, veterinary expenses, enrichment requirements, personality, and need for regular interaction.
Take your time, meet potential birds when possible, ask plenty of questions, and choose a reputable rescue that is interested in finding the right match.
The best adoption isn’t necessarily the fastest one. It’s the one that gives both the parrot and its new caregiver the best opportunity for a safe, stable and lasting relationship.