Companion Parrot - Household Settings

Household Settings

While many parrot species do well with well-behaved children, and can be excellent family pets, they are generally not a good child's pet due to their potential lifespan and care required. Parrots require consistent daily care and attention and are also longer lived than most other companion animals. Lifespans range from around 15 years for a budgie or lovebird, to 20–30 years for a cockatiel or small conure, up to 80 to 100 years for Amazons and Macaws—although a more reasonable lifespan for larger parrots is estimated at 50–60 years. Additionally, a young child could unintentionally injure a small bird such as a budgie; some parrots unaccustomed to children may find the high energy level and noise of a young child threatening and may bite. Parrots that have been raised and socialized around children from a young age typically do much better with children than parrots who are introduced to children at a later age. Households that are suitable for pet parrots are said to be "bird-safe".