Ah, the parrot. What a reputation this avian has garnered among humans over the course of history.
From training them to say your name or to whistle the theme song to Gilligan's Island, they can provide hours of family entertainment. They've become a wonderful alternative to getting something larger, and they are certainly a go-to as a first pet for the kids. Yes, most of us know how charming they can be.
Then again, most of us don't own one.
For those of us that do, or know parrot-owners, it's not uncommon to hear about the relatively short honeymoon period experienced.
The Good and the Neutral
- They are uniquely intelligent and trainable
- They are problem-solvers (ex. they can escape a cage by removing loose bolts)
- They can live for up to 80 years
- They are able to imitate humans and their behavior
The Bad and the Ugly
- They need a minimum of 10-12 hours sleep a day
- They are notoriously loud screamers
- They can get so anxious that they pluck out their own feathers
- They can be mean and bully others
- They are messy
- They are naturally destructive creatures
Despite all this, parrots have recently taken the cherished #3 position when it comes to American pet popularity (behind dogs and cats).
Read more at WSJ.com