Second hand parrots are never a "good deal." If you are contemplating getting a parrot, if you think about buying a second hand parrot because it is "cheaper" and if you have no experience with parrots, think again. You are asking for trouble, you are about to waste your money and join the thousands of people who thought like you did and ended up placing another ad "to get their money back." While there is a very real and desperate need for homes and caregivers to help neglected, abused, discarded "second hand" parrots, it should never be prompted by expectations of a "good deal," but rather by compassion, the commitment to help one of nature's most unusual creatures and, most of all by extensive knowledge about the specific breed and the willingness to continue learning. In terms of money it is never a "good deal"--as a matter of fact, it is potentially a lousy deal!

Here are the reasons:
In today's "pet dedicated" society, parrots are in third place in terms of popularity. They range right after cats and dogs and yet, there are vast differences in the knowledge about the species and requirements in environment that is absolutely necessary to form mutually satisfactory pet and caregiver relationships. If everyone who bought or buys a parrot really knew what would be involved--what they were getting themselves into, 90% of all people would not have bought one. The sanctuaries would be near empty and everybody would be a lot happier. There would be a lot less "second hand" parrots looking for a happy home and an understanding companion.

Parrots are popular because they are "pretty," they look exotic and they may even talk. Which is about as superficial a reason I can think of! Very few people who get a parrot have the slightest idea what is involved, how much of a commitment theyŐll have to make and how much there is to know. While cats and dogs have been bred to be human companions, parrots are still basically wild animals whose evolved instinctive propensities as prey and flock birds with a very special need to be in a social environment, a superior intelligence and adaptability makes them potentially suitable to be human companions. Since all of these traits are a part of their "personality," you, as the caregiver are obliged to inform yourself about the bird's requirements and what it will take. Parrots have the ability to be wonderful, charming and loving pets, but it takes a lot of work, dedication and a long term commitment. For obvious reasons this holds especially true with a "second hand" parrot. The new bird wonŐt jump up and down, hug you, lick your nose, waggle its tail and be grateful for its new home. Everything will be up to you--how much you know, how much you want to know and how much you learn about him/her. Most of all you need patience and money. It can take literally months, years to acclimatize a second hand parrot--and that does not mean sticking him/her into a cage and waiting for a miracle. Then it will never happen--there are no miracles. There is only the slow development of mutual trust which is only possible with patience and personal and loving interaction.

Today there are more than 8000 parrots in sanctuaries, a living testimony to someone's inability to make the commitment they deserved. In addition there are literally thousands languishing in dark corners, inadequate cages, garages, basements or sheds in the backyard--they will never have the opportunity for the "good life"--to be someoneŐs charming, entertaining and loving pet bird, UNLESS they are rescued. The word "rescue" is not synonymous with "good deal!"

First of all, under normal circumstances no-one who cares for his bird will ever consider selling him or her. It follows that "second hand" (or third hand or fourth hand), parrots offered in newspaper ads, pet stores or swap meets, frequently at discounts, are birds who have been rejected by their previous owner who is now trying to get his or her "money back". Although the primary reason is that the owner does not care, the buyer, attracted by the discount can be absolutely positive that his new acquisition comes with lots of emotional and behavioral baggage. The bird may be biting, it may be plucking his or her feathers, it may refuse to talk, it may hate grandma, grandpa, the Significant Other or little 5 year old Ernie--it may even scream for attention, chase the guests or chew on the furniture. Whatever caused the "caregiver" to want to get rid of the bird, it is never the bird's fault and the new owner will have the gigantic task to modify the bird's behavior. There will be books to buy, magazines to subscribe to and even behaviorists at $50.00 a pop to consult. There will be visits to a qualified avian veterinarian, new cages, an abundance of toys and the proper diet. Much has been said and written about keeping parrots: their needs and how they can fit into the fabric of the human "flock"--that includes recognizing the causes for objectionable behavior and how it can be modified. The older the parrot and the cloudier his/her past, the more difficult this task will be. Parrots are instinctively programmed to be able to bond to successive caregivers--but it takes time. There are many, many episodes of absolutely wonderful relationships between second hand parrots and their new companions. In all cases the new companions were well equipped for the task: they had patience, respect, love and an understanding for the bird and his or her intrinsic nature. They informed themselves before they adopted their new companion, they worked with him and her, they took the disappointment with the joy and, finally, they never saw a "good deal" as a valid reason to get a "second hand" parrot. Their reason was love, compassion and understanding. Their motivation came from the heart, not their pocket book.

A final word, loving the bird is never, never enough--knowledge about the feathered child in your care will make the difference.

Examples:

1. I had a call from a very distressed owner of a Goffins Cockatoo. (Actually there are 2 stories here) The lady loved her bird and had him for 8 years--the Goffins had started to pluck. What to do? Mom was very distraught and upset. She also had had an Amazon whom she had lost--at the age of 5. (When she realized that the Amazon looked/acted funny, she took him to a ve. The vet pronounced the Amazon to be fine. Two weeks later he was dead. (There wasn't even any blood work done). When I told her that the Goffin needs to be checked by a qualified avian vet, she told me that she had been and was pronounced to be fine. The vet looked into her eyes, the vent and down her throat--again, no blood work. Since the bird was plucking her chest feathers only, I assumed that the reason may be behavioral. So I questioned the lady about the bird's environment. I asked her if she had plenty of toys. Her response was that she used to but she always destroys them, so she doesnŐt get any more. Mom also fawned over her, especially when she was plucking.

Conclusion: Loving is not enough. If Mom, during those 8 years had taken the time to read about her charge she would have known that the first pre-requisite of an avian exam is blood work. She would also have known that toys NEED to be destroyed and that she should never react to any bad behavior. There may be other reasons for the birds plucking, this merely illustrates that we must take the time to inform ourselves. Being aware of the birdŐs history helps immensely.

2. I have a Timneh African Grey rescue. When I got him a year ago he was extremely anxious (some call it phoebic)--he would bounce of the cage walls, never sit on his perch but hang on the side, be absolutely petrified by my hands. He acted like a wild bird who had just been caught and yet, he had been in captivity for 12 years. I did not push him, I sit and talk to him, let him see me with the other birds. He is not anxious anymore, now he is cautious. He takes food from my hands and when I come to feed everyone in the morning, he rings his toy bell. He still has a loooong way to go. Conclusion: we must take as much time as it takes. We cannot ever get "into their face," and the more anxious the bird is, the more calm and reassuring we must be. We cannot try to dictate the tempo of an evolving relationship.

If you are thinking of getting a "second hand" bird, please, not for the "discount" and make sure what you know what you are doing and what it will take for the two of you "to make it." Your sunny disposition won't be nearly enough!