| A Parrot's Bill of Rights |
1. GET TO KNOW ABOUT PARROTS BEFORE YOU BRING ME HOME - I am not
a domesticated pet like a dog or cat. I still have the spirit of the jungle in me. I
have special needs which you may find it hard to fill. Please don't learn these too late for
my well-being. And please don't acquire one of my cousins wild from the jungle—it will
jeopardize his survival and well-being, and that won't be a party for you either!
a domesticated pet like a dog or cat. I still have the spirit of the jungle in me. I
have special needs which you may find it hard to fill. Please don't learn these too late for
my well-being. And please don't acquire one of my cousins wild from the jungle—it will
jeopardize his survival and well-being, and that won't be a party for you either!
2. GIVE ME THE LARGEST HOME POSSIBLE - I am used to flying through
rainforests or savannas. I have given up this great gift for your pleasure. At the very
least, give me enough room to flap my wings and exercise. And I need toys for my
amusement and wood to chew— otherwise, I might confuse your Home with the forest
and its trees.
rainforests or savannas. I have given up this great gift for your pleasure. At the very
least, give me enough room to flap my wings and exercise. And I need toys for my
amusement and wood to chew— otherwise, I might confuse your Home with the forest
and its trees.
3. GIVE ME A NUTRITIOUS DIET - I need a wide variety of fresh and nutritious
foods, even if they take time to prepare. I cannot survive on seeds alone. Take time to
learn what my needs and preferences, are.
foods, even if they take time to prepare. I cannot survive on seeds alone. Take time to
learn what my needs and preferences, are.
4. LET ME HAVE A 'SOCIAL LIFE' - I am a gregarious flock animal—but I am not
one of you. I need lots of socialization to learn how to act with you, and with my siblings.
I also need to have adequate quality time with you every day—no matter what your
schedule or other needs are. I am a living, feeling creature. Above all, I need to be able
to have complete trust in you, and count on your predictability in looking after me—
every day.
one of you. I need lots of socialization to learn how to act with you, and with my siblings.
I also need to have adequate quality time with you every day—no matter what your
schedule or other needs are. I am a living, feeling creature. Above all, I need to be able
to have complete trust in you, and count on your predictability in looking after me—
every day.
5. LET ME BE CLEAN - I may like to drop food or even throw it, but I need meticulous
cleanliness to be healthy. My skin itches without frequent showers, the barbs of my
feathers won't seal if they become oily and, worst of all, I may become ill if my food or
water is not always sanitary.
cleanliness to be healthy. My skin itches without frequent showers, the barbs of my
feathers won't seal if they become oily and, worst of all, I may become ill if my food or
water is not always sanitary.
6. I NEED MY OWN DOCTOR - You may not understand my physiology and therefore
you may not recognize it early on when I get sick. And it may be too late when you do,
because I hide my illnesses (remember what I said about my being an animal of the
jungle, where there are lots of predators). And I need an avian vet—a specialist (no
HMOs for me please). If you can't afford one, perhaps you shouldn't have taken me
home.
you may not recognize it early on when I get sick. And it may be too late when you do,
because I hide my illnesses (remember what I said about my being an animal of the
jungle, where there are lots of predators). And I need an avian vet—a specialist (no
HMOs for me please). If you can't afford one, perhaps you shouldn't have taken me
home.
7. PLEASE DON'T PUNISH ME - Just as I don't always understand your peculiarities,
you may not understand mine. I don't TRY to get in trouble—remember, a house is
not the jungle. If I do screw up, don't yell at me and never hit me. I have sensitive ears
and I may never trust you again if you strike me. Hands are sometimes scary things to
us (why in the world would you not be zygodactylous like us?). Even more importantly,
we don't learn by punishment. We are gentle creatures who only strike back to protect
ourselves; we learn through patience and love.
you may not understand mine. I don't TRY to get in trouble—remember, a house is
not the jungle. If I do screw up, don't yell at me and never hit me. I have sensitive ears
and I may never trust you again if you strike me. Hands are sometimes scary things to
us (why in the world would you not be zygodactylous like us?). Even more importantly,
we don't learn by punishment. We are gentle creatures who only strike back to protect
ourselves; we learn through patience and love.
8. SPEAK MY " LANGUAGE" - I know you get upset with me when I knock over my
water bowl, throw food, scream or pluck my feathers. I don't do these to annoy you—I
am probably trying to tell you something (perhaps that I am hurting, lonely , or sad.).
Learn to speak MY (body) language. Remember that I , alone of all creatures on this
planet, learn to speak yours!
water bowl, throw food, scream or pluck my feathers. I don't do these to annoy you—I
am probably trying to tell you something (perhaps that I am hurting, lonely , or sad.).
Learn to speak MY (body) language. Remember that I , alone of all creatures on this
planet, learn to speak yours!
9. SEE ME AS AN INDIVIDUAL - I am a unique and feeling being.. No two of us are
alike. Please don't be disappointed in me if I don't talk like you wanted, or can't do
the tricks that your friend's parrot can do. But if you pay close attention to me (and I
always empathize with you, whether you know it or not), I will show you a unique being
who will give you so much more than talking and playing.. Give me a chance to show
you who I am; I think you'll find the effort worth it. And remember—I am not an
ornament;. I do not enhance ANY living room décor. And I am not a status symbol—
if you use me as such, I might nip at your up-turned nose!
alike. Please don't be disappointed in me if I don't talk like you wanted, or can't do
the tricks that your friend's parrot can do. But if you pay close attention to me (and I
always empathize with you, whether you know it or not), I will show you a unique being
who will give you so much more than talking and playing.. Give me a chance to show
you who I am; I think you'll find the effort worth it. And remember—I am not an
ornament;. I do not enhance ANY living room décor. And I am not a status symbol—
if you use me as such, I might nip at your up-turned nose!
10. SHARE YOUR LOVE WITH ME - Above all, please remember that you are my
Special Person. I put all my trust and faith in you.. We parrots are used to being
monogamous. (no bar-hopping for us!). So please don't go away for long periods or give
me away—that would be a sadness from which I may never recover. If that seems to
be asking a lot, remember—you could have learned about my needs before bringing
me home. Even having a baby or taking a new job isn't a fair reason—you made a
commitment to me FIRST. And if you think that you must leave me because you might
die, provide for me forever after you leave. I may live to a ripe old age but I can't
provide for myself. Remember I'm in a small cage amongst people who are not of my
blood.
Special Person. I put all my trust and faith in you.. We parrots are used to being
monogamous. (no bar-hopping for us!). So please don't go away for long periods or give
me away—that would be a sadness from which I may never recover. If that seems to
be asking a lot, remember—you could have learned about my needs before bringing
me home. Even having a baby or taking a new job isn't a fair reason—you made a
commitment to me FIRST. And if you think that you must leave me because you might
die, provide for me forever after you leave. I may live to a ripe old age but I can't
provide for myself. Remember I'm in a small cage amongst people who are not of my
blood.
11. YOUR RIGHTS - You have lots of rights, but I can only assure one. And that is, if
you treat me the way I described above, I will reward you with unwavering love, humor,
knowledge, beauty, dedication-- and a sense of wonder and awe you haven't felt since
you were a child. When you took me home, you became my Flock Leader, indeed, my
entire universe –for life. I would hang the moon and stars for you if I could. We are
one in Heart and Soul.
you treat me the way I described above, I will reward you with unwavering love, humor,
knowledge, beauty, dedication-- and a sense of wonder and awe you haven't felt since
you were a child. When you took me home, you became my Flock Leader, indeed, my
entire universe –for life. I would hang the moon and stars for you if I could. We are
one in Heart and Soul.
| by Stewart A. Metz, M.D. |
