By Diane Burroughs
Table of Contents
Rescue parrots are beloved as family pets, and for good reason! They are known for their unique personalities, intelligence, and capacity for loving relationships. By choosing to adopt a rescue parrot, you are not only giving them a forever home, but you are also opening yourself up to a unique, rewarding experience. In this blog post, we will explore why rescue parrots make great pets and how you can best care for your rescue parrot.
Rescued parrots are grateful
Rescuing a parrot can be incredibly rewarding. Not only are you providing a loving home for an animal in need, but many parrots in rescue situations have had experiences that have left them traumatized and scared. If a parrot has been neglected, abused or kept in isolation, they may be especially grateful for the attention and care you give them. But, it may take them a while to learn to trust.
In order to properly care for a rescue parrot, you must first take the time to build trust with them. Parrots are intelligent flock animals that mate for life, so rehoming can be especially difficult. Taking it slow and allowing your parrot to come to you is key.
It’s important to give them plenty of space and time to adjust to their new home. Spend quality time with them, provide enrichment activities, and create a safe environment for them. With patience and dedication, you will eventually be able to create a bond of trust with your parrot. Once this happens, you can be sure that your rescue parrot will be forever grateful for the second chance you gave them.
You're saving a life
When you bring a rescue parrot into your home, you are taking on the responsibility of giving it a second chance at life. Rescue parrots come from a variety of backgrounds—some have been abandoned, neglected, or abused, while others may have been surrendered due to changes in their guardians’ living situations. Whatever the circumstances, by adopting a rescue parrot you are providing them with a loving, stable home and offering them an opportunity to thrive.
Rescue parrots are incredibly grateful for this second chance, and will often show immense love and loyalty to their new guardian, once they've begun to trust again. By bringing a rescue parrot into your home, you’ll be forming an unbreakable bond with a bird that will shower you with affection and joy.
Though rescue parrots require extra care and patience, the rewards are worth it. With patience and understanding, your rescued parrot can learn to trust humans again and develop a strong bond with you. Your rescue parrot will thank you every day with cuddles and kisses as they learn to appreciate the improved quality of life they now enjoy.
Rescued parrots can be trained
One of the great things about rescued parrots is that they can be trained, just like any other pet. Depending on their age, temperament, and past experiences, some parrots may take longer than others to learn new behaviors. If a parrot has already been through a few homes, it may have already developed certain behavioral problems, but with patience and positive reinforcement, you can help them overcome those issues.
There are lots of different ways to train your parrot, including Clicker Training and Target Training. With clicker training, you use a small clicker device to indicate when your parrot is performing the desired behavior. You can then reward them with a treat or verbal praise. Target Training involves teaching your parrot to touch a target object with its beak. This can be used to teach them how to move from one perch to another or come closer to you when called
Baby steps, patience, and consistency are key when training your parrot. It’s important to remember that it’s a process and your parrot won’t learn everything overnight. Be sure to use lots of positive reinforcement for good behavior and don’t punish them for misbehavior. With time and patience, you can help your rescue parrot adjust to their new home and learn new behaviors.
7 tips for caring for a rescue parrot
1. Carefully observe your new friend to find out what situations trigger a nervous, fearful response. This will help you identify areas that need to be addressed or avoided as the parrot adapts to its new home. Adding a calming formula may help ease your bird's anxiety.
2. Use a soft, loving voice tone when interacting with your parrot. Talking gently and calmly will help to reassure them and build trust. Establish communication by imitating the pleasant sounds your bird makes.
3. Avoid sudden movements. Remember that birds are animals of prey so they are wary of unpredictability. A predictable, calm environment is imperative to helping your nervous rescue bird adapt to your home.
4. Make every effort to find their favorite treat and reward any effort the bird puts forth to demonstrate trust or engagement. This will help your parrot understand that you are a safe and reliable source of comfort and support.
5. Positive reinforcement is adding something that the bird desires. For most birds, a favorite snack or toy, clapping, or simply some verbal praise are great reinforcers. A fearful rescue bird may experience that is trigged upon approach may find positive reinforcement to be the exact opposite. They may find it reinforcing when you back up or back away or look away.
6. Take baby steps in establishing trust and comfort with your rescue parrot. For instance, if your bird startles when you approach closer than 3', try offering soft verbal praise from 4'. When it is consistently calm at 4', for example, move up to 3.5'. And, then, 3'. If you’re patient and consistent, the bird will eventually come around and be comfortable in their new environment.
7. Focus on parrot wellness by providing a healthy diet and environment, regular vet check-ups, and plenty of toys and stimulation to encourage play and exercise. By making sure all of their needs are being met, your rescue parrot can become an integral part of your family for years to come.
In conclusion...
Caring for a rescue parrot is an incredibly rewarding experience. While these birds may have gone through difficult times, they can be rehabilitated with patience and love. By providing a safe, stable home, you can help your rescue parrot learn to trust again and live a happy life. With the right care, these birds can make excellent pets that provide years of companionship.
Related Posts:
Read about an amazing parrot rescue
Some of our favorite parrot rescues
Diane Burroughs, LCSW is a licensed psychotherapist trained in ABA therapy techniques. She specializes in avian anxiety disorders and is certified in Nutrition For Mental Health. Diane has written a number of bird behavior books and she offers behavior consultations. She's developed a range of UnRuffledRx Science-backed Parrot Wellness Supplies.
Diane's products have been featured in the Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery and at Exoticscon, a conference for exotic pet veterinarians. Her bird collars & supplements are stocked in avian vet clinics and bird stores throughout the US. With over 30 years in the field of behavior, Diane has created thousands of successful individualized behavior plans that help pets thrive.
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