Parrot Ownership 101
There are hundreds of varieties of parrots in the wild, but arguably the most popular pet parrot variety is the African Grey parrot. A few minutes with one of these birds will and you will quickly realize why. Their amazing language abilities and powerful personality makes them a pleasure to interact with and gives them a humanlike feel.
When one thinks of parrots, the first thing that comes to mind is their ability to talk, or rather more correctly to mimic sounds. Grey parrots take this skill to a high level and are amazing in their ability to mimic the human voice. These parrots are also extremely smart and can learn a substantial vocabulary very quickly. New owners will be surprised on a regular basis as these birds find new sounds to learn and mimic, often at the strangest times.
These birds can learn such a large vocabulary that it can at times seem like you are having an actual conversation with them. They don't simply mimic random words but rather they mimic entire strings of words that make perfect sense. The birds have an uncanny ability to understand and react to speech patterns.
Not only can the Grey parrot repeat words, they can repeat them in the exact voice in which they heard them. This skill can at times be quite alarming for someone who thinks himself alone in a room. Also, remember that parrots are not discriminating in their choice of words. If you use foul language around them, don't be surprised if they choose to repeat those words, in your voice, when your mother in law is visiting. It's easier to teach a parrot to remember a word, but it's a real challenge to get them to forget one.
Other common sounds that you can expect your parrot to mimic include the telephone, doorbell and sirens. Get used to picking up the phone to find a dial tone or answering the door and finding your step deserted. There is really no way to avoid this situation.
Parrots make great companions. They offer more interaction than perhaps any other pet besides possibly a chimp. They're a lot easier to care for than a chimp and are unlikely to rip your ear off if they get mad. These parrots are very attentive and can spend hours watching and mimicking your sounds as well as your movements. Some people actually begin to think that their parrots are pranksters that perfectly plan their vocalizations to cause their owners the most trouble. If you have a good sense of humor you can learn to enjoy these little games and have a lot of fun with your parrot.
If you are considering getting one of these beautiful birds to keep as a pet, keep in mind that can live a long time and require a lot of care. If you aren't ready for that kind of long term responsibility, please leave these birds to other owners. But if you are ready for a pet with a strong personality, these birds are one of the best choices.
Amber Contant is a featured adviser and author discussing the issues that all pet owning families will experience. Amber works with Pet-Super-Store. Visit her site for a great selection of pet beds.