A PARROT'S BILL OF RIGHTS
by Stewart A. Metz, M.D.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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 barhopping 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.
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.
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