The intelligence of a parrot usually arouses admiration. Much less common is the question of what it means to live every day with a animal capable of remembering routinesanticipate situations, demand attention or get frustrated when your environment stops offering you stimuli.
Cristina Mora of Aragonveterinarian specialized in exotic animals and veterinary director of Kivet Parque Corredor, knows that many times the problem begins precisely there: “in looking at the parrot for what it does and not for what it needs.”
Because behind a learned word, a wake-up call or a behavior that surprises the family there is a animal with its own way of communicating.
In clinical practice, these signals raise many questions about coexistence, from a parrot that begins to scream for no apparent reason until another one changes attitude or stops interacting as before. Understanding what is behind these changes is, for Mora de Aragón, an essential part of caring for these birds.
«There is an aspect that is often overlooked: its longevity»
-What is the first thing someone usually discovers when they start living with a parrot that they probably didn’t expect?
-What is most surprising is that a parrot is not an independent pet. They are animals with a very complex emotional and cognitive lifewith enormous social needs. They need quality daily interaction, constant stimulation, and a stable routine.
Furthermore, there is an aspect that is often overlooked: its longevity. Some species can accompany us for several decades, so living with a parrot implies making a very long-term commitment. It is not a specific decision, but a relationship that can accompany a person during a very important part of their life.
-Many people notice that they speak, imitate sounds or interact with them. Is the striking part of the parrot usually known more than the reality of the animal?
-Yes, it happens frequently. The ability to speak or imitate sounds is probably what draws the most attention, but it is only a small part of who they are. Behind this behavior there is an animal with a enormous intelligence and with some very specific needs.
When someone sticks only to that most fun or surprising facet, they may overlook that that same intelligence requires enrichment, interaction, stability and a coexistence adapted to its characteristics. The problem appears when the image we have of the parrot does not match the animal we really have in front of us.
-There is always talk about the intelligence of parrots. How does it manifest itself on a daily basis?
-It is constantly noticeable. They are capable of learning routines, recognizing the people they live with, anticipating situations and communicate through vocalizations and a very elaborate body language. But that intelligence also implies responsibility.
A parrot needs to have the busy mind, explore, play, interact and find suitable stimuli. When you do not have that possibility, frustration, excessive shouting, destruction of objects or even behavior directed towards yourself may appear. Intelligence is not the problem. The problem appears when we do not know how to respond to it.
«Many families spend many hours away from home and a parrot does not cope well with prolonged loneliness»
-What behaviors should make a guardian suspect that their parrot is not well?
-There are signs that are still interpreted as something normal and they should not be. The best known is pluck feathers: It is never normal behavior and usually indicates that there is a stress, boredom or even health problem.
We must also pay attention to the constant shouting, the repetitive movementsto the sudden changes in behavior or to one aggressiveness that appears suddenly. Many times we think that the animal has become «bad» or has a bad character, when in reality it is trying to communicate that something is happening.
-Can a parrot fit into a current home, with work schedules, neighbors and little time available?
-You can do it, but you have to be very aware of what it entails. The parrots They are very vocal animals, especially at specific times of the day such as dawn and dusk. This communication is part of their nature, but in an apartment it can become a coexistence problem.
There is also the question of time. Many families spend many hours away from home and a parrot does not cope well with prolonged loneliness. Needs interaction, company and stimulation. It is not enough for the house to be safe; It has to be an environment where they can develop their natural behaviors.
-What is the most common mistake when living with a parrot?
-Think that their needs are met with an adequate cage, correct food and some toys. All of that is important, but it is not enough. a parrot needs to be part of family lifehave moments of interaction, get out of the cage, explore and receive varied stimuli.
We also make the mistake of interpreting their behaviors from our human perspective without first trying to understand what the animal is communicating to us.
-In consultation, do you find more physical problems or problems related to the way you live?
-We see more and more cases in which the environment plays an important role. Many behavioral problems are related to lack of stimulation, stress or an inadequate routine. In addition, some physical alterations may be related to factors such as a bad diet o one stress maintained over time.
The well-being of a parrot does not depend solely on treating a disease when it appears but on understanding how that animal lives every day.
-What would you say to someone who wants to live with a parrot because they are fascinated by it speaking, learning words and interacting with people?
-I would tell you that that part is fascinating, but that it is only a small part of the story. They are animals with an enormous capacity to learn, communicate and create bonds, but precisely for this reason they need a lot from us. Many people want a parrot because it talks and imitates sounds, but they forget that it also does nothe needs a life at the height of his intelligence.
Before taking that step you have to ask yourself if we have time, if our lifestyle fits your needs and if we are prepared for a commitment that can last many years. A parrot can be an extraordinary companion, but it is not a suitable animal for every home.
By Pau Allué, La Vanguardia.
