This particular topic is rarely discussed for some reason. It is concerning because, over the years, I have watched many, many great bird owners get in way over their heads. It follows a pattern that you can see coming on like a freight train and the plan they started out with goes right off the rails. I apologize in advance for my bluntness in this post…
Once your journey with parrots begins, it never really ends. You scour the internet to learn what you need to know to evolve into a great bird owner. Eventually, you have a sense of needing to give back to the community that held your hand and gave you guidance when you needed it most and you do this by taking in a bird that needs a good home. There is always room for one more bird to love, right?
The problem is, there is always a bird in need. For some people, it is very difficult to say no - and the avian community makes it harder still. Your online friends will sing your praises and encourage you to be out there fighting the good fight. Their appreciation propels you forward.
It all feels so good and so right. Then one bird leads to two, three, four…where do you draw the line? How do you say no, especially when there is the expectation that you will always find space for another cage to fill with another needy bird?
I have discussed this topic over the years with many people with multiple birds. Some of the more honest ones said they felt they couldn’t turn a bird away for fear of criticism. Many of them feel regret for their decision to take in so many birds. And, of course, they also feel guilty for feeling regret.
Rescues and sanctuaries (the responsible ones) know when to say ‘no’ and bird owners should show the same restraint. Unfortunately, it needs to be said that you should never, ever, ever take in a bird out of obligation or to gain recognition or popularity with the people you admire.
I am in no way chastising or criticizing the big-hearted people who always find room for one more. Nor am I suggesting that you should not help birds in need. Sometimes, though, the best thing is to put your resources into finding a home for the bird that is NOT yours. That’s helping too.
Every new bird you bring into your house will put greater strain on your resources. The cost of food, toys and health care will go up. More importantly, since YOU are the most important resource, each bird will get less and less from you. Chores and feeding will take longer and your free time to spend with the birds will be divided among more and more needy recipients.
When you have that many birds, you will find that none of them get ample out-of-cage time because it can be too risky. When the wrong bird lands on the wrong cage, feet get bitten. When there are no rooms that don’t contain birds, it might be safer to keep all the birds caged for the majority of the time. That will make them safe, but it will make life unfulfilling.
It must also be taken into consideration that with all the bird dander, the environment becomes unhealthy for both humans and the birds. Further, I have walked into some multiple-bird houses that were beyond filthy. Birds are messy, that is true, but that increases the need to clean more often and is not an excuse to let things go. It is your responsibility to provide a sanitary environment for the birds in your care. This is very difficult with too many birds.
If, to you, living the dream is having the walls of your house lined with bird cages, please reconsider. If you want to be a true ambassador to birds, take on only what you can handle and learn to say no. You’re not doing justice to any birds you don’t have enough time for. How is this an improvement for them?
By over-extending yourself and not imposing limits, their current situation may be no better than the one they were “rescued” from making yours just another crappy home they landed in.
Oh, and somewhere in there are your original birds that consumed your heart when you first started out. What has their life become?
Patty Jourgensen specializes in avian health, behavior and nutrition and has been working with and caring for rescue birds since 1987.
13 comments
Hey guys! Been following you for a while now… have had numerous consult with Kim and I feel I am doing the best I can with my flock of 4. This weekend I was offered an umbrella cockatoo…. 15y old male, and all the bads that comes with him… getting cover at night, eating crap diet, hormonal to the max, chasing the dogs of the house etc…. I was hopeful I could make a difference by diet converting and more sleep, no more cover etc…. Well the reality is that bird needs more than what I can offer. He needs to totally relearn to play with toy, spend time by himself and eat healthy ! This is a battle I was willing to do…. Then we had a shitty weekend, my own flock suffer from his presence and I was not that helpful to him….. all to say is thank you for being blunt!!!!! This sheds some lights into my overwhelming weekend with this guy. I offer to help coaching the current owner or to help the new family…. That is what I can provide for this poor guy to help him. We all wish we could have and help them all but we just can’t. Thank you guys for saying the truth and being there.
Very good article and you make some very valid points. I have 6 cockatiels, ranging in age for 1-10 years old. A couple of them are rescue birds, and when the person I got them from asked me to take 2 more, I had to turn her down. I don’t regret any of my birds, but I know my limit. The flock has time out of their cages in their amazing bird room, together and they all get along well. But I also have to take them out of their room individually to spend quality time with them. This is not always easy, as the youngest ones want all the attention and are not thrilled with sharing. Yes, the bills have increased, as has the dust from the birds, which is why I have set a firm limit here. I have 3 air filters running at all times in my house, one of which is in their room. Cleaning takes a lot of time. I am fortunate in one way that I retired, so I have time to spend with my birds. But I also realize the seriousness of maintaining care for them. That is why I have not only an immediate bid sitter lined up to come here, but also long term arrangements for another bird lover to take my babies should something happen to me, and they will be financially compensated for doing so. It is a lot of responsibility having birds, but as long as you know your individual limitations, they bring a world of joy into your life, and they can be very happy and healthy too!
Good article I totally agree I was with a bad rescue and ended up adopting too many birds that eventually had to go back I now have my own 5 and in with another rescue and have decided to safe house only to help the birds on their way to a good suitable home which I find very rewarding
Very good article, I have 3 lovebirds all boys, 1was bought and the other flew to us as babies, 2 Get on very well in a cage together, but the last boy prefers a cage on his own. They do take a lot of looking after but we love them all
Thank you for this wonderful article! We have four birds. We are always worried that we don’t clean the cages enough…we don’t get them out enough, etc… We have two dogs. We don’t plan to get any new dogs. One is over 17 years old. We want to be able to let the birds out without fear. We want to create a trust fund that would go to a sanctuary for our birds. It’s overwhelming just thinking about all the care and planning that goes into taking care of our birds. Not to mention the guilt I feel about keeping them in their cages; I want them to fly free! Emotionally it’s difficult. We need a support group!
Thank you for this wonderful article! We have four birds. We are always worried that we don’t clean the cages enough…we don’t get them out enough, etc… We have two dogs. We don’t plan to get any new dogs. One is over 17 years old. We want to be able to let the birds out without fear. We want to create a trust fund that would go to a sanctuary for our birds. It’s overwhelming just thinking about all the care and planning that goes into taking care of our birds. No to mention the guilt I feel about keeping them in their cages; I want them to fly free! Emotionally it’s difficult. We need a support group!
Wonderful article and very much to the point. Working in rescue I learned a long time ago the importance of saying " NO". Often it is far better to say no and refer to another rescue and potential adoptee then to bring in one more mouth to feed, cage to clean, and visit to another vet appointment.
Since I have had my parrot I have been asked to take in birds and I have turned them down because I know the bird I have needs me and she came from a bad situation. It is very time consuming and expensive to take care of just one parrot properly. I have felt very guilty for not taking any other birds. I thank you for this article it does help to read that someone says its ok.
Very good article and so truthful. 4 parrots are my limit. I love them all. Wish I could take in more but reality is no and this article explains it so well. To help other parrots donate money toys or your time to a rescue.
Like children, birds don’t belong in cages. If you can’t provide a safe and enriching habitat, don’t get a bird. It takes time and a lot of work to integrate new family members. Some never can. Each must have their safe habitat and settle in their own time. You make a number of good human points. How about the birds? Know your animals. Can they handle more? Should they? How?
It’s too bad some people don’t have that thought about how many kids they burden society with. (after watching a thing about making beds for kids that didn’t have beds)apparently very many
Patty this was very informative I hope people scrutinize this and know how true this message is thank you
Well said, Patty. This was courageous to post, but was very needed. Responsible pet ownership is important, and adopting beyond your ability to provide for in a healthy way is irresponsible.
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