Why parrots are commonly surrendered. (rehomed)

Pre-Wild Bird Conservation Act

Lest we forget parrots are exotic animals. Up untill the past 25 years or so, and things continue to get worse, people generally respected the word "exotic." Exotics were left to the experts or to few people who really dedicated a portion of their lives to the care and up-keep of animals normally found in zoo's. Speaking as an American, we typically consume whatever is in our path and at our disposal. Exotic birds started comming in by the thousands in the seventees and eightees fueled by American and European interest in a more colorful and gregarious bird species that could talk!, unlike the more common canaries and parakeets found in the pet trade at that time. Parrots came in a steady stream saturating our borders and filling quaranteen stations. Parrots retained their "exotic" stigma however since having come straight out of the jungles they fiercely clawed and gnashed at anyone interested. Only the most skilled animal keepers/trainers could refine these wild parrots or "broncos" into companion animals. People who obtained such a bird were generally more prepared for special accomodations that these "exotics" required.

Post-Wild Bird Conservation Act

On October 23 1992 congress passed a new law that would change bird keeping in the U.S. forever. This new law prohibited the importation of most exotic parrots into the U.S. from other countries. Many bird traders became bird breeders and began setting up pairs to hopefully produce offspring that could begin to supply a growing market for pet parrots. Gradually as breeders became successful a new type of parrot became available.... the hand-fed version of the prior claw clenching beak nashing wild caughts. These new little gems were exceptionally tame and seemed to gush a gentle loving disposition. Exageration ? yes, but compared to the wild parents even a less social, shy, hand-fed seemed amazingly tame.

The first in a series of reasons parrots become homeless

Once hand-fed babies started becoming available the exotic stigma began to wear off and more and more people wanted a "talking" parrot for a pet. The first in a series of problems to come was the sugar coated baby parrot being purchased by the untrained and unprepared public. These hand-fed babies were and many still are one generation from the wild. What happens when these babies grow-up is similar to a baby lion cub that is so sweet and lovable untill instinctual behavior kicks in. How many lions would last in our homes after about a year? Parrots are obviously more trainable but still very Exotic.