Rehoming a parrot should always be a last resort because it’s very stressful for bonded pet birds. If you need to rehome a parrot, do your utmost to find a suitable friend or family member.
Many animal shelters will accept responsibility for a parrot but ensure the sanctuary is informed about any behavioral problems and health conditions before relinquishing ownership.
If you can’t find a local animal shelter, contact a national parrot charity to ask for advice.
Parrots can also be sold privately on Facebook groups, meaning you can recoup some of your money. Just ensure the buyer is genuinely interested in owning and caring for a pet bird.
Common Reasons Parrots Are Rehomed
It’s easy to fall in love with a parrot in a pet store window or based on an amusing YouTube video. When parrots are happy and contented, they’re cute, fun-loving, affectionate, and charming.
Parrots need lots of attention, becoming upset and acting out when their care needs aren’t met.
Here are the main reasons people rehome pet parrots:
Behavioral Challenges
Examples of unwanted behaviors in parrots include:
- Screaming at high volumes, disturbing the neighbors.
- Delivering painful bites when scared.
- Unpredictability due to elevated hormone levels.
- Difficulty forming a bond due to past trauma.
- Chewing and destroying furniture.
Most unwanted parrot behaviors can be overcome with lifestyle adjustments and expert training. Unfortunately, the problems some parrots have are deeply ingrained.
Expense
A parrot’s initial asking price, cage, accessories, and food can be expensive.
Veterinary bills can be a further financial burden for an unsuspecting parrot owner. Parrots have long lifespans and can suddenly grow unwell or injure themselves.
The Journal of Veterinary Medical Education claims that avian vet care is becoming a standard part of veterinary training. Unfortunately, not all clinics have the expertise to care for an ailing parrot.
You may need to travel, and pay a premium, to find a vet specializing in avian health.
Changes To A Family Dynamic
Some parrots are one-person birds, bonding with one human over all others.
If this person is no longer available to care for the parrot due to a change in work or personal circumstances, a bird can develop stereotypies and problematic behaviors.
Parrots also need to be overseen around babies and young children. While most parrots are friendly, they can bite with their powerful beaks when scared or startled.
Parrots also release dander (parrot dust) from their wings. According to Clinical & Experimental Allergy, dander can cause allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.
Prolonged exposure to dander can lead to bird fancier’s lung, a form of hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
Moving Home
Parrots aren’t suitable for all living arrangements. If you move to a rented apartment in a shared living complex, a noisy parrot can cause disputes with neighbors.
Many landlords have a no-pets policy in tenancy agreements. While some tenants ignore the terms of the agreement, neighbors will report you to the landlord if loud squawking disturbs their sleep.
Bereavement
As parrots have long lifespans, it’s common for them to outlive their owners. Macaws, cockatoos, Amazon parrots, and African greys can outlive humans with the right care.
Parrots experience complex emotions, especially following bereavement.
Many older people bequeath ownership of a parrot in their last will and testament, ensuring that the bird remains in the care of a surviving family member.
This arrangement is perfect if the parrot accepts its new living situation. If the new owner doesn’t want a pet parrot or underestimates the responsibility, it could lead to it being rehomed.
What Is The Most Rehomed Parrot?
Cockatoos are the most commonly rehomed parrots in the exotic pet trade. A well-trained cockatoo is affectionate and intelligent, making a good companion. However, cockatoos are loud and can be needy.
Larger parrots like macaws and African greys are also frequently rehomed.
Novice parrot owners sometimes take on ownership, amazed by the parrot’s intelligence and personality, not realizing how much time and energy they require.
Should I Rehome My Parrot?
Rehoming is always a last resort if you have bonded pet parrot. The experience will be stressful for the bird and may harm its ability to connect with new owners and start a new life.
Before conceding that you can’t care for a parrot, consider these options:
- Relocating the parrot to a quieter room away from footfall and other animals.
- Changing the parrot’s diet because poor nutrition severely impacts a bird’s behavior.
- Enlisting friends, family members, or neighbors to visit a parrot while you’re unavailable.
- Training with an avian behavioral specialist, who can help you coach the parrot out of unwanted actions like screaming, biting, and property destruction.
If the cause of the behavioral problems can be corrected, this could result in a happier relationship.
Where Can I Rehome My Parrot?
If you need to rehome a pet parrot, minimize the number of moves involved. If a parrot can move from your home directly to its new residence, it’ll adjust to its new life sooner.
Here are some ways to transfer ownership of a parrot:
Friends and Family Members
The ideal solution for rehoming a parrot is passing ownership of a parrot to a trusted friend or family member, ideally with the time and knowledge to meet its care needs.
This individual can form a relationship with the parrot, making the transition smoother.
A pet parrot will likely miss you when it’s rehomed. If the parrot lives with somebody that remains in your life, you can visit periodically and maintain a relationship.
Private Sale
There’s a thriving market for rehomed parrots in the private pet trade. Some aspiring bird owners are willing to take responsibility for an older bird because it’s cheaper.
Research a potential buyer if you plan to sell a parrot to a stranger. Ensure the buyer understands the responsibility they’re taking on and they can provide a good home for the parrot.
Ideally, find a buyer local to you. While you may not be invited to visit the parrot after passing ownership on to a stranger, minimal travel will reduce the stress of rehoming a bird.
If a parrot is microchipped, ensure the details of ownership are updated. The new owner must be contactable if the parrot escapes its new home or is reported stolen.
Be honest about why you’re rehoming the parrot, especially regarding health and behavioral problems like biting. If a parrot is prone to bad behaviors, it could end up being rehomed again.
Animal Shelters
Many animal shelters, even if they usually find homes for unwanted cats and dogs, will accept parrots and other pet birds that require rehoming.
If you plan to use a shelter, ensure they understand the parrot’s health and care needs. Wherever possible, find a bird-focused shelter with a no-kill policy.
Animal Charities
If you can’t find a home for a parrot or locate a shelter, contact one of these animal charities:
- Feathered Friends Sanctuary and Rescue.
- Mickaboo Companion Bird Rescue.
- National Parrot Rescue and Preservation Foundation
- Parrots for Patriots.
- World Parrot Trust.
A charity likely won’t adopt or rehome a parrot directly. However, they may provide advice or have good relationships with interested individuals and local shelters that can assist.
