Breaking the Old Rules of Parrot Behavior

By Barbara Heidenreich

I am here to confess I have broken all the rules. I had a moment in which it occurred to me, perhaps, I should keep that to my self. As a so called parrot behavior expert, would I be unveiling a better left alone secret? And then I realized instead, I might be freeing some other closeted “rule breakers.”

I confess:

✷ My parrot does not obey the step up command

✷ My parrot quite often can be found higher than my heart, eyes and head.

✷ My parrot is allowed to sit on my shoulder.

✷ My parrot is rarely locked in his cage.

✷ My parrot is not covered at night for 12 hours of darkness.

✷ My parrot does not have a separate sleep cage.

✷ My parrot does not receive an hour of undivided attention from me daily.

There, my secrets are out! Before I am judged as an unfit caregiver, allow me to elaborate on each broken rule.