Feathered friends growing in popularity nationwide
As seen in The Reporter
Wednesday, September 2, 2004
By Brett Rush

Dogs, cats and fish may be the cream of the crop when it comes to pet popularity, but bird ownership is a trend on the rise, according to recent statistics.

The American Pet Products Manufacturing Association estimates more than 60 million birds live as pets in the U.S., sharing 6.9 million households with their human owners. Pet bird ownership has risen steadily since 2001, a trend that may reflect a change in Americans' life-styles, according to Tina Usher, a Certified Avian Specialist.

"Nowadays more people are living by themselves in apartments and condos, and they want a pet that's affectionate but doesn't require the constant attention a dog needs," said Usher. "Parrots are easier to maintain, and they don't need shots every year like other animals.

Usher owns and operates The Parrot's Perch, a small private aviary, from her home in Evergreen Park. Usher has bred and groomed parrots for 22 years and believes parrots are among the most intelligent pets.

"I'd probably equate their intelligence level with that of a 3- to 5-year-old child," said Usher. "Parrots can learn to say hundreds of words and can learn a lot of tricks. They're flock creatures by nature, so they're incredibly social and they love to interact with people."

Parrots with foul mouths are more myth than reality because the birds are a product of their parents as much as they are of their environment, Usher explained. "Parrots lean to say things from the people and things surrounding them," she said.

While parrots don't require the same level of care as some other animals, they do need attention from their owners, Usher said.

"Parrots don't like to be left alone," she said. "They might not be as reliant as dogs, but they're smart creatures that need stimulation and affection." Usher recommends that owners let their parrots out of their cages at least once a day to give them some freedom and activity.

Just as other pets, birds can live a long, full life if properly cared for, Usher said. The difference is a parrot's life expectancy. Some types of parrots can live between 80 and 100 years, often outliving their owners, Usher claimed.

Usher said the most popular type of parrot is the African grey, mainly because of its excellent speaking ability. "[African] Greys don't need as much attention as some of the other parrots, and even though they're good talkers, they're also quiet birds," she said.

The African grey's disposition is also more relaxed than that of the macaw's, Usher said. While the macaw's large size and brilliant colors attract attention from prospective owners, they can be "strong-willed" birds, Usher said.

The price of birds is another factor that contributes to their popularity, Usher said. Although parrots can sell for as much as $1,800, Usher said the cost of caring for a bird is less than for other animals.

"With dogs you have to figure in the cost of dog food and shots and things like that," Usher said. "If you're going to buy a bird, the best thing you can do is buy it young from a reputable private breeder."