Pet Forum / Birds / Birds / February 2008

Here are my concerns.

1. Birds are not pets for a 5 year old. Your daughter should not be left
alone to handle the bird; heck, she shouldn't be left alone with a bird,
period. Birds are NOT cuddly puppies, and 5 year olds tend to think of pets
as stuffed toys. African Greys (any parrot) and Kooks can seriously injure a
child.

So, here's a cople of questions: Will your daughter be content to simply
watch the bird and be content with just that?  Can you assure that your
daughter, or any pet that you already own, will not act in a manner that
will frighten the bird and make its life miserable.

Birds can be a wonderful instructional experience for a child, but a bird is
not a child's toy.

2. Can you provide a large enough aviary for flight? And no, the typical
cage in a pet store is not adequate for a Kook. Kooks require a LOT of space
in order to live a health life. If all you can do, or are willing to do, is
provide a cage, then don't get a Kook.

3. Kooks CAN make affectionate (in a birdy sort of way) pets IF they have
been pulled and handled at a very early age, AND if you can provide enough
social interaction. Buy a Kook, or a parrot, and you will need to provide a
good deal of DAILY attention.

4. Kooks and parrots can and do cause serious injuries. A Kooks beak is
meant for tearing and rendering flesh; a parrots beak is meant for scraping,
tearing, and extreme levels of crushing.

5. Kooks and parrots can and will be LOUD. In an enclosed structure -- like
a house or apartment -- the loudness is amplified even more. Kooks and
parrots have their own schedule and will be LOUD when they feel it is
appropriate to be LOUD. If you are not consistent with your socializing with
them, they will be LOUD. If you are not awake when they think you should be
awake, they will be LOUD. If they are bored, they will be LOUD. If they want
to talk to you, they will be LOUD. If they are frightened -- and anything
from the sound of running water to sombody's or something's shadow can
frighten them -- they will be LOUD. If they feel good, they will be LOUD. If
they are horny and wanting to mate, they will be LOUD. If they hate your
choice of feathers (clothes), they will be LOUD.

It is normal for parrots and Kooks to be loud. So, expect LOUDNESS
punctuated by periods of quiet.

6(a). Parrots and Kooks are messy. They fling food. They poo. They poo in
their water. They poo wherever they land. They poo on surfaces that it would
seem impossible for a bird to have poo'd on (now how did that poo get up
there?) Because they poo and fling and leave uneaten food everywhere, they
require daily clean up.

6(b). Parrots and Kooks are destructive. They think of it as play and
exercise and tension release. You think of it as "OH MY GOD, LOOK WHAT THEY
DID TO MY ANTIQUE CHAIR". To them chairs, desks, window trim, etc, as just
weird-shaped branches.

7. Kooks and parrots could care less that you want to take a 3 day weekend
away or go on that 10 day camping trip. They require the same level of care.

8. Kooks and parrots can become ill, and require veterinary care. And not
just ANY veterinary care, but care by vets who have been specially trained
in avian medicine. This care is generally expensive. Kooks and parrots also
need to be periodically seen just to be sure they are maintaining health.

7. You already know about the dietary needs of a Kook. These dietary needs
will remain the same; the Kook will never become a vegetarian. In addition,
both Kooks and parrots (who generally don't eat mice and road kill) will
have other nutritional needs to which you MUST pay attention.

8. Kooks and parrots are NOT disposable. They a social creatures who develop
attachments to their environment and their owners. They require committment.
They don't believe in divorce.

9. Kooks and parrots are smart and use their intelligence to evaluate their
pecking order in the environment. To them, you are worth challenging and
establishing dominance over. You know how important it is to be consistent
in training a child in proper behavior? Well, you will be taking on a
continually willful two-year old. You need to read up on and encourage their
healthy behavioral needs, and work at limiting their negative and
destructive tendencies.

10. Visiting a pet shop and visiting a bird that you enjoy, is similar to
visiting your grandchildren or nephew and niece: you get to enjoy the short
term interaction but get to leave them to the responsibility of others.

Just some things to consider.