Parrots and other companion birds have complex social, cognitive, and spatial needs that are rarely met in captivity, causing widespread chronic welfare problems.
Parrots are highly social flock animals that form long-term pair bonds. Single housing prevents pair bonding. Inadequate cognitive stimulation leads to feather destructive behaviour, a form of compulsive self-harm indicating psychological distress. Nutritional deficiencies from all-seed diets cause fatal fatty liver disease. Screaming and biting in parrots are frequently welfare distress signals interpreted as behaviour problems. The cognitive capacity of parrots means their suffering in inadequate conditions is likely profound.