Parrots are cognitively complex, long-lived birds whose social and intellectual needs are extremely difficult to meet in captivity. Many parrots develop severe behavioural problems.
Parrots in captivity face profound welfare challenges. Their cognitive complexity means boredom causes pathological behaviours including feather plucking, screaming, and aggression. Alone for most of the day, they lack the flock social interaction that is central to their wellbeing. Long lifespans mean parrots outlive owners and face multiple rehomings. Nutritional diseases from seed-only diets are common. The combination of high intelligence, social needs, and long life makes parrots genuinely unsuitable as pets for most people.