Parrots are among the most cognitively complex companion animals, with needs for social interaction, mental stimulation and space that are often not met in captivity.
Keeping parrots is a significant responsibility often underestimated by buyers. Inadequate social contact causes profound psychological suffering. Feather plucking is a visible sign of distress that is often treated medically rather than behaviourally. Parrots surrendered to rescues frequently have severe behavioural problems from years of inadequate care. The cognitive sophistication of these animals demands correspondingly sophisticated care.