Parrots are among the most cognitively sophisticated companion animals, with welfare needs that are frequently unmet by owners who underestimate their complexity.
Parrots in inadequate captive conditions develop severe psychological problems including feather destructive behavior, screaming stereotypies, and aggression. These behaviors reflect chronic frustration from inadequate social stimulation, space, and cognitive challenge. Parrots that have bonded with a human caretaker suffer profoundly when the relationship is disrupted. The lifetime commitment required for a large parrot — potentially 50+ years — is rarely appreciated at the time of purchase. Welfare organizations recommend against keeping parrots as companion animals for most people.