Pet birds, particularly parrots, have complex social and cognitive needs that are almost never met in typical pet ownership settings.
Parrots are highly intelligent, socially bonded animals that suffer profoundly in isolation and inadequate environments. Feather-plucking in caged parrots is a welfare crisis at scale. Many birds are passed from home to home as owners cannot manage their needs. Wild-caught birds experience severe trauma during capture and transport, with high mortality rates.