Parrots have extraordinary cognitive needs that require active mental stimulation to prevent the boredom and frustration that leads to behavioral problems.
Parrot boredom and frustration in inadequately enriched environments causes genuine suffering that manifests as feather plucking, screaming, and aggression. These behaviors are the primary reason parrots are relinquished to shelters. Active cognitive enrichment including foraging puzzles, novel object exploration, and training sessions significantly improves parrot welfare and human-parrot relationships.