History and Advice about Parrots in Captivity

Parrots have for centuries been kept in captivity due to their beauty, engaging personalities, and their ability to mimic the human voice. Early explorers to the New World were enchanted and carried them back to the royal courts of Europe. Today they still fascinate us and are considered a “member of the family” in thousands of homes throughout the world.

While many of us feel that all birds should fly free without restriction, the increasing complexity of our modern world has imposed some unpleasant realities. Humanity’s actions continue to alter or destroy forests crucial to parrot survival. In the Caribbean alone the Cuban Macaw is extinct as are others that once lived in Guadeloupe, St. Vincent, and St. Croix. The extremely rare Spix Macaw of Brazil is no longer found in the wild and survives only in captivity; most of them are in a private collection in the Philippines. As their natural habitat disappears, it is likely that more parrot species will be saved from extinction only by captive centers, breeding programs and the efforts of concerned aviculturists.

Obviously every effort must be made to conserve the forested areas where parrots still prosper, but a significant population in captivity seems inevitable. However, this population should come only from legitimate breeders and not from wild-caught birds exported from the tropics as contraband.

When parrots are captive, their owners must meet their dietary, health, and emotional needs. Because parrots are both very social and intelligent, parrots can be demanding. They require both time and an interactive relationship from the owner. If bored, they may resort to self-destructive behavior, like feather-picking. On the other hand, they make fascinating companions and can be a constant source of joy and amusement if engaged. It is not a commitment to be taken lightly, since Amazon parrots may live 40-60 years, and the larger Macaws more than 100.

To learn more, click here for a list of parrot-related websites.

Bird FAQ's > Parrot FAQ · Parrots In Captivity · Parrot Care · Birding List

Projects > Bird Bank: Informative Resource Center
Captive Breeding Program · Ancient Maya Connections
Scarlet Macaw Project · Honduran School Programs
Connect With the World · Macaw Mountain Future Plans