I found this amazing: hope you do too.

1. GET TO KNOW ABOUT PARROTS BEFORE YOU BRING ME HOME

I am not a domesticated pet like a dog or cat. I still have the spirit of the jungle in me. I have special needs which you may find it hard to fill. Please don't learn these too late for my well-being. And please don't acquire one of my cousins wild from the jungle-it will jeopardize his survival and well-being, and that won't be a party for you either.

2. GIVE ME THE LARGEST HOME POSSIBLE

I am use to flying through rainforests or savannas. I have given up this great gift for your pleasure. At the very least, give me enough room to flap my wings and exercise. And I need toys for my amusement and wood to chew-otherwise, I might confuse your Home with the forest and its trees.

3. GIVE ME A NUTRITIOUS DIET

I need a wide variety of fresh and nutritious foods, even if they take time to prepare. I cannot survive on seed alone. Take time to learn what my needs are.

4. LET ME HAVE A "SOCIAL LIFE"

I am a gregarious flock animal-but I am not one of you. I need lots of socialization to learn how to act with you, and with my siblings. I also need to have adequate quality time with you every day-no matter what your schedule or other needs are. I am a living, feeling creature. Above all, I need to be able to have complete trust in you, and count on your predictability in looking after me-every day.

5. LET ME BE CLEAN

I may like to drop food or even throw it, but I need meticulous cleanliness to be healthy. My skin itches without frequent showers, the barbs of my feathers won't seal if they become oily and, worst of all, I may become ill if my food or water is not always sanitary.

6. I NEED MY OWN DOCTOR

You may not understand my physiology and therefore you may not recognize it early on when I get sick. And it may be too late when you do, because I hide my illnesses (remember what I said about my being an animal of the jungle, where there are lots of predators). And I need an avian vet--a specialist (no HMOs for me please). If you can't afford one, perhaps you shouldn't have taken me home.

7. PLEASE DON'T PUNISH ME

Just as I don't always understand your peculiarities, you may not understand mine. I don't TRY to get in trouble-remember, a house is not the jungle. If I do screw up, don't yell at me and never hit me. I have sensitive ears and I may never trust you again if you strike me. Hands are sometimes scary things to us (why in the world would you not be zygodactylous like us?). Even more importantly, we don't learn by punishment. We are gentle creatures who only strike back to protect ourselves; we learn through patience and love.

8. SPEAK MY "LANGUAGE"

I know you get upset with me when I knock over my water bowl, throw food, scream or pluck my feathers. I don't do these to annoy you-I am probably trying to tell you something (perhaps that I am hurting, lonely, or sad). Learn to speak MY (body) language. Remember that I, alone of all creatures on this planet, learn to speak yours!

9. SEE ME AN AN INDIVIDUAL

I am a unique and feeling being...No two of us are alike. Please don't be disappointed in me if I don't talk like you wanted, or can't do the tricks that your friend's parrot can do. But if you pay close attention to me (and I always empathize with you, whether you know it or not), I will show you a unique being who will give you so much more than talking and playing...Give me a chance to show you who I am; I think you'll find the effort worth it. And remember-I am not an ornament; I do not enhance ANY living room decor. And I am not a status symbol-if you use me as such, I might nip at your up-turned nose!

10. SHARE YOUR LOVE WITH ME

Above all, please remember that you are my special person. I put all my trust and faith in you. We parrots are used to being monogamous (no barhopping for us!). So please don't go away for long periods or give me away--that would be a sadness from which I may never recover. If that seems to be asking alot, remember you could have learned about my needs BEFORE bringing me home. Even having a baby or taking a new job isn't a fair reason-you made a commitment to me FIRST! And if you think that you must leave me because you might die, provide for me forever after you leave. I may live to a ripe old age but I can't provide for myself. Remember I'm in a small cage amongst people who are not of my blood.

11. YOUR RIGHTS

You have lots of rights, but I can only assure one. And that is, if you treat me the way I described above, I will reward you with unwavering love, humor, knowledge, beauty, dedication-and a sense of wonder and awe you haven't felt since you were a child. When you took me home, you became my Flock Leader, indeed, my entire universe-for life. I would hang the moon and stars for you if I could. We are one in Heart and Soul.

By Stewart A Metz., M.D.

A few other things to remember You can delete this Peta if it has already been posted somewhere else before.



TOP TEN BIRD RULES

If you like it, it's mine.

If I can reach it, it's mine.

If it's in my beak, it's mine.

If I can take it from you, it's mine.

If I had it a little while ago, it's mine.

If it's mine, it must never appear to be yours.

If I'm chewing something, all the pieces and everything they're on are mine.

If you're eating something in front of me, it's mine.

If I saw it first, it's mine.

If you have something and you put it down, it automatically becomes MINE

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Don't take life too seriously, unless you are responsible for that life.

I'd like to add one more ...

"If I'm quiet, I'm probably doing something that I am not supposed to be doing ... "

Oh that is so very true.

And:

If I don't get what I want, I throw a fit!

Being lound is parot of being a parrot
I need lots of things to chew
I will chew everything irreguardless of it is important or not
Know that I am only a bird
Respect me and make sure you can always provide for me

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Dominique

That's right, especially that first one

True enough for my babies to become law!

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Dominique

OK so here is another one: I have the right to a good night's sleep without the noise of that picture box my flock looks at (TV). We should get these all together and put them on the forum so we can print them out for keeping. What do you all think??

Can I add: I am not as easy to train as a dog or cat so if I poo on everything you own please be understanding and patient.
The original post was amazing, they should have this as a waiver to sign before anyone buys/adopts a bird!

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I cannot stress the need enough for parrots to get social time. Many owners just let their birds out and go everywhere. The house can be a dangerous place for some avians, so let us check our living quarters and "bird-proof" the room or the home.

Social time is important for bonding ALL of their life. You can't just give one attention one day and completely forget about them the next. I have spent 15 years growing up with my parrot and we still have our little quarrels. I NEVER strike the bird or hold his beak, no matter how hard he bites. A stern NO and time in a covered cage for about 15 minutes is what he gets.

Many bird trainers talk about holding their beaks when they do something you don't want them to do. I for one, think this is inhumane and scares the bird because he can't move his head. So PLEASE do not grab their beaks!