This care sheet concerns the general care of parrots, members of the family Psittacidae. This family includes a wide variety of birds, ranging from parakeets, budgerigars, conures, cockatoos, and macaws. Although the care of many of these birds is similar, details vary from type to type or species to species. In order to discover these special care needs, you should consult your bird's specific animal care information on the CentralPets.com website.

Generally, many parrots can make more tame or affectionate pets when they are hand-raised from a very young age. Wild-caught individuals may also be available for purchase, although it is often better to obtain a captive bred bird. Although some birds may not be available in a captive bred type, captive bred birds can be healthier and tamer than wild-caught animals. Also, some animals are endangered, and because populations are so small that capture can be detrimental to the continuation of the species, it can be illegal to take them from the wild. Some birds may be available only in a captive bred state.

You should research the type of bird that you plan to acquire before actually taking it home. For example, if you live in a small apartment, you may not want a noisy or loud bird. If you feel you need more help in deciding whether or not you want a specific species, talking to a breeder, veterinarian, or a person who owns that species may help you in your decision.

	Part Two - Housing
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Please Note: This care sheet is copyright © The Central Pets Educational Foundation (CentralPets.com). It may be freely distributed provided that this notice and Copyright remains included and unchanged. We encourage veterinarians, clubs, pet stores, breeders, humane societies, and others to use this to educate people and promote better pet care. Additions, suggestions, corrections, and questions regarding this care sheet are welcome and should be directed to content@CentralPets.com