People throughout the world keep parrots of all kinds as pets. They admire parrots for their beauty, intelligence, and affectionate natures, and for their ability to learn tricks and mimic the human voice. Among Old World species the African grey parrot is considered the best mimic. It is rivaled in this ability by several New World members of the Amazon genus, including the yellowheaded, yellow-naped, and blue-fronted Amazons.

Pet parrots must be fed a varied and nutritious diet that includes fresh vegetables and fruits, grains, and such protein-rich foods as beans, small amounts of seeds, and well-cooked lean meats such as chicken and fish. Many types of nutritionally balanced foods in pellet form are sold at pet stores.

Like other intelligent pets, parrots need playful interaction with their owners. Bored, abused, or neglected parrots may be prone to excessive screaming, feather pulling, or other neurotic behaviors.

Parrots are generally hardy animals, and such large species as macaws, cockatoos, Amazons, and African greys are known to live 60 or more years in captivity. However, signs of illness or nutritional deficiency are often difficult to observe in pet parrots, so most veterinarians recommend that they be given a yearly check-up.

Parrots are the world's most threatened group of birds. As a result of habitat loss and collection for the pet trade, about 40 species of parrots are classified as endangered. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), a treaty signed by about 145 nations, bans or regulates the international trade of many species of parrots. However, illegal trapping and export continues to threaten parrots' survival in the wild.

Budgies (budgerigars), which are one of the types of birds that are also called parakeets, are by far the most popular parrot pet. Budgies are originally from Australia. They were first brought to Europe in the mid-1800’s, and they soon became quite popular. Budgies are beautiful and gentle. They are small, so they don’t need a lot of space, and they are very inexpensive to buy and care for. Budgies can become very good talkers.

The natural coloring of the budgie was green with a yellow head and blue-edged feathers along the back. But breeders have developed budgies in many other colors, including yellow, blue, white, and cinnamon.

Pet parrots sometimes escape. And, parrot owners sometimes purposely let their pets loose when they no longer want to care for them. Some of these lost or abandoned pets survive and live in the wild once again.Animals that were once tame or that are descended from animals that were once tame but that now live in the wild are called feral. So, these parrots are called feral parrots.

Most feral parrot flocks live in warm places, such as southern California and Florida. Flocks have, however, formed in colder places, as well. Flocks of monk, or Quaker, parrots live in Brooklyn, New York; Connecticut; and in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood. Monk parrots are able to live through the cold winters because they build large nests of twigs that allow them to stay warm.

Parrots can be fun, funny, smart, active, loyal, and affectionate pets. But they are not for everyone. They can be messy and noisy. They may chew up furniture or other valuable objects in the house. They can be mean to people they don’t like. And, they may demand more attention than a person is able to give. Unhappy parrots sometimes develop bad habits. They may scream constantly or pull out their feathers. Faced with these problems, people may no longer want to keep their parrots.

Bird-rescue organizations take in unwanted, abused, and neglected parrots. Such organizations try to find new homes for unwanted parrots. Many such parrots can return to health and happiness in a good home. Sadly, though, some neglected or abused birds develop severe emotional or mental problems. Many rescue organizations also try to provide a permanent, caring home for birds that are not fit for adoption to the public.

Bird clubs sponsor shows where pet birds are judged. Both the National Cockatiel Society and the American Cockatiel Society Web sites offer a lot of information on showing your bird.

Start months in advance to prepare your bird for a show. Make sure you feed your pet the best possible diet. Bathe your bird every day to keep its feathers smooth, glossy, and waterproof. To bathe a bird, place about 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) of cool water in a shallow dish or pie plate. Place the bird in the water. Your cockatiel will splash around and give itself a bath. Allow its feathers to air dry.

You will also have to train your bird so it will be calm and well behaved during judging. Get your pet used to being in a show cage. This type of cage has three sides that are solid, while the fourth side, placed at the front, has bars that allow your bird to be seen by the judge. Put your bird into the cage for a little while every day and slowly increase the amount of time it spends there. Allow your cockatiel to get used to strangers by allowing people that your cockatiel does not know to approach its cage.

Parrots are very hardy, but they can get sick. With some illnesses, a parrot may not give any signs that it is feeling unwell. With other illnesses, a sick parrot may be less active. It may hide its head in its feathers or fluff them out. If your pet bird changes its behavior for no apparent reason, take it to the vet.

Parrots get mild illnesses, such as infections or intestinal ailments. A bird with a slight infection may have a moist bill.

Signs of serious illness in parrots include changes in the appearance or smell of the droppings, loss of appetite, sneezing, or fluid coming from the eyes and nostrils. Sometimes, by the time such signs of illness appear, it is too late to save the bird. A yearly veterinary examination, therefore, is especially important for parrots.

Most experts advise cockatiel owners to take their bird to a veterinarian once a year for a checkup. Cockatiels, like most other birds, do not always show signs of illness. A yearly checkup allows a vet to spot diseases that your bird may have. Many illnesses can be treated and cured by your vet if they are discovered early enough.

During an office visit, the veterinarian will look at your cockatiel’s body. The vet will examine its eyes, nostrils, and throat. He or she will feel the bird’s chest to make sure the animal is not too skinny or too fat. The vet will also check the bird’s vent to make sure it is clean. The vet may also take lab tests. For example, he or she may take a sample from your bird’s throat with a cotton swab. Such samples can be examined for signs of infection. Finally, a tiny bit of blood might be taken from a bird. This sample, once tested, can show the levels of many substances in the blood. All of these lab tests are done to determine the overall health of your bird.

Smaller parrots, such as cockatiels and budgies, may live about as long as cats and dogs—that is, anywhere from 8 to 15 years. Some small parrots may live for much longer. Basic care for these birds includes providing a healthy diet; clean water; a clean, safe, roomy cage; plenty of attention; and a yearly checkup by a veterinarian.

Larger parrots, such as African grays, Amazons, cockatoos, and macaws come with some additional responsibilities. Larger parrots are often smarter and more demanding than the smaller parrots. A responsible owner of a large parrot teaches the bird how to get along with humans. The bird must be taught not to scream for attention, not to bite, and how to amuse itself while it is alone.

Bigger parrots can also live a very long time—50 years or more. The owner of a large parrot is responsible for making arrangements for the bird’s care in case something happens to him or her.

Parrots belong to the order Psittaciformes. The kakapo is Strigops habroptilus; the African grey parrot, Psittacus erithacus; the yellow-naped Amazon, Amazona auropalliata; the blue-fronted Amazon, A. aestiva; the yellow-headed Amazon, A. oratrix. Most macaws are in genus Ara; others belong to Anodorhynchus and Cyanopsitta. Many pet cockatoo species belong to genus Cacatua, one of six cockatoo genera. All parrots belong to the true parrot family, Psittacidae.