The average life span of parrots varies greatly from species to species. Typically the larger the parrot, the longer the life span. Some parrots can live upwards of seventy years in captivity. Parrots have a wide range of personalities from the dependent nature of the Cockatoo to the independent nature of an Amazon. All are highly intelligent flock animals that crave attention and companionship. They are highly inquisitive and intelligent creatures. Parrots love attention and can bond very strongly with people.
Combined with their amusing personalities and abilities they are highly sought after pets. Unfortunately it is these same traits that make them so difficult to live with. Their strong beaks combined with their energetic and inquisitive nature can be very destructive to the common household. They love to through their food around, which can get very messy. They also posses a high metabolism that results in the need to relieve themselves often. They are very demanding of attention and can be very loud until they get it.
Parrots require a varied diet consisting of many of the healthy foods that humans eat. A bird that is only fed seeds lakes many of the nutrients required for proper metabolic operation. The proper diet for a captive parrot consists of 20% seed, 40% pellets and 40% table scrapes (consisting of vegetables, fruits, beans, rice, etc.). Pellets are a specially formulated blend of foodstuffs fortified with vitamins and other nutrients necessary for a healthy diet. Birds living on seeds along can get over weight and lack nutrients needed for proper feather growth and strength for fighting disease.
