Parrots are often smuggled out of countries such as Australia, where trade is banned, and are traded through a neighbouring country where trade is allowed. The pressure on parrot habitat is increasing steadily from the pet trade and from farming and forestry. This means their trade is monitored because populations are decreasing, threatened or endangered from becoming extinct. It is largely the pet trade that accounts for parrot numbers decreasing. Captive Birds Wild-caught birds suffer tremendous stresses once in captivity.
Birds are social creatures.
In the wild, parrots mate for life and live in large flocks. A great part of their time is spent preening their partner or foraging for food. Once kept in a human environment these highly intelligent animals require a great deal of special care. If you get a young parrot it will bond to its primary care-giver creating a permanent relationship. Remember, parrots live a long time - African Grey parrots can live up to 49 years while scarlet macaws can live even longer.