Almost everyone has had a cat or a dog at one time and while some education and common sense is necessary, most are fairly easy pets to maintain properly without extensive knowledge. Parrots are not easy care pets. I sincerely doubt it. Many parrots have already had a half a dozen or more homes by the time they reach maturity because few people have the patience to deal with parrots with serious behavioral dysfunction. The truth is that far too many people who buy parrots, especially poorly socialized birds, do not have what it takes to be a committed, long-term parrot owner.
Many healthy parrots can live as long as people.
Statistics are being gathered from behavioral consultants, quality bird shops, rescue and rehab organizations, and avian veterinarians. Checking the classified pets for sale section of any good size city newspaper will provide ample evidence of the great numbers of unsuccessful parrot homes. When I speak to a group, the most common questions used to involve raising baby parrots. Now the most common questions involve the rehabilitation of secondhand parrots. A serious problem does exist and it is bound to get worse as thousands of poorly socialized, production-raised parrot chicks enter the market.