Sanctuary sees influx of 'difficult' parrots

A charity says "difficult" parrots bought during the Covid-19 pandemic are being given up as owners struggle to cope.

Lincolnshire Wildlife Park is home to about 1,300 unwanted birds, including some that gained notoriety for their swearing.

Founder Steve Nichols said: "People bought them as chicks when they had time on their hands during the pandemic.

"Now, owners are seeing the effects of not giving parrots enough time – self-mutilation, screaming and biting."

Prior to the pandemic, the attraction, which is home to the National Parrot Sanctuary, had fewer than 1,000 parrots.

Mr Nichols said: "During Covid, people went mad for pets, although it wasn't just for parrots.

"Birds were fetching £2,500, compared to a few hundred before Covid – that shows you the demand.

"But people don't realise just how difficult parrots can be."

Mr Nichols said recent surveys supported the view that many of the parrots being brought in to the centre, at Friskney, near Boston, were acquired during the pandemic.

"We've recently changed the questions we ask people when they bring their parrots to us," he added. "From the results, we know a lot were bought around 2020."

Mr Nichols, who has 40 years' experience of caring for parrots, said the bird were demanding pets.

"We always tell people the negatives," he said. "The average lifespan of a parrot is about 30 years, although they can live a lot longer. They are a big commitment.

"They're not the cute bird people think they are.

"People also underestimate how loud they are. Two weeks ago, someone brought in a parrot they'd had for four days. They lived in a flat and apparently the whole block could hear it."

Mr Nichols has a simple message for anyone considering buying a bird.

"Do your research," he said. "Come and speak to us first. There is not one person who comes to us with a bird that would recommend getting a parrot."

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