Parrot Rescue: Adopting Your Next Feathered Friend
Bird lovers everywhere know just how beautiful and special these unique pets can be. In the right home, parrots are loyal companions and a constant source of entertainment.
If you are considering adding an exotic bird like a parrot to your family, you may be happy to hear that there are incredible parrot rescue organizations dedicated to connecting the birds in their care with loving forever families.
Like the more common dog and cat rescue organizations, parrot rescues dedicate their time and energy to the rescue and rehabilitation of birds in need.
This includes educating those interested in bird adoption, arranging for necessary veterinary care, providing rehabilitation, and helping these special birds find a new loving home.
Additionally, many of these organizations are actively working to improve the quality of life for parrots in the wild.
Whether you’re a long-time bird lover looking to add to your flock, or a first-time bird owner interested in learning more about whether a parrot is right for your, I’m here to help!
In addition to discussing the unique needs of a parrot and how to determine if your home is suitable for a parrot, I have also put together a list of parrot rescue and other bird rescue organizations across Canada and the United States.
Is a Parrot a Good Fit for Your Lifestyle?
While parrots are beautiful and captivating beings, they are not for everyone!
Before filling out any adoption applications, you should first take a step back, do some research and assess whether a parrot is the right pet for your family and your lifestyle at this time.
Keep in mind, if the timing isn’t right that doesn’t mean you will never be able to own a parrot.
There are many factors that could impact your ability to bring a parrot into your home at this time including a new baby, a demanding career, financial stress, or a lack of space.
The best thing that you can do is to be honest with yourself and don’t hesitate to say ‘not now’ if you are at all hesitant.
Like dogs and cats, there are many different types of parrots.
The size of parrot that you are considering will determine their requirements in terms of space, their approximate lifespan, the cost for their care, and more.
Smaller Parrots
- Lifespan: 10-30 years
- Examples: Budgies, Lovebirds, Parrotlets, Cockatiels, smaller Parakeets
These parrots are often seen as ‘beginner-friendly’ due to their small size and cheaper cost for care.
Many smaller parrots can be tamed and even affectionate, however, they generally require less attention.
Their small size also means that they are quieter, making them a better choice for those living in apartment buildings, condos, or with roommates.
Medium-Sized Parrots
- Lifespan: Up to 40 years
- Examples: Lories, smaller Conures, larger Parakeets, Caiques
As you move onto these slightly larger parrots, their average lifespan increases slightly, meaning that this is a longer commitment to make.
Medium-sized parrots are going to make a little more noise than the smaller varieties mentioned above.
In addition to being more vocal, they will have greater needs including requiring more space, more food and more human interaction to keep your bird happy.
Large Parrots
- Lifespan: More than 50 years
- Examples: Macaws, African Greys, Cockatoos, Amazons
When you mention parrots, these larger varieties are the ones that often come to mind.
Their bright colors, large vocabularies, and quirky personalities are sure to be a fun addition to your family… IF you’re prepared to make the commitment!
Larger parrots require significant more room and are more talkative than the smaller varieties, meaning that they are likely not a good chance if you are living in a smaller or shared living space.
In addition to needing more space and more food, a large parrot needs constant attention and interaction from their human family members.
Where to Find Rescue Parrots
Local Shelters
Many local shelters and humane societies will take in a parrot should they find encounter one in need; however, they are far less common than dogs and cats.
Contact your local shelters both to find out if they currently have any information about an available parrot as well as to express your intentions.
If they don’t accept parrots or simply don’t have any in their care at this time, they can direct you to a local organization or an individual that is involved with parrot rescue.
Avian Veterinarians
One of the first hurdles that you will have to cross after adding a parrot to the family is finding an avian veterinarian.
These are veterinarians that specialize in the health and care of birds.
However, connecting with an avian veterinarian may also help you to locate your new feathered family member in the first place.
As these professionals are focused on the bird community, they are more likely to find out about birds in your area that have been rescued or need to be rehomed.
Petfinder Online Searches
The Petfinder website allows shelters and rescue organizations to share the animals in their care that are currently searching for their forever home.
Potential adopters can search this database of animals based on location, species, breed, and age, and more.
While the website is largely focused on dogs and cats, as they are they most common companion animals in Canada and the United States, there are other options available.
To discover the birds that are currently listed as being up for adoption, you need to click on the button that says ‘Find Other Pets’ and then select Birds from the list provided.
The website will then ask you to search based on a postal code/ZIP, city, or state/province.
Once you have provided your location, you will receive a list of birds that have been submitted by local shelters and parrot rescue organizations.
If you see a parrot that catches your attention, click on their picture to load up their profile with more detailed information.
You can contact the rescue organization and open the lines of communication to find out more, ask questions or start the adoption process.
Parrot Rescue Organizations
Canada
- Birdline Parrot Rescue (Calgary, Alberta)
- Greyhaven Exotic Bird Sanctuary (Surrey, British Columbia)
- The Parrot Sanctuary (Toronto, Ontario)
- Parrot Partners (Carleton Place, Ontario)
- Southern Ontario Bird Rescue
- Give Them Love Parrot Rescue (Southwestern Ontario)
United States
- The Oasis Sanctuary (Scottsdale, Arizona)
- Olive Branch Parrot Rescue, Inc. (Redlands, California)
- Parrot Education & Adoption Center (San Diego, California)
- Mickaboo Companion Bird Rescue (San Jose, California)
- Parrots First (Southern California)
- The Gabriel Foundation (Elizabeth, Colorado)
- Feathered Friends Forever Rescue/Sanctuary (Harlem, Georgia)
- Beak N Wings, Inc. (Kansas City, Kansas)
- A Helping Wing Parrot Rescue & Sanctuary (Warren County, New Jersey)
- Companion Parrots Re-homed (Charlotte, North Carolina)
- Center for Avian Adoption, Rescue, and Education (West Fargo, North Dakota)
- Exotic Bird Rescue of Oregon (Springfield, Oregon)
- Wasatch Avian Education Society (Salt Lake City, Utah)
- Feathered Friends Sanctuary & Rescue, Inc. (Edgerton, Wisconsin)
If you know of a parrot rescue organization that has not been included on this list, I want to hear about it!
To add your local parrot rescue to this list, visit my Contact page and send me their information or email the details to britt@shedhappens.net.
Are you involved in parrot rescue, or have you adopted a parrot yourself? I would love to hear about your experiences and your incredible feathered friends in the comments below!
Feature Image Credit: alexis84 | Canva
I had budgies when I was a kid, two of them living happily in their cage chirping away, they are in some ways easy pets to have but as I grew older I went for dogs and have not looked back. Parrots like African Greys live for years and I feel if you do not have a back up family what will happen to them if something happens to you. Its great to see there are so many rescue organizations saving them.
Yes, the lifespan definitely makes it even more important to look into what’s going to happen to your pets if your pass.
This was some really great information — I have a few friends who have had parrots for many years; I had no idea there was so much to consider. They are beautiful birds and seem to have such distinct character. Thanks so much for sharing this!
It’s their character and personality that wins me over every time!
I just learnt about parrots from your blog post. If you didn’t write this, I would think the bigger the parrot, the less talking they do but it’s quite the opposite. I love parrots
I LOVE the chatty personalities of larger birds like Macaws. Honestly, I will sit and watch videos of parrots talking for far too long lol! That being said, I also acknowledge that not everyone wants to hear that all the time which is why they may not be a good fit in a shared living space. I can’t imagine how annoying it would be for a roommate trying to get sleep before work, for example.
I grew up with pet birds and really love them! I hope to adopt one myself one day, but am waiting until we buy our own home instead of renting.
That’s a great idea. We’ve talked about it but until we’re done with all of our travelling, I know that our house wouldn’t be a good fit. Bringing my dogs and even my cats tent camping is one thing, but that would be a far bigger challenge trying to travel like that with a bird in the family.
I grew up with a friendly, cheeky parrot next door. Warm creatures.
They are such special pets!
Parrots are such beautiful and special birds! I have never had and I don’t consider having one or a per at this time of my life. They all need care, time and affection that I would not be able to offer now.
I used to have dogs when younger but it was really painful loosing them and I have not yet recovered myself from that.
I loved all the fantastic photos you included in this post and all the useful info for someone interested in resquing a parrot!
They definitely need the ‘right’ house where their family is prepared to meet their unique needs. With all of our travelling, we know that it’s not a good fit for us at this point in our lives, as much as I LOVE macaws. They are SO beautiful! Rather than adopting one, I have to settle with getting my fix visiting other people’s birds at this point lol
Excellent details on what to expect when adopting a parrot. I hadn’t thought about searching for an avian veterinarian, but that’s a great point. I know I’ve never seen a bird of any kind at my vet’s office. However, I have a friend, who’s sister is a vet in California and she works with all small animals. I suppose that’s something to consider if you are adopting any kind of animal that’s not a dog or cat. I had a mobile vet for my horses. They’re easy to find. It could be more difficult to find an avian veterinarian depending on where you live. With a parrot’s lifespan, it’s nice to put something in a will or trust so that they aren’t simply put in a shelter during a difficult time. I even have my rescue dog in my will. Thanks for another great article.
Yes, finding a good avian vet is key and with the lifespan of a parrot, it’s worth putting the time into finding someone that you can stick with for the full duration of your parrot’s life. I am a firm believer that every pet parent should have a clause in their will to protect their pets, even small animals with short lifespans because you never know when something could happen.
I did not realise there was a parrot rescue at all I am guessing that they are like the pedigree bred rescues for cats and dogs – tight? Thank you for such helpful information.
Yes, it’s a specialty area of rescue just like those that focus on a specific breed. Not only is it an incredible place to find a new feathered friend, but they are also an amazing resource for connecting with an avian veterinarian and asking questions about introducing a parrot into your life because they are so knowledgeable about their care.
People never cease to amaze me. They want things, get them on a whim, and then discard them when they find them inconvenient. I never realized that it’s not just dogs and cats who need rescue.
It’s so sad to see living beings being treated like nothing more than property, tossed aside when people get bored. They deserve so much more!
I worked in exotic medicine for several years and it I saw so happy when our local pet stores no longer sold parrots. They are such a huge responsibility and they have very particular dietary and emotional needs. I’ve seen so many people get them, just to rehome months later, or never provide regular veterinary care. Parrots are a very noisy version of a need dog that lives twice as long and are way more stubborn. I always recommend people foster or volunteer with a parrot organization first, and consider adopting rather than purchasing.
I can’t wait for the day that pet stores everywhere stop selling pets period. I do love that we have seen a lot of places here in Canada teaming up with rescues and rather than ‘selling’ pets, they offer space to the rescues to showcase the pets in their care for adoption. It’s the perfect solution!
My grandmother used to keep budgies – such entertaining little birds. Don’t think my cat would agree!
They are so sweet, aren’t they? I can’t help but smile when I’m around them.
Parrots are so cute and have such beautiful feathers. I used to work at a bird feeding warehouse and I often saw some budgies there.
They are beautiful – I have a serious love for the Macaws but I know that we’re not in a position to take on that kind of commitment. So, I love them from afar instead.
I have never heard about the parrots as a rescue. I generally thought it’s a pet that is super easy to have and nobody gives up on them. It’s great to know more about it now
Sadly, there are many more of them in need of a rescue than most people realize.
Parrots are such difficult pets, they aren’t pets at all really, but a companion who needs full dedication and care. This is a great article, thank you for sharing this information with everyone.
That is so true – they are great companions but there is a lot of work involved.
About 35 years ago I started with a buggies, Bobby and Sunshine, then I puchsed a Cockatiel, named Angel, then I got a peach fronted Conure, which led me to adopting 2 Senegal Parrots, named Sweetie and Digger. Then a very sad case of a Quaker Parrot named Peter came to my attention and he was my first real rescue. He was kept in a really dirty cage, had major anxiety that he would freeze when we took him out of that awful cage – he wouldn’t perch on hand he’d fall over frozen in fear. I took him home and put him in a clean cage, gave hime fresh food and water. The first month I held him and he snggled in my hoodie, and softly talked to him, he was so full of pin feathers, I spent hours every day grooming him until he was comfortable to step up to me and my family.
As his confidence grew, I introduced him officially to my other birds, they all had a large space to fly in the house and outside in the summer, but they mostly loved playing with us and their toys doing tricks and talking to us. NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH MY CATS OR OTHER PETS WITH THEM, THEY KNEW THEIR PLACE, LOL! THE BIRDS RULED, THEY ARE NOW GONE BUT FONDLY REMEMBERED.
I now just purchased Pieper my new Cockatiel in May and I added 2 baby lovebirds , named Mango & River at the end of July. I so missed having my birds for many years, they are my forever joy. I love the way they interact with each other and us. They are so smart. Hope you enjoyed my story, in the future , I’d enjoy rescuing another Parrot ? ? ?
This is beautiful in many ways, thank you so much for sharing your story!