🦜 Why Buying from Breeders Harms Parrots — And What You Can Do Instead

By Avian Conservation Institute in partnership with Wings of Love, Inc.

🚫 The Problem with Breeding Parrots

Parrots are stunning, intelligent, and social animals. But behind their beauty lies a harsh truth: buying parrots from breeders fuels overpopulation, neglect, and exploitation. If you’re thinking about adding a bird to your home, here’s what you need to know first.

❌ 1. Shelter Overload

Thousands of parrots are surrendered each year when families realize how demanding they are. Breeding continues to add more birds to a system already overwhelmed.

❌ 2. Behavioral & Emotional Harm

Birds bred for profit are often removed from their parents too early and sold without proper socialization. This leads to biting, aggression, and plucking from stress.

❌ 3. Ethical & Environmental Impact

Breeding commodifies living beings, disrupting their natural behaviors and promoting neglect. Some demand even fuels illegal wildlife trade.

✅ Adopt, Don’t Shop

Choosing adoption over purchase gives a bird in need a second chance and helps break the cycle of overbreeding. Before you adopt, make sure you’re fully ready for this lifelong commitment.

📋 “Are You Ready for a Parrot?” Checklist

✔️ Lifespan: Some parrots live 20–80 years

✔️ Time: Require 3–4 hours of interaction per day

✔️ Noise: Many are extremely loud

✔️ Mess: Daily cage cleaning and feather flinging

✔️ Expenses: Vet care, diet, toys, and enrichment add up

✔️ Emotional Needs: Need attention, trust-building, and mental stimulation

✔️ Space & Safety: Parrot-proofing is a must

📥 Download the full checklist here

🐦 Where to Adopt a Parrot in Kansas & Missouri

Support compassionate, reputable organizations that put birds first:

Wings of Love, Inc. – Pleasant Hill, MO

A rescue and education center committed to ethical care and placement of exotic birds.🔗 Visit Website

Beak N Wings – Lenexa, KS

A nonprofit offering adoption, educational events, and outreach programs.🔗 Visit Website

Burge Bird Rescue – Grandview, MO

Rescue partnered with a certified avian vet, focusing on medical care and rehoming.🔗 Visit Website

Tallgrass Parrot Sanctuary – Lecompton, KS

A forever home for birds with special needs or unable to be rehomed.🔗 Visit Website

STAR - St. Louis Avian Rescue – St. Louis, MO

Volunteer-run organization offering fostering, adoption, and community education.🔗 Visit Website

💚 Make a Compassionate Choice

Adopting a parrot is a deeply rewarding journey—but only when done responsibly.Instead of fueling breeding mills, give love, healing, and a second chance to a parrot in need.

🕊️ Explore more resources, tips, and checklists at👉 www.avianconservationkc.com