Relinquishment Research Study Information - The word is "noise"

[Holiday]

Why do birds lose their homes? Which ones are hardest to adopt out? The information is here in this research study information on parrots relinquished to rescues/foster homes provided by The Gabriel Foundation 2003 and the Kaytee Avian Foundation 2010. These studies are pretty recent and provide good information for people who are researching a species of parrot to purchase or adopt or those who are interested in the problems facing rescue workers and relinquished birds, but some of the information that might be most relevant might be buried in the tons of data. So, I've extracted some of it that I thought people might find interesting

Parrot Species Most Relinquished:
1) Cockatiel
2) Macaw (This information was a little hard to see in the NPRRP study, because they listed "Other" as second but that included multiple species/types, but if they were separated, it was clearly macaws that came in second. In the Kaytee study, macaws were listed second with no confusion).

Parrot Species Most Likely to Stay in Rescue (Difficult to adopt out once there):
(NPRRP) 1) Conure 2) Amazon
(Kaytee) 1) Macaw

So, cockatiels are relinquished more often, but they're also turned around and adopted out more often. That's not quite the case with our South American friends. The Gabriel foundation found that conures and Amazons are more likely to sit in recscue:

This is a quote from the NPRRP Gabriel Foundation study:

Conures make up 10% of the population of relinquished parrotsaccepted in the past 12 months, 11% of the population of relinquished parrots currently inthe care of respondents, and 26% of the population of relinquished parrots currentlyavailable for adoption. Amazons follow a similar pattern, they make up 8% of thepopulation of relinquished parrots accepted in the past 12 months, 11% of the populationof relinquished parrots currently in the care of respondents, and 14% of the population of23 relinquished parrots currently available for adoption. This suggests that placement ofConures and Amazons is more difficult than for other species and occurs at a rate that increases their representation in the population of parrots in need of homes.​

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But, the Kaytee study differed with the Gabriel Foundation on this. In their study (which is ten years more recent), macaws were the hardest to turn around.​

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Why are birds relinquished in the first place besides lame excuses like "not enough time"? BY FAR, most relinquished parrots do not have any behavior issues at all (as shown by both studies), but for the ones who do, this is a breakdown of issues by species (information from the Kaytee study--NPRRP doesn't break this down by species):​

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Feather destruction:​

1) Eclectus​

2) African Grey​

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Self-mutilation:​

1) Cockatoos​

2) Eclectus​

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Phobia/fearfulness:​

1) Asian parakeets​

2) Cockatiels​

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Incessant screaming:​

1) Cockatoos​

2) Conures​

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Aggression toward other parrots:​

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1) Caiques​

2) Amazons​

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Agression toward humans:​

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1) South American parakeets​

2) Quakers​

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Interestingly, even though they are not in the top two for any of these behavior issues, macaws are second most likely to be relinquished and often the hardest (along with conures) to adopt out. The reason is clear in the species breakdown information that appears in a separate .pdf file: http://birdcompanions.com/Kaytee 2010 parrot relinq survey by species.pdf Macaws are most likely to lose their homes for "noisiness." This isn't incessant screaming, mind you, but just the natural noise and loudness that any macaw might possess. Of course, cockatoos and conures, who are first and second most likely to have "incessant screaming" as a behavior issue, are also most likely to be rehomed for this as a #1 reason (just their natural sounds). But, what really struck me is that macaws are more likely than either of these two groups to be stuck in rescue just for their normal "inside voices."​

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Another interesting factoid that the Kaytee study shows is that African Greys are not the species most likely to be rehomed for not talking. I know, right! I would have thought, hands down, they'd be the winners (or losers) in this category. But, it is Asian Parakeets that are most likely to be rehomed because they "do not meet expectations/talking." And, it is Ekkies that come in second. Why are Greys most often rehomed, aside from that most common of all common reasons "not enough time"? Well, it's plucking. They're relinquished for plucking/overpreening.​

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Since we're often in the position of advising new owners about what species might be right for them, I think this information is good to have on hand. ​

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So, which species win for "least likely to have any behavior issues"? ​

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1) Budgies, hands down. ​

2) Australian parakeets​

3) Pionus​

4) Poicephalus​

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I think we might all note that cockatiels, which tend to be frequently recommended as first birds, are not in the top four. Aside from owner-related reasons like "not enough time" or "moving," or in the case of Greys and Ekkies, plucking, parrots (including 'tiels) are most likely to be relinquished for, you guessed it, "noisiness." So, when a newb appears on the horizon asking about birds, tell them, "One word: noise." Whether we should then direct them toward a budgie or grass keet or a pionus will depend on the person, but I think maybe we probably need to think twice before we recommend a conure or even a cockatiel. ​

 

[Anne & Gang]

that was incredibly interesting reading and of course I honed in on the "cockatiels" and budgies part of it, because that is my speciality. or rather, I am their specialty. I wou ld be interested to know why people rehome their tiels. I think a lot of people recommend them as great birds, which they are..but that is why they are so easily reqlinquished again and again...They come with a whole set of issues that people never think of...how many of those poor tiels have been rehomed again and again...if you think a tiel has no noise issues, then you should be here when Lord Maxwell Studmuffin starts to sing..they can hear it on the third floor of the ho use I live in. and there is the problems of chronic egg laying and egg binding...especially bad in female tiels as opposed to other species. I think NO BIRD should be recommended as a starter bird...all potential parrot owners should do their research and then decide..either you can handle a bird or not. Yes, you are right, one needs to think twice before recommending any bird...any bird is hard to care for if you are unprepared...

 

[Mizzely]

I think too that it would be interesting how those birds were first acquired. Cockatiels and conures are both readily available at pet stores, where anyone can impulse buy without doing homework. People here on the forum usually ask for guidance and are looking at their options before they make the plunge.

 

[Holiday]

that was incredibly interesting reading and of course I honed in on the "cockatiels" and budgies part of it, because that is my speciality. or rather, I am their specialty. I wou ld be interested to know why people rehome their tiels. I think a lot of people recommend them as great birds, which they are..but that is why they are so easily reqlinquished again and again...They come with a whole set of issues that people never think of...how many of those poor tiels have been rehomed again and again...if you think a tiel has no noise issues, then you should be here when Lord Maxwell Studmuffin starts to sing..they can hear it on the third floor of the ho use I live in. and there is the problems of chronic egg laying and egg binding...especially bad in female tiels as opposed to other species. I think NO BIRD should be recommended as a starter bird...all potential parrot owners should do their research and then decide..either you can handle a bird or not. Yes, you are right, one needs to think twice before recommending any bird...any bird is hard to care for if you are unprepared...

It never would have occurred to me that cockatiels were a "think twice" species, Anne, but considering that they are the #1 relinquished/rehomed bird, and that aside from owner issues ("not enough time," "moving" etc), their biggest reason for losing their homes is "noisiness," yeah, I think we'd better think twice.

I think too that it would be interesting how those birds were first acquired. Cockatiels and conures are both readily available at pet stores, where anyone can impulse buy without doing homework. People here on the forum usually ask for guidance and are looking at their options before they make the plunge.

Good point, Shawna. But, I do see a lot of recommendations for those species here too, and while I'm not doubting that they were well intended, I do think that my own choices for recommendations in the future will be shaped by this information. I just had no idea about some of it... For instance, I've always been super cautious about warning prospective Grey owners that not all birds will talk, but what I might have stressed more is that they need big cages, lots of out time and interaction, FS lighting, etc. because plucking is their big issue....

 

[sodakat]

Really, I don't think we should discount the "not enough time" relinquishment reason so quickly because we don't know that this is an honest reason or isn't also influenced by other factors like noise.

I know that the hardest part for Gary to live with regarding my birds (and they are mine when it comes down to it although he also lives with them) is noise. Same with my daughters and granddaughter who don't live here but spend time here. I'm not talking screaming. I'm just talking noise.

I always discourage people from getting a parrot. I figure enough people acquire them without my encouragement.

 

[Holiday]

Really, I don't think we should discount the "not enough time" relinquishment reason so quickly because we don't know that this is an honest reason or isn't also influenced by other factors like noise.

I know that the hardest part for Gary to live with regarding my birds (and they are mine when it comes down to it although he also lives with them) is noise. Same with my daughters and granddaughter who don't live here but spend time here. I'm not talking screaming. I'm just talking noise.

I always discourage people from getting a parrot. I figure enough people acquire them without my encouragement.

Well, Kathy I think you're right about "not enough time" being a vague, catch-all term that probably masks other reasons (more or less valid) like cost or spousal conflict (a lot of people might be embarrassed about those sorts of things and not want to report them). The human reasons that I personally don't find lame would be illness, death, allergies/doctor's orders, etc. But, seriously, my main focus was not on the human-related reasons at all. If we're talking about that, the main thing we'd need to say is that most parrots lose their homes because of issues their owners have rather than any that they have. And, some parrots lose their homes through no fault of their own or their owners, just sad circumstances.

But, for our purposes here at AA, and especially if we're considering those threads where a newb comes on and asks about birds, I think the parrot issues info is good to have at hand. It may not wholesale change our recommendation, but it might change the way we word it or the info we choose to include.

I have seen on several different occasions instances in which people came here and researched, got a recommendation, and did not end up keeping the bird. Could we have prevented it? In some cases, yes; in others, no. But, I still think we can do a better job if we're informed.

I don't blame you for not encouraging people to get a parrot, though. Not a bad policy...

 

[roxynoodle]

When I was reading both of those studies yesterday I was also surprised to see cockatiels as most relinquished. I think one of the reason is the sheer numbers of them. Budgies and tiels probably outnumber all other available species in the US by far. And yes, they are probably often bought by people who haven't done research and have unrealistic expectations, and often on impulse as Shawna mentioned. Also if you are going to impulse buy a bird, the lower price on the bird and what many think is a suitable cage is quite a bit less than what you would spend on, say, a macaw. A macaw is probably something you go home and at least think about first.

Based on the remarks of my guests over the years, noise is the number one issue people have with my birds, particularly Rowdy. Now some mistakenly thought Briana, my Blue Crown, did not screech. And even when I explained that oh yes, she does screech and it's ear piercing, some downright didn't believe me! Merlin is definitely the favorite among my non bird friends and family members because they don't think she is loud. She can be as well though and maybe they need to hear her ambulance or medical equipment imitations before they make that decision Overall though she does not have the volume of my conure or amazon.

Aside from noise I think the issue with macaws is space. They need huge cages, huge play areas and truly are a huge commitment (more so than other birds in certain ways). I also think many people are intimidated, especially by their beaks. So people who are bird educated know they are a bigger commitment in some ways, and those who haven't are fearful (and the rescues aren't likely to adopt them out anyway to anyone without large bird experience).

In this area on CL it is conures, tiels and 'Toos I most often see being rehomed.

 

[DWRVT]

Quakers are one of the species most often relinquished for aggression to humans?? OMG - I thought they were well known to be affectionate and cuddly. That was the reason I sought one out when I was ready to get my first bird and she did not dissapoint me

 

[sthiele]

I live on a couple of acres and can hear Logan singing while walking the dog down the street if he feels like belting it out. I had never heard such a loud tiel before I got him.

 

[allison]

I disagree with pionus and pois not having any behavior issues. Both are one person birds who often attack other members of the family. Pionus are also known to be cage teritorial. We had both pionus and pois in at the rescue very frequently even though they not as common in the pet trade. mostly for aggression. and pois also pluck frequently. go to any rescue website and you'll probably see a plucked poi. For birds least likely to have any abnormal behaviors I would say budgies and cockatiels but that doesn't keep them from being rehomed. Both can be naturally chatty and messy. And tiels can live a long time. I think people just don't want to make a life long commitment.

 

[allison]

Quakers are one of the species most often relinquished for aggression to humans?? OMG - I thought they were well known to be affectionate and cuddly. That was the reason I sought one out when I was ready to get my first bird and she did not dissapoint me

Quakers are known for being extremely cage territorial.

 

[Saemma]

Also alot of parrots are acquired as BABY parrots who also tend to be quiet, docile, submissive and gentle. People naively and unknowingly assume that the *personality* they're purchasing is the one that will remain for *always*.

 

[Shade]

I disagree with pionus and pois not having any behavior issues. Both are one person birds who often attack other members of the family. Pionus are also known to be cage teritorial. We had both pionus and pois in at the rescue very frequently even though they not as common in the pet trade. mostly for aggression. and pois also pluck frequently. go to any rescue website and you'll probably see a plucked poi. For birds least likely to have any abnormal behaviors I would say budgies and cockatiels but that doesn't keep them from being rehomed. Both can be naturally chatty and messy. And tiels can live a long time. I think people just don't want to make a life long commitment.

I actually don't think that Pois are that proponent to feather picking, at least not anymore than any other birds. I've seen a few in rescues, have met quite a few in persons, have been in Poi-only related groups, while there is the occasional plucker, it's far from being the norm

 

[DWRVT]

Quakers are known for being extremely cage territorial.

Oh - I guess I got lucky all around then

 

[roxynoodle]

Oh - I guess I got lucky all around then

Well, hopefully That may change as hormones kick in. But, yes, I'd say that's one of the reason they are relinquished. I also think a lot of people choose them because they are known as good talkers, and if an individual isn't a good talker, the person who purchased it may become disappointed.

 

[Hrtofau2]

Oh - I guess I got lucky all around then

If your Quaker is not cage territorial then Yes, yes you did!

Being cage territorial is one of the big reasons when we where considering adding to our home, we opted NOT to go the Quaker route.


That being said, many people think that tiels and parakeets are "throw away" birds, so I am not surprised to see them as being high on the list for rehomes. Especially with Tiels, people do not realize when they first get them that they are looking at a bird that can live into their 20s.

 

[allison]

I actually don't think that Pois are that proponent to feather picking, at least not anymore than any other birds. I've seen a few in rescues, have met quite a few in persons, have been in Poi-only related groups, while there is the occasional plucker, it's far from being the norm

I honestly don't have a ton of experience with pois other than what I see with rescues. Most of the pois we got in were plucked and I often see them plucked on rescue pages.

 

[Saemma]

Behaviour is also ALWAYS changing. Behaviour is not something that is frozen in time. That's why we constantly see these threads that say, my parrot used to be like X, now she's X. What's wrong?

 

[wonderb]

I have to agree that this is not representative of all pionus. They are not commonly available in pet stores, so it seems that most pi owners seek them out, through a breeder or a parrot-specific store. These people are usually a different type of owner than most budgie or cockatiel owners. IME, even cockatoos and large macaws are more readily available than pionus.

Pionus certainly have their own issues and they're not for everyone. They do not always get along with other birds (Both Olive and Sachi are examples of this). They are not likely to talk, and if they do, it's hard to understand. They're related to Amazons, and a hormonal male pionus can be as scary and aggressive as a hormonal male Zon (just look at Katy's Gizmo). I guess what I'm trying to say is that a study like this can skew the perception of certain species because of the types of owners who are giving them up in the first place. If the owner has done their research and is a committed bird owner, they're more likely to make it work with their pet and downplay any shortcomings than if they've purchased their bird on an impulse.

 

[Holiday]

I disagree with pionus and pois not having any behavior issues.

These studies do not say that Pis and Pois have "no behavior issues." This study says that when they're relinquished, their relinquishing owners report far fewer of these issues than other species that are relinquished--in this study.

When I was reading both of those studies yesterday I was also surprised to see cockatiels as most relinquished. I think one of the reason is the sheer numbers of them.

That is absolutely a factor. But, budgies are even more common and are not as frequently rehomed. Not surprisingly, they're also the ones listed as least likely to have any issues.

I have to agree that this is not representative of all pionus.

Yeah, again, this is raw data from two specific relinquishment/rehoming studies from which we may draw limited conclusions. Among the parrots relinquished to the rescue organizations in the studies, pionus were far less likely than the other species relinquished in these studies to have the behavior issues listed above. But, no parrot is completely trouble free.

So, we have facts here, but what sort of construction we want to put on the facts, or how far we think it could be generalizable, that's another issue.

Personally, I was not surprised at all to see that my main species of interest were having major problems. Macaws are among the most likely to be relinquished and the most common reason was noise. That's a no-brainer, and I think we can take it to the bank. What shocked me was that it wasn't about screaming. It was just about noise. That certainly doesn't mean that there are no screaming macaws (Ha! I have one here), but what it means is that, in the studies, the owners handing them over were less likely than the cockatoo or conure owners handing over their birds to say that the bird was screaming.