Getting a new bird is a huge responsibility, but one that can result in a lifetime of love and companionship!

If you are requesting to be put on the Adopt-a-Bird list for a specific type of bird, please be sure you have done your homework to understand the nature of the bird, and have decided to take on that bird's personality and their particular needs.

The birds up for adoption through the Adopt-a-Bird Program have experienced the need to be rehomed. Our goal is to find lifetime homes where birds can be loved as companions and family members for the rest of their lives. Parrots are frequently the innocent victims of poor human decisions.

Standards for appropriately caring for companion parrots are changing. Parrot behaviorists all over the nation are dedicating their lives conducting research to understanding how best to keep parrots in captivity. These studies are clearly showing that parrots need daily interaction, toys, appropriate foods, and enrichment activities to thrive.

Parrot owners need to educate themselves to the needs of the particular type of bird they wish to adopt. One example is proper nutrition. It has been shown that approximately 80% of most parrot behavioral problems are due to improper nutrition. Gone are the days of keeping a bird in a barren cage with an all-seed diet.

If you are considering adopting a parrot, think about this: owning a parrot is "cool" but the responsibility to its well-being is a lifetime commitment. Even the smallest of parrots live 20 years or more. A macaw's life expectancy is 70 to 80 years.

You may need to make changes to your home and lifestyle to accommodate your bird. If you have non-stick cookware that contains PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), you will need to replace that cookware with safer alternatives. You will need to avoid using harsh chemicals for clean-up, and stop using air freshener or scented candles to make your house smell pretty; most of the scented candles, plug in scents, and aerosol air fresheners are toxic to birds.

Keeping companion parrots is expensive. Anyone preparing to adopt a parrot should look into the costs of providing adequate diet, destructable toys, and veterinary care before adopting the bird. Adopting a companion parrot will make demands on you and your family that require careful consideration and planning BEFORE you adopt.

Parrots have complex behaviors, are highly intellitgent, and have a strong emotional component to their lives. They form bonds, they get jealous, they get angry, and often change moods from one minute to the next.

If you already have birds in your home, the Alaska Bird Club strongly encourages you to have the bird examined by an avian veterinarian, and quarantine the new bird for 30 days before bringing it in with the rest of the birds. It is also recommended to get a written release of ownership from the bird's current owner.

The Alaska Bird Club assumes no responsibility for the quality, health or training of any birds placed in this program. In addition, the Alaska Bird Club and its officers and members cannot be held liable for any damage or illness brought about by a bird placed or bought via the referrals submitted to this program.