This is Caruso! (with Alexandra)

(Irene Pepperberg and Alex)

Dutch Parrot Refuge and Care Centre

Before we go any further I should say that anyone who loves parrots is strongly encouraged NOT TO BUY ONE unless you know it was bred in captivity. By so doing you are encouraging a cruel trade which is resulting in the near extinction of what are probably the most intelligent birds on the planet.

The greatest threat to the survival of parrots in the wild is the destruction of their habitat by humans. It is happening everywhere, and in some areas only a few pairs of certain species are left, such as Lear's macaw in Brazil.

There are of course more practical reasons for not buying a parrot, such as loving your books and furniture and not being partial to getting bitten on the nose when you laugh (happens often). Being highly intelligent, parrots also need a lot of attention: something most people do not have the time to give. Parrots are not good with children, either: their sudden movements make them very nervous. In fact, they're not very good with anyone other than their chosen mate, and they are very faithful. The German word for this person is the Bezugsperson - the one who has the relationship with them - but how they choose is something of a mystery. They will tend to prefer women to men, probably because of the voice (though I am the exception).

Check out the following links:

Visit the Alex Foundation.
Above: Irene Pepperberg and Alex, the world's most articulate and eloquent parrot, star of TV, The New Yorker, CNN, Scientific American etc.
Book: The Alex Studies : Cognitive and Communicative Abilities of Grey Parrots (at Amazon, of course: they say it, we print it)

Parrot Line, a 24-hour advisory service, is now the largest parrot rescue charity in the United Kingdom. Three branches control representatives covering the UK coast to coast and taking in over 15,000 telephone calls and 20,000 email queries per year.

Parrot Education & Adoption Center: a non-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to educating current and potential bird owners on the proper care of pet birds. Unwanted or found parrots are accepted at PEAC. They are cared for until adopted to qualified applicants (San Diego)

The Real Macaw Parrot Club: an all-species parrot club to share experience and educate members on the care and ownership of all types of parrots. "There is an on-going and dramatic decline of wild parrots worldwide. The parrot family has more globally threatened species than any other family of birds. The "Red List" contains 94 species of parrots that are currently considered vulnerable, endangered, or critically threatened with extinction, and many more sub-species are equally at risk of disappearing forever."

The Companion Parrot Quarterly. Beats Quayle! "The thinking person's parrot magazine

• An extraordinary career for parrots is described in White Tribe

• Twas Christmas Eve in the Pet Shop ...

• Best parrot jokes ...