Re-homing your bird

The Crystal Parrot - When you are considering adding a bird to your family, it should be a thoughtful decision, done with research and preparation. Whether you are thinking about being a first time bird owner or adding to your flock, it is not a decision to be taken lightly. Birds, like children, are a forever commitment and relationship. If you are responsible, you will have already made arrangements for your bird(s) should an event in your life facilitate the need to place them in a new home. 

Having said that, we do understand that there may be situations where re-homing is the only option. The first thing we need to realize is that birds are not a commodity and money should NOT be a factor when you have made the decision to send your bird to another home. Many people say they want “just enough” to cover what they have “invested” in the bird. Your first priority should be placing your bird in a loving, responsible, and educated home. If time permits, the prospective family should be able to visit with your bird and get to at least know them before the bird is uprooted and sent to a different and foreign environment. Remember that as you are working out the details, you fully realize what is about to happen, your bird does not! You would not like it if you were happily sitting in your home one day and a stranger suddenly comes in, packs you up, and takes you home with them! Have enough consideration for your bird to re-home them in a respectful manner. To make the transition easier for your bird, have written information ready for his new family and make sure to go over it in case there are questions. The information should include the bird’s daily routine, diet, favorite toys and treats, as well as the bird’s regular vet information. Also make sure they know who your care giver was in your absence. If it was a friend or family member, is that person willing to continue to take on those duties? If the bird was boarded away from home, make sure the information on that facility is included as well.

Once your bird is safely and responsibly re-homed, continue to think of your bird’s feeling and well being. It is not advisable or healthy for your bird for you to continue to stay in the picture. Remember that you chose to give away your bird. It was not his choice and you owe it to him not to add confusion and frustration to an already difficult time for him. If you are continually “visiting” the bird, he will have a more difficult time transitioning to a new environment because he may think that you are coming to take him “home.”  If you don’t allow him to fully and completely  acclimate to his new situation and family, the frustration of not understanding that it is a final thing and he is not ‘coming home’ can cause psychological and physical stress that could lead to plucking, screaming,  and/or depression. If you have done your absolute best to ensure that your former bird is in a proper home, there should be no need to “check” on him!  Many people will do so for the sake of their own needs-usually in an attempt to rid them of the guilt they feel over choosing to re-home a loved one. Our job is to be the adult and do what is best for the bird- not our selves!

At the Crystal Parrot, we will take back (not buy back) any bird that we sell, no questions asked. We will then take our time to find just the right second and hopefully forever home. We do not want to be a part of the “throw away bird cycle” but we take responsibility for the birds that we have tried to thoughtfully place in good homes.

If you are considering re-homing your bird and it not due to a dire situation, please honestly think about the reason WHY you want to do so. If it is a behavioral issue, we are more than happy to help you and we do not charge for this kind of assistance. If you feel you no longer “have the time” for your bird- if one is honest-that is usually a way of saying “I’m tired of the mess and commitment.”  Birds can very much thrive on quality of time-not quantity. If you have children and life suddenly throws you a curve and you find yourself working two jobs, would you even consider asking someone to take you kids because you do not have time for them?

Re-homing your bird is just as serious as making the decision to add one to your family. Please do it unselfishly with thought, caring and respect for the bird!