Parrots and children! This image seems at times to have a tendency to generate a negative picture, especially when including the larger parrots in the discussion. However, for a number of people, their love of birds first started when they were just a child. This was most certainly when I began my fascination with parrots! I would like to provide for you a glimpse of both how I became involved with parrots and of how my children are involved today, as well as what it means to each of us.

I was five years old when my parents allowed me to bring home two beautiful budgies. Percy and Perky were lively companions, and it wasn't long before I was completely enthralled with the idea of parrots! I loved to read books as a child and I read everything I could possibly find on parrots.

Once I was in junior high, I set my sights on breeding parrots. I had fallen madly in love with macaws and cockatoos! My parents were most indulgent and, with their financial help and the money I had put aside through summer baby-sitting and lawn work, I was allowed to purchase several pairs and set them up for breeding. Keep in mind, of course, this was a time when parrots were being imported in huge numbers and the prices were incredibly low when compared with today's.

Blessed with Many Babies

Throughout high school and the years to follow, I was blessed with many babies. These pairs and their babies meant the world to me! I kept as pets the first babies of each pair. I turned thirty years old this past May and still have all of my beloved pet macaws and cockatoos. They are now between the ages of eleven and thirteen years old. We have seven large macaws and four cockatoos, in addition to several other types of parrots as pets and breeders and our babies.

I also have four children (and a husband who is a saint!). My girls are thirteen, ten, and six years of age. My son is three years old. Our children have always had birds in their lives and I most certainly believe that someone can successfully have both children and large birds!

Gentle Children—Gentle Parrots

All of our birds readily "step up" and have been consistently nurtured in this fashion since they were hand feeding. They are exceptionally gentle and loving. Likewise, so are my children.

My children have been taught what is "proper" behavior with the birds, both when the birds are out of or in their cages. For example, they have learned there is to be NO poking fingers in the cages, nor any teasing. When Andrew was about a year old, he loved the babies (he still does). Even at that age, he knew he was supposed to take one finger, and one finger only, and then he could pet the babies on the head. It amazes me how gentle he was, and still is, with all of the birds.

Samantha is my thirteen-year-old. Interestingly, she really does not care for the birds. She tolerates them, but does not wish to handle any of them, babies included. She will on occasion pet them and give them treats (her raisin toast with butter is the best in the bird's opinion), but that is the extent of her involvement. Of course, the babies think Sam is great! We let our babies fly as long as possible before gradually clipping back their wings. Sam has an incredible head of thick, curly hair and this is, of course, the babies' favorite place to land! Granted, I am not too crazy about birds on top of my head either, but she freezes in place patiently with a quiet "Mom! Come get the birds!"

Incredible Patience

My ten-year-old is Ashley. Ashley truly has a gift when it comes to birds! She is my helper in the breeding rooms and has been bitten badly by some of the breeding Amazons. I give her lots of credit; she really seems to understand that there are times when the birds are testier (read here "HORMONES"!). She, voluntarily of course, always comes back to help. She says that it's like when I ride horses, "you fall off but you always get back on." When it comes to the birds, her patience is incredible!

We took in a Goffin's Cockatoo about one year ago. This is Ashley's best friend. The bond the two of them have is something else. Ashley can be very withdrawn at times and have a tendency to internalize a lot of her feelings. Our rescued Goffin's is the same way. They truly understand each other and in turn have helped each other immensely!

An Incredible Talker

Jessica is our six-year-old. Jessie's confidence, self-esteem and zest for life "floor" me on a daily basis! She and Ashley consider themselves to be the babies' teachers. Jess prides herself on teaching all of our little guys how to "step up" and "step down." She also shows the babies how much fun playtime on the floor is! All of our birds just love Jess.

I should interject here that she is one of those children who LOVE to talk! I mean REALLY talk! She will frequently start a conversation with me in the kitchen, continue the conversation as she walks upstairs (I lose her voice when she hits mid-hallway), gets what she needs in her room and returns, still carrying on the conversation as she comes back into the kitchen! Needless to say, our birds are talked to and then some! There are days (round the clock feedings are coming to mind) when I am very tired. I am so thankful for Jessie's enthusiasm, as I am sure the birds are, when my "sleep deprivation" stage hits. She lights up the room with her mere presence!

Jess has two loves in her life. The first is a Green-winged Macaw. It is a very common sight to see Jessica holding her buddy, with his head laid on her shoulder in full macaw "head fluff" as they snuggle in the chair. The other bird in her life is a Green-cheeked Conure. Jess has done a wonderful job with this bird, who was one of our babies from several years ago. Chloe steps up and down without fail, loves to be played with and snuggled, and keeps Jessie company through out the day.

Sharing Snacks

Last, and certainly not least, is Andrew. Andrew has just turned three. Even though he has four mothers so to speak, every ounce of this child is a BOY! He and the birds LOVE to watch Sesame Street and have a blast dancing to music. He and one of our Blue and Gold Macaws could literally dance the day away! All of our larger macaws and cockatoos have playtime on the floor with Andrew. This is supervised of course. I think if the birds and Andrew had to pick two of the best things to play, it would be blocks and dinosaurs! They play for well over an hour each morning and T-Rex doesn't stand a chance once Andrew and our Scarlet get through with him!

Andrew shares all of his snacks with the birds. He frequently will be eating applesauce and have three or four macaw buddies surrounding him so they can get their spoonful! Our birds also enjoy outdoor time with Andrew (wings well clipped—the birds' wings that is!) and holler with glee when they get to ride on his swing as I push him. Andrew has been taught from the beginning how to interact with the birds—and it shows. He loves them dearly and the birds return that love with amazing patience and gentleness. I can't imagine my life without my children or my birds, and overall I do think that parrots and children can have very meaningful and lasting relationships. If you raise your children and birds together, giving them both consistent boundaries, lots of love, and build their self-confidence, it is truly amazing what can happen!