Let’s recognize the joy and responsibility of sharing our lives with companion birds. We previously shared five ways parrots rule our roosts, and here are five more ways parrots manage to take charge of our households.

1. Parrots Schedule Our Day

From early morning wake-up calls courtesy of the flock to very specific opinions about when breakfast should be served, parrots have a way of taking over the daily schedule. Before long, our feathered companions have us following their routine, and wondering who really set the schedule in the first place (Need to sleep in on a Saturday? Your bird respectfully declines.)  Parrots have a remarkable way of keeping the household on schedule.

2. Parrots Become Household Quality-Control Inspectors

Bought a new lamp? Rearranged the furniture? Hung a picture on the wall? Your parrot noticed. Some birds react to changes like they’ve been appointed Director of Home Décor Approval. They carefully inspect every new item and may spend the next week glaring suspiciously at that decorative pillow you thought nobody would notice.

3. Parrots Train Us To See The Recycle Bin As A Treasure Chest

Parrots turn us into the ultimate recyclers. That cardboard box, packing paper, paper bag, or paper towel roll that would normally go straight into the trash bin? We save it. In a parrot household, the question isn’t always, “Can this be recycled?” It’s “Can my parrot have it first?”

4. Parrots Demand Participation In Every Activity

Trying to read a book? Your parrot would like to help by standing on the page. Working on your laptop? Your bird has important opinions about the keyboard. Folding laundry? Expect an unsolicited quality inspection. Parrots don’t understand the concept of “watching from a distance.” If you’re doing something, they’ve deemed it a group project.

5. Parrots Decide What’s Actually Valuable

Parrots have their own way of deciding whether an expensive toy was worth the investment, and it may not look quite like the appreciation we had in mind. Some birds show their approval by immediately going to work on the toy, reducing it to shreds and scattered pieces as quickly as possible. To a parrot, a toy that doesn’t last long is a toy that did its job exceptionally well. Some pricey toys might not even get a first look while the “bargain bin” toy or a homemade toy you patched together is a big hit. Our birds remind us that a toy’s entertainment value isn’t determined by its price tag. They challenge us to not only match their unique play style, but to also be  on the lookout for their next best toy.

Who Really Runs The Household?

We may provide the food and clean the cages, but most parrot stewards know the truth. Life with a parrot means sharing your home with a clever and oftentimes opinionated companion who has deep opinions about who rules the roost.