There was a scientific study done of 200 pet owners that analyzed the personality traits of the pet owner - and the correlation to the kind of pet they owned. For example, dog owners tended to be more extroverted and nurturing. Snake owners were out-of-the-box thinkers and tended to be loners. And bird owners? They were classed as the most expressive and socially outgoing type of pet owner. There’s a joke in the pet owner world that there’s only one thing dog people and cat people agree on, it’s that bird people are crazy.

Knowing this stereotype that us bird people have come to love here are some basic facts about owning a bird. Anything from the kind of cooking utensils you can have, to the new sleep schedule you can expect. If you’re thinking of getting a pet bird, check this list out first.

1. Candles/incense/air fresheners are awesome, but you can’t have them.

Birds are incredibly sensitive to the air around them. They react unpleasantly to different kinds of artificial scents and smokes. Parrots have very delicate respiratory systems, and anything too harsh or unfamiliar can make them quite sick.

2. You might have to buy a new set of pans.

You may have never realized that the pans you cook with every day can easily kill your bird. No, I’m not saying that their mere presence will harm them. But when you cook with a nonstick pan, it releases polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). PTFE has minute particles that cannot pass through little birdy lungs. For their safety, you can use the following cookware; stainless steel, copper-clad stainless steel, copper, glass, cast iron, Corningware, or aluminum.

3. Invest in a good vacuum or a shop vac.

Don’t laugh, but having a vacuum is a serious need for bird owners. They like to throw things like nobodies business. It won’t take them long to cover their floors in seeds, millet, food pellets, feathers, wood splinters, and shredded newspaper. Even when you’ve just deep cleaned their room - bam! More bird particles are on the floor. Do yourself a favor and buy a good vacuum upfront. You, and your bird, will be happier for it.

4. If you wear shiny, pretty things - expect to be pounced.

Whenever I get home from work, I take off my shiny necklaces. I learned the hard way that even a tiny bird will get right in there and start breaking off the shiny bits. Gold clasps? They’re simple to break. Dangling gems? Oh please, they’ll be gone in a minute. Even buttons that glisten in the light are eye candy for birds. Don’t give your new resident dragon the satisfaction of adding more shiny, pretty things to his pile. Take them off before playtime starts.

5. They need as much time as you can give them.

Do you have at LEAST two hours a day to devote to playing with your new pal? If the answer is no, don’t get a bird. In the wild, birds fly miles every day and interact with their flock members. You are now their flock member and they have nowhere to fly, so you have to devote time to keep them out of their cage and play with you. The older my bird gets, the less active playtime she’s needed - but she still loves to play hide and seek and run around the house when she’s let out. Make sure you have time for a new friend before you get one.

6. Accept the fact that your hearing will worsen quicker than your friends.

There are some birds that are louder than others, some that are quieter - but all birds make noise. They sing when they want, they talk when they want, and they scream when they want. You can’t stop a bird from making noise, so if you live in close quarters with others or in an apartment, a bird may not be the best pet for you. Be courteous to the people around you and research the noise level your future bird makes before investing in her. Some just sing at day break, and some like to scream all day long. Choose wisely.

7. Sometimes, you’ll get bitten.

If the idea of being nipped by a bird makes you run for the hills, turn back now. Even though my green cheek conure has bonded to me and loves me with everything her tiny heart has, she still bites me occasionally. Birds bite when they’re frightened or startled, or even when they’re just plain moody. Birds go through hormonal changes the same as humans do (I could write a book just on birdy puberty alone), and they don’t always have good days. If you’ve never been bitten, imagine taking a melon baller to your thumb and just jamming it right under your nail as hard as you can. Yeah, ouch is right. Sometimes the bites are like that, and sometimes it’s just a little nip. Bites happen.

8. Birds can live as long as you can.

Some larger birds can live up to eighty years, or longer. There’s the occasional bird that has to be written into their owner’s will for when the owner passes but the bird is still alive and squawking. If you plan on raising a parrot with a long life span, plan for it’s future. Find family, friends, or even a rescue shelter that will rehome the parrot for you when you can no longer be in it’s life.

9. Get ready to attempt to be a morning person.

I am by no means a morning person, but my green cheek conure likes to wake up with the sun and does not stop singing until I get up with her and let her out onto his jungle gym. Sometimes she lets me sleep while she plays by herself, but sometimes I’m not so lucky. Birds like to sleep 10-12 hours a night, so they have early bedtimes, but get ready for their morning song as soon as the sun comes up. They’ll be ready for you!

10. Last but not least, be prepared to have your heart stolen.

Birds have a funny way of sneaking into your heart and wrapping their little wings tight around it. Their intelligence, both emotional and intellectual, is astounding. The amount of love they have for their bond-mate is incredibly, and you’ll be lucky if you can be the subject of their bond. My bird has tried to feed me, groom me, snuggle me, and occasionally in the springtime tries to mate with me. (Again, look out for my book on birdy puberty someday. It’ll be a great read.) They’ll be your best friend and your greatest love, if you treat them right.

If you haven’t been scared off yet, and if you think you can handle one of these perfect little critters - best of luck to you. Consider adopting a rescue bird if you are able, or support a local parrot breeder and purchase one from them. They’re ready to love you with all they’ve got, the question is, are you ready for them?