It's easy to become smitten by any of the number of large bird species available in the pet trade today. With all the beautiful types of Macaws, Cockatoos, Amazon Parrots, and other large birds out there looking for owners, it's tempting to snatch up the first one that steals your heart and bring him or her home with you on a whim. This can be a devastating mistake, however, for both bird and owner. In fact, the average large parrot goes through more than 5 homes within its lifetime, largely because of situations where unprepared people rush into adoption without thinking the commitment through. Keeping any type of pet bird is a big job, and the bigger the bird, the more demanding the responsibilities become. Save yourself from becoming a statistic by paying close attention to the issues outlined below. Taking time to thoroughly think through the decision to adopt a large bird will pay off in the end if it helps you avoid a situation where you are faced with having to give up a bird that you cannot properly care for, or worse.

•Do you have enough space?

Large bird require large cages, and while that may seem obvious, they also require more space than just what their cage would take up. Parrots need plenty of exercise every day in order to stay healthy, and in order for their owners to meet these needs, they have to have a safe, bird-proof area that they can come out of their cage to play in. Would you be willing and able to provide enough space for your pet to do this? Even birds that have a very large cage need time outside of the bars to run, climb, stretch, and flap their wings. Think about where you would allow your bird to play before rushing into the decision to adopt one.

•Can you handle the expense?

The cost of buying a large parrot, which can range from a few hundred dollars on up into the thousands depending on the species, is just the beginning of a long list of expenses that bird owners are responsible for. Going back to the issue of a bird cage -- did you know that a large, safe, adequate bird cage can sometimes cost many times the price of a bird itself? Once you have a cage secured, the expenses are still just beginning. Parrots need a highly nutritious diet in order to thrive in captivity, and they eat quite a bit. Buying the best quality commercial bird diet for your feathered friend can get expensive, and this isn't even counting what you'll need to spend on fresh foods to give your pet a healthy variety. There are also the costs of vet bills to consider, and anyone who has ever owned a parrot will tell you that you need to allocate a separate budget for your bird's toys alone. Unless you are prepared to handle all this and then-some, then a large bird is probably not the best option for you.

•Do you have enough time?

Large parrots are highly sensitive, intelligent, and emotional creatures -- some have even been tested and proven to be as intelligent and emotionally aware as human children. Because of this, they need to spend quite a bit of time socializing and bonding with their caretakers. In the wild, a bird's social needs are met by its flock-mates. In captivity, the bird's owner must assume the role of the "flock" and make sure that these needs are met by themselves. Do you have a minimum of 4 hours per day that you can spend playing and interacting with your pet? Many people find that they don't -- and that's okay -- just realize that before you adopt a large bird and doom it to depression and loneliness because you can't work enough playtime into your busy schedule.