There’s a reason why keeping parrots as pets is so popular and you’re sure to find it an engaging and rewarding pursuit… but be aware that bringing one of these birds home represents a significant commitment, as they’re very intelligent, live for a very long time and need to lots of mental stimulation and social interaction to stay happy and healthy.
Before you bring your feathered friend (or friends) home for the first time, it’s important to be prepared, so make sure that you have an aviary that’s sufficiently big enough to house them, that you have a plentiful supply of the very best bird food for parrots and lots of toys for them to play with.
Aside from these relatively obvious tasks, something else you absolutely must make sure you do, however, is registering your birds with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
This organisation works to safeguard animal and plant health for the benefit of people, the environment and the economy. And as of October 2024, it is now a legal requirement for anyone keeping poultry or other captive birds (including those kept as pets) to register them within one month.
There are a few exemptions to this rule and you won’t need to register passeriformes or psittaciformes (which includes the likes of finches, canaries, cockatiels, parrots and budgies) as long as they’re kept full housed either inside your home or another type of indoor structure and as long as they have no access to the open air.
However, if you plan to take your birds outside with you at any time for exercise or training, or for shows and exhibitions, you will need to have them registered.
APHA registration
Luckily, registration is very quick and easy, and it only takes about ten minutes if you do it online. You’ll need to provide your contact details, all details of the bird owners (if this isn’t you), the location of where the birds are kept, the species, the number of birds you have and what you keep them for.
You can also register your birds if you have a county parish holding number.
Registering means that the APHA will be able to get in touch with you easily with guidance and advice in the event of a disease outbreak (like bird flu) in your local area. And you’ll also be able to help prevent the spread of disease and safeguard all kept birds, so you’ll be doing your bit for general flock welfare, as well.
Got 50 or more birds?
If you’re a keeper of 50 or more birds, the registration process simply involves filling out a different form. You’ll also need to provide details of all the birds you keep, how you farm them, how many birds of each species you have and a list of all other livestock on site where applicable.
You’ll also need to tell the APHA if your details change, such as if you no longer keep birds, if your contact information is different, if you change species and if flock size changes by 20 per cent or more.
