Owner-rated personality in companion parrots (Aves; Psittaciformes); A four dimension model

Abstract

Parrots are popular companion animals around the world. Unlike dogs and cats there are many different species kept as pets, meaning there is likely to be more variety in personality, although comparative studies are lacking. Companion psittacines are undomesticated and have complex needs in captivity, increasing the risk for rehoming and welfare issues. Although personality has been studied in birds, this is the first study which looks at personality across eight different taxonomic groups of captive parrots, rated by their owners. A survey of owners of 2200 parrots revealed a four-dimension model of personality: confidence, prosociality, neuroticism and playfulness. There were differences in the levels of these traits between taxonomic groups and variation depending on rearing history and wing clip status. African Grey parrots were lower in confidence than other groups. Hand rearing and wing clipping increased prosociality (perhaps as a substitute for domestication) but with a cost of increased neuroticism. Furthermore, logistic regression analysis showed that a highly neurotic, less prosocial personality predicted an owner’s intention to rehome their pet. To our knowledge this is the first study of personality across multiple taxonomic groups of psittacines, and the first to show the effects of common husbandry methods on personality, as well as showing personality can predict rehoming intention.