Recently, I came across this question on Quora: “Should you change your parrot’s name?” This is a difficult question to answer because it depends on the person and their pet. However, there are some things to consider when thinking about changing your bird’s name.Â
Can you change your pet parrot’s name to something more fitting? Yes, but it is not recommended. My opinion on the matter will vary depending on what type of bird this question applies to and if their personality would be negatively affected by a new moniker.
My personal belief as someone who owns many different types of feathered friends -yes! It’s important that each animal feels safe in his/her skin with all aspects relating to appearance taken care of first before addressing anything else.
If you haven’t yet watched the Cornell Lab of Ornithology video entitled “How a Parrot Learns its Name in the Wild,” then what are you waiting for? It will change your life! This fascinating and insightful film offers an inside view into how these clever creatures learn their names.
I love my birds, and I don’t want to change their name needlessly. If they keep calling out for me or seem attached in some way–reacting positively when I call them by their name, then it’s going stay that way!
There is one circumstance where I will break this rule, and that’s when a parrot’s name causes it distress. Some people have seen/heard about in some rescue cases how their pet would spiral into an emotional downward spiral at the sound of its moniker. Changing their name can help them move on from their traumatic pasts.
I love reading about parrots giving their babies names in the nest. I think of how captive-raised birds who have been deprived of interaction with parents will try so hard to connect, even if it’s just for a few moments at a time through sound-making motions or mimicking phrases that they may have heard beforehand.
Some birds are lucky enough to be raised with human-given names. But I worry most about the ones who aren’t, and that is because they never receive a name before being sold into pet ownership or rearing as such by humans for profit. Hand-reared babies typically don’t get labeled until it becomes clear which new home their destined to go to.
Parrots are social creatures, so it can be hard to get them used to a new name. If you’ve adopted your bird and the sound of its name just doesn’t agree with you, consider changing it for something similar-sounding instead! For instance: Pukki becomes Tukei; I find that there is also success in nicknames like Harrold becoming Harry if need be.
And if your bird suddenly reveals itself to be the opposite sex, it doesn’t necessarily have to go by a different name. Honestly-the birds are pretty chill about this gender stuff! Getting their names is more right than getting the gender pronouns right.
Conclusion: If you think your parrot is happy with his name, then don’t change it. However, if there are any issues with the current name (it’s too long or complicated to pronounce), this may be a good time to consider changing its name. You can also try using different names for certain behaviors or objects so that they’ll learn more words and communicate better with you! New name or not, all that matters is that your parrot is happy–name changes should not affect their happiness levels at all.
