Exploding parrot population in U.S. will cause crisis, predicts national Best Friends Animal Society

It’s a mathematical powder keg: skyrocketing number of parrots in the United States, plus their long lifespan, plus a lack of knowledge on how to keep these birds happy and well-adjusted. It all adds up to a looming crisis for the animal rescue community, says national animal welfare organization Best Friends Animal Society.

Experts say the number of owned parrots, including cockatoos and macaws, soared 417 percent in the last 20 years from 11.6 million in 1990, to 40 million in 2006, and to 60 million in 2010. There could be as many as 100 million captive parrots by 2020, Best Friends experts predict.