How to Have Halloween Fun with your Pet Parrot

Parrots love interacting with their human flock, and Halloween is no exception. With a little imagination and creativity, your hookbill can join in the Halloween hijinks.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• pet friendly Halloween venues
• pet parrot
• Halloween
• creativity and a sense of fun

1. 
   Happy Halloween, hookbills!

   Absolute first priority is making sure ahead of time that your pet will be safe, comfortable and welcome. Pet stores or town celebrations have specific pet-oriented events like costume parties, holiday photo shoots or parades. Other good bets are Monster Dash-type races or at home as a house party or the neighborhood "haunted house" - the one with the blacklights, creepy music, plastic skeletons, etc.
   Salem, MA is notorious for its witch trials 300 years ago and is currently home of many practicing Wiccans. It's also the setting for the "Haunted Happenings"- a monthlong carnival-like Halloween celebration. This year's included a Blessing of the Animals for St. Francis of Assissi Day with a twist - it was conducted by a Salem psychic.

2. 
   Demented birdwatcher and friends.

   As you slip into your alter-ego for the evening, your parrot can be part of the act. Pirates are the obvious costume choice, but how about a jungle explorer, witch or wizard with a familiar or a demented birdwatcher?
   For costume effects- use items from around your house i.e.: binoculars for the birdwatcher or pick up accessories at your local costume outlet - like an eye patch for pirates. For more costume tips, scope the photos of the pirate and the demented birdwatcher who kindly consented to be photographed for this article.

3. 
   Salem psychic Diana McKanas and chicken at Blessing of the Animals is Salem. MA.

   For the local "haunted" house and/or house party, your parrot can play the part of resident vulture. Simply place a (hopefully) fake severed hand or other body part and "Beware of Vulture" sign by the cage. For a bonus gory touch; have your bird eat some strawberries or catsup for a "bloodstained" beak.

Tips & Warnings

• Along with the tricks, there are some Halloween treats that are good for and enjoyed by our feathered friends including apples, plain popcorn and pumpkin seeds and innards.
• Check your local pet store, newspaper and Internet listings for pet-friendly Halloween events.
• The Salem MA Blessing of the Animals event was sponsored by Living with Pets, a pet boutique located on Pickering Wharf in Salem, MA.
• See more by this writer on examiner.com boston under PETS and in Mariner Publications' "Pet Gazette"..
• Your pet is much better off at home than at rowdy parties, particularly where large quantities of alcohol are consumed. You should also avoid having the bird come into contact with inebriated folks - no matter how "well meaning" and in fact, alcohol itself can be poison to your bird.
• Candy is also to be avoided, particularly chocolate which can literally be fatal if consumed by a pet bird.

[diggitydogg]

on 11/4/2009 Very creative ideas, George. You definitely wouldn't have to worry about another "demented birdwatcher" at the party.

[housejunkie]

on 10/29/2009 I loved it , George and glad to see the "Pipster"..!!!!