Greg Hlatky over at A Dog's Life admonishes us:

Please, I beg of you, don't get any dog unless you're willing to make a lifetime commitment to be its provider, its master, and its friend.

That goes double or triple for parrots. Provided she is properly nourished, attended and does not fall to disease or accident, Lucy can live at least 35 years. African Greys can live 50 or more. Larger parrots can live even longer. I have read of a 75-year-old Amazon.

When Lyman brought up the subject of owning a parrot, I said, "Good grief, Jason just graduated from college, and you want a lifetime toddler?"