Bird newbie

[onesouthernbelle]

Hello there,

I am married with 2 daughters ages 9 and 13. I am also a teacher and out for the summer. We do not have any birds yet, but we have been researching and studying about different kinds of birds and their care. We are hoping to make an informed decision and make sure we get the right bird to join our family. So far our favorites are the Indian Ringneck or the Alexandrine Ringneck, Green Cheek Conure, or a Quaker. We are hoping to include a bird in our family this summer so we can get in the routine of getting to know our bird and acclimate it's new home and family. Would any of these birds be good 1st birds for a family? Anyone with one of these breeds that can give me advice would be appreciated. I am so glad to have found this site. I do not know anyone besides my local vet that I can talk birds with!

 

[Garnet]

Of the three species you stated, the green cheek would make a better first bird choice. IRN's are sweet birds if handled correctly, but can be prone to behavior issues and a quaker is so sweet and loving when they are babies, but have a tendency to become a one person bird and get quite nippy when they mature.

GCC's get nippy at maturity as well, but if they are used to a loving family, it is normally just a slight nip now and again, but nothing serious.

Guess, I would have to say, go for the green cheek. I love them, guess that is why I have five of them. Lots of playful personality in a small package.

 

[Abzeez]

I love my ringneck. He's a great parrot and anyone can handle him. I personally do not like GGC, but there are reasons behind that. I say go with the ringneck.

 

[onesouthernbelle]

Abzees,

How much time do you have to give your ringneck to keep him tame? There are 3 other family members in my household that would be able to devote time to the bird. For us, there would be some time that the bird would be home alone.

 

[Abzeez]

Actually, out of all my parrots he is the least demanding, but he is also over 30 years old. He is a VERY smart old man and LOVES little games. He could spend hours, if I had the patience, to play the game of, 'I will throw everything on the floor, watch you pick it up, and then we will repeat.' I really do adore him. He likes to take cell phones apart, so I have to be watchful that I keep things like that out of his reach. I think with 3 people spending time with a parrot, whatever you choose, you should be fine. Mine, when I used to work, have been caged for up to 8 hours a day, I am home most of the time now, so they have more time out.

Ringnecks, like most parrots, go through a 'bluffing' stage. Its where they try to bluff you into thinking they will bite you, and sometimes they do, and if they scare you, they may keep up with the behavior. I would just do your research and go from there. Again, I LOVE my ringneck, and wouldn't trade him for the world. He loves attention from new people, is curious about everything, and has a great personality. I know there are quite a few people who are partial to green cheek conures. I am definitely not one of them. Good luck with your search.

 

[onesouthernbelle]

I love to hear about the antics of a funny bird. Being from the south, my husband keeps refering to them as "rednecks" when I talk about them. He's just joking with me though. Hmm... the bluffing stage. I can just picture it now with my two girls (ages 9 and 13). Girls are born knowing how to girlie squeal. LOL I'd be training girls and a ringneck.

 

[Abzeez]

My neighbors daughter says 'Oh my god' a lot when she's over and being dramatic. (she's 10) My amazon, Bean, now sings/yells, "OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD, OH MY GOOOOOOOOD."

 

[kitt]

I haven't owned either species....I have heard that conures can be very loud.
You have to understand that when birds reach sexual maturity they can become nippy...when my birds go through their hormone time each year, I can't even hold them for like four weeks...but I know this and they are trained to step up on to a stick during this time..... a lot of birds also have long life spans..make sure that your vet is also trained in being an avian vet....our local vet is not and I have to drive two hours to the nearest avian vet but she is well worth the drive....you have lots to consider and as I tell all new owners....do your homework, do your homework, do your homework....birds are a huge commitment. It sounds like you have a good setting for welcoming a bird into your home...good luck

 

[MikeyTN]

Just make sure Quakers aren't illegal in your area! They're illegal to sell or own in many different states!!!! They're wonderful birds though as I used to own one and I love him dearly, I handfed him myself, he passed 3 years ago, killed by a sick puppy I took in.

 

[onesouthernbelle]

Woot! Quakers are not illegal in my state! Although I'm still leaning towards the ringneck. My girls and I are going to a exotic bird show close by. Hopefully we will get to talk to some people who are in our area that may have some birds. I also found a bird sanctuary that gives classes on bird care to help educate the public about exotic birds. I just want to make sure we are making an informed decision.

 

[Abzeez]

I also found a bird sanctuary that gives classes on bird care to help educate the public about exotic birds. I just want to make sure we are making an informed decision.

We have a bird rescue that does the same thing. I have been to a couple of their classes. They are very helpful. There are always new things to learn, and new people to meet at those classes.

 

[BanalityBob]

I love my Quaker to pieces, but she's not as sweet and cuddly as the conures I've met. She demands attention and is rather loud at times, but she warms up to a lot of people, and is a total attention hog. Quakers tend to be cage aggressive though, so watch for that behavior. Penelope was previously abused and neglected and has a bad case of "if your hand comes in my cage I will END you!" Out of the cage, she's a sweet, sassy girl, but in the cage, she's a terror. That being said, I wouldn't trade her for the world. She's my adorably, bossy little girl. I've known many Quakers who were adored family pets.