doing my homework, looking for insight!

[birdlet]

Hi! I'm new to the forum. Currently, I"m doing my homework to try to figure out what parrot species might fit in well with my family. I'm betting you guys can help.

I had a peach-fronted conure (Simione) for 12 years, and she was a blast during that mostly kid-free time of my life. But she was also a temperamental finger-muncher...and I don't want my kids to develop a Hitchcock-style phobia of birds. Also, she was very much a one-person bird (don't know if that's generally a conure thing or not, or just because she had me to herself for so long). I've been reading that some species are just less prone to moodiness and biting (assuming they're handled/trained properly, of course, which is something else I'm doing my homework on) and some are more social/gregarious, and likely to be fond of multiple people in their human flocks. It used to drive my husband (who's an ornithologist) nuts that Simione would only sit with him if she could see me...if I walked out of the room, she was off in a flash to find me. Everyone in the family is eager to play a part in this new bird's life, so I want to avoid that "I only have eyes for you" mindset if possible.

I work from home and have my youngest daughter with me during the day (she's 3.5 years old, but quite good with our current pets and NEVER to be left alone with the parrot ). So there will be lots and lots of playtime for our new parrot, who can choose to hang out with me while I type away or play with toys with the little human while I supervise. When the oldest girl (8) gets home from school, she'll expect her time with the bird...and when my husband gets home from work, he's going to want to play with it too. So this little creature's dance card is already full up.

Meyer's parrots and Pionus species come up a lot when I search for family-friendly species, and they're what I'm most drawn to, personally. I also really like Hahns macaws, though their reviews seem more mixed. My oldest daughter is in love with blue pacific parrotlets. My husband wants an African grey, because he knew Irene Pepperberg in school and thinks mimicry is the coolest things about parrots (I think I've talked him out of it, though...I don't think that's a good choice for us, though they're obviously super cool). He's not interested in cockatiels or budgies for some reason. The youngest just giggles at any picture/video we show her, so I think she'll be happy with whatever we decide on.

Of course, I'm somewhat limited in choices. There are no pet stores that carry parrots here, and no local breeders. I live in rural eastern Texas, about 2.5 hours from Houston and 3 hours from Dallas. Not terribly far, but still I want to feel pretty confident about what we want before we drive to meet babies. There is a breeder who hand-raises parrotlets and (sometimes) Meyer's in Houston, as well as caiques and green-cheeked conures (both of whom I read mixed things about, too, though I wouldn't rule them out completely). I have an e-mail in to her, but I can't find anyone near who has Pionus. At least, not in the web.

So that's our background, and I'm wondering if you all have any other suggestions for species we might consider, or can throw more light on parrotlets, Meyer's or Pionus as a good family bird? Those of you in Texas or western Louisiana, do you know any breeders?

Thanks so much!

 

[roxynoodle]

Would your husband reconsider a budgie or cockatiel? I think all the way around they are the best birds for families. They are gentle, do well with children, and pretty much like everyone who likes them. And male budgies are actually one of the best talking parrots.

 

[birdlet]

I may try to make him watch some videos of talking budgies and snuggly cockatiels, and see if that can win him over.

 

[evesta]

I am in a similar position with a 6 year old and a 15 month old. I was going to go with a Green Cheek Conure but after researching and talking to breeders I came across Lineolated Parakeets or Linnies, who are actually not parakeets at all but little parrots(short tail), similar in size to parrotlets. The nice thing about Linnies in comparison to parrotlets is that they tend to be less nippy and territorial. You can even keep more than one and if they are hand raised and continue to be handled they will stay tame. They are also considered quieter birds, they make the cutest little clucking sounds.

I'm getting two baby brothers in a week or two and both have very different personalities, one quiet and cuddly and the other playful and social but still cuddly. They love to burrow under stuff, baths, playing with toys with their feet and hanging upside down. They even sleep sort of lying down sometimes. I've heard they are a greater starter bird, which was perfect to me.

Here are my boys, House and Wilson! They are turquois but linnies comes in lots of colors.

 

[cdog]

I think green cheeks are great but you would have to work with them on the nippiness. But since you have kids I would reccomend something with a small beak like a cockatiel or budgie. Parrolets and love birds still have good sized beaks and can give a painful bite. Cockatiels and budgies are great family pets because they aren't noisy and don't have big beaks. I find budgies to be more playful and talkitive than the more layed back cockatiel.
I personally think for a family with kids, especially really young ones, cockatiels and budgies are the best choice.
Green cheeks can still easily draw blood, Hahns macaws can do a considerable amount of damage to fingers, African greys could even snap a little kids finger off, so I would stay away from those.

 

[birdlet]

Thanks so much! Yes, we'll definitely stay away from most of the larger species. Since I have a little experience, I'll admit I'm itching to go a little bigger, but I don't really know why. The most important thing is that we all mix well, so everyone (avian and primate) is happy.

evesta, thanks so much for the pictures of your cuties!!! I forgot to mention that they were on my list, too (it's all starting to blur together), and the more I read/watch about them, the more charmed I am. Again, the closest breeder I can find is 3 or more hours away....so SIGH. But they do seem like a close-to-ideal match...small, basically gentle, social and often snuggly. And talkers to boot!

I've been thinking of getting 2 birds as well...primarily because I foresee some squabbling over the bird (and not just between the 2 kids!). Also because I'm worried that on the few occasions that we do travel (seldom for more than 4 or 5 days), the huge contrast between always having someone in the house and then having NO ONE, even if it's temporary (how will they know that??) will upset a single bird.

So, is it better to get 2 babies together, so that they grow up together, or can we introduce a bird with a similar temperament later? Will they do better if they're the same species, or can we mix certain species? If we keep them in the same cage, will the be too likely to bond too much, or will consistent handling prevent that?

So many questions, so little time.... Well, actually there's plenty of time...but I'd love to have the little stinkers here NOW!

Thanks again!!!!

 

[roxynoodle]

Yes, Linnies or Grass parakeets are something a little different that may also make good pets for homes with small children. Especially the Linnies if you want more than one. Having birds the same species always makes for a more likely chance that they will get along. And since Linnies can stay tame even if more than one is in the cage, that might be the right bird for you.

As for a larger bird, I would honestly wait until the children are older. Even a conure can rip your skin. And they are moodier and have more complex personalities, which a small child will be unable to grasp. They won't be able to read the bird's body language and understand it's moods.

I honestly just love budgies. I only ever had them for the first 30 years of my life. And growing up with them was wonderful. If you were to look at my baby pictures, in most of them our budgie was sitting on or near me. My sister and I both loved playing with them, and there weren't any injuries to worry about. They could say entire sentences, loved just sitting on us for hours, playing peek a boo hiding under the kitchen table. They are just sweet, little dears and perfect for kids.

 

[evesta]

Linnies are worth the drive in my opinion. Really linnies kept coming up in my search for the "perfect" bird for my family. Man and the pictures don't do them justice, they really are sweet and silly little birds. I think once someone owns a linnie, they become a bit adictive. I went to the breeder to pick out one and ended up purchasing his brother too!! I have heard from linnie people that it was a good idea to get two at the same time since you don't have to worry about quarantine and they usually get along growing up together. I thought it was nice they would have each other when we were busy and it would be more fun to watch a pair playing than just one.

 

[Sulphiria]

Have you considered 2 birds? Most people cant have just one, lol. We started out like you, looking for a bird for everyone, we now have 3 and im still wanting my 4th. We ended up with a cockatiel for the kids and she is great! They can all hold and play with her, without any fear of biting, plus she whistles then we have a quaker that my boyfriend belongs to who is a total character. No one else can get near her without a bite, but her personality makes up for the rest of us not being able to hold her. Then there is our african grey who is just amazing. He talks with great clarity and it no just a mimic, he knows exactly what hes saying when he says it!

When we started out looking, my boyfriend said to me "you know you arent going to be happy with just a cockatiel, youre going to want bigger and something talkative etc." And of course he was right.

You could check craigslist as well, we found our tiel there, with a cage and food for 75$.

Good luck