First Bird

[lilnapolean]

Hi Everyone,

My name is Mike and I am new to this forum. I was looking up info. on different birds and stumbled across this site. The more I look the more questions I have. My biggest question is for a first bird what's a good choice? Looking for a social bird, that likes to hang out, and can possibly talk. Locally, I've seen a Severe Macaw, and a Blue Indian Ringneck for sale. From what I've read, it seems like no matter the choice it's all on how it was raised/treated by the previous person.


There are all kinds of birds popping up on CL every couple of days. What I will never understand, is why people get pets, and a year later want to get rid of them.

Any comments that may point me in the right direction would help.

I do have a little info. on both birds.

 

[weco]

Welcome to the forum Mike.....answering your question is pretty easy. We live in a throw away era & people tend to value their creature comforts more than they do the lives of their animals. People buy big dogs while living in apartments and/or small houses, with little or no consideration for the conditions/constraints the animals have to live with.

Today, because it is relatively easy to obtain an animal, some are status symbols as much as the bling they wear around their neck.....

When these status symbols become work or expensive to maintain, the treatment of the animals starts to wain.....and for sale postings appear.....

 

[aliray]

Welcome to the forum . How about telling us a little about yourself such as do you live in your own home or an apartment where the noise a bird can and will make may or not pose a problem. How much time do you have to spend with a bird. What type of bird you decide on dictates a lot of the cost for housing and toys food ect. Have you been around any kind of pet birds through friends or family

 

[lilnapolean]

Gotcha ! I'm 46, have a girlfriend, who owns her own house, and has 3 kids. The 2 youngest being 9 and 11, are girls.

I live in a 2 family owned by my parents. I moved back in one half of the house 5 years ago, as both my parents were seriously ill. The past few years, they are somewhat healthy and stable. I have a 5-1/2 year old Boxer, that is my only child. He is well mannered, although gets crazy for a few minutes when we get visitors.

We had birds when I was a little kid, but we are talking pre-teen years, but not parrots. My cousin has had an African Grey for about 20 yrs. Even though you can talk to it and it will talk back, don't go near the cage. Only my cousin can handle the bird. Not what I want when the 2 girls visit.

As far as noise, I understand there is no such thing as a bird that whispers. I can't see it being a major factor, just trying to avoid the one that screams all day. I saw a sun conure a couple of months ago, and scratched that one off the list.

I do work during the day, so I'd probably be gone for about 9 hours a day. I make it a point to be home by 5:00/5:15, because this is when I feed the dog every night. My animals are my kids. I take my dog outside every day and play ball with him. If it's crappy out, i throw the ball down the hallway, and wear him out that way. Like I said, I'm not married, so I can do this. My parents can barely even hear the noise going on.

Hope this helps.

 

[mistywaterwoman]

Welcome, Mike!

I also look at CL every day and am horrified by the people who are dumping their pets. My pets are mine for their entire lifespan, or mine, whichever comes first. The posts that annoy me the MOST are the one who want to trade an animal for an object. Yes, that happens, a LOT. "Wanting to trade pet snake for an XBox" "Will trade my chinchilla for a iPod". Disgusting.

I only just got my first bird (lovebird) this week, so I am not going to be any help with your decision, I just wanted to say Hi and Welcome.

 

[lilnapolean]

Thanks for the Welcomes.

 

[Echo]

The posts that annoy me the MOST are the one who want to trade an animal for an object. Yes, that happens, a LOT. "Wanting to trade pet snake for an XBox" "Will trade my chinchilla for a iPod". Disgusting.

OMG isn't it true??!! Or the ones who want to trade for different species birds, like they want to rotate every few months!! They get bored easily.

 

[Echo]

As far as noise, I understand there is no such thing as a bird that whispers.

Actually I beg to differ. My Grey does whisper and it's VERY CREEPY!!! LOL

As far as a bird species, have you looked at Pionus? Friendly with everyone, not too active so as to get upset when you're gone during the day. Low noise factor. Stocky, so more impressionable to your dog (even though you need to be careful). Cuddly. I have a Blue Headed and a Dusky Pionus. They are my husband's favorite species out of the parrots we own.