First Parrot

[talvarez]

I am in the market for my first parrot. I am wondering the best place to get one, and for the best price.. i was thinking of adoption but i assume a neglected parrot is not a good first parrot.. maybe a rather young, moldable one would be better?

Anyways, i have been researching, but never buy someonething especially a pet without asking on a forum.. so tell me,

Best age to buy
where to buy
whats the cheapest parrot on the market? (locale)
Can i get a good deal on one from a breeder or am i better off going to a bird store?(im in the reptile scene so i know the ups and downs)
Minimum caging required?(dont plan on caging him/her often)
Is outdoor caging okay if temps are fine and they have escape from sun/rain?

If i didnt ask critical questions please bring them up.. Last pet i got i researched for almost 6 months so im in no rush and you can expect to see me here for a while before i post pics of my new parrot

 

[psychocircus91]

I am in the market for my first parrot. I am wondering the best place to get one, and for the best price.. i was thinking of adoption but i assume a neglected parrot is not a good first parrot.. maybe a rather young, moldable one would be better?

Anyways, i have been researching, but never buy someonething especially a pet without asking on a forum.. so tell me,

Best age to buy
where to buy
whats the cheapest parrot on the market? (locale)
Can i get a good deal on one from a breeder or am i better off going to a bird store?(im in the reptile scene so i know the ups and downs)
Minimum caging required?(dont plan on caging him/her often)
Is outdoor caging okay if temps are fine and they have escape from sun/rain?

If i didnt ask critical questions please bring them up.. Last pet i got i researched for almost 6 months so im in no rush and you can expect to see me here for a while before i post pics of my new parrot

woo lots of questions.
1) There isn't a set in stone best age to buy. buying a baby bird from a breeder gives you the ability to train your bird the way you want. You just have to make sure you know what you're doing. If you can find a rescue with a good history, that can be a good choice as well, as they have typically passed their "terrible twos", a hormonal stage.
2)A breeder is a good choice for a baby. The prices are typically competitive and if you find a reputable one, they socialize their babies well and give them a good diet. Rescues are good places to find a rehome, although many rescues require that a person has previous bird experience.
3) The cheapest parrot in the US is the budgie. Although price is always a consideration, it shouldn't be your sole deciding factor.
4) Breeders are typically better because you don't go through a wholesaler.
5) Minimum cage size Definitely varies with species. The more room the better.
6)Outdoor time can be great for birds. You have to be careful of several things. Weather as you mentioned, Predators such as cats, birds of prey, snakes, etc. are all threats, diseases from other birds. Supervised outside time is best, unless you have an appropriate aviary.

Your first step is finding a couple of species that really interest you. Go from there.

 

[Pinkbirdy]

First what species are you interested in ? Do you have a house or apartment . Do you work a ridiculous amount of hours or have a normal schedule. Do you want a bird that is very active or one that hangs out somewhat. Birds are loud and expensive. Lets start there.

 

[talvarez]

sorry i didnt specify this i am looking into a species of amazon.

 

[talvarez]

i am 18 live in a large home with lots of space and work a good schedule to own one. i want an amazon i can bond with and have a relationship that i cant have with my reptiles.

 

[psychocircus91]

i am 18 live in a large home with lots of space and work a good schedule to own one. i want an amazon i can bond with and have a relationship that i cant have with my reptiles.

If you're living with parents, make sure they are very aware of how loud parrots can be. Also, make sure you and your parents have a plan for when you move out. Will you be buying a house or living in an apartment. If your new living conditions don't allow you to have a parrot, will your parents keep it?

Amazons are not cheap, veterinary care is not cheap, food and toys are not very cheap, cages are not cheap. Do you have the funds to not just buy the bird and cage, but also provide long term care?

Please don't think I am talking down to you at all, these are all just important considerations.

 

[ShellyBorg]

Just so you know there is bacteria your reptiles carry that is deadly to birds so you will have to watch how you handle dishes and hand cleaning.
Are you still living at home and plan to go to collage? If so make sure that the family will be willing to foster the bird why you are away.
I would look into a 4 year old or older bird at a rescue that knows the history of the bird. Most do blood tests and know the birds temperament. Buying a baby, just like a human child you are never sure how they will be when they grow up.

 

[Pinkbirdy]

I dont want to discourage any potential amazon owners. My zon is a rehomed one and out of all the birds Ive had .Hes been the hardest [but has taught me alot] and very rewarding . I hear zons bond very closely with their owners [and thats true in my case] If you get a bird please make it your first priority the rest of his life. Cause your young and going to go through lots of changes in your life. I would get a just weaned [smaller of the zons] like lilac crowned or orange wing [or lots of others] Their a very smart species and are going to need alot of you to be healthy and happy.

 

[talvarez]

i have the funds and the time. I am going to community college and will be going to a local university after that. (will be living home through it all). Also, im sellling my last reptile atm and wont be getting anything until then. When you say weaned what exactly does that mean? and of all the zons which color morph is the cheapest? i know it sounds cruel worrying about the price but to be honest idc about the color i care about the personality. So im not looking to blow too much upfront for colors..

 

[Pinkbirdy]

My experience with birds, that a just weaned bird with a so to speak harder species. Will teach you alot and you can grow together and build your confidence in birds . I suggest save your money . Go to a breeder that has a few kinds [see all that interest you ] and let the bird pick you. Birds are expensive [theres no deal or anyway around it] unless you get a budgie.

 

[talvarez]

what are the price ranges?

 

[ShellyBorg]

I just got a cheap zon and in the last month I have dropped over $900 in just the vet, cage (old one that needed painting) and toys. If price is a issue I really would see about a good rehomed bird.

 

[psychocircus91]

Talvarez- I am a reptile keeper myself and was a bird keeper for several years. I can tell you without a doubt, birds are more sensitive than most reptiles.

Even with reptiles special needs for specific lighting, temps, humidity, diets, etc. birds are a bit more challenging. My reasoning for this is that when things go wrong with a bird, they can go wrong fast. That is why it is essential to have an avian vet. They are expensive.

If you are saving money on the initial cost just to save that's fine, but please just know that there are many more long term costs.

Anyway, I recommend checking out birdbreeders.com and looking at some of the prices for different amazons. After you find some that interest you, research, research, research.

 

[talvarez]

i keep chameleons or did and they are very sensitive problably the most expensive. And i know an avian vet so im good there But to be honest since this is my first zon i dont know what breeders are private and who is running out of a store

 

[psychocircus91]

i keep chameleons or did and they are very sensitive problably the most expensive. And i know an avian vet so im good there But to be honest since this is my first zon i dont know what breeders are private and who is running out of a store

Go to birdbreeders.com

click availability

click amazons

It will give you different breeders, their prices, their reviews, etc.

Even if you don't buy a bird from one of them, it will give you general ideas of prices for each species.

 

[talvarez]

This seems to be a great deal

 

[Pinkbirdy]

BirdBreeders.com - Bird Breeders Directory of Availability and Parrot Breeders If you can go be around any parrot you can to see what their like.Whether it be a shelter or store or local breeder. I dont know the area you live in. I am right now getting a Rose breasted cockatoo from Georgia . He will be flown to me once weaned [eating and maintaining his weight] to where I live in New york . But picking in person is better if you can . psychocircus - your babys so much cuter than mine at 5 weeks

 

[psychocircus91]

agreed, I would try to be around at least several species of parrots to experience their behavior and noise before setting your heart on one. After that, though there are benefits to getting your parrot in person, there isn't really a problem if you can't meet your baby in person. It's personality will change as it matures anyway.

pinkbirdy- that may be so, but there's something about baby cockatoos that make them irresistible!

 

[talvarez]

i think what i wnt to do is find a baby that is just hatched and do a payment plan with the person or shop and as i make payments go see the bird and interact and by time the bird is payed for it should be weaned and ready to be taken home.

 

[psychocircus91]

i think what i wnt to do is find a baby that is just hatched and do a payment plan with the person or shop and as i make payments go see the bird and interact and by time the bird is payed for it should be weaned and ready to be taken home.

most require a deposit when the bird is hatched if you would like to receive it when it was weaned. Then, when it if fully weaned (usually 3-4 months), they will take the rest of the payment and you will get your bird.

For example my Hahns is $700 dollars. I am holding the baby by putting down a $200 deposit.

When he is weaned I will pay the other $500 (excluding shipping).