great bird for kids?

Sulphiria

Sulphiria

Banned
Banned
Mar 12, 2012
567
0
Deltona, Florida
After looking at a few different birds, im wondering what the best is for children? The age range is around 10. I do have a 4, 2 and 1 year old as well but they dont have access to the birds unsupervised and the older kids are supervised with strict rules (no fingers in the cage, etc). Id like to find a bird with a quiet to medium noise level, something they can hold and talk to.

Thanks!
 
I feel like a Green Cheek may be a bit too nippy for kids that young. What about a budgie or lovebird? They can be trained and like out of cage time just like a green cheek. Plus, the ones i've come across are not as nippy as a green cheek. If a bite does occur, the smaller the beak the smaller the pain.
 
Well if you don't want pain don't get a love bird, they hurt. What about a cockatiel, they are great, they are a nice size so they wont have to be super super gentle and they have small beaks. Plus cockatiels aren't loud.
 
My vote is for a hand fed cockatiel. Budgies are great but they are a little small for such young kids, they have to be handled quite gently. Tiels can learn to talk and whistle all kinds of tunes, they are amazingly friendly if cared for properly, all around, I think they are the best parrots for children. Also, it's not a parrot but I always recommend doves and pigeons, they are great because they are easy to train and they can't really bite :)
 
I agree with the tiel suggestion. They are the best family bird you can find. A glutinous cockatiel was my first bird and I was 5, and he was gentle and loving.
 
Sulphiria, I am so sorry i have thrown a spanner in the works regarding the Rainbow Lorikeet. But I did see where you were wanting to rehome you sun conure because of bitting & Rainbows can be very much the same.

I have to agree a little hand reared male tiel is a great choice. They are endearing little souls. Forgiving as well.

I hope you find the right bird for your children.
 
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #9
Pedro said:
Sulphiria, I am so sorry i have thrown a spanner in the works regarding the Rainbow Lorikeet. But I did see where you were wanting to rehome you sun conure because of bitting & Rainbows can be very much the same.

I have to agree a little hand reared male tiel is a great choice. They are endearing little souls. Forgiving as well.

I hope you find the right bird for your children.
Click to expand...

No need to apologize. I think part of me was looking for a reason to buy the lori because she is so beautiful and listed as tame and friendly to everyone so i was trying to find a reason to bring her home. I gotta admit im a bit jealous. My boyfriend has the quaker who is extremely bonded to him. She would spend the day on his shoulder if she could and loves cuddles. I have a cag who is friendly to everyone but prefers me, he just isnt much of a cuddle bug and is too big to hang out on my shoulder. :-( so while id love a smaller cuddle bird, i want one the kids can handle as well.
 
I had hand fed cockatiels growing up, and they were awesome!
 
I have to go with the male 'tiel suggestion too! Conures are beaky birds and can be loud. another option you may want to consider that i've seen hasn't been mentioned is a dove or pair of doves. They're very very quiet and loving birds. They are fragile though, just as any bird! But they're good nursery birds because of their quiet cooing as opposed to the sqwak of a parrot.

Edit// also, as far as i know, a "bite" from a dove is much less painful than that of a hookbill
 
Doves are naturally tame birds, and yes their bite is nothing, nit painful at all. But, they don't have the same antics as tiels and don't bond with people or snuggle as much, though they are friendly. Check out hf babies, it doesn't have to be a male, ive had a female who was sweet as pie, just find the one that is outgoing and has your desired personality.
 
I would always suggest a tiel to any owner. They're wonderful birds!!!! Females are just as sweet as the males!!!! I do have to say all the ones I own, the girls are actually sweeter then the boys. BUT the only downfall is the egg laying and I believe that's why a male is being suggested! They are prone to be chronic egg layers!!!! Tiels CAN be choosy who they want to be their handler as well!!!!! They're really not cuddly birds, but can be on occasion. I have a few that cuddles with me, especially the babies I've raised. They're safer around children yes, BUT I've seen people that have big birds around kids as well and they did quite well. There's always a maybe though as you never know....Will I trust my Lory with little kids, absolutely! Out of all my birds only the toos and the macaw I do not trust with kids.
 
A tiel or a budgie has my vote as well. My sister and I had a budgie each when we were very young, and they made wonderful pets!
 
Would have to agree on the tiel, but be warned about night frights etc that comes along with it.

I remember my aunty having a tiel when I was growing up (me and my sister spent all our free time at hers) and he was just the best, I wanted to get another one before I got Merlin but things played out differently. Tiels arn't too big but not tiny like a budgie/finch and they can make the sweetest songs. :) I vote for a tiel.

Sorry to hear about your sun conure, they can be difficult, conures are notoriously stubborn.
 
You do realize that getting a bird specifically for your children although a great thing, will also become extra work for YOU. Children have short attention spans and although they may take to the new bird, once they get nipped or get used to video games, the bird will be forgotten about.

So you really should get a bird that you want or prefer since it will eventually wind up being your bird.

I would have to 14th the Cockatiel recommendation, they are sweet loving birds as long as you get a well socialized baby from a breeder. But don't be fooled by the small size, some of the worsest bites that I have suffered from a bird have been from Cockatiels. Those small little beaks and draw blood very easily.
 
I also vote for a hand fed male 'tiel. Then you won't have to worry about the egg laying behavior. And some can talk and whistle. 'Tiels are probably the perfect bird for most families.
 
Plus they have good size beaks that if they were to get stressed, they could take a chunck out of you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

lory/lorakeet

Previous Thread

Dusty Birds & Non-Dusty Birds

Next Thread

Most Reactions

Similar threads

F
New lovebird owner, i would be greatful for some tips
Replies
1
Views
661
Jexnell
Jexnell
S
Any help would be great please
Replies
12
Views
2K
HeatherG
HeatherG
ravvlet
Larger parrots and small humans!
Replies
3
Views
2K
ravvlet
ravvlet
budgie choir
Bird keeper / budgie rescue
Replies
12
Views
2K
budgie choir
budgie choir
D
Should I adopt a parrot
Replies
6
Views
2K
Scott
Scott

Latest posts

Back
Top