Think really carefully on this. On your resources and on who you have around. I'm not saying don't get a parrot....but how many do you want? Adventure and travel certainly has to be considered, but having had birds for the last 12 odd years and having the last 12 odd years throw up all sorts of circumstance I'm really not discouraging you.
Lesson 1. If you're in the mood for instant gratification, you may find the parrot you adore in a smaller species that can handle some time apart. It might not be a macaw. It could be a conure, carefully handled and with the 'right' sitter. If they get to know them now, they can step in when you're away with minimal disruption.
Lesson 2. If you really really want a Macaw later, and go for a smaller bird now, accept you may end up with a big bird and a little bird in the same house, and that has it's own challenges re: flight time etc.
Lesson 3. If you really want to be a one bird household, wait. I know, easier said than done, but these little ones don't deserve second best treatment because they were filling in a gap.
Good luck!
Soooo, probably no to the love birds. I'm sure all of yours are beautiful, awesome sweethearts, but the more I read, the more that seems to be an exception than a rule.
Maybe a conure. Not sure, but the 'tiels seem to be winning this one.
If I thought they could handle the separation well, that would literally change everything. My main concern for this bird is it's overall health - especially it's mental/emotional health.
I'd probably want one bird, but then again, that's what I said about rats - "I'm only getting two," and now I have nine, not counting those that have passed, am an active member on a species-specific forum, and sew hammocks for all of them. Three are mine - the rest are fosters. But like I said in the mac vs con post, the short life spans are killing me over here. Every time I consider getting another rat or foster failing and adopting, at this point, the voice in my head just reminds me that they'll be dead by the time I really get attached. :-/ Not the most uplifting thing, I know.
I actually had considered getting two birds while I was writing the mac vs con post, but then I was like, "Should a beginner really have two (big) birds?" The plus side is they might be buddies and get along better if I have to get a sitter. The downside is ending up twice as much in over my head and possibly them hating each other.
The rats are in three different cages and since I don't want babies, one group can't be let out with the other, so I'm accustomed to coordinating schedules. Add that onto an adolescent husky, a middle aged lab, and a cat, and I give everyone a niche. The rats come alive around sunrise for their run around in my room while I shower, etc, which attaches to the bathroom; the dogs get their quick potty walk; then the cat gets about fifteen minutes every other day to screw around outside on her leash; I eat breakfast and work; come home and take the husky for a bike ride; let everyone out to potty; and then the rats get meds and free time before I go to bed. Depending on my cat's impulse control, I'd leave birdie out while I did my miscellaneous things between afternoon potty break and rat bedtime. (If they're even still around by then.)
If I do decide to get a large bird, I definitely won't get one until after I have my own house, travelling or not. I don't know how many people are in apartments with big birds, but I'm just imagining the look on a landlord's face while I explain that I have a screaming, squaking, large parrot, and would you please let me live in a box surrounded by people.
There's a sliver of a chance that I might inherit a B&G. Not sure on that one - hopefully not anytime soon.
Wow, this turned out a lot longer than I expected.
