Help me pick a Parrotlet

[rjl410]

Hi guys,

I've been researching bird types for my first bird pet and I've decided on a Parrotlet. I picked Parrotlets over keets or love birds because I wanted a bird that would love to be handled, was not constantly chirping, would be ok with being alone in it's cage while I'm at work, and has tons of personality.

Now that I've decided on a Parrotlett, I'm not sure if I should get one from a pet shop or a breeder? What specific type or color I should look for? Does it matter? How old of a bird should I be looking for, are babies like puppies? Will an older one not bond as well?

Thanks for the advice and please offer your opinions if you think a Parrotlett is the wrong bird for me.

 

[weco]

A couple of years ago someone from a local animal shelter called me to see if I was interested in a parrotlet they had had for a few months.....at the time I'd never considered p'lets, but stopped by to see what they had.....it was a male Pacific, with a nice cage. The adoption fee was $20 & some paperwork & he's the smallest of my lot.....nobody at the shelter knew what kind of bird it was.....they thought it was some kind of parakeet.....they were dog & cat people.....

While mine needed a bunch of socialization work, I'd probably get one from a breeder if it was hand fed/tamed.....a lot of times those in pet shops are not.....they may have received attention & been handled in the shop, but when you get them home, you find you've got a Mr. Hyde instead of a Dr. Jekyll.....

As to age, I have no idea how old mine is, but If I was choosing, I'd probably be looking at young birds.....

 

[birdpassion620]

I own a parrotlet and even tough I got him from a pet shop, I strongly recommend getting one from a breeder if you could. They are more hand tamable and usually cost less than at a pet store. I actually was not planning on getting a parrotlet but when I saw Chuey at the store I immediately fell in love. He was only at the store for a couple of weeks and was hand fed before being weaned which is probably why he was so sweet.

I would most likely try getting a young parrotlet since they tend to bond with you more easily tough that does not mean an older bird can't bond with you as well.

The color has nothing with how their personality will turn out. My parrotlet is a normal green and I would NOT change him for any fancy or unusual color parrotlet.

 

[rjl410]

Ended up getting a Green Cheek conure instead. He buried himself in my girlfriends hair at the store...he knew what he was doing.

 

[birdpassion620]

I saw a picture of him/her in the conure section. He's a cutey but would have NEVER purchased an unweaned bird. Still, I hope everything goes well with your new GCC and wish you the best of luck. Please keep us updated.