Here is my full story, any advice?

[Newbsi]

I have been dreading doing this because I already feel like a horrible person and I am sure there are those that will agree. Here we go. I have not been around birds other than my parakeet as a child. I have been thinking about getting a bird for a while. I am home all day while the kids are at school. In my 40s, all grown up (physically at least). I am not having anymore children and I think it is the perfect time to get my bird baby. So, I started my research, watching videos, reading.
Originally I wanted a Grey because of how smart they are, their talking ability, the amazing clarity of those that do talk. Also they seemed like a great companion for a family with older children as well.
Cockatoo because they are so hilarious! What funny personalities! Also Amazon was at the top of the list for the same reasons as the Grey.
Then I saw the Eclectus. Omg, that bird is beautiful! Both male and female are just breathtaking. I realize that the Eclectus has the different diet but honestly I always have fresh fruit and veggies in my house for my kids anyway. It wouldnt change my shopping routine so much as just the prep for the bird. Honestly I already spend 2 hours a week washing, cutting and bagging fruits and veggies in snack bags for lunches and snacks.
Then I thought those are all bigger birds. Maybe I should go smaller. Indian Ring Neck. They have those same beautiful feathers as the Eclectus, but smaller. I thought maybe I should just get a parakeet or cockatiel because they are small. But I WANT a bigger parrot.
I started looking for local breeders because I wouldnt want to ship a bird (many reasons).
I found a local breeder that has Eclectus, Senegals, Green Cheek Conures, Cockatiels and lovebirds. A different breeder has Cockatoos and Greys.
I did more reading about the conures, and senegals because I had not considered them before. I decided to get a Senegal. Then I wussed out at the last minute and told her I wanted a cockatiel. When I went to pick up the Cockatiel one of the senegal babies kept coming to me. The cockatiels wanted nothing to do with me but that one baby flew to me and when she put him back he flew to the cage I had brought. I started second guessing again but said, no, I came for a cockatiel and that is what I went home with.
I get home, tell my husband about it. He said, you should have gotten the Senegal. WHAT?!?! So I call the breeder back (bless her heart, I would have choked me by now) and she said that I could bring the cockatiel back and get the Senegal baby. She knew which one it was because that was the only one she had clipped the wings on after I left lol. BUT the Senegals babies would not be ready until this wed (tomorrow).
This has been such a hard decision. I know, I feel horrible about getting the cockatiel and taking it back. I thought about keeping it because I felt guilty but guilt is not a reason to keep a bird!
Sorry for ranting and sorry its so long.
Any suggestions? Is the Senegal a good idea or should I go for the eclectus? Or neither? Am I better off with a Indian Ring Neck or Cockatiel? UGH

 

[Mariar]

Only you know what's right for you. There's a lot of people that can give advice based on their experiences..and maybe that will help you. All birds you listed are great birds..what do you feel in your gut?

 

[riddick07]

If you have been chosen by the Senegal go with it If he reacts to you the same way as before....well your husband is right...

Don't keep a bird out of guilt....though whats one more bird but you don't want to feel resentment towards that bird at any point. I occasionally wish I didn't have my male cockatiels but don't trust anyone to take them and keep them until they die.

If you're a bird person chances are you'll end up with more than one bird anyway:54:

 

[DexMom]

You sound very much like me, I research everything to death and then when I think I know what I want, I question myself into decision paralysis.

Since it sounds like you've already done a bit of information gathering, make a 'features' list for each species of the traits you would find common in each type. For example, Size, Personality, Demeanor, Sociability (Bonds mainly to one person/multiple people), Talking ability, Simple/complex diet needs, Volume, Longevity, Trainability (to do tricks, etc.), Appearance, , and anything else you can think of that will be important now and in the future. Chart them out on a spreadsheet with the characteristics most important to you, so you can compare species side by side.

We decided we wanted a medium-sized parrot with a fairy mellow, but still fun personality, that would bond to and be sociable with many people, that was not typically a loud screamer and had some ability to learn to talk (but that was probably of least importance). So I charted out those traits for a number of species and we decided on an Eclectus. The high-maintenance, fresh fruit/veggie diet was not an issue for me as I'm a bit of a foodie and my children are old enough to help out with chopping and peeling if I'm feeling lazy or under the weather. To some people, that would be a deal breaker, but not us.

No one can tell you what kind of parrot is best for you, because they all have their endearing and annoying traits. But, if you're trying to decide between two birds, the one that seems to be drawn to you is usually a pretty good bet.

 

[Newbsi]

Thank you guys. I braced myself for hearing horrible things. My gut says go with the Senegal. The Senegal has the capability of doing everything I want, the size is smaller and he did choose me lol. Of course I may go back and he ignores me like the cockatiels lol. I still have the cockatiel here with me. I have been doing everything to get her to warm up to me. She is no where near that point lol.
My gut also says if I get the Senegal, I can always get an Eclectus later!

 

[Flboy]

A Senegal is a beautiful fun bird!

 

[ToMang07]

Thank you guys. I braced myself for hearing horrible things. My gut says go with the Senegal. The Senegal has the capability of doing everything I want, the size is smaller and he did choose me lol. Of course I may go back and he ignores me like the cockatiels lol. I still have the cockatiel here with me. I have been doing everything to get her to warm up to me. She is no where near that point lol.
My gut also says if I get the Senegal, I can always get an Eclectus later!

I say keep both, but if you can't the Senegal picked you.....can't go wrong there.

Personally I don't like Cockatiels, their high-pitch screech drives me nuts, lol

 

[JerseyWendy]

....My gut says go with the Senegal. .....

My gut also says if I get the Senegal, I can always get an Eclectus later!

And right there is your answer.

...and how much you wanna bet that you'll get an Ekki sooner or later, too? :54: Welcome to MBS (multiple bird syndrome)

 

[Weezerj]

A bond with a bird is about love...go with your heart and let your mind have a rest

 

[thekarens]

Obviously I love sennies. I have two of them. Be sure to read up and welcome to the world of pois!

 

[Pinkbirdy]

Your going to go through lots of "Growing pains" with any bird you get. Just giving my advice . If its not what you think right off the bat [things can change}. Will be a totally different bird a year later.

 

[Kiwibird]

The cockatiel is still a baby, and will be going back to the experience breeder that raised him/her who is sure to find him/her a wonderful home. Plus, it doesn't sound as though you've really bonded with the tiel (and perhaps he/she will find his/her perfect family through the breeder when you bring it back!). It sounds as though you've really connected with senegal though and I see no reason to feel bad about going to get him/her. Stop second guessing what you know is right. That little sennie made an impression, obviously, and your heart is already set on him/her. Makes it SO much easier when the bird loves you from first sight too

 

[itchyfeet]

Thank you guys. I braced myself for hearing horrible things. My gut says go with the Senegal. The Senegal has the capability of doing everything I want, the size is smaller and he did choose me lol. Of course I may go back and he ignores me like the cockatiels lol. I still have the cockatiel here with me. I have been doing everything to get her to warm up to me. She is no where near that point lol.
My gut also says if I get the Senegal, I can always get an Eclectus later!

I say keep both, but if you can't the Senegal picked you.....can't go wrong there.

Personally I don't like Cockatiels, their high-pitch screech drives me nuts, lol

This cracked me up when I saw what you had on your parrot list

I went shopping for a grey, or king parrot.

I bonded with an IRN.

He's brought me so much joy. Trust your instincts.

 

[Ann333]

Go with your heart.

 

[Newbsi]

Thanks again everyone. Today is the big day! I go pick up the new baby at noon!
I started thinking... How do I KNOW for sure it's the same bird. She could pick any of the baby's and say this is the one. (I'm not a trusting person, I suppose). So I am going to go with my instincts. If the bird doesn't take to me like before or something feels off, I will just leave without a bird. She has some ringnecks on eggs now. Maybe if I visit them once in a while once she starts hand feeding, maybe one will pick me! Also I found a parrot rescue that said I could come spend time there getting some hands on exp ad learning about the parrots (I know I should have done this earlier, but I just learned it was an option).
But hopefully all will go well and I will be bringing my Senegal home.

You know what I realized today? I'm annoying as heck! I can't believe I didn't figure this out about myself sooner!!!

 

[JerseyWendy]

Hmmm.....me thinks you might be coming home empty handed today, especially after reading this:

My two favorite parrots! Eclectus and ringneck! I'm jealous! I love love love ringneck voices. They are so sweet! Thanks for sharing I could watch those two all day!

:54:

 

[Newbsi]

... Well they ARE my two favorite parrots aesthetically speaking. I would NEVER say that in front of the Sennie!

 

[Newbsi]

I'm so busted :11:

 

[Newbsi]

*whispers* ( I watch this video everyday, I can't get enough!). Every time the bird goes to take a bite, the other screaming what did you do, cracks me up! [ame="http://youtu.be/ccG3uGsky8M"]http://youtu.be/ccG3uGsky8M[/ame]

 

[Mariar]

My fiancé wants an Indian ring neck..neat birds. So pretty.