hi all

[wock]

hi all just found this great forum not got a parrot yet doing a lot of learning first
dont no if to get a african grey or a galah like both which one would be best for a newbie if any thanks all

 

[mtdoramike]

Welcome, first off, what experience to you have with birds? Both of these birds are high maintenance especially for a beginner. Here is a list that you need to consider:

1. Your experience with birds
2. your living arrangements like do you live in a house, apartment, condo
3. Do you live alone or with others and if you live with others, how will they feel about getting a noisy needy pet
4. How much are you willing to spend, most places, these birds start at $1000.00 and up from there, that is just for the bird, cage, another $500-$1000.00, Toys a couple of hundred.
5. You will need a contengency fund set aside like $500.00 for those emergency vet visits.
6. How old are you, where do you see yourself, 5, 10 or even 20 years down the road. (both of the species you mention can live 50-80 years).
7. Are you willing to have a moody, screaming, squawking, sometimes nippy 2 year old attached to your hip for the rest of your natural life??

These are the questions that you need to ask and answer yourself, (not on here, but personally) before you make that final decision. Also, go onto You Tube and check out the videos on the particular species that your interested in. Also look for the videos of those birds being vocal, screaming and squawking and make sure to turn your speakers all the way up to get the full effect.

Yes, you could wind up getting a very nice quiet, well mannered bird. But the odds of that are against you. The chances of a noisy some time cranky bird are greater. Birds are like people in that they have bad days just like we do.

Good luck on your decision, I'm not trying to discourage you, just trying to give you the full picture. Now, if your good with all the negatives, then you will have a wonderful life and a loving companion for the rest of your life that will probably out last marriages, friendships and employment opportunities. You will probably leave them in your will. I have both of mine in my will.

 

[merlinsmom13]

Welcome to the forum, I'm sure you'll find great info here. We have a member who lives near you. We love UK members.

 

[suebee]

lol didnt see area, hey there wock! think there is a breeder in leeds for grays but please remember as cute as they'll look and as friendly as they will be with you, you are looking at a life span of that of a human, and with that life span will come changes to the parrots behaviour

cuddly baby
terrible 2's
teenage yrs and soo on, you need to parent a bird

also depending where in north york you are, there is a recomended avian vet in strensall, they do not clip birds an i think you will be hard pushed to find a vet that will here as i have rung a few, i mention this as my nut will fly to attack when she is that way out, and she is a small sennie.

like mike i am not trying to put you off, but getting a parrot is like adopting a child. i took on more then what i realised with the nut, some ppl seem to think the best option to avoid flying attacks is to keep her caged, but if i did that, it will only make the rest of her life miserable, as i would deso******e her, and i know in a few more yrs she will be calmer, so like a stropy 2 yr old i will work through it and pray her teenage yrs are not as bad!

look on birdline at all the birds that need new homes

scavange all the info you can, and work out how much you can afford for this bird each month, nuts food bill for me is £20 per month, for pellets, treats and fresh fruit an veg

 

[oled]

Welcome to a great forum