How do you decide?

[thekarens]

My partner doesn't want another bird, but I've pretty much gotten her resigned to the idea. I had to take down my fish tank to convince her we had room. BUT, now the dilema. If you know you can only have one more bird how do you decide? I can't seem to make up my mind. I've pretty much narrowed it down to poicephalus because it needs to be a quieter bird and I just love them.

Here's a couple options...one) there's a jardine's at the shop where I got Sammie that is just a doll, already talking and he/she is only 3 months old BUT he's on the pricey side. They want 1299 for him. Then there's another shop that's feeding a Ruppell's and I'd love to have a Ruppell's hen BUT they said it's not for sale at this point, but could possibly become available later. THEN, last, but not least, I found Sammie's clutchmate for sale on Craigslist. The person has only had him/her for a month and discovered parrots are a lot more work than they thought they'd be. They wanted to sell him/her with cage, travel cage and sleep cage. The sticky thing is they got offended when I told them I didn't want the cage because it's way too small for a sennie. Sennie's don't need much room, but 18x18 is too small. So....I just don't know.

 

[mtdoramike]

I feel for you, the only way I have ever gotten a pet was they more or less found me. I wasn't particularly looking for a Senegal or an Eclectus when I found both Mac and Tiki. I think the major question should be, how is Sammie going to react to another bird in the house and having to share his time with that bird. I can tell you from experience about the "Senegals like to be the only bird in the house" statement that you read in just about all Senegal information.

Tiki went from being the sweetest bird you could have asked for to a noisy, bitey vicious bird to a point after we introduced Mac into the house. Mac would try and attack Tiki every chance he got. Tiki would bite me viciously especially if I showed mac any attention and didn't allow 15 minutes or so in between contact. I even have neighbors and friends who come by and can't believe the change in Tiki after Mac left. She has gone back to being the sweetest bird ever.

So, if you have a wonderful relationship with Sammie now, please keep this in mind when you are selecting your new family member.

 

[thekarens]

That is a major consideration for sure. Right now she's pretty much a dream. She can still be a "pinchy parrot" but she's very quiet and self entertains. I have linnies, but she pays them no mind, probably because they don't like to be handled.

 

[jenphilly]

Everyone will be so tired of hearing me say this... but if there is a bird shelter or rescue within driving distance, take the trip and be introduced to a dozen or so birds. Having in mind a specific type of bird usually isn't the bird that draws you in when you meet a bunch. I was always a male eclectus fan, really thought that was what I would add to the family... but a bare eyed cockatoo took to my husband and she is now my baby girl. And at the rescue we have been visiting and volunteering at, I meet a couple eclectus and just no connection, but the most amazing thing, I love a double yellow headed amazon. I am not an amazon fan, but this one bird is just the funniest character and I love spending time with him when we go over.

My daughter was always a macaw fan, we thought she would want a greenwing, but the bird that she has such an amazing connection with is a very problemed bare eyed cockatoo boy at the rescue (Folger). We are adopting him, but he's gonna be a long, long work in progress to try to help him over the treatment and abuse he has received at the hands of humans and then years in a shelter environment.

Best of luck in your search!

 

[thekarens]

Nope, been there, done that. There's no rescue or foster opportunities anywhere near Houston. The closest would be Austin or Dallas, 3 or 4 hour drive.

I'm not new to birds and if I had the time or energy I'd have a macaw, but I know I'm not in a position to give them what they need.

I think once you have some bird experience there's nothing wrong with wanting a specific species. There are very few species that I haven't met and/or handled and I know some species aren't for me, such as cockatoos and zons. They are great birds for someone other than me. Separate and aside from a lot of reasons, they are too loud for our household. Yes, I know there are some that are quiet, but that's not the average bird.

I love the poicephalus species and that's what I'm sticking to. They fit into my life style very well. It's just a matter of deciding which one. The only other species I'd consider is vasa, but there's not too many of them running around and they need a big cage.

PS I think the rescue work your family is doing is amazing and I think you are all angels!

 

[Terry57]

I think if it was me I would check out the clutch mate Sounds like she needs a home. If you did take the cage with her, could you then sell it on Craig's list to get some of the money back?
On the other hand, I also LOVE Jardines - what great birds

I had to google Ruppells, as I had never heard of them, and I am so glad I did! What a gorgeous bird!

Wow, I am absolutely no help at all, as they all sound amazing

 

[thekarens]

Oh sure Terry, now you sound just like me lol

Yes, I could sell the cage, no problem.

 

[Terry57]

Oh sure Terry, now you sound just like me lol

Yes, I could sell the cage, no problem.

Great minds think alike
Sure you don't have room for all 3?
lolol

 

[thekarens]

Oh sure Terry, now you sound just like me lol

Yes, I could sell the cage, no problem.

Great minds think alike
Sure you don't have room for all 3?
lolol

My partner would divorce me...seriously. She didn't want any birds when I got the linnies. I was then looking at lovebirds and she told me if I was going to get another parrot I should get a "real" one so in came Sammie. Then she told me no more birds because we are out of space, so I took down my angel fish tank and she told me she wasn't having anything to do with it, so I'm pushing it as it is.

 

[Terry57]

Yes, I see your point
I promised my hubby that we would only have birds in one room...then in 2 rooms..well, maybe one cage in the living room as well. Now we have a bedroom upstairs with most of the small birds, Ki & Cally are in our spare bedroom in quarantine, the lovebirds are in the living room, the fancy finches are now in our bar, and all the big guys are in what used to be our pool table room.
Yikes, I better not let me see this...wonder if he has realized that we have more rooms WITH birds than without??

I am sure that any one of those birds you are choosing between will be a very lucky bird to have you. I will be good now and stop trying to get you in trouble

 

[thekarens]

You are very smart! You acclimated him slowly so he didn't even notice that they were spreading throughout the house

She also has finches and we have 4 dogs and 2 cats and two human children, though one is away at college and the other one graduates high school this year. Our house is still only 1600sq ft.

If I go with the sennie or jardine I will probably bring them home while she's on a business trip this weekend. It will be easier on her that way ;-)

 

[Terry57]

Smart thinking! That way the new guy will be all settled when she returns
What are you feeling about your choices? Are you favoring any over the other?
My human children are out on their own, but we have 3 dogs and 4 cats..lol.

 

[thekarens]

The only thing holding me back from the jardine is the cost. They want 1299 for him/her and then the cage would be about $300, otherwise I would have already taken him/her home. He/she is already talking and one time when I went in there he/she was just laying on his/her back not moving. I went over there thinking they might be sick. Walked over and he flipped over walked up to me and fluffed up asking to be scritched.

On the flip side I worry about what will happen to Sammie's sib.

 

[Terry57]

It is such a hard decision. How much are they wanting for Sammie's sib, if you don't mind my asking?

 

[thekarens]

Oh I don't mind. She just agreed to sell him/her without the cage and she offered $300 for just the bird. Cage would probably run me about $250 if I buy local. I could do better online, but I'd have to wait for the cage.

 

[Terry57]

Wow, that's a great deal. But does that make the decision harder? Do you have a cage that she/he could go in while you waited on one to be delivered?

 

[crimson]

do you want another sennie or a jardine?

on the one hand one is a lot cheaper, but Jardines are gorgeous birds. they have an entirely different attitude than a senegal, but they can be LOUD.

either way you don't know for sure how Sammie is going to react. sibling or not, he won't remember. what if it's the opposite sex?....then you'll have mating issues.
what about a Meyers parrot?

 

[thekarens]

I don't plan on letting them interact since I don't think Sammie will be thrilled no matter what. I like Meyers but so far I haven't seen one available here. They had an adorable red bellied but he sold.

I actually was all set to pick up Sammie's sib, but the seller got insulted when I said I didn't want the cage because it was too small so I stepped away for awhile. I don't have another cage. When our grey died we gave away his cage.

I'm having a hard time deciding because I'm a terrible decision maker. I'm better at impulse buying, which Sammie was

 

[thekarens]

Apparently it's been decided for me. The sennie owner came back with another offer. He had a cage for his quaker (which was much larger) and for $500 he'll include that, an AE steel travel cage/night cage and a carrier along with his/her toys.

Frankly, I hate dickering when it comes to pets. I don't like doing it, but I do understand people wanting something for what they include (cages, etc) and it is hard to shell out $650 and get nothing back.

Now I need to see if I can't make a well bird appointment....I'm meeting him/her on Friday.

 

[RavensGryf]

YAY Karen!!! I'm so happy for you. I think that is very cool that Sammie can be with her very own sister or brother! They probably won't know they were siblings? Still it's just a nice thought. Not t mention the price for bird and the cages is a killer deal!