Ideas on choosing the right parrot for our family.

[Myprecious]

We are having a hard time choosing the right parrot. We are not experienced bird owners. What we are considering at this time is Eclectus or Indian Ringneck. I am leaning towards the Eclectus. I am home all day so time with the bird is not a concern. I had originally thought about a african grey because of the talking. Although having a bird with POSSIBLE talking ability and clarity would be ideal, its not the most important. LOL, I don't know. Any advice?

 

[thekarens]

Ekkies are known to have great talking abilities, but please research their diet. They have special diet needs.

 

[chris-md]

Parker says you need an ekkie!

 

[Ann333]

From my understanding ekkies are not the best for inexperienced owners because of their very strict dietary needs. I'm sure you will do fine if you do your research BEFORE bringing one home. There is a lot of info on this site about their diets. It seems there's a new ekkie thread every few days. Read up. Good luck.

 

[itchyfeet]

What are you after in a parrot, aside from talking? Cuddly? Playful? Who else do you have in your home?

I'm going in to bat for the ringnecks.

Seriously, we had to choose between a grey and a ringneck. Right now in my house there is a sulfur crested cockatoo and a ringneck. (birdsitting the 'too). I've hung out with ekkie's before, my mother has a rose breasted cockatoo and by far I'd choose the ringneck.

We had the finances and time abilities to care for a grey, and experience in handling parrots. Dream come true moment! Then I started doubting my decision, and did some more research. Still not sold, I went to meet Henry when I saw him listed.

Disclaimer: Some will say IRN's can be a little antisocial, or difficult to keep tame. Henry's first owners hand reared him, then he went to into a mechanics class with the tutor every day, spending time with different students. I got him at approx 10 months, after hitting the socialisation jackpot.

Henry has already learned 'peek a boo' 'hello' 'watchyadoin' 'kiss kiss', the sound of the clicker, how to whistle the dog and the message tone on my cellphone. He came to me in April, so still pretty young on it. I am putting in the time though - he's a big bird in a little body. The engagement is still vital.

He loves the foraging puzzle toys, is harness trained, will do target, come and turn around, and is learning a shapes puzzle and to play connect four. His toys are cheaper than big parrot toys

He is far more active and fun to watch than the other family parrots. And because of his size he's less intimidating for the slightly less parroty beloved. He is also confidently handled by our 4 and 6yr olds under supervision.

He takes up just a much time as the big birds, bar cage cleaning. His is in a large small parrot cage, as opposed to a large large parrot cage. But he's on his play stand more than in his cage.

He's certainly not the most cuddly parrot around, but will happily curl up on my shoulder and occasionally rub his cheek against mine while I read.

Google IRN bluffing, forum search bluffing and makesure you read up on bluffing. I've not had enough experience to talk to bluffing - but it's something you need to be ready for and aware of when making a decision.

Keep doing the research. But after years of a grey being a dream parrot, and then being in the position to have one only to end up with a ringneck, I can say hand on heart I'm not sure I'll ever have a grey - Henry genuinely has everything I was looking for in a parrot.

Remember though, each owner, each bird and each set of circumstances are individual - but IRN's have the potential to be awesome.
Good luck!

 

[jiannotto9492]

Please refrain from getting an Ekkie as your first bird they are not suitable for an inexperienced owner. Honestly if you want a great bird for an inexperienced household that can talk quite well I would recommend a budgie.

 

[ZephyrFly]

I'd say of the breeds you mentioned, the IRN is your better choice.
BUT! If you're heart set on an ekkie go for it.

Ekkie's are a lot of work with their diets but wonderful birds. If I'm in the right situation one day I'd like to think seriously about getting a male ekkie.

 

[itchyfeet]

Please refrain from getting an Ekkie as your first bird they are not suitable for an inexperienced owner. Honestly if you want a great bird for an inexperienced household that can talk quite well I would recommend a budgie.

I don't know that they need to refrain, rather tread very carefully. They're already one step ahead, it's a decision thats still months away, they're actively seeking information. There is a time to learn about the species specific diet, and gain information and experience around and handling these birds. Carefully done, with the right attitudes and support systems (physical, not just online), a bird larger than a budgie can make a great first parrot. For many families, they're only wanting one anyways - there really should be no such thing as a 'starter bird'. Just a very educated, prepared, and humble owner.

Some people make impulse purchases. Some people take months, years even, and prepare more than some get the chance to for a new human baby.

JMHO

FYI - I still think you should get an IRN.

 

[Flboy]

Hi! I also say if you are already looking at a second bird, IRN! How is your new cocktail baby?

 

[jiannotto9492]

Please refrain from getting an Ekkie as your first bird they are not suitable for an inexperienced owner. Honestly if you want a great bird for an inexperienced household that can talk quite well I would recommend a budgie.

I don't know that they need to refrain, rather tread very carefully. They're already one step ahead, it's a decision thats still months away, they're actively seeking information. There is a time to learn about the species specific diet, and gain information and experience around and handling these birds. Carefully done, with the right attitudes and support systems (physical, not just online), a bird larger than a budgie can make a great first parrot. For many families, they're only wanting one anyways - there really should be no such thing as a 'starter bird'. Just a very educated, prepared, and humble owner.

Some people make impulse purchases. Some people take months, years even, and prepare more than some get the chance to for a new human baby.

JMHO

FYI - I still think you should get an IRN.

Eh ekkies are difficult to take care of alone with the specific diet alone. And research can only get you so far. Experience is needed in order to be a good ekkie owner. I'm still going to say a budgie might be in their best interest. However a IRN would be easier to care for than an ekkie for a new owner.

 

[riddick07]

Please refrain from getting an Ekkie as your first bird they are not suitable for an inexperienced owner. Honestly if you want a great bird for an inexperienced household that can talk quite well I would recommend a budgie.

I don't know that they need to refrain, rather tread very carefully. They're already one step ahead, it's a decision thats still months away, they're actively seeking information. There is a time to learn about the species specific diet, and gain information and experience around and handling these birds. Carefully done, with the right attitudes and support systems (physical, not just online), a bird larger than a budgie can make a great first parrot. For many families, they're only wanting one anyways - there really should be no such thing as a 'starter bird'. Just a very educated, prepared, and humble owner.

Some people make impulse purchases. Some people take months, years even, and prepare more than some get the chance to for a new human baby.

JMHO

FYI - I still think you should get an IRN.

Eh ekkies are difficult to take care of alone with the specific diet alone. And research can only get you so far. Experience is needed in order to be a good ekkie owner. I'm still going to say a budgie might be in their best interest. However a IRN would be easier to care for than an ekkie for a new owner.

I think in all that's ridiculous. Even if they got a budgie or macaw as their first bird neither one will prepare them for an Ekkie.

If you want an ekkie as your first bird research like crazy on the diet. Look at labells threads or even ask her questions yourself. If you take the time to meet some other birds maybe at a rescue or such you'll get some hands on experience handling birds.

Also, what I tell everyone who asks me how to pick a bird....go meet some and my personal preference go to a rescue. If you go to a rescue chances are you will meet many different types of birds. Maybe you only think you want an ekkie right now and meeting one will change your mind or cement the decision to get one! Plus, I personally believe that when you get a new bird you should be looking at them as individuals not species....so maybe you go to a rescue meet a bunch of birds and end up with an Amazon because the bird adored you and you him.

Just today at the rescue we had an adopter come in looking specifically for an African grey. The greys couldn't care less about this woman. So we pulled out a bunch of macaws for her to meet. She was fairly new to birds so didn't even have a large macaw in mind. Turns out one of our works in progress fell madly in love with her. So we matched a new bird owner with a military macaw that isn't the 'perfect' first bird.

 

[thekarens]

I have to agree with Victoria. No bird will prepare you for an Ekkie. Get what you want as long as you've done your due diligence.

And no offence to IRN owners/lovers, but they have a tendency to be loud and nippy and not crazy about ttouching. That's exactly what I'd call an easy starter bird.

 

[itchyfeet]

I have to agree with Victoria. No bird will prepare you for an Ekkie. Get what you want as long as you've done your due diligence.

And no offence to IRN owners/lovers, but they have a tendency to be loud and nippy and not crazy about touching. That's exactly what I'd call an easy starter bird.

Lol fair call Karen!

This highlights the need to focus on the individual bird for the original poster. I know that reputation is well deserved, yet at the same time......my IRN is the quietest of the birds I've had in my house, the others being a cockatoo, tiel, and budgie.

 

[Ann333]

Please refrain from getting an Ekkie as your first bird they are not suitable for an inexperienced owner. Honestly if you want a great bird for an inexperienced household that can talk quite well I would recommend a budgie.

I don't know that they need to refrain, rather tread very carefully. They're already one step ahead, it's a decision thats still months away, they're actively seeking information. There is a time to learn about the species specific diet, and gain information and experience around and handling these birds. Carefully done, with the right attitudes and support systems (physical, not just online), a bird larger than a budgie can make a great first parrot. For many families, they're only wanting one anyways - there really should be no such thing as a 'starter bird'. Just a very educated, prepared, and humble owner.

Some people make impulse purchases. Some people take months, years even, and prepare more than some get the chance to for a new human baby.

JMHO

FYI - I still think you should get an IRN.

Eh ekkies are difficult to take care of alone with the specific diet alone. And research can only get you so far. Experience is needed in order to be a good ekkie owner. I'm still going to say a budgie might be in their best interest. However a IRN would be easier to care for than an ekkie for a new owner.

I think new owners can get whichever bird they want most so long as they seriously consider EVERYTHING that can go wrong and everything that needs to be done to prepare for a responsibility like this. When I was looking for my first bird everyone told me to get a budgie as well, and while I am sure they make wonderful little friends, it just wasn't what I wanted. There's nothing wrong with getting a "more complicated" bird as a first bird because in order to care for ANY bird they will all need the same basic things; proper diet, exercise, training, and love. A small body size doesn't mean "easier" or "less comitment", it doesn't mean less time required daily, and certainly doesnt mean less personality or attitude. Small body size only means one thing......a small body size.

 

[anguel]

There is so much you need to consider when choosing a pet parrot but one of the most important things is space. The bigger the bird the more space it needs and the larger the cage you need to get to house the bird.

Talking ability or diet should never be a major factor when choosing the right species for you.

As I said above you should consider: space the bird needs, enough space for a large cage, time to prepare the right diet and to interact with the bird, etc.

I am actually thinking of writing an article about this topic soon.

Regards,

Anguel

 

[thekarens]

Nothing wrong with taking talking potential into consideration as long as you're okay with the fact that your bird may never talk, even if it's a grey.

 

[anguel]

I can agree to some extend and of course I am speaking from personal experience. After 15 years with working with parrots we have never been approach to look for a home for a bird because it talks too much or doesn't talk too much. It is usually too much noise, not enough time, bites, etc. By all means consider talking ability I own 4 rescue greysand to me personally it makes no difference if tey talk or not. They are lovely just the way they are. In the wild parrots do not talk and we still love them and want to preserve themj