I've read conflicting information- to adopt or shop?

[ChristaNL]

Hahaha, If you can train a dobermanpuppy to be a gentleman(s)-dog, I think you can handle a large-ish parrot.

Why this "greys can't be harnestrained" idea?
Nobody told me or my parrots
Appie and Japie both have one- and putting them on is no problem whatsoever.
Getting them used to it is something we have to work on- but haven't yet.
Japie loves to fidget with it - I would love it if he did not

They both have not (as far as their broken history is known) ever before been harnesstrained as babies or adults.
(I dont even know how old Japie is- I just say from 2000 because it sounds like fun and he has no 'old parrots legs/feet' and that is a much history as I have on him, but he could easily be twice as old... though after 25 it starts to show: rougher skin - or so I've been told by my frist CAV)
Harnesstraining was not even populair before that (it still is not really mainstream).

And I am no Barbara Heidenreich.!
I suck at planning, being consistent etc. - I make progress only because they let me.

 

[MysticMagic]

Reminds me of my childhood dogs. Would think the leash was a toy and wanted to play tug-o-war with it.

The harness comment wasn't coming from anywhere other than an assumption that they might react negatively to going outside. Being that they're just sensitive personality wise and normally react aversively to new things. I'd love to be able to take the bird out and teach it to become somewhat accustomed to other people and new experiences, but it might not work well with an AG I thought.

My local rescue has an eclectus, and after doing some research they're also on my list now. From what I heard they're like CAG's but less "sensitive" psychologically. Diet seems like a big pressing point but I think with some extra attention and research it'd be possible to work with that.

 

[Squeekmouse]

Volunteering at a bird shelter sounds like a great idea. I'm sure they'd be happy to have you helping, even without first hand experience (yet!).



As everyone has said, there's pros and cons to adopting or shopping. It's kinda like the choice between adopting a kid or having one. Both are great. Both are challenging.



The most important thing though is, let the bird choose YOU! Visit breeders/shops and if a baby bird chooses you, that's the one for you!. Visit rescue shelters, if a bird chooses you, that's the one for you.


As far as a Green Cheek Conure as an option, normally I would go on and on about how they are the greatest bird on the planet... but you said you weren't looking for a super cuddly bird. GCC are arguably the most cuddle bird of them all. That's exactly what I wanted when I found Yoda, so I'm happy as can be. But I've had to learn to do everything with just one hand. Yoda owns my left hand now.

 

[MysticMagic]

The only thing I'm really worried about as far as volunteering goes is finding a bird that I click with before I'm ready to take it home haha. I'm sure I'll manage though.

Green Cheeks are on my list along with Grey's, Eclectuses, and IRN's. I've heard a lot of back and forth thing about GCC temperament, and I realize that every bird is an individual but what I heard most is that they could be a little ornery (is the best word for it). I'm sure I'll be able to meet some in person and see if that's a reputation well deserved or not lol.

And it's not necessarily that I'm not wanting a super cuddly bird. I do like birds that are a little more independent, but I also like this because I do have to work still, and since I'm not actually wanting a flock anywhere in the near future, I don't want to starve a bird of affection that wants 24 hour attention. I figured birds that are a little more independent would be better off in this setup, even though I will devote every hour of my day that I can to bonding with the bird and exercising it.

 

[Jen5200]

I think it’s wonderful that you are thinking this out so well ahead of getting a companion!

I highly recommend adopting as well. I have 4 birds - all rehomes and rescues, none of them have behavioral issues and came to me as adults. My green cheek is by far the most independent of my birds (may not be the norm?). He likes to be with me, he’s not snuggly but like to get scritches - but also chooses to spend lots of time beating up his toys on the play stand. My 2 sun conures are much more attention driven .

I volunteer weekly at a parrot rescue - and it is a great way to get some hands-on experience with many different species. I always thought that I’d want mid to large sized birds, and was very surprised at how much I seemed to click with small to mid sized birds. Bindi came from the rescue I volunteer at, she and I really bonded and eventually she came home with me!

Just keep an open mind and keep your options open - and you’ll end up with the right bird (whether it comes from a breeder or through adoption)!

 

[MysticMagic]

That's awesome!

Of course I kind of like the AG size birds, but they're really as big as I'd go. I love macaws, but that's just too much bird! I also like the conure sized birds too, but don't really think I'd want to go much smaller than that either. Of course everything could change once I get out and I actually get hands on experience with different birds. I'm definitely going to keep an open mind to other species and even individuals, but for now I'm just thinking about the likely candidates.

To be fair, with the time and financial commitment that comes with owning an animal like this, I feel that thinking this out a few years ahead is just the right amount of time I need to make the right decision. Especially since I'll be volunteering now, which will obviously teach me a few husbandry skills before I make the jump. That way when I do bring home the bird, it's not only the right one, but I also know what I'm doing more than if I just brought one home.

 

[texsize]

You are right to do the research and planning you have mapped out.
I didn’t but I bought my first bird in 1985 before the internet and alot of things we know today just wasn’t available back then.

Getting a parrot as a companion is a long term commitment but it’s more than that.
Think of it as a way of life. Lots of things you have to do differently because you always have to take the health and well-being of the bird into account.

Look �� forward to seeing what you end up with

 

[MysticMagic]

I do to! I'm really starting to lean towards an Eclectus now, a male especially, but no one's out of the running yet. Unfortunately the rescue is too far away for me to be able to drive there, work, and go to school full time. I might have to settle for helping out at the local bird shop, or maybe volunteering with the zoo IF they'll have me (and with my degree path they might).

Nonetheless I'll definitely reach out to them to see how they keep their birds happy, and hopefully they'll reach back with enrichment tips. And in the meantime, I'll be lurking on here jealous of all the pretty birds