Looking for a new parrot

[Viien]

Hello everyone!

I am planning on adopting/purchasing a new bird. But I think I should have some opinions from experienced owners

I am not new to parrots. I have had a female indian ringneck, cockatiels, a sun conure, and have taken care of macaws and cockatoos. My tiels passed away due to old age and the other birds stayed with my parents.

I am moving out soon. I’ll have a big apartment. It will just be me and my husband.. all of my previous birds have always been free roam birds except for bed time and when I’d be away.

This summer I’ll be home every day without work and have all the time to spend with my future little friend. Then from there on I will be away for 5 hours a day except for weekends.

I’d like a buddy who would like to hang out with me and explore with me (harness training, bird backpack etc). I know no species is specific to display a stereotypical personality and I an aware. My ringneck was very fiesty and so was my conure. But I would like to see which species would generally be more open to this.

I can handle noise and I can adjust to any food diet. No little kids around, just me and my husband I have also let the neighbors know I’ll get a bird and some of them have parrots too so are prepared for the noise. Size doesn’t matter too.

 

[John Field]

I have had my 33 year old Meyer's Parrot since she was a wee hatchling of 1 month old. She has full run of my small house and has never shown any interest in going outside. To my surprise, she laid her first egg at age 18. She is quite the little climber and chewer - good to plan in advance. I like to have things for her to chew on that I dont care about - like a stack of old magazines, different size cardboard boxes for the top of my bookcases.

She is definitely bonded to me, and can always find my shoulder, as I go room to room. I almost always wear an old sweatshirt when I am home - for when she decides to deposit a tiny pea size poop on me - easily cleaned up with an old toothbrush in the bathroom sink. 35 years ago, I had elderly clients that had an African Grey, and another with a Moluccan Cockatoo - too big for my taste - and big beak that kind of scared me.

Parrots are like small children that always want your attention, but do mellow out a bit as the years roll by. My bird is napping more, but is always curious whatever is on my dinner plate - and really enjoys multigrain bread. Is it a food, or just another chew toy to shred ? heh

 

[wrench13]

So you already know that every bird is its own, well, parrot. My Yellow Shoulder Amazon, Salty, is harness trained and when we are out, happily sits on my shoulder. But he is not friendly with strangers and with any Amazon, large or small, you get the basket of potential 'Zon attitudes. Its all potential with parrots, since a lot of it has to do with training and familiarization.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I have had my 33 year old Meyer's Parrot since she was a wee hatchling of 1 month old. She has full run of my small house and has never shown any interest in going outside. To my surprise, she laid her first egg at age 18. She is quite the little climber and chewer - good to plan in advance. I like to have things for her to chew on that I dont care about - like a stack of old magazines, different size cardboard boxes for the top of my bookcases.

She is definitely bonded to me, and can always find my shoulder, as I go room to room. I almost always wear an old sweatshirt when I am home - for when she decides to deposit a tiny pea size poop on me - easily cleaned up with an old toothbrush in the bathroom sink. 35 years ago, I had elderly clients that had an African Grey, and another with a Moluccan Cockatoo - too big for my taste - and big beak that kind of scared me.

Parrots are like small children that always want your attention, but do mellow out a bit as the years roll by. My bird is napping more, but is always curious whatever is on my dinner plate - and really enjoys multigrain bread. Is it a food, or just another chew toy to shred ? heh

Congratulations on having such a long happy relationship with your girl! She's a lucky bird to have spent so many years in such a loving home.