Newbie seeks parrot advice!

[socrates]

Hey guys,

I've been trawling through various internet sites over the past few days and think this is the best one I have seen thus far. Basically, I am in the market for another parrot and am chasing some advice in choosing the right one but most everywhere else I have looked required some kind of purchase first. I can't believe how long it took me to even think to look for a parrot forum, especially seeing that I use many other forums! lol

Ok, I'll try to keep this as brief as possible (although it will probably end up like a thesis)...
When I was still living at home, I used to have a galah called Ralph. He had many personality issues, with the main one being that I was the only one that could come near him, my mum and sister had no hope of touching him without blood drawing. Outside of that, all was well until one day I heard some wheasing sounds at about 5am. I didn't think much of it as I was still half asleep, until 2 minutes later I heard the thud of him falling of his perch. I ran to the cage to find him dead on his back. This was made all the worse by the autopsy I had done ruling the cause of death inconclusive, so I had no idea what happened to my best friend of nearly 10 years.

Now we are 9 years later at present day, and I find myself wanting another parrot. This is where the issue is as I am having a bit of difficulty finding the info that I need, ergo was hoping that someone here can help! As much as I'd love a macaw, the budget just doesn't extend that far. Having had a galah, I have a soft spot for them, I also am quite fond of sulpur cresteds as well.

Working on the choice of these two, I have some questions to make sure that they are suitable, as the last thing that I want is to bring a bird into my home that will ultimately be unhappy living with us.

Basic living scenario is this; I live with my girlfriend, we are both out of the house mon-fri for work, I am a sales rep and fortunate enough to live in the middle of the area I look after so I am only away from the house for a maximum of 7-8hrs. Tameka works further away and as such is away for 10ish hours. Weekends I don't do much except play around in the workshop out the back of the house.

1, would a galah/'too be happy to spend at least 8hrs a day by himself?
2, at present, Tameka is quite scared of larger birds (she was badly bitten as a kid, ie needed stitches!). Are birds able to sense fear in us (ie like dogs), and would this cause any major issues in trying to build trust between the two?
3, does 2 has the potential to be compunded? Every 3 months or so, I have to do a regional sales trip, meaning that I would be away for 3-4 days. With her current level of fear, there is no way that Tameka would let the bird out and play with it without me there. Would this cause the bird to hate her?

Having said that, if a galah or 'too wouldn't be suitable in my case, do you have any other recomendations for other breeds that I may consider?

As I said before, sorry for the epic long post but I want to make sure that I am doing the right things by Tameka, and the bird, so that we can all get along.

 

[Spiritbird]

to our forum. It is a great place to chat and learn about parrots. While I do not have a cockatoo in my home I do know that they require much time and attention for them to be happy. There may be forum members who do work a 40 hr. week and keep them happy at home. If you get a young bird and condition them to learn to play by themselves you may want to conure. The more attention you can give your companion bird the happier and less likely they are to have behavior issues.

 

[Dj tweet]

If you like the bigger birds alexandrines may be an option ( although I may be biased in this opinion lol ) or even an ecelectus ( although diet is a major with them ) frets are awesome although not sure how they would go being left alone all day
smaller birds like Quakers or conures

Are you and any neighbours prepared to handle the noise of a big bird should that problem occur ?
How much room do you have to accomidate a bird ?
What is your budget for not only buying the bird but the weekly upkeep of it
big bird =bigger cage,more food costs , more toy costs , supplements , etc etc


Why is it that you like the galahs and the toos
if we know what makes you tick bird wise we may be able to suggest some more species

 

[Dj tweet]

Sorry I mean greys not frets damn iPod

 

[SharonC]

A bird will definitely sense that your girlfriend is afraid, and may very well respond to that in a negative way.
Considering that, and the fact that she will be caring for it on her own sometimes, choose carefully. Is Tameka scared of birds in general, or just the larger ones?

 

[JawzX]

If you like the bigger birds alexandrines may be an option ( although I may be biased in this opinion lol)

hah! You and me both!

good question though, what makes you like the 'toos so much? Also, space, budget, etc, etc...

I've never owned a 'too, and don't know much about them, but I understand they can be pretty needy and prone to exactly the set of problems your departed Galah had...

more details help, and never be afraid to write a book on this forum, you won't get a TL;DR from us

 

[socrates]

I'll try make this one quicker, I'm typing on my phone in-between seeing customers!

I live in Adelaide, Sth Australia. Up until 2 years ago, I lived in the hills, in a house on a huge block that overlooked a valley. I've also spent nearly 2 years living in Pt Pirie, which was borderline outback Australia. As a result, I've always had an abundance of galahs (in Pt Pirie it was literally hundreds) in my backyard. I also had sulphur cresteds, rainbow lorikeets, crimson rosellas and the odd red tail black 'too pay regular visits to the gum trees in the back yard.

The galahs I've always loved, primarily for the stupid things they do all the time. It's like a non stop comedy show with a backyard full of galahs! And the sulphur cresteds have always struck me as a beautiful bird.

Living in Australia is part of the reason for my choice as well. I can get hand raised galahs for $200 and sulphur cresteds for $400. Eclectus, macaws, greys, etc are pushing $1200 and up!

I don't have a cage anymore. I was waiting to choose the bird so I know what kind of cage to buy. Or possibly even make one, Tameka's dad is a welder and I know a powder coater... Could make for a much better cage for the same money as a bought one?

Noise isn't a huge issue with the neighbours. I have good deals with them, the one on the left has unruly screaming kids, the one on the right builds muscle cars. The back part of my yard is fenced with brick Walls 9' high and 1' thick. Basically I don't complain about their noise and they don't complain about me using power tools at odd hours (I moonlight making high end speakers).

 

[socrates]

As for the issues Ralph had, I knew nothing about bird training back then! I just kind of came into possession of him, I can't exactly remember how now :/

Anyways, the info I have read in the past few days fills me with much more confidence about handling behavioural issues than I did a week ago.

 

[bogo1]

Welcome! I generally working with smaller birds. It seems like it would be crucial to get a very young bird and let Tamika be in on socialization from start ...perhaps even take lead there. Does she really want to do this? If she is going to be too afraid given what she through as child it might be wise to think some more before committing to a large potentially one person bird.

 

[socrates]

She did say that she is prepared to try. I also told her that if she didn't make the effort, it would come back to bite her (bad pun for the day complete, lol).

It's all part of a compromise at this stage, she wants a Labrador and I had half my teeth knocked out when I was five when a big dog ran right at me and didn't stop! I've told her I'm prepared to live with a dog as long as she lives with a bird.

The dog she had when she lived at home was some little fluffball smaller than a cat. It wasn't to badly behaved except for when I kissed Tameka. Then it would turn into some kind of psychotic satan dog, growling, hissing and barking at me. I don't expect my potential new bird and Tameka to be best friends, I just don't want it to feel the need to attack her.

 

[Dj tweet]

If you love the comidians of galahs a smaller option would be a conure or Quaker
perhaps just go hang out in some petshops with your gf and see which she levetates to
whatever breed you decide on I agree that in this case getting a baby is a wise idea and having your gf handle it as much as possible
same goes with a bigger bird

A note on alexandrines and jawx etc may dispute me on this but in the wild they do not pair bond for live like most parrots.they choose a new one each year. This can make them more accepting as a whole family bird as oposed to a one person bird
they tend to be very gentle , usual quiet and have been noted for there stable natures
these are my reasons for choosing this breed as I have 2 young children

Jawx and hdh di are 2 members owned by alex's if you imtrested in finding out more
good luck with whichever you choose

 

[socrates]

Ok, I have Tameka 95% sold on a Galah (as a sales rep I can walk into a random cafe, get them to set up an account and sell them throusands of $ worth of cakes, but I struggle to sell a bird to my gf ). I walked into the room I've got the pc in and I caught her looking up galah behaviour, lol.

Her biggest fear is of it flying around and landing on her head, so long as I can try avoid that I think I should be about right

 

[Pheonix Rising]

Good luck and hey a sales rep with a bird
bet you'd get even more sales lol