Parrots, which one for me?

[nzchickadee]

Hi Guys I'm a newbie on these forums, who signed up quickly before work, but I promise to introduce myself properly later.

I have a budgie, shes a pale blue avairy bred female, yet, suprisingly thanks to the age we got her, very tame.

I grew up with parrots until I was about 6years old, and now all grown up and married, I would love another one. My heart for a very long time has been set on a sulphur-crested or a galah, but I have done my reasearch and I know the difficulties I will face with one of these birds.

What would be a great parrot for me?

It would need to have the potential to befriend the budgie (although I understand it may not) and be very sociable, as I love taking the birds out and about in flightsuits/harnesses. She would get at the very least 3 hours a day out of the cage, with lots of stimulation and trick training. On thr rare occasion I have to go away, my mother is an experienced bird carer and would
be fine looking after him/her.

Umm...what else do you need to know? Any ideas?

 

[Minzer84]

First of all, welcome!! You'll really like it here, you've come to the right place - there's a wide variety of bird owners here! Good thinking on doing research before picking a parrot, I also initially wanted a cockatoo and then read how much time and attention they need, and ended up with an Amazon instead.

I guess another important consideration is what kind of living situation you are in (i.e. house or apartment/condo) for noise concerns...although I assume if you were thinking about a cockatoo, noise isn't too big of a concern.

As far as being sociable, a lot of parrots seem to have great potential for that if they are raised to be that way from the beginning. So whether you got a cockatiel or a Macaw, if you raised it to be sociable it shouldn't be a problem.

I am by no means a parrot expert, I'm having tons of problems with my own bird, so I won't go on as to what kind of parrot I think you should get, as many of the others here would be much more valuable fountains of knowledge as to that subject. Amazons can be amazing birds, but if I could do it again, I don't know that that is what I would pick (I would love to get a caique). As that is the only parrot type I have experience with, that's all I can really have an opinion about I suppose. A lot of people here are very pro-senegals for a lot of reasons, but again, they're more knowledgeable than I am.

Anyway, welcome again, I think you'll find all the information and then some to help you make a decision on what bird is right for you.

 

[meghanxx4]

I'm not much of a bird expert either. I have researched quite a few different kinds of birds though.
First of all like minzer said, its depends on where you live, house or apartment?
If you live in an apartment/condo that can cut down quite a few bird choices...but as minzer said since you were thinking of a too i doubt you live in a condo/apartment.
Senegals are great pets. I know Tracy has one, and im planning on getting one sometime soon.
Theirs a few people on here with conures which are also great pets i'm also planning on getting a one very soon.
i don't really know much about the larger parrots such as the macaws,too's and greys. But i know theres a few people on here that have some of those. Peta has two gorgeous(or should i say handsome since their male i beleive?). I also know Peta has had quite bit of experiance with a different kinds of birds and owns quite a few. I only have 2 tiels+ 2 budgies so not much help.
Eclectica has a eclectus, i've heard those great pets too, Ive looked in to those as well a bit... there about the only large bird that i've actually really researched.
My advice is research a few different birds that appeal to you see which ones jump out to you most and will go with your lifestyle, a then look into finding a good breeder in your area that can be hard to find sometimes. But you can always ship birds.. most breeders will do that. i don't know how much it is in the USA but i know in Canada its about 100$ extra than USA shouldn't be much different.

 

[TexDot33]

...I also initially wanted a cockatoo and then read how much time and attention they need, and ended up with an Amazon instead ...

Never missing a chance to take a "shot" at Minzer, this comment specifically lends itself to being picked on ... BUT, I am going to be an adult (I don't know why) and I am just gonna let this one go.

GREETINGS AND WELCOME TO THE FORUM!

I think that there are many great parrots for beginners (I am no parrot "expert" but I don't think that I am a "novice" either) I would recommend looking at smaller conures, (green cheek, or if you can handle the noise a SUN or a Jenday) or you could look at Senigal or Meyer's parrots. There are a few other "x-factors" that come into play ... how much time do you have, how much room do you have, etc. .... There are many different great "starter" parrots ... but be forewarned ... parrots are addicting, and one is never enough! We will be more than willing to help you out along with every step of your decision ...


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[meghanxx4]

Never missing a chance to take a "shot" at Minzer, this comment specifically lends itself to being picked on ... BUT, I am going to be an adult (I don't know why) and I am just gonna let this one go.

GREETINGS AND WELCOME TO THE FORUM!

I think that there are many great parrots for beginners (I am no parrot "expert" but I don't think that I am a "novice" either) I would recommend looking at smaller conures, (green cheek, or if you can handle the noise a SUN or a Jenday) or you could look at Senigal or Meyer's parrots. There are a few other "x-factors" that come into play ... how much time do you have, how much room do you have, etc. .... There are many different great "starter" parrots ... but be forewarned ... parrots are addicting, and one is never enough! We will be more than willing to help you out along with every step of your decision ...


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Hey that reminds me Tex & Christy i know this person ehh sorta through another forum. anyway she runs a rescue in florida and has baby GCCs for only 185$ and they do ship so you know.. if you want freind for hamlets freind.... lemmi know.... or anyone else who is interested that lives in USA... she said it'll be finished weaned in a few weeks(like 2 or 3)... i think she only has one left but .. you know i can ask her if she still has it if anyones interested.

DO you like how i underlined your guyses names? doesn't look so 'hip'.

 

[Peta]

Hi and welcome to Parrot Forums, I'm sure you'll love it here.

Toos can be very loving, cuddly and a great companion but the only thing I'm a bit worried about is

She would get at the very least 3 hours a day out of the cage,

the out of cage time, especially for a too.

As you know there are no guarantees that a bird will get on with another, even of the same species (I wouldn't trust my Greys with my little guys, I KNOW they would do serious damage to them)

What would be a great parrot for me?

I wish I could answer that, the only thing we can do is give suggestions, I think I would write a list of all the birds I would like, (I've done that, and its now over a page long ) then research them try and find one that will fit in with your way of life. Its no fun finally getting a parrot only to find out later on down the road that it has turned into a screamer for one reason or another.

You seem to be thinking about this sensibly which is great, research is great, it gets you thinking of things that you may not have thought about before. Good Luck to you, please let us know what you decide on.

Oh and Welcome to our family.

 

[NicoleN]

Welcome to our Forum!! I hope you find all the information you're looking for.

I grew up with parrots until I was about 6years

I must say I'm surprised noone has mentioned this yet. But, what kind of parrots did you grow up with? What did you like/dislike about them?

I agree with everyone else, especially about making a list and going through the different qualities you're looking for. I'm a big list-maker.

 

[Minzer84]

Never missing a chance to take a "shot" at Minzer, this comment specifically lends itself to being picked on ... BUT, I am going to be an adult (I don't know why) and I am just gonna let this one go.

Tex, you're no fun anymore

 

[karen]

Well Tex ma boy I must be the odd one out ...cause ONE is more than enough for me...I cant imagine ever having two again...in the house now if I got an aviary that may be different.

 

[nzchickadee]

Firstly, Let me just say what a friendly forum and thank you sooo much for being no judgemental! I love being here already

Secondly, why a bird? Well we have a budgie, who acted as a 'therapy bird' when I was ill. At that stage it was a bird, because thats all we were allowed in our flat (I was a student when she arrived). However, she rekindled my childhood passion, and enthused my fiancee (now husband). I wanted a puppy, he doesnt like dog hair. The more research we done,the more we fell in love with parrots for their intellegence, abilities and beauty A parrot is something we both can commit to, instead of one or the other of us workig along to care for another animal.

People say a parrot is like a two year old. My mother in law owns a kindergarten! (Plenty of resources etc for teaching sorting/numbers/colours should we need to find extra things to stimulate our parrot)

lol Minzer please excuse my ignorance, but an Amazon instead of a Cockatoo?
Aren't they.........huge!?!

Righto my living situation, I am currently in a 2bdrm apartment, BUT I am only in the research stage, and bird number two will not arrive until after we've moved, not only due to noise issues but to avoid upheaval for the youngin.

Sun Conures have really caught my eye, not only for their eyecatching colour but for their playful nature and cuddlyness too. Again, I am aware of their noise

TexDot33 - parrots are addicting - Your telling me!! Right now I would like a cockatoo, galah, conure and ringneck please. Why choose when I can have them all?

meghanXX4 - Thankyou for your shipping price info, but unfortunately I'm all the way down below in New Zealand. So my new baby will have to come from here or possibly Austraila, I really couldnt afford to import from anywhere else.
My friend has a Eucaluptus, and I know you cant judge all birds by one, but...I dunno. We just didnt connect.

Peta youv'e hit it on the nose. I' nearly to scared to have a cockatoo due to the fact that I can only guarantee 3 hours out of the cage. It might be more most days - but I am going to be realistic now, so I dont 'overparrot myself'.

NicoleN - Fantastic Question! We had a (testing my memory here!) lovebird, rainbow lorry, ringneck, galah and.......pass.
I dont remember them to much as my parents divorced and mum couldnt give them the time they deserve AND be a mum, so they all went to good homes. My memory of my childhood is...vague. But birds were 'installed' young

For your best advice I need to be truly honest, and so below are the top 4 I am leaning towards, in that order.

-Cockatoo (Nervous about it but think it could work, so scared to get it wrong, maybe one of the below first and a cocky later)
-Galah
-Conure (sun)
-Ringneck

 

[Minzer84]

Hehe, no, Amazons are kind of medium parrots (in my opinion anyways...), they're smaller than most cockatoos...on my picture to the left here you can see him on my head...for size comparison (and no Tex my head is not abnormally large).

I don't know much about the parrots that you are most interested in, and I don't even know what a Galah is, but the other three you listed are owned by people here, so I'm sure they'll be really helpful.

And I think you're right in waiting to get a cockatoo, from what I hear, they need like 28 hours of attention a day, and will self mutilate and scream if they feel neglected...but someone here owns a cockatoo too, so maybe they can be of more help.

Anyway, glad you like it here so far, it's a pretty great place to be!

 

[nzchickadee]

lol Galah = Pink cockatoo with grey crest

 

[Minzer84]

Lol, thanks! See, we can all learn stuff from each other!

 

[meghanxx4]

lol Galah = Pink cockatoo with grey crest

ohhh galahs are pretty!!!!! someone on another forum had one.

 

[Peta]

thank you sooo much for being no judgemental!

That is one thing we never are no matter what.
Oh I do love the Galah, so beautiful.
Parrots addicting, what makes ya all think that I started off with 2

MLB, has a too, so maybe when she comes on, she'll be able to add a bit more

 

[TexDot33]

... I' nearly to scared to have a cockatoo due to the fact that I can only guarantee 3 hours out of the cage. It might be more most days - but I am going to be realistic now, so I dont 'overparrot myself'.

I am just going to put my opinion in here and take it for that ... I think that with this statement above, I am not sure that a 'too would be the best bird. 'Toos, in my humble opinion, are the neediest bird there is out there, they can also be the toughest to handle. They can have screaming and plucking issues if they aren't handled/trained properly, and once they reach sexual maturity all those bad habits they may have been taught causes many 'toos to be rehomed.

I personally don't think that 'toos are great "starter" birds (maybe, possibly a Goffin's Cockatoo I would make an exception for because they are significantly smaller than most 'too breeds) I think starter birds should be smaller and less needy types of birds so that the individual handler can become more comfortable first. With larger birds consistant boundries are important to a happy, well socialized bird and if the individual handler is scared of that beak, they are less likely to enforce those consistant boundries each and every time.

Personally, I don't think that I ever want to own a 'too, I would rather have a BIG-MAC (and not from McDonalds) because 'toos are a very needy and don't do well in a cage all day. But I can't wait to get my B&G Mac one of these days! But again, this is just one man's humble opinion and if you feel that you can handle a too, please, don't be scared off by what I say, I would just ask that with a 'too you put just a little more thought into the whole thing.

Everyone here knows my opinion on "toos - 'toos are like grandchildren, they are a lot of fun to play and cuddle with, but once they start to cry and get cranky you can send them home with their parents.

MLB, has a too, so maybe when she comes on, she'll be able to add a bit more

And this whole time I thought MLB was a HE ... oops!

 

[Peta]

Well now I hope I am right there Tex. :30:

 

[TexDot33]

We will just have to ask, I have been wrong before, and I am sure it will happen again ...

 

[NicoleN]

I'm not suggesting an Amazon, but I must say that one thing I especially love about them is their body language. So easy to read, even though you may not always be able to prevent getting bit, you still know when it's going to happen. Kinda weird, I know. But I know Sisqo's body language so well that I know when he's going to just bite, and when he's going to really bite.

I mention this, because we also had a Cockatoo. Key word being had. He was such a sweet guy, always wanted to cuddle and give kisses, lay on his back to be rubbed. He would even try to sleep under the covers with us at night. However, he would be in the middle of all this cutesy stuff and then become possessed. Next thing you know, you have a nice bloody gash on whatever body part he was closest too. There would be no forewarning, and there wasn't anything happening that could explain the sudden change in his behavior (i.e. sudden movement, loud sound, etc.).

Of course, we weren't experienced parrot people. And even now, after getting more experience and such, I don't know if my lifestyle would be fit for a Cockatoo.

Personally, out of your list, I would go for the Ringneck, but that's just my opinion. Maybe save the 'too for being your "dream bird", kinda like Tex and his B&G.

However, if you do decide to go with the 'too, one thing I would recommend is to definitely get a baby. Once again, this is just my opinion. But I think a rehomed 'too that could have some serious behavioral problems might just be too much to handle.

 

[Peta]

Personally, out of your list, I would go for the Ringneck, but that's just my opinion. Maybe save the 'too for being your "dream bird", kinda like Tex and his B&G.

Have to agree with ya there, Ringnecks are such a wonderful bird, When I had mine I NEVER received a bite from him (thats not to say that they dont, they can and will sometimes) but he was such a funny character, so full of spirit and just loved life. I even thought of getting lots more and breeding them. When I lost him (through old age) I was heartbroken and just couldn't bring myself to get anymore. One day maybe.