Picking a new bird

[cthulhus_minion]

I was planning on getting an African Grey but after reading alot I sort of got paranoid and decided that one might not be good considering how I work. I have a cockatiel and I used to have a IRN, what could be some more options for me another parrot?

 

[Karigan]

Depends. What is your living situation, job, family, etc... like?

 

[cthulhus_minion]

Well, me and my g/f live together and I work where I'm home for 2 days and gone for about 36 hours. I work on call so I never really know exactly when I'll be home or gone but it is sorta predictable.

 

[Karigan]

Is there someone home who can have a bird out of the cage for 3-5 hours a day, with at least 1 hour of interaction time between you and your gf? Parrots need a lot of time, and greys especially are more sensitive than most.

 

[cthulhus_minion]

Well that's sorta why I abandoned the AG, she has a IRN so yeah someone will be here but I don't want it to be attached to her and totally ignoring me. But yes she would be home every day.

 

[cthulhus_minion]

I've thought about a sun conure

 

[MikeyTN]

To me it's hard for you to be bonded to any big parrots because of your schedule. They might be more bonded to the gf whose home more often. BUT that depends on the individual bird. For example, Ruby the Nanday conure I used to have LOVES my best friend. She's on him every time he's home, but he would be on road trip and be gone several days or so. Ruby who NEVER lets me hold her would let me hold her while he's not home for days. I was able to hold her, she talks to me, make funny noises, act clownish, etc. But the moment she hears him coming home, she would fly out of my room and greet him. I can not touch her again. She chose him from day one when I brought her home. Hence she's living with him still and it's been over 13 years since I've seen her after moving back down south. But I talk to my best friend every so often and he'll tell me about her.

 

[cthulhus_minion]

My cockatiel so far seems to prefer me. So what would my options be?

 

[MikeyTN]

Let a bird pick you! Any type! Just be aware of the emotional type birds such as Cockatoos.

 

[cthulhus_minion]

What do you mean by emotional birds?

 

[Karigan]

Sensitive. Birds that need constant attention and schedual in order to be psychologically ballenced.

 

[cthulhus_minion]

Conures aren't are they?

 

[Karigan]

Not terribely. Pois, pionus, love birds, parrotlets... Those are pretty stable birds.

 

[cthulhus_minion]

Not terribely. Pois, pionus, love birds, parrotlets... Those are pretty stable birds.

So would a conure be an ok choice? And a IRN is considered a parrotlet? Sorry for all the questions.

 

[Karigan]

No problem. A conure might work, but I've never owned one so I couldn't say from experience. A parrotlett is a species unto itself, about the size of a lovebird.

 

[Karigan]

My senegal is great. She gets 3+ hours of out of cage time, including 1 hour min with me. She's got a large cage so she's happy to entertain herself for hours. Demanding when we're home, but very happy and healthy.

 

[MikeyTN]

The bird I was telling you about is a conure. BUT it is really up to the individual bird. I'm the one who handles Malachai most of the time. But occasionally he wants to go to my partner. He goes to whomever since he's able to fly. But most of the time he stays with me. But our bond formed from day one, the day he chose me at the bird fair. The lady had to use a towel to grab him, I didn't need a towel, he came to me, hop up my arms, climbed all the way up my shoulders and lay his head on my shoulders. I knew I was in trouble from that instant, he did not do that with anyone else. We sat around and waited for a bit while we talked about bringing him home. I went over to him again, he did the same thing again to me, I then handed the lady $500 to bring him home....lol....

 

[cthulhus_minion]

Ok, have you had any experience with quakers? And your sengal is very pretty!!

 

[cthulhus_minion]

The bird I was telling you about is a conure. BUT it is really up to the individual bird. I'm the one who handles Malachai most of the time. But occasionally he wants to go to my partner. He goes to whomever since he's able to fly. But most of the time he stays with me. But our bond formed from day one, the day he chose me at the bird fair. The lady had to use a towel to grab him, I didn't need a towel, he came to me, hop up my arms, climbed all the way up my shoulders and lay his head on my shoulders. I knew I was in trouble from that instant, he did not do that with anyone else. We sat around and waited for a bit while we talked about bringing him home. I went over to him again, he did the same thing again to me, I then handed the lady $500 to bring him home....lol....

There is a conure breeder about 1 1/2 hours away from me, I may just go there and see if one there likes me. If none do atleast it could be an adventure!

 

[Karigan]

Thanks! I just know Greys and Senegals personally... but I do hear good things about quakers. Visiting a breeder is a great start; you can get a feel for the birds and ask questions from experts.