RE: Which parrots are best for a family with a child and a newborn

[IlikeParrots]

RE: Which parrots are best for a family with a child and a newborn

Hey Parrot peeps, so i have been researching a lot on parrots ( i mean a lot) and i think i could handle one. Read my profile for info.

So, we have a newborn and i am a child, but i was wondering if there are any birds that are best for my criteria. Im not scared of big beaks and my dad the same but my mom, ah, just a little. No bigger than an African grey. So, here is my criteria, be sure to give me any options. Preferably, not much dust produced, NOT AT ALL a parrot that can seriously hurt. Im ok with a nip here and there but not every day, Preferably a medium to large bird, because i know about height dominance and all that but still. A parrot that maximum needs 3.5 hours to play with (i go to sleep at 7.30 - 8.15). (Although my parents will still be awake in case it poops, but they probably wont want to play with it at 11 o'clock), 0-250 dollars (work out other currencys by typing in money exchange on internet) , remember, i am a first bird owner. Not too destructive with toys and not too messy, not extremely loud, especially at night (although would like it to mimic a few noises here and there)
Ok done my list, i know im a bit picky and all parrots will do this every now and then but just a relatively similar criteria to that. I really would love to hear back, oh and by the way, my prefered species is an African Grey but if you can tell me things about owning an African Grey as well i would appreciate that. Ok this is quite long now, so i will go. P.S: Sunday, i leave at 7.20 and get home at at 4, Monday, 7.20 - 3, Tue, 7.20-6pm or sometimes 7, Wed, 7.20-4, Thurs, 7.20-2. But i do have a maid. ALSO MOST IMPORTANT INFO!!! I have a cat and dog and might (MIGHT) get a pug. (COCKER SPANIEL AND RAGDOLL CAT) See ya

 

[SailBoat]

Welcome to Parrot Forums!

I can understand the excitement of bring a Parrot into your busy life and so doing will add greatly to that excitement and life style demands.

 

[IlikeParrots]

Re: Which parrots are best for a family with a child and a newborn

Yes, i know it is very exciting!

 

[Birdman666]

Re: Which parrots are best for a family with a child and a newborn

CAG'S are dander birds, and they have a beak like a scissors... Not as much dust as a too, but dust just the same...

That can be kept to a minimum with regular bathing, which you are supposed to do anyway.

Bird and a newborn in the house?! THAT WOULD BE NONE OF THEM...

Just get the baby down to sleep and SQUAWK... Yeah. Doesn't go over big with mom and dad. Birds get rehomed for such things.

Bird that can't seriously hurt? Well, anything larger than a conure CAN... so again, that would be NONE OF THEM. Training them NOT TO BITE is on you... If you don't know how to do that, then don't get one until you learn that skill. Because the fingers you save, may be your own...

My recommendation is WAIT until the baby gets older. THEN get the bird you really want. Do your research now. Handle as many as you can between now and then. Volunteer at a local rescue to see what it's like to be owned by one of these birds... You may fall in love with a species, or you may discover it's just not for you. IT IS A LOT OF WORK!

My opinions are based on 20 years of parrot ownership and 15-ish years of experience with parrot rescue... (so obviously, I'm an idiot.)

 

[itzjbean]

Re: Which parrots are best for a family with a child and a newborn

Excellent advice from Birdman above. My hubby and I have two cockatiels, and we plan on having children soon, and though I dream of owning a macaw and/or cockatoo, we find that it is in our best interest to wait until the kids are older. Focus on your human babies until they are older and you don't have to worry about a ear-piercing screech or squawk waking not only the baby, but mom and dad who are also trying to sleep!

 

[IlikeParrots]

Re: Which parrots are best for a family with a child and a newborn

Ok thank you guys! Should i wait till the baby is 2-3? I have already held an african grey, and those things, their beaks! Thank you for advice and if you wanna say anything else dont be afraid

 

[Birdman666]

Re: Which parrots are best for a family with a child and a newborn

Excellent advice from Birdman above. My hubby and I have two cockatiels, and we plan on having children soon, and though I dream of owning a macaw and/or cockatoo, we find that it is in our best interest to wait until the kids are older. Focus on your human babies until they are older and you don't have to worry about a ear-piercing screech or squawk waking not only the baby, but mom and dad who are also trying to sleep!

Curious little fingers, and LARGE MACAW beaks and tailfeathers are NOT a good combination...

They kinda have to be old enough to know better.

Sarah was FIVE when she started going into the rescue with me. She's been handling birds with supervision ever since, including big birds.

I think she was seven before she started handling big macs on her own. I trained her before I let her do it. And I made sure she followed her training so both bird and human were safe... that's the key, really.

HALF OF ALL BIRD TRAINING IS "TRAIN THE HUMANS FIRST."

 

[IlikeParrots]

Re: Which parrots are best for a family with a child and a newborn

I think when the baby is older, i will get either a cockatiel or CAG, any advice on which one is better for my fussy criteria?

 

[IlikeParrots]

Re: Which parrots are best for a family with a child and a newborn

Yeah, Birdman and i am already ok with handling birds, and am older than 7 (not giving exact private details) but i dont THINK i will get a Macaw just because im a first bird owner, even with all my research. Also, do you think with the right amount of research, any bird is ok and there are no beginner birds?

 

[Birdman666]

Re: Which parrots are best for a family with a child and a newborn

I think when the baby is older, i will get either a cockatiel or CAG, any advice on which one is better for my fussy criteria?

Both are dander birds.

If a tiel bites you, it's a pinhole in your finger.

If a CAG bites you, it could mean stitches.

CAGs are stubborn, independent, sensitive, and can be difficult. But are one of the smartest birds out there, and can use language cognitively...

Tiels are not so much work, can be playful and friendly, and generally do not talk, but can be trick trained, and can be trained to whistle patterns...

 

[IlikeParrots]

Re: Which parrots are best for a family with a child and a newborn

Another thing, if not to my answer, are there any beginner birds?

 

[LeaKP]

Re: Which parrots are best for a family with a child and a newborn

It really depends on the bird and you and how you "click." I know the more advanced owners will give good advice, but whenever you get your bird, do not allow the child to be alone with the bird. Ever. Even a small beak can hurt tender fingers and faces. I have had 4 kids and had birds all along but never allowed kids under 7 or so to even hold the bird until they proved they were mature enough.

My 9 year old doesn't hold my CAG alone. He hangs out with the family all day and loves to dance with her and she loves talking with him. She's slowly gaining confidence and plays on the floor with him very often. So far it's great, but I'm respectful of the beak.

 

[IlikeParrots]

Re: Which parrots are best for a family with a child and a newborn

And i am right in saying cockatiels are cuddly and african greys are the opposite, because i would like a cuddly bird. (i know african greys are not cuddly)

 

[IlikeParrots]

Re: Which parrots are best for a family with a child and a newborn

Sorry im asking you so many questions about cockatiels when you dont own one its just you DO have birds though

 

[LeaKP]

Re: Which parrots are best for a family with a child and a newborn

Grey generally aren't cuddly but Nigel, my grey, loves cuddles. GCCs are cuddles, my cockatiels were perch potatoes and liked cuddles and hanging out.

Depends on each bird, really.

 

[IlikeParrots]

Re: Which parrots are best for a family with a child and a newborn

Thanks LeaKP and i know really it depends on the personality and how you treat your bird but i just want to know generally.

 

[Birdman666]

Re: Which parrots are best for a family with a child and a newborn

Yeah, Birdman and i am already ok with handling birds, and am older than 7 (not giving exact private details) but i dont THINK i will get a Macaw just because im a first bird owner, even with all my research. Also, do you think with the right amount of research, any bird is ok and there are no beginner birds?

I hate the whole "beginner birds" concept....

These are sensitive creatures that form deep bonds with their people, and don't understand when they get "replaced" when the bird you really wanted comes along.

My approach is different. PLAY with as many as you can... find the species you love... hopefully find the right bird along the way.

If you want a macaw, then find out how to train a macaw. Find out what it takes to keep a macaw happy. Then find the macaw you can't live without, TRAIN IT PROPERLY, and take REALLY GOOD care of it!

 

[IlikeParrots]

Re: Which parrots are best for a family with a child and a newborn

I just heard Birdman666s opinion and he says i should wait till the newborn is older to get an African grey. I have done loads of research and would never let the baby near the Parrot when its out of its cage until 7-8 and would keep a reasonable cage size. Also, i do have a cockerspaniel and cat

 

[itzjbean]

Re: Which parrots are best for a family with a child and a newborn

I have just my two cockatiels and they are not cuddly. They are bonded to each other. They will step up, hang out on my shoulder, the male will preen my face, but they only cuddle with each other.

As far as 'beginner birds', you will get differing opinions on this. To me, I truly do think that smaller birds like budgies and cockatiels make excellent 'beginner' birds, as in, they are less noisy, more forgiving of mistakes, and typically easier to handle and train than some of the larger, more prideful species (greys, toos, macs). They are also less expensive. BUT you have to remember that a 'beginner bird' needs all the same things as a larger bird -- they still need a large, roomy cage. They still need to go to the vet for regular check ups. They still need a varied diet. They still need exercise outside of their cage. They still need the same amount of interaction each day. I know that I'm not ready for a macaw yet, but cockatiels are more do-able in my current housing and working situations. They also live a shorter life span, 20 ish years, compared to 80 ish like macaws. I'm committed to keeping them until their passing.

 

[LeaKP]

Re: Which parrots are best for a family with a child and a newborn

There are many threads under the various species, read there to get more info. I read and reread those threads. I agree with Birdman, there are no real beginner birds as they are all crazy intelligent and sensitive to varying degrees. Siversage just wrote about this at length...but I'm not able to find e thread. Someone?