Second thoughts - yet dertermined to follow through !

[veteranspreference92]

I've been doing alot of reading / research h on Senegal parrots and I'm getting mixed messages, this will be my first bird, I own my own home, I have 2 cats and dog who is blind, cats of course will be locked up when bird is out during free flight, one cat is pretty mellow and the other is about 2 years old, anyway I'm determined to follow through with purchasing this bird, I don't want to be discouraged based on material I read that says things that are less then enthusiastic, I am looking to get some feedback, before I forget I have the time to dedicate to the bird, I'm a disabled veteran and i don't work so i will have all kinds of time to share with him / her so it can grow to be a happy healthy parrot.

Rich.

 

[Pookamama]

Well, it sure sounds like you are on the right path!
Have you got to meet any in person yet? It really helps because their personalities come out so much better in person-and each bird is individual. If you have a breeder nearby who breeds senegals you could call them up and talk to them and perhaps even visit. Then keep reading and see what your gut tells you.

 

[veteranspreference92]

I haven't had the pleasure of meeting any Senegal in person yet however I will definitely take your advice as this makes perfect sense, I don't have any contacts as far as a breeder goes but I will be looking for one VERY SOON. , I don't like being apprehensive but I also need to be honest with myself to I mean after all this is a HUGE COMMITMENT and it wouldn't be fair to the bird if i didn't have all my info together.

 

[wolf0994]

Visitation will help put your mind at ease as well. It is a big commitment but not one that burdens the average person. If time and love is what you have, a happy bird is what you'll get.

 

[veteranspreference92]

Music to my ears wolf, thank you for such encouragement, I do in fact have all kinds of love and especially time as I'm a disable veteran and I don't work, so I'll be able to bond with him/her even more so.

 

[luccasmom]

It is great that you have alot of time and love to devote!!! Time is so important.Many people say conures and senegals are awesome first time birds. I personally have 3 larger birds but have had the pleasure of being owned by a green cheek conure a long time ago. Jakey was a great companion,I found him while getting food for my grey at a petshop. he had a malformed leg and owner couldn't sell it so she said buy it a cage and its yours.He was a great friend and quite a character.Being a smaller bird made me alot less afraid to teach him to step up (he was an older bird also so he was pretty set in his ways)Good luck in your search and believe me no matter what type you get.... you will definately find your time occupied lol!

 

[Mayden]

Senegals are great, although a little on the 'tough cookie' side.

Is there anything you want to know specifically about senegals that us sennie owners can help you with?

 

[veteranspreference92]

Are they sensitive to your emotions / issues. ?,as I have PTSD,depression and big polar. !

 

[suebee]

sene's are great!! once they settle into routine and gotten over the vengence stage please don't let me put you off as i too have a tough cookie with the nut, she was my brothers so it took her some time to settle with us

as for emotions, this is how it kinda goes,

if they ask for a head scratch and your not in the mood, give them a head scratch

if you are annoyed over something, and they happen to have chewed through the laptop charger, tell them off but keep your self from getting to dramatic, as we all shout louder an do bigger body movements when annoyed

if i am feeling un well, an lay down nut always comes over an nips me for what ever reason, so i lay down under a blanket and she is happy to sleep on my knee etc an keep watch

http://www.youtube.com/my_videos_edit?ns=1&video_id=HAMkFYsNfQo

in time you will learn there body language, and they would have already learnt ours lol and keep us up dated the meeting suggestion is great, but these birds canbe very, very charming lol

 

[veteranspreference92]

I'm hoping I can bond with this bird soon because I hear they are alot of fun , hopefully it won't be a handful yet even if it is its okay be a use I plan putting in the time o make it work.

 

[friedsoup]

Mostly the are quite and reserved and courious and big time hams, one of the best ways to bond with the a senegal is to let him sit on your knee while you nap he will know you are trusting him to be lookout while you sleep a very important job in the bird world. Training time and teaching tricks will help both of you learn each others moods and body language. Let us know how your search goes and if you have any other questions.

 

[paulhanlon]

Sennies are great pet birds but everything friedsoup has just said is right let him sit on your lap while you nap or sleep that way you will build great trust between one another.