Senegal Question

[BirdLover712]

Im a young student. Im thinking of getting a Senegal (I have done a lot of research on care, handling, behavior, etc) but I'm worried about one thing. Im going to be getting a bird in the summer. I won't be in school for a while and will spend a lot of time with my bird. Do you think the bird will be ok with me going to school for 7-8 hours a day, after being able to spend all day with him for three months? If not how will I be able to get him used to it? Or will I be able to?

Thanks!

 

[Doctress]

I have never owned Senegals, but I have been a young bird owner (I'm in my 30s, but had my Amazon for 25 yrs), and gone to school and medical school while keeping my little flock happy. From my experience, birds don't need 24/7 handling and constant attention. When I was in school, I fed the birds in the morning, put on the radio and left them with toys and foraging food. I had family members around that would minimally interact with them, but not all day. While I was gone, they would mainly nap and play inside the cage. When I got home, I would immediately go over for some hands-on time. The macaw would be content sitting on my window or my shoulder while I read or used the computer. We would have evening snacks, bring them in to watch TV with me, or we would play with toys. The Amazon's cage was left open, but he never wandered. The macaw would stay in the cage and play.

The only problems I had would be leaving for several days/weeks on trips. My family members would watch them, but the macaw would get a little sad and stressed. It helped that I had more than one bird, as they would interact and watch each other. I would acclimate the bird quickly to any family/friends who would be able to watch the bird if that situation comes up, so he/she will be comfortable with the bird and vice versa.

I'm sure some will advise you that you are too young to have a bird, you should wait 10-15 years until you have more time/stability, or until retirement... just letting you know that school situations are flexible and it COULD work. It may not be ideal, but it's hard to find a home life for any animal that is perfect. Parrots live for a long time- the commitment long-term is most important.

 

[wrench13]

In suggest you wait til you graduate and have steady gig. Is if possible to do what you suggest, but most times the parrot suffers ,as your schedule changes ,dating , domicil changes, and who suffers for lack of attention or schedule? The parrot. Some birds can self entertain for 7-8hours, most cant not. Not just Senegals. Just my $0.02 worth of opinon.

 

[chris-md]

Totally agree with Al (wrench). Many of us did have birds as children and young adults. In many cases the birds suffered for it. Parrots really are most ideal companions for someone who has entered into stable adulthood.

 

[EllenD]

Unfortunately the species of parrot you're looking to get is probably one of the worst for expecting it to be alone for 7-8 hours a day and still stay bonded to you and not become angry, stressed, and start getting nippy...Senegals are stubborn, headstrong parrots that once bonded to their human need tons of time out of cage and with their human...As Wrench said this isn't just Senegals, it's actually most parrots, they are very intelligent...they aren't dogs or cats, they are much, much more intelligent and don't want to be inside cages all day alone...And Senegals, and i speak from experience, I currently have my Kane, who just turned 2 years old and who i got at 12 weeks old...Kane gets very, very mad, not in-general, but at me, lol, if i leave him in his cage very long, so he actually hardly ever goes in his cage, only to sleep, even when i'm not home, i have a bird-safe room he lives in, basically his room now. And even so, he still wants me there with him...

7-8 hours a day gone is too long away from any bird, unless you can come home on breaks. And realize too that 7-8 hours in college turns into 10+ hours very quickly...