Thinking about buying an Amazon

[Jes]

I'm about to move out on my own and I want to get a new feathered companion, which I narrowed down to an Amazon. The thing is, right now, I'm home all the time and it would pretty much be with me 24/7, when I move out, that will change. I'll still be home all the time, but I just don't want it to get lonely and depressed while I'm out. I'd feel horrible about that! Also, I'd be moving to a downtown area. The city isn't that big, but there's still pollution. I'd definitely want to go for walks in parks with it, whether it's wearing a harness or in a birdpack. I just don't want it getting sick from going outside. Would that even be a problem or am I just worrying too much? Thanks!

 

[weco]

Welcome to the forum.....

I think many of us would all like to live in a less polluted community, but for whatever reasons, we live where we do and the reality is that we cannot (realistically) live in a bubble or perfect atmosphere. Having said that, just like we humans, our companion birds may or may not get sick, if we do, we go see a doctor & if our feathered friends do, we take them to a veterinarian, but realistically, if we do the best we can in the husbandry of our charges, they should enjoy good lives.....

If you were to read through the various threads of the forum, you'll find that there are a number of members who walk their birds with harnesses and there are a number of members who walk their birds with bird packs and/or small travel cages....and maybe a few that aren't so small travel cages...the members enjoy it & I'm sure their birds enjoy it.....

You say you might be with your bird 24/7, just be sure to establish boundaries & address screaming/noise early on, lest you run into problems with tour neighbors/landlord.....they haven't yet designed the perfect bird...the one that comes out of the box as non-biters, all cuddly, quiet & nice...they'll always be a work-in-progress.....although we all do it, lavishing a lot of attention & a lot of interaction on a new feathered friend can cause separation problems when job demands require more of our time or work shifts change.....

Others will probably pop in here to give you more tips/insights.....Good luck.....

 

[Jtbirds]

Well I'd like to advise to look at all species as amazons can be a handful and quite vocal for an apartment, they are great birds but by far not quite the first time bird for anyone!( my first bird was an amazon and honestly I'd like to say I wish I started with something else).

Everywhere is polluted I see no issues as long as you make sure the bird is always checked and healthy. I mean I live in a strong agricultural area and the air around here is bad, but my birds are not effected.

Being with your bird can have an adverse effect just to let you know and you can easily find what that is on the forms or online so I don't think I need to type it all out for you..


Weco they do make a perfect parrot it is a stuffed look a like lol, it doesn't scream, make a mess, or bite only is soft and cuddly.

 

[Jes]

Thanks for the replies!

Yeah, I've had quite a few small "fids" but I want something more challenging! I'll have to check out some other posts.

 

[ShellyBorg]

You like zon but need apartment bird? Try a parrotlet! Vary quiet with hug personality! They are not a " easy bird" so they are a challenge. Read up on them.

 

[Featheredsamurai]

Have you thought of a Pionus? They are very close relatives to the amazon and have a similar stocky body. great birds who are generally quite.

Here is a flock of wild blue headed pionus mixed in with what I believe to be yellow crowned or panama amazons

a species chart, the largest is the Maximilian Pionus

The Bronze winged Pionus is my favorite, in my opinion one of the most beautiful parrots in the world.

 

[Jtbirds]

I can 2nd cooper pionus are great great birds, I as well prefer the bronze winged, but white capped and maximillians are also available, the other types are not seen as often IMO or at least not where I am located.

Plus as stated they are much much more quiet for apartment living

 

[Karigan]

I was reading an article today in Parrots magazine that was saying how lilac crowned amazons are somewhat quieter and friendlier than other amazons. I'm not sure how popular they are in captivity though.

Admittedly though, Pionus or Poicephalous often make better apartment birds.

 

[Jtbirds]

I've know a couple lilac crowneds and they are great, but there are always those odd few that can be boisterous and so on so I still object to an amazon in a apartment.

We looked over the poicey group! That is another amazing set of birds and if you want something slightly larger maybe even a africian grey?

 

[christinereed]

Our DYH is pretty quiet. But, we have a quiet household. If I were an apartment dweller, I don't think I'd get an Amazon.