Want to get a bird- Don't know what I'm doing

[lilchris_28]

As the title states, I want to get a bird, but I have NO idea anything about birds or what I'm doing. I've been doing research on the internet, but every single website I go to seems to say something different.

At first I was thinking a Parrotlet, but now I'm thinking Green Cheek Conure because I like the bigger size. I do live in an apartment, so I don't want anything overly loud. My neighbors have a Sun Conure and I have to listen to that thing screech all night long. I actually had to move my bed to a different room because it was so bad. I am concerned because that would be the room that the new bird would be put in (it's now my tv room, so I'm in there almost all the time). Will the new bird hear the other bird and feed off of it and also be loud?

Another thing I'm looking for other than noise level is ease of care and life expectancy. I don't want a bird that can only eat a certain fruit that must be imported inside the belly of a mule on the night of the new moon or something crazy. I'm cool with a bird that must be fed a varied diet that includes fruits/veggies because I'm vegetarian, so I always keep stuff on hand. I don't want a bird that lives over 35 or so years because I don't have anyone who could care for it when I'm gone.

Also, I wanted to adopt, but I didn't know how that would go since everyone seems to recommend buying a newly weaned baby because you'll bond more with it. Thoughts?

And if you think a GCC would be a good fit for me, I need detailed and accurate advice on how to care for it including cage size, set up, toys, and diet. I don't have any definite information to use because it's literally ALL been different. Thanks!

 

[JerseyWendy]

Welcome to the forum.

Please have a look around, we have a bunch of really informative "stickies" that come in very handy.

Here are a few of them:

http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/7244-parrot-me.html

http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/8769-so-you-want-get-parrot-first-time.html

http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/3100-bond-forming.html


http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/300-parrots-bill-rights.html

 

[Selestine]

An adult bird can bond with you just as well as a baby. If you go meet some adult birds you might just find one that takes an instant shine to you. That's the benefit of adopting a mature bird -- you already have an idea of what kind of personality the bird has.

Green cheeks aren't terribly loud, but they can still get some volume going if they try. And yes, I would say it is very, very possible that your bird will feed off of the sun next door. When one of our birds gets going, the others always want to join in.

It's strange for a bird to scream all night long, though. Once I put mine to bed (give them some seeds to tide them over until morning, say goodnight, cover the cage) they don't make a peep until they are uncovered in the morning. I couldn't rightly say if yours will sleep through his neighbor screaming or if it will keep him up / make him scream along.

 

[lilchris_28]

My neighbor is selling theirs. I also considered buying theirs and trying to train it, but I don't think I'm experienced enough to be of any use to that situation. The reason I wanted to put it in that room was because I have cats and I wanted to be able to shut it off when I'm not home and when I can't supervise.

 

[Allee]

Hello and Welcome!

Please take JerseyWendy's great advice and read through each of the stickies she sent you the links to. Some of the information may save you a lot of heartache.

At first I was thinking a Parrotlet, but now I'm thinking Green Cheek Conure because I like the bigger size. I do live in an apartment, so I don't want anything overly loud. My neighbors have a Sun Conure and I have to listen to that thing screech all night long. I actually had to move my bed to a different room because it was so bad. I am concerned because that would be the room that the new bird would be put in (it's now my tv room, so I'm in there almost all the time). Will the new bird hear the other bird and feed off of it and also be loud?

Pardon me for saying so, but if the neighbor's bird annoys you so much it might not be such a good idea to get one of your own. Even well-trained, happy parrots are still parrots and they can be noisy. A general rule (with exceptions) is the bigger the bird, the higher the volume.

Please spend some time reading through the forum threads about the species you are most interested in. I hope you find what you're looking for.

 

[TessieB]

Howdy! Tell your neighbors the screaming bird all night is not happy and they should rethink owning a bird. Seriously, most birds are quiet at night unless being disturbed: a cat staring at it all night. A dog laying near the cage. Or maybe night light that's too bright.

If you are a first time bird owner a cockatiel might be the bird for you. Females are sweet, quieter than the males, and these birds love to eat veggies and sprouts. Avg. life span is about 20-30 years.

Welcome to the flock!

 

[Freespin]

Hello and Welcome!

Please take JerseyWendy's great advice and read through each of the stickies she sent you the links to. Some of the information may save you a lot of heartache.

At first I was thinking a Parrotlet, but now I'm thinking Green Cheek Conure because I like the bigger size. I do live in an apartment, so I don't want anything overly loud. My neighbors have a Sun Conure and I have to listen to that thing screech all night long. I actually had to move my bed to a different room because it was so bad. I am concerned because that would be the room that the new bird would be put in (it's now my tv room, so I'm in there almost all the time). Will the new bird hear the other bird and feed off of it and also be loud?

Pardon me for saying so, but if the neighbor's bird annoys you so much it might not be such a good idea to get one of your own. Even well-trained, happy parrots are still parrots and they can be noisy. A general rule (with exceptions) is the bigger the bird, the higher the volume.

Please spend some time reading through the forum threads about the species you are most interested in. I hope you find what you're looking for.

Although I understand what you are saying I don't entirely agree. My partners Sulphur screams and drives me absolutely mental however my sennie squealing doesn't bother me. Nor did my barraband talking constant nonsense or my baby eckie. It is very likely a future bird will feed off the noise of this sun although if they are re homing it thwn there is that issue gone. Try contacting some breeders or rescues and ask about visiting birds. If you spend some time with them you will get an idea of how loud and how quiet they can be. While certain species calls can drive you up the walls other are easily harmless background noise.

 

[GW.Joe]

As the title states, I want to get a bird, but I have NO idea anything about birds or what I'm doing.

The BEST thing you can do is take a few weeks of reading new posts at the forum, Don't Rush this !!! the lucky bird will be with you for a LONG time, the bird deserves a human that will love it FOR LIFE...

Everyone shares here, make the forum part of your everyday life and you will share the lives of all our birds, You will learn everything you need to know

I knew a lot about some parrots before becoming a member here, Now I know Much Much More !!

Look over some of the stuff Wendy mentioned:

"Here are a few of them"

http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/7244-parrot-me.html

http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/8769-so-you-want-get-parrot-first-time.html

http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/3100-bond-forming.html


http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/300-parrots-bill-rights.html

Remember what Selestine said:

An adult bird can bond with you just as well as a baby. If you go meet some adult birds you might just find one that takes an instant shine to you. That's the benefit of adopting a mature bird -- you already have an idea of what kind of personality the bird has.

Get out there and see some birds !!
(if you let us know what city or town you are near we can help you find some places to look)

My neighbor is selling theirs. I also considered buying theirs and trying to train it, but I don't think I'm experienced enough to be of any use to that situation. The reason I wanted to put it in that room was because I have cats and I wanted to be able to shut it off when I'm not home and when I can't supervise.

If you are referring to the bird that "screams all night long" I would be very Leary of WHY the bird is screaming all night long (once covered and sent to bed they don't scream all night long)

Remember, these are not "just birds" they are VERY smart, on the level of a 5 year old child, about 4th in the list right below Dolphins, Chimps and Elephants, they have very good memories and that bird may be traumatized already

It really sounds like you are in a hurry to do this, Getting one is a major life changing decision Take some time, and we will be there along the way to help you !!

 

[lilchris_28]

I'm not sure why I'm not receiving email notifications when I get a response. I changed the settings and am supposed be... Anyway, I hope I don't miss responding to someone because it seems as though I have a lot to respond to

Allee, I do appreciate you speaking your mind and voicing your concern. It is a valid concern, but not one I'm worried about. It's only really annoying when I'm trying to sleep and the bird is directly under my room. I've actually worked at Petsmart for many years. I HATE when we have Sun and Jenday Conures for sale. I love the Green Cheeks and can't walk by them without stopping to say hi.

Tessie, I really am not fond of cockatiels. I've had some bad experiences I'm not likely to get over.

GWJoe, I'm not sure how you got the impression I'm "in a hurry." I'm not which is why I'm doing my research before and making sure I'm getting the right bird for me. Also, money is an issue and I want to make sure I have everything I need before bringing home the bird. It'll probably be a couple of months or so before I can actually bring home a bird.

I have talked to breeders of Parrotlets and GCC and I feel like the GCC is for me. I'm going to keep it in the tv room with the tv on during the day when I'm at work so it doesn't get lonely.

I think I answered everyone. Sorry if I missed anyone.

Edit: Oh, I forgot to add, I did find a GCC breeder that is close enough for me to drive and pick one up. That way I don't have to have it shipped when I am able to get one.

 

[lilchris_28]

So I was thinking last night of a possible issue... I'm about to start working the night shift from around 6 pm to around 5 am, four days a week. If I give the GCC about two hours of my time at dawn before turning in and another two hours before I go to work, will that be ok? Or will it be hard on the bird? Of course, I could give it more time on my off days, but I don't want to mess up its routine either.