Wuzzup?!

[chaoshon]

Hi guys!
As you see I'm new here and even don't have a parrot yet, and I came here to consult about which specie to buy. After I would have bought my little fella', I'll consult about food, training and everything which I basically don't know (which is probably everything).

Where do I start from? In which forum should I post a message about "What parrot should I buy? My needs are X and Y"?

I know a parrot is a huge, lifetime commitment. I've had (and still have) dogs for all my life and know how it is to take care and train an animal, so I'm not completely new to this subject, but just the "parrot part" of it.

Hope you'll answer the question (in which forum to consult which specie to buy), good day guys!

P.S.
Sorry if my grammer isn't perfect, I'm not a native English speaker.

 

[Boo]

Hi, and welcome to the forum!! There are a lot of very helpful people here, I haven't been here very long myself!

Can you tell us more about your home, how big it is, how much space and time you have, and what you're looking for in a bird (color, personality, etc)? I'd be glad to try and help you! But make sure you know what you're getting yourself into. Having a parrot is way more complicated than having a cat or dog.

Also, I suggest reading this thread!

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

 

[chaoshon]

My home is pretty big, living room+kitchen is probably about 40 feet long (living room around 22 feet). About the time:
Every day there will be no one home for about 5 hours, I won't be around 6 hours. I can leave TV and/or radio on if it'll help, and I guess my dog will "talk" to the parrot (yep, my friend will be a barking parrot). After I come back home at around 13:30 PM I stay home for most of the hours, so after school there's plenty of spare time.

Basically 2 more people will talk to the parrot, but I will be the one really taking care of it and training it.

What I'm looking for?
Well, some parrot who loves to be loved and returns love, clever, pretty quiet (I don't mind him to whistle and sing, but not to scream all day long). I also would like him to talk.

Summing all up: Clever, talkative (not a must, but it'd be very nice) loving and lovable, quiet, and I guess easily trained. Oh and sociable, not aggressive.
Another important thing: I want him to be in the house rather than a cage. He will have a cage for training purposes, but the cage will be open. I want to make the cage his "kitchen", "playground" and "bathroom".

For now I'm thinking of the Eclectus or Amazon. Are they something like what I described?
Thanks.

 

[Spiritbird]

I am glad you are asking us for direction prior to gettng a bird. Yes, it is a huge committment. If you plan on going to college, getting married and having a family, having a job where you must travel or just as the excuse don't have the time a bird is not for you. After you read the post on so you want to get a bird if you still want a bird then you do understand. There are thousands of birds needing a home because someone else did not do their research first. Good luck.

 

[chaoshon]

I've entered the link Boo posted and am considering everything. I'll continue researching for a couple of months and decide.

Anyways, are the Eclectuses something like what mentioned in this video, in the 5:43 min? (quiet, undemanding compared to other species, social) [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yxh5nE5hgBM"]YouTube - Parrot Types; Which one is best for You?[/ame]
Are they really considered what he says they are? And are they "easy" to take care of, compared to other parrots?

What about Amazons compared to Eclectuses?

 

[jew1187]

I did not watch the video because I am just getting on here real quick. But to answer your question about the Eclectus: They are a loving, playful, adorable birds. They don't care quite as much as other species to actually be touched, but will gladly sit on your shoulder or arm for hours at a time. I had mine for three days and walked in and he was so excited to see me he was jumping up and down on his perch (more so bobbing). They truly are fascinating birds. The only issue with the Eclectus is the dietary requirements. You have to be more cautious with what you feed them.

The Amazons, although I have not had the pleasure of having one in my life, are supposed to be a more nippy bird. They have a worse temper and you have to really know how to read your Amazon, unless you like being bitten by a bird... Which anyone on here can tell you that its painful, whether its from the smallest to the largest.

You want a more quiet, playful, loving bird that will cherish you completely... Truthfully if you really want a bird that you can interact with and have a great relationship, the Green Cheek Conure is probably one of the most playful and interactive I have every seen. They are great little birds with HUGE personalities!!! Although I like the larger birds myself, this little fellow is one that is sure not to let you down.

Good luck on the hunt for your new little friend.

 

[chaoshon]

If so, the Green Cheek Conure and the Eclectus have "entered the finals".

What are their lifespans?

Which one can better cope with staying home alone sometimes? (5 hours every morning, when in school)

And there's a little problem: every year I go on 3 vacations: first one of a week, second one of three weeks, and third is summer - a month or two.

Does anybody know if Continental allows parrots on their airplanes?
If not, is it OK that in times in which I'm away, my cousin will come from now and then and feed the parrot, or will the parrot be miserable that way and I'd rather not have him?

Edit: found the restrictions for pets in Continental:

Pets must be carried in an approved in-cabin kennel. The kennel must fit completely under the seat forward of the customer and remain there at all times aboard the aircraft. Maximum hard case kennel dimensions are: 17.5" L x 12" W x 7.5" H (44 cm L x 30 cm W x 19 cm H) for hard sided kennels and 18” L x 11” W x 11”H (46x28x28 cm) for soft sided kennels.

Looking on these requirements another question arises:

Which parrot could more easily handle with being in a cage sized as the dimensions mentioned above? I should say that my flight is from Israel to the states, consequently it takes from 10 to 12 hours, depending on the direction.