Tell me how you picked your bird

Georgie

New member
Jun 1, 2012
13
0
I apologize if this information is somewhere else, but while I can find plenty of information on what the right species of bird is, I can't seem to find much on picking the actual bird itself. How do you know if the bird is 'the one'? What behaviors are good signs and what are bad signs?

Here is why I am so confused. I know I want a Green Cheek Conure. I went to an excellent bird store the other day and was able to handle some babies. One GCC stood out to me because it raced right up to my shoulder and started preening my hair. But it also bit hard and broke skin a few times. While I now have a good understanding of just how hard those little birds can bite when they want to, I am confused about selection. I know preening is a good sign, but biting isn't :confused:, so a few guiding suggestions would be nice.

I would love to hear stores about how you picked your bird. Or rather, how your bird picked you.
 
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MacawGuy

New member
Jun 12, 2012
625
1
Indiana
Parrots
B&G Macaw
Do some research on different types on birds that you like. Also handle the type of birds you like. I like macaws. So I called around to different places and handle different macaws. Well my scarlet picked me. He came right to me very friendly to me. Still do this day he has never bite me. He is nippy but doesn't bite hard at all. So its all about what you like and what likes you and picks you.
 

friedsoup

New member
May 5, 2012
503
1
North Carolina
Parrots
Senegal Male Bogart
I was hard headed I decided I wanted and senegal and bought the first one I saw first red flag I ignored was they used a wielders glove to get him out of the cage (and still got bit) second day (sunday) I noticed he hadn't moved from the perch he had been on in two days and hadn't eaten or drank anything so come monday morning off we went 65 miles one way to the only avian vet we could find. long story short with love and patience and alot of vet visits we became friends and are living the dream as proud papa and perfect companion parrot (just ask him he'll tell you I'm still in training.)
 

ann

New member
Feb 18, 2011
1,323
1
USA
Parrots
1 nanday conure Black Jack, 1 Brotogeris parakeet Whiff, 1 ring neck dove Eliza, and 6 society finches (3 are tame). RIP my parent pairs of societies and my little gouldian finches
just follow your gut, take your time, and let them come to you. talk to them, be gentle, and MEET the bird first. I made the mistake of not meeting my bird, and ended up being scammed, so make sure you can handle him first.
 
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Georgie

New member
Jun 1, 2012
13
0
  • Thread Starter
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I luckily will be able to meet the bird, as I plan on getting it from this particular shop. Are there any things I should really be looking for?
 

friedsoup

New member
May 5, 2012
503
1
North Carolina
Parrots
Senegal Male Bogart
alert, brite eyes, active ,willing to interact with others, interested in whats going on around him but not frightened. there's more I'm sure someone will fill in the blanks.
 

azdesertrhino

Member
Oct 29, 2010
312
4
Tucson, AZ
Parrots
Blue & Gold Macaw
Make sure he has a good job, not deep in debt OH, sorry, wrong forum! :D

Our B&G picked us when we began looking. Homed in on my wife and that was the end of the story.

Good luck!!
 

god61021

New member
Aug 8, 2011
138
0
illinois
Parrots
red rumped parakeet
yeah mine picked me too, I was even dead set against buying a bird at that time, but noone told bella and she had different ideas.
 

Mayden

New member
Apr 22, 2010
2,540
12
UK.
Parrots
Merlin & Charlie (Senegals)
I was in the store picking up some things and visiting the Greys/Amazons they usually have in. Well, out from the food dish peeked a little senegals head. I'd wanted one for years... long story short, they put him in my arms and he snuggled and fell asleep against my chest. Couldn't say no, he was my baby from right then. I spent about 3 hours in the store just getting to know him a little bit, finding out about his splayed leg and just spending some time loving the little guy. Nipped to the cash machine down the road and then took him home in a box, whoops! : )
 

caliopi

New member
Jan 30, 2010
234
Media
1
2
Melbourne, Australia
Parrots
Eclectus Parrot
King Parrot
I had gone to our breeder to pick up our baby girl and as soon as I put my hand in to get her she bit me and hard! Her brother jumped straight onto my hand and climbed up to my shoulder and nestled into my neck......he was the one we went home with.

Let your bird pick you!
 

GiosMom

New member
May 12, 2012
169
0
Baby birds can be a little nippy...but they aren't really biting. They are exploring with their beak. Gentle yet firm "no" can usually resolve this. May take time but consistency is so important. It always has to be "No" when they are using their beak on you. Which means no playing and allowing the nippiness because it's cute. GCC's while they are small have BIG attitudes. Think of Big dogs...people approach them with more hesitancy right? Yet Little Dogs are more prone to bite...and probably because people disregard them because they are smaller. (My Avian Vet made this comparison for me and it made a lot of sense). Just because your GCC is a smaller species he still needs boundaries and still needs to be treated with respect when handling. But in young birds nippiness is an age thing that needs to be corrected with patience and time while you build a bond.

The fact that this little guy scooted right up your shoulder is a very good sign. He isn't afraid of people and is interested in being socialized. Not too mention "you" are still thinking about him! We went to visit a breeder and there were 3 baby Goffins....my choice was easily made because our guy showed interest and shared cuddles, whereas his other 2 clutch mates hissed and went to bite if we went anywhere near the box.

Before you rush and take him home visit with him see how he responds and remember what you see in the pet store isn't how he will be when you bring him home, most likely. He will become more cautious and will look to you for care. Good luck!
 

lizardsmells

New member
Dec 2, 2011
434
0
Eastern panhandle of WV
Parrots
Kazi - 13 yr old yellow nape amazon rescue
Kazi picked me. In a sense. He asked me, of all the volunteers at the rescue, to take him back to his cage one day when things were busy and a little scary for him. After that I started talking to him and leaving him treats (he wouldn't take them from me) and we just sort of connected. I knew he really needed a person (he had no bird buddies up there either) and I think he knew I really needed an Amazon. I had gone in to bird rescue with the intent of adopting greenwing or blue and gold macaw. I had zero interest in Amazons because of everything I'd read about them.

Heh. He's just about the greatest thing ever. I wouldn't trade him for the world.

All parrots bite. All of them. And until they learn what's too much, many of them will bite really freaking hard.

If you connect with a bird, then I say you've picked the right one.
 

Oedipussrex

New member
Jun 3, 2012
319
1
Australia
Parrots
Charlie - Galah
I cant really say pickle picked me, or that he stood out, because he was the only baby ekkie there at the time...
But for a person who had experience with budgies, cockatiels and lovebirds, he was a very big bird to make acquaintance with. and i wasnt scared at all.
I knew he couldnt be mine if i was scared of him, but i slowly reached up and stroked him down the chest a few times, and then he stepped up, and put his head down begging for a scratch. It was so cute
 

SunnyGirl

New member
May 8, 2012
280
2
Jesenice, Slowenia, Europe
Parrots
sun conure - Sunny
well I went to a breeder to get a budgie.... or so I thought haha.... there I told him that someday I want something bigger than a budgie and he told me to wait a moment and came back with a beautiful little 3 months old sun conure....ooooh the idiots have the biggest luck - I bought the first bird I saw (well after falling in love with her).... it was love at first sight from my part and I just had to have her.... prepared for all the problems that come with a bigger bird I took her home, set her up in a cage and took it really slow the forst days... luckily we clicked right away and now she is my best friend and she loves me more than anyone (haha and my ego went through the roof :p ) and I could never give her up, she was worth all the money and time calming my mum down when she saw what I brought home :D :orange:
 

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