Which parrot?

First off let me say hellloooo! I am new!

Second let me say that I have extensive experience with parrots. I have worked at two zoos. Granted one was in the reptile house, so not really with parrots, but the other I did get to work with a variety of birds from rheas to emus to an ornery amazon and lories and parrots and endangered starlings, etc.

I also worked at a petstore where I was single-handedly responsible for hand-rearing all of the baby birds and taking care of all the birds - finches, parakeets, cockatiels, conures, quakers, cockatoos, macaws, you name it. I also have traveled to the Amazon to study macaws and I just so happen to work for the National Audubon Society - so I got birds under my skin!

Anyway it's been a good 6 or 7 years since I worked with parrots and birds directly and I really miss owning one. I really have been itching to get one and I think I am finally in a place in my life that I can. I work from home 2 days a week so I am around to give it the attention it needs.

My favorites have always been macaws and cockatoos but I live in a 2story townhouse so I don't really think a large macaw or cockatoo would be feasible. I was thinking of maybe one of the smaller cockatoos or macaws. Maybe a goffins or a hahns or lesser sulpher?

I am not to much of a fan of parakeets or conures or cockatiels or lovebirds or pionus or quakers.

I do want a bird that is at least moderately friendly with strangers too.

I also do own cats. One of them has been around birds before (cockatiels) and is totally fine with them. The other is a pathetic excuse for a cat with no prey drive (really - a grasshopper once bonked him on the nose as it was hopping away and he wouldn't go near any bugs for months) so if anything I'd be more concerned of the parrot with the cat rather than the cat with the parrot.

The one parrot species I never got the chance to raise or be around much were electus. So I don't know much about those. And just a few amazon species.

I'd be interested to hear what others think would be a good parrot to get or if you guys think it wouldn't be a good idea to get one at all - either because of the cats or the living arrangements (no one lives beside me - there is a unit beside me but the owners said in the 5yrs that they have lived there they've never seen anyone go in or out and I've never either).

I just miss being around birds!

Hello there and and warm welcome to you RR. We are always happy to have another bird fan. I know what you mean about loving our fids. Have you thought about an African Grey? I have a timneh and she is wonderful. Are you wanting to adopt or to get a baby? I am a volunteer for a bird rescue organization and suggest either of the three depending upon where you live:
The phoenix landing foundation, gabrial foundation or the baily foundation. The birds are in foster homes and well cared for.
If you miss birds in your life there is one out there for you.

Well, I am not a fan of having birds and cats (or dogs) together because both are natural predators of birds and even if they do nothing to them, IMPO, it has to be stressful for a prey animal to cohabit with a predator.

Aside from that, I am also not a fan of leaving a bird in a cage all by himself all day long and, even though you work from home twice a week, that still leaves three days of loneliness for the bird, and the species you seem to be more inclined to get (toos and macaws) are all 'needy' ones so I suggest you consider some kind of a daycare arrangement (maybe paying somebody to come in in the middle of the day and spend some time with the bird?). They can also be very loud (would that be OK with everybody around you?) and destructive (and that can be a problem when you don't own the home).

But, if you find an answer/solution to my concerns, I would suggest you get a Galah.

Spiritbird said:

Hello there and and warm welcome to you RR. We are always happy to have another bird fan. I know what you mean about loving our fids. Have you thought about an African Grey? I have a timneh and she is wonderful. Are you wanting to adopt or to get a baby? I am a volunteer for a bird rescue organization and suggest either of the three depending upon where you live:
The phoenix landing foundation, gabrial foundation or the baily foundation. The birds are in foster homes and well cared for.
If you miss birds in your life there is one out there for you.

Click to expand...

Thanks Spiritbird! I have thought about an African Grey and I would sooner get a Timneh that I would a Congo. That is definitely another option. I am lucky that I work for NAS and in the HQ office so I am not surrounded by real birds or else I probably would be tempted to take them all home - if I worked for a bird rescue organization.

I would be willing to adopt or rescue. I have been reading ads on craigslist lately that make my skin crawl.

Birdamor said:

Well, I am not a fan of having birds and cats (or dogs) together because both are natural predators of birds and even if they do nothing to them, IMPO, it has to be stressful for a prey animal to cohabit with a predator.

Aside from that, I am also not a fan of leaving a bird in a cage all by himself all day long and, even though you work from home twice a week, that still leaves three days of loneliness for the bird, and the species you seem to be more inclined to get (toos and macaws) are all 'needy' ones so I suggest you consider some kind of a daycare arrangement (maybe paying somebody to come in in the middle of the day and spend some time with the bird?). They can also be very loud (would that be OK with everybody around you?) and destructive (and that can be a problem when you don't own the home).

But, if you find an answer/solution to my concerns, I would suggest you get a Galah.

Click to expand...

Oh I know all about how loud and destructive they can get! Which is why that even though I would LOVE to get a B&G or a larger too, I won't get one of those. I know that the smaller package still comes with the screaming and the destructive, just not on the larger scale that the larger ones do, but I could handle it on a smaller scale. I probably could find someone to come and spend time with it in the middle of the day and I know my cats are a concern but really I'd be more worried about the bird preying upon the cat than vice versa.

I do like the galahs. I don't see them around much though.

Welcome to the forum! There are so many options out there and everyone has their favorite.

I'm partial to my CAG, but since you're familiar with them, I won't sing her praises. So, have you thought about a Red-front Macaw? Our Jade has the most amazing personality. RFMs are smaller macaws (about 500 grs) and incredibly cuddly and fun. She's a little clown but so very affectionate. Of course, she's spoiled beyond belief. She also isn't very loud - really not much more than our Alexendrine. She hasn't ever made flock calls in the morning or evening...just once in awhile to tell the Unbrella Cockatoo we're bird sitting to be quiet.

Where are you located? We have a wonderful breeder in our area who "specializes" in RFMs.

Be careful because we have run into several scams on Craigs list lately. A fool and their money are soon parted as they say.
Oh I forgot I have a cat too and it is working fine. Kitty is not too keen on the bird. She is a laid back Maine Coon cat and nothing much bothers her.

Hello,
I don't know more about parrots but I think African Grey is okay with cats. Actually, my friend have this parrot and she have one cat and kittens also.

Hi Rose and welcome to the forum, well I have to say this topic always seems to open up a can of worms as you can see by just the few responses that you've recieved so far, even though you have hinted that you would like a macaw or cockatoo they may not be right for you, both species can be pretty loud and somewhat time demanding, but there are always exceptions to the rule, as for the african greys, they are a great companion bird, while a bit quieter they still need considerable time with those they own, as you will find that most species of exotic birds will also, galahs can be a handful at times, I have two, so that means double trouble...lol, throw in a Blue Throated Macaw on top of that and its understandable why I don't have much of my sanity left