New to Parrots..... help?

PsarriGirl8626

New member
Dec 26, 2015
1
0
Hey there!
I am totally new to parrots, and am trying to find the perfect breed for me. I'm in high school, which would usually mean no parrot would work, but I'm online schooled, so I'm home all the time. I run a from home fish breeding business making enough to spend probably $500 - $1000 on my parrot each month (It's really great not needing to pay mortgage...) with a plan to take online college and advance my business to a storefront later. I have enough space for a 5x5x7 foot cage. I'm okay with loud noises in the morning, because I'm awake by 4:00 each day for religious studies anyway. I do have two small dogs (chihuahua size) with a history of hunting and eating anything smaller than themselves (I can, and will, train them not to do this, but I would prefer not to take a chance with a bird any smaller than, say, a very large Conure.) I have spent several months researching different kinds of birds, training techniques and avian vets.

The only problem is that I have no experience whatsoever for myself with birds. I have friends who got a budgie as a birthday present for their son. They kept the bird in a cage no bigger than 6 inches in every direction, fed it a diet of pure seed, did not take it out of the cage or socialize it in any way unless it was to open the cage, grab the bird and throw it saying "fly, birdie, fly!" and even went so far as to pile clothes on top of the cage. This made me so incredibly angry that I started reading on how to really take care of a bird so that I could take the bird from them and raise it in a better home. The bird died before I could get to it though, and that started my passion for parrots. But other than that, the only interaction I've really had with birds is occasionally holding and feeding the Macaw at my local pet shop.

My question is this: Looking at my situation, do you believe I am ready to raise a large bird, such as a Macaw? Or, if experience is more important than preparation with birds, which breed would you recommend for me? My goal is to get the biggest bird possible (for added safety from my dogs) while still giving the bird a good home where all of its needs will be met.

I look forward to hearing any and all advice you guys have for me! I am really excited to find my lifelong companion/slave owner with feathers and want to make certain I choose the right one!
 

ToMang07

Active member
Jul 14, 2015
1,012
17
Maine, USA
Parrots
Willow the Umbrella Cockatoo
Being young and not in a long term "situation" (like owning a house, married, kids, job changes, etc) make it really hard to determine if you're ready for a parrot, IMO. Parrots are a lifetime commitment, especially the bigger ones. I'm only 30 and there's a chance my Willow (Umbrella Cockatoo) will outlive me.

So keep that in mind before making any decisions, and obviously keep your parents in the loop with the whole decision making process.

Keep doing what you're doing.... lots and lots of research. And keep in mind that youtube videos and the like capture only a small picture of what it's like owning a bird.
 

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