Mini Macs?

Alright, I know you guys are sick of me changing my mind on what bird I want:09: But this might be my last comparison. I have experience working with birds, but I've never owned one. Since this is my first bird, people that I know in person have told me I shouldn't own a bird like a mini macaw or a grey, but that's what I really want. They're main issue is that I'm going into 8th grade. They're scared once I get to high school I won't have the time for a bird anymore. The only sport I do is weightlifting and I do that at home, and I rarely ever have to do anything after school that isn't at home. And don't worry about college, the colleges I'm entertaining are all within a day's drive to my house and I'll be able to see the bird on weekends. After my first year, I plan on renting an apartment. So, the main question is do you guys think I could care for a mini macaw or a grey given my current situation?

It is a very bad idea for you to get a large parrot. You have ZERO stability in your life, and are about to hit the transition stage of your life where you will have the least stability, you are about to hit highschool, that alone takes up massive time, and who knows what you will start to be interested in. Then there is collage, you don't know where you will go, what you will study, or what accommodations you can get afford. Then what? Meet someone fall in love have a kid? Move to a different state for a job? Take a traveling job? You just don't know. You are thinking about basically having a child before you even go to highschool, just think about that for a sec.

To top this off you have never had a bird in your life. What if you don't actually like them? Take it slow and start with something far more manageable.

You are very young, but intellectually you seem very advanced for an eighth grader.
It would be great for you to get a bird because you both would have a friend for life.

My RLA Abba is now 34. She was raise by a fourteen year old who after ten years or so started to neglect her, when life & school and relationships got in the way. Abba is the sweetest bird i ever met, because she was well raised by this young girl.

Honestly, I am not sure how your bird is going to feel about only seeing you on weekends in five years or so when you begin college. My guess would be that the bird is not going to like it. Unless he has a super close bond to your other family members, which would be the ideal situation anyway. A good bond with many people.

The size of the bird does not matter when it comes to not having "the time for a bird anymore." A tiny bird is going to miss his companion just as much as a big bird.

The size of the bird does matter when it comes to transport/moving/beak/mess/noise?/cage size/

Also keep in mind these two things:
1. you have your whole life ahead of you. When you finish college, you can have a few birds or many: it really just depends on just how crazy you are.
2. Amazons are awesome.

So bad an idea, it's hard to think of a worse one. A grey will be with you until you retire at 62 and beyond. Grey's and mini macs need several hours a day of interaction and some one on one time every day, or they will revert to what they are... wild animals. With you, not your parents, not your brother or sis, not your aunt. For 50 plus years.
Vet bills, food and toys bills.. not a big deal for you later on, but now, can you handle a 500 dollar vet bill? Fresh veggies every week, and time to prep them? Hey I would love for this to be the one in a thousand fairytale of someone who has a life long companion, from 8th grade on. Please read consider, on behalf of the parrot your thinking of.

I am 2(?) years older than you and I'm telling you right now that it might be near impossible to own a larger parrot, depending on your high school experience. I've had parrots for several years now and it was easy to care for them when I was younger, but now that I am a sophomore in high school I recognize that a conure is about the biggest bird I'm going to be able to handle until beyond college. I say this because of time/money restraints. You might get into another sport or after school activity, such as clubs. I always want to hang out with friends too, sometimes for hours after school if I don't have volleyball/track practice. What about AP classes, whose homework takes hours to complete? Even if you don't plan on doing any of those things right now, remember that high school is one of the periods where people tend to change drastically.

I have a GCC and 2 canaries. I did have an Amazon, but I eventually rehomed him because of the pressure that was suddenly put on my when I switched from middle to high school. I actually got him my 8th grade year, so my situation was near exact to yours. It didn't work out. I didn't even have him for 2 years and I regret ever adopting him because it put the both of us through stress that we didn't need. I even struggle now to provide my GCC with what he needs emotionally/mentally but I am pushing myself to fulfill those needs and I intend to be his final home, so I expect it to get worse from here on out.

I know right now you feel like you have nothing to do after school but that will definitely change once you reach high school. You WILL begin to feel overwhelmed. It's almost unfair how abruptly things change, and it makes me mad how badly kids are unprepared for it.

What is your parents level of interest and willingness to be involved with this endeavor? Are they animal/bird lovers?

Admittedly it has been a few years since high school for me, however, one thing I can remember is hanging out with friends and enjoying new freedoms such as driving. Also, I can remember sleeping every chance I got. What I don't remember is having several free hours a day to entertain a 4 year old, nor do I remember the patience necessary for this activity.

By all means continue to work with birds and enjoy them, keep trying to figure out what your first "big" bird is going to be. For now I would consider a small bird such as a lovebird which is small enough to go to an apartment with you that may not allow a loud bird like a CAG or Macaw. You can even start with several so that while you are busy being a teenager they don't feel so neglected. For $500 you could have 3 lovebirds and a cage, while that amount is a third of what you would spend for a "big" bird. Lovebirds are affectionate, can easily free fly around your apartment under supervision, and are easier to care for then the more needy large parrots.

Just a thought from someone who has seen how quickly life plans can change direction.
Good luck with your search.

The most important thing a bird needs besides proper care is your attention and companionship to be healthy and happy. They have all the same emotions that we do and they get very upset when they bond with humans and then the human they have bonded with doesnt have enough time for them. It is a responsibility that can last 20 to 60 years depending on the type of bird you get. Just be sure that your willing to make that commitment. So do your homework so you get the right type of bird for you. You could have a best friend for a big part of your life. Just make sure the time is right. You can tell the teacher your bird ate your homework and it would be true. And..... im telling you even a healthy bird costs hundreds of dollars to get their annual exam. So you have to have money to get them variety of foods,cages, toys and treats. Best Wishes