Hello everyone. My name is Ricky. I am looking to get a parrot and have been doing some research on how different ones behave and react to certain environments. So far I have decided on either a Yellow Naped Amazon or maybe a male Eclectus. I have never owned a parrot, but have since I was little. I am looking to find the one suited to fit my home. I am married with 3 kids, ages 8, 6, and 3. I work 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, just to give a slight overview of my timetable. I have read that Amazons can be stubborn early in life, but I believe I can overcome that. Any tips or advice that can be given would be greatly appreciated. I am going to continue to research for another month or so before I decide on which I am going to adopt.

Thanks;
Ricky B.

Pink and grey Galah for the win.
http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z...sorandcat2.flv

Never owned a parrot ... I am not so sure that a 'zon is right for you ... Eckies are great birds, and are a little easier to handle than a 'zon ... I think I would point you more in the eckie direction ... plus eckies are great birds!

Welcome to the forum and hope to hear more about your thought process along this journey of yours ...

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I beg you to go with the ekkie. I feel it would be much safer and easily handled by your kids. Plus they are alot quieter. I have never met a nice amazon but have fallen in love with several ekkies. Just do alot of reasearch because their diet is a little different than most parrots.

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It's all because you have never met an amazon that has been handled and raised properly ... I know of one 'zon, "Lemonchello", who is owned by the person who owns my favorite parrot store ... I could handle Lemonchello all day long that's a great bird, and I am sure that BirdMan660's Sally Bird, and Pecker, could out do Lemonchello .... I hope the next time he logs on here he will share the story of "Sally Bird and the nighttime intruder" this story will show you guys just how smart these birds are ... but they aren't for everyone, especially the inexperienced handler.

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Minzer, you haven't been around in AGES. You think this post has something to do with how you raised and handled Iggy, that's not fair to me! I would never take a shot at you and the way you handled Iggy. I had the chance to handle Iggy on several occasions (more than I told you about), and every time I did he was flat out AMAZING! You know that if things were different we would have taken him in an instant! YOU DID A WONDERFUL JOB WITH HIM, and I would never question that!

This post was merely to state the 95% of the time the attitude of bird reflects the handling and training that they get from their owners ...

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- Yellow Crowned Amazon, Iggy

Welcome to the Forum!! I hope you find great advice here.

While what everyone is saying about Amazon's is true, they're not terrible birds. It's the males that get especially aggressive during mating season...so if you went with a female, she may be a little more mellow. Amazon's are known to be great talkers and very comical. They can learn tricks fairly easy and are hilarious to watch.

I don't know much about Ekkie's, but I think they are absolutely stunning birds and pretty mellow. I don't know if Wilma is still around this forum or not, she has a male Eclectus, Kodie, and he's pretty great.

I'm sure you know this already, but just bear in mind that every bird has their own personality. If you can get into a pet store to see a hormonal male Amazon during mating season (which is pretty much from now until april or may), then I suggest you check it out. I'd also do the same for the Ekkie. Of course I think the absolute best route to take is to get 'chosen' by a bird. Just think, you could go in wanting an Ekkie and come out with a Senegal or something like that...it's amazing how some birds chose their person and just won't let them go.

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NICOLE

"If the Grey is the college intellectual then the Amazon is the class clown!"

*CRAP*

Minzer, I didn't mean to do this ... I hit the wrong button, I chose to "edit" your post instead of "quote" and now I can't fix it ...

I guess a little bit of Peta is rubbing on on me

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I think it would be best to avoid an Amazon especially one of the Hot 3. I would also recommend that you don't choose an Ekkie either. I think with the kids as young as they are a large bird can be potentially dangerous for them as well as the bird. Just ask Minzer how much an Amazon bite can hurt. How would kids that young handle it, if it did happen.
Have you thought about a smaller bird? There are many great birds that hurt a lot less but have the same great big bird personality.

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I think a male eclectus might be a good bird for you. get one just weaned and always supervise your kids with him. Male eclectus parrots can be very docile and gentle. I wouldn't reccomend a female as a first bird for a family though.