New and need advice

Hi Everyone,

I am new to the site and a massive parrot lover. I have kept budgies and cockatiels and want to take a step further. I have 2 young kids and have been researching like mad on a parrot that will be suitable for our family environment. My first love is the Grey, but it just will not work with my 1 and 4 year old and anything larger is just to much parrot for me. So, I have looked at Conures, Amazons, Senegals, Caiques, Ringnecks and Alexandrines. I am loving the idea of Alexendrines as they seem to be a little larger than the conures and from what I have read they are gentle and loving.

I want my kids to be as safe as possible and offer my parrot a wonderful family life who will be invloved in everything we do, including going on holiday's, visits to Grandparents ect. And of course, they will be lots of training. So can anyone give me advice on this breed of parrot? They just seem perfect for us so if you have any experiences to share, I would love to hear them.

Many thanks,

Fiona

Welcome!

Ive heard conures are great with children,but then again it really depends on the bird.Im not the best person for picking out people friendly birds considering my first was a very savage cockateil lol

Hello Fiona, and welcome to the forum.

I'm sure someone with Alex experience will be able to give you some valid info on them.

Glad you joined us!!

Hi!!! Well from reading lots I'd say conures are better, there a bird that's interested in almost anything and incredibly friendly being flock bird they'd probably settle down well in a family situation. Alex's I've heard are a little independent!!!
As always there is exceptions I guess, and if brought young and with training/socialising I'm sure what ever you choose will be fine!!!
Probably no help but... Good luck anyway.

Hi folks,

Thanks for your advice. I will keep reading up on them all. There are so many of them but some of them are tough to get a hold of in the UK. Conures are looking, at the mo, the most desirable from a family point of view but hoping the Alex will top that, or any other. It would be lovely to hear about your parrots to and how you find them.

Thanks,

Fiona

My caique was fantastic most of the time, and friendly, and good with kids. However, he did have mood swings, in which he'd attack people. 5 minutes later though, he'd want to cuddle again.

My macaw (a mini macaw) is much more even tempered and predictable. Both great birds, but I think the macaw has a good temperament for children. What about mini macaw?

Thanks Renny, I have not heard of them (live in the UK) and not seen them on bird trading websites, so it may be one to look at. What size are they?

Thanks,

Fiona

Ah, you mean the Hahn's Macaw. Yeah I have looked at that breed and from what I have read, they are not really suitable for our environment I don't think. It's all just trial and error really and what I can get a hold of in this country.

The only advice I have is make sure that when looking at bird you pick a bird that chooses you. It will be a instant bond and then they work hard to please you because they are bonded because they picked you.
I have a 4 month old Conure, and she picked me and they bond we have is amazing.

Thank you MissTaz, this is my aim and I think conure is going to be the breed for us I think.

You should go and check out my pictures on my profile you will just die conures are so stinking cute!!!!! and we have only had ours for a month and she is progressing so quickly and I would have to say it's because she picked me.

Fifi28 said:

Thank you MissTaz, this is my aim and I think conure is going to be the breed for us I think.

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