New Member! Introductions!

Dodoshwedo

New member
Oct 16, 2014
23
0
Canada
Parrots
My 2 girls: a CAG named Dragon and a Caique named Angel.
Hi everyone!
I suddenly became obsessed with parrots some months ago and can't stop researching them and thinking about them. I live with my boyfriend and he's getting an african grey baby soon, but he wants it to be bonded mainly to him (we'll socialize him too). I want a bird aswell, so I can work to create a bond and learn with it.
I'm hesitating between a baby IRN or a baby Amazon, which is my favorite! Indian ringnecks switch mates every season, so the bond might be less lasting. I think brown heads are so sweet, but I read they're territorial.
Any experience with african greys + amazons? Opinions welcome!
We're both homebody university students so we have the time to dedicate to birds!
 

RavensGryf

Supporting Member
Jan 19, 2014
14,233
190
College Station, Texas
Parrots
Red Bellied Parrot /
Ruppell's Parrot /
Bronze Winged Pionus /
English Budgie
Hi, I urge you to reconsider the Brown Headed if your apprehension is only because of territoriality. While I don't have a Brown Headed, I do have 2 members of the same family (Poicephalus parrots). They are no more territorial than any parrot can be, but they do have an inclination to be one person birds. Might be okay since you want your 'own' bird? Socializing with your boyfriend consistently while very young might help it be a 2 person bird, but no guarantees.

One positive trait of the Poicephalus parrots is that they are much more independent than many species (not needy). The IRN and Amazon you mentioned are also generally speaking independent also, but the Poi's have a better potential to become cuddly and handleable than the other 2.

Good luck whatever species you decide on!
 
Last edited:

Allee

Well-known member
Oct 27, 2013
16,852
Media
2
212
Texas
Parrots
U2-Poppy(Poppy lives with her new mommy, Misty now) CAG-Jack, YNA, Bingo, Budgie-Piper, Cockatiel-Sweet Pea Quakers-Harry, Sammy, Wilson ***Zeke (quaker) Twinkle (budgie) forever in our hearts
Hello and welcome! I'm glad you're doing lots of research before bringing home your bird. Good luck to you!
 
OP
D

Dodoshwedo

New member
Oct 16, 2014
23
0
Canada
Parrots
My 2 girls: a CAG named Dragon and a Caique named Angel.
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #4
Thanks guys!
RavensGryf: Good! That was literally the only downside to the Brown Head. But if the bird is independent AND cuddly, how perfect is that? By the way, I looked up Ruppell's Parrots and they look like bad-ass dragons with their red eyes and black plumage!
My bf and I can't wait to see if it's possible to make our birds 2-person birds.
 

weco

New member
Nov 24, 2010
3,342
12
USA
Parrots
Nanday, suns, parrotlet, Patagonian
Thanks guys!
RavensGryf: Good! That was literally the only downside to the Brown Head. But if the bird is independent AND cuddly, how perfect is that? By the way, I looked up Ruppell's Parrots and they look like bad-ass dragons with their red eyes and black plumage!
My bf and I can't wait to see if it's possible to make our birds 2-person birds.

If your goal is to make two new, different specie birds into two-person birds, I suggest you obtain them separately, at different times and each of you establish your bonds and after its socialization has been established, then look at acquiring the second bird, but with either bird, no matter whose it is supposed to be, it will be the bird who determines its favorite human in the end, so both of you will need to handle feeding, treats, cuddling, training & all other care on an equal basis.....you'll both need to be in tune on the training so one doesn't teach/do something the other is not/doesn't.....

Whichever species you guys end up getting, you're going to have to watch for jealousy and deal with it immediately, other than that, remember that all you read in books, other bird groups or around here is just guidelines to give you a heads-up to how best to live with your new feathered friends.....Good luck.....
 

riddick07

Well-known member
Dec 22, 2011
2,106
46
PA
Parrots
Blue & Gold Macaw (Titan) & Yellow Naped Amazon (Kelly)
Have you thought on getting an adult? If you go to a rescue there is a chance that a bird will pick you and that automatically makes it your bird! A baby has a lot of changes to go through so even if they picked you as a baby they might not feel the same once they go through maturity. Sometimes you can turn that around again but not always.
 

RavensGryf

Supporting Member
Jan 19, 2014
14,233
190
College Station, Texas
Parrots
Red Bellied Parrot /
Ruppell's Parrot /
Bronze Winged Pionus /
English Budgie
Thanks guys!
RavensGryf: Good! That was literally the only downside to the Brown Head. But if the bird is independent AND cuddly, how perfect is that? By the way, I looked up Ruppell's Parrots and they look like bad-ass dragons with their red eyes and black plumage!
My bf and I can't wait to see if it's possible to make our birds 2-person birds.

Griffin says thanks :cool:.

Not all Brown Headed or relatives are going to be cuddly, but the ones that are made used to hands and cuddling all over at a very young age will find it second nature all their lives. Amazons and IRN's - some will tolerate petting, but generally speaking, those species have more of a hardwired inclination for not being cuddly in a touchy feely way. Poicephalus parrots are nippy though, and communicate through their beaks. They need to be taught consistently what is acceptable. Females are typically more gentle when mature, though I've heard of some feisty females too. Also a plus of the Brown Headed parrot and family, they're quiet parrots. "If I was" looking for another Poi, I'd consider a BH. :)
 
OP
D

Dodoshwedo

New member
Oct 16, 2014
23
0
Canada
Parrots
My 2 girls: a CAG named Dragon and a Caique named Angel.
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #8
Have you thought on getting an adult? If you go to a rescue there is a chance that a bird will pick you and that automatically makes it your bird! A baby has a lot of changes to go through so even if they picked you as a baby they might not feel the same once they go through maturity. Sometimes you can turn that around again but not always.
I've thought getting a rescue, but I'd be missing out on the chance to socialize the parrot properly to many people, places, like the car for example, and ways of playing. I'm really into the developmental aspects of ownership and parrot psychology.
 
OP
D

Dodoshwedo

New member
Oct 16, 2014
23
0
Canada
Parrots
My 2 girls: a CAG named Dragon and a Caique named Angel.
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #9
Thanks guys!
RavensGryf: Good! That was literally the only downside to the Brown Head. But if the bird is independent AND cuddly, how perfect is that? By the way, I looked up Ruppell's Parrots and they look like bad-ass dragons with their red eyes and black plumage!
My bf and I can't wait to see if it's possible to make our birds 2-person birds.
You make a very strong argument for Brown Heads! My breeder has 3 babies available so there's a good chance I'll be bringing one home!
 

Most Reactions

Top