Hi all,

I have been a parrot owner wanna-be for more than a year. I have been doing research, but too many of my concerns are situational. I want to triple make sure that I am making the right decision(s) before I move forward, so I am reaching out to seek advice from experienced parrot parents.

I am a married woman in my late 20s. I have had pets growing up, but not many birds. I have a fulltime job (8-5 Monday-Friday). My husband has flexible schedule and ability to work from home. He is not too keen on getting a parrot or any pet, but he is supportive. If I get a parrot, he will care and give love to the bird. He understands the amount of work of having a feathered kid.

We do not have children, but we probably will in the future. We regularly have visitors at home, so we need a bird who can be well-socialized to accept strangers (or at least...not freak out on them).

Because of potential children and # of visitors, I am leaning towards getting a bird from a reputable breeder. I am not rejecting the idea of taking a rehome or rescue, but I simply don't know if my lifestyle is good from them. Besides, there are no rescues around us, and most rescues won't do home visits 2-3 hours from their base. (I currently live in central PA.)

Based on my research so far, I think eclectus are better fits for our family. Less likely to be one-person bird, and more likely to be independent, less noisy relatively. I know they require a special veggie focused diet. I am committed to the bird's health.

BTW, Our second choice is pionus. I think either will be wonderful, but I have been charmed by the eclectus.

Here come my questions:

1. Am I asking too much from a parrot? I know parrots are sensitive to changes, but my life will be full of changes (visitors, future human baby...etc.). I am fully committed to do the best I can for the bird, but I want to make sure my goals of having a happy, healthy parrot is achievable.

2. Since parrots are social animals and I don't plan on getting rid of my job, I am open to the idea of bringing two home. That way they can have some interactions and not rely on us solely for attention. Can I still bond with them if I keep them in separate cages and work on them individually? They will be near each other when I am not around.

If yes, should I get a pair of same species? A pair of different species? I do not intend to breed, but I am a little unsure about how to prevent breeding from happening if I get two.






Sorry for the long post. I hope it comes across that I'm a serious parrot mom wannabe. Thank you in advance for all your insights!

Welcome shinyuankuo. You have expressed astute perceptions and well thought out questions and concerns. It is a big decision and worthy of such consideration.



The parrotforum team of experts will address your questions and concerns progressively to be sure. I do believe that we may have a senior member in central PA and she may be very helpful in your local search.


I am a new member and also new to owning any bird species. Our companion just happens to be an Eclectus. I’m learning heaps here and I know that you will also. Please continue your research within this forum (if you are still awake) whilst your fellow Americans get a bit of beauty sleep.


Looking forward to hearing more as you move forward in your (and your husbands) decision making,


Debbie

Hmmm, have you considered cockatiels? Maybe I am biased, but I think they are amazing. A tiel, in my experience, will probably have one person who is "their" person, but most tiels I have known or known of actually do quite will with other people. They are fun & funny, friendly and cuddly, smart. Budgies are another great option, they also tend to do well with lots of people.



My concern with pionus and eclectus are that they are fairly quiet and sensitive birds from my understanding, and perhaps so many people and one day children would stress out the bird?

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Welcome Shinyuankuo, Your in a great place to ask those questions, that much I can answer, As a matter of fact, I can't wait to read the answers you will get, some which I've also wondered, as I've grown up in a One Bird family, and couldn't imagine two troublemakers lol I don't know anything about either breed your researching, or how they would do in a family environment, You've asked some terrific questions. I'll definitely be following the answers. Anyway I seen you've joined the forum, and just wanted to stop by and welcome you here. I was raised from childhood with a Moluccan Cockatoo as a brother, I just said to a moderator the other day, I don't know how my mom managed raising 2 Human boys and a Cockatoo at the same time, knowing it was so much of a handful for her. But our Sonny was raised with a lot of love, huge amounts of understanding, and Sonny Ratted on us all the time lol I know some Mods, breeders and senior members will be along as time passes, and you will get some answers just as knowledgeable as the great questions you've asked. I'll look foreword to see what you decide, and how it plays out for you. Welcome again, and I'll look foreword to seeing you around, and also following this post.

I also second bug n flock's suggestion. I have an untamed Cockatiel- a bird which escaped from some aviary/ breeding cage and landed with me. She is still very adorable and friendly, even though not hand tame. But when I see you tube videos of hand tame ones that can whistle game of thrones tunes etc , i am full of envy.

Welcome to you! Central PA, no rescues? I disagree! We have a very well respected member who’s life gravitates around a rescue, and she is in your neighborhood! Remember, there is no perfect bird, just like any two year old child! Great and, sometimes, ugly habits!
A biggie is to realize any behavior can be redirected, or just as easily, misdirected! A parrot is a relationship bond, same as any family member! If hubby is open, he will be hopelessly sucked in!

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..David..

I have considered cockatiels. Quite honestly, both me and my husband prefer bigger birds. Cockatiels are great, but I don’t want to get one and still think “I wish it’s a different bird.” That’s not a good mindset.

I agree with your concerns of Pionus and Eclectus are quiet and sensitive, which is why I feel they are better fits for our family. We are very quiet people without guests. My guests are mostly church people (we have regular home meetings), so it’s not like we will put parties on and rock out. LOL

However, I am mindful of our social lifestyle, which is another reason pushing me towards getting a bird from breeder. I feel I might have a bigger chance of success if I raise the parrot in this environment instead of making a rehome or rescue fit into our life.

I appreciate your thoughts. Please feel free to share more whether you agree or disagree with my imagination of having a parrot. This is very helpful.

I am located in State College, PA. From my research, there’s one rescue in Pittsburgh, which does not do home visits outside of the city. So we are out. There’s a another one near York, which requires previous parrot experience of the kind of bird. We are out again.

If there are more rescues that I don’t know of, I welcome the knowledge! I would love to visit a rescue center. We’ve only been to bird shops. I’m really not shut off from the rescue idea. We might move next year, so i won’t get a parrot until we are for sure ready. Maybe we will have a nearby rescue center in the future.

I totally agree that there’s no perfect bird. I just don’t want to set up for failures. I maybe just a planning freak and want to make sure that I’m not crazy bringing a parrot into my life. Sometime I overthink too...

Appreciate your thoughts!

I do think getting a weaned baby from a reputable breeder will be your best bet in terms of temperament, adjustment and your parrot experience. Lots of great people out there who do go the rescue route but it is not for everyone. I have two rescues and 1 handfed breeder bird.... who is much more friendly and tolerable of strangers then my other two.

I have cockatiels so I can't speak for the other species you've mentioned but do note that the larger the bird the more likely they are to need more socialization nd training so they don't freak out when people come over or when someone walks by the window.

Also... it takes a very special person to tolerate the NOISE of parrots! The bigger the bird, generally the louder they are! If your husband is home a lot he may have to tolerate a considerable amount of noise, you just never know what kindo f parrot personality you will get.

Also consider that when you get a baby, they will be sweet now but when they mature, sometimes they get nasty. Especially Eclectus, I hear! They can be sweet one year and the next turn into huge A-holes.... you'll have to manage their hormones once they mature and it can be tricky. Bringing a human baby into the situation will also make it harder during hormonal time.

I would not get two bids at one time if you don't have much experience, what happens is they often bond ot each other and don't want anything to do with their human owners.

Lots of things to think about, but I wish you all the best and keep us updated on what you find out.

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I vote conure or cockatiel for just get along with anything type of bird. And both are great with children.

A lot of times teens want to get a bird and we tend to discourage that because there are so many changes about to happen ...but a married 20yo is perfect place to start a flock.