Bird-less in Albuquerque

Hello!

I used to have a Meyers parrot when I was in my early 20's. In my 40's now, would like to have a bird companion again.
I live alone in a 750 sqft apartment, I do have 2 girls.
I am primarily interested in a Macaw.
I am working with a rescue/adoption agency out here with the intent to adopt around May maybe. I definitely want to take time and learn, prepare, and spend time with the birds at the rescue.
I understand a Macaw may not be the best fit for me, the rescue lady and I are thinking a mid size, like an African Grey or an Amazon, Severe Macaw, might be better apartment birds.
Just here to listen and learn.

Welcome! There is a lot to learn but so glad you are taking the time to think about it before diving in!

Please read about all of the lifestyle changes they require (a lot has changed over the years, in terms of veterinary knowledge/care-taking etc)---I made 2 posts on this thread that are super long and provide a lot of information on keeping parrots (please read them all---see the link that follows).
http://www.parrotforums.com/questions-answers/83663-potential-first-time-buyer.html <--please read both of my giant replies on that thread.

The links in the "giant reply" threads above (specifically the ones about teflon) aren't working within my original thread link, so here are copies of the links that DO work:
https://www.ewg.org/research/canaries-kitchen
https://www.ewg.org/research/canarie...on-kills-birds
http://kbahonline.vetstreet.com/ptfe...g-in-your-home

Here is a recent thread on "apartment birds"-- http://www.parrotforums.com/questions-answers/83882-great-apartment-parrots.html <---you should read this if you are wanting an apartment bird.

Also, I just posted this for a college student wanting a Macaw, but all macaws require a lot of attention etc, so please read this thread as well (it does mention kids, lifestyle changes etc):
http://www.parrotforums.com/new-members-welcome/83942-what-kind-bird-would-work-my-schedule.html <-- read all

A few vital links to household toxins:
This is my favorite list: http://www.exoticpetvet.com/parrot-precautions.html
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/bird-...-for-pet-birds
https://globalcrisis.info/ifyouloveyourbirds.html

Last thing--- Meyers parrots live past 30 in most cases, so it is important for you to consider what happened with your last (be it death or re-homing). "In my early 20s" = less than 5 years...for a bird with a captive lifespan of 30+ years...Macaws= 80+ years...
I am not pointing fingers, but you likely have more on your plate with 2 girls now than you did then, and a Macaw is even more difficult in many respects...

Macaws are like getting another human child...with respiratory issues and amplified noise potential..plus a HUGE beak that can tear through wood easily....Unlike human 3-4 year-olds, they never grow up, but they have similar intelligence (without the same ability to reason in a human fashion---yes, they can reason, but good luck explaining "why" anything happens to a bird). They are so smart, but very literal. Getting rid of a bird leaves a permanent emotional/behavioral scar...

Only make this commitment if you are sure you have the time, energy and healthy environment to sustain a bird for many years----..You must also consider the fact that babies are deceptively sweet and that behavior changed markedly when hormones kick in. Your own age is going to have to be another factor when getting a long-lived bird..Adoption might be better if you are able to commit to all of the factors above.

The apartment factor complicates things even further (so, again, please read the apartment link above). A macaw is a TERRIBLE apartment bird...seriously...

Did you consider the noise? None of mentioned parrots are queiet and your neigbours may be annoyed

Wysłane z mojego Redmi 5 przy użyciu Tapatalka

In a small apartment like that, anything larger than a hahns macaw will be too big. The cage alone for a large will take up very valuable real estate. Throw in two girls? Already crowded enough without adding a 3x4’ cage.

I’d adjust expectations a bit. Consider Hahns macaw or any number of conures, especially the pyrrhura conures (pearly, painted, green cheek, to name a few). Conures are closet related to macaws and have similar suite of behaviors.

Welcome to the forums, all the best in your search. As other have posted, noise and space are to formidable challenges. However, there are many smaller species bustling with personality for your consideration.

Hopefully the rescue has a variety of species for you to work with and consider!

To clarify and add in a few factors:

I live alone. My girls live across town with their mother. I mention them, because they will visit and interact with any bird adopted. I hope that my oldest will be willing to take over the bird when I pass.
Noise is obviously a concern, one that I have raised with the Rescue Lady. More discussions need be had. I do understand all birds make noise. I live on the top floor, in a corner, my only neighbor with an adjoining wall is in her 90's and like me, has bad hearing. I have spoken with my Landlord and he is currently ok with the idea.

Schedule wise, I am currently disabled, waiting on a kidney transplant, so I'm going to have lots of free time for 1-3 years. After that, we can adapt to new schedules together.
Having owned a small bird, I'm looking for Mid-large at this point.

Do you still own the small bird?

Welcome to you!

Sorry you having health issues.
Welcome to the forum!
Thank you for looking to take in a rescue or re-home parrot. So very many need homes. And as you can see we are passionate about parrots! And try to keep people from ending up having to re-home again. Not saying that's what would happen with you!!

I do hope you will keep an open mind on the small and mid sized parrots. As Mac, cockatoo, African greys are really a difficult option for an apartment. The noise can't be underestimated. Even my quakers can be heard outside my house and several houses down when they get to screaming. I was recently dog sitting in house across the street and I could hear my parrots from inside their house! Yikes! And while they are loud they do not have the decibel level of a macaw, who are as loud as a jet engine in decibel level. Even a quiet natured exception is still going to do some screaming at some point....I always want to support people's dreams. And always hope you can make it work. But I hope your heart is also open to other species.

I am disabled too, with myasthenia gravis. And my parrots bring me great joy, and are a support. But they can be so loud. Today kids were playing in bikes outside, and I couldn't get the birds to stop screaming for the whole hour or more the kids played... I'm pretty sure the kids were scream and egging them on as they raced by my house ... Ahh such is life
I look forward to hearing your journey. And hope you get your kidney and have improved health!

noodles123 said:

Do you still own the small bird?

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I do not. Bob was re-homed to accommodate a move in my 20's.

I am not trying to be a downer, but until you are in a house, a Macaw or any large parrot is going to be too loud and the space is too small. The cage alone should be MASSIVE and in a space that size, it will take up too much of your room.

In case you are shopping for cages (just to get an idea), I did a Google search and I wanted to let you know that this cage (or any comparable in size) = far TOO SMALL----I am saying this because lots of companies market cages toward Macaws that are totally unsuitable. https://www.amazon.com/Best-Choice-Products-Cockatoo-Birdcages/dp/B002SMC25E?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_4
My cockatoo is smaller than a macaw and this first cage would be too small for her. Macaws have huge tails as well and if you don't have enough space in the cage, they will break blood feathers all of the time and that can be an emergency.

This is like the minimum size you would need for a macaw: https://www.amazon.com/Prevue-Pet-Products-Silverado-Macaw/dp/B007TTP6YK?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_5 <--basically, all decent macaw cages are in the $1000 plus range (barring an insanely good sale). Remember, these birds fly up to 40 miles a day in the wild, so caging them at all is crazy (even though we do it)---you have to get them the biggest cage possible (not just for your price-range), but for the bird's sanity. Macaws are the largest birds you can get as pets, so all of the expensive/huge cages were made with them in mind. Their toys are also around $40 a pop and they blow through them in a matter of days (sometimes 1).

The other thing to consider (aside from the fact that a macaw is a very poor choice in an apartment) is what you would do if you got noise complaints. Many have a 3 strikes rule and then you're out.

Moving when you aren't feeling all that great is very hard and so is finding a place that accepts birds at the last minute (let alone macaws). The bird will likely bond to you, so keeping it at a friend's house (in the event that you were forced to move due to noise) wouldn't be the kindest thing, plus you would have to impose a ton of rules on said friend (regarding teflon use/cleaners/fumes etc..).any bird-sitter would need to have a bird-safe home (and most people don't).

Re-homing the bird due to noise should not be a possibility if you do get one---it is unfair to the bird. Consequently, in my opinion, it is best if you wait until you have a space that is conducive. When we say these birds are loud, their calls are meant to be heard from miles and miles away. They are louder than an air-horn by a lot.

To give you an idea of the noise: I very briefly had my bird at an apartment before we moved. One day, I was chasing a cat away from a bird's nest outside (so I ran across a field/lawn/picnic area about 1-2 blocks away because this was an ongoing issue- lol--long story)... Anyway, Noodles was inside (doors/windows shut). From over a thousand feet + away (through a maze of brick complexes) I could hear her calling...clearly.
I also visited my neighbor once and when she screamed, and it was like she was in the same room with us.

I am in my 30s. My youngest sister is in her early 20s. If anything happened to me, she is the only person in my family who would even consider taking Noodles and at this point in her life, she would be unable to do. She loves her but she couldn't take her even if she wanted her for the following reasons:
1. college, 2. apartment housing, 3. the expense, 4. her crazy schedule with school/work etc. and 5. because she has no idea what she will be doing for a job/where she will be living in the next 5 years, AND, she has roommates who couldn't deal with the requirements of keeping a bird safe.
I asked my mom what would happen if I got in a car crash/ something terrible and she said, flat-out, that she would take Noodles to a zoo or sanctuary but that she would not keep her at their house (even though she loves her).

Your daughters are young and if you "will" your bird to them, you are making a life-long commitment in their stead without knowing what they may be doing in the next 10- to- 15-to 20 years. What if they want to burn candles or clean with chemicals or have a social life that doesn't revolve around the bird? What about travel? What if they go to college and cannot have a bird at their apartments/dorms? It really isn't for everyone, and it is also a lifetime of expenses, so unless they are in their 20s already, it seems a bit of s stretch to assume that they will want to care for the bird. A child can't possibly understand all that it entails when adults struggle to do so themselves.

Also, if you spend a ton of time with the bird for the next 1-3 years and then all of the sudden you are getting out and about/working etc, your bird is going to feel the stress of that change. They get used to routines and don't understand when they are suddenly getting less attention. This can lead to self-destructive behaviors and other issues, such as screaming etc...Plus, they hit puberty around 3-4 and they can get very difficult/loud/nippy during this time...add a transition to that already-complicated-scenario and things could get rocky fast.

Finally, if your immune system will be compromised due to the transplant, you should also consider the fact that you will be having to clean up a lot of poop/mess and that will put you at risk. Another family member of mine just went through chemo and was not even supposed to touch my bird when she came to visit me.

That's good advice Noodles. I appreciate the time and thoroughness.
What I want you to know upfront, is I AM listening.
Being disabled and having a limited, fixed income my apartment has to come first.
Like I said, I'm not in any hurry to get a bird tomorrow.
I know I'm not ready.
I do want a mid-to macaw sized bird right now, but I am aware, you're not the first person to say it. A macaw probably isn't the right fit.
For today? I'm still into the macaw idea.

ChrisZ said:

That's good advice Noodles. I appreciate the time and thoroughness.
What I want you to know upfront, is I AM listening.
Being disabled and having a limited, fixed income my apartment has to come first.
Like I said, I'm not in any hurry to get a bird tomorrow.
I know I'm not ready.
I do want a mid-to macaw sized bird right now, but I am aware, you're not the first person to say it. A macaw probably isn't the right fit.
For today? I'm still into the macaw idea.

Click to expand...

Hold on to your dreams, that is what eases our way through life! As you learn more, your expectations may calibrate to a smaller and quieter bird. Your desire for a bird can become practical!!

Scott said:

[As you learn more, your expectations may calibrate to a smaller and quieter bird. Your desire for a bird can become practical!!

Click to expand...

That's exactly what I think. Thank you.