Hello all,

After lots of thinking and research, I've decided that an amazon would not be a good fit for me... I believe that the noise level, attention requirements, and unpredictability don't mesh with my lifestyle.

I am a 2nd year Biochemistry undergrad that is planning on continuing my education with medical school after my graduation in 2020. I live alone in a one bedroom apartment and spend my time either in lecture or lab or at home with some social time with friends sprinkled in between. I definitely do not consider myself someone who parties or spends a ton of time out with friends, so I think I still have the time for a pet bird.

I am fully dedicated to doing all that I can to give this bird as much attention as I am capable of, but if something comes up that I have to leave the bird with a family member or alone for a day or two, I would want the least probability of the bird becoming emotionally stressed or turning on me. If you all have any other recommendations for a parrot, please do share.

From what I have read, Poicephalus genus bird species tend to be much more quiet and independent than any other genus of parrots. I first was looking into a Senegal, but I still wanted some talking ability and read that red bellies are better talkers than Senegals.

Now that I have decided on a species, I am looking into possible breeders. If any of you all have experience with a breeder, especially one within driving distance of Northern California, please share their information as I would be glad to drive over and allow the bird to pick me rather than the other way around.

Thanks again!

one thing I will say is working as a lab tech you're naturally going to be around a lot of chemicals every day which will cling to you and of course you can't exactly not be around them, unless you use decontamination showers at the lab. Also just more as a guess than assumption but don't Lab techs work some odd hours at times? Like 13 hour days? Or is it more a simple 9-5? Just cause to have a parrot whilst working long hours would be really unfair on them, they'd have 0 socialization if you were to work hours like that

as for finding a Breeder it'll be pretty hard, Red-bellied parrots aren't the most common birds going. Also saying that why is it such a big deal for them to talk? Would it not be better to have a pet that cares for you over one that talks and is stand-offish?

I spend about 6 hours a week in lab and that may increase to around 8 or 9 in the future but I am not a lab tech, so it isn't my job to be in a lab. There are just several lab components to the classes I have to take.

As far as contamination, I am always in full lab coat, goggles, and gloves when in the lab and no chemicals make their way onto my skin to be transmitted home.

I want a red belly over a Senegal because they are supposed to be better at talking while still having the same temperament of a Senegal. I would also want a female as I have heard they are less aggressive and get less hormonal in the spring.

ah I see! Contamination is something I'm super paranoid about and after having met someone who works in the london sewers and hearing about the "mess" seeping out from the pores of his skin it is something I lie awake and think about

Fair enough, I've personally never understood the want for a talking parrot. Just be prepared to have to go far and spend a lot of $

No bird is a quaranteed talker,and some birds who should never talk,do. Like people,birds are individuals also.





Jim

__________________
Amy my beautiful Blue Front. Who was four months old when she picked me to go home with to her "forever" home in 4/1990.. DNA'd MALE in 2015
Jonesy, a cute Goffin 'too
that had to be rehomed :-(

And a Grey 'teil, BB...a.k.a. The Beebs
that was 18 weeks old 5/20/2016,






Rest in peace,my precious Smokey..4/2015 at 28 years young