what type of bird should i get

Tayla13 · Apr 8, 2012

Ok, so my parents are getting me a bird for my birthday. (I am turning 14) I think i am going to get a GCC, but im not 100% sure because my mom really wants me to look into it to make sure i get the right type bird.

I want a bird that is around the size of a cockatoo, I can do smaller and bigger, but not by too much. I want it to be friendly, loving a cuddly, like most people want their bird to be. It can't make to much noise because my mom works alot and needs sleep, but i can do noise. This is my first bird, so it can't be terribly hard to take care of, but my sister has a bird and i take care of it sometimes. (she doesn't live with me though) She also has alot of other crazy animals and my friend does too, just saying I can deal with crazy animals because i do it all the time. I would like it to have me as a favorite person, but not too much because I have alot of necies and nephews that would love to hold it and all that stuff, and I have a younger brother. If you have any opinions please tell me! thanks

ann · Apr 9, 2012

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS

!!!! now down to the nitty gritty, anything bigger or as big as a cockatoo is too much for a first time bird owner. If you still want more to cuddle as far as size goes, you could try an English budgie, or maybe a meyers parrot, or Quaker parrot. As a first time bird owner, you should start with a forgiving bird who isn't as prone to behavior problems as the larger birds, you will need to do your research and allot of it. All of the birds I mentioned above are capable of loud or annoying noises, but training can limit this, they are all cuddly to an extent, lovable, and entertaining, without some of the phobic, aggressive, or behavioral issues as some of the larger birds. Input equals out put, sorry I don't have time to post more (it's late and I need to got to bed lol) but I will post more tomorrow, and feel free to pm me any time

. I'm 15 and also getting my first parrot soon, so I understand what it's like to want a larger bird, but after much research, I now relize it's better for both me and the bird to wait until I have more experience. Remember, research, research, and research some more

MikeyTN · Apr 9, 2012

Congrats on doing your research on your way to own a parrot. The size your looking for meets the Solomon Island Eclectus Male. Out of all the ones I've met were super easy to deal with. Mine aren't loud but they do make loud noise occasionally. But they're diet specific birds so if you look into one, best to read the diet requirements first and be able to meet they're needs before attempting. They must be trained properly otherwise they can be bitty. The smaller birds are wonderful to go with as well as a lot of them have big bird personality. Handfed Cockatiels are one of the better choice as they're super friendly and will pretty much go to anyone if they're handled like that often by different people. Good luck finding your special bird!

Spiritbird · Apr 9, 2012

I would rule out a Quaker because of the noise. Conures are adorable but not good for a first time bird. Mikey suggested a good bird for you and I agree with him.

roxynoodle · Apr 9, 2012

Yes, I agree, cockatiel, budgie or lineolated parakeet would suit what you are looking for the best. None are the size of cockatoos though, but any bird that is will probably be too much for you for a first bird, and won't like everyone, that's for sure. And birds that size can all be very loud. Conures and Quakers also tend to be quite loud, and also are much more challenging and won't like everyone either. There is a Quaker at my vet's who hates me and every time I walk in the door, she comes and starts attacking me, lol!

Tayla13 · Apr 9, 2012

ann said:
First of all, CONGRATULATIONS !!!! now down to the nitty gritty, anything bigger or as big as a cockatoo is too much for a first time bird owner. If you still want more to cuddle as far as size goes, you could try an English budgie, or maybe a meyers parrot, or Quaker parrot. As a first time bird owner, you should start with a forgiving bird who isn't as prone to behavior problems as the larger birds, you will need to do your research and allot of it. All of the birds I mentioned above are capable of loud or annoying noises, but training can limit this, they are all cuddly to an extent, lovable, and entertaining, without some of the phobic, aggressive, or behavioral issues as some of the larger birds. Input equals out put, sorry I don't have time to post more (it's late and I need to got to bed lol) but I will post more tomorrow, and feel free to pm me any time . I'm 15 and also getting my first parrot soon, so I understand what it's like to want a larger bird, but after much research, I now relize it's better for both me and the bird to wait until I have more experience. Remember, research, research, and research some more

I said cakatoo, but i ment the smaller ones that look like a cakatoo, but about the size of a quaker, haha not everyone is saying that is too big. I havent looked into those birds too much, so I will then get back to you

thanks!!

ann · Apr 9, 2012

Lol sorry about that tayla, I thought you meant the really big one lol, a cockatiel is the perfect size

! I think an eclectus too, but while they are quiet, they are also capable of very loud noises. sory about my previous post I was half asleep and a little out of it lol but i wanted to say something because the thread didn't have any replies yet. Quakers can be very loud and can hate everyone but one person, but training and socialization, can make them quieter and more social to other people. Meyers are also one person birds, but like the Quaker can be trained to accept others. Now that I think about it, and with what the others said, I would like to take those off my list of suggestions. I thinK a cockatel, budgie, or Solomon island eclectus would be great, but keep in mind the eclectus can be loud, but are generally quiet, but also pack a bigger bite, they are affectionate but not always cuddly (but they can be). Thank you other forum members for catching me on that one, I wonder what else my sleep deprived mouth would shoot out if it wasn't for you guys lol

Sulphiria · Apr 10, 2012

Our friendliest is the rainbow lorikeet, but they require a special diet and lots of attention. She will go to anyone, kiss on anyone and is amazing. Im not sure if we got lucky or they are all this way. But from my reading, even in the wild they are friendly. I would not recommend a quaker, they are very one person birds. Cockatiels are great too.

MikeyTN · Apr 10, 2012

Handfed Cockatiels are wonderful birds to have!!! They just need to be trained properly as they can be sassy if not trained....Lory & Lorikeet are wonderful sweet cuddle bugs, but they're diet specific birds and can be very messy....

jewels04 · Apr 10, 2012

I second the cockatiel idea. I firmly believe that children, no matter how much research, should own a conure or quaker or any bird like that. Cockatiels are wonderful beginners birds who are a little more lenient with attention.

A conure or quaker is like owning a permanent 2 year old for 30 years. They scream, they bite and they can have the tendency to bond to one person in the family and act aggressively towards everyone else if not properly socialized. So what are you going to do when you start dating and get married and your conure hates your spouse? Or what happens when you have a human baby and can't give your quaker or conure the individual attention they are used to or require? Will you give it away or banish it to scream in another room?

Cockatiels are wonderful first time pets and are an excellent start into the world of birds and once your life is more settled than you can get a quaker or conure or anything else you have researched and would like to own.

thermodynamic · Apr 13, 2012

Tayla13 said:
Ok, so my parents are getting me a bird for my birthday. (I am turning 14) I think i am going to get a GCC, but im not 100% sure because my mom really wants me to look into it to make sure i get the right type bird.

I want a bird that is around the size of a cockatoo, I can do smaller and bigger, but not by too much. I want it to be friendly, loving a cuddly, like most people want their bird to be. It can't make to much noise because my mom works alot and needs sleep, but i can do noise. This is my first bird, so it can't be terribly hard to take care of, but my sister has a bird and i take care of it sometimes. (she doesn't live with me though) She also has alot of other crazy animals and my friend does too, just saying I can deal with crazy animals because i do it all the time. I would like it to have me as a favorite person, but not too much because I have alot of necies and nephews that would love to hold it and all that stuff, and I have a younger brother. If you have any opinions please tell me! thanks

Congrats and happy (to be) birthday!

As was said, that's awesome you're doing the research into bird care. And birds are worth it!!

I don't know much on cockatoos, but for my own two cents, if you can find a Senegal or Meyers (both are in the Poicephalus species), they will be VERY loving and are quiet (they rarely YELL or anything) but they will readily imitate smoke detectors, microwaves, etc.

I did discover that the poicephalus are prone to gaining weight so playing games with them that require them to move is more essential than usual. (and never feed them peanuts; the shells or space within may have mold spores which can hurt or kill parrots...)

If they were sold in my area, I'd easy get another. But they are little bundles of love that, as they bond with you, are very cuddly, very intelligent, and VERY sweet.

They do have a nippy phase, but don't let that faze you. Zoe got through hers within a few months, and I got her at a discount (think 1998) from the breeder because of her age and biting problem.

what type of bird should i get

Tayla13

New member

ann

New member

MikeyTN

New member

Spiritbird

Banned

roxynoodle

New member

Tayla13

New member

ann

New member

Sulphiria

Banned

MikeyTN

New member

jewels04

New member

thermodynamic

New member

Good breeder in Jacksonville?

Treat question

Most Reactions

Similar threads

Latest posts