How realistic are my expectations?

Hi guys, I'm just looking for advice regarding whether how I hope to take care of a bird is realistic or not. I'm doing research on a bunch of birds (Alexandrines, moustaches, cockatiels, ringnecks and lovebirds) to see which the most ideal for me would be. I want to be able to take care of him/her to the best of my ability.
I would plan to adopt/purchase 1 bird within a year, and while I'm a full time uni student, I would be interacting with the bird before I leave and as soon as I get home, and involving him/her in everything that would be bird-safe. I plan to have 'playtime' with the bird, but then I'd hope that while I'm doing coursework, s/he would sit on my head/shoulder. Is this enough interaction for a single bird, and is this a realistic expectation for any of the birds that I mentioned above? I'm fairly confident in my knowledge of food and toy needs but am super concerned about what is considered sufficient interaction & entertainment.

Thanks in advance!


I know some of you guys have seen that I'm currently caring for a budgie right now and might be confused about this, but that situation is so complicated right now and I fear I wil not win the fight against my flatmates to keep him when they leave.

AFAIK the schedule you keep with your bird is the schedule he will know.

well the only trouble i could see is mixing a bird with paper (homework)....

you might have to explain to your teacher that your bird ate your homework

It's hard to say, all birds are different and some may require more time than others. I would suggest using play time with trick training, and investing in foraging toys as well as learning how to created foraging & enrichment toys. When I was going to my university 4 days a week with long hours it had a negative affect on Rosie. I have gone from 4 days to 2 days week and now I'm taking a semester off and contemplating online classes until my final semester.

That sucks about your flat mates I don't see why they wouldn't let you keep him when you do all the care. Would you be able to pay them for him?

DallyTsuka said:

well the only trouble i could see is mixing a bird with paper (homework)....

you might have to explain to your teacher that your bird ate your homework

Click to expand...

Now, if you had a Turkey Vulture there would be no questions whatsoever.