best species for therapy work

noblemacaw

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Sep 23, 2011
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Valentino - Red Fronted Macaw - Hatched August 12, 2012
In the attempt to keep myself busy and positive I am trying to figure out the best species for my second bird. I realize that eventually Valentino will no longer have Julio as a flock mate and I am thinking for both our mental health I will be looking for a second flock mate.

I originally wanted a Panama amazon. I have been researching this species and it really fit the bill for what I wanted in my second flock mate. I want to get back into pet therapy work and was told the Pan Am has the temperament and personality for this. I am very very interested in finding a species of parrot that would be exceptional for this kind of work.

I don't want a large parrot because Valentino is the largest I can handle. Something stuck in my mind that the Amazon is one of the most surrendered parrot in rescues so when mature I wonder if the Pan Am would be good for a positive long term relationship with stable personality and temperament.

Anyone with experience and can give me input would be very helpful. Thanks!!
 

Birdman666

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Sep 18, 2013
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San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
In the attempt to keep myself busy and positive I am trying to figure out the best species for my second bird. I realize that eventually Valentino will no longer have Julio as a flock mate and I am thinking for both our mental health I will be looking for a second flock mate.

I originally wanted a Panama amazon. I have been researching this species and it really fit the bill for what I wanted in my second flock mate. I want to get back into pet therapy work and was told the Pan Am has the temperament and personality for this. I am very very interested in finding a species of parrot that would be exceptional for this kind of work.

I don't want a large parrot because Valentino is the largest I can handle. Something stuck in my mind that the Amazon is one of the most surrendered parrot in rescues so when mature I wonder if the Pan Am would be good for a positive long term relationship with stable personality and temperament.

Anyone with experience and can give me input would be very helpful. Thanks!!

Because people don't handle them or raise them right, and don't understand the hormonal challenges of especially male hot 3's - and then they bite!!!

The ones that got dumped were invariably hot 3 amazons... DYH, Napes, and Blue Fronts. And to the surprise of NOBODY, the calls started coming in right about the start of breeding season. Let me guess, it's a male, right?!

I've got pictures of me kissing an aggressive DYH who got dumped as a viscious biter, and that was taken TWO DAYS AFTER he arrived at my place, just as calm as can be, even with two female amazons in the house at the time...

To me they are easy birds to read.

People ignore the body language, and the bird attacks. PEOPLE trigger their own bites with these birds. They really, really do!

Like the lady the other day, who said her bird was doing the "line of death" dance, and when the guy came over and ignored it and started to open the cage anyway... and the bird said "NO! NO! NO! OUCH!"

UUMMM... What did you think was going to happen?!

The amazing thing is this guy, like so many others, blamed it on the BIRD!

WRONG! That's a train the humans thing. When they are behaving like that, you DO NOT attempt to pick them up.

THAT IS PART OF ZON OWNERSHIP. :green:
 
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noblemacaw

noblemacaw

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Sep 23, 2011
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Valentino - Red Fronted Macaw - Hatched August 12, 2012
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I can understand that the most positive traits will be discussed about the Pan Am but I want to know in the long run will this species be stable enough temperament to get though the "teenage hormonal period". I want to look at all possibilities of other species being suited for pet therapy work. With all the changes in my life I want to look at other species as well because the breeder I want my Pan Am from is too expensive right now. I have a cage (most expense taken care of there) but in the future Valentino will be my only parrot and I know they do much better in flocks. One more parrot is not wanted because of just his needs but because I want one more parrot.

I understand there is no guarantee with any parrot having a stable temperament but I am trying to stack the deck with me not against what I would like in my flock mate. I would like to get back into pet therapy as I use to do this with my Eclectus. I can't bring myself with getting another Eclectus and cockatoo's are out because I live with a macaw and because of my asthma.
 
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Birdman666

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Sep 18, 2013
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San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
Macaws are pair bond birds.

If Valentino is anything like Sweepea, he would probably be just as happy being an only bird... if he got to be the center of attention!

Pea Pod can be an attention hog...
 
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noblemacaw

noblemacaw

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Sep 23, 2011
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Valentino - Red Fronted Macaw - Hatched August 12, 2012
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LOL..what you say is so TRUE! He hangs on my back like a rabid outbreak monkey squealing and laughing. He loves to be on me as much as he can but I also have taught him independent play and he will hang out on his Java tree destroying his toys or preening himself. This is when I am in the room. When I leave the room he will fly to find me even when I am pooping. LOL (that is a whole story in itself. Oh my.)

I have always had my parrots in flocks. At least two parrots but not more than three. I have been looking for my last flock member for a while now but put it on hold because of the time of year. (winter) Eventually I want just ONE parrot but I want the species to be the best fit. My dream is to get the Panama Amazon from the breeder out in AZ but right now I cannot afford her price. She has one baby from this years hatching's and is under 6 months old.

I want to explore other species that would be the best fit for me and Valentino and I want to be able to have the parrot be able to work in pet therapy. Realistically Valentino would make a HORRIBLE bird for pet therapy because he is a Red Fronted macaw. LOL.
 

Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
My roll-ey poll-ey lap bird will play with anyone who wants to play with her... she is the MOST playful bird I own.

And that's saying a lot with a greenwing in the house!
 
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noblemacaw

noblemacaw

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Sep 23, 2011
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Valentino - Red Fronted Macaw - Hatched August 12, 2012
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Valentino is a awesome companion for me and is very playful as well but his size and that big black beak is just too intimidating for non bird people. I need a calmer bird that will take direction and allows other people to hold and pet. Valentino would make a wonderful performance bird because people would be paying attention to him as he did his thing (like yours he loves attention) but for work that involves patience he just does not have that ability.

I am looking for species that are more relaxed and patient that are more tolerant of people, easy to train because they enjoy it, essentally will make a exceptional therapy animal. My Eclectus Joaquin was the best but I cannot bring another Eclectus in my life. It is too painful.
 

JerseyWendy

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Jul 20, 2012
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Rebecca, what about a Red Lored Amazon or Lilac Crowned? Those I have met have always had wonderful personalities, were quite outgoing, and very beautiful to boot.
 

Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
I don't know what therapy work is...
 

brianlinkles

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Aug 17, 2011
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Oakwood, Ohio
Parrots
i am the mom of three parrots:
Dorothy- African grey (cag)
Bowie- blue and gold macaw
Nellie- hyacinth macaw
Reggie- hyacinth macaw
Marnie- white bellied caique
I would say a rose breasted cockatoo because they seem to like everyone! Mine is a snuggle bug, he likes nothing more than to stand there and let me pet him. I am putting it out there even though you have asthma. I have bouts with it myself and my daughter has it and he doesn't seem to bother us. We watched an m2 for a couple of days and that bird really bothered us. They do however have loads of energy however I have never met one that did not enjoy being around people.
 

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