Considering getting a Bird

jkbird95

New member
Feb 2, 2015
3
0
Hello,

I am new to this forum and this is my first post, so bare with me.

I am heavily considering getting a parrot and am wondering if there is anything obvious that I should consider/know before making a decision. I really like the personalities of Blue and Yellow Macaw's and Congo African Grey's. I've been doing alot of research on such birds over the past months, but want to get some advice from you, the bird owners!

Some things that may help:
-I am 20 years old and looking for a bird I can share many many years with
-Been heavily researching all kinds of parrots for months
-Want a "large" bird that can bond with more than one person and that has a "big" personality
-Have mild expirience and knowledge of parrots, (I know somebody with a 30+ year old Yellow Nape)
-This would be my first bird

I know this is very general and I'm sure you guys see tons of these posts.

Any help/advice is GREATLY appreciated!

Thank You for your time!
 

Pinkbirdy

New member
Feb 26, 2013
2,203
1
Clifton Springs Newyork
Parrots
macaw,LS2,congo grey,2Blk Hd caiques,Hawkhead,yellowstrk lory,Blue frnt amazon,sun conure ,Yellow sided greencheek ,Goffin ,Rosebreasted Cockatoo,Greenwing Macaw,Blue and Gold Macaw,Nanday conure,Ecle
If you can get somewhere where theirs birds to interact with that would be a plus. Then you can learn what the different species are like. Birds are loud your not going to get away from that . That's why you hear them say big birds need a house not a apartment . But Ive had 2 Rosebreasted toos and a grey I would say would be ok in a apartment. Advice here -whoever your with has to love birds too or it may cause problems with your bird.Also if you have kids in the future birds are loud . You have to figure it out. Not fair to your bonded bird if you don't think ahead . Make sure you have a good Avian vet ready. Learn all the dangers for birds that can hurt them .. Ive had lots of birds Greys are a quieter bird ,smart unpredictable with moods can be affectionate sometimes . If I was to have only one bird it would be a Macaw . Ive had 5 of them . Nothing like the love of a bonded Macaw . Try to be around some ,you might end up with a totally different species. I went to get a Eclectus and ended up with a Hawkhead . Its true sometimes birds choose you.Dont base your beliefs on everything you read on the internet . Talk to owners . They were way wrong about my Hawkhead and had me talked right out of Amazons. I would have missed out .
 

Flboy

Well-known member
Dec 28, 2014
12,598
4,101
Greater Orlando area, Florida
Parrots
JoJo, 'Special' GCC, Bongo, Cinnamon GCC(wife's)
Give it the same consideration you would put into having a child! And remember, he will always remain a child!! I am still overwhelmed by the responsibility!
 

Dinosrawr

New member
Aug 15, 2013
1,587
8
Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Parrots
Avery, a GCC born on March 5th, 2013 & Shiko, a blue IRN born on February 25th, 2014
I agree with Flboy - I have two small birds and I do feel like I have been forced to take a course on entry level parenthood. The amount of time spent with them, training, interaction, health care, money, and time preparing food and always trying to make sure they are never left wanting can be exhausting. Cleaning their cages daily, their play area daily, building new play stands/toys/play areas, making sure they have enough exercise to keep healthy... it's a lot of work. But once you become a parront, there's nothing better in the world :)

What I'd recommend is making sure you have enough money for the initial costs: toys, the bird, a large cage, a second play area to be placed on, a healthy diet that you can supplement with pellets, and money in the bank for the first vet visit. And of course money for the bird, haha! Look into training techniques, such as those by Barbara Heidenreich. Honestly, a lot of it is live and learn, because no matter how much theory you learn, the practical applications are dynamic. I hope you find a bird that clicks well with you!
 

Ann333

New member
Jan 8, 2015
1,119
0
New Mexico
Parrots
--PUMPKIN - male YS GCC. Hatched Halloween Day 2014. Came home Jan. 4, 2015. Started talking in July '15!

-BUTTERNUT- female TYS GCC Hatched in late Jan. 2016 and came home March 14, 2016
Look into training techniques, such as those by Barbara Heidenreich. Honestly, a lot of it is live and learn, because no matter how much theory you learn, the practical applications are dynamic. I hope you find a bird that clicks well with you!

Haha i found that out the hard way. The best way to choose a bird is to find a place to interact with alot of birds and let one choose you. Of course, this is not always practical. But research helps when actual interaction isnt available. Narrow down the list to a few species then go crazy researching and asking questions and reading stories. What i did was narrowed it down then read stories from other owners and assumed all the worst scenarios were going to happen to me and then decided if i would still be willing to take the chance. Obviously i was, but im just saying it takes soul searching to be sure. :)
It really is like adopting a child....they dont come with instructions or a mute button. :) BUT they are rewarding and fun and crazy ... so worth it.
 
OP
J

jkbird95

New member
Feb 2, 2015
3
0
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #6
Thank you everybody for your input. Looks like I have some reading to do!
 

kalypso123

New member
Aug 16, 2014
281
Media
2
0
Tallahassee, Florida
Parrots
Cockatiel- Kalypso
I personally favor macaws, amazons, and greys. I just like their personalities and ability to be idependent when they have to be(this mostly applies to greys and zons). I am considering adopting a bird from Florida Parrot Rescue. I have narrowed it down to three birds Luige the Caique, Ayala the Alexandrian, or Haroldette the severe macaw. Who knows I may not end up with any of them.
 

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