Future Bird

Hello, new to the forum!!!

So in two months I will be starting school, it is a two year program. After that myself and my boyfriend will be moving into an apartment. I live in Ontario, Canada.

Now, I've looked over many options for pets and find birds fascinating but have had limited time around them, my grandfather breed and raised canaries so that's about it.

I would like to buy a bird, mostly looking at parrots. But I have one thing that worries me that I see all over the internet.

It's called bluffing, or bluff. Where they go through a "puberty stage". I've also read birds will randomly turn into little monsters, is that true?

Do all birds bluff or is it just the parrots species?

I'm looking into getting a Conure, but unsure which one?.

Open to suggestions about another parrot species I should get as a pet.

Thanks guys!!!

First of all, welcome to the forum! It's great that you're doing research into birds before you acquire one. I can't say much about bluffing except that birds do it to manipulate you and control the interaction, and it often works..
Puberty is seperate from bluffing, and involves lots of birdy hormones. Like humans, dogs and some other animals, 'teenage' parrots go through a rebellious stage. They may turn on you but most just get stubborn.

Check out these pages: Preparing Yourself For Getting a Bird | Parrot Nation
More ?Preparing for Getting a Bird? | Parrot Nation
Not only are they funny, they give you a general idea of what it's like to have a parrot.
On a more serious note, watch these videos:
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaE1JcbgHU4"]The Truth about Parrots - YouTube[/ame]
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BangCOYI3ck"]Nature Parrot Documentary Parrot Confidential - Majestic Birds english subtitles - YouTube[/ame]
(In the first one, the lady says you have to clip their wings. Not true!)

Turn the volume all the way up for this one-
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hEKtGbTjv0"]senegal parrot screaming - YouTube[/ame]
Yeah, they do that a lot. This is not good for apartments, I repeat, not good. Parrots will also chew walls, trim and doors, as well as crap everywhere. You may want to take a look at more apartment-friendly animals!

Good luck!

Depending on your landlord, the thickness of the walls and your relationship with your neighbors, SOME parrots do well in SOME apartments. We live in an apartment, and our GCC is definitely not too loud although our building is ancient with very thick walls. She still has a big scream for her size! In a newer building her occasional shrill screams could be a problem. We also have an amazon and while she is unusually quiet I definitely do not encourage amazon parrots in an apartment as not all are.

If you look at conures look at the quieter species...GCCs and dusky conures come to mind as more apartment-safe. Also consider parakeets, cockatiels and lovebirds. These are the so-called "starter birds" and tend to be quieter and less destructive than medium-large parrots. I would encourage you not to look into Sun conures or any of the larger parrots until you own a home and do not have to worry about noise complaints and eviction! Yes you can train a parrot to be quieter but screaming at certain times (especially dawn and dusk) is innate.

As for bluffing and puberty, do tons of research into managing parrot behavior and especially hormonal behavior. Then make sure the species you are considering has a beak you can live with. Many of the larger species can do serious damage to human limbs and faces and you need to be prepared that whatever species you choose, you will occasionally be bitten. My amazon has created open wounds and bruised me so hard it left big knots under my skin...through heavy leather welding gloves.

Hello, I just wanted to put out a little recommendation for Pionus parrots. We got our Maximillian 23+ years ago and he's lived in apartments, townhouses and single family homes over the years and has been awesome. He says about a dozen words and phrases and makes several sounds (sneezing laughing). He is fine if we work long hours or are home all day (have done both over the years). He never has bitten our kids (have 5 now 11-21 yrs) and doesn't mind dogs, cats, other birds or other exotics. He's just been very easy to live with and hopefully will be with us for many more years. Just wanted to recommend them as an option.