What parrot should I get?

Hi

I have been wanting to own a parrot for a very long time now and have spent an excessive amount of time researching and trying to choose a parrot. This would not be my first bird as we have had birds in the past but I really want a parrot who will bond with me.

I am a student so am away for a part of the day however my mum works from home so can keep an eye on the parrot. My question is what parrot should I get?

I am looking for a bird that is 'cuddly' if you know what I mean (enjoys petting and hanging out) and is a bit larger than for example a budgie. I am happy to pay any price. I was considering being a bit adventurous and going for a very specialized pet such as a macaw however I will be putting in a few more months research if I decide on adopting a parrot that requires as much attention as a macaw. As I am at school I am worried about getting a more attention-seeking pet however I would really love to get something like a macaw.


What should I do?

Thanks

P.S. I am aware macaws require basically your entire life haha

more research ...

It's great you do the orientation *before* getting a parrot. \o/
It is hard to advise someone to get 'this or that' bird.

You are in a phase where "anything goes": you could be a stay-at-home mum next year or training for a six month expedition into the Himalayas ... who knows!

A macaw will be with you for about 60-80 years or so, every single day!! if everything works out, are you ready for that? (And they demand a huge amount of attention! I've had greys for a large part of my life and though they need their fair share of a couple of hours each day, I was not prepared for this level of neediness!)

Oh...since your mum will be a co-parront, maybe see how much she can handle as well? Try for a bird/species you both feel comfortable with.
Usually the smaller-compact parrots like the senegal are not as scary to people and are a lot easier to take with you or find places to stay over the hollydays etc. -- characterwise they are just as inquisitive and smart as their huge nephews from the other side of the planet.

Agreed with Christa, macaws especially need a lot of time and it is just depending if you are willing or even have the time for him/her. Is this going to be your first parrot?

A macaw is a not only a lot of work... but very costly!!

I highly suggest you read this thread...

The cost of owning parrots

Getting a macaw from a breeder, a huge cage, a play stand, carrier, vet care, etc. will cost you thousands in just the first year alone.

I own cockatiels -- they're small, pretty quiet, friendly, and easy on a budget. I spent $135 on one, $200 for a huge double flight cage, about $200 in new toys and perches, all in the past 6 months. It adds up!

When you say you are in school does that mean high school? Freshman at college? About to graduate college next year? "In school" can mean a lot of things and where you are in life can help determine if now is the right time to even consider getting a parrot of any size or species. If you're young and in high school, you should not consider getting a parrot. WAY too much life changes coming up for high schoolers about to enter the adult world to worry about what is effectively a feathered toddler. If you're an adult still living at home, you probably should wait until you live on your own. If you can't support yourself, how can you expect to support an exotic animal with a high continuing cost of care?

IN general, students of any sort should not be contemplating owning a parrot. Parrots do well with stable environment, with s set routine. Students have little time to set aside EVERY DAY for parrots, and your environment will change a lot before you settle down in a house or apartment. It will not be fair to the bird, and you will likely surrender the parrot or re-home him because conditions will not allow you to keep him.
May be harsh words, but we have seen this happen time and time again. At best, a cockatiel can be considered, but anything larger is not a good mix for a student.

Things to consider:


Unexpected medical bills


The potential noise/restrictions in apartment situations. While you may be able to keep a bird in an apartment, if it screams while you are away, then you risk eviction warnings etc. Not saying this WILL happen, but larger birds ARE LOUD.....LOOOOOOOUUUUUDDDDD (at least some of the time). EDIT--If your bird won't stop screaming, so you run over to hush it or distract it, this will only INCREASE the screaming if the root of the screaming was boredom or attention-seeking...and then you will have an even bigger behavioral problem on your hands.

If you travel, who takes the bird (and what if it only likes you)? Vets are not a very safe choice when it comes to boarding birds IMO (diseases from other birds, too much cage-time etc)...Many people are terrified to care for birds and if boarding in a home, you must also teach these people about all of the "no-no"s like Teflon and fumes, which can be VERY awkward if they are doing you a favor by watching your pet.

What if your bird doesn't trust them and they cannot get it back in the cage?
What if it becomes upset when you leave and starts plucking its feathers?
What if they do some house-cleaning or home improvements without thinking and your bird suffers the consequences?

Is there a Certified Avian Vet (CAV) near you?

What if your new bird bites you and appears to dislike you?

If you have roommates and things, you also should know that standard cleaners (pretty much anything that isn't avian approved or vinegar +water) can kill your bird (bleach, windex, lysol etc).

Fumes from cleaners, perfumes, candles, air-fresheners, fabreeze, bug-spray, hairspray, vaping, cigarettes, soaps etc can all be deadly (or at the very least, quite harmful to your bird's sensitive respiratory system).


Last (but not least)-- research PTFE, PTFOA, AKA- Teflon. It is VERY dangerous to use around birds and it is in a lot of things where you wouldn't expect it (microwave items, irons, ironing boards, pots/pans, rice-cookers, curling irons/hot rollers, space heaters, pop-corn poppers, coffee makers, oven liners and drip-trays, bake-in-a-bag meals...even some mascara lol)---The risk of Teflon happens when heated---it gives off odorless fumes that KILL birds very quickly. There are documented incidents where teflon use on the first floor of a home has killed birds on a totally different floor. It is not something to dismiss.

Of all of the obnoxious things about owning a bird, the lifestyle adjustment with regard to things like candles, hair products, perfumes, cleaners and Teflon products can be HUGE (especially in college when toilets need to be cleaned but spaces are very confined). If you want to know if a product contains teflon, you must call and tell them all of the names it could be listed under (ptfe, ptfoa, teflon). It won't list it on the package usually, especially if it is coating interior components like in a blow-dryer. Then, expect to be on hold, only to wait and wait for a call-back before possibly (but not always) getting a clear response as to whether your appliance is safe.


EDIT---One more thing----bedtimes.
Birds need a set number of quiet hours for sleep. This varies by bird-type. They MUST get sleep or they can become ill and behaviorally problematic...hormones etc are all regulated by light/dark cycles.
My bird is covered at night, which means that I have to be at the house to cover her every evening by 8 pm at the latest, but I never am home later than 4:00 because she MUST have a ton of interaction on the days when I am gone at work. I must also wake up accordingly and can no longer stay up all night with the intention of sleeping in.
Furthermore, my bird will not sleep well with noise in the room and she often ends up flapping around in her cage and messing up her feathers when startled. This is maybe the biggest challenge, as you suddenly lose a ton of freedom with regard to your plans (evening outings, in-home-get-togethers, late-night tv/phone calls etc)...If you have a separate room where the bird can sleep, that would probably be best, but as a student, this is easier said than done. Some birds aren't as sensitive about noises as others, but when my cockatoo doesn't get her 12-14 hours, she is demanding, anxious and pretty unpleasant.

Thanka so much everyone for the great answers I will keep researching and look for something a little simpler as many have suggested. I am prepared to care for this bird for the next 70 years and can pay for the costs. But thanks and I will keep everyone updated��

wrench13 said:

IN general, students of any sort should not be contemplating owning a parrot. Parrots do well with stable environment, with s set routine. Students have little time to set aside EVERY DAY for parrots, and your environment will change a lot before you settle down in a house or apartment. It will not be fair to the bird, and you will likely surrender the parrot or re-home him because conditions will not allow you to keep him.
May be harsh words, but we have seen this happen time and time again. At best, a cockatiel can be considered, but anything larger is not a good mix for a student.

Click to expand...

This may be true for most cases, but depending on how far you are willing to go will change that. I am a student in high school and have 4 parrots, I dedicate all most all of my time towards them and use most of my earnings for them. They are my pride and joy and i don't intend on re-homing them.

Hey there!

I'm a 21 year old student, in the middle of my studies.

I live in a little flatlet attached to my parent's house, and I have 3 parrots living inside with me- two budgies and one cockatiel. My schedule is pretty flexible as a lot of my uni lectures are recorded, so I can do a lot of work from home. This semester I am totally off on Fridays, which is great. My birds spend time out of the cage when I am out of the house with my mom supervising. Some mornings when she is out too I leave them in the cage until I get home. Most days I finish before 12, earliest at 10, and latest around 2pm. Thursday lectures only start for me at 11am, so I get to spend the morning with the birds on that day.

If your schedule means that you won't be at home a lot like I am, then a parrot may not be the right pet. They need a lot of attention and care, and require human companionship. My cockatiel will call and call even when I am just out of the room for a few minutes. She copes just fine as she has her budgie friends, but she still misses me immensely when I am not there. My birds come first, so I make the time for them. I work at home with my birds on my shoulders, instead of joining friends in the library. Especially if you have a single bird, you really do need to make enough time for him or her. Or, your mom needs to make time for him or her while you are out. However, if you want a bird that bonds exclusively to you, this can be risky.

There are definitely other things to consider as a student with parrots:

1.Sacrificing some of your social life. This may not seem like a big deal, but I spend way less time on campus than most of my friends, and I only occasionally go out on weekends, even at night, because my schedule literally revolves around my birds. I have to be up early every morning to care for them. It is a big responsibility to take on.

2. Unexpected costs. I am lucky in that I do get an allowance from my parents, but it isn't that much and the majority of it goes to my birds. Food, toys (which are destroyed frequently), vet costs, etc. I mean the other day I had an emergency with my 'tiel and had to cough up R1100 ($76ish) in vets bills for x-rays and examinations, and this varies from country to country. If you live in the US, it's probably more expensive. My parents will always rescue me when I am in dire need of cash for something with my birds, but nevertheless, I try to make my own way and pay for every thing that I can.

3.Additional stress and time pressure. On top of university, having any pet is stressful. You worry about their health, if they're happy, etc. You have to put their needs above your own, since you are their whole world, and they rely on you completely for all of their needs. Parrots in particular are very needy - attention, entertainment, food, cage cleaning, etc - the amount of time they need is immense.

So, I am a student, and I manage it. I have three birds, all of which are bonded to me and require care on a daily basis. So yes, students can have parrots. But there are definitely things to consider to ensure a stable and happy home for your birds. I definitely don't think a Macaw is right for a student, expense wise, time wise, cost wise and care wise. My dream bird is a Galah Cockatoo, and there is no way I will be getting a bird like that until I am completely financially independent with a more stable schedule.

So yeah, those are my thoughts. Good luck on your decision!

Breeze said:

wrench13 said:

IN general, students of any sort should not be contemplating owning a parrot. Parrots do well with stable environment, with s set routine. Students have little time to set aside EVERY DAY for parrots, and your environment will change a lot before you settle down in a house or apartment. It will not be fair to the bird, and you will likely surrender the parrot or re-home him because conditions will not allow you to keep him.
May be harsh words, but we have seen this happen time and time again. At best, a cockatiel can be considered, but anything larger is not a good mix for a student.

Click to expand...

This may be true for most cases, but depending on how far you are willing to go will change that. I am a student in high school and have 4 parrots, I dedicate all most all of my time towards them and use most of my earnings for them. They are my pride and joy and i don't intend on re-homing them.

Click to expand...

I think it's also tricky to say.

- I studied in one of the best universities for my major - it happened to be on the other coast, which I wouldn't have thought of doing if I had my ekkie (going between states can be tricky depending on your bird and just flying/cross-country driving is a huge hassle and potential stressor for a bird). That university provided me such great opportunities I would never have had if I stayed on the same coast nor if I had to match my schedule to my ekkie's timing.

- I didn't plan to get into a long-distance relationship during university, but I did because I had the chance to study abroad, which I wouldn't have done at all if I had my ekkie because who would be willing to take proper, loving care (not obligatory care of 'my child has dumped her bird with me').

- Then I moved overseas and it was the best decision for me, but I wouldn't have if I had my ekkie. The pain of paperwork, quarantine, etc would be just too crazy. And I would have missed out on such a huge, impactful part of my life that caused so much personal growth.

- And I got so lucky with my partner, who never thought of having a bird ever. I'm so fortunate he understands that I'm a country girl, that I'm more comfortable and happier with animals than humans, that living in the city drives me crazy. But I met him before I met Cairo, and I told him from the start that this little guy would be a solid third-wheel/forever toddler in our relationship. And already within 2+ weeks, our relationship dynamic has changed just because of this ekkie - it feels like we literally adopted a child. I gave my partner full veto; if he said that adopting an ekkie wouldn't work for us, then I would accept it because at least it would be before we adopt, not after Cairo became part of the family. If I had to enter into a new relationship and Cairo was part of the package, no doubt I would miss out of wonderful relationships with amazing humans because I'd choose my fid every time.

- In addition, I'm a huge introvert. I have no doubt that if I were an extrovert, I wouldn't be able to handle balancing my extroverting needs of connecting with others and Cairo's constant need for attention. I don't see friends during the workdays AT ALL because Cairo needs to be fed, giving attention, and put to bed, so happy hour drinks are nonexistent. And over the weekends, I'm constantly choosing Cairo's sun time over meeting up with friends. Friends have to visit me, not me to them, which means I'm an unbelievably inconvenient person to be friends with. And when friends visit me, most of the time it's working with Cairo to be ok around strangers, which means quality friend time is quite limited. So long coffee chats and late night boardgames are days of the past. But that's just how Cairo is, and I'm his parront, so I have to abide by it.

- I'm glad I didn't have Cairo when I went through financial and medical troubles a few years back. My medical bills were a bit crazy, and my functionality was barely there. I needed a friend to come in just to feed me. If I was stable enough with a proper job and medical insurance, I would have be able to handle having a parrot at the same time. But I was still a student with a part-time under-the-table job and not living with my family. I was struggling to put food on the table and roof over my head, getting desperate for gigs. No place for a bird to be in - I would have been making a choice to feed him instead of myself. And if he got into a medical situation, I don't know what I would have done. I'm so glad now I've relative job security and enough savings to cover both Cairo and myself should anything happen. It's enabled me to not hesitate taking him to the vet, and every time I go in, I can comfortably say, "Whatever it takes for him to be healthy - you need a few grand, ok." If I were a student, I would be stuck in a hard position I wouldn't wish on anyone.

- The only thing now is I'm staying on a rental property that doesn't allow pets. So every day, I'm worried about being kicked out and finding a place that'll take us in within a short period of time and within our budget. Hardly any landlord wants to have a pet destroy their property. That's my biggest regret with Cairo - not providing him that stability enough for him to have a good cage and familiar environment as a constant. I wanted to wait until we moved to a pet-friendly place, but it was so rushed - his previous family's need to rehome him within a 2-3 days - that I wasn't able to provide it. If he didn't need to be urgently rehomed, I would have waited a year before adopting.

All that being said...

I was a precocious high schooler, went to university when I was sixteen, moved overseas by myself when I was eighteen, thought I was responsible and knew everything (and tbh, I was a pretty decent kid, fairly responsible), did all my research before I made any decision. I know I wouldn't have been able to swallow a pill that said, "You're too young to adopt." But I'd sure try to tell my younger self, "You've got a lifetime. In time, you will be the center of a bird's life, so don't mess it up. You can play risky with yourself, but not when another life is involved." But I was a stubborn kid and wouldn't take 'no' for an answer, hence the crazy move to the other coast and to another country

Seriously: look into smaller species.

It makes a lot of difference it you are traveling (and living) with a chihuahua or a great dane. Both are fun dogs and can be great friends, but sizewise they have challenges.

Smaller birds can go (almost) everywhere with you (most of the time unnoticed -> think pack-o-bird etc.) are less likely to get you into troubles with neighbours, roommates etc. because of the noise and the amount of space they need for their cage, playstand etc.etc..
Oh and they do a lot less damage to the surroundings...

Breeze said:

wrench13 said:

IN general, students of any sort should not be contemplating owning a parrot. Parrots do well with stable environment, with s set routine. Students have little time to set aside EVERY DAY for parrots, and your environment will change a lot before you settle down in a house or apartment. It will not be fair to the bird, and you will likely surrender the parrot or re-home him because conditions will not allow you to keep him.
May be harsh words, but we have seen this happen time and time again. At best, a cockatiel can be considered, but anything larger is not a good mix for a student.

Click to expand...

This may be true for most cases, but depending on how far you are willing to go will change that. I am a student in high school and have 4 parrots, I dedicate all most all of my time towards them and use most of my earnings for them. They are my pride and joy and i don't intend on re-homing them.

Click to expand...

Breeze, there are exceptions to every rule, and I hope yours is one that will survive your educational period and extend well into your professional life