A bird to fit my lifestyle

[loverbird16]

In all my research i am having little luck on this topic for answers.

I have a busy household, 2 young kids, 2 cats, a dog and rabbit. So loud and sometimes a bit crazy. Kids screaming running in circles kinda crazy!

I am wanting a small bird, smaller than a gray.
Affordable overall, long term mainly.
not a testy species with common issues.
Not bothered by busy households.
Not extremely loud, i live in a large apartment.
is tolerant of constant attention.
Easy to potty trsin..or diaper thing. Need to research more

So any ideas would be great. Was looking at lovebords, ringnecks, parrotlets

 

[mtdoramike]

It sounds liketo me a Senegal is what your looking for.

 

[cdog]

Out of the three you mentioned parrotlets are feisty and can bite hard and IMHO lovebirds are worse. I think from the ones you mentioned a ringneck would be best because they are the calmest/quietest. However ringnecks also have the largest beaks and depending on how old your kids are that might not be a good thing. Ringnecks aren't prone to biting but if your kids scare it, it could give a nice bite. Senegals also have fairly large beaks and they are calm/quiet too but again what if your kids scare it. I would say stay away from conures, parrolets, and lovebirds purley because of the nippiness and loudness. If your kids are older and can control themselves then I think something with a bigger beak would be fine such as any member of the poi family. If your kids cant controlled themselves I say either wait until they can or get a parakeet.

 

[jaimmorr]

First of all, welcome!

Smaller than a Grey - That's a lot of species!

Affordable overall - Depends on what your opinion of affordable is. You'll have to consider the cage, the actual bird, toys, food, perches, etc. Depending on the bird, you'll probably have to replace toys frequently as well as rotate them so your bird doesn't get bored. There's also the vet bills to think of - avian vets aren't very cheap!

Not a testy species - Cockatiels or Budgies, probably.

Not bothered by busy households - This really depends. Some species are more tolerant than others, but for the most part it depends on the individual bird, I think. Cockatiels would be good, and probably Conures since they are so lively anyway.

Not extremely loud - Cockatiels, Budgies, or Pyhurra Conures. Also depends on your opinion of loud. To some, a Cockatiel is loud. To others, a Macaw is quiet!

Is tolerant of constant attention - This is a tough one. On one hand, it is good to give your bird attention and out of cage time, but it's also good for the bird to be able to entertain itself. Too much attention CAN be a bad thing. For the most part, though, all birds like attention. They are flock animals, after all. Cockatiels love to be on you, from what I have heard. Ringnecks just kind of like to hang out, they aren't much for cuddling or anything.

Easy to potty train - Also a tough one. All birds can be potty trained. But, depending on the species... Well, a Macaw can hold it for about 20-30 minutes from what I have read. But a Budgie will probably go every 2 minutes. It will be much harder to train a Budgie than a Macaw. You also have to consider the fact that some birds get infections when potty trained because they hold it for way too long. You have to be careful. And diapers are alright some of the time, like if you're going to a friends house... But you don't want to diaper a bird all the time. It will irritate the bird's skin/feathers and it could affect the vent area as well. Birds poop. A lot. It's just something people live with.

Lovebirds are very feisty and can be nippy. Ringnecks are great talkers, but they are more hands off birds, they don't like too much attention. Parrotlets are like a big bird in a little package. They are also very high energy and feisty little guys.

Have you looked into Cockatiels? A Cockatiel honestly sounds right up your alley!

Good luck in your search!

 

[loverbird16]

We looked at pictures of them and hubby says their like skinny rock boys with crazy mohawks lol.
The only experiance i have with parrots is i worked at petland a few years and handfed them. The cockatoos were always my fav. But a bit loud for here! And i wanted something realistic lol

All the cocksteils ive experianced all seem very..dont touch me lol. I would like one that is more cuddly, i just never associated cocksteiles or parakeets with that

 

[wenz2712]

I would say a good choice would be either a Senegal or IRN.

 

[jaimmorr]

If you're looking for a cuddly bird, an IRN is definitely out. They're not cuddly at all for the most part.

Cockatiels are pretty cuddly, honestly. Senegals and Poicelphalus seem to be not so cuddly, more like cats than dogs.

Conures are small, but very cuddly. Maybe look into Green Cheeked Conures?

 

[artemis]

I also suggest looking at cockatiels and conures in the genus Pyhurra. There's good reason why these birds are so popular: they fit into the average family setting quite well. Conures can be nippy, but the behavior can usually be managed successfully, and a small conure can't bite hard enough to do any significant damage (although their bites do hurt!). You might need a Band-aid, but not an ER visit.

 

[Mozzie]

Yes I agree with jaimmorr, a cockatiel would be a great choice. I bought each of my grand daughters one. They are hand raised and are so cuddly and sweet. They are very quiet. Really a perfect bird! Especially for a first bird and for one you want your kids to interact with. My grand daughters birds ride around on their shoulders all the time. They are adorable. (the key with them or any parrot of course is to get a tame, hand raised one)

 

[cdog]

Just because the Internet says green cheeks are quiet doesn't mean they are, it means they are quiet conures not quiet parrots. I would advise against a conure because even green cheeks are loud and if you live in an apartment loudness is a problem.

 

[evesta]

Look up lineolated parakeets. They are about the price of a green cheek around here although they can be tough to find. The only thing is they would be harder to potty train but I've heard of people doing it. Not sure how, little birds go pretty often especially if they are eating fresh foods. They can play with budgie toys so that is cheaper and do best in a flight cage which there are very affordable good flight cages online.

They are easy going but playful, not nippy but if they do bite it isn't too bad. Not very loud at all. They sort of look like parrotlets but have adorable dotted butts! I have a 6 year old, a toddler, 3 dogs, 2 cats and a husband and they aren't fazed at all. If company comes over, they hop right on to anyone. If you ignore them, then they even want to cuddle and kiss more

 

[thebirdnerd]

Pionis are good birds too...Fairly quiet and easy going if you want a slightly larger bird.

 

[jaimmorr]

Linnies is a good suggestion!

I didn't even think about Pionus, but that is a possibility as well. They are pretty quiet, laid back, and can entertain themselves.

 

[oled]

In all my research i am having little luck on this topic for answers.

I have a busy household, 2 young kids, 2 cats, a dog and rabbit. So loud and sometimes a bit crazy. Kids screaming running in circles kinda crazy!

I am wanting a small bird, smaller than a gray.
Affordable overall, long term mainly.
not a testy species with common issues.
Not bothered by busy households.
Not extremely loud, i live in a large apartment.
is tolerant of constant attention.
Easy to potty trsin..or diaper thing. Need to research more

So any ideas would be great. Was looking at lovebords, ringnecks, parrotlets

You are talking about what a bird need to be and do to fitt in, but not about what you and your family can give the bird. Birds have needs and for sure your life will change. So my advise to you is to read about birds, what you must give them for a lucky life.

 

[lene1949]

In all my research i am having little luck on this topic for answers.

I have a busy household, 2 young kids, 2 cats, a dog and rabbit. So loud and sometimes a bit crazy. Kids screaming running in circles kinda crazy!

I am wanting a small bird, smaller than a gray.
Affordable overall, long term mainly.
not a testy species with common issues.
Not bothered by busy households.
Not extremely loud, i live in a large apartment.
is tolerant of constant attention.
Easy to potty trsin..or diaper thing. Need to research more

So any ideas would be great. Was looking at lovebords, ringnecks, parrotlets

You do seem to have a very busy household, with 2 young kids, cats, a dog and rabbit, who all need attention...

I'm curious as to why you would want a parrot? Something for the kids to play with? or something for you?.. Maybe just something to look at? The 'tolerant of constant attention' suggests it's for the kids...

You say 'young' kids... How old are they?

I recently got a little budgie.. He doesn't care much for me, but when my grand daughter was over the other day, it was clear he was very comfortable with young children... My grand daughter is turning 8 next month.

If you don't have several hours every day to tend to a parrot, I would suggest 2 hand raised budgies, same sex...

There's a hand raised cockatiel at work, and he rarely bites, but he would still be able to hurt the very tender skin of young children...

 

[loverbird16]

My kids are 1 and 4.
My rabbit free roams and when he wants attention hr comes to us, which is rare. Cas...are cats. The dog, im up at 5 for a walk with him.
I dont work, i stay home and i originally wanted another rodent but after research decided that i really wasnt wanting a hamster and im not a rat person. Looked at sjort tailed possums, met some too but 200$ is a lot for somethin that compares to a gerbil.
We decided against a reptile due to kids and crickets ect.
So we talked about a bird and my past experiances with my old job kinda mmade me want a shoulder buddy. There was a naaasty pat conure who was selective. Hed ride my shoulder all day, help me count drawers, followed me around.
I dont want an ornament. I have fish for that. I want domethin i can interact with and that can hang out with us. On the cpuch watching tv ect.

Weve decided to go with a parakeet or cockateil, still unsure. But a male for sure. I think big birds would be better in a house when kids are older and can enjoy it too

 

[solobaby]

i think you have made the right choice

 

[lexx510]

Parakeets and cockatiels are good starter birds