advice for first time owners? (Other than obvious things)

[preppy princess sigma]

hey guys, im a student and I love animals and ive wanted a pet parrot for years and done a lot of research and my mom is completely supportive of the idea as well. does anyone here have some advice for beginner parrot owners? I do have a few questions.
1. Do I have to start with a "beginner bird" like a budgie? I dont have anything against budgies i think theyre very cool but I am personally not drawn to them and it seems very unfair to get a pet just to "work up" to the one I want.
2. Do you recommend adopting a parrot or buying a baby from a breeder? How did you guys gets your birds?
3. I am very interested in Indian ringneck parakeets, so if there was some things I might have missed in research I would love to know about it! But any general parrot advice is also good \

(Before you mention costs, I will be getting my own money to buy the bird itself and the cage and things like that I do know parrots are more expensive than cats and dogs)

 

[LaManuka]

Welcome to the forums, @preppy princess sigma, I'm glad you're here and asking these important questions, because far too many people of ANY age take the plunge with parrots without really having much understanding of what they're really letting themselves in for. Having a parrot in your life is completely different to owing a dog or cat, it's a lot more like being the parent of an ENORMOUSLY demanding human toddler with hyperactivity who never grows up. And who has wings and a can-opener on their face. And who will change your life in every way that you can imagine and can prepare for, but also in many others that you can't. They are difficult, they are wonderful, they can be supremely frustrating but be full of unconditional love and be your very best friend, but they can also be the source of your greatest heartbreak.

Parrots also differ from dogs and cats in another very fundamental way. Most pet dogs and cats are neutered, so owners are rarely subjected to radical changes in behaviour once they reach sexual maturity. This is not the case with parrots, they are rarely if ever desexed, and while some sail through "puberty" with barely any noticeable change at all, others undergo a complete 180 degree turnaround in their personality, and it is often unpleasant involving biting and physical attacks on household members, irrespective of any close bond you may have had before.

I would also urge to to read the following post, written by one of our most esteemed ever moderators, @Anansi. In addition to any other advice you may receive, this covers off on a lot of important points as well...

What Students Should Ask Before Getting a Bird.

Being of school age isn't necessarily a bad thing in and of itself when it comes to taking on a parrot. Heck, I got my first cockatiel as a student in college. But I wasn't exactly a party animal. I was home enough to give him the attention that a bird requires. And believe me, they do require a...

www.parrotforums.com

It's great that you're doing a lot of research, bearing in mind that no amount of research can really prepare one for the lived experience. Nor do we ever get to a stage where we know everything, I've had birds for over 50 years and there is always something new to discover. So again, welcome to the forums, @preppy princess sigma, I hope you enjoy the journey!

 

[preppy princess sigma]

Welcome to the forums, @preppy princess sigma, I'm glad you're here and asking these important questions, because far too many people of ANY age take the plunge with parrots without really having much understanding of what they're really letting themselves in for. Having a parrot in your life is completely different to owing a dog or cat, it's a lot more like being the parent of an ENORMOUSLY demanding human toddler with hyperactivity who never grows up. And who has wings and a can-opener on their face. And who will change your life in every way that you can imagine and can prepare for, but also in many others that you can't. They are difficult, they are wonderful, they can be supremely frustrating but be full of unconditional love and be your very best friend, but they can also be the source of your greatest heartbreak.

Parrots also differ from dogs and cats in another very fundamental way. Most pet dogs and cats are neutered, so owners are rarely subjected to radical changes in behaviour once they reach sexual maturity. This is not the case with parrots, they are rarely if ever desexed, and while some sail through "puberty" with barely any noticeable change at all, others undergo a complete 180 degree turnaround in their personality, and it is often unpleasant involving biting and physical attacks on household members, irrespective of any close bond you may have had before.

I would also urge to to read the following post, written by one of our most esteemed ever moderators, @Anansi. In addition to any other advice you may receive, this covers off on a lot of important points as well...

What Students Should Ask Before Getting a Bird.

Being of school age isn't necessarily a bad thing in and of itself when it comes to taking on a parrot. Heck, I got my first cockatiel as a student in college. But I wasn't exactly a party animal. I was home enough to give him the attention that a bird requires. And believe me, they do require a...

www.parrotforums.com

It's great that you're doing a lot of research, bearing in mind that no amount of research can really prepare one for the lived experience. Nor do we ever get to a stage where we know everything, I've had birds for over 50 years and there is always something new to discover. So again, welcome to the forums, @preppy princess sigma, I hope you enjoy the journey!

oh okay thank you for the advice! Also I would like to ask did you adopt your birds or buy them from a breeder? Im really leaning towards adopting a parrot but I dont have bird experience so im not completely sure

 

[nkrbkr]

Hi there! I agree to all of the above. I would also add that there isn’t really such a thing as a “beginner bird.” They are all a huge commitment, a lot of work, and can all bring immense amounts of joy. That said, smaller birds can be a bit less intimidating to handle, due to their size, but they all require the same amount of respect when forming and maintaining a healthy relationship. Best of luck!