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!

 

[LaManuka]

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

I've obtained birds from pet shops and from breeders, and one of my current flock is an escapee from elsewhere who ended up landing in my back yard! Plenty of people will say it's best to adopt from a rescue organization or an animal shelter too - some folks are under the impression that parrots end up in these places because they're "problem" birds but in the majority of cases this is not the case, they end up there because their previous owners may have become ill or otherwise unable to care for them. Having said that, most rescues would likely not release a parrot to the care of a minor. But in my opinion, wherever a companion parrot is obtained from, they all deserve a loving forever home.

 

[nkrbkr]

I've obtained birds from pet shops and from breeders, and one of my current flock is an escapee from elsewhere who ended up landing in my back yard! Plenty of people will say it's best to adopt from a rescue organization or an animal shelter too - some folks are under the impression that parrots end up in these places because they're "problem" birds but in the majority of cases this is not the case, they end up there because their previous owners may have become ill or otherwise unable to care for them. Having said that, most rescues would likely not release a parrot to the care of a minor. But in my opinion, wherever a companion parrot is obtained from, they all deserve a loving forever home.

Absolutely. One of my birds is from a breeder, & one is a rescue (rehome?) that has been with us for about 7 weeks. I adore both. While birds from rescue situations can certainly come with some baggage, it is entirely possible to form strong bonds regardless. They can learn new habits, new house rules, & form relationships with new people, as they are so intelligent. Either way you go, the work needs to be put in to earn trust. It takes time and patience.

 

[wrench13]

Young people like yourself only want validation of what you want now. Sorry - my advice - wait. Twill be best for the parrot, it will be best for you .

 

[rheashard2]

As above. Properly cared for birds live for decades. A major concern and commitment. They'll be there when you have life changes; marriage, partner, children, job, other pets and more. All parrots no matter the size, species are intelligent. They're emotions are comparable to a toddler. Each has a general breed personality. But they have their own individual personalities too. That can be trying. They can decide to intensely dislike the perceived change, partner, child etc. Avian vet care is expensive. Avian vets aren't common. A simple for human lifestyle, cooking, etc can be detrimental to your bird. Use of non stick cookware can damage health and cause death. Also use of aromatic oils, incense, smoking, common cleaning products and more. Vacation or need for travel is another potential problem. Public travel isn't bird friendly. A quality travel cage isn't inexpensive. Avian vet care is expensive. Avian vets aren't common or easy to find. There's a difference between avian and other vets. This is the way I describe it. You would wouldn't expect a foot doctor to do brain surgery and vice-versa. The basics are similar but it's the specific treatment that is needed. Advantages in purchasing from a breeder or adopting are present. Also there's disadvantages. There is a distressing trend in bird mills and unscrupulous breeders. Buyer beware is needed more because of basic necessary expensive investment. Larger parrots being rehomed can come with baggage. This can be negative emotional, behavioral behaviors or both. Birds have mood swings and behaviors based on hormones. This is nature at work neither. You nor they can control it. You are the one who has to deal with it. To gain hands on knowledge see about volunteering at a bird rescue. Above all continue reading. Investigate forums.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

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!

The commitment to a parrot is not only more intense than for dogs and cats but it can also much longer depending on the species of bird. This can be an issue with older people or those with health problems who may not have more than 10 or 15 years of life left as a person who is able to take care of a bird and doesn't require care themselves. The life expectancy of most parrots is not fully understood but in general the larger the parrot the longer it will live. Budgies generally live 5 to 10 years, cockatiels and small conures like Green Cheeks live about 20 years, Amazon parrots and African Greys live about 50 years and large macaws and cockatoos can live even longer.

 

[Corkscr.ew]

I agree that you should wait until you’re in a more stable situation. I’m a minor too, and I’m planning on getting another bird (mine passed away a few months ago) but I have many plans in place to ensure that my life changes will not compromise the bird’s quality of life. I also have very supportive parents who would gladly take care of my bird if anything happened to those plans. However, most minors aren’t able to ensure that their bird will not get neglected when they move out, and they aren’t able to ensure that their parents will adequately care for the bird in their absence. Also, IRNs are quite difficult and long-lived and would be a huge challenge for any minor, myself included.

I applaud you for asking your questions. Most people our age would impulsively buy a bird with no regard for its well-being, so you’re demonstrating your responsibility just by joining this forum. I don’t mean to assume that you’re incapable of having a bird, but I do hope you’ll consider waiting before getting one.

 

[AprilRobin]

Young people like yourself only want validation of what you want now. Sorry - my advice - wait. Twill be best for the parrot, it will be best for you .

Is it really necessary to insult her with a generalizing comment like that? Don't be so eager to condemn "young people". I agree that it might be ideal for her to wait, but at least she came here to ask for advice first. As opposed to people who ask stupid questions (not saying hers are) after they bring the bird home.

There has to be at least one person on this forum who owned their first bird before age 20 or so. Again, not saying that OP should, but it's going to happen once in a while. Maybe some users here could tone down the judgments. It's not in the potential new bird's best interest to attack the owner instead of trying to help.

 

[rheashard2]

Is it really necessary to insult her with a generalizing comment like that? Don't be so eager to condemn "young people". I agree that it might be ideal for her to wait, but at least she came here to ask for advice first. As opposed to people who ask stupid questions (not saying hers are) after they bring the bird home.

There has to be at least one person on this forum who owned their first bird before age 20 or so. Again, not saying that OP should, but it's going to happen once in a while. Maybe some users here could tone down the judgments. It's not in the potential new bird's best interest to attack the owner instead of trying to help.

Sadly young people should be told this. It's a fact. Young have a high incidence of not being patient. There's a tendency to live here and now. Future planning is usually limited. It depends upon the individual as to how far that is. It's rarely years. Stopping and thinking when applied to the young cannot be understated. I used to be resentful of that. I didn't see a real need either. But decades working hospital ER forcibly changed my mind. Think, wait, plan, wait, think, wait and repeat. Some parents will pick up slack for their kids pets. Mine didn't. I was told this in advance. I was expected to learn how to understand pet healthcare, housebreaking, training etc. I had mandatory household chores to pay for expenses. That was for puppies. As a result of the 7 of us only 2 have and keep pets. Too many gift puppies, kittens etc end up neglected and abandoned. The vast percentage are for the young.