Glad to be here!

[Alexnguyen]

Hello everybody!

My name is Alex. I have one daughter and she is quite interested in colorful parrots. Hence I am wondering whether I should raise a parrot or not. If I want to have a parrot, could you please suggest me which type of parrot I should raise? Thanks so much.

 

[LeoTheGalah]

Size isn't a HUGE deal the biggest birds can have the sweetest temperaments!

Raised well any parrot can be gentle, all are intelligent

Just ensure you study well on raising parrots and know all the ins-and-outs before purchasing one.

What parrots are you looking at currently?

 

[Carl_Power]

Id recomend a budgie if your daughter is young. They are colourful and intelligent and do all the fun Parrot stuff but wont out live you and are not so hard to maintain. Perfect for a youngster. Larger Parrots can live 30 years onwards so it will more than likely become your pet too look after as your little girl grows up and doesnt have the time with friends and college ect. They do require a lot of time and interaction on a daily basis or it can lead to lots of problems and many get rehomed because of this and it can really affect the bird. If you are willing to raise a Parrot though yourself with your daughter then there are other options. Cockatiels are a favourite along with Conures, both can be really sweet and playful and you will be suprised what amazing pets they make. Go and look at some Parrots, see what you like. One may even pick you x

 

[Flboy]

Hi and welcome!

 

[Oliver17]

Hi and welcome

 

[GaleriaGila]

Hello, and welcome!

Yes, indeed, owning any parrot can be a complicated venture.

Here's some reading you may enjoy.
http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/7244-parrot-me.html

Good for you, for reaching out and researching!

 

[SailBoat]

Hello and Welcome to Parrot Forums.

You have gotten great advise above. As stated by others, the Parrot will very likely become yours!!! You need to really step into this from that view point.

They need tons of time and are more like living with a small child 'forever' as you will be cleaning-up and caring for the Parrot for years longer than you may think.

 

[Scott]

Welcome to the forums, Alex! So important to research before acquiring a parrot!

Your choices include raising from a young age, adopting from a shelter, pet shop, or breeder. It is helpful to have contact with a wide variety of birds to help narrow the species.

 

[clark_conure]

the quick list

budgie (parakeet) smart, skiddish at first, but can be trained to be fearless around humans and do tricks like a boss.

cockatiel very tamable, great with kids, I think tend to prefer kids 3yo intelligence and some can talk males usually better but whistles mimicking for both. Like to be petted on the head not so much cuddling? at least in my experience.

Small conure (green cheek or pineapple or maroon bellied) complete clown, love everyone, very social, good talk mimickers and know word context. 7yo intellligence and love cuddling, will need more attention.

all three will provide antics, joy, love etc.

There are thousands of breeds but this is what you will find locally whereever you are in most pet shops.


DO YOUR RESEARCH!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Alexnguyen]

Thanks all of you for your warm welcome guys!

 

[Sunnyclover]

Keep in mind that getting a parrot (excluding a budgies sorry guys) is like getting another perpetual 2 to 5 year old child that lives 20 to 85 years but never grows up. At my house we bend to the will of our birds more often than not and our lives are pretty much centered around them much like if you were to have another child. It's hard to imagine unless it's happening to you...if you want to get a parrot because your young daughter thinks they are pretty I would not get one unless you are ready for a huge responsibility in addition to it's aesthetics. And I'm not saying you're not ready for that but I want you to be prepared. Keep in mind it's also possible depending on the parrots personality you daughter may not even get to handle the parrot. My 12 year old son can't handle my sun conure Ollie, he only let's 3 people on this Earth handle him without biting them as hard as he can. Perhaps some beautiful colorful finches would be a nice addition to your family? They can't be handled very easily but they're fun and cute and lovely to watch. With that said, welcome and happy birding!