Hello.

[RickyB]

Hello everyone. My name is Ricky. I am looking to get a parrot and have been doing some research on how different ones behave and react to certain environments. So far I have decided on either a Yellow Naped Amazon or maybe a male Eclectus. I have never owned a parrot, but have since I was little. I am looking to find the one suited to fit my home. I am married with 3 kids, ages 8, 6, and 3. I work 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, just to give a slight overview of my timetable. I have read that Amazons can be stubborn early in life, but I believe I can overcome that. Any tips or advice that can be given would be greatly appreciated. I am going to continue to research for another month or so before I decide on which I am going to adopt.

Thanks;
Ricky B.

 

[Redballoon]

Pink and grey Galah for the win.
http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z110/RedBalloonubik/?action=view&current=Professorandcat2.flv

 

[TexDot33]

Never owned a parrot ... I am not so sure that a 'zon is right for you ... Eckies are great birds, and are a little easier to handle than a 'zon ... I think I would point you more in the eckie direction ... plus eckies are great birds!

Welcome to the forum and hope to hear more about your thought process along this journey of yours ...

:50:

 

[birdcrazy]

I beg you to go with the ekkie. I feel it would be much safer and easily handled by your kids. Plus they are alot quieter. I have never met a nice amazon but have fallen in love with several ekkies. Just do alot of reasearch because their diet is a little different than most parrots.

 

[TexDot33]

... I have never met a nice amazon ...

It's all because you have never met an amazon that has been handled and raised properly ... I know of one 'zon, "Lemonchello", who is owned by the person who owns my favorite parrot store ... I could handle Lemonchello all day long that's a great bird, and I am sure that BirdMan660's Sally Bird, and Pecker, could out do Lemonchello .... I hope the next time he logs on here he will share the story of "Sally Bird and the nighttime intruder" this story will show you guys just how smart these birds are ... but they aren't for everyone, especially the inexperienced handler.

 

[Minzer84]

I did everything for my Amazon possible, my entire world revolved around him, he was very well trained, and he still ended up impossible to handle once the breeding season hit.

Minzer, you haven't been around in AGES. You think this post has something to do with how you raised and handled Iggy, that's not fair to me! I would never take a shot at you and the way you handled Iggy. I had the chance to handle Iggy on several occasions (more than I told you about), and every time I did he was flat out AMAZING! You know that if things were different we would have taken him in an instant! YOU DID A WONDERFUL JOB WITH HIM, and I would never question that!

This post was merely to state the 95% of the time the attitude of bird reflects the handling and training that they get from their owners ...

 

[NicoleN]

Welcome to the Forum!! I hope you find great advice here.

While what everyone is saying about Amazon's is true, they're not terrible birds. It's the males that get especially aggressive during mating season...so if you went with a female, she may be a little more mellow. Amazon's are known to be great talkers and very comical. They can learn tricks fairly easy and are hilarious to watch.

I don't know much about Ekkie's, but I think they are absolutely stunning birds and pretty mellow. I don't know if Wilma is still around this forum or not, she has a male Eclectus, Kodie, and he's pretty great.

I'm sure you know this already, but just bear in mind that every bird has their own personality. If you can get into a pet store to see a hormonal male Amazon during mating season (which is pretty much from now until april or may), then I suggest you check it out. I'd also do the same for the Ekkie. Of course I think the absolute best route to take is to get 'chosen' by a bird. Just think, you could go in wanting an Ekkie and come out with a Senegal or something like that...it's amazing how some birds chose their person and just won't let them go.

 

[TexDot33]

Minzer, you haven't been around in AGES. You think this post has something to do with how you raised and handled Iggy, that's not fair to me! I would never take a shot at you and the way you handled Iggy. I had the chance to handle Iggy on several occasions (more than I told you about), and every time I did he was flat out AMAZING! You know that if things were different we would have taken him in an instant! YOU DID A WONDERFUL JOB WITH HIM, and I would never question that!

This post was merely to state the 95% of the time the attitude of bird reflects the handling and training that they get from their owners ...

*CRAP*

Minzer, I didn't mean to do this ... I hit the wrong button, I chose to "edit" your post instead of "quote" and now I can't fix it ...

I guess a little bit of Peta is rubbing on on me

 

[Tracy842]

I think it would be best to avoid an Amazon especially one of the Hot 3. I would also recommend that you don't choose an Ekkie either. I think with the kids as young as they are a large bird can be potentially dangerous for them as well as the bird. Just ask Minzer how much an Amazon bite can hurt. How would kids that young handle it, if it did happen.
Have you thought about a smaller bird? There are many great birds that hurt a lot less but have the same great big bird personality.

 

[zarafia]

I think a male eclectus might be a good bird for you. get one just weaned and always supervise your kids with him. Male eclectus parrots can be very docile and gentle. I wouldn't reccomend a female as a first bird for a family though.

 

[RickyB]

The reason I was thinking about the Amazon is its intelligence. They are supposed to be really good talkers and quick learners. That is what I really want, I am not set on the Amazon, just set on a bird that can learn a substantial vocabulary, quick learner (Speech/Tricks/Etc), and easy to handle. I read that the Ekkie can get stressed pretty easily, and with 3 kids running around and what not, I didn't think that was the best bet, but that is just what I read. So any more advice that can be given would be greatly appreciated. Not to mention, a smaller bird would be easier on the pocket.

 

[birdcrazy]

well first you need to know not every bird will learn to talk no matter how much you work with them so make sure you want more in a bird than just a cool looking pet that can mimic. smaller intellegent and known for talking you have to look into the quaker parrot. they are illegal in some states however so make sure you check into that first.

 

[RickyB]

Well, it's not really a pet that I want. I have spoken with several people and their birds have become more of a friend. That's what I want, I am not looking to -own- it in general terms. I want an active bird that is willing to play, learn, etc. Being that I am not too familiar with parrots, I may be shooting for the stars in my expectations. So far, many people have said an Ekkie, so I suppose at this point, I will look into that some more. Once again, any advice would be appreciated, as I said, I don't know ANYTHING about parrots/birds except I have wanted one since I was about 10.

Thanks;

Ricky B.

 

[RickyB]

Well, I went to the pet store today and looked at a male and female Eckie, also got to see a few others, Jenday Conure, Sun Conure, Scarlet Macaw, Blue and Gold Macaw, and a few smaller birds. I have decided to go with the Male Eckie. He will be in the store in 2 weeks to begin his weening process, unfortunately the store is 2 hours away and I can not go everyday, but I will be going every Saturday after he arrives to begin learning how to ween and to begin the bonding process. He will come to his new home after he is weened. Can't wait. Thanks for all of the advice.


Ricky B.

 

[TexDot33]

That's great news Rick!! :bunny7:

Now comes the hardest part, WAITING :11::11: for your new buddy to come home!

I don't think that it's imperative that you be there everyday for your new buddy, but definitely getting there as often as you can to bond/work with him will be important.

The great news here is that you are getting your baby at the perfect time to start working on good behavior habits, good personality traits and great training. I have to advise that you yourself are ready for this task. Get a good book (The Guide to a Well Behaved Parrot) and start to get a grip on the basics of parrot training.

And remember, as always, we will expect our payment for this advice we have offered up to you, in the form of pictures!

:50:
​

 

[birdcrazy]

that's great - I always thought the ekkie was the right one for you.

 

[RickyB]

I will get some pictures the first Saturday I go down there to see him. Yeah, the waiting is going to be just blah. The plus though, is that I will get to see him just about every week, so it will make it easier, and the time that I have to wait I can continue my research and learn as much as possible before I bring him home. Hopefully, I'll be ready by then.

Do you think it would be a good idea to take the kids down with me a few times to introduce them to him and let him get familiar with them before he comes home? Maybe not the first few times, but in time?

Btw, I have decided to name him Roffles. There isn't a story behind that name, really. I have been trying to think of a name every since I decided I was going to add another member to the family; several weeks. I was laying in bed the other night and that name came to me, I dunno' why or where it came from, it just popped into my head and stuck.

 

[Tracy842]

The name is very cute I like it. Can't wait to see the pictures!!!

 

[RickyB]

He will NEVER be with/around the kids unsupervised; so that's not a problem.