Help me pick

[MrBackpack]

I'm researching the different parrot species in order to pick out my first parrot.

My fiance and I agree, if we do find a parrot, it will be something that we both agree on and will be willing to pay his/her bills for and will not skimp out on the supplies.

The main thing that we're going to need to be aware of is going to be the fact the we're going to have a cat in the home, as well as a corgi, and as such, any parrot that we bring home will need to be either: big enough to not be threatened by the two other animals or have a cage that is very sturdy.

The other thing I'm worried about is how I've heard that some bird can become aggressive when others get close to 'their' person, and the possibility of having children in the future

I'm not that worried about the noise factor, at least not yet, we won't be in a position to afford a parrot for a while yet, this is just initial research to direct my searches into a particular breed.

As a knee jerk pick I like the scarlet macaw, red is my favorite color, and the african grey, a friend has one...

any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Mayden]

What is it that you're looking for in a parrot then?

Cheeky, clownish, big, small, quite, or a bird that can and probably will scream the house down.

If you've give us a bit more insight we might be able to lead you in the right direction, also how much money do you THINK you will end up paying for the initial purchase for the parrot, as obviously, different breeds are different prices.

All the things you've mentioned there are good, but any parrot has the capability of being fantastically noisey or CAN become aggressive towards people who go near 'their' person. It's about finding the right balance for you

 

[MrBackpack]

What is it that you're looking for in a parrot then?

Cheeky, clownish, big, small, quite, or a bird that can and probably will scream the house down.

If you've give us a bit more insight we might be able to lead you in the right direction, also how much money do you THINK you will end up paying for the initial purchase for the parrot, as obviously, different breeds are different prices.

All the things you've mentioned there are good, but any parrot has the capability of being fantastically noisey or CAN become aggressive towards people who go near 'their' person. It's about finding the right balance for you

What I am looking for in a parrot: an interesting, unique, long-lived companion

The noise thing I can learn to deal with, its the aggressiveness that I would have a problem with, especially with the possibility of having children.

The only breed/species that I don't want are parakeets and/or finches

 

[Mayden]

So anything cockatiel or 'up' then.

How much time do you think you could spend with your parrot each day?

So far in mind I've got conures/pois/ringnecks/electus. But lets dig a little deeper and see what might suit you best!

 

[MrBackpack]

time to spend with the parrot?

Right now, I've got more time than I know what to with, but when I actually get a parrot?
I honestly don't know, hopefully I'll be working a full-time job to support my wife and am prone to late nights, but I can make time to spend with the parrot.

 

[suebee]

think most important is, some1 to spend time with parrot, doesn't matter if its you or your wife

caring for a parrot is like taking care of a small child, tantrums an all and in some cases the parrot can have some extra demanding needs

i spend 15mins each night sorting out nuts main cage, as in cleaning, washing food dishes, planting her treat straws etc (then 30mins once a wk main clean)

nut is put to bed after 7pm till about 7:30am in her sleep cage, that also needs a daily clean in the am

her day time routine is about an hour (less) out time, not much interaction, then main cage till 4/5pm

share bath an dinner (sometimes a nap with me depending on my shifts before i start on dinner) then bed (she has her dinner in her sleep cage in kitchen) i also play tickly toes with her if she is in the mood
these interation times are the most important, at least for nut, it keeps her so******ed an as we eat together, she interacts with us all before hand, as we set table, plate food (she like to see what we are having an ensure she is getting a share!) etc and as we are doing some thing that interests her she is not biting etc

there are a few variations in this routine from time to time

but i do feel if you stick with a good routine, even after baby is born it won't be as much of a stress factor, but if you start with spending 24/7 with parrot then reduce this time (especially suddenly) you will have problems

 

[MrBackpack]

think most important is, some1 to spend time with parrot, doesn't matter if its you or your wife

caring for a parrot is like taking care of a small child, tantrums an all and in some cases the parrot can have some extra demanding needs

i spend 15mins each night sorting out nuts main cage, as in cleaning, washing food dishes, planting her treat straws etc (then 30mins once a wk main clean)

nut is put to bed after 7pm till about 7:30am in her sleep cage, that also needs a daily clean in the am

her day time routine is about an hour (less) out time, not much interaction, then main cage till 4/5pm

share bath an dinner (sometimes a nap with me depending on my shifts before i start on dinner) then bed (she has her dinner in her sleep cage in kitchen) i also play tickly toes with her if she is in the mood
these interation times are the most important, at least for nut, it keeps her so******ed an as we eat together, she interacts with us all before hand, as we set table, plate food (she like to see what we are having an ensure she is getting a share!) etc and as we are doing some thing that interests her she is not biting etc

there are a few variations in this routine from time to time

but i do feel if you stick with a good routine, even after baby is born it won't be as much of a stress factor, but if you start with spending 24/7 with parrot then reduce this time (especially suddenly) you will have problems

Okay, I understand the concept of spending time with the parrot; my initial understanding was that someone needed to be there all the time with the bird, like I had to with my corgi when she was a puppy.

If course I would spend a lot of time when I get home from work/school, either watching TV or doing homework or just playing around with the bird.

personal bird information updated.

With that understanding, probably around 4-6 hours daily, more on the weekends.

 

[Angela19]

Alexandrines are a little smaller than Amazons, but they have crazy long tails. If you want a bird to possibly bond to both of you ( they"ll will decide this...lol) Alex's Do Not bond with one mate forever like most birds...! They arent big on the cuddling but love to talk and mimic and do like being with you...I LOVE MY MANGO!

 

[suebee]

well they say sennies canbe one person birds, but since nut has settled, she is ok with me and my partner

but all this took time (months) 1st it was me, then my man and for a while only my man could handle her, and even now i am the skittish one when it comes to handling, though she does step up etc for me

 

[mrob]

I whatever bird you decide on (some people wouldnt recommend a macaw or grey unless you had somehandling experience - but if you do heaps of research and try and spend time with these birds before deciding to get them (like at a shelter etc) it might be ok.....then again macaws might be ruled out re:noise factor and greys need a lot of stimulation as they are so so smart).........

The number one thing I would recomend is make sure the bird is a hand raised baby. Always! handraised. And if they are a bit older they need to have been handled daily and still be used to people. Saves yourself a lot of time and frustration in the long run that without experience can lead you to tearing your hair out - taming birds takes a lot of time, knowledge and patience! Make sure you spend plenty of time with the bird and see how it interacts with the breeder/owner - if its terrified of them then its going to be doubly scared of you! Ideally you want a bird thast is already tame and used to people - dont assume that they automatically will be and take what breeders (and especially pet shops) say with a large grain of salt. Unfortunately there are bird dealers out there that will take advantage of inexperienced soon to be bird owners and lie about how well the bird is so******ed, etc.

Once again time at a shelter/breeder is invaluable for starting to learn stuff like body language and clues which will make your choice so much easier...

Good luck!

p.s. I might be biased but we all know that Eclectus are the best parrots anyways

 

[MrBackpack]

I whatever bird you decide on (some people wouldnt recommend a macaw or grey unless you had somehandling experience - but if you do heaps of research and try and spend time with these birds before deciding to get them (like at a shelter etc) it might be ok.....then again macaws might be ruled out re:noise factor and greys need a lot of stimulation as they are so so smart).........

Once again time at a shelter/breeder is invaluable for starting to learn stuff like body language and clues which will make your choice so much easier...

Good luck!

p.s. I might be biased but we all know that Eclectus are the best parrots anyways

The only species that I'm totally ruling out are parakeets and finches... though, just based on looks alone, I don't really like the Eclectus, I know nothing about their personalities or anything, just not a fan of their aesthetics.

This thread is just to direct my research into narrowing down what I should look at and research.

I already figured that the African Grey was out of the running, but I'm going to still hold onto the macaw as a potential.

 

[mele]

First, Don't get me wrong. I love my Scarlet and would't trade him for the world.

Like mrob said, no one would recomend a macaw or a CAG to someone without large bird experience. Scarlet macaws can be very loving but hard to read. One minute you will be playing and the next your skin is being pulverized between a large beak. I noticed its not so much the tip of the beak you need to worry about but the sides
As tame and loving as a scarlet may be, they cant pass up an opprotunity to pinch the one they love

My friends with children hate when I say this but having a large parrot is like having a small child. They need hours of interaction and constant supervision otherwise they will develop behavior problems. They seem to look for trouble and will destroy your belongings if given half a chance.

I would definitely look at the other breeds first.

If your determined to get a macaw, most macaw owners would recomend a green-wing. They are more calm and less likely to be a one person bird.

 

[MrBackpack]

I would definitely look at the other breeds first.

If your determined to get a macaw, most macaw owners would recomend a green-wing. They are more calm and less likely to be a one person bird.

I would be remiss if I was not considering other species first before the macaw... nearly every species besides the african grey, cockatoo, the Eclectus, and the other two I just plain don't want.

but thanks for the recommendation on the green-wing, I'll keep that in mind.

 

[MrBackpack]

So anything cockatiel or 'up' then.

So far in mind I've got conures/pois/ringnecks. But lets dig a little deeper and see what might suit you best!

tell me about these species, I've been trying to get a feel for them in the species specific sub-forums, but no luck.

thanks for the info.

 

[MrBackpack]

I had my first experience with a blue and gold macaw at a local petsmart today...

the guy decided that 'Marty' needed a new toy and took him along for the ride.

I was very intimidated by the beak, but 'Marty' was very interested in chewing on my hat, not to mention I was not prepared for when he jumped on my arm nor how heavy he was.

His owner said that he got 'Marty' from a friend who died in the service of the USA, and he was his first parrot, pretty sure I'm not going to go that route, but it was nice to know that it's possible.

I'm hooked, I will own a parrot some day