howdy from houston

[MetroidGirl]

hey guys! im new, from houston. i'm actually looking right now to get a parrot, i really want a senegal, but am having trouble finding a good breeder in houston( i want one thats hand raised AND weaned) if anyone knows of a good breeder let me know, i'm always ready to learn more about these and other birds and cant wait to own one of my own.

funny fact, i use to be afraid of birds, and i actually had a phobia of them cuz of something that happend to me when i was little, but my friends senegal turned me around and showed me how friendly they are, and now i'm in love with them! hope to get to know ya'll well! talk to ya soon!
Sarah

 

[Auggie's Dad]

Not from the area, so I don't know of any. But, as strange as it sounds, I've always found Petsmart's birds to be very well raised, socialized, and cared for. I'm not sure where they get them from, but I know once they get to the store there out of their cages as much as they are in and they get socialized with lots of people and animals.

Whether or not your local petsmart will have senegals is a toss up, and I suppose whether or not they are as good with the birds as my local store may be questionable. But don't overlook them as a resource.

Good luck, keep us informed.

 

[MetroidGirl]

really? i was thinkin about takin a trip down to petsmart today just to see what they had. i'm on my way out to go get a library card ( lol i'm such a dork, so i can borrow books to read about parrots) and i'll probably swing by there. i'll let you know how it goes! thanks for the input, it really helped.

 

[TexDot33]

I got Hamlet from a PetCo - and though I wouldn't do it again, Ham was in great condition upon her first well birdie check-up ... Another great place to look is to pick up a copy of Bird Talk magazine and they have breeders listed by state in the very back ... you could check there for a start.

Welcome to the forum, please enjoy your stay!

:50:

 

[MetroidGirl]

well so i'm getting a nanday conure from a local breeder down here, its not as expensive as the senegal, are they just as friendly? what is ya'lls experience with nandays? ive read up a bunch on them, but you know that whats written is only second best to true experience. i'm pretty excited, but is there anything i should know?

 

[zarafia]

I personally really like nandays. They can be very affectionate and become very attached to their owners. They can be very niosy, though. My best advice is to get a baby that is just weaned. If you can, purchase a baby that is still being hand-fed and visit the baby every few days untill he is weaned. Most stores and some breeders welcome this type of thing because it allows you the oppurtunity to ask many questions and insures that the baby is going to a loving home.

 

[Auggie's Dad]

I've only met one nanday, he was great. I am a bit partial as a conure person.

Most of what you've read up on senegals will apply to nandays as well. I think after my reading the only thing that really surprised me about Auggie was how loud he could be. You read about it, people tell you about it, but untill you are walking home and you hear your bird screaming while you are still a block and a half away while all the doors and windows are closed.... well I wasn't expecting that.

It doesn't bother me any, but that was probably the only thing that truly surprised me.

Oooh, and keep him away from your computer keyboard. Auggie has eaten through a few of mine. The one Im currently using is missing half the keys.

 

[MetroidGirl]

i'm not too comfortable with weening the chick myself, i've heard if you dont know what youre doing then you can end up killing the chick. while i'm sure i could learn, and figure it out, i dont want to risk it. i have a lot of time on my hands and love to give, so i'm sure i'll be able to bond with it quickly without weening the chick myself. i have about three weeks till he/she is home with me, so now its all about reading and researching my new baby so i can give her the best home!
anyone have any suggestions for names? i cant think of one at all.


::edit::
okay i just found out that i'm getting a bonus check in a few days, and so now i am able to get the senegal that i wanted. which do ya'll think would be better? the nanday is cheaper, but i really had my heart set on a senegal. what do you guys think?

 

[Auggie's Dad]

Congratulations on the bonus. If you have time before you bring them home anyway perhaps you should get to know each of them before you decide.

Being able to afford what you really wanted is great, but make sure its what you really wanted. Also realize that the bird itself is only a small portion of the cost. I spent more on Auggie's cage than I did on Auggie, then you figure in the toys, dishes, etc etc just to get set up.

Go for the one that grabs your heart, in the end we don't choose our birds, they choose us.

 

[MetroidGirl]

well another option just opened up with this mexican redhead parrot. so now i'm just deciding. the mexican redhead is free, so that means i'd have a lot more money to put into vet bills and taking care of it..... i'm gonna go visit them all really soon, so i should have my mind made up soon!

 

[Auggie's Dad]

Free? cant beat that. But why are the previous owners giving it away?

 

[MetroidGirl]

she just had twins lol!! she says the bird is very loving, she's had it since 92, and its in good health.

 

[TexDot33]

Mexican Red-Head ... wait, isn't that an amazon ... "Hey, Google, help me out here!"

Mexican Red Headed parrot, or GREEN CHEEKED AMAZON ... Thanks Google!

 

[MetroidGirl]

lol i guess the more popular name is green cheeked amazon?

 

[MetroidGirl]

theres also a maximilliion pionus that i am looking at too. lol all these choices, i'm going to see them today, by friday i'll have my mind made up i hope!!

 

[MetroidGirl]

i'm picking up the green cheeked amazon on friday. she was free and really needed a good home. i'll let you guys know how she is, i'll probably need some advice on how to make her like me, lol!

 

[Tracy842]

funny fact, i use to be afraid of birds, and i actually had a phobia of them cuz of something that happend to me when i was little, but my friends senegal turned me around and showed me how friendly they are, and now i'm in love with them! hope to get to know ya'll well! talk to ya soon!
Sarah

Ha Ha Ha I had a fear of birds too, until Popsicle came along. She was a poor little "viscious" Senegal at a pet store for over a year. She turned out to be a really sweet bird. After a couple of months I decided to fork over the rediculous price for her and bring her home. She means everything to me.