I need help

[Max1693244]

I am planning on getting a bird but I am not sure what bird to get. I am not sure what to get so I am stuck between an Indian Ringneck, cockatiel, and an African grey. I am not sure what to do.

 

[AprilRobin]

My husband and I have two Cockatiels. They are sweet, nervous, silly, cautious, dramatic, and...sometimes they are not the "sharpest tools in the shed". They do some things that seem a little dumb...in an adorable way.

Cockatiels have a reputation for being hesitant to trust new owners. Do not give up! Ours would not sit on our hands for couple of months, then it was a few more months before they would sit on our shoulders or heads. Go at their pace and give them time. This is true for any bird species, really, but Cockatiels are known for being slower to trust.

 

[rheashard2]

#1 Look at space you want/need to designate for your future bird. This will narrow down the list with bird size. #2 How much are you willing/able to spend. Cost of a grey, cage, toys, food can be greater than 3K USD! #3 Look at your schedule. Birds require daily care. All larger parrots like greys require a lot of mental stimulus to avoid boredom. Even smaller cockateils, budgies require some mental stimulus. #4 Examine your living area. Birds and most parrots are loud! Living in an apartment will definitely limit choices. Read the posts here, articles, books and more about the species you're interested in. There's pros and cons for every species of bird. I have a Congo Grey, since she was just over 3 months. She just turned 21 yo and going strong. That's a major time commitment. If possible check out and volunteer at a bird rescue. You may find what the bird you want. You'll definitely learn about bird care good and bad.

 

[Max1693244]

Ok thank you all!

 

[Max1693244]

I am wondering if anyone who owns a parrot lives In Bali or near Belgium so maybe I could see how it is living with one because I am not quite sure yet and it’s better to see in real life.

 

[wrench13]

Friend, owning a parrot and being a GOOD owner are 2 different things. ANyone can get a parrot, and cage it and feed it and even talk to it and provide it with toys, but one might as well just get a nice poster of one. A good owner, or parront as we call them, incorporates the bird into the daily life of the house and family, and that is where the true joys, and yes benefits of parrot ownership comes from. THese are highly intelligent, emotionally mature and creative animals that crave congress with other beings, animal or human. They need intimate interaction with their flock on a daily basis, and that is how they become an integral part of the family. Dogs, cats, yes they too integrate with the family, but parrots are unique in that they will shape and mold the dynamics of the house unlike any other. So consider first if that is what you want, and want it for a long time too - parrots can live many decades, with care. They also do not remain static and go thru changes in their lives, emotionally and temperamentally , much like people do, so one must expect and accept that.

Keep in mind that while each species has some general traits associated with it, every parrot is its own, well bird, an individual, and may exhibit all or none of those traits!

Good luck and fortune to you.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Exactly right. People must consider that parrots are not pets of convenience that can be played with and put away in a cage until next time or simply taken with you when you leave the house. Being a parront is a lifestyle that most people have difficulty with eventually. They move, marry, divorce, have children, work full time, get sick, die, and all too often lose interest long before their parrot nears the end of its life. Good avian veterinarian care is expensive and hard to come by, and they're destructive and messy beyond belief.

 

[AprilRobin]

Exactly right. People must consider that parrots are not pets of convenience that can be played with and put away in a cage until next time or simply taken with you when you leave the house. Being a parront is a lifestyle that most people have difficulty with eventually. They move, marry, divorce, have children, work full time, get sick, die, and all too often lose interest long before their parrot nears the end of its life. Good avian veterinarian care is expensive and hard to come by, and they're destructive and messy beyond belief.

To be fair, people will also, sadly, get rid of dogs and cats for those reasons.

I think a lot of trouble with birds is based on people being misinformed and lacking knowledge. Most people have some "common knowledge" about dogs and cats, even if they never owned one/both of those. Those are the two most popular pets in many areas.

As someone who owns both dogs and birds, I don't think our birds are much more work than our dogs - it's just that the care is different. So it can seem difficult to the average non-bird owner, who has mostly heard about dogs and cats.

 

[AprilRobin]

Keep in mind that while each species has some general traits associated with it, every parrot is its own, well bird, an individual, and may exhibit all or none of those traits!

Very true! I can't emphasize this enough.