I want a Parrot

[MrBackpack]

I joined this forum a few years ago, when I was still in college and eventually gave up becasue I was convinced that I could take care of a larger bird without an past expierence.

Now that I've gotten a little older and started to understand that I really do need help. I got married, bought a house, and am back in school learnign a valuable profession: nursing.

But, with the new wife comes a new complication: a cat.

I still want a bird, and have plenty of time to spend with the bird in my office, with a door to keep the cat out, where I spend the most of my time at home.

How should I go about deciding what kind fo bird to get and where would I go about finding the most information about said bird.

Like most people who don't really understand parrots, I am most attracted to Macaws and conures, but I'm not sure how a conure would deal with a cat and I know that a cat would have the crap beaten out of it by teh macaw (I do now know that cats carry bacteria as part of the normal biology that is toxic to birds).

Can you help direct me as to where I should be looking?

Thanks

 

[JerseyWendy]

Do you have any specialized bird stores nearby that you could go visit? If not stores, how about rescues where you could go and interact with birds? Volunteer perhaps, so that could give you a better understanding on what is involved with the type of bird you are most interested in.

We have SO many members who successfully keep parrots and cats in the same household, so please don't let that deter you.

 

[MrBackpack]

Do you have any specialized bird stores nearby that you could go visit? If not stores, how about rescues where you could go and interact with birds? Volunteer perhaps, so that could give you a better understanding on what is involved with the type of bird you are most interested in.

There used to be a few, but they've closed in the past couple of years. There is this one trashy local pet store that has a BG Macaw, but he's plucking and seems to have some very bad habits that I'm not sure I can handle without help and/or experience.

 

[getwozzy]

What type of qualities are you looking in a parrot? Independent? Cuddly? Clownish?

You said you're in school, but also have a home office...how many hours a day could you or your wife spend with the bird? Have you researched any certified avian vets in your area?

 

[MrBackpack]

What type of qualities are you looking in a parrot? Independent? Cuddly? Clownish?

You said you're in school, but also have a home office...how many hours a day could you or your wife spend with the bird? Have you researched any certified avian vets in your area?

I have not finished my prep stage of considering a bird, with my new mindset, as of yet. So, as much as it shames me to admit it, I have no research avail vets in my area, though I am more than willing to drive for the best possible care for my companion.

If I'm not working, I'm at home. On days that I work, I can easily give him/her anywhere from 3-5 hours of attention, days off would get them more attention of course. So enough, I think for most birds, but not a cockatoo.

I would like a companion, maybe a bit of a clown, somewhat cuddly.

 

[getwozzy]

I have not finished my prep stage of considering a bird, with my new mindset, as of yet. So, as much as it shames me to admit it, I have no research avail vets in my area, though I am more than willing to drive for the best possible care for my companion.

If I'm not working, I'm at home. On days that I work, I can easily give him/her anywhere from 3-5 hours of attention, days off would get them more attention of course. So enough, I think for most birds, but not a cockatoo.

I would like a companion, maybe a bit of a clown, somewhat cuddly.

Ah I see! Well, those are just some questions you should take into consideration when searching for what species you'd like to bring home

Oh gosh- don't even beat yourself up for that lol you've barely started this adventure! I would see if there's a local bird club around you and see if you can get AVet recommendations from them. Or if you're cat goes to a vet see if they can refer you to one. That's how I found my AVet; I asked my regular vet, and he referred me to apparently the only one in our entire metropolitan area lol he actually is the vet for her cows, and she's his father's amazon's AVet. If any of that doesn't confuse you lol

Even on days you're working, 3-5 hours of out-of-cage time will work. There are a lot of members here who work full-time jobs away from home and still have successful and healthy relationships with their fids. You'll need to ensure your parrot can self-entertain...that will help when you're gone.

I personally vote for an amazon. They're clownish, talkative, can be independent, not overly cuddly, can be great family birds as long as you socialize, socialize, socialize!!!

Good luck!

 

[Terry57]

I have 3 dogs and 4 cats as well as my birds. We never let them in the same room with the birds when they're out, but to be honest, the cats care less about seeing the birds than the dogs do.

 

[MrBackpack]

I have not finished my prep stage of considering a bird, with my new mindset, as of yet. So, as much as it shames me to admit it, I have no research avail vets in my area, though I am more than willing to drive for the best possible care for my companion.

If I'm not working, I'm at home. On days that I work, I can easily give him/her anywhere from 3-5 hours of attention, days off would get them more attention of course. So enough, I think for most birds, but not a cockatoo.

I would like a companion, maybe a bit of a clown, somewhat cuddly.

Ah I see! Well, those are just some questions you should take into consideration when searching for what species you'd like to bring home

Oh gosh- don't even beat yourself up for that lol you've barely started this adventure! I would see if there's a local bird club around you and see if you can get AVet recommendations from them. Or if you're cat goes to a vet see if they can refer you to one. That's how I found my AVet; I asked my regular vet, and he referred me to apparently the only one in our entire metropolitan area lol he actually is the vet for her cows, and she's his father's amazon's AVet. If any of that doesn't confuse you lol

Even on days you're working, 3-5 hours of out-of-cage time will work. There are a lot of members here who work full-time jobs away from home and still have successful and healthy relationships with their fids. You'll need to ensure your parrot can self-entertain...that will help when you're gone.

I personally vote for an amazon. They're clownish, talkative, can be independent, not overly cuddly, can be great family birds as long as you socialize, socialize, socialize!!!

Good luck!

Would you look at that English up in my quote, that's what I get for posting on an iPad without paying attention.

Am I going to have to really worry about the cat with an Amazon?

I haven't even looked at Amazons in the past, even when I was looking at a bird to begin with.

 

[getwozzy]

Always use caution no matter what! when there's a cat in the house. Even if you think they get along great.

Our 18 lb cat was seriously afraid of our 'zon, and that was because he knew Jackie meant business lol

I think you should at least look them up maybe an orange winged (OWA)

 

[bob1]

If your going the Amazon path I would recommend my favorite a Blue Fronted Amazon or the Yellow Nape Amazon but the OWA are also pretty.

 

[MrBackpack]

If your going the Amazon path I would recommend my favorite a Blue Fronted Amazon or the Yellow Nape Amazon but the OWA are also pretty.

I am trying very hard to keep an open mind about the bird that I eventually get, but in am going to be a little bit petty and mention that I'm not the biggest fan of green birds. I don't fully understand it, but... Yeah.

I'm not ruling anything out at this point but that's what's on the brain at this moment.

This was the main reason that I gravitated to the Scarlet/greenwing macaw, the sun conure, and the African Grey. Granted, I know very little about the conure in general, even less about the Sun variety, and though I really want a macaw, I need to do more research.

Perhaps I should have titled this thread "Convince me that my idea to buy a Macaw as a first bird is stupid."

 

[getwozzy]

I TOTALLY understand the "green bird" thing. My husband has the same feeling, so we ended up with a galah (there were also other deciding factors, but I had to consider his feelings when selecting a bird).

My opinion is that there are some species that first-time parronts should wait until they have experience. But! I believe as long as you do your research and you're willing to train them properly, feed them a healthy diet, give them medical care when they need it, and you know for a fact that you're ready and willing to deal with any hormonal or behavioral issues. Ask yourself- can I deal with a hormonal macaw with a can opener attached to its face?? You need to be honest with yourself about your limitations, and sometimes the dream bird is not the right bird. ((I'm not saying you can't or shouldn't get a Mac, but you need to think about the behavioral what-ifs)). If a GW or scarlet is your dream bird- go visit a few either in bird shops or rescues and talk to owners about the realities of caring for one. I have had people tell me that I could deal with a Mac because of my previous zon experience, but honestly- I'm scared to bits of those beaks, so that's my limitation....I don't know if I could *not* be scared while trying to handle it. And you do NOT want to be fearful of macs because they will take advantage of that.

 

[getwozzy]

Another thing you'll want to think about and discuss with the wifey, is that whatever bird you choose- are both of you going to be involved in the care and training process?? I believe it's a good idea that both people are involved in all aspects of care, but like in our case- I do all the feeding, cleaning, training, etc. but my husband is aware of everything that chili needs and understands the level of care these feather butts need. My point is- if you're going to be the primary caregiver and if something happens to you (god forbid!) will she be able to handle the bird and take care of it without you there??

 

[Mayden]

Noise factors... you've listed really noisey birds. On different spectrums (macaws with their loud 'braying' and conures with their screamy/shrieky calls)...

Could you give us some more information about what type of bird you think you might be interested in?
Size ISH
Noise limitations/what can you and your wife personally handle. (I can't cope with conures, but can deal with the loud honks of 'toos just fine)
Hormones, so are more 'actively' hormonal than others
BEAK SIZE. is that something that will intimidate you/the wife?
Personality? Cuddly? Independant? Playful?
Ability to talk?

Ignore the 'cat factor', if you get a budgie, or a macaw - you still need to be vigilant.
Granted, most 'big birds' have the noise factor to scare away kitties, but not enough that you should feel comfortable leaving them alone for even a second. Our 'too used to scare the cats... until the kitten learnt that the loud calls he makes - are just noise. but our sennies are cat food. So it really doesn't make a difference, the cat needs to learn that the birds are off limits, but you also need to by hypervigilant with having a cat about.

 

[Merlee]

I have owned a blue and gold macaw and I am still afraid of the beak! I fake it well though. lol. Keep in mind whatever bird you get, IMO, it will not be 100% trustworthy. They may bite for no reason so keep whatever bird you get away from your face. I have an amazon as well and have found that an amazon bite is nothing compared to a macaw.

 

[MrBackpack]

You have all listed some very good points and something that I hadn't even really thought about the beak...

I'm not going to lie, the beak is very intimidating even though I am a hobbyist welder and am used to burns a pain all over my arms and face.

What I want out of a bird companion: a companion that I can take places with me, bot inside and outside the house. I'm used to high noise levels and can learn to deal. Being able to talk is cool, but not a deal breaker or maker. Though now that I actually really think about it, I think that a lower pitched noise would be 'less' annoying (?) than a higher pitched squawk.

I also like red.

Edit: I just want to thank everyone in this thread for all of their input and help, I feel like I'm starting to really understand what I'm getting into and I find myself getting more and more excited.

 

[MenomaMinx]

Get a red factor African grey then, if you really want a red bird.

Personally, I think everyone should have a Congo African grey, but I'm extraordinarily biased.

The more I think about it, the more I think the idea of a starter bird is just cruel to the first bird.

Do your research and get exactly what you want – but do your research exhaustively, and always keep in mind the worst case scenario possible.

As for the macaw thing, the gentlest bird I've ever met is my Kumiko, who is a calico macaw. Her beak is huge and she never breaks the skin. The bigger problem is beak banging, which involves getting bludgeoned with the entire closed beak hard. It can leave a bruise. I've gotten hit twice. Not sure what provoked the first time, but the second was over Taco Bell – she wanted it and I didn't give it to her, so she gave it to me – hard!

There wasn't any malice or anger involved. Extremely good-natured bird.

On the other hand, I just committed to adopting a pair serial killer birds a.k.a. lovebirds, from my local rabbit rescue who occasionally will take smaller birds from the pound and try to rehome them. Those birds have razor sharp beaks. And by reputation, if you put them in the cage with a bird of similar a larger size, they will attack sooner or later.

I'm looking forward to the challenge, but I'm going in with my eyes open. Lots of bird species are misrepresented not only by the sellers, but by the people who own unusually good-natured versions of the species that become unwitting propagandists of how easy that particular bird species is.

I just did it myself with the grey. My Valentino was 21 years old when he was murdered, and I miss him terribly. Valentino didn't have a shy bone in his body and was extremely social. He liked playing complicated pranks on the neighbors and other animals, understood what he was saying, and made pets out of everybody – except female humans, who were all his girlfriends. The youngest were four years old(Leah and Gigi) and the oldest has been 85 for the past several years, has pink hair in the front and white here in the back, is tiny, Italian, and curses-- Yolanda is my idol!

Valentino never cursed, even though he was exposed to it.

He was also a service animal, which included a whole another skill set most birds would never need.

From what I've learned, he was not the typical Congo African grey. Extraordinarily socialized from babyhood and the absolutely constant center of attention for many years most likely greatly attributed to his attributes. Since his death, I've been horrified by the way most people interact with their greys shortly before surrendering them to the local major bird store consignment shops. They know what they're doing wrong when I inquire about it, but are not willing to change their interactions with the bird to keep the bird. Too many of these people, it's"just a bird"which is absolutely disastrous when dealing with African grey or just about any other parrot for that matter. I've met some very strange antisocial greys this way; whereas before hand, I didn't believe they existed.

Regardless of what you end up with, stay away from the feather tether harness – they're dangerous. From what I can tell, the only non-custom-made safe harness is the aviator, and even a gentle bird like Kumiko complains about putting it on due to how the headpiece is one piece. Fortunately, she works for peanut butter apples and hugs

In other words, find your bribe early on and don't be afraid to use it ;-)

 

[MrBackpack]

Does anyone know of a place near Austin Texas that I might be able to interact with a few birds?

The only two that I could find have closed in the past couple of years and I would like to experience a macaw in closer proximity than I have before at zoos and shows.

I want to do all the possible research I can before deciding. The Green-wing Macaw is still on the top of the list. I'm trying not to sound like I did before, but its so hard to no follow what I feel like I want even though I know that I don't fully understand what I can handle.

 

[Merlee]

Whatever you get, make sure your other half is on board because she will have deal with it to.

 

[Birdman666]

I have 3 dogs and 4 cats as well as my birds. We never let them in the same room with the birds when they're out, but to be honest, the cats care less about seeing the birds than the dogs do.

Yeah. I agree with that statement.

That tends to be the case, unless the cats are hunters. And a cat is NOT likely to go after a large macaw. It is more likely to run away... which encourages a macaw to give chase, but doesn't necessarily mean it will.