I've been thinking of adding a second bird to my family...........

[mtdoramike]

But, after talking to my wife about it, I'm having second thought. I love birds think the world of my Senegal. But as my wife pointed out, most parrots can live for 50-60 years and I'm 56 years old. My dream bird besides my Senegal would be:

1. Congo African Grey
2. Blue & Gold Macaw
3. Miligold Macaw
4 Sulpher Crested Cockatoo or Umbrella Cockatoo
5. Yellow Naped Amazon

I want to be a responsible bird owner and don't want to put my wants above the needs of the bird.

 

[suebee]

why not get an older bird??
i do feel your wife is right?

i often joke that nut is all the kids will inherit from me!!!
also will your wife/family be able to care for the birds if anything happens to you??

 

[SharonC]

I'm the same age, and I got my YNA, Fred, last June. I did hesitate because of my age, but decided to go for it. I have made it clear to my family that if I die, someone has to find Fred a GOOD home. My daughter would take him out of "loyalty" to me, but she's not a bird person. I have told her that I do not expect her to take Fred...it's not fair to her, or Fred. All I ask is that she will find him a good place...

 

[jew1187]

I say go for it. Look at getting an older bird. But definitely go for it. You are 56, you could possibly live another 30 plus years. You never know. And if you do get a younger bird, you can put him in your will to someone that you have a prior arrangement with. Preferably a younger person that will be able to take care of him/her so he/she only has two owners in his/her life time.

 

[MikeyTN]

If your able why not? When your not able and need to find him a home just make sure he goes to someone the bird likes. When I first went to see Willie my blue & gold macaw. He came to me in less then a min I was in their house. They were in shock and beg me to take him home cause I was the only person he's ever done that with. He would only come to me or the dogs. Not another person!!! He allows my partner to give him treats and feed him, that is it! Even when I went back to take him home he came right to me. Birds know when its time for them to move on! Im sure Willie will understand when that day comes when I am too old to provide for him.

 

[B_Weimert]

I had this same thoughts however i am very young I am only 21 and my husband is 35 years old we have 5 kids so adding our newest family member Our Military Macaw was a huge step from our Quaker and Conure. It was also a totally different bird than what we were use to. We checked out shelters from here (tx) to way up north(PA area) We found one only 2 hours away that had a 25-30 year old Military Macaw who out lived his last owner. My husband is active army and has done 5 deployments in the last 8 years or so. This was another big reason as to why i wanted an older bird that was pretty set in his ways knew what it meant to be a large bird in a home with 5 crazy kids and has seen a lot. I also wanted a bird that I knew i was going to be able to care for until he did pass. I wanted to give our new bird the family that he had lost, and a chance to grow old in a home that he wasn't going to outlive.

I think that you shouldn't let your age be a factor I met several older loving birds while looking for the right one that would love to have a home with the care and love you seem to have. I looked at an African grey who was 38 years old and just as sweet an loving an trusting of strangers as a baby would be that you raised yourself. There are a lot of great people who cant make it as long as their birds and have to find homes or shelters that will place them. I haven't been on the forum long but maybe adopting that special bird would be the right thing for both of you. You would be giving an older bird that lost his/her family a new home and all the right love to be a part of again. they seem to be very thankful

 

[mtdoramike]

Well, I think I have probably been out voted on the second bird idea. My wife quickly pointed out that I left out a very important piece of information here. That is, I have a bad heart and suffer from angina frequently and my issue is inoperable. So right now she feels comfortable with Tiki our Senegal. But a second bird, especially from the list in my first post might be a problem for her. So while only in my mid-50's, I'm pretty much bettin on the bird out living me by probably several years.

I've always wanted an Amazon preferrably a Blue Front or Yellow naped, B&G Macaw or and African Grey ever since I was a kid, but either never had the time or finances, but now I do. Unfortunately it just doesn't look like it's meant to be I reckon.

 

[Ozzy]

Mike- You can always babysit my Ozzy!! We live close enough!

I know from talking to you that this has been a dream of yours for a long time. Why dont you look into Florida PArrot rescue, or similar rescue, for an older bird like others have mentioned? Maybe not a macaw but a smaller grey? You have plenty of time and more than enough love. Just a thought...

 

[mtdoramike]

Thanks Erin, I have thought about a rescue and would love to pursue that angle, but it probably won't be until next year. I will be back and forth quite a bit from the Virgin Islands due to my wifes mother who lives there and getting up in years. We will be going down there in a few weeks. I would have loved to take Tiki with me, but she has to stay with my Nephew.

 

[amyingatorland@bellsouth.]

There are so many of these birds in Rescues that need good homes. Please do, but please don't shop, insted adopt. Or if you have a parrot rescue close to you, you could maybe foster.