Looking for a "beginner" bird.....

[Figment]

My family has been looking to find a perfect bird to add to our flock for a while now, and we have been considering a Blue Headed Pionus. We don't have a ton of bird experience, but we do have 2 young fischers lovebirds we recently "aqquired". We have had Budgies in the past and a Quaker that we rescued some years ago (who sadly passed a year after we rescued him). In anticipation of our bigger bird we have a nice sized cage filled with toys, and even have a bag of Zupreem waiting "just in case".
And an instant connection to my "crazy bird lady" friend in another time zone for those stupid questions, moral support or heaven forbid, an emergency.
We live in a motorhome full time and travel with our 3 kids. We work part time at the RV resort we live at for a few months, then move on to the next one. Our kids (13yrs, 8yrs, 5yrs) are homeschooled so someone is ALWAYS home. We have an outside area under our awning that is our living area with the bigger cage and a play pen for the bird. We have a smaller bedtime cage inside the RV (as you can imagine, we are limited on space)
Are these living arrangements something that would be suitable for this species of bird? We are hoping for a "quieter" bird and something a little less intimidating to make sure my kids and husband are involved (my quaker didn't like men at ALL).

Any info would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Sulphiria]

Wow, small world! Welcome to the forums. I believe I talked to you about Bandit when we were searching for a home for him. I have to be honest and say the only reason we didnt pick you for him was that we were afraid of him being in such a small home with 3 children. I cant imagine there is much space in a motorhome and with 3 kids.

I really hope you find the perfect bird for your family.

 

[Figment]

Yes, we were talking when you were looking for a home for Bandit. I saw you on here before I even answered the ad you had posted! I have been lurking here for a while now. Thats why I explained things to you as I did about the set up we have and invited you to come over. My children are really respectful of birds and don't do ANYTHING with them unless they ask and are supervised. We make everything work fine and we have a outdoor area under our awning that is screened off that is our 10x20 livingroom area complete with table, bird cage, TV, chairs and mini fridge! You would be surprised how much room we actually have. Our motorhome is really more of a huge bedroom. All we do is sleep in there. We spend most of our time outside enjoying the beautiful Florida weather. We cook outdoors, have a picnic table to eat at outdoors and even watch TV out there!

 

[KBEquine]

Hi Figment

Some Pionus turn into one-person birds. Others do not, but is sometimes impossible to tell what YOUR bird will do.

I am kind of a fan of budgies & lineolated parakeets as birds who generally love everyone.

 

[Figment]

I am kind of a fan of budgies & lineolated parakeets as birds who generally love everyone.

I have never been around linnies, but one of the budgies we had was Satan's minion! That little thing was EVIL.... lol

So they now live with my mother-in-law.......Bwahahahaha

 

[lene1949]

I would go with a bigger bird, like an alexandrine, but I'm biased... lol

 

[solobaby]

have you thought about a green cheeked conure

 

[evesta]

Linnies are very forgiving so they make great additions to family homes with kids. My linnies play with my 6 year old and although my toddler doesn't play with them directly yet, she gives the cage hugs when they are in it and the birds tolerate it. They aren't really loud and you can keep more than one together and they stay sweet.

I also like that they have some big parrot personality and looks in a tiny package. Mine are just babies and are starting to wolf whistle and say "pretty bird". They use their feet to eat, give kisses, hang upside down and sleep lying down. Very playful guys and easy for newbies like me to handle and learn.

Oh and their bites aren't too bad, I wouldn't say they are very nippy although they do go through a stage when they are babies where they test everything out.

 

[KatherineI]

Green Cheeks can have a nasty bite. They are also bossy, with little Napoleon attitudes. While many can be sweet, there's always that chance. My Loki is a bit.. bipolar, lol.

I agree that perhaps an Alexandrian might be a good fit. They are also known to be good mimics, so your kids could teach it to talk.

 

[Figment]

I guess I am going to have to research the Alexandrine too! The are neat looking birds......
Thank you for the input!

 

[Rio Mom]

Welcome! What dimensions and bar spacing does the cage you got have? That will be part of your decision making too. Your outdoor living space sounds awesome, have any pictures?

 

[Figment]

Welcome! What dimensions and bar spacing does the cage you got have? That will be part of your decision making too. Your outdoor living space sounds awesome, have any pictures?

Thank you!

The dimensions of the cage are 35Wx48Hx24D with 1" bar spacing. It is actually a heavy duty folding cat cage. (because we live in an RV) It all folds down into the removable bottom tray.
It has barn doors on the top half of the cage and barn doors on the bottom half. The locks are great and definately birdproof!

I will post pictures of our outdoor space maybe tomorrow....

 

[Spiritbird]

I agree with the above post about GCC. The bite and hold on to you. They want to be the boss of the entire flock including the human one. Don't get me wrong though they can be little love bugs when they are happy getting what they want.

 

[KBEquine]

I think a Linnie OR a budgie are out of the question with a 1" bar spacing - either could easily escape. You are looking more at an amazon or mini-macaw or Grey-sized bird, or a Goffin's cockatoo. Actually in our house, the yellow crown amazon is the one who is the best pet, for being handled by multiple people, although the Grey is doing better & better.

The Pionus refused to be touched by anyone but me, even though he had previously adored a young child & even though my husband took good care of him when I was out of town. [And I wouldn't use 1" bar spacing for a Pionus, either, although some of the larger ones might be OK in it.]

You could also create smaller bar spacing by getting the wire cloth with 1/2" holes from Lowes or Home Depot. You'd have to treat the wire cloth to get rid of the zinc - I think the treatment includes scrubbing with warm vinegar & water & leaving it in the sun for at least 3 days, but you can Google for information.

I get what you mean about some budgies. My 2 are clutchmates & have completely different personalities. "Little Bird Blue" is a sweet little guy who wants to follow me around & sit on my shoulder (or head). His sister was named for her attitude - "The Evil Dragon Queen."

 

[ann]

howa bout a bourkes parakeet, they are really gentle, but not very cuddly. they are really sweet if their hand fed. good luck!

 

[KBEquine]

howa bout a bourkes parakeet, they are really gentle, but not very cuddly. they are really sweet if their hand fed. good luck!

Again, I think the 1" bar spacing would be an issue for a Bourkes.

 

[RescueMe]

IDK so much about the little guys, but what about a blue crowned conure? They are larger than the other conures, and I have heard that they are very sweet and are on the quieter side. Again, I'm mot an expert on the little guys.

 

[SunConureboy]

I think you should get a Cockatiel We had one and he was awesome , but died like 6 weeks ago

 

[wenz2712]

I think an Alexandrine would be a good choice

 

[friedsoup]

Ok here I go and throw Senegals into the ring quiet and funny and extremly adaptable not known for nerotic feather picking because someone changed the drapes tolerant of climate change mine has been from Florida to Boston and Chi town from Colorado to Texas. I could go on but you'd think I'm bragging on my bird (oh wait that is not frowned on here!) heheheh I love senegals you might too.