Prospecting Parront

[EdgesofTwilight]

Hello everyone! I plan on getting a parrot in the near future. I've been researching various species and have found this site very helpful. Still contemplating what species I want to go with. Although I have never owned a bird before, I have had experience parrot sitting my friend's Orange Wing Amazon (he's somewhere around 40) when they go on vacation. I've been doing this for the past 8 years and he's definitely a handful

 

[LeaKP]

Welcome! There's lots of great advice here to help you select the right friend.

 

[SilverSage]

Welcome! What species are you looking into?

 

[EdgesofTwilight]

I am looking into cockatiels, parrotlet, green cheek conures, and Indian Ringnecks (but after reading about them they might be a little too much to handle)

 

[EdgesofTwilight]

I work 3rd shift. I had the option to move to 2nd shift but declined it so I would be able to spend most of the day with him/her.

 

[Allee]

Hello and welcome. Good luck with your search for a long time companion. It's very wise to do your research before bringing home your bird.

 

[Hochimama]

Hihi ~Welcome onboard ~ Maybe you can check out Hahn's Macaw and Monk Parakeet.

 

[EdgesofTwilight]

Hihi ~Welcome onboard ~ Maybe you can check out Hahn's Macaw and Monk Parakeet.

Thanks. Not sure if a macaw would be ideal. Even though Hahn's are smaller, they might be a little too much for someone of my limited experience.

I know someone that has a quaker parrot and every time he let's him out he usually ends up flying and attacking someone. I know it has to do with how the bird is raised, but having a bird fly at you and bite you in the neck tends to bring back negative memories. Lol

 

[Kiwibird]

Welcome to the forum! Sounds like you have a little experience (even if it's just bird sitting), but I think starting small is a wise choice. Budgies, cockatiels and parrotlets are all popular "first birds" for a reason In general, I think the tiels and parrotlets have more of the "big parrot" attitude and ease of training, just in a smaller package. Personally, I've always thought parrotlets were super cute and have a big bird attitude to boot! I came *this* close to bringing one home once I have heard budgies can be a bit more tough to train, but still totally possible

IRNS are not *as* adaptable as other species to being pets and probably do need more parrot experience than you have. If you like that size bird, you may want to look into conures and the mini macaws, who are by nature, a bit more suited to pet life.

 

[Phlox]

What are you specifically wanting from your feathered friend? Snuggles? Whistling/Talking? A funny little acrobat or a pugnacious little kid with attitude?

The birds you are looking at are all pretty different...all individual birds are different of course, but there are some common tendencies. I have a tiel and a GCC( and a maroon belly). I've not had a parrotlet, but I realized they aren't the right bird for me. I have had a lovebird, and they are similar in personality, from what I understand. It's a lot of bird in a tiny package.

 

[EdgesofTwilight]

I'm looking for a bird that can affectionate (must like scratches lol), comical, and has the ability to talk. Not necessarily meaning that he/she will. Basically I don't want one that is overly mischievous and moody like an amazon. And definitely not one that is a real screamer. I live in an apartment, however the landlord downstairs has 3 cockatiels, one that is 25 yrs. Old. After doing a little more research the Hahn's maccaw might be an option. However I'm not sure if anyone around here in the western NY area breeds them. There is a bird speciality store about an hour and a half away from me that has many types of birds that all come from breeders.

 

[RavensGryf]

Welcome
It's so nice to hear that you're being sensible in your selection, and are taking your personal limitations and comfort level into consideration... rather than going on impulse of wanting a larger bird for more superficial or self-satisfying reasons (we do hear of that often). Good for you!
This forum is a great resource!

 

[SilverSage]

Just a note since someone suggested Monk Parakeets (Quaker Parrots), they are illegal in NY, so I do not suggest them

I have never owned or met a Parrotlet so I cannot advise there, but I LOVE GCCs! They are my FAVORITE. I know, we aren't supposed to have favorites, but they are. I love them to pieces. They are spunky, cuddly, brazen, and can learn to talk but often do not. Tiels tend to be calmer, more "chill" but in my experience dont tend to be AS cuddly. Have you found a breeder you could visit and spend some time with the birds?

 

[EdgesofTwilight]

Just a note since someone suggested Monk Parakeets (Quaker Parrots), they are illegal in NY, so I do not suggest them

I have never owned or met a Parrotlet so I cannot advise there, but I LOVE GCCs! They are my FAVORITE. I know, we aren't supposed to have favorites, but they are. I love them to pieces. They are spunky, cuddly, brazen, and can learn to talk but often do not. Tiels tend to be calmer, more "chill" but in my experience dont tend to be AS cuddly. Have you found a breeder you could visit and spend some time with the birds?

The only local breeder I could find info on that breeds multiple species of exotic birds has quaker parrots for sale and the person I know that has one has had him for 8 yes or so I believe. So I'm not sure if they're illegal in NY state or maybe specific areas. I can visit the breeder, however she is difficult to get a hold of. Must be because of taking care of all those babies. Maria's Birds. However there is a specialty store an hour and a half away that has a sitting room to spend time with the birds. Birds Unlimited

 

[EAI]

I would go to that speciality store in a blink of an eye! The driving for me would be a no haha.
Good luck on your search, I think that a Cockatiel or a GCC is what your'e searching for.
Please post pics if you visit !

 

[EAI]

I just checked out Maria's page and YELLOW FACED QUAKERS!?
I never knew there were such things as them, they're so cool, and for 285??????!

If your'e still looking into a Quaker try research their availability in NY a bit more.

 

[RavensGryf]

Quaker parakeets Illegal and Restricted States

 

[SilverSage]

Is I'll have to look into that again once I am at an actual computer. When I was looking at moving to NY they were listed as a dangerous invasive species due to the way they build nests, and thus the danger they pose to the power grid, and they were illegal. Perhaps that has changed now.

 

[EdgesofTwilight]

Like all captive bread exotic birds in NY state, they must be banded. They can be only sold by a registered breeder or pet store. Maybe that's why they're restricted.

 

[EdgesofTwilight]

Well, after a few months of research and checking out different birds, I decided to go with the Hahn's macaw. It was the one bird that interested me the most and I found a reputable breeder that just had 2 babies hatch a week ago. So I put a deposit down on one and he/she be weaned in about 10 - 14 weeks. I can't wait. That gives me enough time to find a cage and all the other fun stuff!