What bird species is right for me?

[Milesh]

I'm having a really hard time on deciding what parrot breed/species is a good fit for my lifestyle. Well I guess I should start with an introduction! My name is Halle and I'm 17 years old. I'm planning on getting a parrot as a companion for the apartment I'm moving into after graduation! I have always loved animals especially birds and that's become even more important because of my nana's passing. She always loved birds and I feel like having a feathery companion would be a good way to honor her. I've been doing a lot of reading and I know for sure that I don't really want a bird that is going to be really loud. I'm alright with the chatter and occasional screech but I think I'll go insane with a screaming bird! One thing I do want, it to have a bird that will cuddle and play with me. I'd like to have a parrot that I can take out and just have them perched on my shoulder. As for size, I'd prefer a bird that's smaller than a large conure. I think that I really just want a parrot that's on the less vocal side but has a playful and cuddly kind of personality. That's what I'm looking for, any recommendations??

 

[GaleriaGila]

Welcome!
Geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee... I'm not sure ANY species can be guaranteed as suitably quiet for an apartment, although certain individuals could be, surely. Are you open to the idea of a finch, or dove, or other quieter bird? Let's see what others think...
Good for you for researching.

 

[Milesh]

The problem with those species is that they won't be something I can play with or teach tricks. Appreciate the suggestions though!

 

[chris-md]

We get these posts so often:

1) I'm a teenager a year from college and want a parrot
2) must be quiet
3) must be cuddly
3) must be playful

The answer is I recommend waiting, I don't think now is the time for you. You're leaving for school, and many things can happen between now and then. There are too many unknowns for someone at your age to take on a parrot. A budgie or parrotlet might be the most I'd recommend.

There are many more ways to honor and remember your grandmother; I'm not sure bringing another life into your grief is the way to do it. A bird should be something you want to do for you, not in memory of someone else.

 

[Milesh]

I've been waiting to get a bird for a long time. I appreciate the concern but I've waited for 4 years to move out so I could get one. My mom wouldn't deal with the mess. I tried budgies but they just didn't click with me.

 

[Milesh]

With all do respect, I don't really appreciate you judging me based on what I'm looking for in one or my age. I was asking for a recommendation as for species, not a lecture. I know what I'm getting myself into and I know that they are a responsiblility. And as for getting it in memory of my nana, that isn't the only reason why. She had a conure for the longest time that she loved to death and I loved him too. I took care of him for her as she got too old to and that's why I want to get one of my own. Thanks for the response but I know myself and what I can handle.

 

[chris-md]

Milesh, I urge patience. Waiting 4 years to move out doesn't entitle you to anything. Nor does it mean that just because you left home you are automatically a good fit for a bird. You're asking for a 20-60 year commitment, You've waited 4 years, what's another 4 while you work on getting your entire future figured out? You won't have time for something as significant as a bird. Trust me, I went through it and an innocent bird died as a result.

You're impatience alone is a MASSIVE red flag that could immediately be disqualifying as you being a suitable home For a parrot.

 

[Milesh]

Once again, I know myself and what I can handle. Trying to be nice here, but the way you replied to my post was a little disrespectful and pretentious. I know the responsibility that comes with them and I WANT the responsibility that comes with them. I never said that that entitled me to get one, I was just saying that I had to wait for the right time and for me believe it or not, it is the right time. Thank you, have a nice day but I really don't need the lecture.

 

[davefv92c]

I got a rescue bird that went to OSU till it was found to be to noisy in the dorms.
Apts are not any good either. I managed 14 locations 450 units in Omaha, Ne for 25 yrs and I know of no one who allows Parrots in rentals. and I sure would not have.

first Parrot bought at age 19 bad idea to even get one, young and to much going on in life. I was lucky I was able to donate him to a wildlife park
where I'm sure he had a good life as an education bird.

lots of things to think about

 

[Milesh]

If you really wanted to lecture me it would of been nice if you chose to pm me rather than commenting all of that publicly.

 

[Milesh]

Thank you for the reply. I was just asking for species recommendations but I still appreciate it, thank you.

 

[wrench13]

Hi and welcome. Sorry the responses sound a bit harsh and stern. Most of the folks who have kept parrots on here a long time, like your Nana, have seen a lot of posts and spoken with a lot of young people like yourself. And believe me they are looking out for both of your best interests. Yours and any parrot you may get or adopt. The parrots, because parrots in general are loud. A few , very few individuals may be on the quiet side, but that is not a species specific trait. Most are loud 2-3 times a day ( morning, at feeding times, and at sundown) My own is loud at feeding times and around 3-4 in the afternoon. Othertimes he squacks and sings and talks a bit. However, his species is not known for quiet. I would say if thats one of the desired traits, a Cockatiel would be a chioce. They whistle a lot, not scream. Any parrot larger then that has the POTENTIAL to be loud. And parrots do not usualy start out loud. Whentheir needs are not being met ( food, water, companionship, attention, toys, a mate) they can get loud, and may get loud all the time is you dont figure out what they need. A Cockatiel can be trained to accept a harness and be on your shoulder outside. Some love to be scratched on their heads , but they are not known to be cuddly ( again, a few are). And a cockatiel who can whistle Star Wars or Addams Family or other tune is really funny. Parrots need a LOTof work and training to be the quiet, cuddly, well behaved parrot you are lookings for, every parrot needs those to attain real comapnionship with humans. What we hate on here is to hear that someone gets a parrot, and with an unexpected life change ( or a planned one, like college or full time work ) is unable to give the parrot all it needs, its starts to scream or pluck its feather or actually bite, HARD, anyone. And the parrot gets re-homed, or given to a bird society, after maybe giving its little heart to you.

And your best interest. Nothing besides loosing a child, can break your heart deeper then having to give up your parrot or even worse, having it pass away, maybe becasue of some aspect you were unable to provide. Food, good diet, medical care, an companionship. You may never look at birds the same, and your Nana's memory tainted becasue of the experience. You seem like a nice, intellegent, well spoken young person. People with those traints are smart enough to listen and heed the scar tissue of those who have experienced life lessons to be learned.

So my best reccommendation is to wait. Establish your life. Finish what schooling you are planning. Volunteer at a parrot sanctuary or avian vets office, to learn more about the different speciale first hand. And THEN get or adopt your life long parrot buddy.

Second best reccommdation - get or adopt a Cockatiel. Talk to cockatiel folks on here ( Amymybluefront is a good candidate). Learn all you can from them. And please, stay with us. We are really on your side.

 

[chris-md]

Milesh, nobody is lecturing you. You asked a very adult question and are getting very adult answers and advice. Based on your background and current status, NO species are recommended for you

it's not the answer you were hoping for, and for that I'm sorry. But it's the right one for you.

 

[Kyoto]

Hi Milesh.

I first adopted birds when I was 20. I thought I was ready, and I did the best that I could for them. I really loved my cockatiel but he screamed for me whenever I left - disrupting my neighbours in the other apartments. Had I been home more, it would have been a lot easier - but I also was in university and wanted to have a social life. Even with my ex partner around, I don't think the birds got the right amount of care that they should have. I just had too much going on in my life, and when I left my partner I left the birds with him.

I waited a few more years and read a lot more information before trying to own birds again - and I am so glad I did. I was doing so many things wrong, and not in the best interest of my birds - at 25 I adopted my Green Cheek Conure, and I have used everything I did wrong as a young person to learn to make her life the best that I can.

I'm going to say, you are being cautioned to wait because you might find living on your own is a lot different than you are expecting- but that doesn't mean you shouldn't get a bird eventually. See how you like living on your own and how you are able to manage your time, balance your proprieties and then reconsider. That would be my advice to myself at 19/20.

Best of Luck.

 

[LadyE]

I can suggest budgie only with your criteria try getting a hand reared one to have a bird that is already comfortable to be with human companions and will not bite, but be interested in spending time with you. They are chatty but not really loud, they can go on and on chatting but aren't that hard to handle at all and are probably to least loud species. Well some larger parrots that are most talkers than screamers are less chatty probably but I don't recommend those birds for a first time pet. First time having a parrot ideal one is budgie, they don't need too much attention but will love being out with their human. I had tamed and feral budgies and difference is huge in interaction with humans. It's not that hard to tame a budgie too but for a beginner better option would be to get already tamed one. Hope this helps

 

[GaleriaGila]

Milesh... all of our remarks come from experience and care and LOVE... love for birds.

I promise you.

I got a bird in college. Now I'm retired... same bird, yeah, but... it was a profoundly difficult journey.

We really, REALLY CARE!

 

[TexasWade]

Hey... this coming from someone who lives in an apartment and is relatively new to birds, so I can somewhat relate to where you're coming from. Birds are noisy animals and they bite and poop more than you might expect. They can be fun companions of course, but they are all wild at heart and you just have to roll with that quite a bit. I had a cockatiel who was the sweetest little thing but he bit everything and pretty much never shut up. Also he pooped on me all the time. No big deal cleaning up the tiny poops and the noise was manageable in that I never had complaints from the neighbors. Then one day I had the door open for just a second while he was in the other room and zoom! Saw him flying high and fast and that was the last I ever saw that bird. And yes, I was heartbroken when my little pest got away. So don't be expecting to walk around outside with your pet on your shoulder unless you have him in a flight suit with a tether. And it takes a lot of training to get them to wear such a thing.

After a couple weeks of searching for birdy #1 I finally decided I would try again. Got a quaker this time because they are supposed to be better talkers and he holds his food with his foot while he eats (so CUTE!). Mr Nacho birdy (quaker) poops about twice as often and twice as big! He's the same size bird so I'm not sure how he does it, but be warned! They can make quite the mess. Also Nacho is vocal a bit less often but nearly twice as loud! Still no complaints from the neighbors though thank goodness. Maybe they just haven't figured out that the bird noises are coming from inside my apartment or maybe since he never gets loud at night nobody really cares.

That doesn't mean that I don't like my bird but if I REALLY knew what I was getting into I probably would have had some serious second thoughts. And if I had it to do over again I'd probably go with a second cockatiel instead of the quaker. The cockatiels voice was a bit quieter and much sweeter and the smaller poops is kinda nice when you have them out a lot. Also the tiel never drew blood when he bit, but the quaker has, several times.

OH!! And don't forget the money too! I got my tiel for $200 and promptly got him a well bird checkup for another $300. Quaker cost me nearly $400 and his $300 well bird checkup found a problem or two that ran into another $600 in vet bills over the next two months before he was declared healthy. Man I didn't want to spend that money but that bird has nobody but me to take care of him so I did what I had to do regardless of the cost. Another couple hundred for a nice cage, another something something for some healthy food and some toys and that's how I spent a bit over $2000 on birds last year.

So there's my little story about getting started with birds and I will recommend that if you want to get a nice apartment bird to hang out with, you might like a cockatiel or lovebird. MAYBE a parrotlet, but from talking to the expert at the bird shop near me, those little guys can be real headstrong and possibly not good for a first time bird owner unless you really want the bird to be your boss. Actually I'd say budgie might be #1 but you said you didn't like the budgie. And not to be judgemental or anything, but if the budgie didn't click with you then maybe no bird will. Or maybe it was just THAT budgie. They are all individuals with their own little personalities after all...

 

[Milesh]

I'm trying to get advice on here and maybe it's not what I wanted but thanks anyways.

 

[BirdSquawk]

I'm in my first year of college, but a few years ago decided I wanted a bird. I did a few months of research and thought I had all the info I needed, and decided on...a SUN CONURE.
Now, thankfully I wasn't in the position to get a bird right away, or I would have made myself and the people I live with very unhappy (sun conures are LOUD).
A few years went by and while I waited to be able to get a bird I did hours and hours of research, visited some rescues and realized I had to be honest about what I could handle. Eventually, I got Jack, my pacific parrotlet.
I do believe Jack is the right bird for my family, but there are things that you learn by owning your first bird that just can't be taught without experience. I didn't realize how loud birds really are. I live in a one story rambler and we can hear him from every room in the house when he really gets going, even though everything I read said parrotlets were quiet and perfect for apartments.
He's cranky sometimes and bites hard enough to draw blood, poops on everything I love and doesn't act at all like what I read about or saw on those cute internet videos. (but, man, do I love him.)
I guess what I would suggest would be to talk to some more people and be honest about what you think you can handle, and be prepared to work through whatever problems will arise when your bird inevitably doesn't meet some expectations you had in your head.
I wish you the best in your journey and hope everything works out.

 

[wrench13]

I do have a third recommendation. Yellow wing parrot. Species Brotogeris. I had Max for 6 years. Brotos are known for seeking out human company, and he was very cuddly and would fall asleep in the crook of my neck. Talked a little, learned a few whistles. Smaller then a Cockatiel, bigger then a budgie. They can pick you as a lot of parrots do, at I know Max picked me. Do some research on them, they come highly regarded.