What kind of Parrot should I get

[GiosMom]

Well thank you very much Brooke....I am a 40 year old soccer mom. But I'm a responsible 40yr old soccer mom, which makes a whole lot of difference. Sorry if my advice offended you or made you feel menial. Clearly that was not my intention. To say you wouldn't care if your animals hated your kids Wow! Which brings me to this conclusion....DONT get a bird...and DON'T have Kids!
Bye bye! This isn't the forum for you - that is correct! And that is the only thing you have said that made any sense during your time here. Good luck!:54::54:

 

[BrookeB]

I just wanted to let you all know that I did not know I had to tell all of you guys my qualifications for owning a large bird but just so you know and I can feel better, I went to 2 college classes on Avian Care and Handling, and Avian Nutrition where I worked WITH large birds, I have been talking and thinking hard about this for over 2 years, I have owned cockatiels, and parakeets. I went to 4 different breeders of these big parrots multiple times. I just came on here to try to meet new bird people and talk about the different care each species needs but more so there personalities,(from people who live with them not breeders who sell them) I am sorry for my rude comment but I was feeling attacked by some of the members… Good luck to all of you guys and thank you for your time.

 

[greycloud]

Brooke, I thought you were 22 and married? On the other forum you state you are 19, have a boy friend and in college. I am confused. I also notice that they have given you the same advice that these wonderful members have.

 

[BrookeB]

What other fourm? I am not a member on any other fourm and I am 22.. and married

 

[artemis]

No, you didn't have to tell the forum members anything about your qualifications - but doing so is a great way to reassure people that you ARE truly ready to own one of the big parrots. You see, the average parrot owner's "qualifications" amount to "I think it would be fun to own a pretty talking bird, and I have $1000!". And that's why the average parrot is reformed every 5 years, and lives out less than half its potential lifespan.

It sounds like you are serious about learning what's required to give one of the larger species a good home. Why not stick around and lurk for a bit, reading the posts in the Macaw, Cockatoo, African Grey, and Amazon forums? That will help you get a better feel for the differences between the four main groups of big parrots. And don't rule out the smaller guys, either. Poicephalus and Pionus parrots, mini macaws, and the larger conures all have "big parrot" personalities, just packaged into a smaller body. It may be that one of those species will turn out to be exactly the bird you're looking for!

Good luck with your search.

 

[dishgal1]

Just my 2 cents. I researched before I ever got my Green cheek conure.
I knew it was a heck of a commitment but until you actually get a bird you don't realize the depth of that commitment to take care of it properly and give it the kind of love, interaction and stability it needs. I can't imagine the amount of commitment it would take for a large bird because their personalities and psychological needs are even greater for them to thrive.
These little guys want to be involved in everything you do, they are not happy to be in a cage in another room.
In the past (years ago) I had a cockatiel that was not tame and he spent his life in a cage because of my ignorance. My heart hurts over that to this day. I was young and did not realize the intelligence of these creatures. With the internet today there is no reason to not know the responsibility going in. I never realized how much like people they could be and they want to be part of everything. I am thrilled I took on that commitment with my little GCC but it requires a lot more than I could ever have imagined. Of course I am older now (a lot older) LOL and had I realized that commitment back then I would never have even considered it because it was so unfair to that bird. I had too much going on with family to devote enough time to a bird.
It is my understanding if these larger birds don't get enough attention, they pluck their feathers out because they go insane. I saw a heartbreaking program on that one time. At your age, a lot of changes will occur over time and even though you have time for him now, when children and other responsibilities come along your time available will change but that little guy will still need what he has always had from you.
Good luck on your decision whatever it might be.