What made you get a pet bird?
- Thread starter RemiBird
- Start date
Skittys_Daddy
Well-known member
- Jan 6, 2014
- 2,175
- 74
- Parrots
- Neotropical Pigeon - "Skittles" (born 3/29/10)
Cockatiel - "Peaches" (1995-2015) R.I.P.
Budgie - "Sammy"
(1989-2000) R.I.P.
Budgie - "Sandy"
(1987-1989) R.I.P.
My story is rather LONG and complicated. lol. But I just wanted to say 'thank you' for reminding me that I had said on another thread that I was going to post my story in that thread. I believe it was a mental health thread.
Anyways, my first bird was a budgie that I named "Sandy". He was a birthday present from my mom for my 11th birthday.
Anyways, my first bird was a budgie that I named "Sandy". He was a birthday present from my mom for my 11th birthday.
- Thread starter
- #5
I totally understand and feel the same.
- Oct 23, 2015
- 4,440
- 6,080
- Parrots
- 1 YNA (Bingo R.I.P.)
1 OWA (Plumas R.I.P.)
1 RLA (Pacho R.I.P.)
2 GCA(Luna,Merlin) The Twins
1 Congo AG (Bella)
5 Cockatiels
Watching videos my wife made of her mother's parrots.
I liked the idea of a long lived intelligent pet. This was long before I realized what I was getting into.
I have never regretted the sacrifices made and learned that "pet" doesn't do the relationship justice.
I liked the idea of a long lived intelligent pet. This was long before I realized what I was getting into.
I have never regretted the sacrifices made and learned that "pet" doesn't do the relationship justice.
My mom got a cockatiel 19 years ago and it was my first pet (i lived at home), later on she opened a pet store specializing in birds and also bred some herself, I helped her hand raise these wonderful parrots but mostly I just handled the birds to keep them tame. 15 years ago she then got a blue and gold macaw. His name is Jacob and he is so amazing. My mom is sick now and can no longer take care of him so I adopted him just 5 days ago. He has been doing very well with me as I am his favorite person and I've lived with him for 10 years of my life before I moved out. So I may have only had a parrot for 5 days now but I have many years of experience. I take care of Jacob just like my mom did with all her help and advice and he is a very happy bird, he has also made my life better too as he is very entertaining and such an amazing companion.
Jen5200
Well-known member
- Mar 27, 2017
- 1,874
- 250
- Parrots
- Baby - Sun Conure;
Tango - GCC;
Bindi - Sun Conure;
Stanley - Pineapple GCC;
Screamer “Scree� - Cockatiel;
Tee - Pineapple GCC; Jimmy - Cockatiel
I got my first birds 3 years ago. Our household pets had all passed on and I was feeling a nagging desire to have another companion in the house. I absolutely loved my outdoor birds (chickens & turkeys) and my husband was not on board with any of them moving indoors 
. I started researching parrots to see if I was indeed interested/able to provide a parrot with a good home. Once I started looking for an avian companion, I came to the realization that I wanted one who “needed” a home and started looking for rehomes/rescues. I drove 4 hours to meet Baby & Tango, and they came home with me. Discovered that I am definitely a bird person, and since then Bindi, Screamer and Stanley have also joined our flock!
. I started researching parrots to see if I was indeed interested/able to provide a parrot with a good home. Once I started looking for an avian companion, I came to the realization that I wanted one who “needed” a home and started looking for rehomes/rescues. I drove 4 hours to meet Baby & Tango, and they came home with me. Discovered that I am definitely a bird person, and since then Bindi, Screamer and Stanley have also joined our flock!
Owlet
Well-known member
I think one day I just woke up wanting a parrot. I don't remember when or how. I've always loved animals and I've dabbled in other species (rats, hedgehogs I had. I always wanted sugar gliders or rabbits but never had any) and as much as I loved them I never really wanted to continue keeping them. And then I found parrots and I was just SOLD. Can't imagine a life without birds now.
munami
New member
I had birds growing up but I wasn't involved much in actually taking care of them.
Honestly I got really into them watching people on YouTube at first. However, as I did more research, most people seemed to like cockatiels. Reading about their temperament afterwards, they really appealed to me.
They're the type of companion I've always wanted.
Honestly I got really into them watching people on YouTube at first. However, as I did more research, most people seemed to like cockatiels. Reading about their temperament afterwards, they really appealed to me.
They're the type of companion I've always wanted.
ChocolateChipCookiez
New member
- Jan 16, 2019
- 444
- 110
- Parrots
- White-faced 'tiel (Cookie). Pied Budgie (Pepper).
I've always had parrots when I was younger. But back then I didn't have much knowledge about birds so they didn't live the best lives...
Then on 6th October my brother got Crippi and I wanted a bird when he was a few months old. So my father does this thing where he'll buy a bird and then sell it off again for a higher price...a lot of people do that here...But anyways, so my father bought a 'tiel to sell it again but I fell in love with the bird and begged my parents to let me keep it. They agreed.
And that's how I got Cookie!
Then on 6th October my brother got Crippi and I wanted a bird when he was a few months old. So my father does this thing where he'll buy a bird and then sell it off again for a higher price...a lot of people do that here...But anyways, so my father bought a 'tiel to sell it again but I fell in love with the bird and begged my parents to let me keep it. They agreed.
And that's how I got Cookie!
annierose
New member
I always liked birds, but I also knew that they are very expensive, demanding, noisy, and messy. Then one day I saw a Rose Breasted Cockatoo in a pet store. I thought - that is the beauty of nature at its very best. It was love at first sight. I went home and searched for the name of the breed, and the more I researched it, the more I liked everything about it - which goes way beyond just being beautiful to look at. I spent an entire year researching and purchasing everything that I might need for it while I also searched for a baby to purchase from a reputable breeder - which was the most difficult part of my endeavor. There's so many scammers out there concerning RB2s. I look at it as sort of like filling an empty nest with a forever baby and perpetual child to dote on, and I secretly prefer the intelligence and companionship of almost every domestic animal species more than the human animal species - but don't tell anyone that I said that.
charmedbyekkie
New member
Haha, I think most of the older folks on the forum will remember my journey.
I never thought of having a bird. I mean, I had chickens as a child and other kinds of pets. My partner and I were thinking that at some point in our lives we'd get a cat or a dog again.
Then suddenly this big green bird landed on our balcony (which we never go out to - we just had a friend over so we were coincidentally there), and this bird said, "Hello!" So we naturally said, "Hello," back. Me being the animal lover and misanthrope that I am, immediately wanted to help him - we started searching for his family via phone and social media, and I offered him food and water. We even postponed our dinner by several hours just to make sure he wouldn't fly away before his family could come to pick him up (and they needed to break their Ramadan fast first). We managed to find his family via Facebook and returned him home the same day. After that, I was "charmed by ekkie"
Crazily enough, a few months later, his family asked if we would like to adopt him (they were struggling to balance having a newborn baby and a parrot). You can read my history to see the whole saga haha I just turned to my partner, and he knew "no" was not an answer
Even now, people ask me, "Why a bird?" And I often respond, "It's not a bird. It's Cairo." Part of me feels like he's my one and only - there's no other bird I'd adopt even if something happened to Cairo. His character and personality stood out so quickly to me. That cleverness and cheekiness, the bluffing mixed with the small moments of neediness, that spark in his eye as he evaluated a situation. I was besotted.
I mean, I do enjoy watching other birds now, but even as I interact with other parrots, I still find that Cairo and I just click so well, even when he's being naughty. Some of our friends don't understand just how intelligent parrots are, and they just make random sounds at him and why I talk to him like he's a human being. Then they see how he understands context, and it changes their perspective.
I never thought of having a bird. I mean, I had chickens as a child and other kinds of pets. My partner and I were thinking that at some point in our lives we'd get a cat or a dog again.
Then suddenly this big green bird landed on our balcony (which we never go out to - we just had a friend over so we were coincidentally there), and this bird said, "Hello!" So we naturally said, "Hello," back. Me being the animal lover and misanthrope that I am, immediately wanted to help him - we started searching for his family via phone and social media, and I offered him food and water. We even postponed our dinner by several hours just to make sure he wouldn't fly away before his family could come to pick him up (and they needed to break their Ramadan fast first). We managed to find his family via Facebook and returned him home the same day. After that, I was "charmed by ekkie"
Crazily enough, a few months later, his family asked if we would like to adopt him (they were struggling to balance having a newborn baby and a parrot). You can read my history to see the whole saga haha I just turned to my partner, and he knew "no" was not an answer
Even now, people ask me, "Why a bird?" And I often respond, "It's not a bird. It's Cairo." Part of me feels like he's my one and only - there's no other bird I'd adopt even if something happened to Cairo. His character and personality stood out so quickly to me. That cleverness and cheekiness, the bluffing mixed with the small moments of neediness, that spark in his eye as he evaluated a situation. I was besotted.
I mean, I do enjoy watching other birds now, but even as I interact with other parrots, I still find that Cairo and I just click so well, even when he's being naughty. Some of our friends don't understand just how intelligent parrots are, and they just make random sounds at him and why I talk to him like he's a human being. Then they see how he understands context, and it changes their perspective.
CallumConure
New member
- Apr 10, 2019
- 132
- 7
- Parrots
- Callum- GCC Hatchday: October 15th, 2016
(nonparrot friends include rats, a dog, and a few reptiles :))
I got budgies because, I always visited nursing homes as a child and they always had very lovely finches in a massive cage. As a child, I would (shamefully) be more excited to watch the finches than visit the depressing sight of my ailing grandparents. Kinda selfish, but I was young and nervous of hospitals/nursing homes/anything medical and the birds were calming to me. I chose budgies over finches for their more colorful appearance and (from what I knew at the time) to be more likely to bond to their caretaker than finches.
I got a GCC two and a half years ago because I lost my dog of ten years. I did it mostly out of grief, but I wanted a long-lived pet who would love me unconditionally. I didn't impulse buy my Callum, I had been researching GCCs for YEARS and decided on finally bringing one home after some more researching. I'm glad I did, it allowed me to redirect my grief into something far more beneficial. I don't regret my Callum at all. I love dogs, but birds are now my favorite companion animal.
Ideally, one day I'd love to rescue a macaw or African grey. I'm not ready now, but I would love to give a home to homeless birds.
I got a GCC two and a half years ago because I lost my dog of ten years. I did it mostly out of grief, but I wanted a long-lived pet who would love me unconditionally. I didn't impulse buy my Callum, I had been researching GCCs for YEARS and decided on finally bringing one home after some more researching. I'm glad I did, it allowed me to redirect my grief into something far more beneficial. I don't regret my Callum at all. I love dogs, but birds are now my favorite companion animal.
Ideally, one day I'd love to rescue a macaw or African grey. I'm not ready now, but I would love to give a home to homeless birds.
It's a hard question
I had never had any pets till 10th birthday. Then me with my parents went to a pet store and I could chose my pet. It was a pair of budgies. I don't know why but parrots were one of my favorite animals from kindergarten. When I got them they started being more interesting to me and I have fids till now with one half-year break
I had never had any pets till 10th birthday. Then me with my parents went to a pet store and I could chose my pet. It was a pair of budgies. I don't know why but parrots were one of my favorite animals from kindergarten. When I got them they started being more interesting to me and I have fids till now with one half-year break
I always had an affinity for birds and got myfirst parrot when I was 22, a red spectacled/red lored Amazon. Skylar. He was mellow, and super friendly ( even liked my ex - no small feat). That was 43 years ago, and only had a break from onwership to have 3 kids (parrots are more rewarding and dont crash your car into a McDonalds ). Luckily my second wife, Geri, likes birds as muh as I do. Home would not be HOME with out the skwaulking, singing, whistling and talking of a parrot. Unliike dogs, you have to work at being friends with a parrot and is more rewarding. Somehow they make me feel more human.
- Jan 19, 2014
- 14,248
- 225
- Parrots
- Red Bellied Parrot /
Ruppell's Parrot /
Bronze Winged Pionus /
English Budgie
It started in the early 90’s when I walked into a pet store to get some fish food, and came out with a Gouldian Finch. I was really into finches at one point. That’s what started me with birds. My first parrot was a cockatiel, then my very beloved Red Bellied parrot who is soon to be 25!
I have enjoyed every one of you tales.
Annnnnnnnnnnnnnnd... I never miss a chance to tell my own. Apologies to those of you have heard it before (x 1,000,000)!
I got the Rickeybird in 1984. When I walked into a bird store in New Mexico 35 years ago, the Rickeybird (a 3-month-old chick) flapped and flew and scrambled into my arms, turned on his back, and grabbed my fingers with his feet. He seemed glued to me. It was a perfect storm of my impulsiveness, his instant adoration, and the fact that I had just gotten paid by my college work-study job... I took him home. Using his band, I traced his breeder. We exchanged photos and letters (this was pre-'net, y'all!)... and she could have been my sister! We were both tall, thin, with long red hair and Poindexter glasses, long faces and big toothy smiles. The Rb thought his mommy (or close enough) had walked in to rescue him. And that was that.
I kept him pretty well socialized until we moved up North to Ohio... then, one thing led to another, and I failed him, really. He is now a one-person bird, sadly. In my defense, since he became a rooster at about 4 years of age, he really has been a little Genghis Khan. Genghis Conure, my vet calls him.
Annnnnnnnnnnnnnnd... I never miss a chance to tell my own. Apologies to those of you have heard it before (x 1,000,000)!
I got the Rickeybird in 1984. When I walked into a bird store in New Mexico 35 years ago, the Rickeybird (a 3-month-old chick) flapped and flew and scrambled into my arms, turned on his back, and grabbed my fingers with his feet. He seemed glued to me. It was a perfect storm of my impulsiveness, his instant adoration, and the fact that I had just gotten paid by my college work-study job... I took him home. Using his band, I traced his breeder. We exchanged photos and letters (this was pre-'net, y'all!)... and she could have been my sister! We were both tall, thin, with long red hair and Poindexter glasses, long faces and big toothy smiles. The Rb thought his mommy (or close enough) had walked in to rescue him. And that was that.
I kept him pretty well socialized until we moved up North to Ohio... then, one thing led to another, and I failed him, really. He is now a one-person bird, sadly. In my defense, since he became a rooster at about 4 years of age, he really has been a little Genghis Khan. Genghis Conure, my vet calls him.
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