What's a good first time bird for me?

[KOsika]

Hello all!

Firstly, if you are reading this, I apologize for the wall of text you are about to endure haha. Secondly, I recently joined this website hoping that you all could help me out. I've always wanted a pet bird, ever since I was a kid. But my mom never liked birds, so she would never let me have one. Now, I'm in a no-pets (except fish tanks) apartment to attend college, but after I'm done with college I'll likely be moving somewhere I can get a pet, and I'd love to get a bird.

The thing is, I don't know what kind of bird is best for me, so I'm hoping you guys can point me in the right direction.

Before I start describing what I'm looking for, I'd like to clear some things up, because I know how much pet owners care about their species of choice and don't want to see any mistreated (I'm totally with you guys on that haha). If I'm picking out a pet that is unusual for the first time, I do a LOT of research to make sure I am 100% prepared to have the pet. A good example would be my axolotl, Steve. Axolotls are definitely not your average pet, but I did all my research to find out what size tank one needs, food, filter size, cooling unit/methods, water temperature, lifespan. All that. I made sure that I new the care of the pet by heart before I even considered buying one. My pet DEFINITELY comes first. I want my in depth research to be a factor in what kind of bird you all suggest, because I'm a first time bird owner looking to get something more unique than a budgie.

Anyway, as I said before, I'm not a first time pet owner but I'm definitely a first time bird owner, though I have had interaction with friends' pet birds (mostly budgies).

- I'd really like a larger bird than a budgie or a cockatiel, which I know are the usual first time bird owner suggestions. I definitely don't want something as big as a macaw or an umbrella cockatoo, so that's definitely out.
- I know all birds scream sometimes, but the quieter, the better. I could probably handle my bird being loud, but I don't want a really screechy bird, like a Galah or a Sun Conure.
- I also understand that most, if not all, birds chew. But I also know that cockatoos are more prone to chewing than other species, so whatever is going to destroy my art the least.
- I'd really rather the bird not have the ability to break my finger. Not having stitches would be even better. Basically, what bird species will do the least damage to my hands, as I'm an artist and kind of need those…
- Talking. Basically if you all suggest a bird species that perfectly matches the above traits (medium size, doesn't chew much, and doesn't bite), but can't talk, I'm ok with that. It's not the most important factor, but it would be really cool to have.
- I'm really only looking to get one bird at the moment. I multitask just fine, but when it comes to multiple people/animals, I can't split my attention well.

I'd looked into Eclectus parrots, but I kept finding mixed opinions of the species, so I wasn't sure. I also considered Galah cockatoos, but I found out they do "celebration dances" and scream, so that was a turnoff. Any other suggestions or opinions of the Eclectus as a first bird?



I won't be getting a bird any time soon, but I want to give myself lots of time to research the species, especially if I'm going to make a life commitment for a bigger species of bird. I'm prepared to take care of the space required for the bird, and any special diets. I'm a freelance artist, so I'll always be home to spend time with my bird so that's not a factor either. I basically just want to start with a bird I want instead of getting a "training bird" like a budgie that I know I won't enjoy as much (they're nice little birds, but they're too small for my taste).

Any and all suggestions and tips are appreciated. I want to learn as much as possible to make sure that I'm fully prepared for whatever species you guys suggest. But I'm DEFINITELY willing to do all the work involved in preparing to have a bird

Thank you in advance!



ps: I do know quite a bit about birds despite having never owned one, because I like to research them in my free time. If the above post makes it sound like I don't know a thing, its probably because I'm just about to go to bed and forgot to list something or explain how much I know about something I posted. This doesn't mean I'm not open to tips though, because I can always learn more c:

 

[Tonkatiel]

No real advice sorry, just wanted to say that my Galah doesn't screech (much ) lol...
As well as my galah I also have lovebirds and a cockatiel - you haven't listed lovies as birds you don't want, but I'm assuming you'll see them as similar to budgies...

A lot of people recommend green cheek conures as quiet but amazing birds, so maybe check them out? I'm sure someone else will be along soon to give you better advice than me lol

 

[Jayyj]

Youtube is quite handy for checking out screaming bird sounds - as is the local pet store. I found there were several species where the scream is like chalk on a blackboard for me. The ducorps and bare eyed cockatoos in the local store can really make my ears ring, as can some of the conures, and the galahs were far easier to be around. I rather like most of the galah vocalisations, they always sound more like an exuberant lust for life than a petulant demand for attention!

I found the best way for me to research different birds was to visit somewhere with a selection of different species, watch them interact in their cages for a little while, then go away and read up on the species that appealed to me and figure out what their negative qualities were. As per your post, I discounted any bird that could do serious damage to my hands, and any where I couldn't put up with the noise they make. Being realistic about my beginner status I also ruled out birds where the consensus was they were better left to experienced handlers. If I felt like I could cope with the negatives I'd go back and spend more time around them. If I found a species online that appealed I'd try to find a bird locally that I could visit and approach it the other way round, although that was harder in my neck of the woods where there aren't too many specialist bird places. Eventually I began to realise that whenever a galah was in the room the other birds seemed to fade into the background, so I concentrated on finding out everything I could about them.

Took about six months to get to the point of commitment, and I'm expecting a steeper learning curve with the galah than I might have with some other birds, but given the length of time we have these birds in our care, it didn't make sense to 'settle' for a species because it would be the easiest to work with over one that I had a great passion for.

All of this is theory at the moment, tomorrow being arrival day! So if you see a post in a week's time headed 'why didn't I chose a budgie?' you can probably discount the above... but that was the approach that got me to the point of being able to make a decision.

 

[KOsika]

No real advice sorry, just wanted to say that my Galah doesn't screech (much ) lol...
As well as my galah I also have lovebirds and a cockatiel - you haven't listed lovies as birds you don't want, but I'm assuming you'll see them as similar to budgies...

A lot of people recommend green cheek conures as quiet but amazing birds, so maybe check them out? I'm sure someone else will be along soon to give you better advice than me lol

Thanks for sharing your input with your Galah! I had looked briefly into Lovebirds, they're a bit small, but I had considered them for multiple other reasons that out-shined the size. They're definitely on my list!

I've heard of the green cheeks before, but never really looked into them. Something about them never caught my interest. I don't know if it was the colors or what. But I'll definitely add them to my list of birds to look at

Youtube is quite handy for checking out screaming bird sounds - as is the local pet store. I found there were several species where the scream is like chalk on a blackboard for me. The ducorps and bare eyed cockatoos in the local store can really make my ears ring, as can some of the conures, and the galahs were far easier to be around. I rather like most of the galah vocalisations, they always sound more like an exuberant lust for life than a petulant demand for attention!

I found the best way for me to research different birds was to visit somewhere with a selection of different species, watch them interact in their cages for a little while, then go away and read up on the species that appealed to me and figure out what their negative qualities were. As per your post, I discounted any bird that could do serious damage to my hands, and any where I couldn't put up with the noise they make. Being realistic about my beginner status I also ruled out birds where the consensus was they were better left to experienced handlers. If I felt like I could cope with the negatives I'd go back and spend more time around them. If I found a species online that appealed I'd try to find a bird locally that I could visit and approach it the other way round, although that was harder in my neck of the woods where there aren't too many specialist bird places. Eventually I began to realise that whenever a galah was in the room the other birds seemed to fade into the background, so I concentrated on finding out everything I could about them.

Took about six months to get to the point of commitment, and I'm expecting a steeper learning curve with the galah than I might have with some other birds, but given the length of time we have these birds in our care, it didn't make sense to 'settle' for a species because it would be the easiest to work with over one that I had a great passion for.

All of this is theory at the moment, tomorrow being arrival day! So if you see a post in a week's time headed 'why didn't I chose a budgie?' you can probably discount the above... but that was the approach that got me to the point of being able to make a decision.

I've been checking out youtube for different bird species, but I should find someplace where I can interact with some birds species. Most of my local pet stores have budgies, cockatiel, occasionally lovebirds, and smaller species like finches and canaries. If I'm lucky I'll find a pet store with something a little more exotic, like a sun conure or something like that. The one pet store near my grocery store had... Rosellas, I think they were? I don't know much about them but they certainly were cute haha!

anyway, thanks for your suggestion about trying to find somewhere local to interact with the species that appeal to me. It's a good idea and I'll definitely have to do that.

I'll watch out for that thread; hopefully you won't have any problems hahaha. Thanks for sharing your experiences with getting the galah!

 

[SandyBee]

If there is a bird rescue near you you could go meet some birds, maybe even volunteer a little time to see what you do and don't like about different birds. It's usually an excellent starting point.

 

[Karigan]

I agree with SandyBee. Every species can scream and do damage, so finding individual birds that do this to a lesser extent can be a problem and a shelter is a great place to get to know one, especially if you volunteer. To me, it sounds like you might be able to do with something in the small range since you're worried about your hands. Pois, Pionus, and Conures are just a few species in that size range.

 

[KOsika]

If there is a bird rescue near you you could go meet some birds, maybe even volunteer a little time to see what you do and don't like about different birds. It's usually an excellent starting point.

I agree with SandyBee. Every species can scream and do damage, so finding individual birds that do this to a lesser extent can be a problem and a shelter is a great place to get to know one, especially if you volunteer. To me, it sounds like you might be able to do with something in the small range since you're worried about your hands. Pois, Pionus, and Conures are just a few species in that size range.

I just googled and I think I've found a rescue near my house that I'm going to see if I can volunteer at. I agree with you both, I think I need to be around some different birds to find out what I do or don't like. Thank you both for your suggestion

 

[SandyBee]

Awesome, you might even meet a bird that pick you.
You will learn and experience so much.

 

[forbey]

If there is a bird rescue near you you could go meet some birds, maybe even volunteer a little time to see what you do and don't like about different birds. It's usually an excellent starting point.

As I read through the thread, this is what I was prepared to comment on. Find a local bird fancier, pet store, bird rescuer, zoo, etc. and put in some time with diferent birds. There is a rgeat bird rescue organization near Chicago that is always looking for volunteers. Find one near your home, put in some time and learn what you can.

Also, I wouldn't rule out any particular breeds, you might exclude Macaws from your "possible" list only to get to nkow one as a volunteer and find out he , or she, is your perfect avian match.

Learn about ways to not get bit and get to know some bird personalities.

Lastly, the wall of text that you started this thread with, may be the very thing that prevents you from finding your best friend.

Have fun, meets some birds and fall in love!

Forbey & Skittles

 

[KOsika]

If there is a bird rescue near you you could go meet some birds, maybe even volunteer a little time to see what you do and don't like about different birds. It's usually an excellent starting point.

As I read through the thread, this is what I was prepared to comment on. Find a local bird fancier, pet store, bird rescuer, zoo, etc. and put in some time with diferent birds. There is a rgeat bird rescue organization near Chicago that is always looking for volunteers. Find one near your home, put in some time and learn what you can.

Also, I wouldn't rule out any particular breeds, you might exclude Macaws from your "possible" list only to get to nkow one as a volunteer and find out he , or she, is your perfect avian match.

Learn about ways to not get bit and get to know some bird personalities.

Lastly, the wall of text that you started this thread with, may be the very thing that prevents you from finding your best friend.

Have fun, meets some birds and fall in love!

Forbey & Skittles

There are particular species I have researched so far that I definitely said no to. Birds as large as Macaws scare me a little, among other reasons. They're almost too big for my taste, and I don't intend on ever living somewhere that I could give something as large as a Macaw enough space. But I won't rule out any of the medium size or smaller species just yet, since I am open to a small species even though I'm looking for something a little bigger.

Simple, but good advice about learning their personalities. I'll be conscious of that as well. I'm… not really sure what you mean your last comment about my wall of text, since most of the block of text is about why I don't want a budgie and am capable of handling something bigger, and things I might like in a bird but that I'm open to any and all suggestions…

Still, thank you for your input. I'll be calling a bird sanctuary near to my house sometime next week when my weekend isn't super busy XD

I would say at this point its rather difficult to speculate on what would be an ideal pet bird for you. I can guess that when you are done with college you will be living in an apartment, though probably not the one you are living in now. Each complex has its own sets of rules regarding the pets that can be kept. Some may allow budgie or cockatiel and not a conure. But lets assume that you find yourself an apartment that does not restrict birds at all: there are still a great deal of unknowns. What will your work schedule be like? Some species are able to amuse themselves and are more independent and resilient while others crave interaction. What will your finances be like? This can limit your choice of bird based on the initial cost of the bird, whether purchased or adopted, the cage and toys, as well as the ongoing charges of food and toys. What will your social life be like? Having a parrot is much like having a child, and "happy hour" and other forms of after-work socializing may not be possible. Romantic life? Will your future partner be allergic to bird dander? Feathers? Nuts?

I applaud your decision to commit to researching the ideal bird for you, I really do! Many times people pop in here and there first post is "I just got a _____, what do I do with it?". I think you have gotten some good suggestions regarding interacting with birds that interest you at a pet store or rescue. I would say to try to interact with more than one example of a species that you are interested in: they, like us, are individuals. Observe them at different times of the day. Talk directly to owners of that species. Ask them what they love about the species, but also ask them what they don't like about the species.

All parrots sound off at least twice a day. Size is not an indicator of what that will sound like. My Sun Conure will silence my Amazons in nothing flat. My Caique makes sounds that would bend metal.

All parrots will bite if they are threatened, scared, hormonal, moody, upset, angry, or just because. Size is usually a good predictor of the damage they will do, but I would rather be bitten by an Amazon than have a Parrotlet find its way under my fingernail.

All parrots are intelligent and capable of mimicry to some extent or another. If you want a bird that is criminally cunning and conniving, go for a caique or if a special diet and more cleanup doesn't deter you, a lorry will provide years of entertainment and mayhem. If you are looking for something more mellow, a Pionus might be a good choice as is the ever popular Green Cheek Conure.

As far as damaging the artwork, if they can find their way to it, its just another toy you have provided. The difference is that a Moluccan Cockatoo will destroy it beyond recognition in 5 seconds, while a conure will only "distress" it in the same time period.

Definitely not the apartment I'm in now lol. It's a nice place, don't get me wrong, but its waaay too expensive for an apartment building haha. I see what you're saying in your first paragraph, and that was the main reasoning for my topic post being a huge wall of text. I'm aware that all of those things will be a factor; if I had thought that any of those things would be a problem for me, I would have abandoned the idea to get a bird (i.e. if I knew I couldn't give up my social life, then I definitely couldn't get a bird. But I don't have much of a social life, so I can eliminate that.)

I can't imagine doing that with a bird, especially with one that needs some extra work! D: I want to make sure I can properly care for my feathered friend, whatever species he/she may be, before I bring him/her home, or even pick him/her out! I'm gonna try to spend some time at a local bird sanctuary, so I think that will help quite a bit c:

I kind of figured as much, but it's good to hear confirmation that all birds do it XD I knew Sun Conures were super loud even though they're relatively small. I don't find that overly appealing, especially if I want to stay in apartments, but we'll see of that changes once I spend some time with them. I'm certainly open to any size species apart from ones I already know I won't want, like really large ones like Macaws and Umbrella Cockatoos (for the reason stated in my other reply; they kinda scare me, among other reasons) and really small ones like budgies, finches, or canaries (which I know the last two aren't parrots, but I want to eliminate other birds haha).

I suppose the thing with bites was more that I'd rather have a few stitches than lose a finger, but I see what you mean about having a bird get under your fingernail haha

Mellow would probably suit my personality better, but I'll keep the other two in mind when I visit the sanctuary. Who knows, maybe I'll like a little mayhem

That was kinda what I was looking for with the bit about destroying artwork; what's going to destroy it least lol. So a Moluccan Cockatoo has already lost some brownie points with me, but since I want to be open to my options, I won't rule it out just yet XD


Thanks for a thorough reply, I appreciate the help!

 

[khaiqha]

I'm just going to echo what everyone else is saying and just try and expose yourself to as many birds as possible. I always wanted a grey, but I've only had ringnecks because the ones I meet always steal my heart.

If I had to recommend a species for you, I would suggest you look at pionus. They're supposed to be lest bitey/noisy than other parrots.

Oh, and as far as being bitten goes, it will happen eventually. You would think big beaks are worse, but that's not always the case. My alexandrine's beak is huge, can crack coconuts, and yet he is the most gentle bird ever. Even when angry his "bites" are laughable. My friend's cockatiel though...well his bites are like paper cuts, with salt and lime poured on it, then held over a fire.

 

[HusseinBerjaoui]

To be honest, the Eclectus meets a lot of the requirements above. He is a quite bird (relatively) and he can talk (check some videos on YouTube) but I'm not sure about the biting thing, although his beak seems really friendly and not hard.
But his diet is a bit hard. I wanted to get an Eclectus, made tons of researches, but they don't ship them to my county. Got my Jardine instead.
Why don't you check Poicephalus Parrots, like Senegal, or Jardine?
From my experience with the Jardine, he is not a screamer at all, he is quite and doesn't ask for attention. One time he bite dad the hardest he could (Because he was force-holding him to get him back in cage) and it only made one small spot of blood, really. He does talk, but supposedly some few words are the maximum he can learn (Not sure though)
I've heard Senegals are sweethearts.
But to each bird his own personality, so you can't really rely on my experience.

 

[aliray]

Another bird to check into is the african red bellied a member of the poi group they are not noisy, more mellow personality, can learn to talk, loves to mimic sounds and whistles and at least mine is very affectionate, but is not demanding and can amuse herself quite well

 

[Agapornis]

You sound like a very responsible young person, and I think you will make a wonderful bird parent! I, too, was never allowed a bird when I was younger, and now I finally have my first bird (i'm 52, it took long enough!) I highly recommend you check out green cheek conures. YES they are small birds, but they have a personality of a much bigger bird! They are goofy little clowns, playful, cuddly, and fairly quiet. We had such a good experience with our first GCC, we are getting another one next week! I can't say enough good things about these little greenies. Even when they are bratty, you don't mind because they are so adorable. Oh, and some of them CAN talk, in little gravely voices.

Good luck in your search, and in your studies!

 

[newclassic]

I know you probably consider them too small, but lovebirds have excellent personalities. Mine's 15 years old and still just as inquisitive and affectionate as he was when we first met (I was 7 at the time). He's never bitten to draw blood or even cause more than mild pain, he likes being handled, he loves kissing/nibbling, is always eager to explore/try new toys, etc. I don't think size has a linear correlation with personality or affection, if that's what was preventing you from getting a smaller bird. Though I'm sure larger parrots are undoubtedly more intelligent.

I'm sure you'd make a wonderful parront, but if you live by yourself and are out of the house 10 hours a day, that should definitely be taken into account. I recently graduated college and moved back home, but when I go to grad school I'm not even sure I'd take my parrots with me.

 

[chippy]

I agree that GCCs are awesome birds...alhough you would have to settle for second best because my Wilbur was the best ever...

I love my IRN too, and he is relatively quiet, but my hubbys IRN, while quiet much of the time, can get terribly terribly LOUD when she gets going...

and the lovebird? Never stops...goes on and on and on and on and....