Wanting to get my first parrot and seeking advice

[Raque]

I am considering getting a Senegal Parrot as a pet, from reading the general characteristics of the breed a Senegal seems like a good fit. If I am going to make a commitment to take care of this bird for about 30 years I want to make sure I am making the right decision for the bird and myself. I hope you don’t mind me asking a few questions:

I live in the nice temperate climate of Long Beach, California and given that a flock of an indigenous species of Conures lives around the area, I would guess that the temperature is fine for Senegals as well. However in the late afternoon my house gets blasted by the sun and is a few degrees hotter on the inside and I don’t have an Air Conditioner (only a few days a year are uncomfortably hot). What temperature is too hot or too cold for Senegal Parrots?

I pretty much always have my windows open and only plan to have the parrot out of their cage when I am home, with a flighted parrot, is a normal screen enough to keep them inside? Or do they try to break out? Any other good home prep for parrots?

I am a professional and therefore Monday-Friday I am out of the house for at least 9 hours at work with some longer days and occasionally, but rarely, might be gone for 16 hours. If I plan on playing with the bird out of the cage for a bit every morning as I prepare for work and then more time later in the day when I get home would that be enough time spent with a Senegal Parrot that has a big cage and a variety of toys?

If I was going to get a dog, I would try looking in a shelter first as I feel that is the morally right thing to do. I have had many dogs and am comfortable in doing this and knowing the dog may have some issues and baggage. This would be my first bird I ever owned and am less comfortable in dealing with birds having issues and baggage then I would a dog. Everything I have read on the net pretty much says to not get a bird from a shelter if it is your first bird, what are your thoughts on this?

Do any of you know any good breeders in the Southern California Area?

Thank you in advance!

[Michael]

I am considering getting a Senegal Parrot as a pet, from reading the general characteristics of the breed a Senegal seems like a good fit.

What makes you think that? Senegal Parrot is a species, not a breed.

If I am going to make a commitment to take care of this bird for about 30 years I want to make sure I am making the right decision for the bird and myself. I hope you don’t mind me asking a few questions:

Good thing you are thinking ahead.

I live in the nice temperate climate of Long Beach, California and given that a flock of an indigenous species of Conures lives around the area, I would guess that the temperature is fine for Senegals as well. However in the late afternoon my house gets blasted by the sun and is a few degrees hotter on the inside and I don’t have an Air Conditioner (only a few days a year are uncomfortably hot). What temperature is too hot or too cold for Senegal Parrots?

If you make sure the parrot is away from direct sun or wind and has access to water, 40-90F is undoubtedly safe (as long as the parrot is acclimatized and the temperature is fairly consistent). 90-100F can be achieved with caution. Over 100F, you're on your own, dunno and wouldn't try it.

I pretty much always have my windows open and only plan to have the parrot out of their cage when I am home, with a flighted parrot, is a normal screen enough to keep them inside? Or do they try to break out? Any other good home prep for parrots?

The screens are enough for a supervised parrot that you are keeping your eyes on. If the bird fledges in that kind of environment and is accustomed to it, should work just fine and the bird won't even try to chew the screens. BUT the biggest danger is of someone opening the screen and forgetting it open. You must be 100% certain the screens are always kept closed. Plan B is to get wire mesh more similar to what the cage is like and caging the windows to prevent escape.

I am a professional and therefore Monday-Friday I am out of the house for at least 9 hours at work with some longer days and occasionally, but rarely, might be gone for 16 hours. If I plan on playing with the bird out of the cage for a bit every morning as I prepare for work and then more time later in the day when I get home would that be enough time spent with a Senegal Parrot that has a big cage and a variety of toys?

That's great. Senegals with problems tend to be the ones that get too much attention. However, remember that out of cage time is measure in QUALITY not quantity. Letting the bird out to fly, play, train etc for less time is a heck of a lot more than putting a clipped cage on a tree to spend the entire day. That's not out of cage time. That's just time in a different cage.

If I was going to get a dog, I would try looking in a shelter first as I feel that is the morally right thing to do. I have had many dogs and am comfortable in doing this and knowing the dog may have some issues and baggage. This would be my first bird I ever owned and am less comfortable in dealing with birds having issues and baggage then I would a dog. Everything I have read on the net pretty much says to not get a bird from a shelter if it is your first bird, what are your thoughts on this?

Then you've been reading the wrong information. I'm going to send you some information to get you started.

[pennyandrocky]

rescue would be the first place to look for your first bird. most birds end up in rescues because people buy a sweet cuddly baby then when it reaches maturity and turns into a "hormonal teenager" they can't take the screaming and biting that comes from wanting to mate but not being able to. another plus for someone without experiance will get advice with a chance to play with different species. a might not even be the bird for you but if you buy one before handling them it's too late you're stuck. a breeder won't tell you that they want to sell their product. my mya came from a rescue she is a joy to have in our home.

[Raque]

Thank you for the quick response.

I am considering getting a Senegal Parrot as a pet, from reading the general characteristics of the breed a Senegal seems like a good fit.

What makes you think that? Senegal Parrot is a species, not a breed.

Since deciding I wanted to get one, I read some articles and watched some videos on the net. The list of traits I was looking for is:
- an affectionate Parrot, but not one that wants 5 hours of lap time petting every day.
- a parrot that can somewhat entertain themselves since I don't work at home.
- can talk is nice, but not a huge priority and won't repeat every bad word I say to my mother when she visits.
- won't scream so loud it annoys people for miles around. I have a house, so don't share walls, and accept and fully understand all parrots can squawk loudly, I would just prefer one on the quieter side.
- I want a smallish-medium bird so it is free to fly inside my place without much problem but I also want a big bird since if I ever get a dog again the bird and the dog will more likely get along better if the dog is afraid of that huge beak
- less feather dust since I do have asthma
- a shorter life span. 80 years is just a really long time....hell the 30 years for a Senegal is really long. While I will miss a pet that passes, I just don't think buying a pet that will out live me is fair to that pet.
- a bird that I can train to fly to me and do other tricks....and that likes to do tricks
- looks cool! It is last on the list but I am being honest.

That is the list of traits I wanted, and it gets fun since somethings contradict others. From trying to read up online about different parrot species a Senegal or Meyer seemed like good options for the traits I wanted as did the Green Cheeked Conure. Individuals will vary, but species traits seem like a good place to start.

If I was going to get a dog, I would try looking in a shelter first as I feel that is the morally right thing to do. I have had many dogs and am comfortable in doing this and knowing the dog may have some issues and baggage. This would be my first bird I ever owned and am less comfortable in dealing with birds having issues and baggage then I would a dog. Everything I have read on the net pretty much says to not get a bird from a shelter if it is your first bird, what are your thoughts on this?

Then you've been reading the wrong information. I'm going to send you some information to get you started.

Thanks!

[Raque]

rescue would be the first place to look for your first bird.

Cool, I will take a look at some more then. It probably makes sense I go visit some and talk to the people working there.

[Michael]

- I want a smallish-medium bird so it is free to fly inside my place without much problem but I also want a big bird since if I ever get a dog again the bird and the dog will more likely get along better if the dog is afraid of that huge beak

In that case don't get a parrot at all. If a dog is ultimately what you want, a parrot will never fill the same role. If you ever want to have a dog, then you can't get a parrot. It is just too dangerous. So many birds die because of this and size doesn't matter much. Here are two recent cases that come to mind:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... nt_count=1

"My patient of nearly 20 years lost the battle today with life as the dogs teeth did her in. She will be missed. It seems to me that our compassion for all animals as "bird stewards" sets us up for loosing a bird and them up for loosing a life. How many bird owners have had a bird killed or significantly maimed by a dog or cat? This is not to make you feel bad, but for others to gain wisdom through your experience without having to learn the pain, personally. Thank you."

[Raque]

If a dog is ultimately what you want, a parrot will never fill the same role.

That statement is a pretty huge assumption based upon what I wrote. If I really just wanted a dog, I wouldn't be here at all.

With an animal that lives as long as parrots, thinking of the possibility I may want a dog again in the next 1/3 of a century is not being unrealistic. Whether I get one or not, is something different; as evidenced with my post here I am not someone who does things on a whim without considering consequences. As such I take what you wrote there seriously.

[Michael]

If a dog is ultimately what you want, a parrot will never fill the same role.

With an animal that lives as long as parrots, thinking of the possibility I may want a dog again in the next 1/3 of a century is not being unrealistic.

Well it sounds like you are seriously considering or expecting to have one. And I'm pointing out not only that they are mutually exclusive animals to keep but also that your desire to have a dog may suggest something about what you look for in a pet. And if a dog is the kind of pet you ideally want, then don't get a parrot because it won't fill the same role. I was at a bird store once when a father/son showed up looking at birds. They knew nothing and salespeople weren't around so I helped them out by showing some birds and talking to them. But I lost all desire to do anything else when he said "we really just wanted to get a dog but his mother didn't want the mess..." Many many parrots are doomed to a poor/clipped life because of owners who are trying to (unsuccessfully) make a dog out of them.

I guess what I am saying now is that if you're serious about getting a parrot now, the choice between getting a "parrot or dog" isn't one to make down the line but right now. The decision to get a parrot should equally be not to get a cat, dog, ferret, or other terribly incompatible animal. Even within parrot species this type of decision plays a huge role. I come across soo many cases of cats/dogs killing parrots so I'm just sick of hearing people make excuses and justify why it's ok for them to mix predator and prey in their homes.

[Nir]

you seem like a responsible guy /gal so i think you will do just fine. researching from early on is what you should do and are doing so good job.

About the dog debate, its true its dangerous but similar danger is keeping a sennie or other bigger birds with small ones and what it comes down to is just being responsible. You just have to make sure they are never in range of any danger. So just keep them separate and it should be fine. there is always risk in anything you do such as taking the bird out for a walk is also risky as well as having a flighted or unflighted bird both would be risky for various reasons. But all it comes down to is being responsible and aware of the dangers and doing the best to avoid it.

So good luck. I think your on the right track.

[janetafloat]

Everything you've described sounds fine except, personally, I think that sounds like a lot of alone time. After all, birds are flock animals, so want and need a lot of interaction. Also time to fly around, as however many toys they have a cage is a very limited environment. Senegal's can get bitey if they're not happy. The tricky thing about 'out of cage' time that I hadn't counted in before I got my Senegal is that parrots need a lot of sleep - he usually wakes up between 9-9:30 and somewhere around 8-8:30 in the evening he's beak scratching and ready for bed. This means that if you're at work all day it's tricky to fit in enough 'out of cage' and one to one time. Having said that, Senegal's are relatively independent and not as clingy as, say, a green cheek conure (green cheeked?) and lots of people do have a bird and work full time. They're also not very noisy though there is the 'pterodactyl shriek' when I leave. On the dog front, Michael is very unequivocal but I'm more open though I can see the potential danger. I have a dog, she's a rescue and very very quiet and timid. Alfie doesn't pay her any attention and, being flighted, is not down at her level, and the dog doesn't pay any attention to the bird. It's not an issue. I wouldn't trust most dogs around him though. Good luck with whatever you decide. A bird is far more high maintenance than I could have imagined but they're delightful companions.