Rebellious wrote:Ringnecks are just really beautiful birds that come in so many colors. They can be very moody and stubborn and can pack a punch with their bite quite frankly. You'd probably need to be an experienced owner for an IRN from my previous knowledge
I think that's a bit unfair, pretty much saying they're "only pretty and colorful" (that's at least how I took it)
They can be WONDERFUL companions too, with a little effort. I don't necessarily agree that you have to be an experienced bird owner either (I mean, that can be a good thing, but it's not an overly important thing) - you just kind of have to know what you're doing, and why THEY're doing what they're doing. ...Which, I guess, is true for any species, but..
Sure, they can be quite a handful, but that's just what you have to expect. They generally don't like to cuddle a lot, so if that's what one wants the most, one should probably consider another species,.. But they're very intelligent, so much FUN(!), and really great to work with, despite the attitude.

My IRN Nicko spends most of his time by my side, asking for kisses and treats. He's afraid of fingers (after being mistreated about 13-15 years ago), but he takes treats from my hands and lets me scrith him with my nose, so we have a way of working around it. He's the best. He's so sweet and gentle you wouldn't believe it, and he's so kind and good with Meg (my other IRN).
Meg came to me untame and pretty much never handled (more than being forced into different cages etc), parent-raised and lived in an aviary with other birds the first 9 months of her life.
She's doing GREAT, she always accepts treats and steps up for me now and then. She follows Nicko around and often sits on my arm or on my knee.
She's also the funniest little clown ever, her favourite activity being hanging upside down from the curtain (or pretty much anywhere else, but mostly the curtain) while screaming, but also just climbing and flying around everywhere. And I mean everywhere. All the time. I love that about her.
So yeah, long story short: I've got one calm, gentle, cuddly-in-his-own-way, quirky, and sweet IRN... And one who's crazy, hilarious, a little too clever, active and very giving to work with.
I think they're both perfect. More than perfect. ^_^ ...But I of course don't care if/that most of my birds aren't that hands-on, cuddly or crave my attention. It's nice now and then, but independent play is much encouraged over here

I also don't have a problem with spending a lot of time on them without expecting to get much out of it (I mean, I DO, they're awesome, but I get that someone who rather wants a cute and cuddly bird they can do whatever they want with, would likely not enjoy them as much as I do? I dunno)
I've personally had a way harder time with my Senegals than with my IRNs. Sure, the sennies are easier to read and more accepting of certain things (like handling, lol), but that doesn't always matter when they're trying to pretty literally bite your face off...

In Miley's case of course (Now THAT's one moody and stubborn bird with an awful bite!) - Alaska is in a way much like Nicko.
I'm sorry if I just seem to be rambling haha. I mostly meant to say that it sounded so negative and that's definitely not always the case - at least my two are great companions, and I know of a lot of people with WONDERFUL, cuddly, fun IRN companions too!
I also wanted to share my experience to the OP, that's probably why I kept rambling on... Or something
