I'm in search of a parrot that can handle my lifestyle.
Thus, I need the help of experienced parrot owners/breeders to -
1. Help me select a bird that is right for me
2. Advise me on which course to view (i.e. certain parrot training dvds - I'm a visual learner) - i.e. I 've read that clicker training is great for training parrots.
3. Hopefully - I hope there's someone here who knows a good breeder or pet shop in Dubai, Abu Dhabi (preferably) or Sharjah; if not - if there's someone who can share their personal experience about importing birds into the UAE - that would be great.
Below is a summary of my needs -
Sex Preference - Female (since I've read that they are comparative less aggressive than males)
Age Preference - I would prefer a young weaned bird
Requirements -
- Not aggressive (easy to handle);
- Not too loud of a voice (the quieter the better);
- Minimum smell / odor (my family had 'wild' Indian red necks before - and these birds didn't smell (just mentioning this since I read something about Amazon males smelling, or about cockatoo 'dust'?;
- Basically I don't mind IF it doesn't talk - I would prefer a playful and cuddly bird with a calm nature that doesn't mind being handled.
- Weaned baby (i.e. few months old) - since I guess it will be harder to handle a older bird.
Options -
Macaw - Which Macaw species + sex is is the easiest to handle (in general)?
Amazon - I'm inclined towards Amazons, since I find them beautiful. And they're quite affordable here. But if I'm to get an older bird, will the bird get aggressive. But is there a certain breed of Amazon that isn't as aggressive or "hot" as others. Which Amazon species + sex is is the easiest to handle (in general)?
Grey - Considering, but will I be able to handle a Grey - I mean I read that "they have a mind of their own"?
Cockatoo - I know that they're screamers - but is there a certain breed of cockatoo that doesn't make as much noise as others. Which Cockatoo species + sex is is the easiest to handle (in general). I read that certain male cockatoos will kill their female partners that they are not compatible with (but this doesn't make a difference for me - as I looking to get only one bird).
Senegals - Truthfully I wasn't inclined towards Senegals - but after coming over to this forum, I'm keeping my options open. But are Senegals - aggressive and one person birds (in general, of course)?
Not Inclined Towards - I'm not inclined towards getting a smaller bird (as truthfully I like bigger birds and from what I know - bigger birds are smarter than the smaller breeds).
Time I can spend with the bird - At least 2 hours everyday
Location - Currently in the UAE
Willing to Spend - Less than US$500 hopefully, I was getting an Amazon for around US$175 here (contacted the UAE based pet store owner online, but I don't think that it is a tame bird - assuming it to a male Amazon that can't be handled). The prices of Macaws, cockatoos are exorbitant here (to give you an idea) -
African Grey US$1000+
scarlet macaw US$4,500+
blue macaw US$2,000+
Skill Level - I would consider myself a beginner. Since I've only had caged 'untamed' Indian red neck parrot, 'untamed' budgies and 'untamed' cockatiels when I was a kid. And the only birds that I've handled (clipped their feathers - till they knew where their 'home' was; and hand fed are pigeons) - but i guess that is completely different than hand feeding parrots.
Thanks in advance and apologies if I haven't phrased my words correctly - just desperately seeking experienced help to start.