Beginning Parrot Suggestions

[Wolf]

I think you've been given great advice here. Let me also throw in a recommendation for a green cheeked conure. At least for me, it's been pretty smooth sailing with Tuco. He has huge personality and is an extremely loving, sweet, and dynamic bird. As for lovebirds, I used to sort of be afraid of them until my girlfriend got one - it's totally adorable and a bigtime sweetheart, even though she has the hormonal rage right now. I do think it's louder than my green cheek, but it isn't that bad.

Every day I think more and more, that there's no "beginner bird", but that they all have very similar challenges. I think you either have the patience, emotional capacity, and desire/ability to learn to care for birds, or you do not. Unfortunately the same is true for most pets, which might account for all the unhealthy dogs and cats in rescues.

Just a thought! I don't think that you learn to care for birds, dogs, cats or ant other animal. I think that you either care for them or you don't. I do think that just about anyone who cares for them can learn to take care of them properly. Just a thought!

[AnarchoBoxer]

I think you've been given great advice here. Let me also throw in a recommendation for a green cheeked conure. At least for me, it's been pretty smooth sailing with Tuco. He has huge personality and is an extremely loving, sweet, and dynamic bird. As for lovebirds, I used to sort of be afraid of them until my girlfriend got one - it's totally adorable and a bigtime sweetheart, even though she has the hormonal rage right now. I do think it's louder than my green cheek, but it isn't that bad.

Every day I think more and more, that there's no "beginner bird", but that they all have very similar challenges. I think you either have the patience, emotional capacity, and desire/ability to learn to care for birds, or you do not. Unfortunately the same is true for most pets, which might account for all the unhealthy dogs and cats in rescues.

Just a thought! I don't think that you learn to care for birds, dogs, cats or ant other animal. I think that you either care for them or you don't. I do think that just about anyone who cares for them can learn to take care of them properly. Just a thought!

Seems reasonable to me.

[GingerBird]

My first bird was a lovebird. He loves me a lot, but will only love you when he has been loved by you. Not sure if this is something my lovebird only does, or it is some lovebird thingy. But my lovebird is not suited for strangers at all.

I do not have experiences with many birds, but my second bird: Meyer's Parrot is much more easy going. She is naugthy and a parrot, so likes to chew and destroy sometimes. But, she loves people a lot! I still make small mistakes, but she is forgiving me every time and is easy to handle. When I walk by her cage, she just immediatly stops doing whatever she was busy with and runs to the closest corner to be with me.

Regarding to your question, my lovebird is great for me, and my boyfriend. He loves us both and feels comfortable to sleep on your shoulder (or in my t-shirt). But does not like strangers and will most likely bite them when they are trying to pet him.
My Meyer's needs more attention, and will not just sit and sleep on my shoulder. But she is easy going, loves to cuddle and will love any other person without giving the risk to bite them.

[Pajarita]

I think you've been given great advice here. Let me also throw in a recommendation for a green cheeked conure. At least for me, it's been pretty smooth sailing with Tuco. He has huge personality and is an extremely loving, sweet, and dynamic bird. As for lovebirds, I used to sort of be afraid of them until my girlfriend got one - it's totally adorable and a bigtime sweetheart, even though she has the hormonal rage right now. I do think it's louder than my green cheek, but it isn't that bad.

Every day I think more and more, that there's no "beginner bird", but that they all have very similar challenges. I think you either have the patience, emotional capacity, and desire/ability to learn to care for birds, or you do not. Unfortunately the same is true for most pets, which might account for all the unhealthy dogs and cats in rescues.

Just a thought! I don't think that you learn to care for birds, dogs, cats or ant other animal. I think that you either care for them or you don't. I do think that just about anyone who cares for them can learn to take care of them properly. Just a thought!

I think he did not mean 'care' as in love or affection but as in 'care-giving' or husbandry.

[AnarchoBoxer]

I meant both of those things.

[Pajarita]

Then I agree only halfway with you because I am with Wolf in that people don't 'learn' to care (as in love) for animals, you are either born an animal lover or you are not. What you learn is to enjoy what they might bring into your life but that's not love.

[AnarchoBoxer]

People can have changes of heart. How many of us can say we haven't? I was sort of indifferent to animals until my parents got a dog when I was a teen, and I bonded with him immediately and turned into a huge softie. lol

[Pajarita]

Actually, not that kind of 'change of heart'. It has to do with the degree of empathy and that's learned when you are a toddler through adult nurturing. By the time children are 4 or 5, it is what it is pretty much for the rest of their lives. Like I said, you can learn to love your own animal and you can learn to enjoy a species or type of animal you never thought you would like or enjoy but that's not been an animal lover.