What Bird is right for me?

[Nathaniel]

I have always wanted a budgie, I just wasn't sure if I could get a larger bird. In the end I choose the budgerigar. I have always had a sweet spot for australian animals.

[penelope's person]

My aunt has had budgies for years and they are always very sweet.

I however, chose a lovebird because I wanted a little more 'big parrot' personality and I certainly got it! I think they are a good starter bird, albeit with many of the challenges of a somewhat larger parrot!

Penelope can be a little Napolean at times (OK...all the time!) but I love her all the more for it!

Good luck with your new bird! Getting one was the best decision I ever made

[pchela]

Nathaniel - looks like you've done some good research and have a really good list. Your bird is going to be very lucky! I will add a rope perch to your list unless the cable comfy perch is a rope perch. Also, factor in monthly costs for veggies and fruit (which should be easy as you can just share what you buy for yourself) and it's a good idea to have a small fund set aside for vet emergencies if you can. As for the thermo-perch, they seem to be fairly useless and expensive. Unless you live in an extremely cold climate or keep your house really cool, it's probably unnecessary. Also, for swings, I'm not sure the size of the Polly arch swing but if it's too big a budgie can't get it swinging. The best swing I've found for a budgie are the cheap $2 wood ones that come in the plastic packages. They have them at Petsmart. Budgies also really like boings and I would probably get one of those over a bendable ladder. They budgie will use it much more than a ladder and it serves the same purpose. Also, they really enjoy rings that they can climb through.
http://www.birdyboredombusters.com/boings.html
http://birdieboutique.stores.yahoo.net/ps985.html
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.j ... Id=2811525

[Nathaniel]

I appreciate your input and have been changing stuff around as I write this. It is always encouraging to me to learn new information and update old. thank you.

[TheNzJessie]

if you love australian birds try rainbow lorikeets

[Nathaniel]

I am stuck on getting a budgie because I found a Breeder that hand raises American Budgies And He live less than 1/2 a mile away.

[Nathaniel]

Now that I know what Bird is Right for me I am going to start a new thread in general care. If you wish to continue to help me along my path take the road to the board index
Thank you all who gave me information and Suggested A bird that Would be good for me. Hopefully I can get this bird and later add to my flock with other species.

[Kim S]

If I were to try to breed budgies could I keep them in seperate cages and then introduce them in a breeding cage every once and a while or do they need to be kept together to keep their relationship?
p.s. I would keep the cages near by.
p.s.s Could I get a trio of budgies?

I think youve got enough help by everyone else on the shopping list so I will answer this one. Budgies are very easy to keep together. If you wish to breed sometime in the future then there are a few things you need to think about.

You can keep 2 budgies together in a normal cage. Three budgies is not recomended becouse they always pair up. One will be left out and will start annoying the others. Especially if you get more females than males! If you wish to keep an odd number of budgies, keep an extra male. Preferably in a different cage. Never keep more than one breedingpair in one cage during breeding! Budgies are vicious birds during breedingtime. If they dont have enough room to move around and avvoid eachother (which they dont have in normal household cages) they can become agressive and kill the other couples young. Outside you can keep any even number of birds in a cage (that is big enough ofcourse).

If you wish to keep your 2 budgies tame I advise to get a young one now and make this bird completely your own. train with the bird for about 3 to 4 months and then get a second one. This way you will have the help of the first budgie to tame the second one. They are very curious and always wish to know what the other is up to. If you train with both birds (and do keep in mind to give each bird their own seperate trainingtime) you will have no problem keeping the birds tame.

If you wish to breed make sure that:
a) the birds are not related (ask the breeder or go to a differet breeder for the second)
b) the birds are old enough (males no younger than 8 months, females no younger than 12 months)
c) the cage is big enough to house the young when they take flight, they can have up to 6 young (9 in some cases), so the cage will have to be big enough to house about 10 birds. Your cage is big enough to keep a breedingpair, but not for letting them breed. For breeding I recommend a breedingcage with the dimensions: 25x16x20 (wxdxh). Make sure the nestbox can be accesed from the outside.

Are there specific colours you wish to breed? If so, you need to make sure the parents are carying the right genes. For more details about colours and genetics I advice this site: http://www.budgieplace.com/colors.html

There are loads and loads of other things I wish to tell you before you start breeding, but for the moment (for buying the birds and supplies) this is what you need to know.

[Bella]

I vote for a green cheek conure. They are quiet (in comparison), very friendly and funny (though nippy when young) and their life span is 15-30 years instead of 70 plus. It depends on your situation. All parrots are pretty much high maintenance. I suggest spending a little time with the type of bird you're considering and also listen to noise samples (many are posted via the internet). Good luck!

[a.susz]

If still thinking about a parrot for your future, Just some facts from owning a red belly my self: she requires more than 3 hours of out of cage time. 1 hour is not nearly enough for a red belly. the second i am home my birds are ready to come out to stretch and they will want my attention(esp the red belly) for at least 3 hours of the day. i would say my pionus is the least demanding of all 3 of my parrots. their independent natures allows them to live their lives without "needing" constant attention, but enjoy the time spent with you no doubt. just be prepared that when any parrot that is bonded to you sees you walk through the door or hears your voice, they will be ready to play.


on another note i also feel that birds choose the owner, not the other way around. sometimes you have intentions of getting a certain breed but one special bird will literally choose you. good luck on your search, hope this helps.