I'm Interseted in Getting a Parrot...Any Suggestions?

[jigglesmax]

Hello all! I've been interested in getting a parrot for some time now, and I'd like to know what kind might be best for me. I'm still young, still a teenager, and the only other parrot I've had before was a budgie. So I'm not very experienced yet. I've read a few books and many articles online, in addition to asking people and watching videos on Youtube about different parrot species and care. So far, I've narrowed it down to three species: the Meyer's Parrot, the cockatiel, and an eclectus. Now, I did not find much about eclectuses...so they're the ones I need the most information on. I know cockatiels are great for beginners, and I don't know too much about the Meyer's either as a matter of fact. Please, if anybody has any information on the three birds I mentioned, or any others that might be suitable for me, let me know. I would also LOVE to hear what birds I should NOT get at this age and experience level. For example, I wanted a cockatoo, but then, (after some research) I realized that they are not the bird for me, and I know I'm not ready for one, or any other bird that requires that much experience and maintenance. Thank you! =]

[Michael]

So far, I've narrowed it down to three species: the Meyer's Parrot, the cockatiel, and an eclectus.

Based on what criteria did you narrow down to those?

[jigglesmax]

I narrowed it down based on maintenance level, attractiveness, and size. To be honest, I didn't do as much research on eclectuses and Meyer's as I did on cockatiels. That's one reason I posted this topic. By maintenance level I mean...it's difficult to explain. Like a cockatoo requires a lot of attention and is a screamer so it needs training...lories are very messy eaters, etc. Another word for that might be behavior? When I say attractiveness, I mean how much I would rather have a bird based on what it looks/acts/sounds like. When I say size, I mean how much housing they'll need and how much food they'll need.

[macawlover2]

I think a cockatiel would be a perfect bird for you! They're easy going, not too demanding, not as messy as the bigger birds, and they're quieter. Eclectus have pretty hard diets to maintain, so I would wait on getting one until you're a bit more experience with birds and up for the challenge. I don't know much about meyers, but I know they're going to be more demanding than a cockatiel.

I think that for you, a cockatiel is the way to go.

[Kathleen]

I believe that a great amount of research should be done before getting any kind of pet. You're a teenager so I really think you need to evaluate your life and imagine yourself 20 years from now. Will you still want a parrot? If so, then great.

Both cockatiels and Meyer's parrots are probably great for people in apartments.

Cockatiels are pretty quiet, laid back, sweet, don't bite hard, aren't too expensive, not too demanding. They seem like a great pet, especially for a beginner as long as some research is done of course. They can be trained to do many great tricks and can talk quite a bit (I've seen some videos of them so check on youtube).

Meyer's parrots, like all poicephalus parrots are probably as quiet or more quiet than a cockatiel, a little demanding, independent, affectionate, too smart for their own good, like a lot of toys. They can bite harder and they're a bit more expensive than cockatiels. Meyers are said to be more shy than the other poicephalus parrots who are said to be more jealous/aggressive. Meyers are said to be more constant in their moods than other poicephalus parrots. A meyer's will generally live a lot longer than a cockatiel so keep that in mind.

Eclectus parrots are probably more beautiful than either of those, however and obviously bigger. I think they are a bit more expensive than a meyer's or a cockatiel so keep that in mind. The females are apparently more aggressive than the more gentle males (the females are red, males are green). Apparently they can be a little noisy. Like other parrots, they must be properly socialized and since they are larger birds, eclectus parrots need a larger cage than a cockatiel or a meyer's.

[jigglesmax]

Got it. Yeah, I'll definitely do more research about the birds, I just wanted some opinions from parrot people. Kathleen, thanks a lot for the advice, and of course everyone else aswell. Of course I'll think it through more and look into it more. I know very well that buying a pet on impulse never ends well. Thanks again everyone!

[Kathleen]

I would try to contact a breeder or a pet store with these types of birds and ask to interact with them a little. Have them step up and perch on your finger (or hand) and try to pet them. Hopefully they've been socialized and they won't be aggressive toward you. If you think you can handle them, you're prepared for parrot ownership, and you've done your research, I say go for it. I think a parrot being properly socialized and being friendly toward a customer is what makes a sale sometimes. If the bird is aggressive, biting you, eyes pinning, crest raised, lunging at you, etc... you might think twice about buying that species or maybe that specific bird, especially a beginner customer who probably hasn't had experience in training techniques and wouldn't know what to do. For someone who has had experience, this might be a small obstacle but someone with experience would probably be more confident about it.

[jigglesmax]

Thanks Kathleen! I remember, there was a green-cheeked conure at our local petstore a few months ago, and I was absoulutely in love with him! (I'm calling it a him, but I wasn't sure if it wa smale or female). He would take little pieces of food from his dish, give them to me through the bars, only so I could feed them back to him and then he'd throw it on the ground and give me a new piece. It was the cutest thing ever. Sadly, I went there one day and he was gone. I can't say I'm surprised, who wouldn't want such a sweet bird as a companion? Do you know anything about green cheeked conures? In general, do they make good birds for beginners? Either way, thanks a lot! I'll be visiting the petstore soon, probably tomorrow, to fetch some supplies for my ferret comapion. I'll ask to interact with some birds...anyway thanks!

[MissLady9902]

I'll be visiting the petstore soon, probably tomorrow, to fetch some supplies for my ferret comapion.

Use extreme caution if you get a bird. Ferrets eat birds!! I would have to say that having a bird and a ferret not a good combo. If your ferret ever got loose while you were gone you'd come home to a fat ferret and a pile of feathers. Even more of a risk since you're looking at small birds.
I'm not saying you can't have a bird I just want you to be aware that as tame as your ferret is, it will eat birds. Just FYI

[jigglesmax]

Hahaha, thanks. I was aware of that, don't worry. I had a budgie all the while I still had my ferret. I don't think they ever even met. Don't worry, if I do end up getting a bird, I'll be sure that it and my ferret stay very far away from each other. I appreciate your worry though, and thanks for the advice!