Researching....

[tjk]

Hi - I just joined the group, looking forward to meeting folks. My bird experience has been canaries and finches, currently I have a Green Singing Finch. I've been thinking about a new bird so have been trying to do some research on various parrots.

My brother in law has a Caique and a Macaw and a close friend as a Congo African Grey. I've been looking around the internet and looking at some books. From what I've read and from the birds I've met, I'm intrigued by the African Grey; but as I said, I'm still researching.

So I have 2 questions - does anyone have any good books they would recommend? Something everyone should read before they get a parrot?

And second, I live in Northern Delaware/Philadelphia area - and was wondering if anyone knew of a rescue organization that might need a volunteer? I'm trying to figure out ways to interact with these birds to help decide if I'm right for a parrot and a parrot is right for me. I know getting experience is probably the best way to decide - again, before I get a bird - but don't know of many opportunities to get this experience. I thought a rescue might be the best bet. I did some searching on the internet but didn't see any within say, a 2 hr. radius. Any input on this - or suggestions of how to decide if this is the right pet, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[GlassOnion]

I heard that Sally Blanchard's books are very worth the read-coming from breeders. She has a book called, "the companion parrot" and also written one specifically for caiques I think?

[greymatter]

I second the one above by Sally Blanchard, along with Guide to a Well Behaved Parrot by Mattie Sue Athan - both are part of my Bird Bible collection

The Barron's species specific books also help - I have both the Caique & African Grey ones - definitely beneficial both before & after purchasing my two gremlins!

If there are any pet stores around that actually have the parrots you're interested in (and others - you never know what will peak your interest), go in and handle/play with them. This definitely helps you determine which birds will mesh with your personality, and which ones just aren't that into you (and vice versa ).

When I used to hand raise babies, Amazons liked me until they reached about 4 months of age...I don't know why, but they just didn't mesh with me. I didn't have any issues with the others, however. And this was raising dozens of Amazons, just not one or two! So the more hands on you're able to get, the better, keeping in mind the stressful environment a pet store can be.

Good luck!