The Right Choice - *Nooby Alert*

[parrotlover]

Sorry if I'm bombarding your forum with questions, but I'm trying to make the right choice on which parrot to get. I was thinking more of Paraket or Cockatiel. I'm looking for a bit bigger bird then Parakeet so I think a Cockatiel would be good. Also I read that Parakeets can make Alot of noise so I don't know if I'm all for Parakeet. (YES I do know that any type of bird/parrot is going to make any amount of noise *BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THEY DO*). I'm also found out that Cockatiels 'molt a bit more then other parrots; is that true? So I gues I'm more for the Cockatiels then the Parakeets.Some of you might know my "situation" already; if not here's the link to that forum I posted viewtopic.php?f=12&t=5889 . OK well now that you might know my situation (If not np). Do you'll know (out of these two parrots) which one is right one for me? *please help Thank You*

[entrancedbymyGCC]

I'd suggest doing more research until you are sure you know what you want and what you are getting into. If you can read "Bird Talk" at your local library or subscribe, that would be good. Buy or borrow some books, ask questions on Forums like this and don't be in too much of a hurry.

What pet stores call "parakeet" is a "budgie", more properly a "Budgerigar". "Parakeet" is properly a word that means any small, long tailed parrot. I haven't had one, but I gather they can be a ton of fun, especially if you can get one that has been well socialized -- most of what you find n a general pet store is essentially wild and would need to be tamed by you. Plus some general pet stores aren't very careful about their birds' health, especially budgies because they are so inexpensive. Know your source before you buy. I understand that budgies are busy active little birds and they sing and chirp a lot, but their voices are pretty soft. Some individuals learn to be very good at human talk as well.

Cockatiels are a member of the cockatoo family in minature. They are said to make good pets, but I haven't had one of those either! They do, like all members of the cockatoo family, have a unique type of feather caused powder down, which makes them create dust. This may be what you heard that made you think they molt more. They produce more dust, but they don't change their feathers more often than other parrots as far as I know. Molting usually happens once or twice a year, but in indoor settings with artificial light, some pet birds molt on a less regular schedule or continuously but slowly.

Good luck with your quest for your new friend! Just go slow, make sure you can afford the time and the expense... birds are no less effort to keep up than a puppy or a kitten,they should have regular vet checks and all that kind of stuff, even though the initial cost may seem less.

[parrotlover]

Yea I read that you can mist them and/or the feathers to lower the amount of 'dust they put out. I also have a friend on these forums that has one and he has Athsma and he does fine with his Cockatiel. So I don't think the 'dust part is going to be a problem. He also said that his Cockatiel is real active and palyful.

[GlassOnion]

I have both, and they are completely different birds.

Do you like pigeons? Cockatiels remind me of Pigeons, mine is also a perch potato. Very clumsy at not very 'fun'. He is great if you just want to sit next to a bird. He's not cuddly either.

Budgies are very hyper and acrobatic.

I agree with entrancedbymygcc, do more research and look at various types of birds.

[Ollieparrot]

Hey Parrotlover,
I defintely agree with the others that you need to be sure what parrot you want, not only for yourself but also for any bird that you may buy. I speak from experience as I decided that I wanted a bird again as I always had one when I was young but hadn't had one for ages. I came across a parrot called a Kakariki which is apparently a native New Zealand parrot. I come from NZ but had never heard of it so I ordered one online with a breeder without ever seeing one or fully undersatnding their nature. I went to pick her up when she was ready and she was beautiful very friendly and tame and would fly to me all the time without any training. While at the breeders I saw whitefaced cockatiels for the first time and thought they were fantastic so I ordered one of them there and then. When they were both at home the cockatiel bonded with me totally to the full exclusion of the kakariki who became very self reliant and independant. The tiel was bonded but only on her terms and became not very friendly when she didn;t get her way. Long story short I no longer have either bird as realised that I wanted a larger parrot that I could train and interact with (not saying that you cant train Kakarikis and tiels but I got it all wrong with them).
My point in all this is that I totally upset and stressed two innocent birds through no fault of their own but only because I rushed into the ownership issue.
Please dont make the same mistake I did. I adore my Senegal and know that we are friends for life!

Sorry, confessional over

Simon

[parrotlover]

Ah OK that's Cool I actually might be makeing a Cockatiel FAQ for this Forum since they don't have one. And in that process I can learn ALOT of things about them.

[parrotlover]

OK I'm actually haveing second thoughts about getting a Cockatiel. I looked up Quakers and I am bout to look up Parrotleta how are hose two type of parrots for beginners?

[zazanomore]

I wouldn't suggest a Quaker for you. They are LOUD. I don't think your mom would appreciate it.

Parrotlets do make good beginner birds though.

[parrotlover]

Yea I looked up that Parrotlets are like mimi Amazons. They're just like there cousin the Amazon because they have so much energy and they tend to bite hard. But I'm probably going to have to get a parakeet. If I do are you able to cudle with them?

[parrotsareyay]

Don't worry for bombarding this forum, its meant for questions and getting the right parrot is probably the most important step.
Budgies CAN be cuddly, but not very. They are one of the most hyperactive birds i have ever seen! They will fly around, land on you, maybe ask for a little scritch, and then fly off again. You can't get cuddlier though, but there are exceptions when a budgie had laid back on someones hand and allowed the fingers to close around very slightly. (Not over the chest so it did not choke)

So in conclusion to my rambling, budgies may accept head scritches, but most individuals are not as cuddly as bigger birds.