First Bird Trouble Deciding?

[jaimmorr]

Thanks so much for all of the information! :] I really am looking to get a parrot or a Ringneck as my first, just not sure which I want or which would be best for me. I don't want a Cockatiel as I feel they wouldn't be enough of a "challenge" for me. I did help take care of her birds as far as cleaning the cage and feeding them. I don't have a problem with taking care of animals. I have 3 dogs right now (I live on my own) as well as a rat (I have owned 4 rats) and a Bearded Dragon (I have owned 2). I also foster dogs and have fostered a cat in the past. When I lived with my parents, we owned 3 dogs, 4 cats, 3 rats, 2 Bearded Dragons, and 3 Guinea Pigs, and a blind hamster. So, even though I am not experienced with birds yet, I have experienced just about everything else and know what taking care of a pet entails. :]

Thank you a lot for those links on how to make perches, I will definitely use them!

I am going to a bird store an hour away tomorrow just to visit and talk to the people about birds. Try to get a feel for what I am looking for. :]

[parrotlover]

OK Thats's good! I highly recomend getting your parrot from a breeder or adoption. The ones at petstores are usually not taken out or taken care of right. Many of them can be sick or very ill. And knowing you've had that much experience with animals for what seems like your whole life; it seems like you would be good for a African Grey , Senegal , Indian Ringneck , and MAYBE a Macaw . Hope you make the right choice!

[jaimmorr]

Thanks! :] I was not planning on getting one from a pet store, I just went there today to get a feel for birds and talk to some of the employees about it.

It was a good experience. We got out a Hahn's Macaw and played with her a little bit, it was a lot of fun. The lady helping us was extremely knowledgeable (from my research I have done so far, I could tell haha) and nice. My friend got bit and shook her finger at the bird and the lady told her not to do that and why. I asked the lady whether a Senegal or a Ringneck would be better and what their differences are, which she told me that Ringnecks are louder and need more attention although both can speak fairly well. She said that if Ringnecks are not handled for longer periods of time, they do get aggressive. I wish I could have played with a Senegal but the only one she had was very young and still under a warmer. Err...

What I did notice while I was there is that their birds seem to be very well taken care of, which surprised me. They had 3 people there that were getting the birds out and playing with them, getting them socialized. The baby room was employees only. They had a sign as soon as you walk in the door saying STOP, please wash your hands before entering and sanitize in between each bird! It was a very clean store.

I think I will visit again soon and maybe try to see the Senegal. :]

[parrotlover]

Cool! I'm glad that the pet store is takeing time to take out the birds and interact with them! That can also hel pto get the birds human taimed as well! and yea a Ringneck can speak very good! watch this video on this one talking! it's funny lol -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPoH5UkBFqs&NR=1 I personally like the Ringnecks though lol I haven't really seen a sengal talk though. But heer's a video of one talking -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5izs6pdLP90&feature=fvwrel The sengals aren't really the best talkers lol But ringnecks on the other hand are very good. Well I hope you find which one you want!

[thebirdistheword]

I am buying an african grey a 14week old weaned baby is 975.00 and i bought a cage 40x30 from a store on ebay brand new for 249.00

[Shelby]

Thanks so much for all of the information! :] I really am looking to get a parrot or a Ringneck as my first, just not sure which I want or which would be best for me. I don't want a Cockatiel as I feel they wouldn't be enough of a "challenge" for me.

I don't really think you can have a challenging bird and a good companion bird all in one. Do you want a bird that takes a long time and lots of work to learn behaviors, or acts like a rebellious teenager? I think in the long run, you would be much more satisfied with a bird that is easy to get along with, not "challenging".

My best friend has a cockatiel and he has a big personality and a big heart. He loves cuddles and scritches and would sit on your shoulder all day, but he also likes to be the center of attention and amuse with playful antics which he knows will capture your heart. This is probably because cockatiels and cockatoos are related. Cockatoos are known for their love of showing off. (They are also very demanding birds and tend to hold grudges over little things for a long time.) Cockatiels are a good sized bird. They are big enough so you can train them to wear a harness and they are such beautiful birds.

I know you said you want a bigger bird, but lovebirds have a lot of personality and lots of energy. I have generally heard and observed that they are more active than cockatiels. They are charming and love to perform and if you get a tame one, they LOVE cuddles and scritches. I've seen dozens of videos on youtube both of lovebirds doing tricks and fooling around on play stands, as well as sleeping in their owner's hand while getting some love. Also, lovebirds are parrots, just small ones. Something to do with the fact their feet have 2 toes in front and 2 in back I think...

Both cockatiels and lovebirds can live 20+ years with good care and a strong bond with their owners.

[retdpd]

Ahhh,

I know what you are going through. I researched read investigated everything you have. A friend of mine who has 9 birds and was a breeder told me the bird will adopt you not the other way around.

I went to an adoption home to look at a Conure and a Quaker and low and behold there he was Elmo. He is a 2year old Hahns Macaw. He had a bit of a rough life losing his master to cancer etc..They didn't want to show him because he was nippy in fact they changed his name to Nippy. I changed it to Elmo.

Well he adopted me!!! I have no regrets he talks, steps up and calls daddy when he wants to come out. I love his attitude and the built in siren when someone comes to the front door.

I wouldn't trade him for anything he is definately my buddy. I continue to send progress reports to the rescue. I feel it might just keep those great people motivated.

So give your local rescue a try maybe it will work for you

[liz]

CONGRADULATIONS!!!!

He was waiting for you. It is a good thing you found him.

[Crimson_Shadows]

I agree with glassonion, budgies are great first birds. and quite inexpensive to purchase the cage and bird. but don't let any breeders or pet stores rip you off with they,re prices.. budgies usually cost around 20 to 25 dollars.

[Polarn]

Awww, happy for you and your macaw.
A macaw was kinda the main bird I wanted when I was looking for a new bird last year. But no matter how I tried to rearrange my home I couldn't fit a legal cage for it (we have laws stating minimum sizes for different birds here) and the requirement for a macaw is short side atleast 180cm long side atleast 350cm and hight atleast 150cm. While the hight posted no problem the area it would take we're to big for my place. I mean it's basicly a kingsize bed with about 75% added to the length. Sometimes I feel these regulations are great but at other times somewhat crooked I mean I never close the cage door hence I think I should be able to count the whole area it actually could move in, but no... So I went for another love of mine the bluefronted amazon, with more suitable cage requirements 160cmX100cm.

Best of luck with your macaw. And hope you got a good friend in him