Which one for time-challenged people?

[arnoldus]

Hi,

I wonder if I might sollicit some tips?

I'm considering having a more intelligent bird than my present zebra finches. I've had lovebirds over 20years ago, but it wasn't a big succes: they screeched a lot to the annoyance of the whole family and I didn't know anything about parrot training then.

However, I have a couple of limitations, being time, noise and space.

Due to the unpredictable nature of my work, I can not guarantee the time I can spend with it to more than 20 minutes. I'm pretty sure to be able to schedule that daily. More than that is possible, but can not be guaranteed every single day.

I go on about two 15-day business trips yearly, and perhaps half a dozen of short trips. The parrot should be able to get along with its babysitter, either my parents or other family, but some of them might be scared taking it out of the cage.

So I'm looking for a bird that can take well to this kind of time-limited interaction, if such is possible of course

The other limitation is noise. It's just impossible to have early dawn and late dusk screeches (while people are still in bed) in my appartment, so I would need low-noise birds. Unless this can be solved by covering the cage?

I've been looking at so many species so the last couple of weeks, that I'm a little clueless at the moment.
I don't have a big dwelling, so I thought that perhaps a smaller species is more fair (Lineoleated parrot, parrotlets), but my heart goes out more to the medium size species such as a cockatiel, senegal or especially a green cheeck conure.

I would be grateful to have constructive feedback or criticism.

[dohcsvt]

A green cheek is quiet and a great bird for apartments. But I must say that any parrot will require more time than you appear to have avialable. Without more interaction, the bird will be become a retroverted and aggressive. Also, I feel it unfair to the animal to have short of time to interact. Even a dog would need more time than that. Maybe I am wrong on this, but hopefully other will chime in. My and get atleast 10 minutes of training everyday of the week (you would be surprised what you can get done while just drinking your coffee) and then they are out atleast 2-3 hours everynight while my wife watches TV.

[GlassOnion]

Are you sure you want a bird at this time of your life? They are flock animals, so they crave attention all day long. Your circumstances might be pushing it a little bit in my opinion, birds shouldn't be solitary for that long in my honest opinion.

Birds need several hours of attention daily, a lot of it can be just to chill with you while you're watching TV, doing laundry, doing dishes, etc. But reading over your situation, it is likely that your future bird will start a screaming habit or even possibly pluck his feathers from the lack of attention. Boredom/lack of attention are huge triggers to all sorts of problems.

[Cage Cleaner]

I recommend finches. 6 of them. But since this is the parrot forum, and since finches aren't parrots, I recommend parakeets. 6 of them. Or more. But for this scenario, really finches are better.

Both are low on noise, and with 6 you will never be required to hang out with them.

[Cage Cleaner]

Nm you already have finches. Parakeets then. Anything more intelligent isn't going to work out with your lifestyle at this point, in my opinion.

[Naurthon]

I'd have to concur with the other posters. Parrots aren't suitable companions for time-challenged people. Without sufficient social time from its flock (that would be you!) parrots are guaranteed to suffer behavioral and health problems. Screaming, biting, aggression, depression, plucking, feather chewing...the list goes on. If you don't have the time to devote to your companion to ensure its well-being, it would be irresponsible to bring it into your home.

[GlassOnion]

Budgies (a species of parakeets) are extremely social, and I would NOT recommend a 90% solitary life for a Budgie. Those guys are smart and have feelings too, I cannot picture how depressed my Budgie would be if she had to spend almost all day, everyday alone.

[Cage Cleaner]

Budgies (a species of parakeets) are extremely social, and I would NOT recommend a 90% solitary life for a Budgie. Those guys are smart and have feelings too, I cannot picture how depressed my Budgie would be if she had to spend almost all day, everyday alone.

Hence 6 of them, mentioned above.

[arnoldus]

Thanks guys,
I fully understand what you say, I had underestimated how important time together is for a parrot.
I have no problem waiting a decade or two for retirement if that means a happy bird instead of a depressive one!

My 6 finches already bring me lots of fun (albeit not being too intelligent or tameable).

[liz]

Don't underestimate your little finches. I am a regular visitor at a VA Nursing Home that has an aviary flock of finches. They greet everyone who goes there. They respond and activly chatter to patients who visit them regularly.

If you put food in the flat of your hand, they will land on your hand to eat it. They may not talk but they have the same emotions.