Looking for the right kind

[Tylerd10]

Hi, im thinking to get a parrot for a pet. I did some research and the senegal parrot looks to be perfect except im worried that it wont be talkative at all,any thought? Also what are your thoughts on flighted or clipped? Thanks

[Polarn]

As for talkative. Some birds talk others don't. Even birds well known for their abilities to mimick sound might choose not to talk. So personally I would never expect any parrot to talk.

As for clipping or not, there's not even a choice in my opinion. If you want a groundbound cuddly pet, get a dog, less work, less costs and most likely to be cuddly. If you want a groundbound sometimes cuddly pet that also will talk up a storm... You can borrow my gf for a day.

[Nir]

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you welcome.

[Tylerd10]

Once again thanks for the avice and i was wondering if anyone had a better type of parrot suitable for a starter?

[marie83]

Once again thanks for the avice and i was wondering if anyone had a better type of parrot suitable for a starter?

Every single bird has pros and cons. A senegal is definitely for more experienced people judging by everything I've heard about them. If talking is important to you then I would immediately tell you to forget it, some never talk and even when they do some birds are never understood by other people. Ollie will say hello but there is very very few times he will say it clear enough that a guest can understand he just said it.

I do kind of agree with starter birds and I kind of dont. I do think it is better to start with the less challenging birds- the ones that your less likely to completely ruin if you make a mistake but don't ever think that because of that they need less care, companionship, time out, training etc. That is just not true. Even the more laid back birds can also be prone to behavioural issues, its just less likely.


Definitely don't clip. Read Michaels article on it. It basicly clears up all the myths about it.
Out of the birds I've kept I would say budgies and cockatiels are the most suitable for gaining experience with. Some people see them as dull but they are far from it. Both species may talk a little, are intelligent enough to learn tricks, have lower noise levels than other species, their calls aren't as harsh on the ears and can be playful and mischivious.
Budgies tend to be more hands off but can learn to tolerate a head scratch. Cockatiels tend to be more cuddly but as with any bird it is not guarenteed. Budgies tend to be braver where as cockatiels can be more nervous but at the same time more laid back.

Some say green cheeks make good first birds too, personally I'm not so sure I think it very much depends on the person homing one. I'm glad mine wasn't my first bird. They are fairly quiet (but can be loud sometimes) highly cuddly, can learn a few words, ridiculously intelligent, playful and are pretty much fearless. Alot of that can also go against them though, they can be so cuddly it gets really annoying- you may need to teach them independance, they are intelligent and need alot of stimulation (mine learned to let himself out by rattling his feedbowls til the catch slipped, push the bowl partially out, get in the bowl, wriggle under the bars and wriggle through the catch) and their braveness and curiosity can get them into trouble. They also tend to go through nippy stages, which can hurt and break the skin. Basically they are big parrots in little bodies, they need a hell of alot of care.

[pennyandrocky]

there are no starter birds. while some require more experiance to handle any bird you choose is a lifetime commitment.my first was an ,not my choice i inheritted him because no one else wanted him when my grandmother died.i didn't even want a bird he just bonded with me for some reason. what i would tell you is find a rescue to volunteer at that way you can get to know many different types to see what is right for you.we can all tell you the good and bad about our different birds but there's nothing like personal experiance to make your decision and you might find the perfect one at a rescue and give them the home they deserve.

[Michael]

While there are no "starter birds," there are definitely parrots you should not be starting on. When you make a mistake with a budgie, cockatiel, even senegal, etc... with a bit of training/patience you can usually undo it. When people with absolutely no idea jump into owning a grey, cockatoo, amazon, or macaw... they end up in rescues. And all the "I've done my research" stuff is bull because you can read about it all you want but when you're ears are ringing or your hands are bleeding it's entirely different. I think if people would seriously "do their research" they would realize that some parrots are way too much for someone without experience or for anyone at all and should never be bought (like cockatoos with some rare exceptions).

And I'm not calling a Senegal Parrot a beginner bird or outright easy. I can just tell you that Senegal parrot problems (like biting/aggression) could be solved with patience and dedication. Leading a grey to plucking or a Cockatoo to screaming may NEVER be solved. You have to have sufficient bird experience from preventing these from ever happening or they may never be undone period.

And since you asked me about Cape Parrots but I have not seen this topic yet, I would say forget about a Cape Parrot. I don't think a Cape Parrot is something most people could raise properly on zero bird experience. I'll be writing an article about it soon, but if this is your first parrot, don't plan on a Cape or a Grey. I'm by no means saying something like a Senegal is easy or a beginner bird. But what I am saying is that a Cape/Grey/Too especially aren't.

[Nir]

there are no starter birds. while some require more experiance to handle any bird you choose is a lifetime commitment.my first was an ,not my choice i inheritted him because no one else wanted him when my grandmother died.i didn't even want a bird he just bonded with me for some reason. what i would tell you is find a rescue to volunteer at that way you can get to know many different types to see what is right for you.we can all tell you the good and bad about our different birds but there's nothing like personal experiance to make your decision and you might find the perfect one at a rescue and give them the home they deserve.

well when people say "starter birds," they are referring to birds that are easier to handle and take care of. With that definition , cockatiels and budgies are definitely starter birds since they are easier to take care of and handle. So for someone who never owned a bird, it probably isnt the best idea to send him at a rescue to pick one from there. I think its better to just get a easier bird to handle.

[pennyandrocky]

actally that's where everyone should begin you can read everything but there's nothing like personal experiance. there are people who want to "start with " a or a then want to go bigger and give up their "starter bird". i've seen many and on craigslist and in rescues when their owners want to go larger.i didn't say to go get one from a rescue even though that would be ideal to give a bird that needs a home that fits them which any good rescue will help with where a breeder or store won't really care where the bird goes as long as someone has the cash.you don't just get a bird from a rescue first you have to be approved.

[marie83]

Hmm I do get what people are saying about starter birds but I really think we should be encouraging people not to bite off more than they can chew. They need a way to gain experience and we need to teach them about commitment and that if the little one doesnt meet expectations a larger one is unlikely to repair that hole. My green cheek conure is a fantasic bird but if I had had him as my first bird I think it would have put me off... I don't see any reason not to start off small and work their way up (as long as they have the time and resources to add more birds to the flock)

My first bird was a budgie, I have to admit that I wasn't looking for a bird- I had never even considered keeping one before. She was brilliant and I was by no means trying to go bigger and better when the opportunity to take a rescue who was on deaths door came up, he was a 'tiel. The next bird who ended up with me was a peach fronted conure- again I had no intention of ''upgrading'' but when I saw the poor little fellow I had to help him. He actually turned out to be an amazing bird, the best behaved I ever had but neither Jack nor Madi got neglected in the slightest as when I took them in I committed myself. Since then I actually ''downgraded'' by taking in more 'tiels and even a loads of finches, canaries and diamond doves. I've always dreamed of a macaw since I got the budgie but nooo way until I have the time and space to give them all individual attention and keep my littler ones 100% safe. Not everyone will abandon their smaller friends but we do need to educate the ones who will.