Hello! new and wanting to start :D

[Hawk24]

Hey everyone, I am from Australia, NSW. I have always loved birds and only now, finishing my HSC soon and having a job, can support a bird and put my interest with birds to the next level. I plan on buying an Indian Ringneck at the end of this year/start of next year. but I have been told that an Alexandrine would be a better choice for me. I have just recently been active on other forums and asking the same questions, but I like to have a lot of opinions from different people.

My first question is; If I was starting out only having minimal experience with birds but have the patience, knowledge and space for a small to a medium-large bird, what would be a good choice? I am looking for a bird that doesn't mind a bit of affection like being scratched on the head and belly, perching on my shoulder and not requiring 24/7 affection. I don't mind if it doesn't talk or makes a little bit more noise than average. I also would't mind if it could do tricks and fly to me n command. I have ruled out budgies, cockatiels and conures because I don't really like them as much as say an IRN or Alex. I did consider a lorikeet but they might be a bit too full on and energetic for my first bird and I have had a bit of experience with them in the past when i was younger.

It is a hard decision as i know that IRN's can be a bit nippy and bluff but I believe i have the patience to work past it and Alex's are a bit on the expensive side but from what i have read are just about perfect for what i am asking for. I also know each bird is an individual and can act completely different to how that species is viewed. I also am looking at getting the bird quite young as opposed to an older one so that I can properly bond with it and teach it the right habits while it is young etc. Lastly if you know any breeders for said birds or suggested near the Central Coast, Sydney or Newcastle, it would be much appreciated.

thank you in advance

[Wolf]

Hi;
I can't help you with choosing the species of bird, but I would still like to share some information with you that may be useful to you. You say that you want to get a young bird so that you can teach it the right habits and bond with it properly, and this is what I wish to address.
The bond that you will achieve with a young bird, that is one that has not gone through puberty, may very well be temporary, as when parrots go through puberty they also undergo a change in personality, which in many cases causes it to drop the bond that it developed while a baby and choose a new person with whom to bond with. So, in fact the bond that you are really looking to have with your bird can't be developed until after the bird goes through puberty.
This fact alone accounts for the majority of the birds that are in rescues. They went through puberty and chose someone other than the original owner to form the permanent bond with. So I would urge you to consider getting an older bird from a rescue, allowing the bird to choose you and start from their. Parrots are not any more difficult to train after puberty than before puberty.

[Hawk24]

Hi;
I can't help you with choosing the species of bird, but I would still like to share some information with you that may be useful to you. You say that you want to get a young bird so that you can teach it the right habits and bond with it properly, and this is what I wish to address.
The bond that you will achieve with a young bird, that is one that has not gone through puberty, may very well be temporary, as when parrots go through puberty they also undergo a change in personality, which in many cases causes it to drop the bond that it developed while a baby and choose a new person with whom to bond with. So, in fact the bond that you are really looking to have with your bird can't be developed until after the bird goes through puberty.
This fact alone accounts for the majority of the birds that are in rescues. They went through puberty and chose someone other than the original owner to form the permanent bond with. So I would urge you to consider getting an older bird from a rescue, allowing the bird to choose you and start from their. Parrots are not any more difficult to train after puberty than before puberty.

Thanks! This is very helpful. At what age does this generally happen?

[Wolf]

For the species you have mentioned I think somewhere between 18 months to 2 years old. Pajarita is more familiar with these species than I am.

[Pajarita]

Yes, a medium size bird would have to be older than two. But, if I were you, I would not get an IRN. They require daily, expert interaction for many hours every single day or they revert very easily. They are definitely not birds for first time owners and this is not only because you need experience but also because a first time owner always (and this is no reflection on you, it's a fact that we all had to learn the hard way) miscalculates the degree of commitment a parrot requires and IRNs require more than most species on a daily basis. An Alexandrine is a little bit easier than ARNs and IRNs, though, so, if you are going to have many hours during the day, every single day to spend with the bird, and lots of patience for the next 30 years, it might work out. But, even then, you need to adjust your expectations because IRNs are really not known for been content just riding your shoulder, ALL parrots need 24/7/365 unless they have a mate or companion bird of their own and none of them can be touched in the belly (erogenous zone).

[Hawk24]

Yes, a medium size bird would have to be older than two. But, if I were you, I would not get an IRN. They require daily, expert interaction for many hours every single day or they revert very easily. They are definitely not birds for first time owners and this is not only because you need experience but also because a first time owner always (and this is no reflection on you, it's a fact that we all had to learn the hard way) miscalculates the degree of commitment a parrot requires and IRNs require more than most species on a daily basis. An Alexandrine is a little bit easier than ARNs and IRNs, though, so, if you are going to have many hours during the day, every single day to spend with the bird, and lots of patience for the next 30 years, it might work out. But, even then, you need to adjust your expectations because IRNs are really not known for been content just riding your shoulder, ALL parrots need 24/7/365 unless they have a mate or companion bird of their own and none of them can be touched in the belly (erogenous zone).

Okay then thank you . How many hours are we talking a day? Because I am only unavailable for 6 of them 5 days a week (atm with school) and then I have an entire year off to do nothing but train for the army, work weekends (night shifts) and study for the army (1 year gap year coarse). Because if I don't have the time for an IRN then I will definitely get an Alexandrine. I will have lots of time during the day as I will be getting it at the end of this year after I finish school. I have worked out that while I am away in the army for a year my family can properly take care of it as someone is always home to spend time with them. I will probably have to have book labelled instruction manual haha on how to look after it.

Look I will say that both an IRN and an Alex are my top 2 picks...BUT If I find a really good looking cockatiel, lorikeet or something that is a bit easier to keep than I wouldn't turn it down. I am just getting as much information as possible and make sure I am suited to giving the bird what it needs. I understand it is an every hour of the day and every day of the year commitment, and I beleive I can do that only being absent from its life for a few hours of it. I am going to have it as my pet but it will be apart of the family so that it won't feel left out and get a variety of interaction from different people.

Lastly, if the army is going to get in the way...I have a 12 month waiting period regardless SHOULD I get in pass all the fitness etc. so that is a year to get to know it and set everything up. But if you believe it would be best to wait.... .....until after the army, then as much as it kills my enthusiasm to get one after I finish school, I will wait.

[Wolf]

You, in my opinion have an iffy situation at best as far as a parrot goes. First of all any parrot that you get will need a minimum of 4 hours of free time outside of its cage to hangout and explore and fly about for exercise and it will need at least one hour of one on one time with you. If you are going to be away from your bird for an extended period of time if you have achieved a bond with it , you will lose that bond, which is hard on the bird as it will grieve over your loss. It does not understand you not being their and will go into depression and grieve as if you were dead. They are intelligent and they experience emotions much the same way as we do. Because of all of this I would wait until I could take care of the bird without putting it through this.

[Hawk24]

You, in my opinion have an iffy situation at best as far as a parrot goes. First of all any parrot that you get will need a minimum of 4 hours of free time outside of its cage to hangout and explore and fly about for exercise and it will need at least one hour of one on one time with you. If you are going to be away from your bird for an extended period of time if you have achieved a bond with it , you will lose that bond, which is hard on the bird as it will grieve over your loss. It does not understand you not being their and will go into depression and grieve as if you were dead. They are intelligent and they experience emotions much the same way as we do. Because of all of this I would wait until I could take care of the bird without putting it through this.

I think you are right . I will just have to wait until the army is over and done with then to avoid any problems such as what you stated and the bird bonding to another family member over me. Although I can offer it 6 hours of my time a day and the space to fly, my future commitments are going to interfere.

But that doesn't stop me researching one last question; given all that I have said above and previously...would a princess parrot also be a good choice? I can ask these questions later but I am going to be active on this site in the mean time
Thanks again everyone

[Wolf]

Indeed , I would definitely keep up the researching and we are always happy to share our knowledge and experiences with you.
Princess Parrot ? Very beautiful bird, interesting choice as it is more suited to be an aviary bird than a companion bird. It is unlikely to develop a close bond with any human as it is too nervous of a bird. However if one wanted a bird that they could watch with only minimal interaction with a pair of these birds in an aviary would be a wonderful choice, in my opinion.
I, don't have any personal experience with this species of parrot, but recently if I recall correctly we do have a member who got one. I will try to find them and see what they have to say. Maybe I can get them to PM you if I find them.

[Wolf]

I found them, it was easier than I thought it would be and sent them a PM. I will let you know their answer as I asked if they would be interested in talking to you about their Princess Parrot.