New to the forum

[Matt Alyk]

Hello guys, technically my account is three months old but I haven't really posted until last week. I am thirteen, and parrots are my main interest. Sure I'm in to normal teenage things like longboarding, airsofting, but I would take a trip to the parrot sanctuary over a good airsoft war any day. I am a semi experienced bird owner, I successfully took care of a cockatoo named Lilly for three months. If any of you have seen my other posts, you probably know Lilly was taken back to the shelter because half of my family was allergic to the dander. It was sad, but she was very bonded to the caregivers at the shelter and was happy to go back. As long as she's happy I'm happy. As much I would like to adopt a macaw (I am experienced enough, I know they are like two year olds with buzz saws on the the front of their faces) my mission and college would prevent that. Maybe in ten years. Also, my job of lawn mowing won't be able to cover the costs of a large parrot. For now, I stay partly satisfied by surfing the forum, visiting parrot shelters, and watching parrot videos. That obviously doesn't match the joy (or the headache) of owning one though. Some of the macaws at the shelter really like me, and never have challenged me, so the fact I can't adopt any due to future events and cost is saddening.

[Wolf]

There are over 300 species of parrots ranging from parrotlets and budgies all the way up to the large macaws with average lifespans of from 10 to 12 years on up to around 80 years and many of them are not dust birds. Cockatoos, cockatiels and African Greys comprise the bulk of the dusty ones.
Although they are different in some ways I find as much pleasure and joy with my little 1 oz, 4 inch parrotlet as I do with my Amazon, my CAG or my Senegal. So if you really want to I am certain that you could still find a suitable bird to adopt that would fill your requirements. Or you are welcome to hang out here researching and learning and sharing with the rest of us.

[Matt Alyk]

You know, for some reason, I never even thought of that....
Of the smaller parrots, I like sengals too but I think they are a lot more long lived than a parrotlet.
If you're wondering why I can't adopt a macaw, but had a cockatoo, that was just an incredibly irresponsible decision I made. The reason I want a macaw is well, its not because they are the prettiest or the biggest and strongest or something like that, I really don't know why, but I'm just really captivated by them. I've wanted one for several years now.

[Wolf]

I believe that I can understand. I never wanted a bird at all, especially living in my house and now have four of them and am fascinated by them.