Hi all. Bird newbie here looking forward to a Senegal.

[liz]

Some rescues are rough with a lot of work needed. Some are just grateful for food and attention. Either way, they all know where they have been.

It is just so rewarding to take in a war orphan and watch it blossom. Wolf and Paj have done a lot. I only have one large bird, Myrtle, who needed rehab. When I bring in a new cockatiel the others help me teach it how to eat and play. I just have to teach it that it is safe and does not have to fear me.

The only baby birds I have had is the ones that were sneaked in. I cannot destroy a fertile egg. I can play with the babies but they have a lot they have to learn from the flock to be healthy.

[BlackoutCat]

Hi again been away from the computer for awhile but have still been researching. I've decided to adopt as you've all provided much food for thought and we've mulled it over to the point where the are in fact too many variables with babies over a mature adult. This is why I came here initially to be talked out of any bad ideas before we committed to anything! You guys are great for that.

I've also researched other species however I'm not sure which ones would be best. My research has been giving mixed messages. I'm sure some of what I've read is complete garbage or attributed to a specific bird with a bad personality and or health problems. I purchased, "parrot parenting" by carol frischmann, however I haven't seen any further credentials on her as an aviculturist, anyone know the name? Any really good books I should look into purchasing?

I should mention we are organic vegetarians and prepare much of our own food from scratch so the plan is to feed a home cooked diet which is what I believe this forum calls "gloop". There will be an enforced solar schedule, harness training for outdoor sunlight exposure, and we are looking into full spectrum lights for over the cage which is not to replace sunlight but to simulate their more tropical daytime light no matter the outdoor weather. Also our plan is to buy a large cage at least 2' deep 3' wide and 3' tall inside in addition to a night cage with blackout covers though that search is still ongoing. Last but not least I work from home so there's pretty much someone always home from 6am to 6pm.

The new species I've looked at are GCC's in which I've gotten the most mixed info on. From "always" being demanding bullies to sweetest birds alive. I attended a local bird club gathering recently and met many there which were all rather quiet and calm.
Maroon-bellied conures only met one at the meet but he was just like the GCC's. I've heard nothing but good things on them which makes me suspicious.
And I've been looking into the Pionus genus and have not settled on any particular species as there seems to be some variation between the species tendencies.
My fiancee is eyeing Eclectus though I've read their digestive tract is longer and they can absorb nutrients in toxic levels when fed a diet suitable for only other parrot species. Also that they go for vitamin A rich things first as they need that more. I'm not thinking they're a good first time bird but fiancee thinks we could handle making a specialized diet.

I'm trying to remain broad enough in the pool of birds that would be suitable in our home so I can in fact find one to adopt. It might very well take a long while anyway though. Thoughts?

[Wolf]

Green Cheeked Conures basically have a sweet disposition although they may go through a nippy stage. They are often referred to as Velcro birds as they do require a lot of attention from their human, and prefer to spend most of their time on their human.
Pionus parrots are generally one person birds and while affectionate to their human may be aggressive to others.
Eclectus parrots are more likely to accept others as they don't appear to bond as tightly as other species of parrots, making them a good choice if you want a bird that will bond with two or more people. They do require a specialized diet and not using artificial vitamins and minerals is very important to their health. You don't want to feed foods that are high in vitamin A, what you want is to feed foods that are high in beta carotene which the bird converts to vitamin A.

[Harpmaker]

If you want a poicephalus that is mellower than a Sengal, a Meyer's parrot might fit the bill. They are slightly smaller than Sengals and reputed to be easier to socialize. My little Meyer's hen likes everyone in the household and most guests.

There are a few cautions, though: First, Corsair is not yet 3, so she may still change. Second, I have one female, so I may have got an angel among parrots by luck. People who have Meyer's cocks say the boys are more aggressive. Third, it is not common to find Meyer's parrots at rescues, perhaps because they are less popular in pet stores than the more colorful parrots.

[Pajarita]

Great news on the adoption rather than purchase!!! Kudos to you for that!

Now, in my personal experience and for what I have read about the other species, all pyrrhuras are pretty similar when it comes to their personalities and they do tend to be super sweet IF taken good care of (and the IF is a real big one). They are Velcro birds in the sense that they want nothing more in life than to be with you so, in that sense, I guess you could call them demanding but they are not a pain in the neck about it because, as far as they are concerned, if they are riding your shoulder, cuddling against your neck, hiding under your hair on your nape or burrowed inside your shirt, they are in heaven. Now, cockatoos are also Velcro birds but they are a pain in the neck not allowing you to do much but to be with them. So, Velcro is not necessarily good or bad, it depends on the species. The 'IF' of the care is, actually, nothing more than the amount of out-of-cage time and how long they are on you. There are other factors like hormones but you already took care of everything else with your good plans for bird husbandry.

Go to a rescue and look for a sweet female GCC (they are always sweeter than the males but this is actually true of any species of parrot), and see if she is willing to come to you without hesitation and does not even beak the finger when you put it out to her and you will have found the perfect match IF what you want is a super cuddly bird and not an independent one.

[BlackoutCat]

The cuddly nature you described for the GCC sounds like exactly what I'm looking for and am planning to provide (that is shoulder rides and plenty of cuddle time). I'm going to definitely scour the forums for threads on GCC's and some gloop recipes.

[Pajarita]

Great! You are on the right path!