New to birds in Oregon

[Chihuahua]

Hi there! I'm considering getting a bird soon. I know a bit but I still have a lot of research to do. Right now my biggest question is this:

I live in an RV trailer in my mom's yard and the bathroom is not hooked up, so that's where the cage is going to be. It's plenty room for a cage, but I need to know if they make cages that I can take apart and set up again as the door itself is small. If not I can probably keep the bird in my mom's house as she seemed pretty okay with that idea and we have a lot more room in there, but I'd prefer to keep it in my house because I'm awake while she is sleeping and the bird and I will wake her during cleaning and etc. I won't be able to remove the cage once it's set up in the bathroom but I'll be able to put it in the shower for cleaning, just won't be able to use the shower itself. So, is this possible? Can you recommend me some brands? Also I'm looking at birds in the cockatiel-conure size range, and I'm leaning toward a tiel since I'm a new bird keeper. I should also note that I intend to let the bird have freedom while I'm awake and home (~2 hours every night and all day on thurs, sun and mon). Tips about keeping mess up as much as possible and keeping the bird from chewing my computer wires would be helpful as well. Wondering if bird diapers are a good idea or not. Thanks!

edit: Also bird species recommendations would be really helpful! I'm a huge fan of eclectus parrots but that's a plan for the future, not immediately, but maybe you could give me some ideas for easier and smaller birds that are similar appearance wise? I'm looking for something that will be interactive and maybe talkative.

edit 2: since my space is still pretty small and will be mostly taken up by the cage I will measure it in a bit and give you guys the measurements so you can help me better.

[Wolf]

Most cages that are ordered online are shipped unassembled so you have to put it together. When you decide on a bird species then you want a cage that is a tall as possible and that comes with it's own stand. You also want a cage that is 4 times the length of the bird in width. this is because the cage needs to be twice the width of the birds wingspan and that is twice the length of the bird.
Regardless of the species of parrot that you might choose the bird needs to get up at dawn and go to bed by dark to help keep its internal clock running smoothly and accurately. They need a minimum of 4 hours of out of cage time daily with at least an hour or more of one on one time on you. Diapers on a bird are not a good idea as a regular thing. There are harnesses that have a poop pouch but they are not for sustained use like you would have diapers on a baby.

[Chihuahua]

Thank you for the info. I work overnights, so the bird would be out starting around 4 AM. I would be able to make 4 hours work but it would have to be split (i go to bed at 6 am and get up around 12 or 1) Would this be too early?

Update: I have found a sun conure from a very knowledgeable owner with a cage and all items, so I'm going to meet him tomorrow. Wish me luck (I'm doing lots of research before I come home with him! If you have any tips let me know)

[Roonil Wazlib]

Welcome to the forum Goodluck with your sun conure

[Chihuahua]

Thank you! I'm thrilled and I'm glad I found this forum because I have a LOT of questions! Could you link to some good resources? I've found a lot myself but as much as you can throw at me is welcome!

edit: i noticed you have an eclectus, they're hands down my favorite parrot! he's a handsome one

[liz]

Though I love them all, to me cockatiels are the sweetest. Two cockatiels will do better than one.

The idea of building a cage in the bathroom that cannot be rolled out in an emergency scares me.
I personally would use a small cage for his food and water but put a screen door on the bathroom so he will have more room. In case of fire or flood you can grab a small cage a lot faster.

[Pajarita]

Welcome to the forum! I am afraid that you can't wake up a bird at 4 am. You might be able to get away with it during the summer because, for example, right now, I am uncovering their cages at 5 am as there is already light in the sky then (I don't turn on the artificial lights, of course!) but, during the winter, dawn doesn't happen until much later and they need to be exposed to dawn and dusk without artificial lights - you turn on the artificial lights once the sun is out in the morning and off when the sun is halfway down to the horizon (and keep them off until the following morning so the bird can get quality sleep during the night). You can get a dog or a cat to get used to a weird light schedule but you can't do it with birds and keep them healthy because their entire endocrine system is regulated by light. Also, I don't know how big the bathroom is but I live in a one family home and my bathroom is way too small for even a single 'regular' cage and you will need a flight cage even if you get a single cockatiel (which is never recommended) so I doubt it will fit. But, even if it did, the space would not be adequate because the cage needs to be in a more open kind of place and where the people are or they get lonely (they are supposed to live in a large flock). I think it's great that you want a bird but, with your schedule and lifestyle, I don't know how you are going to manage and still keep it healthy and happy.

[Chihuahua]

well the bathroom door is like 3 feet away from where i sit when i am home and even then the bird will be out most of the time when i'm home or at least have the door open. i'm not just going to leave him a new shift bid is coming up and i can shift my schedule a bit to be better for the bird if i need to. i wanted a shift that starts around 6 pm and would have me getting home closer to dawn so that might help that. and it will have me away when he is sleeping so he won't be terribly deprived anyway. though i might have my mom bird sit for a few hours so i can get some afternoon shut eye before it's play time again--she will love that and be able to interact when i am asleep which will give him more enrichment time. it's not like he is going to be sitting there by himself all the time. the screen thing is a good idea but i am not sure if i can do that. i will figure something out. there is room for a decent sized cage in there.