Getting my first Parrot today!

[Brittany*Lulu]

Ever since I was young, I have been fascinated by birds. I wanted a parakeet my whole life, and when I finally got one for my sixteenth birthday I was hooked! Right now I own two budgies, three cockatiels, and I am now the proud owner of an Indian Ringneck Parrot. I am picking her up today, and I am so excited I can't even sleep!

Her name is Lulu and she is five months old. She was hand fed but due to some unfortunate circumstances, she was pulled from it at 8 weeks. The poor thing is a little onery because of it, but is warming up to hands nicely. She is beginning to step up and will answer to her name I have a parrot cage, and she will be coming home with a few of her favorite toys and perches. Would it be a good idea to have some fresh veggies in her cage to welcome her? Or will she be too overwhelmed to notice? I'm open to any tips, tricks, or advice anyone may have regarding these birds. I'm new but learning quickly. I have done all my homework and I know what to expect.

Well, I guess I better not write a novel My name is Brittany, it's nice to meet everyone!

[Banksie]

Hi Brittany,

Great news about your new arrival. As with all intelligent creatures, behaviour is hard to predict with parrots. Some birds will settle in almost straightaway, others will take a good few days to. The only advice I can give you is don't rush and don't flood her with attention as soon as she gets into her new home. Be patient, in other words.

I don't think leaving treats in the cage will cause any harm at all and in fact will probably make her think "ooh, there's food here - can't be that bad".

[Michael]

Definitely provide familiar food at first. You'll probably find that even then the parrot will barely eat the first few days which is typical. You just don't want to start experimenting and providing strange foods. Find out what it is used to eating and provide that first and foremost.

[Rue]

Congrats! I love the IRP...gorgeous...

And just some nit-picking (because I can't help myself ): Budgies and cockatiels are parrots...

...and the Indian Ringneck is a parakeet as well. Confusing? Yup...

So, you're actually getting your 6th parrot...and all your parrots are parakeets! The term parakeet rather loosely refers to the smaller parrots that have long tails...

[Michael]

Hmm, does cockatiel really fall under the classification of parakeet? I have never thought of or heard of a cockatiel referred to as a parakeet. You see, I think it's because (other than the cockatiel) there is nothing a single member of the Cacatuidae Family that can come close to being a parakeet and in fact (I think) all cockatoos have short tails. Cockatiel is a Psittaciforme but not Psittacidae which also make me wonder if it fits the definition of "small, short tailed parrot."

[entrancedbymyGCC]

Welcome! Looking forward to hearing more about Lulu!

[Rue]

Hmm, does cockatiel really fall under the classification of parakeet? I have never thought of or heard of a cockatiel referred to as a parakeet. You see, I think it's because (other than the cockatiel) there is nothing a single member of the Cacatuidae Family that can come close to being a parakeet and in fact (I think) all cockatoos have short tails. Cockatiel is a Psittaciforme but not Psittacidae which also make me wonder if it fits the definition of "small, short tailed parrot."

Good question. As far as I know it's a loose term to describe a type of parrot. So all parakeets are parrots, and not all parrots are parakeets. It's not very specific. However, this is how it's been explained to me by ornithologists...and I haven't come across anything to refute it.

There are exceptions of course - since it's not a technical term. For example, I personally wouldn't call the Lineolated Parakeet a parakeet, because I think it's tail is shortish...but that is it's official common name. But maybe it's because the tail comes to a point (vs. a broad tipped tail)?

Not to mention the IRN (sorry, I made a typo before) seems rather large to be a parakeet. But as I said, it's a loose term...

[Marnie]

Welcome Brittany! this is a great board with lots of useful info, you'll like it here
Congrats on you new IRN, i think they are soooo beautiful! what color will you be getting?
they come in so many pretty variations. i had a breeding pair for a couple months but really wanted a hand tame one. they are kinda hard to find so i ended up with my little Sennie Marnie, she is a cutie.
i hope to someday find that IRN i always wanted, they are my favorite.
do any of your birds have some out of cage free flying time?
one thing about IRNs, they LOVE to eat and are very food motivated. when i brought my pair home they were very eager to try just about anything i gave them.
good luck with your new best friend!!