Hello people, My first post

[type.rst]

Hello guys this is my very first post on this forum. Let me tell you a bit about myself and my search for the right parrot species for me. I have owned a few budgies and cockatiels in the past but none of these have been tame and were kept in a small outside aviary. I have always been interested in a tame companion parrot, one i can spend alot of time socialising with. I have always loved birds, by far my favourite animal to own.

I have always wanted a parrot but for various reasons it has not been appropriate for me to get one untill now. Ive got the space, right location, and time to get and keep one. For the last two months or so i have been doing alot of research on various parrot species.

I wanted a parrot which was small too medium sized, good personality, intelligent and which wasn't too loud. By that i mean one which wouldn't make the neighbours complain. After alot off research i narrowed it down to a green cheek Conure and a Senegal parrot. But the more research i done i fell more and more in love with Senegals. They seemed to be quieter then most other parrots, very comical and intelligent. Exactly what i was after.

Also i seen some amazing videos on youtube off killi. I bought a book off ebay called "guide to the senegal parrot and its family" by Mattie Athan and Dianalee Deter. i have just finished reading it today and it seems to be very informative.

I came across this site and realised it was run by Micheal, the owner of Killi, i couldn't believe it lol i must have seen the 20 parrot tricks in two minutes like 15 times. By far my favourite trick of killi is play dead and when she rolls over, so funny lol. Anyway i have been reading on this forum everyday for over 2 weeks now and i have browsed through most off the sections.

I have seen many videos and pictures of Senegals but never seen one for real, so yesterday me and my little nephew went to a annual parrot society sale day. I got to see a few Senegals there and i am pleased to say i find them adorable. The colours are nice and bright and they are the perfect size.

So its definitely a Senegal for me. I am from England and the breeding season for Senegals has just started and most breeders have not even got eggs yet. I have found one breeder who has a 2 week old chick, It will be weaned when it is around 12 weeks old. But the problem is that he had two chicks in the clutch but one of them died so this chick will be hand fed and raised alone. Do you think this would matter, or will a chick who is being hand fed but is around other chicks from the same clutch would be more social? Maybe its a stupid question but i have an image of this chick being lonely as it is being raised all alone. Or maybe it will be more social as it will only be around humans?

Anyway since i joined this forum today i thought its only right for me to introduce myself properly and explain the reasons for me joining.

Thank you very much for reading.

[captwest]

Hey Type, welcome to the forum, i don't think that being a single chick is much of a issue, in most cases i think siblings are probly viewed as competition either for food or attention.I know that sometimes that agressive/nippy babies become much tamer when removed from their cluch mates, i think because they become more dependant on their caregiver for social interaction and less competion with their siblings.Remeber that in the nest the oldest /larger chick gets fed first and the younger/smaller one does get any until all of the larger/older babies are full, a natural survial tool.

[Kathleen]

Kili the Senegal Parrot you are referring to has developed intense territorial aggression. I'm an invader, and she tries to defend her territory against me. Trick/target training, cautiousness, and other methods have reduced all other forms of aggression but not so much with this kind. She is very handle-able in neutral territories, or sometimes handle-able but a bite or aggression is always possible. She has even chosen to fly to me, landed on my hand, and immediately and unexpectedly bit me.

A single chick may be easier for the breeder/raiser to handle and they may have more time for socializing it as a result. This could work in your favor. Senegal parrots kept without proper socialization can become very aggressive (but of course all companion parrots can become aggressive without proper socialization and training).

I highly suggest you read these:
Senegal Parrot Information and FAQ http://www.theparrotforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=348
Senegal Parrot Biting and Aggression Issues http://www.theparrotforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=768

I personally wouldn't recommend a Senegal Parrot. Based on my experience, it's not the temperament that I would want in a pet. But it's your decision, and I admire that you are doing research before you make a purchase.

[type.rst]

Yes i do understand this but all parrots have a few negative points and all the species i have looked into have greater negative points then the senegal for me. I will be at work from 8am till 5pm 4 days a week and i understand senegal parrots do fine if provided with various toys. It just seems that senegals are just best suited for me. I must have looked into god know how many species and i keep coming back to the senegal. Thank you for your replies.

[footfoot]

ha, I fell for a Senegal for the same reason. I saw the videos and this site decided I wanted one. I got a "used" 3 yr old from craigslist for $175 incl. cage. The previous owner was definitely intimidated by the bird as he wouldn't touch him. Appears he bonded with his young son. He has free reign of the house so he had an attitude from the beginning. After 2 or 3 weeks he bonded with me quite unexpectedly as I was getting frustrated with his ornery disposition. Seems overnight he decided he liked me and it's been great since.
He doesn't particularly care for my daughter or wife although he has mellowed on that front quite a bit. We have a cockatiel for my daughter now.
Anyway this bird is with me a good part of the day as I work from home. He is an awesome bird; more than I could have hoped for, save for his mild aggression towards others.
I bet if I would have gotten him as a chick I could have molded him into a polygamist instead of the monagamist he is now. That's the main reason I got a baby cockatiel instead of an older one.

Anyway I think you will be quite happy with your Senegal.