Getting a parrot for the first time

[parrotlover]

Hi, I'm thinking about getting a parrot; probably a parakeet. And I was wondering how they are. Considering I'm going to start high school in less then a month I am wondering if leaving the parrot for atleast 7 hours a day is OK? Though if that's the case I know I should probably get two. But I think I have a solution to my own problem (I'm not sure). OK so my mom does night shifts as a nurse and since she's usually home she could let the parrot out for a bit for the time she is awake before she goes to sleep. Do you think this would work? Because I don't really want to get two parakeets (That would keep my mom up). So do you'll know how i can fix this or is there another type of parrot I can get that is usually OK by itself during the day? Or should I just go ahead and get two of the parakeets?

[Michael]

Budgerigar FAQ

[parrotlover]

OK thanks this really helped! Now I know NOT to get another one thank you so much!

[laducockatiel]

Hi birdlover,

Yes, I am in high school now and I have a cockatiel which is pretty similar to a parakeet. Yes it will be ok to own a parakeet and be away from home 7 hours a day. It would help if someone is at home just to keep the bird company, but he'll be ok.

Hope this helps!

[parrotlover]

Ah OK thanks! yea if there is no one home; if it helps for the parrot i do plan on being with it alot. Even though im in school. Thanks again!

[GlassOnion]

I personally find Budgies to be extremely social birds and do best with another bird in sight. Not necessarily "together", but to be able to see another bird around.

I would buy as big of a cage as you can afford. I have this cage and my Budgie uses EVERY INCH of it.


Budgies are EXTREMELY active, as in, give him a LOT of toys to play with. By this, I don't mean only bells and plastics you find in petstore. Give him soft wood such as Balsa, Yucca, and Palm to chew on. Budgies naturally need to shred material to keep down their beaks.
Yucca:


I would also offer foraging toys such as this. Fill it up with millet, seeds and watch your bird work for his food!


Here, these are photos of my cage set-up, toys, and easy homemade foraging devices. Take a look here-> viewtopic.php?f=25&t=5806

[parrotlover]

It's best not to get another one;thats what the forum Michael posted said.

[laducockatiel]

Yeah it's best not to get another bird of the same kind. This is because the two birds will bond with each other and not as much with you. My uncle has two cockatiels and when he gets one on his hand, it just flies back to it's mate. It would be ok with two different bird eg. Budgie and Senegal but they might have squabbles in between em.

[GlassOnion]

That has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that Budgies are very social creatures, moreso than many other parrots. That's nice that out of everything I said, that thing is the only one that grabbed your attention.

Senegal + Budgie could equal murder. Poicephalus parrots are generally considered to be bird-aggressive in comparison to other species; Senegals kill their own mates in the wild. Budgies would do best with other birds that are considered docile.

[Michael]

I've never heard of Senegal Parrots killing mates in the wild (tough luck for other birds invading their space though). I think this only holds true in captivity. I have heard from a breeder that a Senegal Parrot in an aviary killed its mate of 10 years.