Hello!

[Shelby]

Hello everybody! My name is Shelby, I'm 18 years old and I love birds. As a kid, I used to visit my great-aunt who had two birds, a cockatoo and some green parrot whose species I don't know. Her birds were not all that great as she was a very loud person who swore a lot and the birds became loud and foul-mouthed as well. They stayed in their cages most of the time because when they were let out they either bit you or chewed the walls and banisters. Still, they fascinated me.

A few years ago my best friend got a cockatiel named Sunny and from the first day we met, he took to me like a duck to water. Unfortunately we don't hang out much, but something about cuddling with Sunny has me hooked on birds! Now I babysit a 10-yr old boy with a budgie someone gave him and I'm trying to get him and his mom to want to train it because the poor thing stays in its cage most of the time but from what I can tell he's nice bird, although a little timid.

Sadly, I don't have a bird now and I won't be able to have one until I graduate college because my parents have a cat who is quite the hunter (he's brought home rabbits, weasels, baby geese, and catches bats out of the air) and no pets are allowed in college dorms. But I love reading about how to train and care for birds and when I get one of my own, I'll probably get a budgie. They're so cute!

I look forward to talking about birds with you!

[Cage Cleaner]

Hello and welcome.

Good to have you join us. I think it is very prudent to not buy a bird right now.

I actually was the caregiver of what was by then a geriatric cockatiel in my junior and senior years of college. I had this bird for most of my life. I moved off-campus with a roommate into a duplex which allowed birds. However, I had such a busy and demanding class schedule, as well as a wide array of extracurricular activities that it wasn't fair to the bird.

However, now that I am out of college and in grad school--and some what in more control of my schedule, having birds is definitely a possibility. They are a blast, and it's really a shame to have them while you don't have time for them because you are missing out on their development. They have so much to share, but to get something out of that only works if you have time to be there and participate.

[liz]

Welcome to the forum.

[Shelby]

Thanks for the welcomes! Prudent or not, I don't really have a choice about whether to own a bird right now... if I got one, my parents would kill me, and the cat would definitely kill the bird! But someday (hopefully not long after I get out of college and find an animal-friendly place to live) I'd love to get a bird. They look like so much fun! Obviously there's work involved, but I know how rewarding it can be to work with an animal. I'd love to learn more about birds with you all until I can get my own!

[liz]

My kids are a lot of work but a lot more joy. I can't imagine my life without them.

Yes - stay in the forum. It is not only educational but entertaining. You will also learn the personalities of each of the birds.

[GlassOnion]

Welcome!! Great to hear that you'll be researching. There are many things specialized in parrot care that differ from living with a dog or a cat.

[Shelby]

Thanks! I figured if I learn about living with and training birds now, things will be easier and I'll make fewer mistakes when I get my own in a few years.