I have to say that when I bought my first bird (parrotlet) I didnt really understand how to really care for a bird. I thought to myself, well Ive had dogs, cats, gerbils, hampsters, guinna pigs, fish, and even rats for pets the bird should be no problem. Boy could I have not been more wrong!! At first I was excited that he would step up on my hand. But then he stopped and I didnt know why. he started nipping and not being a good bird. I kinda just fed him for awhile when this all started. I stopped handling him afraid of his bite, yes, a little parrotlet bite, it hurt! So i wasnt very happy with him so I started reading up on parrots to see what could be wrong.. I read somewhere that they needed a companion so I bought another parrotlet, the oldest one in the cage at the store, I felt bad he was there that long. I kept them in separate cages at the house. I continued my research on parrots and it opened my eyes! I thought the birds were just moody, but reading the articles and forums I realized that they werent moody, everything I was doing was wrong!! I couldnt believe it.. I figured I would be fine because of all the animals Ive owned thru-out my life. It opened my eyes! So even though the bird knew me, it didnt trust me, from little actions I was doing and not realizing the effect it had on the bird. so I started again, like I just got him. I did everything the books and articles said and within 3 days their "moodiness" had changed to happiness and them wanting my attention. My Parrotlets( Oliver and Dexter ) are now doing GREAT!! they talk, play step up, wave hello, and cuddle.. It took a long time for me to realize what I had done wrong and now they are fantastic boys and my heart melts when they say I love you.. or even calling each other handsome bird when they are preening each other..making kissy noises in the morning when they hear me starting to wake up. I didnt want to get another bird, the fear of hoarding animals, stupid show, came to mind... I had some bad luck this past year with my back blowing out in 9 places for no reason, Ive had a lot more time on my hands. I knew it was the best time to get another bird. Ill have the time to socialize and really care for the new guy the way I should have in the first place. So in february I purchased a Senegal Parrot. I live in a townhome so I didnt want a super loud bird like a conure or macaw, due to noise levels, not cause I wouldnt love to have a giant bird!! So I get my senegal, Basil, this weekend from the breeder. Ive been watching him grow and socialize with other animals and people. he is a handfed and hand raised chick. I have everything iin place, and I have read most likely EVERY article on the web about senegals and raising a medium parrot. I can not WAIT for him to come home. I picked a fantastic breeder, cooocooosnest.com, and did all types of research on all breeds of parrot so I could choose one that would fit my lifestyle. A Senegal seemed to be the best choice. I would have bought a palm cockatoo or hyacinth Macaw if 1, I was rich lol, and 2 I lived in my own home that wasnt attached to the neighbors house. I really believe that Basil is gonna be a perfect fit for me and my partner. We love him already and are driving up to NH to pick him up. Id rather him ride in a car with me than on a plane with all that noise, and him being considered a piece of baggage.. So Im taking the ride, and he will be home on sunday. We are soo excited for the new one to get here and start learning from him and visaversa.. My friends think Im weird doing everything by the book for the new bird, they think like I did before I realized how much work birds are and how intelligent they are. Now that I have changed my thoughts and opinions, maybe my friends will realize why you put so much work into the bird when they see how tame and how loving the bird will be with the proper upbringing. I will take all the advise people want to give me on any parrot behavior or training tips or anything. I dont want to do wrong this time. I want my new bird happy and healthy. My parrotlets are that way now. My Senegal will never socialize with my parrotlets, not for his safety, but for all their safety. My little guys are so small, on aggressive nip from the sennie could kill the little guys, and I love them too much to let that happen. well just thought Id share a little about me and my birds. thanks for reading and again if you have ANY advise or tricks of the trade I would LOVE to hear about it. 
BTW my Senegal is the red bellied sub species. Gonna post some pics for ya!! 
Rambo is afraid of little birds. He was bitten many times by them before I rescued him. He was on the outside of the cage and they didn't want him there.
