New and have questions about what parrot is right for me?

[Blue01]

Hy Guys!!!

Ok, so I REALLY want to get a parrot as I am being home schooled and I really miss my friends, so me and my parents think that it would be great if I could have a feathery friend to be my companion. I really need help to decide which parrot would be best suited for me though... I would LOVE to get a sun conure (I have hand raised one before), but they are just to loud. So I would like: A parrot that is freindly and likes to cuddle, medium sized, average in noise, dose not bite often or very hard, to me talking is not too important in a parrot, and one that is hardy and doesn't cost me a fortune on vet bills. Where we live it's quite cold, but my parrot would be living inside all the time and would be out of his cage either on my shoulder or on a perch from 8am to 1pm. I really love the idea of getting a Hahn's Macaw, but I have only had a budgie and a conure, so I am not sure if I am experienced enough, although I am very experienced with animals overall (we live on a farm, which can only be described as a zoo ). I have heard that people say a cockatiel would be best for me, but I don't know if they are very 'cuddly'? Any suggestions? And also, is there a type of conure that isn't as loud as the Sun? And also, should I get a baby to hand feed or an already tame adult?

[Eurycerus]

First and foremost, welcome to the forum. That shows initiative that you are doing research to figure out more about parrots before plunging into such a commitment.

There're a lot of things to be touched on that I may leave to other people on the forum but here's some information and things for you to consider.

First, parrots of all kinds live quite a while, are very needy, and are very smart. So I realize that you are lonely right now and are being home schooled, but what is going to happen in the future? Will you be able to handle the needs of your parrot? Will you take your parrot to college, or a trade school, or off to where ever you are going to be working in five, ten, fifteen years? If you choose to make a parrot part of your life, be prepared to keep the parrot with you and happy till it passes away of old age anywhere from 20 to 70 years later (depending on the species). I waited till after I graduated university and found a long term job before making my commitment, even though I wanted a parrot for many years.

There are parrots with cuddly personalities, but that is a trait you should not be seeking. If you want a cuddly animal I suggest a mammal of some kind, perhaps a cat, dog, guinea pig, or house bunny. No guarantee they will be cuddly either but if you meet a bunch of them you probably will find one with a cuddly personality. Parrots that have a propensity to be cuddly tend to have a higher probability for serious behavioral problems due to the high need for attention, this could be screaming, plucking, self-mutilation, or be overly sexual which can result in serious medical complications. Parrots aren't like mammals. They can be patted and stroked occasionally, and some like to hang out close to you, but they should not be pet like a cat or a dog for long periods of time. If you are still interested in parrots, I would put aside your interest in a cuddly parrot.

To me conure noises are very jarring and they often cut through walls, so if you are going to rent an apartment at some point in your life, since parrots live a long time, realize that you may have difficulty finding a place that will let you rent. I am not going to give advice on what type of parrot is best for you at the moment, but do consider what I said above and if you want to research the pros and cons regarding various parrot species do look here: viewforum.php?f=12

Please consider your future and the future of a parrot if you choose to get one. It's a long commitment, but a fun commitment!

[Eric&Rebecca]

Hi and welcome.

I have to agree with the above. I have a cockatiel and I do recommend them as a great pet but to fufill their potential you really have to work with them... hand reared or not they have to be handled and trained on a daily basis and even training is no guarantee they will be cuddly. Like some people aren't cuddly, some birds aren't either and this isn't apparent by looking at them. Neither can you make a bird 'cuddly'. Cuddling can also cause arousal in females which can lead to egg laying which can be fatal if chronic and additionally males can become extremely hormonal. If petted correctly cockatiels can be absolutely fantastic pets and affectionate but you have to keep this within certain boundaries. Cockatiels are also able to live in excess of 20 years, although the average is 15 years, this is something you must consider.

Noise wise, all birds have a degree of loudness. Our cockatiel is quite loud because he can talk and sing. Our red rumped parakeet however is quieter but this could quite easily have been the other way around. If you don't like the noise my advice is don't get a bird because all birds have the potential to be very very loud! This may not become apparent until months after purchase/rescue.

With regards to cost, all birds will be expensive. An avian vet will always cost more than a normal vet because of the specialist skills required. Your bird will need at least 6 monthly full checks ups (which don't come cheap!) and in between they may require nail/beak trimming. Not to mention the times where they may get sick. This is something you must be able to support at all costs and all times in the life of the bird. Additionally, food, toys, cages... none of that comes cheap. Our cockatiel cage was £130, his food is around £70 per month if you add it up, his toys are about £50 all together, they need to be rotated... there are endless costs.

Hand fed has it's advantages, Edmund our cockatiel was hand reared. You must however make sure that your bird is completely weaned and old enough to leave its parents. Don't ever have a bird you need to feed by hand unless you are an experienced vet or breeder. Hand reared is great but they seem to lack that natural birdie instinct that wild birds do.
On the other hand, wild or parent raised birds maintain their true birdie instinct. Our red rump is wild and it will take a lot of work just to get him to a hand tame stage. However, things like diet are easier because he will eat everything rather than picking like our tiel.

Also, birds like to fly at different times of the day. While a schedule is good for your bird in some respects, what happens when it would like to fly in the evening before bedding down? Our tiel is out in the morning, afternoon and evening intervals. Also, what happens when you get a job... who will be there for the bird then. I am lucky my partner works from home, although this may change Eddie will have the companion bird with him which has been planned ahead by 4-5 years! So we know we don't have to worry too much when the time comes. Also, if you go on holiday is there someone who can take care of your bird who has experience?

I'll gladly answer any questions you have about owning cockatiel and parakeet from my own experience and I'm sure others will give you advice too.

[Andromeda]

Hello and welcome.

I have to agree with the first two posters. You want to know what parrot is right for you but in all honestly I don't think any bird is a good fit for you for several reasons.

Ok, so I REALLY want to get a parrot as I am being home schooled and I really miss my friends, so me and my parents think that it would be great if I could have a feathery friend to be my companion.

I completely understand that you're lonely but when you're considering a companion animal you have to think first about its needs and not your own.

A bird lives a long time (15 - 70+ years, depending on the species) and what will happen to the bird when you go off to college or get your first full-time job? What about when you get married or possibly have kids, will you have time for your bird then? You are young and your life is going to change so much in the coming years. Please consider a pet with a shorter lifespan.

I would LOVE to get a sun conure (I have hand raised one before), but they are just to loud.

You say a sun conure is too loud but later you mention a Hahn's macaw which is as loud or even louder than a sun conure. Any "medium" sized parrot has the potential to be loud, depending on the individual bird, and again, what happens to the bird in several years when you will be living in a dorm or apartment where its noise may no longer be acceptable?

So I would like: A parrot that is freindly and likes to cuddle, medium sized, average in noise, dose not bite often or very hard, to me talking is not too important in a parrot, and one that is hardy and doesn't cost me a fortune on vet bills.

Whether or not a bird is friendly and whether or not it bites depends on how it was raised and handled by its owner(s), and not on its species. You also say you don't want it to bite hard, but want a "medium" size parrot and those birds have the potential to deliver a very serious bite possibly requiring stitches.

There is no such thing as a "hardy" bird (species-wise) and realistically any bird can potentially be ill and require expensive treatment and medicine. One of my birds is a rescue and was sick when we adopted him (although we did not know this immediately) and it cost us thousands of dollars to treat him. If you are not in a position to provide this you should not have a bird.

Birds in particular are very expensive to treat when they are sick since they are an exotic animal and you have to find an avian vet. Even when they are well they need an annual examination and, just as an example, it costs me ~$320 for one bird when I take them in for an annual check-up because they have various lab tests and blood work done which are expensive.

I have heard that people say a cockatiel would be best for me, but I don't know if they are very 'cuddly'?

You mention "cuddly" twice in your post so it seems to be a very important quality for you and this is another reason I don't think a parrot is a good fit. Parrots in general are not "cuddly" and even though a few species are known for being (somewhat) cuddly it is down to the individual personality, and even then those types of birds are very needy and demanding. (Trust me, I know because I have one). If you want a "cuddly" animal consider something other than a bird.

[friend2parrots]

hello, and welcome to the forum!

I agree with the posts above as well. I dont think a bird is a good fit for your life right now, for all the reasons mentioned above, including a couple of others that came to mind, that I would like to share with you:

Ok, so I REALLY want to get a parrot as I am being home schooled and I really miss my friends, so me and my parents think that it would be great if I could have a feathery friend to be my companion...

a parrot - any parrot of any size - is a wild animal thats a TON of work, and requires a vast amount of time and energy, and tremendous effort and tolerance on the part of the owner. its not at all like a dog. dogs are EASY to take care of, compared to parrots, and in fact make a better companion of the kind your looking for. why? because a lot of things can go horribly wrong with parrots if you arent CONSTANTLY careful and do things exactly right. they can get seriously messed up. they are not one of those pets that you kinda just have around for companionship, like dogs.

my parrot would be living inside all the time and would be out of his cage either on my shoulder or on a perch from 8am to 1pm.

this kind of schedule for a parrot can only lead to utter disaster, for various reasons. a bird that is relegated to a shoulder or a perch for those hours that you have mentioned is guaranteed to become a screamer, plucker, or biter. parrots are complicated, highly intelligent, flying creatures that need to be given a tremendous amount of vigorous flight exercise every single day to keep them mentally and physically healthy. i'm talking at least an hour of interactive flight exercises with the parrot each and every day, to PREVENT it from becoming a screaming, biting, and feather-plucking and self-mutilating wreck. and this is besides other interactive enrichment activities that the bird absolutely needs, as well as plenty of independent out-of the cage time with activities to stimulate its mind. a bird also requires many hours of training to make it and keep it a peaceful member of the household. if your family's schedule cannot accomodate this wild creatures needs to the point where you are willing to sacrifice significant portions of the day exclusively for its care, then its not a good idea at all to get a parrot.

Andromeda put it very well. when you have a parrot, its not about what you want, its about making sure the parrots needs are met.

if your family can meet a parrot's needs, and if you really love parrots, there is an option open for you: If one of your parents will be getting the parrot as THEIR parrot, as THEIR responsibility. They would need to see it like the addition of another "child" into the family, a feathered child that has many, many needs that have to be met, including the ones I mentioned above. That parent would have to tend to the parrots needs for several hours of the day, and be prepared to commit to, and take care of, this feathered child for the next 30 to 70 years. When you get older, and become independent and settled in your life, you can take over care of this family parrot.

If one of your parents is willing to undertake parrot ownership like this, then you can benefit from interaction with the parrot - but even then it might not work out the way you would like, because parrots are often unpredictable in their behavior and their attitude.

if one of your parents is not willing to undertake parrotkeeping like this, then I think it would be best not to get a parrot at this time in your life.

i hope this was helpful - all the best with everything

[marie83]

Welcome to the forums

You know something? I actually think you would make a good parrot owner bar a few things. Your on here researching and asking for advice. Now I dont know your age but I do agree with the points other people are making.

Now I don't want to sound like a hyprocrite because I was keeping animals at a very young age but with that came a hell of alot of responsibility, I missed out on alot of things because the animals under my care HAD to come first, I missed out on going out, holidays, university for example. I got a job at 14 and worked as many hours as I was legally allowed and every single penny went back into caring for my pets but I had my parents as back up for vet bills and tbh my pets did miss out a bit in what I could afford in terms of toys and enrichment. Dont get me wrong they were not neglected in the slightest but their lives could have and should have been better.

The animals should always always come first and yes like the others say parrots are more expensive than most pets. Now I dare say your parents will already have a really good idea of how much animals can cost when they get sick if they run a farm, but the thing with working farms are the animals get destroyed if the costs are likely to run high. With a pet would the same apply in your parents eyes? Maybe not but maybe you could research the costs of yearly health checks, tests and some of the common medicines with an avian vet. Tell your parents what could go wrong and that potentially the bills could run higher than they realise. Ask them if they will still be willing to take complete control of the fees no matter what?


The next thing is you need to talk to them about what happens if you run into any problems? what if the bird is aggressive and bites? what if it does scream? Will it end up stuck in its cage because everyones scared of getting bitten? if it screams will your parents say it has to be rehomed? There was a young girl on here who was devestated a few months back because her parents forced her to rehome her bird. That wouldn't be fair on you or the bird.

Then like others have said, what happens when you finish schooling and you go to uni or get a job? It wouldn't be fair on the bird just to disappear on it. Birds form tight bonds and if your the one its bonded with it will suffer. I believe birds have emotions just as we do. Your parents might say they will take care of it but will they have enough time to give it hours each day? You could take it with you but then it might end up spending hours a day alone whilst you work, again this wouldnt be fair on the bird.

I'm not going to tell you not to get a bird but I am going to say please consider another animal first. If you do go for a parrot then go for one like a budgie or cockatiel, they need just as much care but are more willing to forgive any mistakes you will make. Dont expect anything from your bird, cockatiels can be cuddly birds but there are no guarentees, only one out of my four tiels has been cuddly. most importantly do as much research as you can, make a promise to your bird that no matter how hard things get you will always put its needs first then stick to it.

First though, read and re-read and get your parents to read every single reply on here and consider each one carefully and answer everything 100% honestly. Very few people make good parrot owners, even fewer are people as young as yourself. Dont be one who says they can and then can't.

[Michael]

I am so proud of everyone giving such thoughtful respectful advice

[Cockatielsongs]

Definitely the above posts are correct. I was 12 and I got my first bird which was a cockatiel and now Im 13 and I raised a "wild" /untamed cockatoo and now he is sweet and hilarious. Just because you are young doesn't mean you cant own a bird. Im only just a teenager and I raised a cockatoo, one the delivered terrible bites. As the other posts have mentioned keeping a bird even a little budgie can be expensive, some obviously more than others. I worked as in doing chores and neighbourhood stuff to earn money not for me but for my birds, I asked for money for my birthday and christmas etc not for me, for my birds. Honestly, I didn't work because I had to, but because I wanted to, my birds mean everything to me. My cockatiel loved having his head scratched sometimes and other times didn't. When you do get a bird 'cuddly' isn't part of the package. A mistake that a lot of people make is that they see videos, stories and pictures of pet birds and don't realise all the raising, taming and training that. Its important to do a lot of research, I re searched and studied birds for 7 months when I was 11 years and a month after my 12th birthday was when I got my first bird.

Look through the threads on this forum, its amazing how much you'll learn. I joined this forum to ask a small question and the more I actively used this forum I realised its impossible to know everything about birds, i learnt things everyday from the members here!

Vet costs are expensive, seriously. Especially since with birds you need a specialist vet. Avian vet. Toys can be expensive too and cage prices are ridiculous. Pellets can get pretty pricy too. The costs just never stop. Not to mention bird proofing your home, educating yourself on poisons, foods they cant eat, zinc and lead poisoning, symptoms of a sick bird etc etc

I guess now I put it in words it does sound daunting but if you really love birds and you feel you van realistically handle it all I dont see why not. As long as your parents are aware of everything

[JaydeParrot]

If you want a slightly bigger and more robust bird I'd go for a-

Caique: Loud but playful and are generally ok with being held by many people- Are not overly possessive over just one person.

Pionus: Calm, very quiet and watchful.

Senegal: Males tend to have a few personality quirks but has a good overall demeour, is quiet and tend to form a (sometimes possessive) bond to one person.

Greater Vasa Parrot: These amaze me, depending upon your location they're somewhat rare in aviculture due to not being colourful (they have a somewhat elongated raven appearance). Their dog friendly as they tend to be ok with just about anyone interacting with them, have an ok ability of vocabulary and are said to be very friendly parrots due to them tending to travel in groups of threes rather than pairs in the wild.

Personally I've never had a cockatiel or budgie as I prefer bigger birds that are stronger/ more resilient.

I did have a pigeon for a while, unbelievable pet, can't bite you, incredibly quiet and is very tame, lives 10 to 30 years. what bird will you choose?

[Eric&Rebecca]

Cockatiels are suprisingly hardy birds... they smaller but they actually some of those most resilient birds you'll find.