[gero]

Hello everyone

I have owned a cockatoo parrot in the past. He died September 2007 (an inoperable tumour). Until recently I could not consider adopting another bird. But I am starting to wonder about getting another bird, preferably a different species so I am not always comparing my new bird with my much loved and still missed old one.

At this stage I am still doing my homework: I am looking for an avian vet in my area. I am looking for a trustworthy breeder in my area. I am looking for a support group of other parrot owners in my area (I live alone and I want to give my parrot a chance to socialise with other humans/birds - and give me a network of bird-wise friends to hang out with). These have been difficult to find (I live Tyneside, U.K.) If you have any recommendations then I would be grateful to hear from you.

I am working on the assumption that I would buy a hand-reared baby from a breeder (because my first parrot was hand-raised and a totally loving bird from day one until the day he died). I have read that a parent-reared bird would be a better choice i.e. better for the bird. If you have any advice about this, then I would like to hear from you.

I have considered getting a 'rescue parrot' but I am not sure I have enough experience with parrots to take on a bird with serious behavioural problems. In any case, there does not seem to be a parrot rescue centre in my region. If you have advice about adopting an older bird from a rescue centre (or know of a rescue centre in my area) then I would like to hear from you.

I currently live in an apartment, so for my neighbours' sakes I want a reasonably quiet species. I am thinking about a Senegal, Quaker, or maybe an African Grey (although I have heard the latter have a very loud scream when excited). If you can recommend another fairly quiet species then I would be grateful to hear from you.

I am thinking about getting a parrot at this stage in my life because I am giving up work in October 2009 to go back to university and do another Ph.D. I will therefore be home for most of the day and able to socialise a baby parrot for the first few years of its life (a Ph.D. takes on average 4-5 years to finish). After I complete my doctorate, I plan on doing part-time work therefore there should not be a sudden change of routine for the parrot. I am not sure that combining a baby bird and a Ph.D. is a good idea! Has anyone experience of doing this? I would be glad to hear from you.

Many thanks.

Regards, Gero