Newby Help

[Moyni]

Hi all,

I was after some guidence. I am thinking of getting a bird as a companion, I have been to a local pet shop and held (a thus fell in love!!) with the idea of having a parrot!

So really i'm after some help regards which species (I dont really want something too big! we dont have a large house!), cages, diet etc.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks

[Dustin]

Welcome to BirdBoard.

are you a first time bird owner? what is your lifestyle like(they need attention on a daily basis)

I would check the species specific boards (on BirdBoard) and read the stories to find what best fits you....or get some ideas so you can focus your search when you personally interact with the(pet store or breeder)


Lots of good info around here...if you cant find what your looking for just ask.

[Moyni]

Hi,

Yes im relatively new to birds, although we did have canaries as a child.

I work during the day but am usually at home for the evening from about 4 so I would have plenty of time for it!

[Dustin]

Off the top of my head i would suggest checking out the Budgie(parakeet) and Cockatiel sections. There are a lot of good stories and pic there to check out.

But still check out the other sections as well. Conures may also be an option.

Research research research, try to get a "feel" for each species and what they demand. That is the best thing you could do at this time.

[candi4me]

welcome! and I would agree with dustin. You may also like to start with a couple of finch's as I did. I have had cockatiels and parakeets, and now raise finch's. Hubby and I are also new parents of a baby B&G who is coming home this weekend.
Candy

[Xavier]

Hello!

If you are interested in a bigGER but not too big parrot, as I was, I'd suggest conures, poicephalus (such as Meyer's and Brown heads) or maybe a Pionus. There are lots of good posts on the species boards, or the BirdBoard Work Area. That's where there are lots of profiles on different species.

If you'd like any information on Poicephalus, feel free to PM me. Poi_lover should be able to help as well.

Good luck!

[tielfan]

Read two or three books on pet birds in general and the pluses and minuses of different species. I recently borrowed this book from the library and thought it would be excellent for beginners: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0876053266/

The bird that's best for you will depend on what you want from a bird and how much time you'll realistically have to devote to it, both now and after your life changes in the ways you expect over the course of the bird's lifetime.

It will also depend on how good you realistically think you'll be as a bird trainer. It's easy to find threads from beginning bird owners who got one of the easiest-to-handle species and are still having trouble. Once you start to zero in on a particular type of bird, read as much as you can about it before you buy. See if you can find a pet store that has several interesting species and knowledgeable clerks who can show you some handling techniques, and see which bird appeals to you the most on a face to face basis.

[Moyni]

Thanks for your replies, well I live in the UK and there is a garden centre near by that has a pet shop that sells Parrots. The one I held I think was called a Jardine Parrot!!

Anyway, yes I do intend to spend time with the bird on a daily basis, and I am keen to learn how to train etc.

Anyway I will keep my eyes out for books etc and see how things go!

[Tiki]

Princess Parrots seem to be easily available in the UK. They are charming birds, not too needy but able to bond with their owner. They happen to be gorgeous too!

[MiniMama]

You know, I researched parrot species for 3 months before I bought one. I even called breeders to ask about personalities, requirements, etc. In the end- what a big waste of time. Don't bother. Simply go to a bird show or breeder, and see who picks you. I had my heart SET on a maxi pionus. In the end, it was a rambunctious little hahn's macaw that picked me out. Sigh...