HI! I've been reading up info etc....I have some ?s

[ilovemylouisv]

Ok...so...I was 1/2 way raised by my aunt and she had a mccaw...so I grew up around a bird. I've owned birds but have never offically owned a parrot. So....my daughter brings me her Christmas list and on it says she wants a parrot. Apparently she saw a super sweet one @ the local feed store. She asks for nothing else but a parrot. What recommendations would you all give me? I found a green quaker owned locally supposedly hand fed from a lady and she is 1 year old now. Would getting an older one not be wise....or would it depend on the parrot (I feel like that's a silly ? because I feel it depends)? Is there one that would be more tame or does that again depend on the bird? I want one that can be handled by the family...well mostly my oldest daughter....my husband and I. We have several large dogs but that is not a concern unless the bird has issues with big dogs. I've been reading up....I know its important to gain some knowledge before owning one. What is reasonable to pay for a Quaker? How about for a Red Lored Amazon? I found each locally both come with pretty nice cages...both say sweet etc...but I'm sure you never know...plus I'm sure it depends on how the bird feels towards us. Please give suggestions and opinions. I want a talkative loving bird...not for breeding....just as a lifelong family pal!!! Thanks guys! BTW...my name is Eva!

[imported_David]

Hi Eva

Since your whole family will be new bird owners, it's advisable to go with a small young parrot and more importantly, a parrot that hasn't been owned by others

As the ad says """"""Previous Amazon or large parrot experience a must! """

That's very true and it's important to know that a prospective novice bird owner should start learning a parrot's general makeup with a small parrot. All parrots are very complex creatures because they can't be domesticated. Larger birds such as Amazons, Greys and other medium/large parrots need extensive time out of a cage every day and need lots of constant interaction with the family. Large parrots have personalities that many novice bird owners can't cope with one especially if it's somewhat mature in personality.

As the ad says """""Boomer has bonded to me and treats strangers with a lot of caution, but once she gets to know a person she usually likes them. The more you talk to her the more interested in you she becomes!""""

A quaker young or old is extremely territorial and can be a very bad biter if their area is disturbed. Normally, most but not all don't like strangers. If it were me, I wouldn't believe anyone who tells me what's gonna happen if I do a certain thing such as """"The more you talk to her the more interested in you she becomes!""""

A parrot can have habits and personalities that've developed in one place but there's no guarantee that those things will also happen with new people.

As the ad says '''''She's got quite the spunky personality and talks a LOT.""""""

Actually, most quakers are screechers. 'Spunky' simply means beligerent which is common for them. If there was a much larger parrot in the house, a quaker wouldn't hesitate getting into a serious biting match with that larger bird and the quaker usually wins because it's smaller and quicker and quakers usually are the instigaters. Quakers have been known to take toes off of larger parrots. Quakers wouldn't hesitate to bite a dog on the nose, face or ears or tail. The larger the dog, the better a quaker likes it. In other words, a pre owned older quaker isn't a good small bird to have until you have experience with other small birds that're more well rounded and somewhat calmer. Most quakers are known as *very large parrots in a small parrot's body* Quakers don't just nip. They bite and hold on.

It's best to look into small parrots such as meyer's, caiques, jenday conures, parrotlets, cockatiels, lorikeets and other similar sized parrots. Others here also have different small parrots that they could recommend.

As far as friendliness, handling and taking to a whole family, well, that's an individual thing that depends upon how much interaction each person has with the bird. If every facet is covered by all the family members, the better the chances of having a good relationship with the parrot.

Why am I being so negative about you having a quaker? well, if your daughter gets seriously bitten by a quaker, that whole love affair will go right out the window.

The best place to buy young parrots from are private breeders. The price is always consistant with other private breeders. Always expect to pay more for a parrot when purchased from a pet shop. When people are selling their own pet birds there is no 'fair' price'. People charge what they feel like charging.

Because most parrots have a long life span, it's best to buy the parrot with you and your husband in mind.

I'm gonna say something that might offend you but it needs to be said but it's not meant to be offensive. All parrots are wild animals and will remain wild forever and should never be purchased as a Xmas gift. A lot of thinking should be done before getting a parrot.

I realize that your daughter wants one for Xmas but daughters get older, eventually get interested in boys, have to spend lots of time studying, will eventually be going out and socializing with girlfriends, going to parties, may be leaving for college and that Xmas gift might lose it's appeal as time goes on and other interests develop. That's why I say that the bird will wind up being *yours and your husband's* bird. --------Dave

Eva I agree with David on everything above. Glad to see your doing some research before you buy. (wish everybody did that). For being a first time bird owner your best option should be a baby bird. This does not mean you have to hand feed it yourself for it to bond. When you find a breeder ask many questions. As Davis said this should not be a Christmas gift. I would wait till the holidays are over to buy one. How old is your daughter? Have you did any research on the Indianringnecks? They are great little birds if handled every day. Best wishes and good luck. Keep us posted and when you find that birdie we want pics.

Donna :)

[ilovemylouisv]

There is a rescue/adoption facility in my area. I don't remember the site to post but I'll have to find the link. I was debating on going out there to see first hand. I wouldn't mind rescuing a bird....maybe a bird someone could no longer care for. I understand what you say about getting a younger bird. However....I'm sure there are SOME birds out there older than can be taken in and over time adapt. Maybe not a quaker...but I can look? what do you think about rescues/adoption facilities?

Eva Rescues are a great place to get a bird!!! But you got to ask your self (Why is this bird here)? Most rescues will ask alot of questions about other pets,, children the size cage it's going to have, will you be able to take this bird to the vet things like this and you have to ask alot of questions to for instance how many homes has this bird been in and why. Theres a few good rescues out there and alot of bad ones. Just be careful. Good luck with your search and I hope you find what your looking for.

Donna :)

[imported_David]

Eva
I totally agree with Donna. There's many more rescue shelters that have problem birds than there are rescue places that have birds with no problems. I still think you should go for a young bird that won't be bonded to anyone else. That's just my opinion but I've seen experienced people go to shelters and bring home birds that weren't easy to handle. What you have to understand is this---and this is very important. Pre owned birds come with *baggage or history*. A shelter won't tell you all about that history. Many times, even they don't know about the total *history* of the bird. That *history* can't be gotten rid of. Once it's instilled in the bird, it's permanent and the new owner has to learn to deal with it which can be very hard to do and many times, very dissapointing. Of course in the end, it's up to you. Most birds who simply can't be of taken care but in all other areas are good birds usually don't wind up in shelters. There's many people who will simply and happily take the parrot if an owner can't care for a bird.
What happens if you get a feather plucker or a bird who has phychological birds or a bird that only favors men or only women or doesn't like kids or has problems in other areas? What if a bird refuses to step up onto your hand?
Maybe you think we're trying to make life difficult for you but actually, people here are only trying to make sure that you're gonna be a happy bird owner.

By the way, one other thing that Donna forgot to mention....Concerning shelters--- Even though an adopter pays money for the bird, many shelters tell the adopter that for the next 6 mts to a yr they have the right to come to your house and check that things are right. Proper housing, proper food, proper amount of living space, visits to a vet etc. ---------Dave

Thank you David I did forget to add that :) You are a very smart man

Hugs to ya Donna ;)

[imported_Jason]

Hello.. I thought I would drop in and feed you my opinion... I understand your wanting to adopt, thinking it would be a second chance for a bird,.. but I would not attempt it for a first bird. I would do like the other users say, and look for a hand fed baby.. Here is a perfect example of why I would go with a hand fed baby as a first bird :
http://www.exoticbirds.us/forum/index.php?topic=509.0
This bird was not her first one either. Go for the baby. I strongly believe if you go with the adoption bird, you will regret it, and may get a fear of birds that will cause you to never own another. Just my $.02

Jason

[judyk]

Over the last 4 years I have gone from getting my first pet bird to actually having several pet birds and also going into breeding cockatiels and yellow sided greencheek conures. In my humble opinion, a cockatiel is an excellent first bird, as long as you buy from a breeder who has handfed it and handled it a lot. One thing for sure, any bird is going to require a lot of individual attention. They are
also going to require daily attention to their cage as far as keeping it clean. The yellowsided and pineapple greencheek conures are also wonderful little birds and a lot quieter than their cousins such as the sun conures and the nanday conures. You need to do your homework with regard to the characteristics and needs of whatever breed of bird you decide you want. A lot of people don't have any idea of the dietary requirements of pet birds--just buying a bag of seed isn't going to meet the bird's nutritional needs. They also are going to need toys. You should
also check to see if there is a vet in the area who is qualified to treat birds--the
breeder should be able to tell you about that. You also should make sure that the
breeder clips your new pet bird's wings. This will keep it from being able to fly high,
although it still can fly. So you should always take precautions to insure that the bird can't fly out the door, or take it outside unless it is in a carrier or wearing a flight suit--a kind of harness with a leash that I have not been able to train my birds to use. :) One good breeze without these precautions and your bird could be gone forever. I'm not trying to discourage you. I believe birds make wonderful pets and you will find that each bird has its own personality. Hopefully, when you
go to see the breeder to get your bird they will have several for you to choose from. Many people like to pick their new baby even before it is weaned, and go to the breeder's house periodically during the weaning period to bond with the new
baby even before they take it home. I hope you will let us know what kind of bird you decide to get and how things progress after you bring it home.

Judy