Newbie - Please help us find a bird!!

[dmina]

I am still voting for the Linnie...LOL
Denise

[BigBird]

Sorry didnt mean to send it twice

[BigBird]

I have a handreared scaly breasted lorrikeet called Hector. He is an absolute hoot. He is a social tart, loves being around people. I take to kids parties, halloween parties etc and he is the centre of attraction and loves every bit of it. He is a mimic, copies, coughs, laughs, nail guns, my other birds and he talks up a storm! Says Hello Hector, whatcha doin,and tickle his tummy and he will say I love you I love you over and over! He doesnt bite but when he has had enough he starts getting cranky and squawks. He jumps up and down, lets himself out of his cage if it is not pegged up properly. Loves a long bath. Goes to the shop with me, loves the dogs, the kids and hubby. He's not keen on Barnaby, our new house bird, he is a bit jealous. But gawd we love him and so does everybody who meets him. My 4 year old nephew just adores him.

He is smaller than the rainbow lorrikeet, they are about budgie size. He can be demanding, so if we dont want him in our face we set up an obstacle course full of bottle tops and keys and things he can throw around the coffee table. They arent seed eaters and are constantly on a sugar high all day so always active. Poops are runny but apparently if you train them to eat pellets they harden up. We havent so it can get messy. But for a fun family bird, go a scaly if you are prepared to provide them fresh fruit and nectar every day and mop up the mess. But an absolutely fantastic bird and lots of fun for all of the family. Get the parrot benefits in a smaller bodied bird.

[Bellas Mom]

ok I am new and lost.Did you ever find your new featherd friend.If so what is it.Wheres the rest of this thread.I no what I would have started with.And would love to no the end story can anyone help me find this

[raddaughter]

Owning a parrot is like having a toddler-teenager all wrapped up into one. They throw hissy fits, scream, and are destructive no matter if a baby is sleeping or if the furniture was a family heirloom. And you must remember- it is not their fault for destroying it. It is them being them screaming, even when there is nothing to scream about.
As said, there is no such thing as a starter bird. It is sadi that you should begin with a smaller bird, but that doesn't mean that you must. My first parrots were a pair o lovebirds, then an ekkie, and now a B&G (the ekkie was rehomed to someone who could better tame hime and the loveies went to their previous owner). So keep in mind that no matter what bird you get, you are going to have to invest a lot of time and money into them.
The cost of the actual bird up front is the cheapest part of owning them. I have a B&G macaw whom I love very, very much. We spent around $1000 for her and her cage- give or take a few $$$. Macaws make wonderful pets. Although the size of the large ones can be intimidating (sp?), they are friendly, lovable, and make wonderful pets. I believe Hahns macaw was mentioned. I have handled a few- at bird fairs and at pet stores. All of them were very sweet and enjoyed being handled. My B&G allows my 3 younger brothers (youngest is 5) to hold her and pet her. They can make wonderful pets, but like all other birds, do need some attention.
Greys are a wonderful bird. However, they are dusty, and can cause allergies. They are also known to need a more tranquil environment, or they will become pluckers/screamers. I have not spent very much time with Pionus, so I cannot tell you my personal experiances with them. Cockatoos are wonderful birds, but need a lot of attention and I have heard (heard) they become screamers/biters/pluckers if attention starved. Then again, any bird can. Macaws, even the smaller ones will need love and time.
As or talking ability... Not all birds, even greys who are know to talk very well will be talkers. Most people say that B&G's are not very good talkers, but my 1yo chatters up a storm. You just can't tell. I would get the bird that best fits your desires for personality, size, etc... before talking ability.
The best thing I can tell you is to visit with a breeder and spend some time with a varitey of birds. Bird fairs are also a great place to go for cages and to assosiate (sp?) youself with different birds. Research on them, talk to other people about their experiances and weigh out the pros and cons of the parrot. Read people's posts under the specific species forums to hear what others have to say. And lastly, know that all birds are different- they aren't all going to be like the description.

[Alibluemoon]

I've got a Max. Pionus, and maybe mine is a bit off the mark, because he's highly talkative and sings opera when he wants attention. He's a loud bird when he wants to be, usually if we leave him alone when we want attention. He was my mother's bird and growing up with him, they do get a bit moody once in a while. Max (our parents named the bird) is highly intelligent and needs lots of toys to chew up and play with. He currently has a loving cuddle doll that we got in the baby toy section of target. Its his favorite. But he does take a lot of attention. There was a point when my sister and I weren't paying as much attention to him because of our new business. He got feather picky, and we had to change our routine completely around so he got as much attention as possible. We also got him two friends an Ekkie and a YNA. He's since perked up completely and is a part of the family and loves his little brother and sister. But just because they seem independent doesn't mean they aren't a lot of work. Just so you know... They are beautiful birds and great companions if not left to their own devices.

Ali