Newbie - Please help us find a bird!!

[uehling]

My husband and I would like to add a bird to our family & we were hoping that you all could let us know what you think would suit our family the best;

I really like the Pionus, The bronze wing especially - however I think that the Max. Pionus's temperament would better suit our family.

We both like larger birds, and we want one that would have the ability to learn to talk w/a decent vocabulary.

Both my husband and I work full time; and we have three children A 10 year old, a 5 year old and a newborn. Temperament is important for our children's sake. My husband really likes the African Grey, as do I - however the Grey's are a bit out of our price range.

Thanks!!

[GreetingCardReligion]

Wow, you sound like you have your hands full !! Three kids, including a newborn, while working fulltime and you want to bring home a bird? Power to you.

I wouldn't recommend an african grey, because they need alot of attention and stimulation and out of cage time which might be hard to maintain for a busy schedule. Not only that, but they are "dusty" parrots which might trigger allergic reactions or just respiritory problems in your children and baby. Of course, you could always get an air purifier like I did, but my experiences with newborns is rather limited. I"m sure someone else will have a much better response about the dust issue, if it even is an issue with children. I know it can be with macaws.

When you do get your bird, you should let your children know that even nice birds bite and you all need to be prepared for that, just in case. Baby birds are especially beaky, and not to bite, just using their beaks to explore their world and learn so if you let your children handle the bird, please make sure that they are very careful and understand the natural behaviors and possibility of being bit.

I don't know much about pionus but there are some at the store where I got my baby grey and they were very friendly and eager to step up and very interested in whatever you had to say.

[Vega]

First, if you've never had a bird before, you may want to start with something smaller. You may also want to wait for the newborn to get a little older. Birds scream. They do not care who is sleeping.

Second, most birds have the ability to talk, even parakeets. Just because a bird has that ability, does not mean they will make use of it. Some talk up a storm, others prefer to whistle, others just make their own noises. Do not buy a bird for it's talking capabilities, their desire to mimick sound should be a bonus, not a requirement.

Also, do some research on the various diet of each breed (are they referred to as breeds?). Some do fine on pellets, others need a more varied diet, and for some fresh foods are a neccissity. Would you have time to prepare fresh fruits/veggies/pasta/beans/etc for them?

I'm sure someone else will be along shortly to reccomend a specific type, just wanted to give you a few more things to think about until then.

[leighrivera161]

Hi there, and welcome to Birdboard!

As you start to receive replies please keep an open mind. We all are owned by a large variety of birds. So those of us with medium to small size may reply different from those with larger ones like Macaws.

I have handled Pionus but do not own one. I think they are wonderful, adorable birds! They have an independent side so working all day wont be a problem. Please keep in mind, there are never any guarantees that any bird will talk. The Pionus is not a big talker, from what I understand. Im sure though that there are some out there that talk up a storm! If cost is a factor, keep in mind the following before you commit. A cage will be several hundred dollars and you must get the correct size. Its not an area where you can cut any cost. Toys can range from $5.00 for something really small, to $100.00 easy for a larger bird. Food is usually at least $4.00 lb and you can go through some food! Actually in this area (NJ) a Grey is one of the less expensive birds. So keep that in mind if you are looking for a medium sized bird. Then theres potential vet care. Its all basically like having another baby. Oh, I cant forget, they require fresh food also.

I have a Goffins cockatoo, a Congo Grey, a male Eclectus, and a Rosebreasted cockatoo. They all have there own cage, require baths, cage cleaning and so on. Its like having 4 kids.

The joy that comes with it, you cant put a price on.

I would only ask, that you are really sure you want all of that with a newborn and a full time job. You may realize that after your investment you might not have time for the bird. That situation can be extemely stressful for both you and the bird.

I do wish you the best of luck in your decision! We are all here to support you either way. There is a ton of knowledge available on most sprecies here!

Keep us posted!

[uehling]

Thanks !!! Keep the advice coming!!!

[Machelle]

Wow you already have your hands full! I agree with what everyone else has said. Birds do require alot of attention. They truly are like toddlers and you have to keep an eye on them at all times when they are out and they need alot of "out" time. Think of it as adding another child to your family. Would you be able to give another child the appropriate time and care? (I'm not sayign that you cant I"m just saying you need to ask yourself this question). Taking care of a bird truly is like taking care of a child. I know I have 5 birds and 2 kids, 10 & 14, and I work full time. Its HARD doing it but its also WORTH EVERY SINGLE MINUTE for me. Please dont take offense, we just see alot of people who think taking care of a bird is like havign a cat or a dog and they are SO different. Alot of people jsut dont have any clue what they are in for and we just want you to be educated....not saying that you aren't, but feel better stating these things anyway. With that being said, if you honestly feel like you can give a bird the appropriate care and attention it requires, then power to you!!! I have NO idea about Pionus so I cant help you there. I'm sure others can help you with that but do keep in mind, they are expensive. Toys for birds are not a luxery. They are a necessity. They have to have them for mental stimulation or they begin to have behavioral problems and cant pluck. They are VERY intelligent animals and need to use those brains alot. I'm sure others will pipe in, but again, please dont be offended. We just want to help. That is, after all, what you came here for.

[Baby5566]

Hey! Welcome!

Since you work full time, I dont recommend a larger bird, because they can get depressed easily and begin feather mutilation, *plucking feathers out*. Even the smaller ones can begin feeling this way. I suggest a Parakeet. Maybe 2, they arent so expensive, some can talk, and they make great children's pets. My 1 year old loves his Parakeets, he walks right up to their cage and a few will hop out onto him. They're colorful and can be kept in smaller sized cages.

[leighrivera161]

Keets are a fair compromise! Or a tiel. You can get a good flavor for what its all about. I think the general thought here is, just be sure you know what you're getting yourself into! Its in most cases, a lifetime committment. Thanks for keeping an open mind with our thoughts!

[svolk]

I respectfully disagree that a budgie is a starter bird, especially with multiple small children around.

For starters, having more than one budgie can be hard to KEEP tame if they are not worked with on a consistent basis. Is being able to handle a tamed bird something that you're looking for? Budgies are strong flock creatures and will prefer their budgie flock over their human flock if the human flock do not consistently work with them.

Budgies are so small that that can be a downfall in some situations. They can easily be stepped on, closed into doors, etc. They are FAST and quiet when moving. There is also the possibility of a child overly anxious to "pet the bird" and tries to grab and maybe squeezes too hard.

And lastly, just because a budgie is small, does not mean that it needs any less care than a larger bird - it still needs a decent sized cage, lots of toys, and plenty of out of cage time.

It's simply easier to clean up after a budgie because they don't make huge messes as the larger birds - but that doesn't mean that it's easier care all around. After what I read about with larger birds, who are usually hand fed and hand tame to begin with, it can be very hard work to get a budgie to simply be handled period and maintain that.

[leighrivera161]

No one is using the term "starter bird". Every kind of bird is work. But because they are a little more independent and a lot less costly its a good way to decide if you really want one of those bigger messier birds! Every bird, from the smallest to the largest deserves the same respect. But not all as "needy" from a human contact point as others, like a grey, which is being considered here. Svolk, do you have feedback on a good "first bird"?

Since the question comes from a new board member I hope we can offer some help and not just opinion.