Opinions please...

[mkroberts]

I've been wanting to bring a parrot into my home for some time and it will probably be a bit longer until I can finally bring one home (6 months to a year), but I've been reading books and magazines and talking to bird people to learn as much as I can before bringing a feathered friend home.

My experience with birds as a kid (my mom is very much a bird person) are doves, budgies, cockatiels, Indian Ringnecks, Rosellas, Umbrella Cockatoo and a Blue crown conure.

I've been trying to get ideas about what bird would best suit my mine and my husband's lifestyle. We have a fairly quiet household, though my little dog loves to gives us headaches whenever the doorbell rings. We don't have kids and aren't planning on having any for a very long time, if at all. I have a little senior citizen dog and two cats that have been spoiled rotten. The two cats make me not want to get something too small, but judging by their behavior now, would not be nearly as much of a threat to a medium or larger bird (Older one is laid back and not very predatory, little one is scared of anything that is unfamiliar or moves too fast, flapping wings would send him under the bed for an hour). Of course I was not planning on ever leaving them unsupervised anywhere with the bird.

Also, my husband and I tend to work opposite hours with just a bit of overlap so that the critters aren't alone for too long.

I am wanting a bird that is a bit outgoing. My husband races BMX (Bicycles, not dirtbikes... much quieter) and would love a bird that could accompany us to his weekly races(harnessed, of course), this is not completely neccessary, but would be nice. We also like to go hiking in the nearby desert and would love to be able to take the bird with us(once again, harnessed).

Species that I've taken a liking to would be Lilac Crowned Amazon, Blue front Amazon, and Rosebreasted Cockatoo. My husband really likes African Greys, but I didn't know if they would be a bit too shy for us.

Things that I'm more than willing to deal with:
--- Noise (I grew up in a bird home, my house feels way too quite now. I leave the TV on even though I don't watch it because I grew up in a home with constant background noise. Also won't be getting a bird until we are out of the apartment and into a house.)
--- Messiness (I'm already dealing with a husband, cat hair, litterbox, and a somewhat incontinent dog.)
--- Some difficulty in temperment (The best things in life for me have always been the things I have to work hard for, my favorite cat is the little one that came to me semi feral and still has behavior problems.)

Birds that I'm really not interested in:
--- Most species under 200-250 grams
--- Cockatoos other than RB2 (No offense intended to cockatoo people)
--- Birds that are known to be exceptionally shy

I would like a bird that enjoys a bit of physical affection, but does not have to be a cuddle bug.

I would love to hear any opinions you all have. I don't want to bring a bird home that would be unhappy with our home.

Also would like any suggestions on books that are good, So far I have Guide To A Well Behaved Parrot and Companion Parrot Behavior by Mattie Sue Athan, A Parrot For Life by Rebecca O'Connor, Parrots For Dummies and Your Outta Control Bird by Nikki Moustaki, My Parrot My Friend by Bonnie Munro Doane, and The Parrot Problem Solver which I have missplaced somewhere in my home so I don't remember the author.

Ultimately whatever bird we bring home will have a home for life, like the little dog that I never really wanted but now can't live without, and the kitten that has drawn my blood more than once but now loves to sit in my lap when I'm on the computer. They make up for their "issues" by just being here with me. I don't expect any creature to be perfect and I like it better that way.

--->M<---

[PowerBBS]

Wow... it's really hard to suggest a bird to someone.... I do have one more thing you would most likely love...

BirdTalk Magazine.

Go to magazines.com and you'll get it for about 13.00/yr which is a STEAL OF A DEAL... As they're typically 30/yr. 12 issues a year too... Just one more suggestion for research. I love the articles as they cover so many different things and so many different species.

[mkroberts]

Thats funny, I just subscribed like a hour ago... thank you.

[hyacinthLove]

welcome to birdboard :)

i think the best way to figure out what bird is best suited to you is to visit and interact with as many birds as possible. i highly recommend visiting a local rescue. they normally have a wide variety of birds and can help you learn what bird would be a good match with you.

it's hard to generalize species of birds, though, just something to keep in mind. all birds are individuals and have personalities of their own.

good luck in your search!

[Courtzrocks]

Some amazons are smaller than 250g...you have had a ringneck? Maybe an Alex like me:) it all depends on the bird really you have pretty much chosen 2 of the noisiest birds but still great all the same. i think the amazons are beautiful but havent had much experience with them, i love cockatoo's they are gorgeous!! But then again you vould get one that doesnt suit at all...depends on the bird, go around and spend time with ones you have in mind and see which personality jumps out to you. Good luck

[sweetpeaches]

hi,

i agree with emily..if you have a rescue nearby you may want to visit it. you sound like someone who has a heart for a "rescue"..but if you choose another route i would suggest reading "companion parrot handbook" by sally blanchard. also, if there are no rescues near you, how about a bird store. and keep reading different threads on different species of parrots...this is so helpful. that is what i did when i was searching for another fid. i already had a lovebird as a gift but wanted another parrot. so i read, read, read! i ended up with bailey a white bellied caique who i just adore. whatever you decide...i wish you the very best!

[mkroberts]

Thank you so much for your replies.

I am very much a rescue person, all my animals are second hand pets. My dog was at one point my sister's, my older cat was adopted from a rescue, and my younger cat was found in a box on the side of the road at a very young age(it's amazing how hard a little kitten can bite...) I will be becoming a member of my local parrot rescue.. http://http://www.snperrs.org/index.html

I have visited a couple of bird shops, only found one that I like. The lady that runs it is very clear about how she's not in it for money and if she doesn't think you'll take good care of the bird, she won't let you buy it. She also takes in unwanted or trouble parrots and finds them homes.

I had never considered a RB2 until I met one. Of all the birds he was the most outgoing and un-shy. Total ham for attention.

I understand that it is hard to pick a bird for someone else and I don't expect you guys to tell me what to get. Just wanted to know if there were any suggestions. You have been very helpful.

Thanks again.

[Courtzrocks]

Remember to post photos of whatever you get! and second hand/rescue pets can make the best pets!

[mkroberts]

Courtzrocks

Yeah, my mom had a special Indian Ringneck. She always loved the rejected types. Chomper had seizures, night frights and nervous issues. But he was very sweet once he was handtame, wouldn't bite for the life of him. We had to find a home for his brother because Chomper was "special" and couldn't defend himself when his brother was aggresive with him. They were originally aviary birds but when we just had the one my mom let me work on handtaming him. He was never cuddly, but would sit calmly on a hand. My grandparents stayed with us for a bit and Chomper learned to laugh like my grandfather (very funny), and to say "Shut up or I'll ring your neck." (Sounds worse than it is, my grandfather is the type that threatens his animals on a regular basis but never would dream of hurting them.) I think Chomper was in love with my grandfather because that is the only mimicking that he ever did. Unfortunately he passed away at a young age. He was probably only 14 or so. Great bird and I know my mom misses him.

[Courtzrocks]

aww, my grandad had an indian ringneck but my grandad was impatient so was given to one of my mums friends, is slowly becoming tamer. Thats what made me want to get an alexandrine. i loved the look of the ringies but wanted something a bit bigger and the alex was perfect with the big goofy beak lol. I can't wait to bring Matches home and cant wait to see what you bring in lol. My other grandad was like that wait the galah lol, told her to shut up but not 10 mins later would get her out the cage. We eventually got her, she was gorgeous...lived to about 63 or something.