parakeets

[krissyg1989]

i have a conure and a cockatiel and my little 5 year old cousin LOVES them. they just arent too big on him. they like to fly around and he gets mad because they'll bite to get away so they can fly.

i'm thinking of getting him a parakeet from my store. i was just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on this. of course i'll be taking care of it and stuff, but it'll be 'his' bird. the only thing is, parakeets seem so nippy, but he really cant handle a bigger bird right now. i'm torn.

[krissyg1989]

bump?......

[svolk]

Honestly, I would not recommend a budgie for a child for a number of reasons:

Most budgies are VERY cautious of everything (at least at first) and require a lot of calmness and patience.

Yes, budgies can be nippy - they are very stubborn, head strong, and have large bird personalities packed in tiny little bodies. My husband even gets upset when Jerry is nippy with him, but my husband does not take the time to read his body language. I can easily tell when Jerry is upset or annoyed or wants to play by himself, and if you try to interact with him when he's in a "mood," then he will nip and it can hurt. I have learned to respect his moods. I am not sure that a child will be able to accurately read the bird's mood and be able to act (or NOT act) accordingly.

There's also the issue of cuddliness. Most budgies do not like being petted or cuddled like other species. As Monica pointed out to me awhile ago, budgies only preen other budgie's heads and they don't have a lot of physical contact with one another. Jerry is very friendly and hands-on, but he doesn't like hands behind him or touching him very often. But that being said, he's constantly flying to me and hanging out with me.

Their size is also another factor - budgies are fast and can move without you hearing it, which makes them prone to being stepped on or closed into doors, etc. I wouldn't trust a small child to be as observant as to monitor where the bird is at all times.

You mention that your cousin gets mad when your birds fly away - budgies are busy bodies and Jerry is naturally not in one place for very long. If you want a bird to perch on your shoulder for long periods, I also wouldn't suggest a budgie.

[homebird]

Even as a mother, i think i expected my son to be more mature than he was at every age level. 5 is still very young & lacking in experience & the abilityto control themselves mentally & physically. How often have i heard - i didn't know my own strength?

When my son was 5 we had a rule - the cat was not to be chased on the balcony & if she went there [thru the cat door] it meant she was in a kid free zone. It worked really well. The cat learned the kid wouldn't follow or if he did, he left her alone - not chasing. Kids & pets - you have to really watch them & the rules have to be obeyed. I was at my friend's the other day & she's a baby sitter. One little boy she looks after is 3. He will hold on fiercely to the cat's tail even when you say 'release the cat'. So ages are an issue as well as the child's personality. She by the way adopted my kid free zone as well - a spare room - & it even works with this child.

Mixing Budgies & Kids who are not patient or in control of their anger/frustration [well few of us are]. I'd not do it. Instead i'd go out & buy a really cute or 'whatever' toy[depends on kid] to hug. A bird toy or something he really likes.
I'd encourage him to enjoy your birds & learn over time to be respectful. A Budgie is fragile. They are easily hurt. They may seem insignificant compared to your Tiel & your Conure. So you can't know if he'll think it is cool or not. I'd wait until he's at least 10 before getting him a bird - by then he'll know which kind he likes & you can help him.

PS - the only truly 'cuddly' bird i ever had was a duck. They will sit in your lap & love to be petted & they don't bite - well mine didn't! However as heavy & as big as they are they still have 'chicken-bones' that break very easily, if a child should step or fall on the animal.

[krissyg1989]

hmm...im not looking for something cuddly though. he just likes to sit and watch tv with the bird on his shoulder/hand/etc. ive had people come into the store and say their children just sit around with their parkakeet on them. thats why i figured it might be good for him

[homebird]

If he doesn't act appropriately with your tiel & conure - both reasonable birds - i can't say he'll be any better with his own Budgie? - but after all it is just my opinion. I think you should think about it a bit more. I don't know if your cousin is any better than my son was with animals. Pets can enjoy the energy of a child but may suffer from their inexperience.

[krissyg1989]

its not that he's bad with them. he doesnt hurt them and he's usually quite patient with their biting. its just that he wants something that can be just 'his' my birds are attached to me..and so when he has them, they fly to me. but he does get mad when they fly away and then he cries. so i was thinking i'd clip the parakeet's wings (my two birds are both fully flighted) so it'd be easier for him to 'hand-train' to him. i dont know yet. i still have a lot to think about, ur right about taht.

[homebird]

It's his age - getting upset if they leave is typical.

You could create a play/training thing that you do with him & the birds. He could be the one to hold them & you call them. Maybe when they get really good at coming to a call you can change places. [when he's away you could practice with a friend.] Are either of them good at tricks?

[svolk]

There's also no guarantee who a bird will choose to bond with. A budgie with properly clipped wings can still get away if they choose (they just might not be able to get far - and they can get frustrated easily).

I like Jac's idea of involving him with training in some way. It's also my opinion that someone his age is very young to have a bird (I do realize you would be caring for the bird - which might cause the budgie to bond to you, in which case your cousin would be frustrated by that..).

I do think that it's great that he's able to learn from you and your birds.

[Monica]

I suggest getting a handraised bird.... not a budgie however... why not a bourke???? Bourkes are friendly....