The "Starter" bird?

[ROYJOY]

Wondering if don, from the first page, ever got his HYM?

[Chico's Mom]

This is such a wonderful board, and a great place to learn about birds. I started out with a tiel, and was a bit disappointed because I discovered he was a she and wasn't the whistler/talker I hoped, but she grew on me, and became my little buddy. Then I got my green cheek, and I'm in the process of getting him to become more comfortable with me and bond with me and become more affectionate. I do hope he learns to talk, but if not, that's ok. Now, I've learned so much more about birds from owning two and frequenting this board, and I'm thinking about a caique. But I won't get another for several reasons:

I'm still working full time and won't be retired for about 6 more years.
I don't want to leave my birds without a momma if they should outlive me.
So I'm happy with my little flock of two, and I hope my little Rico (green cheek) becomes a bit more affectionate as time goes by. They are adorable though.

Now, when I see the wild birds outside, I see them in a whole different light. I realize that they have a heirarchy, a family structure, relationships, and a whole society. It's really been an eye-opening experience. I really love my birds. My coworkers think I'm crazy. They don't know what they're missing.

[SDavid]

"The bird that is the most pleasant to be around and the most cuddly and intelligent and just stunningly beautiful for its size and temperament and all-round “Great-Bird” awards is in my eyes the Hyacinth Macaw. "



The Hy seems to be the "holy grail" of birds for so many. Or so it seems whenever people speak of companion birds that they would like to have. It's always the most coveted bird. At the same time, so few people actually have one. I wonder sometimes is it because they are untouchable and rare (with regards to price, size, and looks) that people feel they are the "best" birds? If Hy's were as commonly available as budgies would people covet them the way they do? I wonder.

So, for anyone who has one or experience with them, feel free to comment. I'm just curious, are they that much different in personality and temperament than other birds can be. Or is it a matter of the particular birds personallity as with any other species.

[swanwillow]

I was the one that didn't want a macaw... I was afraid of big birds. I had a teil, then two, then I went to college.. my parents who was watching them decided to give them away.

So, I moved off campus... The apartments didn't allow pets, but.. oh well. That was Dragonfly, my conure. I never wanted to go bigger, but also didn't want a teil or budgie-for the longest time I didn't think they were 'parrots' believe it or not, I thought that they were just 'birds' like a songbird. I learned that, what, 2 or 3 years ago. Not so long ago.

Then, I fell head-over-heels in love with my first 'big' bird, Quana, my ekkie. Now I'm looking into rehoming a 'zon too, and not having any little birds-rehoming my breeder birds, cause I just don't feel right selling off the babies... If I kept the breeders, I'd have 100 birds, and no fiancee.

If I could, I'd make a large aviary flight for budgies... and just let them all stay at my house. I see them for sale and for adoption all the time, there no homes for them, and they are throw aways...

I've found little birds can be brattier than big birds, and I agree with what everyone has said-do research, learn, listen, and MEET the birds! I would have never gone looking for an eclectus, she just fell right into my lap one day. I call it love at first bite.

[sunnyshine]

Believe it or not, my interest in birds started with the movie Paulie, which was on TV one day last spring. I thought it was so cute, and had never really given much thought to birds. Then I started watching bird videos on YouTube, which is where I became familiar with the different species. After seeing probably hundreds of videos, I became really interested in the Eclectus... their videos always won my heart. So I started researching all day and night about birds in general, specifically Ekkies. I read many times about budgies and tiels being the best starter birds, but I didn't want just a "starter," I wanted one that would be with me for a long time, and the personalities and traits of bigger birds just appealed to me more. I studied up all summer but still hadn't met any in person, because we don't have any bird shops nearby. So one day we looked up the closest bird shops and went to check them out... when we walked into the first store, and my eyes darted straight to the male Ekkies, the first ones I'd seen in person. I was shocked at their size! I was nervous so I didn't really hold them or anything, but just talked to them and this one little green boy wouldn't take his eyes off of me as I was talking while the others kept eating and playing. We left to go check out the other shops but I still had that Ekkie in my head, and needless to say, went right back to see him again... and that's how I found my Sunny boy.

[Becky_Joe]

I must agree...first birds should be what you want not the easier bird to care for. My first bird was a canary (my mother wanted) and I really don't care for them now. My personal first bird was a moluccan 'Too who's been with me 17+ years now and is spoiled rotten. He loves me best, but also loves my husband and youngest daughter. Some people he takes right to and most strangers he wants no part of. My youngest daughter shares my love of birds and her first bird of her own picking was a violet-neck lory which delighted everyone who who got near it. Both of us have said we'd love a Hyacinth macaw, but neither of us can afford that yet. Maybe someday!!
Becky

[KimM]

I'm with you all too. I never considered any animals throw aways or "starters." These are God's creatures and we have a responsibility to help them. My parents were both working parents and didn't have time to help me with pets when I was growing up. We had the family dog and I was able to finally get a cat when I was about 6, but honestly my first bird was a Robin, yes a Robin. My parents would laugh because I would bring home every motherless, injured bird including Robins, Starling, Pigeons.. whatever bird was indigenous to our area where I grew up.

They always told me when I grew up and had a place of my own I could get all the animals I wanted and well.... I DID! My first baby was a Cockatiel.. Curtis and he was with me for 15 wonderful years and boy was he a pistol. He would chase my doberman...LOL. His sweet side? He would take naps with me on the couch and hang his beak in my ear, I guess as a resting post, and go sound asleep. I've had several canaries.. love them! and that SONG... it's beautiful. I've had finches... they're too funny. Now I have a macaw and he is my comic relief... so smart... so funny and so talented. By the way, his 3rd birthday is tomorrow.

I love all of my animals and can't imagine life without them.

My next babies? I would love to have a Hy and Greenwing. And this time I'm going to adopt.