What bird are you not interested in owning?

[Tinker]

Although I would absolutely love to own a cockatoo, I wouldn't be interested in getting one because:

1) Even though life expectancy in my family is 90ish, I wouldn't outlive a well looked after cockatoo, and I would feel so guilty about having to rehome it before I died.

2) They make loads of noise at dawn and dusk, and sometimes other times too - it might be too annoying for me!

3) I still haven't had my own human kids, and I'm not sure I'd have enough time to give a cockatoo when I do one day, especially given that they're pretty much like 3 year old human kids with the same needs, and it wouldn't be fair to put it in second place.

4) LOL I'd probably just want one I could play with all the time but not actually be responsible for! I've read some of the cockatoo forums sometimes, and the owners seem to have so many more problems than some of the smaller parrots.

[Tinker]

BTW I think this thread is as valid and useful as any other thread because it gives ideas to people who might be looking what they are in for with some of the species!

[Amie]

1) Macaws. Just not a macaw person. Love to go and hang out with my friends' macs. Am not scared of the beak. I find I can read their body language better than most other birds, so it isn't that. We're just a little to low-key and laid back for a mac.

2) Hot 3 Amazons. Every DYH and YNA I've ever met has either drawn blood from me or tried to. Never met a BFA, but I'm told they're the same. Now, other Amazons (especially the MRHs my friend has and the Lilac-Crowned. . .I have to talk myself out of buying every one I meet!!)

3) Large Toos. I love the Galahs, the Lesser Sulfur, and the Goffins. But I've got some pretty nasty allergies and Toos create SO much dander it's hard for me to keep up with it. We fostered a LARGE U2, and although he was gorgeous and a total cuddle-bug, they're just not for me. . . .

4) Finches and budgies. Too small for me.

5) Cockatiels, parrotlets, and Lovies. Had them all when I was younger. Loved them. But again, they're just not for me. Though I'm sure my children will have them, so I may have to take them off the list. They're pretty good species for children to start out with as a first bird pet.

Now, I say this knowing that if any of the birds I listed NEEDED a new home, I would give them one without a second thought. Special needs birds, rehomes, older rescues, pluckers. . . .I'm a sucker for those guys. I'd take in everyone I met if my fiance wasn't the voice of reason-- "ummm. . .where would we put it?" Now, when we're finally out of the mid-twenties living paycheck to paycheck while we balance paying off our student loans and a mortgage and all of the things that go into that new house. . . he's going to be just as soft-hearted as I am. Every time I help an animal, he only fights until he realizes I'm not letting up. Afterwards, he usually fights me to clean it, feed it, bathe it, etc!

As said above, I think this is a very valid post. Just because I'm a bird lover, doesn't mean I think that EVERY bird is for me. The same way I couldn't own a small toy dog, or a Great Pyrrenees. I'm more of the laid-back, loyal family dog type (schnauzers, collies, labs, retrievers, etc). It's all about "fit". I do not get offended when people tell me they could never own an ekkie or a Grey. I know they're not for everyone. but they ARE for me!

Good discussion.

[ROYJOY]

no mean birds for me thanx.

[SDavid]

I have three cages in my living room. A TAG, an RB2, and three budgies. I have to say that at any given time the mess around the budgie's cage is by VERY far the greatest. I just can't keep up. They seem to be in constant molt and constantly pooping....lol. And, the feathers and hulled seed shells get everywhere.

I have a very special place in my heart for budgies. They were my, and my wife's, first birds growing up. They are responsible for our love of birds. And, budgies have just as much heart and personality as the biggest parrot...BUT I don't think I will get any more budgies.

I doubt any first time budgie buyers could expect such a huge mess for such a small bird.

I like to spend more time interacting with my fids than doing chores.

Aside from that, I'd say I don't wan't cockatoos (Moluccan, Umbrella, Sulphur, Goffins). For reasons already covered by mytoos. I do love them but I couldn't handle them. From what I've seen, heard, and read, they seem to be the least tolerant of co-existence with us in our homes because of their needs.

[huntress]

I said bad things about Moluccans but I HAVE A TOO and she is the best. I dont seem to have all the problems I hear about with Moluccans, Umbies, and Goffins and she isnt loud very often IF its once a day it isnt everyday. She is happy, she plays alone, she is friendly and cuddly when she needs to be. She can be dusty. I wouldnt trade her for the world. I just wanted to state that Im not against toos in general. Mine is a Medium Sulfer Crested, or Elenora Cockatoo. Aside from a little dust she doesnt fit the Too stereotype at all.

[shadowsmom]

I also think this is a good thread! Although I believe all parrots are spectaular (sp?). I don't think a cockatoo is the bird for me. They are beautiful birds, but I am intimidated.

[Salsa]

I have found myself to be very much of a macaw person. I enjoy my CAG but would not get another one. I think if it came down to taking in a bird in need of a home I wouldn't turn anything down. That being said, if it came to choice, my personal opinion is that on average I would not own a 2. I know there exceptions to every rule and I give immense credit to those who have successfully owned and enjoyed a 2 for years. The are one type of parrot that I personally don't think are very well suited to be pets. I believe that they just require a lot of specialized care and at times that is still not enough for some 2s. Occasionally they will still become pluckers or non-handleable. I just feel they might be one type that is best kept in their natural habitat or if they must be kept captive that it be in a situation where they can have a HUGE flight and be kept as in flocks. There is a place in central america that is a bird sanctuary and has two flights that cover an acre of land or better each and they have a flock of very healthy and happy 2s that range in age from 4 to better than 50. It seems to be a wonderful alternative for these birds.

[Bagsjr]

Originally Posted by isoscelestri

For me, I'd have to say I'm not interested in owning any of the larger birds. I think that they are beautiful, but I know I would be intimidated by their beaks and that they would figure this out. Knowing that my Parrotlet could not break my fingers gave me lots of confidence while handling it. If I had gotten a large bird and it had acted like my Parrotlet when I first got him, it would probably be spending most of it's time in it's cage.
My husband and I also have allergies, so we probably wouldn't consider any of the dusty birds like Toos (any size), Cockateils, and African Greys. In our current situation, we also wouldn't be able to own birds that may have loud cries either, I'd love to have a Sun Conure otherwise... maybe sometime down the road. My husband is in the Navy and we've been moving around a lot, so we never know what our housing situation will be; I'd have such a hard time parting with a bird if we have to live in an apartment and it was too noisy for that environment.

Yep Sun Conures can be REALLY loud.

[VictoriaRose]

Although I find them exquisitely beautiful, I would not want to own a Lori.. I hear they project excrement with surprising accuracy and distance! Correct me if I'm wrong. :P

If it came down to it though, I probably would enjoy having ANY bird if their personality was suited to mine.