Oh no... HELP!

[cashmerekiddy]

Well just to tell you of my experience..I had a rose breasted cockatoo that was a rescue bird that I handraised without any help from other family members. I was about 8 when my Dad brought him home, he was only just feathered. I attended to all his needs (I believe) and he was with me pretty much all the time that I wasn't at school. I believe that maybe this might be the exception rather than the rule, that a younger person might be capable of devoting their time to appropriately love and care for any animal long term.. but it can happen. Just sharing

[budgzie]

I have read that childern under ten shouldn't be given a pet..... I mean it's anoying finger training a bird as it is.....do you expect a little kid running home from school every day just to look after a bird? Why don't you get him a cat or a dog?

anyways thats what I read......=)

[parrotpainter]

I agree with the FACT that a smaller bird has A LOT of personality. Our cockatiel Buddy is the one we laugh at the most. He was originally my 11 year old son's birthday present, yes present, he had asked for one for over a year since the family already had Noah (a BF amazon) & Eagle (a budgie). Now Buddy is 10 years old and my son had gone off to college and will be getting married soon, we kept Buddy here because the whole family just adores him. Also believe it or not (and much to our surprise) my daughter also got a small bird as a gift (by an Aunt) for her 3rd birthday....we were not expecting that! It was a budgie named Eagle. That bird was spoiled by her til the time he died at age 6! He talked and repeated whistles etc. He had free flight of the house. That was one cool budgie! I do not think a Hahn's macaw is the best idea at all. Macaws are loud & nippy especially if they don't get enough attention. Please talk her out of that idea if at all possible. Nippy for a macaw or larger bird means blood, and maybe lots of it. Sennies (we have one) may also be a bad idea for a child as they tend to be (but not always) a very jealous bird and could easily bite (or aggressively attack!) anyone they don't want around. Good Luck!

[Muchi]

Originally Posted by anbrownucsd

Just a note... I hate it that people see the way that I am able to interact with Hermes and then decide that 'they want a bird too'. A lot of people expect that they can walk into a bird store and buy a bird just like my baby.

They think the bird will do tricks, start talking, lay in their hands and give them kisses, and not even poop on the floor! These are behaviors that I work on EVERY DAY. Not everyone should own a bird, but maybe all of us make it look too easy? I just hate it.... sorry for the complaint.

AGREED. I had Luen outside (in his cage) for a shower and sunbathing the other day and my 9 year old neighbour fell in love with him! He started harassing his mother for a galah and complaining very loudly... But while she was there, I grinned, pointed to the child whining and calmly told her a galah will be just like that, but louder and more constant, for the next 40-50 years She didn't seem to like that idea, but now they're thinking of getting a small bird if any bird at all.
I'm so grateful my neighbour (the mother) listened! It really annoys me when people don't THINK about what getting a pet means.

[Astrid660]

Originally Posted by huntress

1. A bird should never be a gift

I completely agree!

Also, just because they are cute and adorable babies in the pet store, doesn't mean they are going to stay that way! I'm sure she's tempted but remind her to do the research!

[kellywess]

I dont think I would agree that a Hahns would remove a finger, maybe put a hole in one. I think that the personality may be a bit too big for a seven year old definately. The Hahns is actually the same size or even a bit smaller than the senegal. I have a hahns, hes a bully, but definately not mean... or big enough to remove a finger.

[huntress]

I know of a seven year old that has the entire end of her finger from the last knuckle down removed by a conure of the same size. Seven year old fingers are small

[Courtzrocks]

I would say just pretty much no to a hahns for a kid. I was given a cockatiel when I was 3 as a pet. Ok maybe i didnt look after him much but i did play with him...however he is bonded with my mum and lives with her. But since about the age of 7 or 8 I used to tame cockatiels for a breeder up until about age 12. Then I was in charge of the wildlife birds we brought home to feed and teach them how to be a bird and not a human (which is easier said than done if you had hand fed them). I am 20 and have pretty much just bought my own birds this year. I know I can look after them and pay for all their expenses. So yeah, even though I love my cockatiel (even though he loves my mum) I would say no to pets as a gift...unless your mum is secretly wanting a bird and using your sibling as an excuse lol.

[huntress]

Originally Posted by anbrownucsd

I read this post out loud to my mom, at least she is very reasonable! She said that it would definitely be a family bird, and she would help with the care, but she would want him to spend most of the socialization time that the bird would get.

Now she is considering getting two lovebirds and caging them together. That way on days that the family is very buy they will still have each other. Is this a bad idea? Thanks for the reinforcement. Sometimes my mom doesn't listen to me, but she takes more note from what you 'adults' say :-) (I am 21... I guess I'll never be an adult to my mother).

Not a good idea at all. Lovebirds are weird for that - If you get two they will bond to each other and have absolutly no need for them and are extremely hard to keep tame that way. ONE lovebird makes a great family pet friend or even a small conure like one of the Pyhurras OR if they are looking for something different?? Grass parakeets are way cool. I have some to look at on my websight. The Bourkes make a canary like song in the evenings and Ive heard the males whistle tunes on occasion and the splendids are amazing to look at and SO different. Very docile and if hand rasied very friendly. They are not so hard to find anymore either. A child with a male Splendid Parakeet on his shoulder will surley get "noticed"!!

[kellywess]

Originally Posted by huntress

I know of a seven year old that has the entire end of her finger from the last knuckle down removed by a conure of the same size. Seven year old fingers are small

Wow thats crazy, I would never have thought it.