Oh no... HELP!

[anbrownucsd]

Hello All,

I spoke to my mom on the phone this morning and she has me worried sick!. My little brother (who is a doll, btw) is turning 7 next week. He has absolutely fallen in love with my Senegal Parrot, and he wants a bird for his birthday. I was thinking that my mom would get him a smaller bird that was easier to take care of, like a Parakeet or a Cockatiel... but no! She went to a local bird store and now she is considering a Hahn's Macaw! She also really liked the Senegal babies for him.

She told me that he wouldn't like a smaller bird because they have less personality! (offended gasp, I loved the Cockatiel I had when I was a child). I am worried sick because my family is extraordinarily busy. They work all of the time and they live on a ranch with TONS of other animals. Three dogs, five cats, a ton of chickens.... it goes on.

My brother is very young and I don't know if he could take good care of a larger and more difficult bird, I also don't know that my mom will have the time to help him. What should I recommend to her to get him instead. Also, am I just being ridiculous? Would any of you get a 7 year-old a bird, and if so what kind?

Thanks

[Poohsbirds97]

That's a tough one. I personally would not give a 7 yr old a bigger bird. I am in the lines with you, small cockatiel or parakeet. He may out grow wanting a bird once it is "his" bird to take care of and then what? I know my boys love our birds but if they had to do all for them that I do.........no way would they have one, they just don't take the time to slow down. Not sure this helps, but just a thought.

[Izzy]

Also, senegals and hahns macaws are REALLY good at intimidating people! My meyers is the sweetest bird in the world, but she will try and scare my roommate because she knows she can get away with it. A seven-year-old is gonna be terrified of a bird if it gives him a big bite!

Hahns macaws are also loud - it's not like a seven year old will know where he'll be living 15-20 years from now! Senegals, as you know, can be loud as well, I know people who have been evicted because of their senegals!

My cockatiel is awesome. She actually has more personality than my meyers...she's kinda a spoiled brat! I would recommend a tiel for sure, as long as your mom is ok with cleaning and caring for it if need be. Actually, I would probably recommend two tiels, as then they'll have each other when your brother gets busy (like in high school). Two males or two females, but with females you have to worry more about egg laying. I'd go with two handfed males from a breeder. Or a single male if your mom will still give it attention if your brother gets bored with it. Two same-sex tiels should stay friendly and tame as well.

[Amie]

I think I got "my" first bird when I was 9. My mom had Greys growing up and was a foster parront, so we always had birds, but MY first bird was a beautiful lovie named Dawn. Beautiful. She hung out with me constantly, and I loved her, and when she died when I was 12, I was heart broken (necropsy showed she had a congenital defect in her heart, and the vet was amazed whe made it to 3 years old!)

And, my little lovie would have A LOT to say to your mom about smaller birds not having personality!! She was a complete birdie genius. She discovered how to get out of every cage we got her until we finally had to resort to padlocking the cage when leaving (we also had yorkies. . .who like to chase and try to eat little lovies!). She learned to chirp along during my clarinet and piano practice, and would sit on the barre and watch me practice ballet for hours, just chirping along to the music. That little baby was my heart.

I actually cannot ever own another lovie because she ruined me!! Every time I look at one, I get so sad and miss her. . .and it's been well over a decade since she died!!

And, I have to admit, that my mother made sure she was properly fed, watered, and cleaned the first year I had her. I was required to "help" her do this every time, but she just didn't trust me enough to do it myself. And looking back, I think she was probably right.

[Buteo]

I read the post out loud to my mom and when I came to the part about smaller birds not having enough personality, our Budgie went ballisitic!

OOOOOO if only your Mom could hear the scolding she's getting right now from Petey!!!!!!

"KEETKEEEEEEETkeeetKEETKEEEEETKEETKEETKEET! Petey's such a handsome blue budgie! Petey's smart budgie too! Petey kisses Mom & Mom loves her Peteybird. Petey loves Mom too. He's her precious little bird. Puppy's love Petey! Everybody loves Petey! Petey is blue and talks a blue streak! Petey's SPECIAL! KEETKEET!"

I agree that unless it's the perfect bird, a Sennie might be a bit more than a 7 year old can handle -especially if your family is so busy.

[huntress]

1. A bird should never be a gift
2. A seven year old is not old enough to make decisions on the responsibility of a living creature.
3. The bird will need to be thought of as HER responsibility.
4. A Hahns Macaw brought up by inexpirienced bird owners will possibly remove a finger from a seven year old in a heartbeat and what would happen to it then? Euthanasia? A Closet? A Garage sale?
5. Have they thought about the noise level and mess that another small child will be in the house demanding attention?? Thats what a longer lived parrot will be like.
6. Are they ready to invest a few hundred dollars in bird, a few more in vetting, a few more in a humane size cage, a few more in toys and foods?


Just some ideas to bring up? Hope you can get them to either change their mind about weather they will buy there kid a bird or weather they will invite a bird into the family (big differance)

[catschair]

I agree -- would definitely go for a smaller bird. Heck, I am 50 and don't think I am grown up enough for a "big" bird. Maybe if he started to save money to buy his bird....and you can see how dedicated he is to the idea, and how he prioritizes it vs his other interests. You can help make a list of everything a bird might need. Maybe even take him to the pound or a rescue and help him pick out a bird from there?

[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).

[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.

[catschair]

No, your mom will never REALLY think you are a grown up. My dad is 86 years old and when we drive together, he is very helpful at telling me...."oh you need to stop". Lord love the man, I have been driving for 35 years and always wondering why they had those octagonal red signs everywhere.