Doing recerch for a new pet (Distant future..)

[Paralor]

Me and my father want to be raising some kind of large parrot, with our combined knowledge we want to raise one, but.. Oh, the choices! Now, I know that a lot of you here have some kind of bird, weather it's an African Grey or an Eclectus or even the bigger Mac caws.. What would make a good choice (assuming money was no issue, and space was no issue.) and why based on your own pets? I hope this is a good spot for this kind of thread.

[mmr]

First off the important question is do you have any "bird" experience?

Knowledge isn't everything. Any bird experience needs to be addressed first.
Then I will advise you of my 2 cents!

Also if you don't mind me asking how old are you?

[cockatiel92]

yea i agree with mmr you can have so much knowlege of birds but no amount of knowledge beats experience. when i got my first bird i knew alot about them but it turned out to be harder than i thought. even tho they were 2 budgies. well now i have so much experience with birds that iv had a green cheek conure and a cockatiel and the experience i aquired really helps with my cockatiel. but if your goint to raise a bird, which i think you mean hand raise a hatchling either go for a cockatiel or budgie for your first time.

[loyallyroyal]

What do you mean by raising????
Handfeeding?? If you are reffering hand feeding, plus this being your first bird and i'm assuming if neither one of you has handfeeding experience.
I would say, no decent breeder with a brain in between their ears would give you a bird. I'm no bird expert but I've read tons of horror stories of people buying unweaned birdies and the bird dying on them.

First off, what is an issue then? Is noise an issue? Talking ability? Cuddliness? How about time? Effort? Talking ability? The birds diet? Lifespan? Do you have any other pets?

Do you have any bird or even pet experience.

For the bird you get, that is entirely up to you. Find one that fits into your lifestyle.
Try going to your local bird store and meet diff. types of birds see which you like best. Talk to local breeders too and visit your local bird fairs.

Now my eclectus Dewey, is my baby! He is my first birdy, and the best b-day present ever (that was a coincidence I had been looking at ekkies and breeders for over a year).
I wouldn't describe him as cuddly, he loves to be held and preen my hair though, He is very playful and into anything and everything (especially the rabbits, he likes to climb on their backs). He also has a specialized diet so I am cooking for him once a week.

Based on my bird, Dewey is perfect for me, he is not ear-piercing like a cockatoo, love everyone in the family, is easily entertained while I am gone (Just stick a movie on for him, he likes to sing along to musicals), doesnt freak out at new things like all the african greys I know, and the lack of dust.

Depending on your age will you be taking the bird when you go to college? If so you will have to find a bird friendly apartment, and that also limits how noisy your bird can be.

You may also want to check out the smaller birds too though, such as green cheeks, budgies, diff types of parakeets (ringneck, plum-headed, ect.) Don't write them off just because they are smaller.

Since this a joint effort with your Dad you should have an easier time, Dewey is soley my responsibility so he is a lot more work on my part, but very worth it.

Good luck in getting a bird, do lots of research, meets lots of diff. types, and be open to all sorts of birds.