Help me pick the right bird!!

[maproffitt]

Hello! My husband and I have been doing some research on parrots trying to find the right bird for my family. We first became interested when we went to Parrot Mountain in Pigeon Forge, TN. After visting there the first time I was hooked on wanting to get a Parrolet, but after returning a second time I think a cauque might be the best. Also wanted some input on a ringneck... I have a 10 year old small dog, and a 19 month old son. I stay at home with my son. Any advice which might be better for my family.

[christie99]

I know that parrotlets are a tiny bird with a big bird mentality. They are high energy and can be extremely friendly!!

I don't know much about caiques, but they can be expensive. I have heard that they don't fly much and prefer to walk around more.

I am an owner of an Indian Ringneck and know the ups and downs of having one. They are really a one person bird, and can be agressive towards the other members of the family. Their beak can cause damage when they bite, which can bruise/bleedand be painful. They need daily interaction from their people. They can learn to talk, and can be very loud when they scream.

In the same breath, I can tell you that they can be very loving birds towards their chosen person. They are playful, inquisitive, and love to chew things! I keep tons of soft wood things for my bird to chew and turn into toothpicks.

They do well on a pellet/seed/fresh food diet. My IRN love papaya and will do almost anything for it. A big cage is needed, I use one that is meant for an African Grey that way there is pleanty of room for toys, perches, and that long tail. Their estimated lifespan is about 30 years.

If more people don't answer here, go to the threads meant for the species of bird that you are looking at and ask there. The people on here are very knowledgeable and will help you out!

Thanks for doing your research ahead of time!!!

[kaireece]

HI
I am new to parrots, and we just got a quaker parrot. She is an absolute delight! My four year old and 19 month old hold her and pet her and have her step up for them. So far no bites;) She is also not very loud - she vocalizes in the late afternoon for a short bit but other than that is pretty quiet. She loves to play on her own, but will also be held and petted.

good luck deciding.

[RingneckedPrincess]

Lemme tell you something...my caique LuBelle hates children (well she HATES everyone but me really) but she will go out of her way to try to stalk them. She is never out when the two little ones are over. Yes Caiques are adorable when they are young...but they mature and I have found are one person birds. Lu will NOT go to anyone else. I think other's birds are the opposite but that is my experience with them.

Now, not all caiques are like this, I think something happened before I got her. Just fair warning that caique bites are the most painful I have ever experienced and I have been bitten by big macaws and a cockatoo. They have a needle like point and the edges of the beak are like razors and they know how to use them.

I would go with a tiel if I had a small child in the house. Tiels tend to be a bit more forgiving...if you can say that about a bird species. They are sweet and loving.

Anyone else have any ideas?

[maproffitt]

Out of all the bird owners I only get 3 responses!! Come on now!! I need HELP!!

[Willow]

I would choose a Pionus - probably a Maxi Pi or a Bronze Wing.

[loyallyroyal]

well it depends,
Cockatiels are great! Friendly sweet, not very nippy/bitey. A bit to dusty and dirty for my taste.

My experience with Caiques is a lot different from the other poster, my friend has one who is 5 blackheaded I believe who just loves everyone, into everything and a fast little bugger.

Eclectus is what I have, I have a little boy and Im a bit biased. They are more work than say a cockatiel, but the lack of dust definitely won me over. The diet might be a bit tricky though for some people.

oh Linnies! Lineolated parakeets may be small but they are the sweetest little guys, people really tend to over look them, I dont understand why they are not very popular.

Have you looked at different types of conures? Ill be honest though, the louder ones like the sun conures drive me crazy with that high pitched shriek, I like green cheeks and the quieter ones.

A word to the wise though, getting a bird from a breeder who well socializes them makes all the difference in the world. How can you expect say a bird who has been raised in say PETCO to know how to live in a family situation. They have never been taught to live in a home with a family.

I would really look for a breeder like this: Pamperedpeeps Aviary-* Eclectus, Solomon Island Eclectus
where the babies are raised with the family and are well socialized

[guest1717171]

that breeder is in AZ :D
i've considered looking into adopting from them...they seem very nice

[birdlover912]

What breed type is your dog? Is it prey motivated? Some terriers can't be kept with birds because the danger of the birds being harmed. If your dog knows basic comands like "stay" or "leave it" you probably won't have a problem as long as they are supervised when they are together.

A bigger bird (not a budgie, finch, parrotlet, etc.) might be a better choice for your family. Small birds get lost easier, can generally fly better, and could potentially get into trouble with your younger son or dog.

Cockatiels are such great birds! They aren't too big or too small, they don't make a lot of noise, they are sweet, usually get along with kids (who respect them), and they are easy to find. One of my first birds was my cockatiel Lady. I've had her for 10 years now, and she still hasn't bitten me. She nibbles sometimes, but it doesn't hurt. She isn't a one person bird; she will eagerly hop onto anyone's finger--kid or adult. The only drawback is that they aren't good for allergy sufferers because of thier dander.

If you don't mind a lot of loud noise, a well socialized conure might be a good choice. They are upbeat, always moving parrots. Some of the smaller ones like green cheeked conures can be nippy when they are young, but they love to snuggle and play!

As for caiques, they are beaky birds which could scare your children. They usually don't have any intention to bite, they just nibble and use their beak like a third foot.

[Halo]

Go to a pet store, aviary, or rescue and see if a bird picks you. We can all tell you what birds we have that work with children (my Goffins, Mexican Red Head Amazaon, Tiel, Keet, Quaker) and what doesn't work with our children (My GCC, macaw, white fronted amazon) but that doesn't mean that species doesn't work or won't work for you. Some people feel that a certain species isn't fit for a home with kids while others think they do. No one can really decide what works for you but you.