Anyone know of a good book

[maproffitt]

Doing research for the right bird for my family any suggestions on a book that might give me some good insight??

[mmr]

What are you looking for in a bird?

[maproffitt]

i was thinking of a parrolet, ringneck, or caiques. not sure yet I have a 19 month old and 1 10 year old small dog and 2 cats so a social bird that likes to be held. Im a stay at home mom so i have the time for the teaching.

[mmr]

I think you will get better advice off here than a book. Just wait people will post!

Unfortunatly I have an umbrellaa cockatoo, Blue and Gold Macaw, and a blue fronted amazon, so I don't know anything about the one's you mentioned.

[Eliza]

Mattie Sue Athan's Guide to Companion Parrot Behavior gives an overview of the most popular species of parrots out there, although it is admittedly lacking in information specific to parrotlets. It also gives some great information in the care and keeping of a parrot, including handling and socializing. It's a great book to have on hand IMO.

There are two dummies books out there that also give an overview of popular parrots species, their care and their keeping: Parrots for Dummies and Birds for Dummies. Both are interesting reads. I don't own this book but have flipped through it; it's kind of interesting: A Parrot for Life.

Keep in mind that each parrot is an individual. There is never any guarantee that a parrot will like to be held or petted, like a dog or cat. If anything, parrots like to be able to move about freely and play of their own accord. That's not to say that they don't enjoy or won't seek out human attention, of course. I just worry when people say that they want a bird that they can hold or cuddle. Parrots are prey animals and as such, instinctively may not seek out such interaction.

HTH,

-e-

[Barb E]

I don't recommend any small birds since you have a small dog and cats. That eliminates the Caique, parrotlet, and ringneck.... sorry. BTW, Caiques and parrotlets are little birds with HUGE personalities and can be quite noisey and demanding of your time.

I suggest a large bird like a macaw, amazon... what is your noise tolerance? How much time do you realistically have with all your other responsibilities.
A parrot isn't just a pretty bird to look at - they need alot of attention like your kids do.

Don't be deceived by a birds size - small birds can be as or more demanding and aggressive as large birds are assumed to be.
My Meyers is very dominant in my family and the macaws are more easy going. They all want lots of attention but maybe the Meyers is content with less than the macaws.

[Addicted to Tequila]

I do NOT recommend Macaws or Amazons!!!! Not with a toddler... no way... no HOW! Not if you are planning on teaching him to count on his fingers at some point.

Do not get me wrong... large parrots are not more viscious, neither are toddlers. The fact is... toddlers like to poke at things and parrots generally do not like to be poked. Go figure. Couple those very logical facts with beaks that can snap branches, and small squishy fingers... and you are taking your chances.

The caique could be a handful as well... they can be a bit more prone to biting (and HARD) than a good deal of other choices.

My suggestions would be some of the conures (Blue-crowned, Sun), a few of the ringnecks (moustached, Derbian), a well socialized Goffins Cockatoo, or perhaps a very few very well behaved Amazons... but that would definitely be on a bird-by-bird basis!

I worry less about protecting the bird from the dog and cat than I do of protecting the bird and baby from each other!

[Cece4]

personally Id go with the common old cockatiels....im a big fan, they are the sweetest, easiest going birds ever.My 7yo has no problem handling them either.Ive got 4 and have yet to be bitten hard, even by the two wild rescues..im sure some must bite hard but mine dont.Not like our bossy Greencheek conure, who bites everyone.

[Eliza]

Originally Posted by Cece4

personally Id go with the common old cockatiels....im a big fan, they are the sweetest, easiest going birds ever.My 7yo has no problem handling them either.Ive got 4 and have yet to be bitten hard, even by the two wild rescues..im sure some must bite hard but mine dont.Not like our bossy Greencheek conure, who bites everyone.

That's a good point -- Cockatiels are really one of the best parrots out there. They are quite pretty, entertaining and more often than not, rather laid back.

-e-

[Tom Lawless]

I was going to suggest a cockatiel too. They seem to do well with families and children and are quite nice birds. I'd recommend finding one that was hand-fed and used to being handled. Years ago I had two that were not and they never got tame to the point that they'd be on me watching t.v. at night like the two monsters I currently own.

I'm going to give a plug for my little Hahns Macaw too. He can be a bit nippy, not biting or drawing blood, but he is a great little guy and I have heard that they can do well in family situations. Don't take my word for it without doing more research but he really is a great little guy.

Of the Amazons I've heard the Mexican Red Head can be better with children than others but I don't have a lot of personal experience with Amazons.

Find a good bird breeder or reputable bird store and visit and meet different birds there. Sometimes a certain bird will just take to a person or family and all of the guidelines fly out the window.

Good luck.