buying my first bird

[awmgcg]

Thanks for all of the replies. Im not planning on jumping right into buying a bird (maybe within the next year hopefully). I want to make sure I get the right bird for me and my family. (my fiance and our 6 yr old). I have read alot about different birds and keep hearing that blue and golds are the best for a family, that they can get along with everyone, -not just bond with one person. I do have some experience with smaller birds-(cockateil, and finches)-from when I was younger, and my fiance owned an african gray and a blue and gold when he was a kid. I have held and petted macaws in Honduras but only for a short time. I will look into the other birds mentioned and see what I think. Thanks

[loyallyroyal]

Seriously though, dont buy into the upgrading bird thing. Make sure you get a bird your really want. I know I was told before my eclectus to get a budgie or a cockatiel which I didnt want.

I know Im glad I got the bird I wanted, he was perfect for my family and even my younger brother can handle him.

As long as you do your research and know what you are info, get the bird you really want.

[Cindy Q]

Wanted to say ditto what loyallroyal said. I don't agree with the starter bird concept unless right now thinking ahead you plan on a more then 1 bird family. Then you might want to start with the smallest bird on your want list. If you plan on being a 1 bird family, get what you want and don't settle for something else. I do agree with taking your time, doin a lot of reading and trying to get as much hands on experience with dream bird beforehand as you can and making sure before that it is a good fit because it is a lifetime commitment.

I had always wanted a macaw before I had any large birds. To me, my first experience with a parrot ever was with a macaw and its what I thought of when I heard parrot. Well, when the time came to add a bird to our family obviously I knew it would be a macaw. Well, lots of reading later I was scared that perhaps I was wrong. I got then what you're getting now. Lots of "Macaws are NOT for beginners", "...should have big bird experience", "...start with a smaller bird", etc etc... So, disappointed and determined to make the right decision for my young family I sought out something else. Brought home an african grey a few months later and was content for awhile but inevitably because she was never what I had really wanted the old desire crept up again. Had I known then what I know now, I may only have had my macaw that I finally did end up with, I would've gotten her first and been content and thrilled with my decision. I never intended to have a multiple bird home, it wasn't in the big plan. There are up sides though, if I had gotten her first I never would've gotten to bring home my other babies that I adore. I love my babies but truly it would've been nice for me to have followed a plan and stuck to it. If I had it to do over again, I would've taken my time and although reading is great, I wouldn't have relied on it for most of my knowledge, nothing beats actually meeting a bunch of birds in person to truly get a feel for what just fits. You may discover that its not even a macaw, but you decide that for yourself, don't be dissuaded on here.

[awmgcg]

thanks, that makes me feel better. that is what i was worried about. i only plan on having one bird so if i was to start with something smaller then i would eventually end up with more birds than i want. alot of people also recomend spending time with the large birds before deciding to purchase one....the problem with that is I have not found any pet stores in my area (Fort Wayne IN-surrounding area) that carry the large birds in their store. and i cannot find any breeders that are within a couple of hours driving distance. any advise on that?

[expressmailtome]

Originally Posted by awmgcg

i cannot find any breeders that are within a couple of hours driving distance. any advise on that?

You could check BirdBreeders.com - Bird Breeders Directory of Availability and Parrot Breeders .

Matt

[Lori~D]

"the problem with that is I have not found any pet stores in my area (Fort Wayne IN-surrounding area) that carry the large birds in their store. and i cannot find any breeders that are within a couple of hours driving distance. any advise on that?"
As express said bird Breeders is good place to star and Upatsix.com is also good. Do your research with breeders too. A few hours drive is a drop in the bucket when it comes to getting a quality healthy baby for a thousand bucks or so who will be with you forever. If you have a small child my suggestion is to stay away from pet stores. Find a good breeder you can trust-visit-visit-visit. Put yourself on a waiting list for a baby and wait for your baby to hatch and start handfeeding again then visit visit visit before bringing baby home. This way everyone (including said six year old) can live and learn this family member and it wont be such a huge transition for everyone and mostly for the bird. That beak will break a six year old finger in play. Also go to local Bird shows even if it means a two hour drive. You will meet breeders from all over your state there and can start your search that way. It may take you that year or two to even get close to finding what you really want if you do it up right. Dont fall in love with any baby - pick YOUR BABY. Again, its going to be with you FOR LIFE.
http://www.cicbc.info/bird-fairs.html
here is one a ways off but closer still...
November 02 - Ft. Wayne, IN - Hoosier Bird Buddies Annual Fall Bird Festival
Allen County Fairgrounds, 2720 Carroll Rd. (260)-244-9690 10am-4pm, Admission: $3, under 12 free.

[Birds4me]

I for one would like to speak up for macaws. I had an CAG and we decided to get a Blue and Gold Macaw. We had always wanted a large macaw. I didn't do the research that you have done, but we bought a baby that had finished weaning. Starting with a baby macaw the beak just grew with him. I've never been afraid of our macaws (yes, we loved them so much we added more!) Sometimes it is loud, but we live in the country and have no close neighbors, even if we did, it wouldn't be any louder than our neighbor that had breeding dogs.

Each of our 5 large macaws have a different personality and we love them all. Is it a lot of work, YES, what good thing isn't?

I would encourage you to continue to do your research and spend sometime with macaws and see if you fall in love with the big guys as much as we have. In my opinion a macaw bite or nip does not hurt as much as some of those smaller beaks. My CAG's bites hurt worst that a macaw because we have taught them the word gentle where the beak is concerned.

Good luck on your decision.

[Congobongo]

Honestly I think what is funny is that before I had one I thought they were HUGE and so intimidating. Now that I have one, I don't think that at all. But then Lola is a good girl. She is a crabby grouch at times but she never bites. She does 'cockadoodledoo' about once a day.

She is in her cage while I work. I leave the stereo on for sound. As soon as I am home she is out. She is my buddy. She sits on the back of my chair while I am online in the office. And then moves to her cage in the family room when I relax and watch TV. But, she is not locked in, she is sitting on top of it. At night I do lock her in her cage. She will wander sometimes.

My experience with Lola has been great. I just love her. But then, she is a good bird and honestly has no issues.

[Lotis9]

I would recommend spending some time volunteering at a parrot rescue where you know they have macaws. This way you can gain priceless experience not only caring for birds but understanding how things can go wrong and what to do when they do.