What kind of bird should i Get?

[brdfvr]

Originally Posted by safarichick101

Also, I realize all birds bite, and many can be trained to do it less, but i would like to avoid birds that are know for being especially nippy, because i have been bitten by a lovebird, and boy do those things bite hard!! I would like one that likes to play, but also can be content to just relax in the evenings or while i do my chores. Did i narrow it down at all?

and i can train them to except it as another pet, and not snack.

I think you have given a couple reasons why a green cheek conure would not be a good choice for you. While they are known to be cuddly, they DO bite and HARD!(and NO they don't have any dust, at least not that I can tell) But you must be prepared for a nip now and again from any bird that you end up getting. I also like to add, that most colleges only recommend that freshmen stay in the dorm for their first year, however it is not a requirement anymore. Also about the cat thing, I thought that I could train my cats at first too, but it only takes a second. Which is what happened to my first bird . Just be careful, especially if you decide to go with a smaller bird like a budgie. My cats now go running if you say their name when the birds are out so it can be done, but there still have been a couple of close calls.
I think a budgie would be a good start, if gotten from a good breeder, I was surprised how cuddly they can be, but all of the different birds that people have mentioned are good choices. I would recommend going to a breeder and seeing how each interacts with you, because no one can tell which will choose you. And make sure they are handfed, whichever you decide to get. I know I haven't narrowed it down at all, but that's just the nature of the question you're asking, no one can tell you, but you since you're the one making the decision in the end. Talk it out with your parents, they know your situation better than we do. Good luck with finding your new fid!

[jayyybirdddd]

Well I have a p'let and she needs alot more attention then 1-3 hours a day!

[Emmilyy]

I agree with everyone who suggested that a Green Cheek Conure would be a very good choise for you. I got a green cheek conure as my first bird as a gift about 6 months ago, but i think i might have chosen a different bird if i'd got to choose myself. Don't get me wrong, I ADORE Cookiebird, and wouldn't change her for another bird ever, but i still think i might have chosen differently. First of all, She thinks she's HUGE. She really has no idea she's so small. She attacks my poor chihuahuas whenever she has the chance. And she does nip, I've never been biten, but she'll bite almost anyone else. I've heard alot of Green Cheeks tend to be nippy, and this might become a problem for you since you seem to want a bird who won't bite.. As for the amount of attention, i think any type of bird should get as much attention as you can give them, even if it's "just" a budgie..

Does it matter how much noise the bird you get makes? I dont have any personal experience, but i've heard that cockateils are pretty loud, whearas I've heard that most Green Cheeks are relatively quiet...

I also think you should think about what bird's personality would fit with your family in the long run, because as already mentioned, most birds live for quite awhile and will be with you for a long time...

[Muffin]

I think everyone has given good recommendations.

I think a parakeet/budgie would be a good choice for a first bird, or even a pair of them. Their lifespan is a bit less at about 5 years (although they can live much longer). If you do go to a college someday where you would be unable to keep a pet, this may be a safer choice. Plus, a pair of keets could entertain themselves somewhat during the day while you are at school, especially if they have a large cage to fly around in and fun toys to explore.

I think a cockatiel is an excellent choice as far as personality, however they do have lifespans of 20+ years, which is something to consider.

Whatever bird you choose, I would highly recommend buying a young hand-raised bird from a reputable breeder, provided that you will have the time to spend with the bird every day. My two keets are from pet stores, and one of my cockatiels was given to me. Only one of my birds (a cockatiel) was hand-raised, and she is the most personable little thing. She loves to be around people more than anything. However, because of this she needs to be around people, whereas the other birds are content to just spend time with each other.

As far as gender, I can only speak of my own experiences. My hand-raised tiel is a female and loves to be pet and snuggled. She can be very affectionate, but is also somewhat temperamental. I think it's endearing, though. She's also pretty smart and knows a couple little tricks.

My other tiel is also a female but she came to me very afraid of people. I can now convince her to perch on my finger or shoulder using millet. If she wasn't so fearful I can tell that she would be very sweet because she has forgotten herself on a few occassions and came over to me to preen my eyelashes and whisper sweet nothings, until she realized what she was doing and flew away.

My keets are not very tame but the female seems to be adventurous and slightly bossy while the male seems fairly laid-back and cheerful.

Good luck with picking out your new bird!

[Peanutbutter]

lineolated parakeet.... beautiful, funny, active, like to hang upsidedown, a lot like tiels but more playful & have bigger poops ....


If I had done more research before getting tiels I probably would have adopted one or two linnies. Check out Lineolated Parakeet Forum - Linnie Forum Community they have a gallery with lots of pics... linnies are harder to find sometimes.

Cockatiels are also great birds (friendly, laid back, sweet), but the dander kinda gets to me. (toos, grays, and tiels are dusty/powder down birds that can be problematic for people with allergens)

I vote Linnie or Cockatiel..... but they are all great in their own ways! You can't go wrong so long as you research and prepare!

[beasbirds]

Another choice for you might be a little Bourkes Austrailian grasskeet, they are so pretty, very quiet, relatively inexpensive, and sweet. My little girl loves to hang out on my shoulder while I watch tv or read. She is a rosy pink colored bourkes. I had a cockatiel years ago and enjoyed him too. Check out the Bourkes! Just an idea -

[NotEnoughTime]

Originally Posted by Muffin

Their lifespan is a bit less at about 5 years (although they can live much longer).

The lifespan of a budgrigar (or budgie or parakeet as called in the USA) is about 10-15 years with proper care.

[Chief's Mom]

We have Spike, our rescue cockatiel, but he does not like to be handled. He was poorly socialized in his previous home (by my mother-in-law ) and so he's perfectly content watching everyone else from his safe spot. He does whistle and loves his spray baths and we've given him a rather large cage with plenty of different toys to play with since he doesn't like to get out much. I think a cockatiel is a great first bird if chosen and trained wisely from the beginning. Obviously this didn't happen for Spike, but many cockatiels grow up with families and are just as interactive and talkative as some of the larger species are known for.

Spike is probably my dustiest bird, but I keep an air purifier next to his cage and he gets a spray bath every other day or so. It's also suggested that you spray a light mist of water over their cage paper before chaging it to keep the dust on the paper from flying into the air. Frequent cage cleaning is the best way to avoid dust issues with teils, toos, and greys. But if there is someone in your home that has severe allergies, you may want to reconsider getting a cockatiel althogether.

I also think conures are wonderful birds for teens/young adults as they are smaller versions of the big guys. Most conures don't know that they're not as big as a macaw! But with that wonderful personality comes attitude. A conure would have to be a decision made by the whole family as it's life span is typically longer than a budgie or a tiel. They also require a lot of attention, athough not necessarily one-on-one, but they have to be a part of the going-ons of the household. They can also be loud as I'm sure you've researched. They tend to be nippy, or take longer to learn that they can't play rough with the thin skin between your fingers or your ear lobes

I know sometimes the comments can sound pretty harsh on here when a teenager asks about getting a bird, but you have to understand where we're coming from. I know a lot of us, including me, haven't been on vacation for years because we can't take the birds or can't find someone capable or trustworthy enough to take care of them while we're gone. We just want to stress the importance of how many things may change in the next 5-8 years that could have a serious effect on you owning a bird. Your parents must be on-board 100% with the understanding that they may be the caretaker of the new bird at some point in time should you no longer be available to do it, even if only temporarily (spring break, senior trip, study abroad, honeymoon, etc.). And as always money for proper vet care, food, plenty of stimulating toys, etc. is also something you have to constantly keep in mind. Are your parents able and willing to help you out when you have no cash flow? Again I'm not trying to discourage you at all. I wish everyone could experience the joy of having birds in their lives, but this is part of understanding the commitment it takes to keep one of these magnificent creatures.

Deep down I still believe that the right bird finds you Good luck!

[Astrid660]

Research is the most important thing. Once you've done enough research the answer will come to you, as far as the right bird for your situation. I don't think cockatiels are all that dusty (especially compared to my Cockatoo!) but some people do have reactions to it.. Bathing them often is important. Make sure you don't buy a bird on impulse, as there is no rush. Make sure your family is on the same page. My parents did not want me to have birds, and I had to try and convince them for many months before they gave in and let me purchase a budgie. It gave me time to do the proper research too, so in a way it all worked out! I also had to wait years before adopting the large birds I have now, and the whole time I was reading about them and I knew what I was getting into (to a certain extent - having them is still hard to explain, no matter how much you read it doesn't always prepare you for everything they do, lol).

[Muffin]

Originally Posted by NotEnoughTime

The lifespan of a budgrigar (or budgie or parakeet as called in the USA) is about 10-15 years with proper care.

I have heard that lifespan average of 10 - 15 years and because of this had thought that my 8 year old parakeet was only a bit past middle age. My avian vet corrected me and told me that he was actually pretty old for a budgie as they only live 4 - 6 years on average. She said that she does have a couple of budgie patients in their teens, but in her opinion that is a rare occurrence. Have you known many parakeets that have lived 10+ years? I am curious since I have heard both averages.