Finding my ideal bird

[kathyinfl]

I registered for the board because I'm in the midst of finding my perfect parrot species that I will get from the ideal parrot breeder.

I grew up raising budgies and tiels (outdoor aviary and everything) but I want a large parrot to integrate into my household and become part of my crazy family that consists of --husband who has no experience with birds but is an animal lover and excited about getting a bird, 19 year old daughter who is away at college most of the year, 8 year old daughter who is really good with animals, calm and focused, and excited about a bird, two dogs (7 year old boxer and 12 year old standard poodle) and a 13 year old declawed indoor cat.

What I'm looking for is--OK talking ability (doesn't have to be Grey level), OK with my 8 year old under supervision, extroverted personality, doesn't usually bond with one person and can be entertaining to watch in the cage (in case no one is around to supervise with my daughter with him/her).

Feel free to share your recommendations with me. Thanks.

kathyinfl

[Vankarhi]

Ok I just noticed nobody has answered you yet!!! So i will be the first and give you my opinion (for all it is worth. LOL). You said you wanted a larger bird. I have experience with 'toos (still own a galah...RB2) and presently also own an ekkie (female RS). Talkability, my ekkie is the best talker I have ever owned. she was saying hello at 4 months when I bought her home and now almost 11 months later, she is saying many words and phrases and sometimes even in context. I am now clicker training her and have taught her a few simple tricks, which she learned in no time at all. Noise level, she can be noisy at times, but not all the time. She loves to come out and be with us and loves to eat when we are eating, but is also quite happy amusing herself in her cage. She is not a real clown type bird, like what I have read about some of the birds here, but she does have her own way of having fun. I actually wanted an African Grey, but here in Australia they are about $6000 for a hand raised one, so unless I sell................we won't go there, basically I could not afford that. I would love a Macaw, but here they are about $7500 for a handraised one. So I set about researching and decided on an ekkie. Here they are between $600 and $1400 (bit more in my price range) and Skye was $800. They say ekkies don't like loud noises and houses, they like to be in a calm environment...............well my house is anything but quiet with 4 children still living here and 2 dogs as well as other birds (galah, budgie and cockatiels). The ekkies or at least my Skye is not a cuddle bug, or a love bug like other birds, but she does show me that she loves me and she does love to be out of her cage with me, just sitting on my shoulder or climbing all over my arms etc. She is good with my toddler who is only 3 and will go to anybody in my family who is willing to take her. She is a bit shy/wary of strangers and unless they are familiar with birds and I am around I do not normally hand her over to a stranger.

so here is one persons opinion, I guess you will have many more soon. Good luck and welcome. At the bottom of my signature (on my website) are pics of Skye and other pics, but you can see Skye with my 3 year old and others of her doing her tricks and just basic pics of her with us.

[Rue]

Well, your family sounds very similar to my family - and I've had 'tiels for over 20 years...but since January of this year we also expanded to a total of 9 birds, including two bigger parrots (but not huge)...

...I'd really really recommend the Pionus (any of the available pet species)...

...our White-cap is the overall favourite of my crew...

...I'm quite taken with my Amazon too...but she's my bird, not too happy to go to anyone else...doesn't 'play' with toys really, can be very LOUD -which the others don't appreciate quite as much as I do...and my crew find her a tad intimidating, so I'm hesitant to recommend an Amazon unless that's what you really want and are prepared for...

...the White-cap is perfect! He's friendly - will step up for any of us, plays with all sorts of toys...visits the cockatiels, has deep discourses with one of the budgies, cuddles...says his name and mimics the other birds...isn't too loud...loves car rides...

...the White-cap is the smallest of the available Pis, and said to be a bit more aggressive than the others...I think all of them are beautiful...their colours are subtle - they don't photograph well...but are amazing in the right light...they have, by far, the biggest - cutest - eyes of any bird I've ever seen!

Here are a few pics of my guy!

[Spinnergirl]

We all have our favs here, everybody is looking for something a bit different in a bird. We have birds here who, talk, sing, scream, destroy, you name it, these birds do it :)

Is eating a table O.K. ?? Some people here have birds that do that "Too".....it's crazy fun here on the BirdBoard.

It's serious too, but this place if full of info. And if you don't see it...ask. There is people here with all sorts of birds.

I have a wish list too, but it changes from time to time....what about a Caique?? Except I don't think they talk..not sure, but they are a blast from what I have been told (they are on my wish list) :)

Enjoy...........

[LivingFiction]

A pionus and an eclectus could both be excellent choices. If it's a macaw you're lusting after, consider the red fronted macaw. They are smaller than the big boys, but still plenty of bird. And from everything I've read about them, they seem to make great family birds. Check out: http://www.wendysparrots.com for more information on them and lots of other macaw species. I've also heard of Blue and Golds making good family birds.

Our little Hurley is not nice to strangers, so as much as I love quakers, I'd say they don't fit your profile. Feo is just a baby, so it's hard to tell, but he is very tolerant of strangers, even though he's started to show more preference lately.

Good luck with your selection! And welcome to Birdboard!

[paultheparrotlover]

Originally Posted by kathyinfl

I registered for the board because I'm in the midst of finding my perfect parrot species that I will get from the ideal parrot breeder.

I grew up raising budgies and tiels (outdoor aviary and everything) but I want a large parrot to integrate into my household and become part of my crazy family that consists of --husband who has no experience with birds but is an animal lover and excited about getting a bird, 19 year old daughter who is away at college most of the year, 8 year old daughter who is really good with animals, calm and focused, and excited about a bird, two dogs (7 year old boxer and 12 year old standard poodle) and a 13 year old declawed indoor cat.

What I'm looking for is--OK talking ability (doesn't have to be Grey level), OK with my 8 year old under supervision, extroverted personality, doesn't usually bond with one person and can be entertaining to watch in the cage (in case no one is around to supervise with my daughter with him/her).

Feel free to share your recommendations with me. Thanks.

kathyinfl

A blue crown Conure.

[LivingFiction]

Blue crowned conures are fantastic birds. One of the larger of the conure family. Large bird made me not consider conures, but if you're interested in a medium sized parrot, the blue crown is my favorite conure.

[Rue]

...if we're talking conure in general...the green-cheeks are adorable as well, with all the qualities you're looking for...

...that's what I originally intended to bring home...but of course hubby pipes up with ...

"If you're going to get another parrot, why don't you get one bigger than a cockatiel"...

...and the rest is history...

[Tiki]

My Quaker, Chaska is very sweet natured and very amusing. I guess it depends on how the Quaker is socialized-they are little birds with big personalities! I wouldn't count them out!

[kathyinfl]

Originally Posted by LivingFiction

A pionus and an eclectus could both be excellent choices. If it's a macaw you're lusting after, consider the red fronted macaw. They are smaller than the big boys, but still plenty of bird. And from everything I've read about them, they seem to make great family birds. Check out: http://www.wendysparrots.com for more information on them and lots of other macaw species. I've also heard of Blue and Golds making good family birds.

Our little Hurley is not nice to strangers, so as much as I love quakers, I'd say they don't fit your profile. Feo is just a baby, so it's hard to tell, but he is very tolerant of strangers, even though he's started to show more preference lately.

Good luck with your selection! And welcome to Birdboard!

I have been seriously looking at the macaws and have had several people recommend a Red Front and even wendysparrots. Thats good confirmation.

My daughter and I went to Parrot Jungle in Miami yesterday she fell in love the the Blue and Gold Macaw. My husband wants a Greenwing. But, I'm the primary decision maker since I have the most experience, limited as it it.

I'm just trying to talk to as many people as I can and, once I decide, I'll find a recommended breeder (like Wendy) and get a brand new baby just after weaning. I'll wait till next year if I have to. I want to do this right.

Thanks for the help.