Hi newbie here: wondering should I get a parrot or not, and if so which species?

[gero]

Hello everyone

I have owned a cockatoo parrot in the past. He died September 2007 (an inoperable tumour). Until recently I could not consider adopting another bird. But I am starting to wonder about getting another bird, preferably a different species so I am not always comparing my new bird with my much loved and still missed old one.

At this stage I am still doing my homework: I am looking for an avian vet in my area. I am looking for a trustworthy breeder in my area. I am looking for a support group of other parrot owners in my area (I live alone and I want to give my parrot a chance to socialise with other humans/birds - and give me a network of bird-wise friends to hang out with). These have been difficult to find (I live Tyneside, U.K.) If you have any recommendations then I would be grateful to hear from you.

I am working on the assumption that I would buy a hand-reared baby from a breeder (because my first parrot was hand-raised and a totally loving bird from day one until the day he died). I have read that a parent-reared bird would be a better choice i.e. better for the bird. If you have any advice about this, then I would like to hear from you.

I have considered getting a 'rescue parrot' but I am not sure I have enough experience with parrots to take on a bird with serious behavioural problems. In any case, there does not seem to be a parrot rescue centre in my region. If you have advice about adopting an older bird from a rescue centre (or know of a rescue centre in my area) then I would like to hear from you.

I currently live in an apartment, so for my neighbours' sakes I want a reasonably quiet species. I am thinking about a Senegal, Quaker, or maybe an African Grey (although I have heard the latter have a very loud scream when excited). If you can recommend another fairly quiet species then I would be grateful to hear from you.

I am thinking about getting a parrot at this stage in my life because I am giving up work in October 2009 to go back to university and do another Ph.D. I will therefore be home for most of the day and able to socialise a baby parrot for the first few years of its life (a Ph.D. takes on average 4-5 years to finish). After I complete my doctorate, I plan on doing part-time work therefore there should not be a sudden change of routine for the parrot. I am not sure that combining a baby bird and a Ph.D. is a good idea! Has anyone experience of doing this? I would be glad to hear from you.

Many thanks.

Regards, Gero

[meltedrose]

Quakers are awesome, my next door neighbor had one, but had to get rid of due to loud noise complaints, since then he's gotten an even worse noisemaker bird and hasn't had any complaints...which doesn't make sense. Anyways, Senegals are sweet and can be really loud, but are mostly quiet. Parrotlets and lovebirds are quiet, and playful. Cockatiels are small and very apartment friendly. Pionus, but they are expensive. Some Caiques are quiet. I have a Green Cheek Conure and he makes a lot of beeps, but are very silent no one in this apartment complex or my family in the apartment can hear him too well unless you get closer to him. He is very sweet, handraised, cuddly, attention hog, cute little guy. Everyone loves him.

But whichever bird you choose is wholly up to you since you'll be the leader and caretaker of a bird 20-35+ years.

[expressmailtome]

Welcome to Bird Board! As for finding a breeder I would check BirdBreeders.com - Bird Breeders Directory of Availability and Parrot Breeders . This is a great site that lists birds available from many different breeders around the country. The breeders are also rated by people who have brought from them. You can read the reviews. I am not sure where you heard that a parent raised baby would be better but hand raised are much better if you wish to interact with your bird physically. On this site: The Association of Avian Veterinarians | Association you can find lists of avian veterinarians. I am not sure what species would be best though. I hope that this helps some!

Matt

[chapala]

You might want to look into the various Pionus species - might work well in an apartment. I think they're quite beautiful, and they are said to be fairly quiet.