Just doing some research...

[MadCatter]

Hello all =)

I am just trying to do my research on different birds before I make any decisions. I'm currently still a highschool senior, and will be staying instate (at home) for college the first year or two. Since the parents wouldn't allow even something as small as a zebra finch in the house, I'm stuck with researching until I can both afford and provide for a bird (namely.. stuck until I save up for a parrot and have moved to an apartment for the last bit of my college life out of state).

So far I've fallen in love with eclectus and bronze winged pionus. I love the idea of a good talker in an eclectus, but it seems as though pionus are even quieter than eclectus and would be safer in an apartment, and it seems as though pionus have wonderful personalities.

What are some pros and cons of a pionus? (specifically Bronze winged). I hear they are harder to get ahold of in the united states, but the top price I've seen haven't been more than an inexpensive eclectus (a price I was expecting anyway). Is their quieter nature really as safe for apartments as I've read? How are pionus (or birds in general) around fishtanks (it would be covered so they wouldn't drown, but it still has cords and equipment)?

I'd most likely end up about 3 hours south of Chicago for school, are there any reputable breeders in the area, avian vets? I know that vet bills for a simple cat checkup can be large.. what should I expect for a pionus, or bird in general?

I'd most likely be in a studio apartment - single room, with add on bathroom, small kitchenette, maybe a closet (haha).. I'd most likely have a twin bed with a tv, computer, dressor with fishtank on it, and the cage - ap. 2'X2'X3'. Can you guys think of any hazards I should be sure to "parrotproof"?

Sorry for all of the questions! They just came spewing out of me, and I'm just so interested in having a bird. I'd like to be as prepared as possible to bring home a friend that I'll have for most of my life.


Thanks a TON for all help!

p.s. I don't party.. so I'd have plenty of time to spend with my bird friend ;)

[Alika]

Hi and welcome to the board!

Unfortunately, I can't really answer your specific pionus questions, especially about bronze-winged. I only know what I've heard about them, and that is that they are great birds that are usually over-looked. It sounds like you have done extensive research to reach this conclusion, and I think a pionus is a great starter bird that will fit your needs.

I can, however, talk about birds and aquariums a bit. As long as the aquarium is covered, and you have indicated that it is, I think it is great to have both in the same home. My birds enjoy watching my fish, particulalry my cockatiel, who will watch them for hours. They have never even tried to open the hood and dive in. In fact, I have actually perched them on the lip with the hood open while I fed the fish, to give them another perspective. I think it's enriching for them.

Furthermore, consider locating the cage in view of the aquarium so that your bird can watch the fish when you're gone.

The biggest thing about the stuff you've mentioned parrot proofing is the wires. They can and will chew on them, so the best thing to do is to limit the access. Organize your cords and hide them behind furniture as well as possible with zip ties and tape. Then offer a playstand and activities that your bird can do when it is outside it's cage so it will be less tempted to get into the stuff it's not supposed to play with.

The risk from those things is minimal, though, since, ideally, you'll be supervising your bird during any out of cage playtime, anyway. The bigger risks come from things like ceiling fans, pots of boiling water, and open toilets. You can further minimize this risk simply by keeping the bird's wings clipped.

Again, welcome to the board! I am very impressed by the research you have done and the knowledge you already show. I, for one, am looking forward to hearing about your bird when you finally get it. Hope you'll stick around... you won't be the only one on this board waiting to get their first fid!

[MadCatter]

Many thanks for the quick reply =D If the bird ends up anything like my cat, I'll have to hide all the food containers also (my cat finds the fish food just as exciting as the actual fish). The tank would definately be well covered, since the three species I currently have living in it are known to be escape artists - maybe I should have the bird warn me if/when a fish jumps out

I'll be sure to stick around. I still have more birds to research, and this year already is going by so fast.. only a year or two until my first fid, and I'm already so obsessed and excited its almost painful!

I'm weighing the different pros and cons of wing clipping vs. flighted birds carefully. Are pionus easy to train? If I was to have a flighted bird I'd need to be sure that they will come back to me. I'd also rig up bed sheets around and doors sort of like the "double walkways" at zoo aviaries.. that way the bird wouldn't be able to see the outside and it would take some work to get through the sheets. I've heard horror stories of bids perching on top of doors, only to have them get closed too fast x.x I'd also like to harness train a bird (I would never take a bird outside without a harness or cage.. I'd be too afriad that my training wasn't good enough, despite all the indoor work) - I hope I have a patient bird don't want to ask too much of them.

Oooh.. just thought of something.. I've read that birds are extremely sensetive to odors and fumes of sorts, including teflon from nonstick pans... How safe is the smell of shampoo/conditioner, or even dishsoap? Would it be smarter to buy organic soaps, or odorless?

Thanks again for the tips! I need to start putting together a "bird folder". I've already started saving up for a "bird fund" which like I said.. I just can't seem to wait for.

[Rue]

Wellllllll......I have a White-cap, not a bronze-wing...but I gotta say...

PIONUS ARE PERFECT!!!

If you're planning on a bird while at university/college...make SURE you have the time...they really should be out a wee bit in the morning...and then most of the evening...try for a min. of 3 hours a day...mine are averaging 5...

...if it doesn't happen every day (ie. a long day of midterms), not to worry as long as they're out most of the time...

Pionus are relatively quiet...that is, quiet for a parrot...I'd say they're about as loud as 'tiel full-blast, but have a deeper voice so it's not as edgy...and they're not loud all the time...mine has 2-3 bouts a day...but mostly I tend to enjoy them as he makes a variety of noises - including mimicking the other birds and talking...

They're beautiful birds as well...babies look dull but slowly come into full colour - but it may take as long as two years for that to happen...they also don't photograph that well, so photos never look as good as the real thing...

I'd get a bigger cage than what you suggested, esp. for a bronze-wing...they're very large...even my WC has a bigger cage and he uses all of his...

...in your situation...in a small apartment...I'd clip the wings...

As far as odours go...birds are very sensitive...and again, in your situation where everything is right 'there', all the various cooking and personal odours concentrated and maybe not enough ventilation...I'd be very careful indeed...

Like you suggested, min. on the amount of compounds and fragrances you use should do it...

Things I'd avoid: air fresheners, Febreeze, scented candles, strong perfumes and body sprays (my 15 year old son's Axe is enough to do me in... ), oven cleaners, strong bathroom cleaners, teflon-coated cookingware -although I still feel one frying pan carefully used under ventilation is safe...

...if you avoid the above, and min. where ever else you can, you should be fine...

[MadCatter]

My house right now is filled with air purifiers - perhaps if I got a couple small ones and placed them near the kitchen-area, and the bird cage?

As for not being photogenic, I've read some stuff saying that their natural colors seem to come out in direct sunlight. The thing I love about the coloration of the bronze winged pionus is how it doesn't even look very much like a parrot, but has that same cuteness to the face. Their feathers look like sparrows! Such a strange color pattern if you ask me, but thats what I love about it (I could say the same about my hideous fish - they sure aren't pretty but they can do some really neat things )

Tell your son.. that from the very honest opinion of a 17 year old female.. that AXE IS THE DEVIL, and he should discontinue use immediately! Not only for the sake of himself, but for the rest of the family as well

[Stizby]

MadCatter:

I adopted a baby blue and gold macaw this September from a breeder located just outside of Lansing, MI. She breeds bronze-wings and white caps and I greatly admired them while I made weekly visits to my macaw while he was weaning. I was at her place last Thursday buying seed mix and she showed me a baby bronze-wing that thought it was an eclectus -- it was in a large cage with 3 baby ekkies just hanging out with them!

I think the little chirps the bronze-wings make are adorable and they do seem like sweet little birds. You can check out the breeder's website -- I think she has pictures under "babies available". Her website is: www.thecuckoosnest.net
The owner is named Vickie Barlow and I know that she would be happy to answer any of your questions. If you should decide to communicate with her, tell her that Kelly Reed said you should contact her.

By the way, the photos of the bronze-wings just simply does not do them justice. Their colors are outstanding in person.

[MadCatter]

Hoot! Thanks lots! I'll be sure to add that to my favourites and check out the site. I'd be willing to drive quite a ways for a good breeder - my only problem is that I am HORRIBLE with directions, and tend to get lost anywhere moer than 3 miles outside of my own house, hah!

Thanks again, I'll be sure to remember your name also when I contact her

[Eliza]

Originally Posted by Rue

Wellllllll......I have a White-cap, not a bronze-wing...but I gotta say...

PIONUS ARE PERFECT!!!

Pionus are relatively quiet...that is, quiet for a parrot...I'd say they're about as loud as 'tiel full-blast, but have a deeper voice so it's not as edgy...and they're not loud all the time...mine has 2-3 bouts a day...but mostly I tend to enjoy them as he makes a variety of noises - including mimicking the other birds and talking...

They're beautiful birds as well...babies look dull but slowly come into full colour - but it may take as long as two years for that to happen...they also don't photograph that well, so photos never look as good as the real thing...

I'd get a bigger cage than what you suggested, esp. for a bronze-wing...they're very large...even my WC has a bigger cage and he uses all of his...

Rue -- Your WC is so handsome! I've been debating b/t pionus and Senegals... Oh, I wish there weren't so many lovely small parrots out there!

[Rue]

Thanks!

We looked at the Sennies too...and I think they're very cute...

...but I'm also very glad we got the White-cap...he's SUCH a doll . While singing his praises I can also say he's much more relaxed and easy-going than the Sennies I've met along the way.

However...if you prefer the look of the Pois, you might want to consider a Brown-headed parrot. They look very much like the Sennies, but are a tad duller. They have much more laid back personalities though...again, I've only heard good things about them.

I'm not sure about the Jardine's...they are likely worth investigating too...