Do Senegals make good family pets

[melster122]

As some of you know we have just welcomed a beautiful 13 week old Senegal into our family. His name is Worple and he is so sweet. At the moment he is quite happy to go to my daughter, my son, my husband and me. I have been reading up on them and the article says that they bond very closely with one member of the family and will not go to or might attack the other members.

Do any of you have any experience of this as we want him to be part of our family and enjoy the company of everyone.

If we all keep handling him will he be alright?

Many thanks

Melster :P :D

[JThw8]

Well, my sennie is a bad example because he came to me predisposed to men. He loves me and wants to be with me all the time. He is tolerant of my wife but will challenge her when she tries to pet him or pick him up. But keep in mind his first owner was a woman who abused him so he just seems to be generally afraid of women. I think if you all keep working with him from a young age he should be fine. Most birds seem to pick a favorite, but if they have been exposed to multiple people and acclimated to that they will generally be good with all.

[LMPego]

Sennies do tend to become "one person birds", but they don't have to. Keep socializing him with everyone and he should be fine. My Cory is mostly bonded with me, but she's fine with everyone else. If I'm home, she mostly wants to be with me, but she hangs out with my boyfriend when I'm not home and she also sits with him every night before bed to do her preening, whether I'm home or not. It doesn't hurt, either, for each member of your family to be associated with something in the bird's mind, either. It may become of use in the future when hormones hit. For example, one person is the peanut dispenser, one person is the keeper of a favorite toy, etc. It adds motivation to want to be with different people if the bird starts to get leery of them.
Congrats on your new addition, by the way!

[melster122]

Many thanks for your replies. I really love him, he is so so cute. I want the children and my husband to enjoy him too so we will continue socialising with him all the time.

:P

[kathyellen]

HI
We have a Senegal...BOB. We had her DNA'd and she is a girl!! I just adore her. We have only had her for a couple of months, and she is only about 6 months old. I find that sometimes she walks away from me when I go to get her, but I am persistant and she will step up. Once she is on my shoulder she just settles right in, she seems to do this with anyone that handles her. She also gets along well with our dog! I had also read about them becoming attached to one person, and am encouraging each family member ( and some select friends) to handle her. She loves to have her neck rubbed, she loves mashed potatos, and millet. I feel like I would recommned a senegal to any first time bird owner, but I may be biased...lol

I like the idea of each person being associated with a different thing...that's why I love birdboard, I have found lot's of good idea's and advice!

Congratulations on your new family member!

[melster122]

Hi Kathyellen,

What a lovely picture of Bob. She looks great. I really appreciate all the advice. Worple is such a lovely bird and we want him to be a big part of the family.

I think the idea of people being associated with different things is great. We will try that one.

Meanwhile we are all handling him as much as possible.

[melster122]

Tritak,

Thanks for your reply. :D We are trying very hard to get Worple used to the whole family but he seems to have bonded with me already. My husband and 10 year old daughter are fine with him and they play with him quite a lot (as long as he can't see me) but my 6 year old son is quite weary of him still although he seems to be the one who speaks to him the most.

I have only every had a budgie before who was gorgeous but Worple is a brilliant little bird and already an important part of our family. He will be 14 weeks old tomorrow (28/10/04).

Thank for spending so much time on your reply. It is very much appreciated. I will try and post some pictures of him soon.

[Chariclo]

Hi melster - Just thought I would share with you a game the whole family can play - "Pass the Bird". Usually we play this at the dinner table after we have finished eating - Maia gets to go from one to the next around the table stopping for a peanut or two. This is great for her to get used to being with the whole flock - and also gives our family some time to actually talk to each other. Sometimes I leave the room altogether though, as she is my buddy especially.

[melster122]

Thanks for your advice Chariclo we will certainly try it. I think like you I will have to leave the family to it as Worple seems to have bonded with me at the moment.

I must say i didn't realise bringing up a parrot would be such a challenge. Lets hope we get it right and he doesn't become difficult with the family. We really are enjoying him. The kids love the way he lies on his back and dooes summersaults all the time of his toys.!!!