Researching Ringnecks

[PetiteJadie]

my mom and I decided my dad is ready for his own bird and want to get him one for Christmas. I talked to the aviary I bought Jadie from (I'm good friends with the owner still) and she suggested the Ringneck. My dad loves the larger sized parrots - especially compared to my Linnie and Parrotlet.

It'll be his first parrot since he was a kid and i was wondering what you could tell me about their particularities. I've done some research and was trying to find a quality aviary for hand-fed and hand-tamed, well socialized ringnecks in pennsylvania but wasn't having much luck.

We wouldn't be ready to bring him home until December/January. Is that a weird time to expect a new, weaned ringneck?

[rewki]

I hope your Dad will enjoy a ringeck Parrot. They are tempemental at times, as even us humans tend to be, but they are smart, real smart at the same time. I cannot tell you about tame ones because all 14 of mine are living in an outdoor aviary which just wouldn't do in your climate. I hope that some of the American group can help PetiteJadie with her search. Seasons are different here as well so I cannot give any input as to whether the time is right. I guess there is no "right time" to acquire a new pet. God luck.
Rebecca in Israel

[PetiteJadie]

Aren't all parrots temperamental at times?

[Kathy]

I think getting a Ringneck as a first time bird is a risky undertaking unless your dad is really familiar with bird handling.
Some IRNs are just wonderful. Most, if kept as a house bird, need a lot of work with handling during the first years.

[PetiteJadie]

He would be lucky having me to help - with the economy the way it is, I'm moving back home. I'm looking at some others though, just to keep my options open and was wondering about Amazons or male Eclectus parrots.

[T.W.]

I have 2 IRN's, I think they are no more tempermental than any of my other birds, and I have quite a few. SKye my blue IRN I got from someone who said she was untame, she said she was 4 years old, turns out she is quite tame, but only to me, she goes after the hubby. Sunny, my Yellow IRN is 8 months old, pretty sure he was hand raised, and he is a sweetie also, he will let hubby hold him. I think a nice hand raised one would be fine for your dad, I don't know how long my Skye went without any interaction, but you would never know it, she loves to help when I clean the cages, she stays on my head, and when I bend over, she flips upside down in front of my face hanging by my hair and looking around like what are we doing, she is fun. Do they bite, yes. I think my quakers are more tempermental, and they bite alot harder. But all of my birds have bitten me at one time or another, they are wild animals, and can be unpredictable from the smallest to the largest, parrotlets pack quite a bite in those little bodies!!! So, I say, go for it!!!

[Abby]

If you're dad wants a larger bird and likes the ringneck look then I say go Alexandrine. I'm raising 3 atm and they are gorgeous. They seem to be more settled then the IRNs and have great speech potential. They are alot bigger then an IRN. My only issue atm is the youngsters sound like velocoraptors from Jurassic park and that kinda gives me the creeps. Didn't cope with that movie.

[Ringneckmom]

Well everyone that knows me- knows how I feel about my ringnecks.
I love them - they are smart, sassy, independent, loving and into everything.

If they are in a loving environment and worked with they can be wonderful birds. Food is their best friend!

Each bird is different and they will test you but as long as you are as stubborn as them then you should be fine.

Alexs are also wonderful birds - a little more laid back the the ringneck but a little more of a touch me not as well. They prefer to hangout with you on your shoulder or their playperch and just be with you versus being into everything and going on discovery trips through the house at times.
Not all of mine do that but I have a few that have to see what I am doing at times. :)

Either way I am sure you will find the bird perfect for your father.

[girly]

No, this isn't the correct time to get an IRN. I was just in touch with my breeder, and I was inquiring about that bird. She said she'll have the Ringnecks in the spring.