Does anyone have a pet bird, more specifically a pet parrot? I'm seriously considering (and probably will be very soon) getting one. I want to know the ups and downs of owning one. I have done much research on them, but haven't really had anyone tell me about how owning one would be. This is a childhood dream that I can finally make come true and any advice/precautions would be greatly appreciated.
Sure, Someone here can help you. So what kind of parrot are you looking for? Cockatoo, Amazon, Conure, Little parrotlets, African Gray, Macaw, Pionus, Lovebird and Cockatiels are also hook bills. Have you figured out what size bird you are looking for and what price range?
Had a red headed conure and a nandy conure for about five years. Long lived birds, get lonely without constant companionship. Love to chew, and need to keep busy. If you let them out beware all wood is a potential chew toy. In the wild even parakeets fly great distances. We had a 4x6x6 foot flight cage and I felt they still seemed cooped up and didn't feel they had the proper flight space. They could toss their food great distances outside the cage. Parrots need to be hand raised, but even then they can decide who they like and don't like and act accordingly. (Friend's Afrian Grey hates one member of their family, but loves the wife) People I've known who were successful parrot people keep their parrots with them or other family members all the time. I have met two really mean (macaw and green) parrots that had been rehomed and didn't trust or like anyone. Trusting and bonding is important for parrots. Getting bit by a big bird can be really damaging and even the conure can give a significant bite. I finally decided it was too much work. Meals with fresh foods as well as mix is important as well as cage cleanliness. Twice daily. I didn't feel we were very good parrot people and ended up rehoming both birds together. Beware parrots are very susceptible to human cold/flu viruses and you need to be cautious if family members are sick.(vet bills can occur for parrots too). Our birds were very noisy, but I enjoyed their screeching. Having parrots was something I had always wanted too. We have had many varieties of pets live out their lives with us, but the life span of even small parrots is 20-30 years. I've never felt guilty about having dogs and cats...parrots not so much so. Guess you just have to do a lot of research and soul searching to know whether or not you'd make a good parrot parent and be with them their entire lives and provide everything they need to be healthy psychologically as well as physically. Research suggests most parrots are one of the smarter species. There is nothing sadder than a parrot that self mutates itself like I have seen in pet shops, by pulling out its feathers. Good luck, whatever your decision is.
I would give Jewell 20 thumbs up if I could. My mom has always had lovebirds... I would never have a bird myself. they are time intensive and require a lot of space. They are messy, messy, messy. If you breathing issues such as allergies or asthma they may bother you. nasty little buggers if you get bit. They are mean if they aren't handled regularly.
Waretrop - The price of the bird is not TOO much concern, unless it gets into the $1000s. I'm really interested in Conures, Senegals, African Greys, Macaws, and Electus. I'm not necessarily set on a particular species though. Jewell - I understand that they can destroy things and need lots of attention which I am able to provide. I also realize that they are a lot of work and are basically like having a toddler around all the time. I'm fairly young (27) so their life span shouldn't be an issue and in fact it is one of the things that attracts me to them. I will not just go out and buy a bird randomly though. I have to know that we will get along by first spending some time with it to see if we even like each other. Basically the same way I go about dating people, lol.
You are in Georgia. Go find a few breeders near you and visit the babies. Take your time and don't just buy the cheapest one. Fitting into a house well, neatness, quietness, less dust and dander are all things that you should consider. Is space is a problem then you should check into a Myers or Senegal Parrot. Smaller, quieter, less messy and yet if many people handle these birds as they are maturing, they will not learn to intimidate new people. If you think you have more room and handle the noise of a larger bird, then you can check into larger and larger birds until you find one that fits your needs. Having said that brings me to why parrots have aggressive behavior to others and pick a special person to be pals with. They are smart and know they can easily intimidate many humans with that beak. They will do it for fun. If you get a baby, which you should, always warn a new comer not to show fear when approaching your new baby. It is better that they just don't reach out to it if they have any fear when it is a baby. That baby will pick up on it as it matures and learn to threaten newcomers. As for sickness, I have to disagree with Jewell just a little. They are not susceptible to human cold and viruses. In fact, they don't get them. They can have viruses that we can get. You should always have your bird tested at the beginning for "Beak and Feather disease", "Polyoma" and "Psittacosis or Chlamydia". We can contract the last one. Any bird can have these without showing symptoms. So testing will insure that your baby will not infect humans or die to the disease later on in life. Once the bird is free from those things, and you never let it come into contact with other hook bills, your bird should not come down with these things. Did you know that dogs don't catch our cold viruses either. Our bugs just are not interested in attacking hook bill birds or dogs. Let it be know that, these things are air borne. Other birds can contract these diseases and we can get "Psittacosis or Chlamydia" by breathing the air where a contaminated bird is or had been. Just like our colds, we may or may not get it depending on our resistance. If you put your baby in a used cage clean and soak "everything" connected to that cage in heavy bleach water for 10 minutes and air dry. When you have decided what you are going to buy. Get a, go home date, and make an appointment with a good avian vet unrelated to the breeder. Do it on the way home. Spend the cash with him up front to save lots of heart break and unhappiness later on.
Good Luck. Barb has priceless experience and knowledge about them. If having a bird is anything like having a dog, horse, rabbit etc... You are not going to be happy until you get one. My dad grew up intown and my gramps wouldn't have an animal for nothing! although my dad eventually got a dog. What he really wanted was horses. He was never satisfied until he got them. I think he liked his horses more than he liked us kids.
Carolyn, You are right...I have seen so many parents buy a parakeet instead of the dog, that the kids wanted. Even though I didn't carry dogs and cats in my store, I saw so many families have little birds and then finally give in and get that dog for the kids. Then I get the bird back because the kids lost interest in it. Everyone should do the research and make a rational decision. It should be a final level headed decision. I have seen many people spend more time when buying a car. The bird will last many years longer than the car so it shouldn't be taken lightly.
Sad, huh Barb? we had a dog when the kids were little, but he was a "monster sized dog. Not a house dog for our little house and 6 people. I wish I had insisted on bringing him in when we got him, and not worry about it, but I didn't want another mess to have in the house. I had enough to fill my plate without a house dog too. BUT I really regret not getting another dog for my kids after he died. they would have really benefited from a more hands on pet. We didn't get another one until Caity needed a dog. I wish I had been more willing to take on another project that my kids wanted, but I was afraid it would be "my" project after a few months.
carolyn, My mom hated animals in the house when I was growing up. We only had a parakeet hanging on the wall, never to come out. Horrible... When I grew up and owned 5 pet stores, she used to tell my customers, it was "Barbie's revenge on her". She was joking but it was cute. Even not liking animals, she would hold them and kiss them while helping a customer. Anything to sell one and help her daughter in business. She used to joke about getting a payback for not having animals when I was a kid....
FF, good luck with your new family member. Sounds like you are the right type of person to own a large bird. Our friends love their bird and it is definitely their baby. The bird is definitely wonderfully opinionated and uses the English language in amazing ways. For some people this is an excellent pet. I might also add find a vet that specializes in birds. They would be a great resource for information both before and after you get your bird. You will have to post photos once you get your new feathered friend.
