Birdie Pets

Bird Newbie needs suggestion on Breed

Question:

Hi All,         I’m a bird newbie and considering getting a bird.  Of course the idea of an African Gray parrot with a good vocabulary is quite romantic but I beleive that since I am inexperienced I should have an easier bird to look after. Can anyone make one or two suggestions as two a suitable type bird for me?         I have looked at Cockateils and Love Birds.  The Cockateils I saw were quite hand tamed and perched on my shoulder as well.         Any advice is very much appreciated.         Thanks                 Eric PS: For those who take their birds out of their cage, how bad are your birds droppings to clean up off of furniture, clothes etc?

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hi All, >         I’m a bird newbie and considering getting a bird.  Of course > the > idea of an African Gray parrot with a good vocabulary is quite > romantic > but I beleive that since I am inexperienced I should have an easier > bird > to look after. Can anyone make one or two suggestions as two a > suitable > type bird for me? >         I have looked at Cockateils and Love Birds.  The Cockateils I > saw > were quite hand tamed and perched on my shoulder as well. >         Any advice is very much appreciated. >         Thanks >                 Eric > PS: For those who take their birds out of their cage, how bad are your > birds droppings to clean up off of furniture, clothes etc?

Tiels are an excellent first bird, as are budgies, lovebirds, and Quakers.  I got a Quaker for my first, and he turned out to be an excellent choice.  They’re fairly hardy, easy to train, and have arguably the best potential  for vocabulary of any of the smaller parrots. So far as droppings go-  a very valid concern.  I’ll tell you what I do with my two birds-  everyone’s opinion will vary on this.  With my two I keep an old flannel shirt lying around that I throw on over what I’m wearing.  Both of my two birds are potty trained, but in the event of a mishap, I’m not in danger of ruining a shirt.  If there is a mishap, your best bet is to wait for it to dry.  Once it dries, it can easily be picked up with a paper towel. My final point of advice would be to do as much reading as you can on the care/feeding/training of pet birds before you bring yours home.  Pet stores are notorious for giving out misinformation on the care and feeding of companion birds.  If you have the opportunity to talk to a breeder in your area, or better still, go to a bird show, you have a much better chance of getting quality advice.  Finally there’s a ton of bird resources on the Web you can use for your research- start at http://www.upatsix.com, and follow the links from there that interest you.  Best of luck. Ken

Response:

>         I’m a bird newbie and considering getting a bird.  Of course the > idea of an African Gray parrot with a good vocabulary is quite romantic > but I beleive that since I am inexperienced I should have an easier bird > to look after. Can anyone make one or two suggestions as two a suitable > type bird for me?

A Quaker or a cockatiel are two suggestions I encourage.  Although I love my budgies, they are not as "parroty"… they are like the terriers of the parrot world.  They are sweet and talkative, though.  Parrotlets are another consideration, and as you have mentioned, Love birds.  Get a handfed baby so it will adore you.  Be prepared for behaviour issues sometimes. > PS: For those who take their birds out of their cage, how bad are your > birds droppings to clean up off of furniture, clothes etc?

 They can be potty trained, and if you have a play area for them you can line it with newspaper, or run a mop through there every day.  I have a tree brached stuck in a pot of cement- the birds love it.  The smaller birds droppings aren’t terrible, but no one wants them on the couch-  just be observant and put a hand towel over the arm of the couch while you have them there!  Another around your shoulders will help until you get him potty trained- which is essentially YOU getting potty trained. — Signed- Kellie  USDA zone 7/8, Sunset Zone 33 My Karma Ran Over My Dogma.  It was a Catastrophe. Now my Dogma’s Dead and my Karma’s out of alignment. Get in KNEE DEEP!  <http://w3.one.net/~rzutt/newsletter.html>

Response:

I have a handfed tiel and she is the greatest.  Last week I purchased a Senegal after doing quite a bit of research.  My initial choice was an african grey, but I changed my mind once I saw the size of their "poops"!  Everyone I talked to said the Senegal was the "perfect" parrot.  I had a Lovebird years ago and she was wonderfull until she started laying eggs and then she became the bird from hell!  My personal opinion is that conures are to noisy.  The Senegal is very quite and loves to play. He also eats anything and everything. Good luck, Sandy Sandy Fry

Response:

Hi Sandy, Although I’ve never owned one, I understand Senegals *are* wonderful birds. Also being an African bird, I understand they have much the same personality of a grey.  By the way, I wouldn’t let the size of a bird’s poop dissuade me from buying one.  Usually in the AM ALL birds release what I call the ‘morning doozer’ — they’ve saved it up during the night.  The size or quantity of poop is nothing to be alarmed about (unless its different than usual and that’s a whole new thread) — after all, when you have a bird, poop happens!  And, usually more frequently than we all like.  :-) Mary Sparky’s page is the place to go, if you want to learn about the "Grey Congo". . . . www.getnet.com/~tarnold/sparky.html – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I have a handfed tiel and she is the greatest.  Last week I purchased a Senegal >after doing quite a bit of research.  My initial choice was an african grey, >but I changed my mind once I saw the size of their "poops"!  Everyone I talked >to said the Senegal was the "perfect" parrot.  I had a Lovebird years ago and >she was wonderfull until she started laying eggs and then she became the bird >from hell!  My personal opinion is that conures are to noisy.  The Senegal is >very quite and loves to play. He also eats anything and everything. >Good luck, >Sandy >Sandy Fry

Response:

Hi Sue: Sun Conures are sure beautiful but ask yourself if you can stand the noise 365 days a year for approx. 30 years.  I have a BC Conure who screams like she’s being slaughtered and she *really* tests me sometimes.  I’d never give her away but I do entertain the idea sometimes. Gloria – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > The heading says it all! > We went to a place that has 4 young ones.  They are all hand fed and > all climbed on my arm, sat on my finger, and yes, bit me too. > I really need to think about this.   I realize it is a lifetime > commitment. > I need pros and cons! > My cons.. > I heard they can be VERY loud if ignored! > I do not intend to do that but there might be days when He thinks he > is ignored! > That wouldn’t be a problem when we are home. > We travel  and already have the budgie and two large dogs to fit in an > Expedition. > Ok, so I don’t pack as much! > We live in a pop-up camper for one month with the two large dogs! > That may be a problem. > Please help! > Sue > Help us fight puppy mills: >  http://www.nwga.com/members/crchat/victims_of_greed.htm

Response:

Mess is a big factor in owning a bird.  You have to have a plan man! We’ve got seven birds out in the patio and we’ve got "clean-up time" down to a science.  Unless you potty train your bird to eliminate in a particular area, you’re going to get bombs on the furniture, on your shirt, on the floor, on the counter and if you own a Parrotlet, in your hair too. I like to recommend Senegals or any of the Poicephalus as a first bird. Senegals are very hearty birds, they’re strong and sturdy, mine never, *ever* get sick.  They’ve got very flexible personalities, they’re intelligent, sensitive, good sound makers and sometimes talkers. They’re very good at keeping themselves amused and they’re very loyal and affectionate birds. Good luck and you are to be commended for researching this major, life changing decision, Gloria – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hi All, >         I’m a bird newbie and considering getting a bird.  Of course > the > idea of an African Gray parrot with a good vocabulary is quite > romantic > but I beleive that since I am inexperienced I should have an easier > bird > to look after. Can anyone make one or two suggestions as two a > suitable > type bird for me? >         I have looked at Cockateils and Love Birds.  The Cockateils I > saw > were quite hand tamed and perched on my shoulder as well. >         Any advice is very much appreciated. >         Thanks >                 Eric > PS: For those who take their birds out of their cage, how bad are your > birds droppings to clean up off of furniture, clothes etc?

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hi All, >         I’m a bird newbie and considering getting a bird.  Of course the > idea of an African Gray parrot with a good vocabulary is quite romantic > but I beleive that since I am inexperienced I should have an easier bird > to look after. Can anyone make one or two suggestions as two a suitable > type bird for me? >         I have looked at Cockateils and Love Birds.  The Cockateils I saw > were quite hand tamed and perched on my shoulder as well. >         Any advice is very much appreciated. >         Thanks >                 Eric > PS: For those who take their birds out of their cage, how bad are your > birds droppings to clean up off of furniture, clothes etc?

 Sorry, but I’m biased.  Cockatiels great as newbie owners.  That’s the route I took and has since bought a white-fronted Amazon.  He’s bonded mostly with my husband but tolerates me very well. However, I just love my ‘tiels.  They have quite different personalities. Half-Pint (my only female) just loves to be scratched.  She doesn’t care who does it as long as someone does. Chico (the oldest but newest in the house) just loves to fly to Squeak’s and Half-Pint’s cage and whistles while trying to court Half-Pint (who won’t have anything to do with him). He also loves his scratches as long as I do it with my nose first.  I guess he loves the warm air coming from my nostrils. He doesn’t like my fingers too much.  He’s bitten me a couple of times.  He’s the only non handfed baby out of the 3. Squeak is a ham.  He knows a couple of whistles such as the first line to "Pop goes the weasel" and the wolf whistle.  He can’t talk but he whistles Pretty Bird and is clear enough that people can make him out.  He loves to plant his chest up against my cheek.  He’s so fuzzy and warm. From what I’ve read, they say cockatiels, parakeets and quakers make the best first pet for a kid.  Just make sure there’s lots of supervision. — Denise Antler – BFBS Webmaster http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/5470/

Response:

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