Choosing a pet bird

[elmo]

Linnies!

They are adorable, sweet, quiet birds. They stay tame, even if you don't work with them every day (unlike lovebirds, I've been told). And they can't bite hard like parrotlets. When I give our flock grapes, I have to open them up for the birds to eat.

They hang upside down like bats. The only down side is that their poops are pretty liquidy, but Poop Off takes care of that.

 

[Nambroth]

You are remarkably lucky in the ability to find a parrot-- you are in Florida!
The parrot breeder central of the USA.
It's also full of parrot rescues that are overrun with birds right now.

I hope you will explore the option of adoption: there are many, many good birds needing homes and not all of them come with 'baggage' that seems to be the popular stereotype. Especially with our economy and the housing crash, a lot of people had to give up very good animals because of fiances and losing their homes.

The cool thing about rescues are if you can find one to volunteer at, you can foster a bird and really, the best relationships often happen when the bird chooses you. Sometimes it's not even a species that you'd consider normally.

If you decide to buy a bird instead, do use caution and research your source: there are sadly quite a few 'bird mill' and poorly bred birds in FL.

 

[lishah2000]

Quote:
I will look at rescue, but have not found any close to me yet. We sometimes get surrenders where I work, but have not had any recently. If I buy a bird it will probably come from the same place I got my cockatiel all those years ago.

Thanks for the idea of rescue.

 

[Life is Good!]

We're a parrotlet family - ours is a rescue, she chose us - we volunteered at the rescue and she just simply wouldn't leave my son's hand. Hopped right up, and sat down! We'd been looking for a bird, she came home.

I adore our little parrotlet, but she is talkative. If you'd like one to talk back (not chirps, quips and happy beak noises) - get a male. Apparently, the males are the ones to learn to talk. I swear our girl does - but well....that's me! Check out the many many youtube videos of parrotlets talking. She likes everyone in our family, but has 'bonded' to me. She flies to me, she sings for me when I'm not there, she chirps greetings when I arrive....she can be quite loud and persistent (like when I'm in the bathroom!). If I'm out of sight, she searches for me - physically if she's not in her cage; vocally if she is. They seem to be flock oriented, so when her flock's away, she's nervous.

She's highly intelligent - if you know how to read her - when sitting on your shoulder for a while, if she need to eliminate or get a drink, she'll 'kiss' my cheek to let me know she needs to be returned to her home. If she wants a treat, she climbs onto a rope perch and 'turns' until we oblige her! Who trained who?



There's a Yahoo group for parrotlets and their people - they list many breeders in Florida. Should be no problem finding a good one there. I highly recommend this breed if you're going to be able to socialize with the bird for at least 2-4hrs a day consistently. Otherwise, no, this isn't a good bird for you.

 

[lishah2000]

Life is Good! :

I highly recommend this breed if you're going to be able to socialize with the bird for at least 2-4hrs a day consistently. Otherwise, no, this isn't a good bird for you.

Thank you for the information! Time commitments are a big factor for me. While I work from home and am only out of the house a few days a week for no more than 5 hours, I'm not sure I can devote enough individual time. Usually someone is home but maybe a few hours at a time. A lot would depend on how much time my husband would devote to a bird. He spent tons of time with the female tiel we had, but she loved it. The male never really liked human handling. I think he was more bonded to the female. He still needs to go visit with some of the birds.

They seem like pretty neat birds and I loved some of the videos.​

 

[featherfinder]

There is a rescue in tampa florida that i have been in contact with. I could send you the site if you like. I also have 2 sun conures and they are great! Very smart for small birds. They even know a few words like i love you and make different sounds when they want certain things. I work during the day so they are alone then and are fine when i come home. They love just being around people without people actually paying attention to them as long as they are close to me. My one is very touchable and lovable. He will lay on his back and let you pet him anywhere. He also likes being held upside down. My other was never really played with alot so he is sensitive when it comes to touching. Usually i am the only one he doesnt bite when touched. Where in florida are you located exactly because if you do decide to go with a conure breed and have no access to others to see how they are then feel free to come play with my guys and get a good feeling for how they are.

 

[lishah2000]

I'm on the other side of the state from Tampa. I'm lucky that the store in town has just about any type I would want to see. Not all are for sale - the owners have a bunch and they also look after birds when people are away.

Please send the site though and I'll take a look.

 

[mrslb333]

I love Sun conures they're so beautiful and such cheeky personalities

 

[Titus2Woman]

I had a green cheek conure and really liked him but I have to say my 'tiels are my buddies. My girl is a cuddler and my boy is curious and sweet but not interested in cuddling. If I lost them I would get more 'tiels. I have to say though that I LOVE the chattering my parakeets. But they were rescued and not tame so I can only listen to them.

 

[rjchicks]

If you are still looking for a parrot, I would recommend a Pionus (any kind). I had a Blue Headed pionus and they are not too big but are very nice birds. They have a very full body and gorgeous plumage. They are a little on the pricier side but is totally worth it. I would recommend a pionus to any bird lover.