Recommend a Pet Bird

monokitty · Oct 17th, 2004, 08:24 PM

I'm looking for a low maintenance bird I can keep in my apartment, who's generally human-friendly and can only needs a few hours of attention (from humans) a day, not more. I want a very young one (so they grow up used to me and don't run when I try to touch them)... not sure how easy it is to get them so young, though.

Suggestions?

bopeep · Oct 17th, 2004, 09:17 PM

Cockateils are a lot of fun, friendly and full of personality. They do require a bit of attention though. Maybe try a budgie or 2?

monokitty · Oct 17th, 2004, 10:04 PM

Yeah, I've heard good things about those Cockateils. (they look good, too.) Budgies are good choices too, but they're so... fragile (and tiny).

Cameo · Oct 17th, 2004, 10:57 PM

I had a red lord amazon parrot for awhile - if cockatiels are anything alike then they need lots of attention - these type of birds bond with their humans.

iGeeK · Oct 18th, 2004, 03:09 AM

I recommend an ostrich. You don't need to pay them any attention whatsoever, just provide a bucket of sand.

};¬)

iG/<

Mrs. Furley · Oct 18th, 2004, 08:11 AM

Hi. Birds are highly intelligent creatures and require a lot of attention and love. If you are only able to spend a few hours a day with it, I would highly recommend (okay, I'm begging...) that you get a pair. Otherwise you could end up with a very sad and lonely bird who could start pulling its feathers...or worse.

There's a really great website for bird enthusiasts and the address is www.upatsix.com If you go to this website, there is a different chatroom for each type of pet bird and they can help you select the right bird and also a good breeder.

Speaking from experience, if you want to be a good bird owner, do some research before diving in.

Good luck! [img]smile.gif[/img]

The Doug · Oct 18th, 2004, 08:34 AM

When I was young we always had a budgie. They're great pets, very smart, and comical. They seem to do best in pairs but make sure you get two of the same gender so you don't need a last-minute crash course in raising budgie chicks.

Cockatiels are also wonderful. They're larger than budgies (and more expensive to buy) but they have much the same temperament and character as budgies do. If you're patient, you can train Cockatiels and even budgies to say a few words, or whistle tunes.

Lars, heed Mrs. Furley's words of wisdom. Do your research, and make sure you know exactly what you're getting into. Budgies and Cockatiels aren't high-maintenance but in their own way, they will be as dependent on you as any pet, of any species, would be.

monokitty · Oct 18th, 2004, 11:20 AM

Back at home, my family actually has a Cockatiel pet bird, and although a nice bird in general, we got him for an owner who the bird had apparently gotten used to, and although we've had him for 7 years now, he still doesn't seem to like any of us.

I've read that getting them young (as young as possible) is the best way to go. Should Cocketails be in pairs as well?

Also, anyone else have more links/sites/information sources regarding pet birds in general?

Mrs. Furley · Oct 18th, 2004, 11:50 AM

I think any birds should be in pairs if they are going to be amusing themselves a lot of the time.

Cockatiels are sweet birds but, boy, can they be noisy!

Budgies are very nice little birdies and are clever too. Of course, they can be noisy as well, but in a less piercing way than cockatiels or lovebirds.

Also, I would definitely go to a breeder rather than a pet store - it is well worth the price difference. And I believe you can get hand-tamed birds from breeders...?

Digital_Gary · Oct 18th, 2004, 12:07 PM

I've never had any experience with budgies but I think any bird will require a lot of attention. I grew up with a cockatiel and my parents have rescued a pair of lovebirds and an orange winged Amazon Parrot. Even the cockatiel required a lot of attention. As us kids grew up and moved out and my parents got a little busier, the cockatiel started to get quite mean. He never liked me much since I used to tease him when I was a kid but he would even bite my Dad who he used to have a very close bond with.

Mrs. Furley's advice on getting 2 to keep each-other company is good so they don't go crazy by themselves but don't expect to actually have pets if you do that. They bond to each-other and usually do not get very friendly to you unless they are handled a lot.

Please, do not even think about getting any sort of Parrot! You will regret it and it will likely have a terrible life. They require a HUGE commitment. It isn't a pet you think you might like to have. You have to make a lifetime commitment to them since they live so long. Also, if you do get one while it and you are young, there is no guarantee it will like your future family. In fact, they usually will get aggressive to anyone new living with you. They will see your new partner as competition and can cause severe stress on relationships.

As with any animal you are considering, research research research. You can never know too much going into something like this.