What (talking) bird should I get?

Question

I would like to get a bird and teach it snippits of opera arias, what kind of bird would be the best for this?

Answer 1

African Grey's are great talkers, but have a bad disposition. Indian Ring Necks not only have just as much of a vocabulary but have a much better disposition and they are prettier too, with colors like, teal, yellow, green, white, and much more with mutations. My male Indian Ring Neck is Teal with a purple head.

Answer 2

The African Grey is the best talker (usually), but if you are looking for a bird that sings well, an Amazon is your best bet. Maybe a Yellow Nape or Blue Front.

Greys are usually more reserved and may talk your ear off at home, but when company (strangers) arrive they will sit on their perch like a feathered lump! (Even then, you have greys that are hams like Einstein who performs in TV very often.)

Amazons are usually big hams and love to show off their talking and singing abilites to people. But they also have a reputation as being a hot tempered parrot and to be difficult to handle. I would not recommend an Amazon for a first parrot.

There have been a lot of generalizations about particular parrot species here. (Greys are all biters etc.) but actually each bird within the same species has a different personality.

Each parrot is a sum of their life time experiences with humans. If they are handraised and treated well, they usually become gentle and great pets. If they are ignored or abused, they become not so great pets! Some parrots will bite, some don't. Even every African Grey does not talk.

Answer 3

I agree with Jim B. Birds or animals, whatever you have or want, really need attention. I have an Illigers Macaw and he is 3 1/2 yrs. old and needs the attention that a 2-3 yr.old child would need.
He talks up a storm. But only when he feels sociable.
If you want something that is into opera...then I wish you all of the luck in the world that you would find a bird that is interested in it as much as you are. What ever bird you find to be yours and you his/hers.... you have to understand that they have as much of a unique personality as you have. Maybe the bird that you are put together with will like the beat and sound of Lynard Skynard...hahaha , ya never know.
Just please, be sure that you are capable and able to be the best friend that this bird(feathered kid) could have. Because, that is what you need to be.
Maybe you should start out small, like with a parakeet. I have heard that they do put out some words among other familiar things.
Getting a bird is like ......hmmm......like getting a 2 yr old kid. Seriously.
Read as much as you can....and then read some more. Hey now, the more you know,,,, the better off everyone is. ;o)
Hope everything works out for the best!!!!

Answer 4

First ~ research talking birds (parrots).
There are over 800 different species of parrots. The best talker is the African Gray; however, they are loud, noisy, messy, and very demanding when it comes to paying them attention. Also, they live to be about 90 years old (human age). Before you buy a bird that could possibly outlive you take into consideration their needs. The need LOTS of attention and if they don't get it, then you will see other behaviours start.

I have an African gray that is now 16 years old. I've had him since he was 12 weeks old. He is very talkative, and can parrot most sounds in the house like my house alarm, my cell phone, a squeaky window etc. Very cute, but RESEARCH before you buy.

Answer 5

You need to read up on birds. Some birds like to wissle and some like to talk. I have one of each. Nither are the best at either but the tiel will try to wissle and the conure has learned a few words and seems to have learned what to use them for.

These two birds only live from 20 to 30 years if taken care of. And are about half the cost of the larger birds. But you have to keep in mind they will need you to pick them up and talk to them everyday and spend time with them. They are like children and really need your time and will be with you about the same about of time your kids would be.

A lot more to taking care of one then you think. They can get very loud in the mornings and at night around bed time. They can get you in trouble with the guy next door who is trying to sleep. They will bite you and chew little holes in things and some things they will rip apart. But you still can't find a better freind.

Don't get a bird if you are not a home body or you will need to take them with you on your trips.

Try to get them when they are small so you can bond with them. Or you might just have a rat in a cage that will bite big bloody holes in your hands.

Answer 6

An African Gray Congo. They are the best talkers. BUT they have a rep. as being biters. You can cure this by handling them for at least 1 hour a day every day at the same time, 2 hours is best.
Good luck. The bird, the cage etc will cost 1k or more.
Oh get a young hand fed bird.

Answer 7

Now we know what you wish the bird to offer YOU, I would ask just WHAT it is you are prepared to offer the BIRD? Have you considered this at all? Have you even a teeny-tiny, itsy-bitsy idea what is involved with caring properly for a large parrot like an african grey? I suggest you invest in a tape-recorder until you can posit some convincing answers to the questions above.

Answer 8

You need to be doing research on each and every bird and get one based on it's maintanence and personality, not whether or not they can sing a certain song. Most parrots are extremely hard to take care of, some much more so than dogs and cats. If you want something to sing to you, buy a radio. If you want to be the sole caretaker of a new family member, buy a parrot.

Answer 9

You need to do more research on the care of birds. To many people run out and buy birds because they like they way they look..or they want something that talks but forget that birds are animals that need specific care and require alot of attention. Please don't add to the growing number of birds without good quality homes just because you want something to sing opera songs to you. Birds poop on things..they make noise and they like to chew..anyone wanting to purchase or adopt parrots needs to keep these things in mind. I have 4 parrots in my house....well 6 right now because I have 2 male eclectus babies that I'll be placing..not to mention tiels that I have had for years. I sweep the floor at least 3 times a day..I have to mop walls..I have to disassemble and clean large cages on a monthly basis. The food is not cheap, they can't eat seeds because they are bad for them. They need fresh fruits and veggies, legumes, rices, beans, sprouts..etc. They are an expense and require alot of work. Please keep all of that in mind when considering adding a parrot to your home. Speaking of..I need to handfeed a couple of eclectus's and drag all the cages outside and scrub them down.
Enjoy.

Answer 10

If you don't want to spend alot of money I would recommend a cockatiel make sure it is male first and if you can find a hand tamed one spend the little extra they alot more gentle males can whistle talk and the two I have can copy music and love to sing
recommend if you can whistle do it lots if not they love classical music and my seems to love pavarotti