2006-08-26 07:26:27 · 22 answers · asked by Kelly 2 in Pets ➔ Birds
I have had up to 13 parrots (right now I have 11) and without question the favorite amongst all the neighbor kids, my own kids, my audiences and anyone else who interacts with my birds is our Indian Ringneck Parakeet. I have no idea if ours is just especially wonderful or if they are that way in general. A green one (which hasn't been mutated for color variation) isn't that expensive. The male is the only one that will develop the characteristic ring. Make sure, whatever you get, that the young bird is handle-able and not aggressive. It might be timid but it should not lash out at you.
2006-08-28 07:39:35 · answer #1 · answered by whiteparrot 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even Parakeets can live over 10 years. Will she still want to care for it when she is 18? Seed diets are NOT sufficient, as an avian vet will tell you. You will need to cut up veggies and fruit as a regular part of the diet. Will your daughter mind doing this? I have a parakeet that has seasonal allergies. She costs me $60 each fall to be treated for this, or she will die.
There are thousands of unwanted bird in the US (check your local paper, you'll see some) Please make sure you are capable of making the 10+ year commitment (much more for larger birds) and that you are not going to add to the problem.
In addition to the birds, I have cats, a dog, and a chinchilla. The birds require the most work.
Just a heads up.
2006-08-26 11:25:41 · answer #2 · answered by Shaken Not Stirred 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cockatiels are wonderful firsttime bird owner pets. Especially if they are handfed/hand tame. Never buy the ones from pet stores, they aren't fully tame as they claim to be. If you want to bond with the animal that's what i suggest, otherwise if you buy a handfed/tame cockatiel and just leave it in the cage, you are going to loose out on its tameness and the fun of the sweet bird. They love their owners and can also mimic some whistles or songs, mainly the males do. I have a female who is just the sweetest, she gives kisses and sits on your shoulder as you walk around the house. They are also not noisy like love birds and parakeets, those guys have annoying screeching sounds that go on all day! What ever you get good luck and research before you commit! ;)
2006-08-26 15:10:07 · answer #3 · answered by ckalmaoui 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
11 yr olds usually want pets they can at least handle regularly, and birds like parakeets aren't usually too into that. consider whether your daughter wants a pet that will interact with her, or one to observe and just take care of. also, whether you will be helping with the clean up and domestication of this animal. birds really are not good starter pets, so if its her first, i would have to agree with the other person who suggested a small animal, (not a hamster- they are usually pure evil). something like a rabbit, a rat, a guinea pig, even a ferret if you wanted. These animals all require the care like a bird would, but are more interested in being handled and more likely to allow your daughter to bond and have fun. They also are trainable and you can experiment to learn what types of games and treats the animal likes.
Plus, they're hardier, more likely to last longer and stress less.
2006-08-26 10:48:04 · answer #4 · answered by meow 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have a cockatiel. they are the best only if you spend time with them and give them some attention .Make sure you get a handraised on though. Parakeets are usually not handraised and will not come to you and be friendly like the Cockatiels. I just got my cockatiel about three months ago and she is my baby. She rides with me to town on my shoulder and is tame to where she wont fly off. Parakeets will not be as tame.
2006-08-26 08:09:08 · answer #5 · answered by lollyday 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
birds dont make good pets they belong in the wild. Unless you have an aviary you cant keep a bird happy. Get a hamster, guinea pig, or rabbit.
2006-08-26 07:31:36 · answer #6 · answered by Infinity242 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cockatiel
2006-08-26 07:29:24 · answer #7 · answered by Tiffany 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a budgie(parakeet). Large birds such as parrots and cockatoos came take fingers completley off. also try a cockateel.
2006-08-26 07:31:13 · answer #8 · answered by wayne c 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you should get either a cockitiel or a fich cockitiels are cool birds. a fich they are very lil and very hyper. they sound basically like dog squeaky toys hehe lol.
2006-08-26 09:27:38 · answer #9 · answered by mandee l 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
budgie its really easy to take care of and its a begginer bird
2006-08-26 08:42:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋