Thinking of getting a bird...?

Question

I am fascinated by domesticated birds. I have thought about getting a bird for my office (I own my own office and it is more like a home environment). I am not super knowledgable about birds and maybe I don't need to get one...but I have thought about it and am very curious. What do you think would be the best type of bird for the environment that I am talking about? I am at the office 7 days a week and can bring the bird home with me at night. Is this crazy? Be honest...I can be talked out of this if it is not the right thing to do but I know people with different types of birds and I envy them. I would love to have one in my family.

Answer 1

first off, birds are A LOTT of work. they are messy, noisy and need a lot of attention and love, expensive foods, toys, perches, cage and must see an avian certified vet every year (with the bill over $200) they are very demanding, very much so like a child. You can find an avian vet near you at: http://aav.org/vet-lookup/ and i also highly suggest that you subscribe to BIRD TALK, a great magazine about pet birds. they have a lot of information of taking care of them. Before you get a bird, make sure you do a lot of research and know what you are going into. Would you also be able to deal with any behaviour problems it might develop? Birds bite, scream and make reallly big messes. But, if you think it's worth it, i say go for it! I would probably suggest a cockatiel, because they are good with different people and adapt pretty well. You should also read Cockatiels for Dummies, a great book that has all the information you need. Good Luck!!

Answer 2

I have had birds all my life. We had a budgie (parakeet) as kids and he played with us and rolled marbles around on the floor and talked and everything. They are a good starter bird. They have a lot of personallity packed inside of a small bird package. I also raised canaries and society and zebra finches. Have had a double yellow head amazon parrot that died at the age of 50 from a stroke and still have an orange wing amazon that is around 35- 40 years old. The last budgie we had was an English budgie and he was 17 when he died.
It all depends on what you intend on doing with your pet. Regardless I would start out small. The larger they are the more attention they demand and the noiser they can be...
If you want a bird that talks and plays get a budgie. If you just want something to look at and peep or sing get a canary or a pair of finches. They don't really like being held but are fun to watch.
I wouldn't necessarly get a cockatiel to start with they can be noisy and if not gotten from a breeder at a young age and preferribly hand fed can be very difficult to handle as they can bite really hard with those beaks.
When looking for a bird look for young birds. If there is a reputable pet store in your area that is owned by a couple or family not a big chain that would be your best bet as far as getting a young bird. Better yet if they raise and hand feed their birds. You can also check to see if there is a bird club in your area as the members are always raising young to sell and they are usually well cared for and less expensive than buying from a pet store.
I don't really find it to be a problem taking the bird back and forth. Just make sure if you do you protect it from the wind and weather as birds are very sensitive to inhalant related illnesses and can die from respiratory diseases. it would also be best to have a travel cage or bird carrier to go back and forth in. This way the cage at work can stay at work and you can have a separate cage for home.
When getting a bird make sure the cire (nose area) of the bird is clean and dry without any discharge or enlargement of the nostrils. On a budgie, in young birds the black bands should start right above the nose. This indicates a bird that is less than 6 months old. If the feathers above the nose are solid color (yellow or white usually) than the bird is older than 6 months and could be difficult to train and handle.
Good Luck!

Answer 3

#1...don't get a canary or a finch...they tend to more easily stressed.

Given the right bird this could work very well. I have a brown throated conure that I have done a lot of traveling with and he loves it. I used to raise birds and many times traveled with babies I was hand feeding. My husband used to travel with his lovebird.

I would recommend a conure if noise isn't an issue. If you need to be concerned about noise try a cockatiel or lovebird. Get a handfed baby that has already been weaned.

Make sure the cage can be placed in a low traffic area away from drafts. Get a travel cage so that you can have a cage in your office and one at home. Do a lot of research on what to avoid when you have birds, good diets, training etc. Keep the birds wings clipped.

Good luck!

Answer 4

I agree with some of the others... if you pick one, make it a small bird.. maybe even a canary .. their singing is really fun. Make sure a little noise in the office is ok because they're definitely not quiet. If that's going to be it's home, I would be sure to talk to it, or even have music on when you're not there. Back and forth, probably not good, just cover at night and the bird will settle down for the evening. As long as you're there every day, it wouldn't be that much different from having it in a room in your house.

Answer 5

Get a cockatiel. Cockatiels are great pets! They mimic. If you want a bird that talks very well, get an african grey. BUt for beggeners i recommend a cockatiel. If you want a tame one, get a handfed one.

Can you be more specific with the timings? Put her where you spent the most time. If you spent most of the day in office, then keep her in the office ( night doesnt count , they go to sleep at night) so basically keep the bird whre you spent the most time.

If you want, you can get 2 birds. SO they wont get bored cuz they have each other. You can keep 2 birds in any place as long as the palce is safe.

Answer 6

Birds need hours of one-on-one interaction- simply having them around people is not enough. Birds also like routines and stable environments, so the back and forth thing with the office is probably a bad idea. I really don't think any type of bird would be very happy with that lifestyle. If you do decide to get one, get something like a finch or parakeet. Macaws, cockatoos, and amazons are very intelligent and express their stress and unhappiness in the form of biting, screaming, or plucking out their own feathers. They are much too sensitive for that environment.

Answer 7

I dont think its crazy! If you practically live at your office, which it sounds like you do, you woulnt be neglecting it. I probably wouldnt take it home with me everynight...I dont think brids enjoy car rides, but on the weekends when your not going to be in! : )
As far as what kind of bird...I have no idea...I've had lots of parakeets (budgies) and they are fun, cute, sweet, I loved them. I think they do well in your situation. Larger birds are smarter and need more attention. A Cockatiel might work for you too. There are lots of types of parrots as well, I personally have always wanted a Sun Conure.
Maybe call up a bird speciality store and ask them what they think about what type of bird would do well for you : )
My budgies were out of thier cage allot, they would ride my shoulder everywhere and play with things on the table while I worked. I miss them : )

Answer 8

Birds are great pets but they require ALOT of attention...I have had parrots all my life-I have 5 parakeets now (which pretty much entertain themselves) and 1 cockatiel named Baby...(she is spoiled rotten =) )... If you doubt you will have time to spend with this bird consider getting fish instead. They require alot less attention.IF you think u will keep this bird with u all the time and u have time for it then I would suggest a cockatiel..Mine goes everywhere with me and she esspecially loves the car...If u have any questions just email me and goodluck..Keep in mind even a tiny bird such as a parkeet can live up to 25 years so think longterm...

Answer 9

Birds can adapt to minimal attention, but they do require daily interaction, so if you don't have all that much free time, start out with a budgie, Cockatiel, or a pair of lovebirds. Having two birds housed together may mean that they might not bond to you as much, but they will keep each other company.

Answer 10

I own two parakeets, and they are great. I change their food and water every other day, and give them differents toys to play with every few weeks. I love my birds because they don't need much attention, and it is nice to have the sounds around too. Although sometimes they do yell at each other it's not that loud.