What parrot would fit well in my household?

Question

We have 2 very spoiled tiels. They have full run of the house. Only in their cage for about 3 hrs per day and at night for bed. they are allowed to perch on our plates and eat and are always on someones shoulder. there are 6 kids in our family 3 live w/us ages 8 , 10 and 17 and the other 3 are here on the weekends ages 11 and 16. My household is loud at times and busy. However, my kids are very loving with the birds. My 8 yr old is a bit active. We're wanting to add a medium size parrot to our family. We would need one that wants and loves attention. Our birds go everywhere with us! Also, would want one that has the ability to get along with smaller birds with supervision of course. the bird would not be in it's cage often and would be an active part of our family. Noise level isn't a factor nor is the ability to talk, Fun, loving and affectionate are the requirements. Please only medium size parrot suggestions...considering an eclectus??? any other suggestions?

have also considered a goffin cockatoo however, have read too many mixed opinions on this bird. some say great for kids, other say awful for kids. behavior problems etc. Are there any ppl with hands on experience past the age of 7 years where goffin toos are concerned.

Please don't suggest quakers, conures, parrotlets, etc. We are wanting a med-large parrot.

Answer 1

I know you were looking at medium parrots, but my suggestion is a Greenwing Macaw. We have Katie, and she's a baby Greenwing, only about 20 weeks old, but she's been SO good with our kids. We have an almost two year old, a 4 year old and a 7 year old, and she loves all three of the boys.

Her favorite thing to do thus far is to sit on the floor and play ball with them. They'll roll the ball and she chases it down.

I suggest a Greenwing to your family because of the Macaw species, the Greenwings (other than the 13,000 dollar Hyacinth) is the most laid back. They are affectionate, loving, like to be handled, like to be cuddled, but also like doing their own thing too. I have two macaws, and they too go everywhere with us. (Except the grocery store...I didn't get them to buy into the whole "seeing eye-bird" scenario...LOL)

I wouldn't probably suggest getting an adult with your kids though. If I were in your position, I would probably go for a baby that you can interact with and get to know and who's behavior you can sort of mold at the get-go. You want a bird that you can start off teaching what is acceptable and what is not.

Right now, the place where we got Katie still has a baby greenwing, who's a month younger. Same breeder, different clutch. And, I'll tell you...I'll never buy a bird from any other place than where I got her. She's amazing, and so were the other two birds that came from that breeder. I know the family who got Katie's sister (we met through the store) and they are having just as good of luck as we are.

As far as eclectus's go...that's my second favorite species of bird. As far as being loveable and wanting to be touched and cuddled...they really aren't loveable cuddly birds. That's not to say that they can't be, but they really prefer being more independent and experiencing your love from a hands off approach.

Good luck with your decision, and if you have any questions or want more information on Katie's little brother I'll be happy to help you. You can email me at this screen name at yahoo.

Have fun with your babies! It sounds like your a perfect Fid mommy!


EDITED TO ADD:
PS...the guy two answers down from me said that the Hyacinth is small. He's wrong. Dead wrong. The Hyacinth is the largest macaw species, and Alejandro, a Hyacinth I know has an 8 foot wing span. His eyes are the size of large marbles, and his beak is as big as my hand. LOL Not trying to be a pain, but I want you to have the right information.

Answer 2

Some of the larger conures may be up your alley. Blue crowns are larger - about the size of a small African Grey- and are well known for their sweet personality. They do have a powerful voice but are less likely to use them than amazons and Macaws. They're decent talkers, too.

The Pionus family is another good starter if you want to move up from cockatiels. They're shyer birds but are more stable than greys (so I've been told by local parrot club members). Same goes for the Poicephalus species. They're quieter and are hardy birds. Out of both types of birds I'd avoid the Jardine's as they can be quite temperamental and very opinionated. They'd be okay for the older kids. However the Red Bellied Parrot, the Blue Headed Pionus, The Senegal and the Myers Parrot are all heavy bodied and stable birds that can be quite good companions! They're not as likely to raise a ruckus when all the kids are home yelling and doing their daily stuff.

The eclectus parrot is a great species ^.^. I considered getting one some years ago. Most subspecies are very similar in temperament and although not as likely to scream as amazons, they have one HECK of an alarm call! It's been said they talk as well as African greys. Females can be nippier than males and the males more laid back.

Some of the smaller macaws are good family birds. Some species you could concider are the Yellow collared, the Red Bellied and the Illger's Macaw.

There's more I could list, but these are the basics. Whatever you decide, good luck! Birds are a hoot! (no pun intended!)

Answer 3

Most larger birds may injure or kill any birds smaller than themselves. I suggest you do not leave your new parrot (no matter what you get) alone with your tiels without supervision for a very long time.. An African Grey, an Amazon and even cockatoos are clever enough to molest or bully your tiels when you are not around. My experience with the Eclectus have led me to believe they are more gentle and less likely to be jealous of any other pet in the family. If you wish to bring your birds everywhere, the less active and quieter Eclectus would also be the bird for you. Imagine your tiels frightened out of their minds each morning when the Amazon or Cockatoo greets daybreak. Good luck!

Answer 4

I have a few parrots and they are to temperamental for your situation. I would recommend cockatails. They are sweet and out going without being as demanding. We just lost an amazon. We have a Macaw there are different size Macaws and the Hyacyin is small. We have an Indian Red Neck who is very friendly with the other birds and strangers but horrible with my partner an myself. Our Macaw wants all the attention. With young children the beaks of these birds can do quite a bit of damage. The Macaw can open his own walnuts. I really recommend Cocatails for young kids running around. Our neighbor followed my suggestion and know that they are in their teens they are going for the African Gray. Good luck

Answer 5

i have a number of different type of birds. the eclectus is a very smart, beautiful bird but she does not like a fast paced lifestyle. she gets upset with a lot of noise. she can be a little boring if you are looking for comic type bird. a large conure would be a good choice, those birds can be very fun to watch and be around. conures really love to play a lot. they are not too good with talking. i dont have good experience with amazons, my friends child had to get stitches because the amazon got mad at something and went after the child in the other room.

Answer 6

My experience with goffins have not really been good ones. But I know that you are on the right track with cockatoos. I love the umbrella, they are large and extremely snuggly. I worked with several different types, also a ducour (sp?) would be good. (also a cockatoo) Congo African Greys are great birds too! They learn so fast to talk, they do bond with one person and tolerat the rest.

Answer 7

Have you checked out an Amazon? They are medium size parrots (around 14 in.) and have quite the personality. They're body language is also one of the easiest to read in the parrot world, so you know when they want to be left alone. Definitely check it out. I have a 10 year old DYH Amazon, and I'm planning to add another one as soon as I can. Amazons mature around 6-8 years old, so around that time they will be going through their *teenage* stage, but mine was still pretty easy to deal with.

Definitely check them out.

Answer 8

I would say a Solonon Island Eclectus boy, Male only . BUT BUT only if you want to take the reposabilty to care for the bird once your boy gos off to school or moves out. They live long and you just dont want to dump it in ten years from now.

Call 718-928-5345 they have great birds. I deal with them alot
www.friendlyparrots.com

Answer 9

Eclectuses are good birds smart and talkative but they tend to be a little reserved.
If you want something really fun check out Goffins cockatoos. They are fun, smart, cuddly and love to be with their people. They even love kids!
Good luck any bird you get is one lucky duck.

Answer 10

Most birds would socialize well in your human/bird flock. Behavioral problems usually have a human basis for them. Take a look at what is available in your area, breeders and shops alike. The bird you are looking for will choose you. All birds can be taught to behave well. Let us know what you choose. Have a tweet year.