I cannot have a dog or cat. I am thinking about getting a bird, but don't know if it's a good idea. I want a bird that would be smart and learn to talk and do "tricks" somewhat but I don't want a bird that is obnoxious...I recall a while ago my son's friend had a bird at his house and he said it drove him NUTS but I can't remember what kind of bird he had. Bottom line...I want a bird that's interactive, smart/clever, but won't make a ton of noise and irritate me. I also don't want to spend a lot of money on the bird itself and I don't want a bird that will live decades, as I know some can. Advice?
2007-01-25 09:52:30 · 11 answers · asked by BreadCollision 1 in Pets ➔ Birds
MOST IMPORTANTLY, I would want a bird that is friendly and not skittish, timid, or shy. Thanks.
2007-01-25 09:59:33 · update #1
I've been a bird breeder and also a resuer. I would recommend you look at the COCKATIEL. There are no guarantees with birds. Like children, you can't pick what your child will be like, you just love him or her. No guarantees on learning tricks, learning to talk or being clever. I can guarantee however that it will be obnoxious and show lots of behavior problems if you don't give it what it needs or even give it too much. Birds can be brats too. First I'd recommend that you buy or take out a library book about cockatiels, how to care for them. The cockatiel is a very sweet bird, easy to care for and usually smart. They are not great talkers like the bigger birds, but they are beautiful, will be a great companion (they love sitting on your shoulder and having you gently scratch their head). About 10% will talk, but not that clearly. But it's impossible not to love them. If you decide you want one, they will cost you from $50 to $120 probably. They can live 20 years, but that is a short life compared to the bigger birds. Please do not get a bigger parrot or a conure. They are great birds, and I have them, but you have to know what you're doing, and they can be LOUD, they live forever and many are passed from home to home. We don't want that because they get attached to their owner and it is cruel to treat them as a disposible pet. I would try to buy from a breeder, or if you go to a pet shop, please read up first about how to pick a healthy bird. They should have been checked by a vet before they are sold or give you a free check up if you buy it. If not, you should go elsewhere. Look for a bird that comes to you and is social. Don't pick a sleepy looking bird or a bird that is on the bottom of the cage. Look for bright eyes. Just stand and watch it for a long time. See if it eats and seems bright. Don't buy a baby under six weeks old. Next, see if you can hold it and how it relates to you. Watch out for shaggy feathers as that usually means it was raised in a crowded cage (like a birdy mill), and probably wasn't socialized or weaned properly. They need a big cage and lots of toys. Good food and dark green vegetables. Clean conditions. Good luck. Hope this helped.
2007-01-25 10:26:54 · answer #1 · answered by Susan H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Birds have been found to be more intelligent than once believed.They require a lot of time and dedication and on occasion can be obnoxious and irritating;much like most people. You may get the bird you deserve. They cannot be left alone for long periods of time. The temperment of a caged bird depends on the time and effort the owner puts in. Have a tweet year and good luck on your search.
2007-01-25 14:51:33 · answer #2 · answered by firestarter 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have many different types of birds, i have to say they can all be obnoxious sometimes but, so can my kids. you are gonna have to spend a lot more money for the larger parrots that talk good. i think if you want a pretty good talker and a clown type bird you should try the quaker parrot. the quaker can get loud but so can all the rest too. senegals are very active as well. both of these birds are on the smaller side. please make sure that you are ready to take on the life of the parrot. it is not as easy as people think it is. it is a lot of work involved in keeping parrots. THINK IT THROUGH.
2007-01-29 04:25:49 · answer #3 · answered by missywst 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe your best bet is not to get a bird at all.
All birds are a little obnoxious. Parakeets are nice but not real friendly.Cockatiels are a little time consuming.All the larger parrots are loud and they live a really long time.Maybe you can get some fish.
2007-01-28 21:03:38 · answer #4 · answered by linda m 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could do something completely different and get a Button Quail - they are very friendly and if hand-raised are not skittish at all! Very social birds, they make sweet, little noises and aren't early morning risers. They come in a variety of colors, are relatively inexpensive, don't eat much, and love to be hand-fed goodies such as lettuce, broccoli, mealworms, and blueberries.
2007-01-25 16:16:37 · answer #5 · answered by Giovanni 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try calling these guys I know they know alot about parrots. 718-928-5345 www.friendlyparrots.com
You should know getting a parrots is not SO simple as people think they live longer then dogs and cats and might be harder to handle some times. the best thing is to talk directly with a professional bird breeder and discuss your option don't just jump in to it because the bird looks cute or the bird talk etc....
2007-01-25 12:55:53 · answer #6 · answered by jackwalz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would recommend getting single bird that would interact with you.
Cockaties are fantastic little bird; but they can be a bit on the loud side. Scampy my former cockatiel used to disturb the neighbor in the next apartment.
From your description I would recommend a lovebird, parakeet, or parrotlet.
2007-01-25 21:41:01 · answer #7 · answered by Rev. Two Bears 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be damn particular of what you go with in the previous you get it, with the aid of the indisputable fact that component will be there continuously. i am going to't stand it even as people get a random, meaningless tattoo only because they go with one. i ought to signify getting the layout you go with on paper and putting it on your bathing room mirror or some thing like that. in case you could stand searching at it popular, you're good to bypass. As for the soreness, it would not very last lengthy, so do not rigidity about it. it form of sounds like a mastercard scraping over a sunburn. I propose, it would not sense good, although the soreness is tolerable. And do exactly not forget that the in the route of the bone, the more desirable it is going to damage. The fattier the realm, the a lot less it is going to harm.
2016-10-16 02:45:00 · answer #8 · answered by chardip 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Zebra Finches r really cute u have 2 get a male and a female they like make up little tunes together (well mine do) and if u make weird sounds they talk 2 u
2007-01-25 13:34:35 · answer #9 · answered by Margaret C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cinnamon Cockatiels. They are great pets and they can be tought to whistle tunes and even talk. My mom has one who is almost 14 years old!
2007-01-26 05:48:23 · answer #10 · answered by AngieBaby 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋