What is a good bird for a first time bird owner?

Question

I am kinda partial to the parrot family! The McCaw and the African Grey seem like fun pets! But I want to be sure I am not getting myself into more than I can handle! I've never owned a bird before but have family and friends that do! What would be a good first time parrot!? It doesn't have to be a parrot! But I'd like a bird I can handle! Hold, carry around, (talking birds would be great too) not just a bird that lives 100% in the cage! Also I don't mind a sqwaky bird but I DO NOT want a screamer! I also have a 2 year old daughter and 2 small dogs under 15 lbs! What kind and where would I find a bird vet? Also besides the bird itself and a cage what do I need to buy to make sure my new baby is healthy and happy! Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

I would vote for a conure {there are many different types} but be sure it's a handfed baby, their very use to being handled and people. The males can be very good talkers {especially Blue Crown conures}, My female could talk some. Get books {with new copy dates not OLD ones} they have improved the knowledge on raising a healthy and happy birds. BirdTalk magazine has many breeders listed, you might find on e near you. As far a bird vet, you want an Avian vet. And as far as supplies this will vary depending what type of bird you get. I envy you starting with a baby bird it can be the best experince.

Answer 2

A good first bird is a cockatiel or parakeet. I've owned both. Cockatiels are more affectionate and always want to be with you. Always buy birds from breeders, never a pet store. You don't know what they've been through at a pet store. Hand fed birds do make better pets. Parrots can be alot of work and responsibility. I currently own an African Grey that talks up a storm. They are not squackers, which was a deciding point for me. If I had bought a parrot for a first bird, I wouldn't still have it. If you start small and decide you don't have time for it, its easier to give to someone and you're not out much money. Parrots can be expensive. Google avian vets in your area, make sure they're board certified. Lots of toys are a birds best friend. Anything and everything you might want to know is on the internet.

Answer 3

Hi there, With a two year old, 2 dogs and a man around, sounds like your hands are full. The parrot family is one of the most intelligent species of birds to the point of having the intelligence equivilent of a 4-5 year old child. Bird behaviours such as screaming are those which are at times expressed because of a whole gambit of desires not being met. They require pellet food, 10% seed (to avoid fatty liver disease) and other obesity problems, veggies and fruits 10-20%,no avocado, no chocolate, training sessions, bathing, and lots of attention. avian vet visits (call around to vet offices,play time, a lot of time and commitment. Hand tamed birds may be easier to deal with. Parakeets are a type of parrot. It's like having another kid to take care of. You already have 2 children and 2 dogs. Birds are noisy and messy;even the best of them. They are needier than dogs. It's like with all pets really. You get the pet you deserve. Rotate toys, teach a bird how to play, make foraging toys, and guard your 2 year old child from accidental bites and possible sutures (stiches). Noses have been nipped and ear lobes torn.Do a lot of research and wait until your daughter is more responsible like 7-8 years of age, so that she can participate in your bird's care. It's a great learning experience. At 2 she's got a different perspective. It's like when 2 year olds meet Mickey Mouse,they see a big scary Rat. Have a great day;every day. Make time for you. You deserve it.

Answer 4

I McCaw or AG would be a life long committment. I'd say try out a smaller, more managable bird for your first one. Quaker parrots are great first time birds- good talkers, independent, yet affectionate. I have had two quackers, a parraket, and a sun conure. The sun is a hand full and very needy. I think that it would be best to be in the mind set that the bird is not a family pet and (of course my own personal opinion) a horrible idea to have around children. Mostly out of concern for the smaller birds- they are so delicate. Also, birds can have crazy mood swings and can be very mean if they want to- sweet on sec and mean the next- this could mean bad news for your 2 year old. They will choose to target certain people for no ryme or reason. If they think that someone if getting more attention than them or are competition, they may decide to take it out on the other person. The big birds are especially dangerous around children. If you are going to get a bird, DO NOT BUY FROM A PET SHOP. Find a breeder so that you can assess the condition that it was raised in. Lots of fresh fruits and veggies are great (check lists because they are a few of each that are not good for birds). Also, lots of toys- encourage to play and "teach" to play. Really- Good Luck though if you decide to get one, they can be alot of fun. Here are some links below.

Answer 5

Parakeets, if you get a hand fed one, can be wonderful first birds. They can be trained to talk, and if tamed, can be carried around, handled, etc, and they are from the parrot family. If you think you would rather a "step up", so to speak, a conure is a great little bird. A green cheek doesn't tend to scream, but does squawk kinda loud, especially in the morning. The sun's tend to be a little louder, but are incredibly smart, and beautiful. Its up to you, just make sure you research whatever bird you pick thourally.

You can usually find avian vets everywhere in the US. Sometimes you can take it to your regular vet (since you have two dogs), but its best to find one that specifically specializes in feathery friends.

Make sure to provide any bird you get with lots of toys and mental stimulation, or they will get bored...and perhaps resentful. Make sure to spend lots of time with it to develop a bond. Birds are like having 2 year old children afterall! The time spent is very rewarding for both you and the bird.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Hands down, a hand fed cockatiel baby makes a fantastic first bird. They are sweet, males can learn a few words and some are accomplished whistlers. They are generally very gentle and affectionate (most kids can learn to handle them easily, with supervision, of course), but it must be hand tame to get what you want from a companion bird.

Try placing a want ad in your local paper, or if you know someone nearby who owns birds, try asking them if they know any breeders. You will have better luck finding a hand tame baby from a breeder rather than a pet store, though some pet stores will have hand tame birds from time to time.

Answer 7

A cockatiel or conure would be a great first bird! Quakers are also fun (they are great talkers).

I think other people have already suggested cockatiels and conures.... I had a friend with a quaker, and that bird was JUST as tame and talked just as much as any African Grey (a vocabulary of over 100 clear words)....

With the smaller birds, they still live a long time (cockatiels can live 30+ years), but because of their size will do much less damage and cannot physically scream as loud as larger species.... also, with a smaller species, you won't get the horribly complex headtrips that you do with a larger bird.
Caging is also much less expensive for the smaller birds.

Just from having two goffins cockatoos with one going thru puberty hell at the moment... a larger bird is a life time committment, and unless you truely want another child-like being for the rest of YOUR life.....

... I think that ultimately your decision is a very personal one.

Evaluate yourself and your circumstances honestly: Do you have the time to give to an animal with the intelligence and functioning of a mentally challenged child, and how committed are you to maintaining that level of committment for the life expectancy of the bird?

I got Boo when I was 20. We went thru college "together". Instead of leaving him at home, I found ways to take him to work with me and in the summer he went to college parties and bars with me. Not ideal, but better than leaving him home alone and caged up. I've skipped vacations when I couldn't find a qualified petsitter, paid extra for apartment damage, dumped guys who didn't respect my time committment... My family and friends were luckily supportive of letting Boo "hang out". Not saying that I did everything right, but I like to think that I atleast did the minimal.

I've found good deals on cages on Amazon, and DrsFosterssmith.com. I like buying from Amazon becuase you can find some of the great deals you used to find on Ebay, but they offer more buyer protection and don't let merchants charge outrageous shipping fees :-)

Good luck!

PS: Doves also make great pet birds. Small children can handle them, they make a nice noise, and have a surprising amount of personality. I used to have one named Harvey, and he'd sit at my computer, peck at seeds, let me pet him once in a while, and make soft happy cooing sounds. His previous owner had really tamed him well- and I think that she had bought him as a young bird and carried him around with her all the time. He was so cool :-)

Answer 8

A parakeet or cocketiel are inexpensive and easy to care for. Both throw out seeds so be prepared to sweep the carpet daily.

Parots are messy, expensive and if they get sick and die, you're out a bunch of money.

You want a young bird, hopefully, handfed. They're trainable and haven't picked up the bad habits of older birds set in their ways. One bad habit is biting. Respect the bird and he rarely will do anything to hurt you on purpose.

Answer 9

parakeet or lovebird, even a cockatiel. dont start with a macaw or a grey, those two are not for the inexperienced, trust me. i started with keets, then went to lovebirds, then a blue crowned conure and last i got the grey(quite intimidating by the way). i have had great luck with my lovebirds, they love me and my kids(3,5,9). the kids pick them up, give them kisses, pet them, play with them etc... the conure is 80% nice, he only steps up while far away from his cage and he is a screamer. he is MINE, and they can only handle them if i say its okay, he has bit me and it hurts a lot!!!! think lovies or a teil would be great for you, tiels are said to be great with kids. but in my opinion, start with a smaller bird and do lots of research before getting a bigger bird, besides your baby will want to pet/ pick up the bird and a macaw and/or a grey maybe too much for her, also those beaks can take little fingers off.my kids can handle the lovies at any point, and in7 months have never been bit, even the youngest one. good luck and have fun, you will soon have your hands full.

Answer 10

Parrots and Exotic Birds