Getting accustomed to parrots?

Question

My daughter (age 13) has been caring for her parakeets for 6 years now. She is very attentive and a good keet mama. She really wants to get a macaw, but I know they are a lifetime commitment, demand a lot of attention, and are much like children that don't really grow up. :)
I told her we could start with a smaller-type parrot for several years and go from there.
She is homeschooled and has time to devote to a bird. What kind of parrot would be a good introduction into bigger birds, and would allow her to decide later if she wants to move on to a macaw?
Of course, she will need to research any bird before she brings one home..she understands that for sure.

Any ideas? Suggestions? Tips?
Thanks!

Answer 1

I've been breeding birds for ten years. I've got years of experience with all types of exotic's spanning Parakeet to Hyacinth's. A lot of people answering this question are going to boo me off the stage but I'm going to say it anyway. Macaws can be dangerous. He has the ability to snap steel bars with that beak and he can theoretically take a finger completely off. And the screaming... if you have neighbors forget opening your windows or putting him outside unless you want animal control at your house.
Quakers.....are tempermental. One day you may be the greatest thing since millet. The next day you may not be able to drink from your favorite cup because your Quaker decides he hates your cup. Quakers firmly believe that "if you can't attack the one you want, attack the one you're with." I had a friend scarred for life, sixteen stitches in her face...a Quaker. He got p*ssed at her husband and happened to be on HER shoulder at the time.
Conures...any variety...Greencheek to Bavarian... they are aggressive, especially males. They are extremely loud and destructive. If you do get bitten by a Conure, you're going to know he was there.
Anything larger than a Cockatiel is subject to do serious damage and requires DECADES of dedication and work. With any of the larger birds reaching puberty, you are subject to have a shift in temperment and the potential for a much larger problem later. They become possessive, louder and down right mean.
13 is young. I understand she's had keet's for six years but understand that your child is now on the brink of going through some major changes in her life. She's growing up. She's going to become more independent and be away from home considerably more. Chances are, you're going to find yourself caring for a bird who is miserable because your daughter loses interest in him once she discovers that boys are more appealing than birds. Then someone like me who provides rescue and rehabilitation for unwanted birds winds up with him when he's plucked himself bald and bleeding, screams incessantly and bites everything that moves.
I would recommend nothing larger than a Cockatiel. Later, if she still expresses a desire for a large bird, the Cockatiel usually tolerates other birds well. If she is a smart girl, and I have no doubt that she is because she's home schooled, then consider a Cockatiel from a reputable breeder that would allow your daughter to come over and assist in handfeeding the bird she picks out. That will help to form a very strong bond between them.
I'm not totally against children and birds but personally, I wouldn't place one of my larger babies in a home where I knew the prospective owner was a thirteen year old child. People don't want to tell you the horror stories. When we are owned by birds we want everyone to think OUR bird is perfect and that he's the greatest pet on earth because if he's not, we mistakenly think that reflects negatively on us as "bird parents." It's all lies. I have ten "pet" birds in my home. I love each and every one as if they were my own children but they bout work me to death. They throw food everywhere. We can't talk on the phone in the house. It's sometimes impossible to hear the television. You can't have a conversation with another human in the same room. They will talk over you. I vaccum the floors around their cages four times a day, seed skirts and all! I am routinely bitten and it hurts. They don't realize their own strength and sometimes when they play... you bleed. Larger birds are much different than being owned by keet's and when that larger species doesn't get the proper mental stimulation and attention they can turn vicious and people get hurt. If you truly believe that this child is capable of owning up to the responsibility and you're determined to make this happen, I would suggest an African Grey. This is a bird who learns. He doesn't just repeat what you say. They aren't as loud as some of their relatives as a rule and they've always shown me an excellent temperment when properly cared for. All children love a bird who talks and these birds are THE BEST talkers. But they do require much more mental stimulation because of their advanced intelligence. If you must get this child a larger bird, please don't consider a Quaker or a Macaw. In addition...in viewing other posts...DO NOT CONSIDER A GOFFINS COCKATOO. I would be happy to send you audio of the two of them screaming and video of what happens if you get near the one who "turned" for no apparent reason when she hit puberty.

Answer 2

Sorry, but experience tells me a 13 year old and a macaw are not a good mix. The jump from a keet to a macaw is night and day.
As a general rule, the larger the bird, the more difficult, expensive and time consuming the experience.

Large parrots can develope severe behavioral problems. They are for the experienced keepers.

An alternative, smaller parrots. Absolutely hand raised.
Start with a senegal, a caique, quaker, lorie or any number of conure types.

A Sun (favorite), Jenday, or green cheek conure would be a good starter. Larger and more interactive with low talking skills and they are noisy.
Senegals adapt easily and are friendly partners.
Caiques are great for younger keepers are they are very clownist and love to play.
This type is still a committment as they live 15-20 years.

Have your daughter research the types BEFORE buying anything.
My pet peeve, too small a cage. You must give the bird room to live. Check recommendations and then get a larger cage than they state.

Stay away from macaws, Af Greys and especially cockatoos.
Way too much for a beginner.

Answer 3

Birds are sensitive and intellegent creatures.

If you think getting a small bird and moving up to a big bird is a good idea - your thinking is seriously flawed. Birds are not like cars. You don't buy what you can afford and then later in life buy what you really want. If she wants a macaw - get a macaw. BUT the real question remains . . . why does she want a macaw? and what kind of macaw does she want? (there are over a dozen variations) - it would behoove you to make one of your home schooled courses Birds 101. If she wants showy - there are birds much more colorful then a macaw. If she wants talkative, a CAG (Congo African Grey) is only outdone by a myna bird for mimicry. If she want cute, cuddly, smart and a good talker, then there's a little parrolet that would be absolutely perfect for her. Does she want to hold her bird? A macaw can be very heavy and I don't advocate for allowing a bird to stay on your shoulder for too long. The alpha of the flock usually has the highest perch. A bird perched on your shoulder believes that it is at the highest position AND a frightened bird might react by biting. If it sits on your shoulder and has a sudden fright - the closest thing it has to grab onto or possibly bite is YOU. This is not the birds fault. It is an uninformed bird owners fault.
If you really want to make this an exceptional experience for your daughter, I suggest searching the web for the nearest bird club in your area, ask a vet in your area if they know of a bird club or avian santuary in your area. By becoming the most informed pet owner, you will find that everyone (people and pets) will live longer, happier and healthier lives. I can't begin to tell you how many people gets pets without first researching thier choice, only to end up getting rid of the pet because "they didn't think . . . . " the pet is the one who suffers in the end. It's not fair but people don't think and that is the problem. You sound like an intellegent person, please take the time to research your decision and consider adoption, there are a lot of abandoned birds out there in need of a nurturing home because . . . .
also, please get the largest cage you can afford and then wait until you can afford to buy a bigger one. That's the other thing that people are inconsiderate of, the space a bird needs. They spend thousands on a pet and shove them in a shoe box. Think about the room that they have in the wild and then think about the shoe box that they live in, in captivity.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

Hi I agree with everyone else a Macaw is way to much for a 13 year old to handle.. they are not the type of parrot you go to after a cockatiel.. When a tiel nips you it hurts but not like the bite of a Macaw they can leave bites that require stitches... Even larger Cockatoos aren't a good choice... I personally would suggest a Goffins cockatoo or a Timneh african grey.. They are the smallest of thier species and can be very very friendly... The Goffins might be the better choice of the 2 but keep in mind they are very active and need lots of toys to chew on and as big a cage as you can afford.. The Timneh is a nice bird he is smaller talkative and very personable.. I think either one would be a good choice as a "step up "... Cages can get costly if you don't do your homework first.. Again I bought all my cages on ebay from a dealer in Canada ( can't recall the name right now ) but anyways I couldn't have purchased the same cages here for what I paid with shipping.. Excellent prices.. Toys are another thing if you choose a Goffins be prepared to either learn how to make toys or set at least 50.00 a month aside for a new toy or two.. Also Goffins can be very destructive and need to watched at all times trust me I know mine chewed the trim off in a few choice spots of my doors while he was on his playstand !!! Sneaky little devil and now he seems to think the curtains are his to climb and nibble on.. My Timneh doesn't do any of these things just whistles and talks all day long.. So do some research first and know that both of these birds will cost you anywhere from 600.00 on the cheap side up to 1400.00.. And they are a lifelong commitment... Maybe you can check rescues there are alot of birds there that need homes .... I was at a bird show and thats how I came to be owned by my Goffins.. he was so small and scared and everyone was holding him even little kids and he just wanted to crawl away lol I pouted till my hubby let me have him he crawled on my shoulder and snuggled in thats how I knew he was meant for me ... Anyways sorry that this is so long.. just take your time and look around .. Good luck


Hi you can also look into an Eclectus they are very smart and very loving and they don't bond to just one person they will love the whole family.. The only different thing with them is they need a bit of a different diet than other parrots.. The males tend to make a better pet they don't go through the female attitude !!! they are easy to bond with just feed them... ( the feathered stomach )Good luck

Answer 6

If she wants a bigger bird, get her a cockatiel. You can get a handfed baby from $60.00 to $120.00. They make wonderful pets and it would get along with the parakeet if they are introduced to each other under controlled conditions.

I used to own Pick A Little Pet Farm and was a professional breeder of many breeds of exotic birds. A bird such as a Macaw must have constant attention and is VERY noisy.

If you were to get a larger parrot, I would strongly suggest an African Gray or Timneh Gray. They make fantastic pets and have the ability to talk up a storm! They aren't as loud and obnoxious as a Macaw.

Answer 7

Quakers are a good choice, but they are illegal in some states, so check your state law first. Conures are great pets but they can be loud, so just be ready for that. Indian Ringneck parakeets are great, as are Senegals. I would NOT get a large bird until she's much older (I got my first big bird-cockatoo-when I was 18 and that was still probably too young) because will her college let her bring the bird? What about later in life? The decision to have a lifelong pet should be made when she's an adult, not when she's this young (I know that's what you were thinking, too, I just wanted to re-enforce that)
If you want to check out http://www.cockatootrainer.com/ for some ideas about the bigger birds and http://ilovemytoo.com has a GREAT forum and lots of people who have the bigger birds and will tell you real advice and stories to help you with this decision (don't even look at the my toos site. It's too negative and lots of it is exaggerated)

Answer 8

My family didn't have any bird experience when my mom brought a green wing macaw home. I was 7 or 8 and was the main care taker.

Have you considered a mini macaw? There are several kinds, Hahn's, Severe, Noble. . .

I have to disagree with the statement about African birds being quieter. Well my senegals chatter and whistles are quieter than the Amazons in my family, but he screeches terribly, which is more annoying.

Answer 9

I would agree with cliffieduckie. If they are legal in your state, try a Quaker Parrot. They are much smaller than a Macaw, and much cheaper than a Sun Conure!
Quakers are VERY affectionate, and are great talkers, but are much less trouble than the larger parrots

If your daughter would like, I can direct her to a yahoo group of loving bird owners who have everything from conures and Quakers to Parrotlets and African Greys! The group also has a great library on birds, training, safe and unsafe bird products, diets, health, and much more. just E-mail me.

Good Luck

Answer 10

I would try a green cheek conure. I have one that I got from a breeder when she was two months old and she is the absolute sweetest, most adorable bird ever! Also, she's not nearly as loud as some of the other conures like the sun conure (I have two of those as well along with two lineolated parakeets and a baby blue and gold macaw).