Any Pet Bird keepers here?

[plumb4u2]

My twins have been talking about getting a new pet

I grew up with dogs my whole life however my wife and I both work full time and the kids keep us running out all the time so I don't think it would be right to bring in a dog with the limited attention we could provide

I am not a cat person

So I've been doing some research about birds and was wondering if any of you guys have experience with cockatiels or conures?

From what I have been reading cockatiels may be a better option as the conures seem to be very loud birds

Let's hear it guys

[vash]

dont do it!!

never owned birds before..but i have worked in a pet store that sold them. birds make any other pet neat and tidy by comparison. there will be some fine dust over everything you own..bird seed? everywhere. bird crap? everywhere.

my boss had a small conure that hated and attacked everyone. for some reason, it would fly across the store to sit on my shoulder. my boss offered me that bird for FREE..oh hell no!

we had to cut fresh fruit and veggies for the birds daily. which meant we needed to clean the bowls daily..water bowls? yup..wash those too! cage washing was effen constant!! you go on vacation..you will need to find a bird sitter just like everything else.

it isnt bird seed and chirping happiness..it is a mess. and they live FOREVER!

[vash]

man..i cant believe i am saying this..get a cat. (shiver)

[Targa Me]

I've got 2 birds. A cockatiel and cockatoo. The cockatoo is bigger but the mess is smaller. She demands attention. The cockatiel is a messy bird as Vash indicates, but less maintenance as far as demanding attention. A small bird is good for kids. Big birds tend to bite, especially kids.

[plumb4u2]

Originally Posted by vash

man..i cant believe i am saying this..get a cat. (shiver)

No offense to the cat lovers but they are not an option with me or the wife

[vash]

Originally Posted by plumb4u2

No offense to the cat lovers but they are not an option with me or the wife

lucky devil you!!

[strupgolf]

My aunt had a Parakeet for many years. Small cage, nice bird, and it was just right for her. It would be a friend for the kids without the mess.

[Baz]

Getting a pet is a big decision.

I applaud you for seeking input first....

Mine is an Umbrella Cockatoo. Very very smart - in fact she's smarter than my 2 Blue Heelers....and that is SMART!

She is lower maintenance than any of my pets and that includes dogs and cats.

She will outlive me. Birds are not unlike other livings things...they all have various personalities. I must say though my Matilda is a huge sweetheart.

Here she is....



Feel free to ask questions.

[Drdogface]

I would think that a bird or two would not be a great pet for kids. They are just not warm and cuddly like kids would want. I think the kids would be bored very quickly. Birds are also frequently one person animals or just not social at all. Cockatiels can live 20+ years and larger birds even longer.. Even a Cockatiel can have a painful bite..especially on a child. IF this is for kids....get a dog, if you can manage the care taking, or a cat. Kids will love it even if you don't. Neutered male cats are generally more social than females. Do NOT get a Calico as they are usually mean and temperamental. Orange tabbies and black and whites are usually the best IMO. I was in Vet practice for 40 years

Many good pet dogs and cats can be found at shelters so you can usually avoid the puppy/kitten stuff. The shelters will usually let you 'test drive' one for a short while...

[Hendog]

We have a female Ecclectus. We also have two black labs. Birds are smart as BAZ says. They are an entirely different pet. We "sat" a lovebird for a few months. The lovebird was a cool little bird in that they are cuddly and, if they bite it really doesn't hurt. Keep in mind birds have a long life span. For your kids, get a dog.

[vonsmog]

We have a cockatiel that someone abandoned at my auto repair shop about 20 years ago in the dead of winter. I found it freezing in its cage, with the water in its dish frozen solid. Don't know how long it was there, could have been a day or two as it was over the weekend. Anyway I bring it in and turn the heat on and as it warms up it starts squawking, and has not stopped since! I had it sold for $50 that day, but my wife said no, and took it home, and we have been stuck with it ever since. It even got outside and flew away twice and came back twice! I can't get rid of it, if I tried! Plus they live for like 25 years, so be prepared for the long haul. For my wife and I, the kids have moved out the dog and rabbit the kids had have died. Just waiting for the bird to croak so we are not tied to the house having to feed and care for it.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Hendog

We have a female Ecclectus. We also have two black labs. Birds are smart as BAZ says. They are an entirely different pet. We "sat" a lovebird for a few months. The lovebird was a cool little bird in that they are cuddly and, if they bite it really doesn't hurt. Keep in mind birds have a long life span. For your kids, get a dog.

Hi Henri - those are beautiful birds! Would love to see a pic of yours if you can upload one. Cheers, Baz

[Rikao4]

I'd buy them another game...
bird,dog,cat today...
forgotten next week..

like you said..
we don't have time...

Rika

[Hendog]

Originally Posted by Baz

Hi Henri - those are beautiful birds! Would love to see a pic of yours if you can upload one. Cheers, Baz

These are older pictures before she started picking her feathers. 1 out of 3 birds (they say) pick their feathers and Keeli does that so she looks pretty scruffy now.

You will also have to consider having a good avian vet. Keeli has cost us an easy$1200-1800 a few times she got in trouble. Birds are curious and get into everything. She chewed the metal around the spout in the kitchen and got a heavy metal poisoninng. She also recently chewed on an electrical cord and got electrocuted: the cord shorted on itself while in her mouth. Yep you need a good avian vet.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by plumb4u2

No offense to the cat lovers but they are not an option with me or the wife

[Cat lover here]

Well then, get a bird... get three or four (the bigger the better)! setup the cage in your bedroom! You will love it!

BTDT, they are extremely beautiful and intelligent... also extremely messy and (some are) loud... and they poop all over... kinda odd now that I think about it, they are so smart but just don't care where they poop.

Edit: After see Henri's post add extremely expensive too...

Only way I would do birds again is if I could setup an aviary...

We do want to get chickens some day but that is a different story...

[redstrosekNic]

I had a Parakeet for several years when I was a kid. She learned how to say a few words, and was a lot of fun to grow up with for a few years. I was devastated when she died. For a kid, I would stick with a small bird such as a Parakeet.

[vash]

Scott brings up a great idea. What about pet chickens?

[targa911S]

I had an African gray parrot for 20 years. Very entertaining, but really noisy and very messy. I do not miss it, and I will never have another.

[stomachmonkey]

Had birds as kid.

My boy wants a bird.

Not doing it.

Too messy and noisy for my
tastes.

Try a ferret. Slightly smelly but smart and a bundle of fun. Bit mischievous though.

[slodave]

I love birds and had a number of parakeets over the years. The last two were English Parakeets. They look like a normal 'keet, but are larger and were bred as show birds. If you do get a bird, stay away from Parakeets. Australia banned the export in the late 1800's and because of this their gene pool is very polluted (inbred). It's hit or miss with longevity with them. The normal variety can live up to about 15 years and the English will live to about 10, if you are lucky. They can also die within a few days of buying one.

Using parakeets as an example... If you have one, they will become attached to you and family, as it will adopt you as part of its flock, interact with you. If you have two, all bets are off, as they will become good friends and pretty much ignore you and your family.

Lastly, I do not believe in clipping their wings. Birds are meant to fly. All my birds had free range of the house during the day. They seemed happier and definitely had longer lives. You do have to be careful with open doors though.