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corby
Egg
Joined: 08 Feb 2006
Posts: 3
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| New bird owner; would like opinions and advice |
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Hello everyone.
I've been looking into buying a parrot, and am really unsure of what is best for my type of situation.
Here are my limitations:
I don't want to and can't spend a fortune (over $1000 canadian) as I am merely a student  .
Also, I live with my family, so a non-screaming or generally calm bird is probably best.
There is usually somebody home during the day and we also have a dog (friendly) and cat (nearly non-existent).
I am slightly limited by size, but that seems to go hand in hand with price, so it shouldn't really be a concern.
I know it sounds like a lot, but I was doing my research and it seems that the TAG is a good choice. Unfortunately, I also read that they are not a good parrot for beginners. My second choice was a cockatoo, but I read that they are pricey and tend to have aggressive issues.
Any suggestions?
Many thanks! |
Wednesday February 8, 2006 11:40 pm |
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shirin
Moderator
Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 7401
Location: Canada, Toronto |
Hi Corby 
Welcome to the board. First off, you won't find African Greys or Cockatoos for under $1000 in Canada. They both cost about $1800. Greys aren't big screamers, unless they develop a screaming problem, but they are quite vocal. They are also highly sensitive birds and highly prone to plucking. I definitely wouldn't recommend a Grey for a first time bird owner. Cockatoos have certain times during the day when they scream as part of their natural vocalization, and this is not something you can stop. Some can scream all day long if not trained properly. And they have REALLY LOUD voices. They're also very prone to plucking, and can get quite agressive after sexual maturity. They are defintely one of the hardest birds to keep.
I would recommend starting out with a smaller bird. What about a cockatiel? They're beautiful, and they're from the cockatoo family, but a lot easier to manage. |
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Thursday February 9, 2006 5:50 am |
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Cheeta
Moderator
Joined: 06 Apr 2005
Posts: 7956
Location: Australia |
Hi Corby
Welcome to the forum. Glad you're asking question before you get the parrot, it shows that you're willing to learn. 
Cockatoo isn't the best for first bird owner. To be honest, I think cockatoo is one of the hardest birds to look after and make sure that it doesn't develop any behavioural problem. My cockatoo, in my opinion is one of the cutest, but boy I can tell you that he isn't the easiest bird to take care of. he has his moments, and his needs are beyond any birds that I've ever had in my life, and I've had many birds.
I'm not sure with the Timneh is like. Have you thought of having smaller parrots like the cockatiels or the senegals? I personally can't speak for the senegals, but alot of people can. The cockatiels are one of the best bird for a first time owner. They are not noisy, easy to take care off and is very easy to tame and not to mention friendly too, And they aren't too expensive.
Good luck with your search
Last edited by Cheeta on Thursday February 9, 2006 5:03 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Thursday February 9, 2006 5:58 am |
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Fluffy Sue
Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 10063
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Hi Corby, welcome to fluffies!
I agree with both Shirin and Cheeta. I would not go for a cockatoo. That may sound silly from someone who lives with a cockatoo but if I'd known this 6 years ago.. Zazu would probably not living with me. (Not that I don't love him now!)
Timnehs can be great birds, and I think they are slightly less expensive than the CAG. They are also a little smaller but still quite sensitive.
Can I ask what you'd like in a parrot? I find Senegals pretty tranquile and let's say lovebirds hyper! I can put Iago near me, and forget about him because he's so tranquile.. |
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Thursday February 9, 2006 1:01 pm |
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sherwoods billie
Bappie
Joined: 28 Dec 2005
Posts: 91
Location: Canada |
I have a senegal as well. He is very calm and quiet, though he does have his moments  His "moments" aren't nearly as loud as other types of parrots though! Even our cockatiels were louder-and spent more time "talking" too. Whatever type of parrot you get, make sure to get to know them first... our bird was a pet store bird and was not hand tame when we got him. If you want the have the most fun with your bird, make sure you can handle him when you buy him! |
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Thursday February 9, 2006 2:47 pm |
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Chaquita's Mom
Experienced flier
Joined: 29 Jun 2005
Posts: 1028
Location: Pennsylvania, USA |
Hello Corby! Welcome to fluffies!! We love it when people are trying to educate themselves before they buy! Sengals, cockatiels and love birds are all great! The cockatiels and lovies cost around $120 US dollars. Not sure on the sengals. You may also consider a Quaker, about $250 US dollars, Green Cheek Conures, about $650. All very quarky and entertaining Not nearly as sensative as the larger bird breeds. |
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Thursday February 9, 2006 7:40 pm |
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shirin
Moderator
Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 7401
Location: Canada, Toronto |
I'll translate those prices into Canadian, hehe. Lovebirds here in Canada cost anywhere between $149-$250 CAD depending on type. Cockatiels are ussually about $199 CAD. Green Cheeks are $450 CAD. Quakers, I don't remember. Senegals about $600. These are all petstore prices. The prices are a lot cheaper if you can find a breeder. Where in Canada do you live? |
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Thursday February 9, 2006 7:47 pm |
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corby
Egg
Joined: 08 Feb 2006
Posts: 3
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Wow, thanks for all the feedback! This is great, I'll take all this into consideration.
I'm in southern Ontario, so finding breeders isn't really a problem. I've checked listings and there's plenty of breeders for every type of bird at least within an hour drive or so; so breeders aren't a problem. =)
As for the earlier question; well, I would definately like a medium sized parrot. Something that won't be too loud screaming-wise. I go to school during the day, but otherwise I should be able to care for him/her all day.
Another one I was looking into was the Eclectus parrot, though they didn't seem like a good family choice. Any suggestions?
Thanks so much for all the info! You guys are wonderful. |
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Thursday February 9, 2006 9:50 pm |
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shirin
Moderator
Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 7401
Location: Canada, Toronto |
Corby, have you considered a pionus? They're medium sized, under $1000, and come in different colours. They're very beautiful, and I've heard they are on the quiet side. Fiona has a white-capped pionus, maybe she can tell you more about their personalities: http://www.fluffies.org/en/flu.....url][/url] |
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Friday February 10, 2006 2:23 am |
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corby
Egg
Joined: 08 Feb 2006
Posts: 3
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My gosh, I just looked through some more possibilities and am absoluteley overwhelmed.  I've now fallen in love with African Greys, Cockatoos, Eclectus, Senegals, Meyers, Caiques and the Pionus parrot. Cockatiels and Parakeets are pretty darn cute too.
Well, either way, this decision will not be made until the summertime, or next weaning of chosen bird, but thank you everyone for opening up my interest of birds!
I'll keep studying and read some personal pages of all the ones I'm interested in and will definately come back and say how things went. |
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Friday February 10, 2006 4:01 am |
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ksue
Flier
Joined: 05 May 2005
Posts: 484
Location: Melbourne Australia |
I cannot beleive lovebirds are so expencive over there shirin....they are under 40bucks here.....why so much??????? I have heard the eclectus are great birds......i am actually looking into adding one to our home in the future |
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Friday February 10, 2006 9:41 am |
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shirin
Moderator
Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 7401
Location: Canada, Toronto |
Kellie, those are petstore prices, most breeders sell lovebirds for about $80, which is still a lot more than $40  And the $250 is what petstores charge for masked and fischers lovebirds, cuz they're not as common, but it's so bull because breeders sell them for the same price as the peach faces. |
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Friday February 10, 2006 2:16 pm |
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Cheeta
Moderator
Joined: 06 Apr 2005
Posts: 7956
Location: Australia |
quote:
Originally posted by ksue
I cannot beleive lovebirds are so expencive over there shirin....they are under 40bucks here.....why so much??????? I have heard the eclectus are great birds......i am actually looking into adding one to our home in the future
Oh, I so want an Ekkie!! I saw this boy ekkie at a bird shop not too long ago, and it was just the cutest thing.. As soon as you pick him up, he'll stretch his beak as far as possible towards your face for a kiss... he's such a little casanova!! LOL.. He loved to cuddled! Was the friendliest one I've ever met I think. |
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Friday February 10, 2006 2:49 pm |
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ginni
Egg
Joined: 10 Feb 2006
Posts: 12
Location: birmingham |
hi t here all,
i am new here and would like some info on my senegal |
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Friday February 10, 2006 3:04 pm |
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Cheeta
Moderator
Joined: 06 Apr 2005
Posts: 7956
Location: Australia |
Hi Ginni,
Welcome to the forum. What would you like to know about your senegal? Do you have anything specific you'd like to find out? Just ask away.
And oh, we would love to hear all about your sennie too. and of course see some pics as well. hehe. |
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Friday February 10, 2006 3:06 pm |
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