Parrots

[Link]

You should be ok, just makes it easier later on. At least he cant take your finger off in rage, unlike Calla
She used to be a real handfull

 

[Jess]

Make sure you get him out physically rather than let him wander out of his cage on his own. Saves dominance problems later

Errr... I let him come out on is own.

I can't physically get him out, he flaps around and gets stressed if I try to get him up on my finger or something.

Oh dear, oh dear.

Your birds are gorgeous btw

Have you started any kind of training with him yet? Anything like putting your hand in the cage to let him get used to it, or trying to get him to step onto a perch? Once he's more confident about having you around him he should step up with no problems

It just takes a lot of time and patience!

 

[Jess]

You should be ok, just makes it easier later on. At least he cant take your finger off in rage, unlike Calla
She used to be a real handfull

Ive been bitten by a Greenwing Macaw and a Brolly (nice huh? lol) and i think i can quite safely say that the Brolly hurts a hell of a lot more!!!! They have VERY powerful beaks!!! Beautiful birds though!

 

[Pointy_kitty]

WOW!
so many georgeous birds
makes me jealous
i've always wanted a large bird
stupid pickle is way too tiny
jk i love him to bits
do any of you guys know if bird size matters?
i was looking at getting a larger bird but i'm afraid it will attack
pickle and snap him like a twig
i wuv him so much
he's my itty bitty baby boy (bugerigar)
if you guys think that there is any way harm will come to him then
i will not even try it
pickle is king around here

ps
sorry about hijacking, everyone else was to so i thought it
would be rude not to

 

[Jess]

WOW!
so many georgeous birds
makes me jealous
i've always wanted a large bird
stupid pickle is way too tiny
jk i love him to bits
do any of you guys know if bird size matters?
i was looking at getting a larger bird but i'm afraid it will attack
pickle and snap him like a twig
i wuv him so much
he's my itty bitty baby boy (bugerigar)
if you guys think that there is any way harm will come to him then
i will not even try it
pickle is king around here

ps
sorry about hijacking, everyone else was to so i thought it
would be rude not to

Pickle is adorable!

As for getting a larger one - i have one thats a bit bigger than Pickle (Molly! ) and two fairly big ones as you can see from the pics! And Molly is definately in charge!!! The other two are SO scared of her!!! Its kinda funny!!! But obviously, if you did get a bigger one you might not be so lucky!lol If you want one then dont let having Pickle stop you, he'll get used to it! But be sure not to leave them alone unsupervised - Im forever breaking up fights! lol

What are you thinking of getting?

Jess

 

[Pointy_kitty]

Pickle is adorable!

As for getting a larger one - i have one thats a bit bigger than Pickle (Molly! ) and two fairly big ones as you can see from the pics! And Molly is definately in charge!!! The other two are SO scared of her!!! Its kinda funny!!! But obviously, if you did get a bigger one you might not be so lucky!lol If you want one then dont let having Pickle stop you, he'll get used to it! But be sure not to leave them alone unsupervised - Im forever breaking up fights! lol

What are you thinking of getting?

Jess

thanks

he's also in my avatar

i will not be getting another bird immediatley (probably in about a year or so)
so i have lots of time to research
also, i had to move back in with my parents (when i was wrongfully laid off) and i will be with them until i get back on my feet (probably about a year)
anyways, my mother welcomes my zoo with open arms,
they are as much her grandchildren as they are my babies
and they are so well taken care of that they NEVER stink, and are any trouble
my father on the other hand thinks i should get rid of most of them
he thinks they are a waste of time and money

so ya,
i'm not 100% sure on what i want to get
i'm looking for something with a more gentle temperment (i have a large family with alot of younger children) and preferable not extremley vocal
i realize that most birds are quite vocal (thank you pickle ) but some can be more then others
i would never leave a bird unattended with children, but i am still looking for something that would allow a gentle and careful hand of a supervised child

what do you think?

 

[Jess]

Pickle is adorable!

As for getting a larger one - i have one thats a bit bigger than Pickle (Molly!  ) and two fairly big ones as you can see from the pics!   And Molly is definately in charge!!!  The other two are SO scared of her!!!  Its kinda funny!!!  But obviously, if you did get a bigger one you might not be so lucky!lol  If you want one then dont let having Pickle stop you, he'll get used to it!   But be sure not to leave them alone unsupervised - Im forever breaking up fights! lol

What are you thinking of getting?

Jess

thanks

he's also in my avatar

i will not be getting another bird immediatley (probably in about a year or so)
so i have lots of time to research
also, i had to move back in with my parents (when i was wrongfully laid off) and i will be with them until i get back on my feet (probably about a year)
anyways, my mother welcomes my zoo with open arms,
they are as much her grandchildren as they are my babies
and they are so well taken care of that they NEVER stink, and are any trouble
my father on the other hand thinks i should get rid of most of them
he thinks they are a waste of time and money

so ya,
i'm not 100% sure on what i want to get
i'm looking for something with a more gentle temperment (i have a large family with alot of younger children) and preferable not extremley vocal
i realize that most birds are quite vocal (thank you pickle ) but some can be more then others
i would never leave a bird unattended with children, but i am still looking for something that would allow a gentle and careful hand of a supervised child

what do you think?

Um... id say not an African Grey then as they tend to bond mainly to one person. Although ive never owned one, i hear that Eclectus Parrots are nice and can be friendly with everyone if socialised properly They're just a bit bigger than a Grey.

Or you could try Caiques? They're not as big as Grey and Eclectus's but they are known for being particularly friendly! I personally love the Black Headed Caiques and nearly bought one - then i spotted Molly

Conure's are also recommended as children's birds (supervised obv!) so if you want one that will be good with children they are an option. Though, i have heard stories of them becoming quite nippy, they need a LOT of attention, Molly has to be with me all the time or she gets really noisy!! Though, thankfully she doesnt bite!

I guess the one i would personally recommend is a Kaikariki, but again thats not much bigger than Pickle... They are great little birds though, i had one and he was the friendliest bird ive ever had!! And they come in some beautiful colours too! These are also probably the quiestest birds you will find! Mine hardly ever did more than chirp in the morning to say hello!

Those are just some that i know of, but if you want to ask some people who could probably help you better than i can post on this forum ( http/www.parrots-paradise.co.uk/phpBB2/portal.php ) Its really nice and friendly, just say what you have and what you need and im sure they'll be able to help you! There's proper bird experts on there!

Jess

 

[Link]

All the birds have certain traits known for that species but it doesnt mean that a particular bird of that species will have those traits.
Greys are known for talking and Cockatoos for affection. You may have a grey that wont say a word and a Too' that wont cuddle.
Small birds have their good and bad points as do larger birds. Small birds are often cheeper (sorry) require less space, generally cost less to maintain and dont always require as much of your time.
Larger birds require more space and time. They are more expensive (Calla was £800) and can if they want do more damage to stuff, but their advanges far out weigh any of their 'bad points'

I think a Pionus might be a good choice. Medium sized, gently, fairly quiet, not that expensive, quite colourful and affectionate. Or even a small to medium sized Too' like a Galah or Goffins.

Just because a large bird has a large beak it doesnt mean it will use it. They are often more gentle in so many ways. Calla has a really annoying habit of picking scabs. Yeah I know
She will do it so gently and carefully its only when shes done it that you notice. If she does something wrong giving her an evil is often enough. Flapping your arms around and screaming is just called 'drama reward' and makes them do it more, to watch your reaction.

The advice I'd give is research as much as you can all the different species. Dont leave out their 'bad points'. Take your time and speak to as many different people as you can.
Find out their requirements, what they cost, their noise levels etc. Once you've narrowed it down to a couple or even one hassle breeders for info. Ask every question you can think of however stupid it may seem. I will have Calla for the rest of my life and I'm only 26 so thats something to bare in mind as well.

If you want any more info give us a shout

 

[Jess]

Calla has a really annoying habit of picking scabs. Yeah I know

That's just minging! lol

You know, if Calla is only a baby she could outlive you! The parrot thing i went to last weekend has a LSC that was 80 and had outlived his owner!! Scary thought!

But yeah, as Link said, plenty of research, maybe go and visit breeders or pet shops that have different birds so you can handle them and see which you like. I often find that i can tell straight away if im not going to like a certain bird (Tends to be B&G macaws for some reason... weird!). But there's SO many different birds out there you're bound to find one thats perfect for you im sure!!

Jess

 

[-cAtFiSh-]

although i have had no experience with one in captivity, a lorikeet might be a good option. they arent very big and the wild ones i have hand fed were very tame and didnt bite or anything at all.

one other thing, Cheese what kind of bird do you have?

 

[Jess]

although i have had no experience with one in captivity, a lorikeet might be a good option. they arent very big and the wild ones i have hand fed were very tame and didnt bite or anything at all.

one other thing, Cheese what kind of bird do you have?

They're nice birds! Very messy eaters though! Just thought id add that...

 

[-cAtFiSh-]

although i have had no experience with one in captivity, a lorikeet might be a good option. they arent very big and the wild ones i have hand fed were very tame and didnt bite or anything at all.

one other thing, Cheese what kind of bird do you have?

They're nice birds! Very messy eaters though! Just thought id add that...

omigod i know ay!! my grandparents get huge flocks of them in their garden sometimes so when i go out to feed them apple i get about 5 or 6 crammed onto my hands. when they have finished sucking on a piece of apple they throw it away so i end up with apple all up my arms they are gorgeous though

 

[Jess]

Anyway, getting back to what this thread was about - My birds!

Here's that picture of Magic i said i was going to post! How great is that? New feathers coming through, and ive only had him two weeks!!!



Magic about a week ago! (Havent got any showing his feathers well from before then!) :

Magic Today!

 

[Link]

Thats great Jess, nice one

I'd give him a nice warm spray each morning with a mister. I find it helps the feathers out and he wont bother with them when they are wet. Bitter Beak also helps if he starts medling.
When Calla has new fethers they often give her real grief, especially bloodfeathers. She always pulls one blood feather every moult and then wont let the wound heal. I just put skin eeze on it and bitter beak and that does the trick.

Hopefully Magic will leave them alone and let them grow out

 

[Jess]

Thats great Jess, nice one

I'd give him a nice warm spray each morning with a mister. I find it helps the feathers out and he wont bother with them when they are wet. Bitter Beak also helps if he starts medling.
When Calla has new fethers they often give her real grief, especially bloodfeathers. She always pulls one blood feather every moult and then wont let the wound heal. I just put skin eeze on it and bitter beak and that does the trick.

Hopefully Magic will leave them alone and let them grow out

He's actually been really good with the plucking - Ive havent seen him pluck a single feather in three days!

Unfortunately he gets really upset if i try and spray him, i think it must have been used as a punishment or something He does tolerate a dunk in the sink though! lol Whats Bitter Beak? Ive never heard of that!

You have any suggestions for Molly? She's in the middle of her first moult and has been chewing her feathers (not plucking yet thankfully!!) and they look awful! You can probably see on the pictures what she's done to her wings! Theyre supposed to be green and you can only see the brown feathers that are supposed to be underneath! I took her to an Avian vet and he said there wasn't much i could do, just give her lots of attention and try and keep her from plucking. Ive been giving her "Feather up" and she has Calcivet in her water, but she's still chewing the new feathers as they're coming through... Im all out of ideas!!!

Luckily my grey is just perfect and hasn't destroyed all of her feathers (yet...lol)

Jess