Bird Peeps Rope een PLEASE

[jamaica_dreamin]

I went to the Wilde Lfe rescue with a friend to adopt a bird yesterday. We met a a couple of cage aggressive Quaker Parrots. (They do talk.)

We also met a nice mature Cockatiel. He was very sweet. Not at all aggressive. I liked him. She was going to pick him up today. But, had 2nd thoughts. She had birds that talked in Jamaica. Her 6 year old wanted a bird that talks as well. They wanted a younger bird.

I took a liking to the bird yesterday. The bird took a liking to my 14 year old step son today. The people at the rescue even commented that he liked the kid. (I swear it was obvious). The bird went right on to his hand, etc

So I will be picking up this mature guy on Friday. They are going to give a good deal on a good sized 2nd hand cage for this boy. (they wanted him adopted) The lady working there and I chatted a bit so she knows I am an animal lover.

I have never owned a bird before. He will be the 14 year olds pet (with supervision). I know we need to keep him safe from Barney (the dog)

Any advice, tips would be welcome.

He looks like this [img]http://thm-a01.yimg.com/nimage/2361d7edeb11b118[/img]


ETA. I have been doing some reading. Do you think a bedroom is really to quiet a place for the bird? I was thinking it would be safer (from the dog) and I told the kid he could have him in his room.

[jamaica_dreamin]

Re: Bird Peeps Rope een PLEASE

We also looked in a bird specialty store. There were some LOUD white baby Macawas (? spelling). The people in the store said they scream for their bottles constantly.

There was a beautiful (blue) baby macaw.( I think they said it was a Macaw) He was awesome (he actually laid his head on the guys chest. But lawd he cost $1700!

[jamaica_dreamin]

Re: Bird owners / enthusiast

No bird people here?

[Nanook]

Re: Bird owners / enthusiast

Long ago I had a whole bunch of birds. I had a Nanday Conure, an Amazon Parrot, a Cockatiel, and about 4 parakeets all at once years ago. Cockatiels are very fun. You can teach them all kinds of fun sounds and they are very interactive. I rather liked them compared to my Amazon, simply because the Amazon could get very noisy! When they get to squawking you need ear plugs.

For a smaller bird I think the Cockatiels are best. The are more fun than parakeets and easier to care for than a parrot. I should look around and see if I still have any bird books. If I do I will send them to you.

Have fun, how exciting! I look forward to hearing all about him!

[jamaica_dreamin]

Re: Bird owners / enthusiast

Thanks Nanook,

It is kind of funny. I was not looking for a bird. But, he seemed so nice. When my friend decided not to take him I felt bad. Then I noticed the bird took a liking to Jr. and Jr face was lit up about it. I wonder if he once belonged to a teen aged boy? I hope that they will have many happy years together.

Jr is very excited. He has cleaned his room (a miracle)to make a spot for the cage. My friend (who got us started on this) made a stand for the cage. So far he is leaning twoards calling his bird Luigi.

The 6 year old up the street is going to name his bird Yoshi.

[Tulip]

Re: Bird Peeps Rope een PLEASE

I am not a bird lover but can respond as someone who once considered getting a bird. I think they are lovely but decided I'm not sure if I can manage one. I guess I am expecting them to always want to get free and not bond with their humans, but that is likely not true.

Good luck and I hope your son enjoys the experience.

[jamaica_dreamin]

Re: Bird Peeps Rope een PLEASE

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tulip</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am not a bird lover but can respond as someone who once considered getting a bird. I think they are lovely but decided I'm not sure if I can manage one. I guess I am expecting them to always want to get free and not bond with their humans, but that is likely not true.

Good luck and I hope your son enjoys the experience. </div></div>

Thanks

I swear to God these two seemed to click.

[Jamaicamiss]

Re: Bird Peeps Rope een PLEASE

Re macaws: they are screechers but fun to have. Some of them pull out their breast feathers. You also need to put them in your will, because they live for around 70 years, and will need to be handed down to a bird loving person.

My daughter had one once and he/she would begin screeching when we sat down to eat. He would say &quot;Want a peanut&quot;. It just meant he wanted something to eat while we were eating. If he screeched too much, they would use a water spritzer. Actually all they had to do usually is pick it up and aim and he would calm down. I say he/she because they didn't know what was the sex of the bird and it cost a lot of money to find out. So they named him Joe. When my daughter divorced he went with the ex.

[Stormmey]

Re: Bird Peeps Rope een PLEASE

I dont know much about Cokatiel....but from what I observe they are laid back birds and look so regal with the crown on top of the head.

I am an avid bird watcher love watching the little critters up here through binoculars. I had a pair of budgies when I was pre-teen well come teenage years I thought I had better fish to fry (boys) so I gave them away.

An elderly man up here has a white Cokatiel you see him around town with the bird on his shoulders, I always wonder if he is not scared the bird will fly away. I swear to God that bird is a flirt he whistles at women and cocks his head when he whistles at you. Sometime says stuff like pretty girl when he whistles.

Ja.dreaming you son sounds like he has found a feathered friend

[jamaica_dreamin]

Re: Bird Peeps Rope een PLEASE

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Stormmey1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I dont know much about Cokatiel....but from what I observe they are laid back birds and look so regal with the crown on top of the head.

I am an avid bird watcher love watching the little critters up here through binoculars. I had a pair of budgies when I was pre-teen well come teenage years I thought I had better fish to fry (boys) so I gave them away.

An elderly man up here has a white Cokatiel you see him around town with the bird on his shoulders, I always wonder if he is not scared the bird will fly away. I swear to God that bird is a flirt he whistles at women and cocks his head when he whistles at you. Sometime says stuff like pretty girl when he whistles.

That is too funny!

Ja.dreaming you son sounds like he has found a feathered friend </div></div>

It looks so.

Cute kids!

[jamaica_dreamin]

Re: Bird Peeps Rope een PLEASE

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jamaica Miss</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Re macaws: they are screechers but fun to have. Some of them pull out their breast feathers. You also need to put them in your will, because they live for around 70 years, and will need to be handed down to a bird loving person.

My daughter had one once and he/she would begin screeching when we sat down to eat. He would say &quot;Want a peanut&quot;. It just meant he wanted something to eat while we were eating. If he screeched too much, they would use a water spritzer. Actually all they had to do usually is pick it up and aim and he would calm down. I say he/she because they didn't know what was the sex of the bird and it cost a lot of money to find out. So they named him Joe. When my daughter divorced he went with the ex. </div></div>

I will make sure my friend knows they live so long. There is a 12 year old Macaw at an Avian Rescue in Brevard county (about 1 1/2 hours north) that she wants to go meet. Sounds like 12 is young enough to grow up with a 6 year old.

[jamaica_dreamin]

Re: Bird Peeps Rope een PLEASE

Any one ever bring a bird in when they already have a dog? How did it go?

I wonder if the dog will lose interest?

[Tulip]

Re: Bird Peeps Rope een PLEASE

I also worried about the compatibility with my dog. I know she would bark her natural behind off. However, I will admit that outdoors, she does seem a little less noisy about birds than squirrels. I would think that at some point, the dog would adjust once the newness wears off of the bird.

[SistahD]

Re: Bird Peeps Rope een PLEASE

I had a hand-fed cockatiel from he was a few months old, until he passed away at 13 years old... I think he had a stroke or something - fell off his perch once in a while, lay there stunned, then usually got up after a few minutes. The last time he did not get up.


He was my son's first pet - Shabba - very smart, spoke a few words - I'd ask 'where's my pretty boy?' and he would check his mirror, tap it with his beak, and repeat 'Pretty Boy, Pretty Boy, Pretty Pretty Boy' a few times


If I made a tapping sound he would bob his head up and down; he loved reggae and would dance along; and loved being sprayed with a water bottle -kind of like a stand up shower mist- he'd preen himself, turning, spreading his wings and really enjoying it!


Not sure I would want his cage in my son's bedroom though -consider the dust from feathers and cage, and bird poop can cause particular respiratory problems.

Nightime - make sure to use a cover on the cage - not only to encourage the bird's sleep time, but will reduce the sound of the constant singing which can be quite shrill/annoying at times -and the sound carries right down the street.

Re the dog = took my dog a little getting used to but eventually the dog stopped barking at the bird -and vice versa!




Have fun with the bird!

[jamaica_dreamin]

Re: Bird Peeps Rope een PLEASE

ok, thanks.

The bird will have to be in the living room.