Getting a parrot?

[Scragend]

I have always liked the idea of getting a parrot - I love their intelligence and cheekiness. But it's quite a massive commitment, what with their lifespan and intelligence and cheekiness!! I don't know anyone who has a parrot so I haven't had the chance to interact with one - could anyone give me an insight into what llife is like with a parrot in the house? - Thanks!

[gsr600]

Hi scragend
parrots are great i have 2
BUT they can be messy & noisy,painful
your'e right about commitment the regular cage cleaning
food & water changing just like any pet,
holidays could be a problem trying to find someone to look after them who has the experience.(preferably)
at least you dont have to walk them,
hopefully nobody in the home is allergic to them,
i have had my amazon since 1984 & my second grey since 1998, my first died suddenly after 13 years,never cried so much.
but both greys talked unlike the amazon,
my amazon loves me, will always come out on to my hand,
fly to my shoulder from the stand,
or if i lie on the floor she will fly from stand to her cage- climb down the side onto the table & then fly onto my stomach,
the grey won't do any of this,he would just climb up his cage & once there i would lift his cage down onto the floor onto newspaper while i clean his cage bottom out.
greys can be highly strung, if i enter the room with a cardboard box - he thinks its for him & backs away & squawks,
my wife can stroke his head & feathers when he is in or on his cage, i have little chance of either,
but let her try that on the amazon,it still wont let her.
i would like a macaw or cockatoo but i can dream.
So they can be quite entertaining etc but they also tie you down like most pets.
any more questions please ask.
Merry Christmas

[Scragend]

Happy Christmas to you too! Thanks for your quick reply... sort of what I expected really I suppose, we've got an old mog so I wouldn't look at getting a bird any time soon. Cats are quite low maintenance I expect compared to a parrot, so we've been spoilt! Do you find the noise a real problem? Have you had them since they were fledglings - and if so, do you find that helps with their socialising in the family? thanks again!

[gsr600]

Hi again
no i dont find the noise a problem a little loud at times,
i'm not sure how old the amazon was but the grey was about 3 months old.
i had the amazon before we had the kids so they have grown up tolerating each other ,but they cant touch the amazon either, its strictly a 1 person bird
but the kids can approach the grey but wont risk their fingers too much - he has quite a bite as I KNOW - the little ******.

[Scragend]

Thanks - yeah, I know there are quite a lot of birds who become fixed to one family member and a bit fierce with other people - are there any particular species who have this tendency more than others? I was looking at perhaps getting a pionus when I first started looking at parrots because I believe they're quite gregarious and friendly, but I spose it's probably very much dependent on the individual.

[freak_unique]

Oh dear dont lol! i lived with someone who had a parrot - at 6am in the morning itd be squawking for attention so loud, very painful if they peck but i guess it depends what qualities you want in a pet. Parrots are inteligent but not loving , but could be fun cuz different. not my cup of tea but if i hadnt lived with one id have wanted one lol!

[poopy]

Hi there, Im sorry but i wouldnt recommend a parrot. We have had our parrot for 3-4 years now and they are more of a nusiance than a joy. I luv him to bits he's part of our family and Im the one that spends most time with him, but I wouldnt recommend getting one at all - they need a lot more attention than kids. They make a mess and when you let them out of the cage they destroy things. There only funny on the odd occasion. Its not an all day and night action packed activity. He sings the dawn corus at 4am everymorning, adding the odd bit of verbal abuse! Their life span is around 30 years. I still cant get hold of him without a towel or get him to sit on my hand. You truely have to treat them like a baby - very hard work.
Anyway the choice is yours.

[Scragend]

Great, thanks everyone for your help. I think you have confirmed my worries for me! And my cat wouldn't be best pleased either! Happy Christmas and New Year to you all x