Looking for advice when considering getting a bird

[Glass]

Hello! I'm new to the forum, and new to learning about birds. I've been considering getting a bird for awhile, but I think talking to some real owners may help me more than me research has. Here are my current concerns:

My family has a cat and a dog, I will be going to college in a few years, it will be a lot more than I bargained for.

I have read many articles about why you should and should not get a pet bird, and most of them seem to be about parrots. Here's where my main question lies. Many articles say that parrots require immense amounts of time and effort to keep happy, and the cons can sometimes outweight the benefits. On this forum I saw a similar post about why you probably shouldn't get a parrot. However, I'm a little confused about what qualifies as a parrot that these people are talking about. Most pet birds are types of parrots, right? (parakeets, parrotlets, conures, cockatoos, cockatiels) Do they mean all those birds or the "serious parrots" like African Greys or Macaws. I can definitely see the last two requiring a lot more time, money, attention, and dedication; however, I'm not even considering getting those big birds.

If I were to get a bird it would be a smaller/medium sized parrot(?) like a conure or parrotlet. Is the amount of work similar? Should I not get a bird? I would appreciate help answering these questions. Currently, I go to school for about 8 hours a day. I am home most days for 1 hour in the morning and 5-6 hours in the evening. Extracurriculars might change that later in the year. I usually have all of my weekends free. I've read that birds require multiple hours of attention a day. What does this entail? Just hanging out, or hours of active engagement(not sure exactly what that would be).

Going back to my concerns, I've read that you can keep a bird with a cat. I would obviously be very careful about keeping it in a locked room when I'm not with it, and always supervising when it is out of it's cage, or locking the door. My main concern is that when I go away to college in a few years, I won't be able to take it with me, and it will be stuck with my family after bonding with me. In the best case scenario I would be able to take it with me, but I know this isn't always the case. Don't think I could get it classified as a comfort pet either.

Sorry if this was long and unstructured, I just have a ton of questions. Hope it's not too much. Thanks!

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

Hi Glass
Why do you want a bird? Everything you have written says that now is not the right time. I'd wait a few years until you know you will be able to care properly for a creature that is only one or two generations from the wild and does not deserve to be trapped, alone in a cage for long hours.
Yes, I have a bird - but only because my aging Mother did not think through the consequences of having a parrot that has a life expectancy of fifty years or more just because her friends had one.
Mother had a stroke and is now caged in her own body in a care home whilst Casper is being given as much freedom as he wants in our home. What goes around comes around.
This is probably not the sort of reply you were expecting but it is the harsh reality of companion birds. They are wonderful, intelligent creatures and can be very amusing but you should think long and hard before taking on the responsibility of having one live with you.

[Dragonlady2]

Welcome to the forum!:th_smile: You have asked some very important questions and Casper's 2nd best friend's answer is spot on. I can appreciate your interest in birds/Parrots as they are amazing creatures. My question to you is why do you want a bird instead of hamster, sugar glider, snake etc.?

[Glass]

Thank you everyone for your advice. It seems now is not a good time for me to get a bird, so I will put that on hold until my life is more stable. Perhaps depending on the college I go to, if they allow birds I will get one then. I'm glad I did the research and didn't end up causing problems for the bird.

[Lady]

Hi Glass,
Welcome! Birds are truly special creatures. They absolutely need interaction each and every day. Some more so than others. Birds do form a bond with their human and it can be extremely devastating to them if we don't share our time, love, attention and interaction they need. Think of them as your best friend and put yourself in their place.
Home all day in a small confined space with no one to interact with until you come. Birds are flock animals and must have company of others whether it be us or a mate. What about an avian vet, is there one close by for you to rely on?
Where are you getting your bird from? That too is an important decision to think on as well.

Then you have to consider the other folks in your house....do they want a bird and all the responsibility that comes with them? Just some things to think on if you haven't already.

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

I am so glad you have sought our advice and that you have listened to us and made a very sensible decision. Stick around and if you feel confident about a subject help us help others while you learn from the mistakes that we all make. There is loads to read in our pages that will help you and when you do get to welcome a bird into your life hopefully you will think about opening your heart to a rescue bird, there are loads out there that need a loving home. :)

[Quakerella]

I also think you made the right choice, and everyone's advice was on point. You will know when the time is right, and you will be happy you waited.

[Charlie Brown]

Hey Glass, here a bit of my wisdom:

Whilst I can't deny that all comments are fair, my approach is more like: if you never listen or follow your Impulses ... what do you do?
I agree a pet is not the kind of thing you should buy on impulse... but if you have to consider every little aspect of everything you do, you could slip and break a leg climbing into bed, etc etc...
If you are always 100% cautious what things are you going to miss out on?

Several years ago i had all sorts of birds in an aviary, with one cockatiel as a housepet, I never felt bonded with it. Eventually and unexpectedly my land Lord went into a care home and I was forced to sell up, it broke my heart... but I took all my birds to a bird show and practically undersold them cos no other land Lord would let me in with 50 birds of which 10 were chickens...

Then on an Impulse I bought Bianca, an albino quaker parrot, it was love at first sight. I used to take her out whilst I had breakfast and then every evening too. Often taking her with me in the car and that's something I still do. Now I found the bird of my life lol

Eventually I asked for a boy to keep her company whilst I'm at work...
I was sold a blue quaker partot. And i was again in love... as the second year approached I realised the blue partot was a girl cos she laid 3 eggs.
The breeder is selfish snake, he lied to the pet shops who in turn lied to me.
What do i do? I could not seperate them after 2 years and return one, I ended up buying two boys with DNA papers...
I take them all out on alternate occasions so the pairs can bond to each other not only me.
I don't regret having 4 Quakers, even though it was not what i planned. They behave like puppies and are adorable, even follow me around the house. At times their demands can be overpowering, I just have to remind myself that they didn't have a choice in all this... and mostly I let them do as they please, provided they don't chew on my t-shirts or furniture. They also have a few toys in the cages to have something to do.

Yes I'm older, yes I have no family and I can do as I wish. And i have the space too. And if I go away for a few days a friend comes to take care of them, but happens less and less now.

My suggestion to you, check your family, if someone would be interested in getting involved with a bird, and share the duties, so if u can't take it when you go to college, it won't be paining for you all week. Or perhaps a good friend...

In my household are 2 cats, my half brother is a mad cat boy. The birds live in the conservatory, glass doors always shut, but when I take the birds out under supervision, the cats run lol. In the summer the windows are all open and in the winter the heat is up even though quaker can cope with British winters.

I'm not telling you to ignore everyone's advise. A parrot or parrot like bird loves as much attention as you can give it. And that applies to any bird that has been hand reared, even chickens can bond to you and will enjoy your company. Quakers are very clever - watch them! They can learn tricks, they want to be loved... mine do a few tricks, and I never bribed them with Food, it's all kisses and love - yes, I kiss my birds.

Your family should be your first port of call in this matter. If they are willing to support you, go for it.

And as to comfort pets, my parrots helped me fight depression, loneliness and more... and there is never a dull moment when the parrots strut their stuff about as they explore this on the carpet. By the way, they poop all the time, but once it's dry it comes off easy with a little scratch of your fingernail...

If you like birds as a pet, and it sounds like it, your life will be enhanced. Very much indeed!!!

Oh... And you don't really own a parrot they own you. You are only the one responsible for their safety, food, cleaning, entertainment... just to mention a few duties for us human slaves to a parrot lol

And oh again... Do not house any parrots in a room where people sleep, parrots are dusty birds, their dander can cause all sorts of allergic reactions to humans.

The blue parrot on the pic plays dead very well.

Whilst yes take advice, ask.permission and do all the rights things... also follow your heart. [emoji3][Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks]

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[Casper's 2nd best friend]

Knowing what students are like, my worries would be what the other people at college would get up to around your bird. People who do not know how sensitive birds are could cause problems. *Unless students are far more sensible nowadays compared to when I was young.
College life is very social so you would be torn between spending time with your friends and giving your bird the attention it deserves.
If your parents are happy to have the bird at home that would be cool but it would probably end up being their bird more than yours.

[Charlie Brown]

Knowing what students are like, my worries would be what the other people at college would get up to around your bird. People who do not know how sensitive birds are could cause problems. *Unless students are far more sensible nowadays compared to when I was young.
College life is very social so you would be torn between spending time with your friends and giving your bird the attention it deserves.
If your parents are happy to have the bird at home that would be cool but it would probably end up being their bird more than yours.Whilst I tend to agree with all the above...
parrots want to get involved, my 2 tame girls don't care what I'm up to or who is around... given time they might check out the guests on their own.
The two not so tame males freak out at everything, I have a bandage on my finger and that's enough for them to freak out every time I try to go near...

I never been to college, I started work at 14, so I don't know what students get up to. Buy I like to think that not all students live to drink and be wild... but even if they do, so long as the animals don't get shoved in a dark corner and are looked after...

Both human and parrots are all unique beings, what works for doesn't necessary work for the next...

Whilst my tame females won't go on strangers of their own accord, Bianca has never tried to get involved, Siniy becomes a chatter box and mumbles away to be part of the conversation. Shame I don't have more time to get her to.practice human speech.

One more thing that crops to my mind, whilst I'm single and house share...
What will I do if I fall Ill?
What if I have an accident at work and need hospitalization?
What if I'm visiting a friend far away and my car breaks down and i have to stay over night? (Which happened to my housemate 2days ago)
This would mean, late meals, no time out, me not even showing my face...
We have to live as well. Just make sure there is a back up plan at all times.

Whilst a grown up person with children will have a totally different approach to the animals and students will lack that knowledge, not all students have children...
I never had children - my birds are my babies.

We all perceive life differently. One person might think that putting a parrot on ur palm with its feet up is wrong, but my Siniy does it really well, as long as i say 'siniy is dea' she will stay there looking at me likd a loyal puppy, and Bianca let's me play with her toes. And i cover my birds with kisses which some people also think it's wrong...
Some people would also argue that I take my birds into the shower with me, and classify it as wrong...

I don't think im doing everything wrong, I think my birds are happy. And i do the best I can to fit my life around my birds. If I'm you g out for dinner, they won't have time out that night, and the birds won't be hurt in a y way ...

So, Glass, do u think u can dedicate daily time to a bird? Have it poop on us very 5-10 minutes? Have it shred ur phone cover cos the bird is curious about it? Being careful that it bird won't burn itself on your tea or meal? Research what foods it can and cannot eat? Have a back up plan in case u can't take with u?

I ended up moving 35miles away from London in order to find a home where I could take my feathered babies

Enough ramblings lol

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[Dragonlady2]

Agree with pretty much everything that is said above. My only added comment is that not all birds react the same. What works or is tolerated by one bird may stress out another and I believe that the "back up plan" is crucial and necessary when you take on the responsibility of getting a bird companion.

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

Excellent advice about the back up plan, Casper and I are on our own for a week whilst Casper's best friend is having fun in Switzerland. I am having to really think, even just going outside, I have to make sure that the door doesn't slam behind me and lock me out.
I went on a day trip to France this week and on the return journey the cross channel ferry had engine trouble so I was late back, way beyond Casper's lights out time. Its amazing how much mess one bored parrot can make in a few hours - it looked like he had a flock of friends around for a party :)

[Mare]

Tons of responsibility..lots to think about. I’m 61 years old and got my first bird at around 50ish..?. If I hadn’t already raised three children,,there’s NO way I could have handled this kind of responsibility!! :th_eek: :th_wink: