A list before purchasing your first Parrot

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A list before purchasing your first Parrot
Topic Started: Jan 10 2009, 02:55 AM (1,540 Views)
theexbrit	Jan 10 2009, 02:55 AM Post #1
Co Admin Posts: 4,144 Group: Co Admin Member #74 Joined: March 20, 2007 How many Parrotlets do you have 3 What types Pacifics What colours Green, pied Other Birds ? 2 Conures - Crimson Bellied & Green Cheeked I live in So. California My name is Andy	I put this here because I couldn't think of anywhere else drats :question: This is a list I made up for potential parrot owners. I know some people may disagree on some of the things, but I think this is a basic list for the general bird buyer. If anyone can think of anything to add or change, let me know. 10 Point Checklist Before Buying A Parrot 1.“Why do I want a parrot?” – This is the most important point. Make sure of your reasons for wanting a parrot in the first place. Don’t buy a parrot on a “whim”!! Remember; some parrots can live for 50 years or more. 2.“Do I have the room?” – Do you live in a house or an apartment/condo? Different parrots need certain minimum sized cages. Make sure you have the space for the type of parrot you’re acquiring. 3.“Do I have the finances?” – The original cost of the bird (if not a rescue) is just the beginning. Food, toys, cage, vet bills, etc; can add up to a substantial investment. 4.“Do I have the time?” – A single parrot requires at least an hour or two of playtime/interaction a day with its owner. If you travel a lot or have lots of other commitments that will intrude on this time, don’t get a parrot. 5.“Am I prepared to get ‘nipped’?” – Parrots use their beaks for many different things. 99.9% of parrot owners will experience a nip now & again, this does not mean the bird is being aggressive. Know the difference between a playful “nip’ & a full on attack. 6.“What kind of noise level can I tolerate?” - All parrots make noise! Some scream, others just chatter. Base your decision partly on item #2 above & partly on your own tolerance. 7.“Do I want my parrot to fly?” - Trimming your birds wings is really a personal preference. Although it is very cute to have your bird fly to you, a flighted bird may one day escape. A trimmed bird will generally bond better with you but is unable to fly out of trouble if needed. Trimmed or not, never let your bird out of the cage unsupervised! 8.“What do I do if I go on vacation?” (Remember item 4) - A single bird can be boarded. If it is very bonded with you it may be upset the first time you leave it, but it will get better each time (birds are very adaptable). 9.“What if my circumstances change?” - You must be prepared to accommodate your parrot in future circumstance changes, as much as possible. When you acquire a parrot you are making a commitment. There are too many parrots in rescues, don't add to the number. 10.“How do I choose my parrot?” - If you're not going to adopt from a rescue, find a reputable breeder. A good breeder will offer help & advice even after you're bought the bird. Do plenty of research, never make a hasty choice!



Bonnie	Jan 10 2009, 01:36 PM Post #2
Administrator Posts: 14,725 Group: Full Members Member #73 Joined: March 10, 2007 How many Parrotlets do you have 0 Other Birds ? YNA GCC. Cockatiel I live in Pennsylvania My name is Bonnie	Very good Andy, if more people would think before the buy there would be less birds in shelters or worse a bird dies a horrible death. I always have to say Hmmmmmmm :question: :question: :question: when people say I had one of those and one of those kind of birds and looking to get another bird.........................where are the other birds and why don't you still have them :question: :question: :question: Don't get me wrong there are many good reasons to re-home a bird but just because the bird didn't talk or was a little too loud or even bit you a couple times id not a good reason, What if the next bird doesn't meet your standards is it on it's way out too. Impulse buying without research usually means for an unhappy and soon unwanted bird :( :( Edited by Bonnie, Jan 10 2009, 01:46 PM.



Jan	Jan 10 2009, 05:00 PM Post #3
staff member Posts: 3,531 Group: Staff Member #1,157 Joined: November 18, 2007 How many Parrotlets do you have 3 What types Celestial What colours Blue & Green+Green Dominant Pied, Other Birds ? Zippi & Drummer Cockatiels I live in Wales uk My name is Jan	Very good points.. I think future owners should read and think well first... A bird is for life not for just fun.. the good with the bad... Jan



scooby	Jan 10 2009, 07:19 PM Post #4
Admin Posts: 4,471 Group: Admin Member #1,461 Joined: December 10, 2007 How many Parrotlets do you have 7 What types celestial What colours 3 green, 1 blue, 1 pastel blue,1 yellow, 1 albino Other Birds ? Meyers parrot, Gcc ,blue fischer lovebird,2 fischer lovebirds,2 mountain parakeet,2 budgies I live in York My name is Jacqueline ( jackie for short)	I agree good points :)



Noctua	Jan 10 2009, 11:12 PM Post #5
Member Posts: 239 Group: Full Members Member #2,930 Joined: November 8, 2008 How many Parrotlets do you have 2 What types One male Pacific, one female Pacific What colours Green lucida, I think Other Birds ? Nope I live in Colorado, USA My name is Kristin	All really good points, Andy! And really, they all (some with slight modification) apply to the consideration of ANY pet, not just birds. Good list. nod2



theexbrit	Jan 11 2009, 12:35 AM Post #6
Co Admin Posts: 4,144 Group: Co Admin Member #74 Joined: March 20, 2007 How many Parrotlets do you have 3 What types Pacifics What colours Green, pied Other Birds ? 2 Conures - Crimson Bellied & Green Cheeked I live in So. California My name is Andy	Thanks guys. True they could apply to any pet, not just birds nodding



Gardengail	Jan 11 2009, 02:55 AM Post #7
Staff Member Posts: 13,943 Group: Staff Member #25 Joined: January 18, 2007 How many Parrotlets do you have 1 What types Pacific What colours Blue Other Birds ? Severe Macaw and 2 Timneth Greys I live in Upstate New York, USA My name is Gail	I agree! All good points! I've had two of my three parrots for almost 20 years now and they are like children that NEVER grow up and leave!! So parrots can be a life long commitment! But very rewarding too!



Jan	Jan 11 2009, 04:47 PM Post #8
staff member Posts: 3,531 Group: Staff Member #1,157 Joined: November 18, 2007 How many Parrotlets do you have 3 What types Celestial What colours Blue & Green+Green Dominant Pied, Other Birds ? Zippi & Drummer Cockatiels I live in Wales uk My name is Jan	Same could be said about Husbands! :scared:



Bonnie	Jan 11 2009, 04:58 PM Post #9
Administrator Posts: 14,725 Group: Full Members Member #73 Joined: March 10, 2007 How many Parrotlets do you have 0 Other Birds ? YNA GCC. Cockatiel I live in Pennsylvania My name is Bonnie	:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:



scooby	Jan 11 2009, 06:12 PM Post #10
Admin Posts: 4,471 Group: Admin Member #1,461 Joined: December 10, 2007 How many Parrotlets do you have 7 What types celestial What colours 3 green, 1 blue, 1 pastel blue,1 yellow, 1 albino Other Birds ? Meyers parrot, Gcc ,blue fischer lovebird,2 fischer lovebirds,2 mountain parakeet,2 budgies I live in York My name is Jacqueline ( jackie for short)	And men :scared: :scared:



Gardengail	Jan 11 2009, 08:04 PM Post #11
Staff Member Posts: 13,943 Group: Staff Member #25 Joined: January 18, 2007 How many Parrotlets do you have 1 What types Pacific What colours Blue Other Birds ? Severe Macaw and 2 Timneth Greys I live in Upstate New York, USA My name is Gail	LOL! Jan and Scooby! rofl



theexbrit	Jan 11 2009, 08:44 PM Post #12
Co Admin Posts: 4,144 Group: Co Admin Member #74 Joined: March 20, 2007 How many Parrotlets do you have 3 What types Pacifics What colours Green, pied Other Birds ? 2 Conures - Crimson Bellied & Green Cheeked I live in So. California My name is Andy	:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: Jan & Scooby, oh how quickly the innocence dies drats drats :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:



Gardengail	Jan 11 2009, 08:46 PM Post #13
Staff Member Posts: 13,943 Group: Staff Member #25 Joined: January 18, 2007 How many Parrotlets do you have 1 What types Pacific What colours Blue Other Birds ? Severe Macaw and 2 Timneth Greys I live in Upstate New York, USA My name is Gail	You said it Andy! rofl rofl



Bonnie	Jan 11 2009, 09:50 PM Post #14
Administrator Posts: 14,725 Group: Full Members Member #73 Joined: March 10, 2007 How many Parrotlets do you have 0 Other Birds ? YNA GCC. Cockatiel I live in Pennsylvania My name is Bonnie	What innocence :lol: :lol: :lol:



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