New and Bird-less

MancFrost

Registered
Hi all,
I’ve been thinking about getting a bird recently.

I’ve had a budgie and cockatiel indoors and budgies in an aviary when I was a kid but I’ve always wanted a parrot. My dogs and cat have all died now so I’ve been pet free for a couple of years.

I’m doing my research because I don’t want to get one to find out I can’t handle/afford a parrot. Especially given their lifespan.

Cheers
M
 
:welcome: Good for you doing your research first.
Many parrots are long lived, although of course that doesn't count for illness.
Do you have a specie you are interested in.
Don't forget they like company and not to be left alone for hours on end, also can be very noisy and sometimes destructive.
I am sure our members will be along to answer any questions.
 
Thank you, I’m open to any species at the moment :)
I’ve got a few questions I’m going to post separately as my intro started as a bit of a long one!
Might be more useful to other people in my situation as seperate threads too :)
 
Hi and welcome

your exactly where I was 18/24 months ago.

folk here will give you some great advise
I can’t help noticing your picture ❤️
one thing I’m wrestling with is the thought of the birds people have given up on and the possible diets and issues that may be under the surface versus a younger bird. What was your next step after the planning phase I’m in.
I’ve noticed in the rescues there are always plucked greys listed 😔
*I know a younger bird won’t be a 100% shiny new perfect specimen but I’ve read horror stories from years of poor diets and neglect.
 
Hi! Its true you do get rescue birds that have had traumatic past lives and been neglected or a victim of abuse or they have come from loving homes that had to give them up due to unforeseen circumstances but these birds still need homes and can end up being just as lovely. I'm biased. My congo african grey Ollie is a rescue. Hes 13. Hes a little plucked but hes shown improvements in that since i got him a few months ago. Hes my best friend. We bonded faster than i had expected and now I dont think id cope without him. Obviously thats not always the case, it can take time, but you get out of it what youre willing to put into it! He was in foster before i got him with another grey who was subject to abuse. He had hardly any feathers and could no longer vocalise. He just squeaked. It was heart breaking but also so great seeing him finally getting the love he deserves. He is a sweet bird despite his past and his family love him very much. Greys are known for being quite sensitive as a species. Sometimes the slightest change in routine can lead to plucking. Again this depends on the individual bird though. I feel like Ollie is quite well adjusted but he has had about 4 previous owners so I think that may have desensitised him a bit.
Those cute plucked souls need homes too! They're still beautiful.
 
Hi! Its true you do get rescue birds that have had traumatic past lives and been neglected or a victim of abuse or they have come from loving homes that had to give them up due to unforeseen circumstances but these birds still need homes and can end up being just as lovely. I'm biased. My congo african grey Ollie is a rescue. Hes 13. Hes a little plucked but hes shown improvements in that since i got him a few months ago. Hes my best friend. We bonded faster than i had expected and now I dont think id cope without him. Obviously thats not always the case, it can take time, but you get out of it what youre willing to put into it! He was in foster before i got him with another grey who was subject to abuse. He had hardly any feathers and could no longer vocalise. He just squeaked. It was heart breaking but also so great seeing him finally getting the love he deserves. He is a sweet bird despite his past and his family love him very much. Greys are known for being quite sensitive as a species. Sometimes the slightest change in routine can lead to plucking. Again this depends on the individual bird though. I feel like Ollie is quite well adjusted but he has had about 4 previous owners so I think that may have desensitised him a bit.
Those cute plucked souls need homes too! They're still beautiful.
That’s both heart breaking and a wonderful story. He sounds like a wonderful bird, a kind of bond I’d like to have.
do you think he’ll ever vocalise again? I’ve always wondered about plucking- are certain feathers likely to grow back?
 
That’s both heart breaking and a wonderful story. He sounds like a wonderful bird, a kind of bond I’d like to have.
do you think he’ll ever vocalise again? I’ve always wondered about plucking- are certain feathers likely to grow back?
My bird Ollie is vocal. It was his fosters other grey who had been abused, has hardly any feathers and is non vocal. I dont think he will be able to vocalise again. He just does little squeaks. Its a sad story for him but it has a happy ending.

My boy Ollie plucked his tail out. It grew back in and then he plucked it out during the night again. Its a habit he has had for a while. He was doing it before i got him. Also his neck as well although that has improved since i got him. Can take time to break the habit but with some birds they just dont let their feathers grow back in or damage the follicles from repetitive plucking and then the feathers will not grow back. It depends what caused the plucking. Maybe its been change in routine. See a lot of birds whose owners have been working more etc and as a result of being left alone for longer periods of time they have started to pluck. This is why routine is important. Ive heard of greys that have started plucking because their cage has been moved to a different room. It can happen for all manner of reasons. With Ollie im keeping notes of when it happened and what happened exactly before and throughout the day to see if there is a possible trigger or if is just something hes started doing for whatever reason months ago, probably as a result of being rehomed, and become habit.

He could be completely bald and id still love him and would have said yes when the charity suggested him. Wouldn't have made a difference to me. Maybe they're not new and shiny like a young bird from a breeder but its rewarding to know ive given him a better life and to see him flourish every day.
 
I can’t help noticing your picture ❤
one thing I’m wrestling with is the thought of the birds people have given up on and the possible diets and issues that may be under the surface versus a younger bird. What was your next step after the planning phase I’m in.
I’ve noticed in the rescues there are always plucked greys listed 😔
*I know a younger bird won’t be a 100% shiny new perfect specimen but I’ve read horror stories from years of poor diets and neglect.
I ended up being a safe house for a rescue, in basic a bird gets given up/found/taken away by the rescue, it then goes to a safe house to be assessed and treated if necessary, then the safe house puts up his adoption notes, this could be a week or a year after they get him/her, then n theory they will know all the likes/dislikes etc.

we decided to do this while we researched and tried to decide the most suitable bird for us.

Bert turned up and to be truthful an African grey was never on my list, wanted something smaller, more “cuddly” but we agreed to help as it was Christmas time and the rescue was closed for adoptions.

All safe houses have the choice to “keep” the bird/s.

certainly look nto it, I’m not being mean but it’s a chance to “test” the parrot life before you commit for many, many years.

also not all rescues are “taken” from owners, many, many birds are given up through change of life or death and are very, Very loved and well cared for.

the simple thing is every single bird is an individual although you can kind of get an idea you won’t know till you actually get that bird.

also remember babies are super cute and great for a year or so then they mature and some change quite a lot, they can turn from loving gently things to mini Trex, not all so just be aware a baby doesn’t mean “nice” or better.
 
That’s an interesting idea about being a safe house. I’m in Manchester, I don’t suppose there’s any decent rescues up my end of the country? I can’t drive so I would be relying on my dad for transport.
I’ve seen a couple while looking and didn’t even consider something like that.

Thank you,
 
That’s an interesting idea about being a safe house. I’m in Manchester, I don’t suppose there’s any decent rescues up my end of the country? I can’t drive so I would be relying on my dad for transport.
I’ve seen a couple while looking and didn’t even consider something like that.

Thank you,
Due to forum rules we can’t name any but there are a few “national” rescues who operate all over England, Wales and Scotland.

my advise would be to speak to them, read all the fine print and then speak again, just make sure you have your eyes wide open.
Some have some strange rules, you will also have to complete a home visit and basic knowledge test/chat type thing.
 
Welcome to the forum :welcome:

I’ve had a budgie and cockatiel indoors and budgies in an aviary when I was a kid but I’ve always wanted a parrot.

Budgies and Cockatiels are parrots, not many people realise this :)

Do your research, parrots can be noisy, destructive, draw blood, needs constant attention etc....

We started with budgies and cockatiels and still have them and always will have them. We have a whole variety of parrots including Hahn's Macaw, Amazons, love birds, cockatoos etc..

Even though they are all parrots, they all come with their own traits, personality and problems...

...but we do love them all and wouldn't do without them :)
 
I have one not from a rescue but rather a lady that just wanted a good home an gave him upto me after she had a traumatic time wasnt a grey but an indian ringneck although hes not to tame he steps up etc he slots right into our lifes. I also own ones ive bought hand reared an some wouldnt agree. ive had quite the time with my amazon an there was something wrong an ended up at the vets within few days an had vets bills etc an it should of been something the breeder picked up on an hadnt instead sold me him. There pros and cons of both. Id love to rescue a parrot but always felt a rescue perhaps wouldnt let me as i own dogs an have three children so put me off. Do whats right for you.
 
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