does anyone have birds?

**Michelle** · 01-31-2003, 07:58 AM

I have been talking to a friend about these, and I think I may be persuaded to get a couple little ones for my kids.

What kind do you have? What's the upkeep like?

**sixfreds** · 01-31-2003, 09:40 AM

we did have a cockatail and they are easy to take care of but make a mess...they need attention to so you either need to talk and pay attention to them or have a pair...

We had to get rid of ours, I was hospitalized and my husband had a hard enough time taking care of our daughter, the house and everything else so we gave the bird to my sister (who's birds had this bird so he is well taken care of now)..

Eileen

**PrairieRose** · 01-31-2003, 03:05 PM

Michele, we don' t have a bird at the moment but in the past we've had a parakeet (that talked, if you get one be careful of your language around them....mine cussed, ahem) and he was the sweetest little birdie in the whole world, smarrrrrrt too! We've also had cockatiels as well. I am DYING for a cockatoo. I REALLY want one, but dh isn't so keen on it. If you get a bird and need any help taming it, holler at me, I have loads of tips. They are really great pets if you don't mind a little birdseed in the floor at all times.

**CAGmomof2** · 01-31-2003, 04:21 PM

My neighbor has a Quaker the bird is a cutie and she is smart but she can be mean.
When ever we go on shopping trips together she usually has to end up picking some thing up for her bird and sometimes the treats for her bird will be high in price because the bird will not eat just any kind of bird treats but only certain kinds.
I will have to ask her how much she thinks it cost her for the upkeep of her bird.
Her bird is real talkative and the bird lets you know if she is mad or she is upset or even happy about things.
The bird (Shelly has her own personality).

**Sara Noel** · 02-02-2003, 09:48 AM

I have owned parakeets and cockatiels and a relative raised and sold exotic birds. (amazons, cockatoos, macaws etc)
I really loved having birds and mine were just so adorable. I had a wooden ladder for them to climb up and down on and they would climb down and climb up the chair to sit with me. They all had little unique personalities too.
The upkeep is daily, but it's not a lot of work. The dander can be a bit much, but as long as you clean them daily it's not a problem.
I miss having my birds, but I won't get any more until the kids are older.

**Missy** · 02-05-2003, 12:25 AM

Love My cockatiel, He's great and surprisingly cuddly. He does though make a mess with seed and feathers...hes on my shoulder most of the time. Have parakeets too, but they aren't as friendly.

**Dedlered** · 02-08-2006, 05:12 PM

I just became the proud mother of two baby parakeets, so any and all tips, secrets etc would be appreciated..

**Newsnerd68** · 02-08-2006, 07:39 PM

I've had 2 cockatiels and love them. They are messy and do require that you spend time with them if you want them to be tame and happy. They live about 10-15 years (or more) and can learn to talk.

**leeleeaub** · 02-10-2006, 05:04 PM

This is the first time since I was 22 that I haven't had parrots. I use to raise macaws, conures, cocatoos and african grays.
If you are getting them for your children for pets questions to ask yourself before getting a bird is.
Are they old enough to feed them, change their water, clean out their cages.
They are easily finger trained if you get them young but it takes a lot of practice to get them to get on your finger and if they are the species that talk it takes a lot longer to get them to do this.
They need not only seeds but fresh fruits and veggies.
I have a ton of links if you are interested on care etc as well.
Here is one that specifically deals with children having birds as pets
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art9961.asp

**Dedlered** · 02-10-2006, 05:12 PM

Our birds are for my dh and myself.. They are so adorable and just now acclimating to the house but then again we have only had them for a week.

**Missy** · 02-10-2006, 07:39 PM

I love parakeets. We may get some more when the kids are older. One day i would love to add a macaw to our family.

Watch your little birds close. Learn their habits and their temperment well. birds have a bad habit of hiding illness (it's a survival technique, don't appear ill and predators are less likely to think you are easy to pick off). They tend to hide illness until it is really really bad. So knowing your bird and his/her/their habits, and general health is very important. Finding a vet in the area who has experience with avain treatments is important too.

Other than that, basic housekeeping, including routine cleaning of the cage, daily (i do twice a day) water and food changes, etc. Get yourself a brand new plant mister. One you are sure has never ever had chemicals in it. Take it home, wash it out with mild dish detergent, rinse well. Mist the birds regularly. they love it. plus it helps get dander dust off of their wings, head and bodies. Keep their area a comfortable temperature for you. Generally that's fine for them too.

Give them new (well...rotate out and in) toys often. They don't necessarily need specially purchased toys, mine loved plastic pony beads on zip ties. I made a long link chain of these and zip tied it ti the top of the cage. I made sure each "link" was big enough for them to get through easily, so they wouldn't be ensnarled in it. but could manipulate the beads around as they wished. Old keys on string that they can jingle, metal bells they can play with (mine liked to stick their heads in the cup part of the bell and shake the clapper...so does my male cockatiel.) Birds are smart and need mental stimulation provided...or they come up with their own entertainment...which often isn't so good. Ask me how I know.

Anyhow, enjoy your little feathered buddies!!

**PrairieRose** · 02-11-2006, 02:09 PM

Laura, start pretty soon on getting your birds used to your hand in the cage. Just put your hand in there and leave it for a few minutes, talking to the birds in a low, soothing voice, several times a day. And if you want them to be really tame, where you can get them out and truly interract with them it worked best for us not let them share a cage. They tend to stay more on the wild side if they have a bird buddy living with them. They really love you and will become quite the little companions if you work with them. They are very sweet natured (usually) .

**Dedlered** · 02-13-2006, 09:20 AM

Thank you Lisa and Missy!!

They have quite the personalities... and they are getting a little tamer

**madhen** · 02-13-2006, 09:07 PM

I have an African Grey, two mini-macaws (and fostering a third for local bird rescue), two budgies, and two Gouldian finches. The only ones I actually bought were the African Grey (ten years ago) and the finches (two years ago)! The rest are rescues or dumpees.

I've also been and continue to be very active in parrot rescue.

In re: parrots as pets, the big thing is noise and mess. Parrots, even budgies (parakeets) are noisy and messy. That is just what they are. In the wild, both traits serve them well. In your house, you'll have to figure out how to deal with it or go with a goldfish.

Cockatiels (and cockatoos) are powder-down birds. This means their down feathers literally disintegrate as they moult. That is why cockatiels have that little dust cloud around them when they shake out and why all your furniture will turn grey eventually. Not a huge problem, but a lot of people with allergies or asthma find it hard to deal with.

I never recommend parrots for younger children, although there is the rare exceptional child that understands that birds aren't necessary ever going to be "tame" in the sense that dogs are. Many birds in the U.S. today are only three or four generations removed from their wild ancestors, which means no time to evolve (or devolve, depending on how you look at it) out of their wild natures. Cockatiels and budgies are two exceptions (kind of). Both will still bite if provoked, and sometimes you will have NO idea what provoked them!

My Gouldians are beautiful, but they are more a living decoration than pets. They have a huge flight cage, and they are relatively tame for finches (will come up and eat near me), but they have no interest in being part of my life. I am just the slave who brings them fresh sprouts and yummy dessicated insects.

I would recommend checking into parrot rescue groups before you go out an plunk down $1,000 for a cockatoo. Right now, in California, Mickaboo Cockatiel Rescue is having a wave of cockatoos being dumped on them, and they can't find fosters fast enough. Often, if you are willing to foster a bird, the rescue will let you adopt the bird and waive the adoption fee (which is still WAAAY lower than retail costs of most birds). I really recommend fostering, especially if you've never had a bird, or want to try out a different species of bird. That way, if it doesn't turn out to be the right fit, you can take the bird back to the rescue - no harm, no foul. Or, if you just fall head over heels for the bird, you have had the opportunity to "test drive" it first! :-)